WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT ?

Oh but I've lots of stuff I could chat about but I'll exhibit a little restraint.  Would you believe I just might need to order another bolt of linen soon?   I don't want to wait until I'm really needy like last time when there was at least a month's backorder wait list.  And then when it arrived noticed a big increase in price.

Today I received a pattern order for an E.S. Frost rug with Birds and Flowers (my version is below).  I confirmed and re-confirmed her order so that bolt is slowly dwindling away.

I've cut and serged the linen for the Frost rug and will draw it out tomorrow after breakfast.  So finishing up STARS will be delayed as well as beginning the new one.  At least there isn't a pile of wool on the drawing table this time, I've been too busy drawing for the table to get piled up.

A pot of vegetable soup is simmering on the stove and the wonderful aroma is permeating the house.  Am sure it will still be lingering when I awake in the morning. 

Don't forget to set you clocks forward before you go to bed tonight.  So my birds will just be delayed an hour tomorrow.  Would you believe that when I put out the feeder at 7:30 a.m. by noon it is empty!#?!  The feeder has 6 feeding sections and think every bird in the area knows this is a welfare location.  As previously mentioned I use to have 2 feeders out and the birds went thru 40 pounds of sunflower seeds in 2 weeks.   

No more,  just one feeder now until the birds decide to fly elsewhere for their welfare $eeds.  OH, AND... I do not want to pay for someone else's college education unless it is my grandson's!!!!  

Me thinks it is time for me to stir some soup instead of my blood pressure, lol.  

     

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

NOT MUCH TIME FOR HOOK'N (edited)

Fewer loops have been pulled this week since I've been busy drawing patterns.  This is even after drawing two Domestic Zoo patterns.  Dancing Rabbits design has regained popularity again so drew a couple of those for folks.  Here is a version hooked by Nancy Kilrain when I hosted the hook-along last year.

edit:   I'd completely forgotten that I also drew Blue Bowl of Flowers and was reminded when Lauren said she was in a class with Lora for whom I drew the pattern.  The is the version I hooked.

One person ordered two big rugs, one named Rainbow Petals (on my web site) and hooked by Diane Klamik;

and another pattern I've not drawn before.  I believe it is a Canadian rug and have even written to Rug Hooking Museum of Nova Scotia to see if they could provide me any information.  So far no response.  If any of my readers know anything about this design please let me know.  This pattern I titled "Flower Girl" and hope to have a photo on my web site this summer after it is hooked.

And lastly, one for me, it is also a biggie for me at 32 x 35.  Nope, not gonna unveil it yet you'll just have to chew on it a while longer, lol.

Hope all is well with everyone and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

FLORA INSIDE and OUTSIDE

Here is the fauna inside my home, The Forever Floral is now completely finished so that journey has ended.  Now I've a clean slate with none left to bind, one left to finish hooking and the prospect of something new to hook in my future.

Not sure if I mentioned this in previous posts but my inspiration for drawing this was Theresa Rapstein's (right) adaptation of a rug she hooked.  Theresa's adaptation is of the Gloucester Floral hooked 1850-1874 located at the Beaufort Sleeper McCain House Gloucester, MA.

I was blown away by the antique look and wanted to challenge myself to design a rug ~ smaller but trying to replicate an antique look.  Of course mine doesn't even compare to the fine work she did but it was fun up until it wasn't, lol.  That's when I re-named it "The Forever Floral" since  it seemed to take me forever to finish it.

Julia (Of Petals and Wool) asked me a few days ago to take some photos of what's growing in the yard.  When I went to hang out the bird feeder I noticed those ground growing pink bleeding hearts and no visible stem in sight.  On either side are the start of daylilies.

Daffodils and periwinkle (vinca minor) in bloom.

More Daffodils plus lots of leaves.

Even more daffodils....

And a big assortment of day lilies and tiger lilies.

Those were just from the side yards, no pics of the back or of the forsythia which also have blooms.  Going to be a high of 50 tomorrow with high winds which will make it feel colder.  But hey, it is better than snow baby!!

Happy hooking and saying prayers for my friends.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

THE WOOL and PROGRESS

Julia (Of Petals and Wool) asked if the center of the background for the STARS rug was a tweed, so thought I'd take a photo of the background wool.  Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) is very good about posting wool she uses in her rugs from the get-go, she's more organized than me.

The bottom wool is on the outside of the background and is rather slippery so it must have some cashmere.  The top wool I've never used before and thankfully seemed to work and blend in. 

Now I wish I'd made this pattern larger than 17 x 30 as I'm almost done plus had more area on the piece of linen to draw it bigger.

Today was a lovely day in the low 60s and I could have been outside working in the yard prepping it for cutting season plus putting in more steps for the day.  But received a pattern order this morning for Blue Bowl of Flowers (an antique adaptation) so the yard can wait!.  Now it is drawn and ready to ship tomorrow.  Below is the one I hooked.

For those of you looking at blue bowl for the first time you're probably wondering why those flower stems don't go inside the bowl.  Before drawing it out for me to hook I pondered putting the stems inside then nixed the idea.  That was the way the original antique was hooked and wanted to replicate the quirkiness of the design which makes it more endearing in my eyes and mind.  But before drawing it for Lora asked her how she preferred those stems...ahhh, just like the antique.

Here is the antique for those of you who missed it on my one of my 'antique rug shows'.

Have a great evening and wonderful week.  May all your loops be perfect.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

RUG SHOW

Have found a few new ones since my last rug show but not as plentiful a find as has been in the past.  But I'll take what I can get.  Although I must admit there are those antique rugs up for auction which don't float my boat so don't save them.

It's bunny season so Janice (Prims by the Water) should enjoy a couple of these rugs.  First up is this rug with two bunnies in a diamond, this is the front.  It measures 20 x 35.

A view of the back for the cleaner true colors.

And then there were 3 ~ Bunnies that is.  Said to be hooked early 20th century it is hooked with cotton and knits on burlap.  It measures 20 x 38.

This is a close up of the textiles used.

As I've daffodils blooming in my yard and the daylilies popping out of the ground, thought I'd show you a tulip rug which  measures 23 x 39.

For the true colors and repairs here is the back.  Notice how it was hooked all the way to the edge with the foundation turned and hooking thru more than one layer.

This whaling rug was found the same day as the other previously shown but wanted to post them different times.  Don't have a date but it measures 29 x 34.

Sorry to show this snowy landscape when so many of you are getting bombarded with that white stuff.  Wonder if I should post it in July or August so it would trick us into feeling cooler 😀?  Dimensions of this are 24 x 35.

I love the colors of this 64" round floral.  Almost reminds me of a dissected tree showing the age lines of growth.

Is the date on this horse rug 1911 or 1917 (center bottom)?  Whichever, it is nice, hmmmm, very nice.

Guess to please most everyone else I need a cat and a dog rug.  I'm not a cat aficionado but am guessing these are Maine Coon cats.  Size is 22 x 35.5 and said to be hooked 19th century.

A black dog hooked late 19th century measuring 28 x 46.  It sold for $1,185 in 2012.

There ya have another rug show and hope you enjoyed it.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

IT'S OFFICIALLY METEOROLOGICAL SPRING

Yup, there are buds on numerous trees in the yard, the forsythia bushes and most of the daffodils have full blooms on them.  The down side is that soon the grass will need to be cut.  If you'd like to know the difference between meteorological and astronomical spring you can find out HERE.

The other day Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) asked if I'd decided on my 'plus one' rug to work on.  My reply to her was that the 'stars' rug was still fun to hook and didn't feel the need to get away from it.  But as soon as I started complaining of 'stars wars' I'd soon be drawing another to work on the side.    

Here's my lackluster accomplishments so far but loops pulled nonetheless.  It is a smallish 17 x 30 so had hoped to achieve more on it.  Oh well, it is still here to work on at my leisure and rug hooking should be enjoyed, right?  Not fast, but fun.

Tomorrow is going to be another wonderful day with temps in the 60's.  I worked in the yard for a while today raking up those dreaded gum balls and tidying up the driveway entrance.  But much more needs to be done to get ready for the real work yet to come.  Mind you, not the hard work friend Julia (Of Petals and Wool) will tackle and I have no plans to even try to compete with her. 

Have a great evening and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com           

   

THIS and THAT

Weatherman didn't disappoint yesterday; there were snow flurries which never covered the ground then changed to drizzle of rain.  Happy happy it didn't last.                  

When I stepped onto the front porch to take that photo I noticed the bolt of linen had arrived.  Boy was I surprised and elated and UPS guy didn't ring the door bell.  Was surprised because every afternoon I'd check my credit card to see if I'd been charged for linen and with no charge guessed they still hadn't received their shipment.

Although I gave them my credit card number my account wasn't charged so I'll call Monday and give it to them again.  Besides, the invoice didn't reflect my discount so either they forgot to give it to me or linen has gone up a few dollars per yard since last purchase.  And with the increased cost of everything else that wouldn't be a surprise.

Immediately I emailed the two gals who ordered a Domestic Zoo pattern to see if they were still interested in purchasing the pattern.  Then took the linen to the wool room, cleaned off the table which was piled with wool (again) and proceeded to cut linen.

Received a response from one gal and her pattern has been drawn.  The second pattern, tho I've not heard from her, will be drawn this afternoon so that when/if she replies it will also be ready to ship.

I did make that pot of SOUP spoken about in the previous post and it was great.  I added extra onion, celery and a couple extra carrots than the recipe called for.  Since there was leftover turkey pieces in the freezer thought I'd use that before it got freezer burn ~  waste not want not.  Also used freshly ground ginger ~ I keep it in the freezer and it retains its freshness longer plus grates up easily.  As I didn't have fresh turmeric I used powdered.  So you're wondering...would I make it again?  Probably would as it had a great flavor and healthy spices.

Be cautious when stirring, as some broth splattered on my light grey sweat shirt and had to take it to the laundry room to apply a pre-wash stain spray.  Next time I'll wear something else.

Speaking of Domestic Zoo, Carol this is particularly for you enjoyment, lol.  Here is a photo of the rug I hooked.

And here are a few versions hooked by others so you can see various color choices.

Just finished lunch and think I'll pull a few loops before drawing the second pattern.  Happy Sunday and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MISC. CHIT CHAT

The last one standing on the could-be pile is in the process of being bound.  This time instead of a whipped edge I've chosen cotton type binding method.  I'll plan to work on this at least an hour a day (hopefully) so it isn't left when the Stars rug is finished.  Not that Stars is close to being fully hooked mind you, it is just that hooking is more fun and I tend to do that more than focusing on binding.

Yesterday weather was high 70's today in the high 50's and tomorrow will be in the upper 30's.  There is snow predicted but since the ground is so warm there won't be any accumulation and then will turn to rain.

However, tomorrow's menu is planned and it will be a different soup recipe than I've ever made before and will give you my rating after the meal.  I shared the recipe with a blogger friend and when she makes it am sure she will share her thoughts as well.  

Yesterday I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things including pearl couscous which I'd never used before.  In case you're interested in reading about this soup you can read about it HERE.

A post or two ago I told you about the number of goldfinch and other species of birds hogging the feeders.  Would you believe I  they have gone thru 40 pounds of black oil sunflower seeds in 14 days?  Right now a 40 pound bag at Walmart sells for $29.99. 

 

Each evening at dusk I bring in the empty feeders and take them out filled the next morning.  Most mornings the birds will be sitting on tree limbs or the poles where the feeders hang waiting for their meal ticket.  Those birds are on welfare and I'm no better than big government for providing free food which the birds could naturally find for themselves.  

Happy Friday, happy hooking. 

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

WHIPPING and LABELING

Thankfully there is only one rug to bind on the pile as Woman on Horseback was just whipped and label attached.  There is a downside to my label making madness as I don't do individual labels.  I wait until there are 6 rugs to label so they can be printed on normal paper size fabric covered sheets.  

When I do an antique adaptation I always put a photo of the original antique on the label.  For the Woman on Horseback I copied an image of Lucinda Ward's quilt block on the label.  Here is a photo of the labels made for the last 6 rugs hooked.  You can read about how to do that HERE.

This evening I'll try to make up hooking time on the "Stars" rug.  Stupidly I hooked a big star with the wrong color and ripped the sucker out only to hook it again in the right color.  This reverse hooking seems to happen a lot to me.  But forward or reverse rug hooking is still my comfortable place.

Weatherman says this area of Delaware just might, beat the average high for this time of year tomorrow.  Could be high 70's almost 80.  BUT then will plummet to low temperatures.  So plans are to do laundry for whites and hang them out tomorrow morning the make some soup for the colder temps.  Like I've said before.... "weather in Delaware is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get".

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

LOOK FAMILIAR ?

It should, it was one of the rugs I'd considered hooking in this POST.   Actually my plan all along was to have this design as the plus one with another as the main project.  That rug, tho posted in that mix, will remain unidentified because it may end up as the plus one.  I  named this design "Stars, Stars, Stars" and drew it 17 x 30.

The dark border and star are dark blue not black.  The background is a wool  purchased years ago from a jobber in Baltimore and hated it after being washed.  I thought it would full nicely but ended up being slippery.  But the color sure does work as a match to the original.

Happy Sunday funday all.  Oops,  it's after wine O'clock, cheers.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

It's Another Rug Show

This is an antique rug I drew for a customer.  She wanted the long side to be 44" long requiring at least another 6" for the margin making a required linen length at least 50".  Since my bolt of linen hasn't arrived the longest piece of linen I had was 45".  Which would only allow the rug's design to be 39".   

She decided to go with that size and it is still plenty large enough for her to hook in #8, #8.5 and larger for background, roosters, etc.  It began to grow on me while drawing it.  It was hooked 1890 but don't know the original dimensions .

While perusing my photos came across a similar style.  It was also hooked 1890, measures 19 x 30 and sold for $3,250.  Which makes me wonder if there were other variations of the design by the same peddler using the floral as the main focus.

Country Home dated in the1800's with dimensions of 20.5 x 36, this is the front.

For true colors here is the back.

I'm done hooking florals, but for you flower lovers here is one with a scallop border plus 8 point stars.  It measures 20.5 x 34. 

Libby, was a Guard Dog at the Confederate Prison for Union Captives.   I found the description so interesting I had to google it and you can find one source HERE.

A lion rug pre-civil war measuring 34 x 42.  It is dated 1857 on the far side edge of the rug.

Love Birds dated Mar 13, 1902; it measures 32 x 48.    

I found a couple whaling rugs, will show this and save the other for a future post.  Hooked late 19th/early 20th century and measures 26.5 x 38.5.

I've shown cats, dog, lions, birds, boats and whales.  So before I end the post I MUST find a horse!  This primitive horse is in disrepair and with a date of 1875.

Am down to one partially bound rug and one larger rug hooked but not even started binding.  At least there aren't three piled up.

Rainy day with cooler temps here but at least no snow.  If only the weather was all the folks in Palestine, Ohio had to worry about.  God Bless them and hope the EPA, Buttigieg, and Norfolk Southern railroad do what they should to help these folks.  If the EPA and others say the water is fine I want to see every f'n one of them drink a glass from the spigot. 

Also I'm concerned the $1,000 they are offering the residents will disable their ability to sue if and when they all have cancer as that would be a sign of waiving their right to sue. 

 Need to take a deep breath now and go play with my rugs.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com