Win some lose some; this time I lost. Since I'm not an expert dyer who can dye by eye and know how to manipulate recipes, the project didn't turn out as I'd hoped. Unfortunately that is what usually occurs when there is a specific color wanted. However, the wool will be used and I'm glad it is toned down some. The wool on the left side is what I started with and the wools on the right side were the result of using 5 tablespoons of Silo Silver recipe from Vermont Folk Art dye booklet.
Last year I took some of that Scottish wool to Woolley Fox and Barb loved it. She told me to send a sample to Betsy for her to have it milled. Barb said it had a real old 'rag' look to it which would give age to a rug. It was used in my Lion and Trees rug (below) in a few places. Since the light threads stood out I'm sure the over dyed wool will be even better to use now.
But it won't be used for the project I had in mind because I was trying to replicate the color of the other wool to be used as a background. There just may be enough background wool but it is a better comfort level if you know there is more than enough to do the entire background.
There are factors which alter the results of a dye project ~ well water will produce a different result that city water. Locality has an influence as does whether it is a drought or rainy season. So even tho one may have a wool sample and recipe to go by, you may or may not get the same results depending on your water.
I'm envious of you who can manipulate wool color during the dye process. My friend Lynne Fowler is one of those people. And frankly I'm not sure that even if I dyed wool every day that I'd be able to do add a spec or two of another dye to turn the wool to the color desired.
Oh Deer is just about finished then I'll finish Henny Penny. What's on your frame?
Have a great weekend.
Saundra
While I really did have good intentions on pulling out my dye pot and showing you results today, it never happened. So figured it was as good a time as any to take a current picture of Oh Deer. Only just a little more to do on this 24 x 33 rug ~ hey, Lauren, aren't you proud I remembered to post the dimensions of the rug? Yes the colors are a little brighter than I envisioned but most of the wool was chosen from the wool I took to camp so it did come from my collection. Oh well, it is nice to have something colorful underfoot and to brighten a room.
Once the rug is finished my plans are to brush a little of the walnut dye in places, particularly on the white in the purple texture on the sides. Barb did specifically tell me to let a little of the white show. But I want to tone it down a notch.
The reason for the dye pot detour was yard work. Since we are to have about 3 days of rain it was imperative that I dig up the rest of the lirope lining the sides of my side walk. The rain will begin this evening and with so much more yard work to go was glad to get that part out of the way. Yeah, will have to decide whether to plant grass or some other low maintenance to fill the space. But that lirope was becoming too much of an annoyance to me.
And now it is time for me to start my pot delicious pot of Ribollita soup, and that will be the only pot on the stove this afternoon.
The wool has been soaking since yesterday and dye pot tomorrow is the new plan. Frankly, since it will be raining tomorrow it will be a perfect time to dye.
Sorry to disappoint those of you looking to see the dye job, but check back tomorrow. And, by the way, it is not a major dye day, I am dying something to go in my next rug and it is only about half a yard that I need.
Thanks for dropping by. Be kind to one another, kindness is contagious.
Saundra
Recently I blogged a picture of a June Chicken applique/stitchery by Indygo Junction done in 1997. In tandem with that 12 month series I also did a total stitchery for each month as well. This is the Angel of June.
Forgive me, but I cannot find the patterns, the name of the designer or anything to help you on your way to do the same stitcheries. I loved this one because of the bee skep hat the Angel is wearing.
Again, this could have been made into quilt throw or wall hanging but instead each remains as you see it here complete with loose threads hanging. Yet it is still fun to look at them each month and reminisce the anticipation of having this house built and the hopes my son would get a wife...... a GOOD wife. Uh sons do date those who we wish not for them to marry as did my son. But my son did not marry a good wife, but a wonderful wife. ....SHHHHH, don't tell her I said that.
Tomorrow I think I'll do a small amount of dying ~ I mean a really small amount but want to see what two pieces of wool will look like using my favorite High Meadow Green.
Drop by tomorrow to see what's happenin'.
Be kind to one another.
Saundra
.
Yup, something for textile addicted people who like to hook or quilt, and all in one book. It is the new book by Polly Minick and her sister Laurie Simpson entitled, simply, "Quilts & Rugs".
Inside there are a variety of the same design done in both hooking as well as quilting and templates for all designs are included in the book. Oh but you won't believe the variety from a Moby Dick Purse, Whale Pincushion Santa Pillow, Snowman Rug, Folk Art Santa Rug, Game Board rug just to name a few.
And if that weren't enough to make you want this new book for your library, here are a couple of the hooked items...... an antique adaptation of the 1868 Rug. And there is the quilted version in the book as well.
This White Star Rug design and Game Board are also included in the book.
For the upcoming winter season there is the Santa design, Santa with a Deer, Christmas stockings and Snowman Rug.
And doing a quick count of designs in the book, I counted 12 hooking projects and the Whale Pincushion. So before they are all sold out get yours at Minick and Simpson.
Thanks for dropping by.
Saundra
Guess my head has been spinning since coming home from Woolley Fox rug camp and trying to catch up....or rather stay afloat. Time went by so fast that I forgot to post a picture of my June Stitchery which was done in 1997.
For you new readers, this is a twelve month stitchery by Jan Patek, then of Indygo Junction patterns, and my intentions were to either finish each piece nicely for the purpose it is being used here (sofa table deco) or perhaps eventually putting all together for a quilt throw. Well neither one got done as is evident. This would also make a cute hooked mat idea.
However I cannot begin to think about my next hooking project until the Oh Deer and Henny Penny pieces are completed (both designs of Woolley Fox). But, would you believe while at camp I did purchase a new design and some of the wool for it? Won't give away the name of the design just yet...... after all, a lady does have to have some secrets.
Thanks for dropping by and please be kind to one another.
Saundra
As I previously mentioned on a previous post, upon Deb and I arriving to her house after Woolley Fox, I was greeted by Deb's husband who presented me with a bouquet of flowers (she also had a bouquet). This was the picture of the bouquet after coming home. It is sitting on my newly bound Spiral Chair Pad.
The chair pad was hooked prior to the Woolley Fox trip but as my dear friend Deb was piloting my van I sat binding the Red Bird rug; on the trip home I bound the spiral chair pad. What a great way to get an otherwise boring task done with a friend to chat with and music playing.
Once the mat was hooked and steamed I drew a line about 1" beyond the last row of hooking, sewed a seam around before trimming. Then I serged around the edge ~ sometimes I zig zag but this time was feeling like speeding up the process a little.
Next it was steamed again as I turned the edge over. I'd considered whipping the edge with wool yarn but wanted to maintain a single dark edge just as the rest of the spiral was. To have whipped the edge would have made the exterior row appear thicker. So, hand sewn cotton seam binding it was.
You may be aware that cotton binding has one edge which can be gathered for curvature of rugs. Sometimes you need to pick at the thicker edge at the end to get just the right thread to pull, but it is there. You can see the thread on my iPad and a little lightly gathering in the seam tape.
I hand sew the outside edge all the way around and gently gather a little as I go. But after the entire outside edge has been hand sewn you will need that final adjustment of the gathering.
Have a great evening and thanks for dropping by.
Saundra
Getting back to routine kept me away from hooking as much as I'd have liked but here is Oh Deer 11 days after it was started. Now that some of the background has been hooked closer to the deer, the rug doesn't appear to be as bright. Or at least it doesn't look as bright in my home as it does in the picture and may have appeared brighter with the light linen next to the deer and with the primitive dark it tames it down a tad.
My friend Lauren tries so hard to get me in the habit of informing everyone the dimensions of the rug I'm hooking and I always forget. Since she kindly reminded me again this morning, the design measures 24 x 33. Thank you Lauren, I'm sure everyone else who has visited the site or will visit would wonder the size as well.
Today there's more yard work to do and hope to accomplish some before it gets too dreadfully hot out there. Spring took a long time coming but sure did kick it up a notch from spring straight to summer heat and humidity, that's for sure.
Can't wait for summer red ripe juicy tomatoes to come on the vines of the local farmers. Since I live on a very acidic soil with lots of pine trees my growing of tomatoes has not been successful here. Summertime I could live on corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes. Many times that is all I eat for lunch or sometimes for dinner.
Tomorrow I plan to post another tutorial of sorts, for binding a round mat.
Saundra
My choice of design to hook at Woolley Fox camp was Barb's Oh Deer rug. I saw it in 2012 just after she hooked it. I was spell bound and knew it was going to be a future rug of mine. Barb enjoys the color planning process and tries to use as much wool a student brings as she can ~ but of course the colors have to work with one another so sometimes it means buying a smidgen of wool to pull it all together.
This is what I've accomplished so far. The color palate is a brighter than I normally hook and anticipated it would be a little more dull and primitive. So for sure this will remind me of the over the top laughter and fun times we had for 3 days with Barb and our gal pals. Perhaps the happiness influenced her brighter fun colors.
Since arriving home, unfortunately there has been less fun pulling loops and more time spent on laundry, yard work, and other responsibilities. Plus spending lots of make-up time with my boy Ben, who gave me a very warm welcome home... he missed his mommy.
I was in a turmoil as to which Woolley Fox design I would work on once arriving home ~ would it be the Henny Penny that was started just before camp or the Oh Deer? Well, the Oh Deer won out.
Today I spent some time with my son, DIL and grandson Zach and their friends. Hope you all had a happy and safe Memorial Day.
Saundra
Oh but a fun time was had by all. There were 6 of us; Sue, June and Eleanor stayed in the Guest House (closest to Barb's home); Deb, Char and I stayed in the Woolley Cottage which is a few steps further from the house. Both are lovely and warm with beautiful antiques and hooked rugs for us each to enjoy.
Not only are the cottages delightful but also the grounds are spectacular and eye candy as you walk to and from the classes. To the left you can see a portion of Barb's home and the wall with the sheep and blue awning is the Guest House.
This is the door to the Guest House under the awning and you can see the Woolley Cottage in the distance on the right.
This is the view from the back deck at the Woolley Cottage but totally forgot to get a front view or side view of our accommodations, sorry. Just know that we have had a great time hooking and having cocktails and snacks on the back deck.
This is the view we would see as we walk to classes ~ this is at the other end of the Guest House and you can see the back deck which was a nice place to sit in the morning with coffee or hook.
Sometimes we would walk to Barb's on the left and down the steps, and sometimes we'd take the walk to the right (picture above) and take the more scenic route. When we walked by the fishpond talking the koi would come to the surface hoping for a hand out of koi food and while we had none to share, it was fun to watch the frenzy in the water.
I took numerous pictures of the grounds but will move on to people and rugs. This is a picture of (l to r) Sue, Barb, June and Eleanor.
This is Sue watching and listening intently as Barb color plans her rug.
June and Eleanor busily hooking here.
And my pal Deb pulling loops like a maniac to my right. Can't believe how much she accomplished in just 3 days.
Sue was hooking Herb Angel a Lori Brechlin design sold by Spruce Ridge.
June hooked Halloween Hooligans by Star Rug Company.
Eleanor was working on a Warren Kimble design offered by Woolley Fox.
Deb hooked Monticello a Karen Kahle design. I dearly love the more primitive hooking and it is way different than Karen's pastel palate. This picture was taken Tuesday night before Wednesday's class where even more hooking was accomplished.
My dear pal Char, sly girl, managed to avoid all photos of her as well as her hooking. She was hooking a delightful design called Craig's Whale. It was drawn by her son as a child who is now 32. I was so hoping to get a picture of it and her but her Irish is mighty force when trying to capture her in pictures.
I know, you're wondering where my rug is, right? HA! You'll just have to wait for an update on my blog tomorrow.
Please be kind to one another.
Saundra
This is the smaller Henny Penny (a Woolley Fox design) which measures 15 x 21. As you can see I'm drawing lines to make it a smidgen larger and lines so that I can hook more blotchy spots of color. Sure hope I'll like it when I'm done, but if not I've been known to pull out loops and re-hook.
Actually I've since drawn more lines after the picture was taken so it will be quite easy for me to confuse myself. This is the project I'll work on Sunday night in the cottage and in class until Barb gets to me with my camp rug. If I'm lucky maybe I can get Barb's input on this one also. Although I might be a little embarrassed for her to see all the lines I've drawn on it.....hmmm, after thinking about it maybe I won't show it to her.
My van is almost packed and I will leave here tomorrow to spend the night with my friend Deb, and then head off to Ligonier, PA for a wonderful time with Barb Carroll. Have no fear, I will have camera in hand and will let you know about the fun time we had.
See ya in a few days......TA TA!
Saundra
The Spiral Chair Pad is in the wings waiting to be bound and will post a tutorial of sorts about binding a round mat in a future post after Woolley Fox rug camp. But for now, this is what I'm working on.
This is a design called Henny Penny offered by Woolley Fox and is the smaller size offered of the design. But because there was a nice wide extra margin thought I'd draw lines to extend the parameters of the design and do a little tweaking.... uh, maybe.
As you can see I plan to do the blocks of color to replicate 'using up' what is on hand as I do like the look. All the red is wool from my worms as are some features of the chicken. The dark sage green came from my stash and the lighter green was a green recently purchased with camp and this rug in mind.
Now this is a LOT more fun than the hit and miss chair pad!!!.
Have a wunnerful wummerful evening everyone. And thanks for visiting.
Saundra
Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers.
Today is a double holiday for my dear sweet daughter-in-love for it is also her birthday in addition to it being Mother's Day. This mother (me) has lots of chores to do as there are many on my list before leaving here next Saturday for Woolley Fox. I've spread them out over the course of the week to ensure they all get done. And there were some appointments which are also causing me to spread the work out.
So with cup of java in hand will head to my wool room to try and tidy it up a bit with the mess I made gathering my wool. And while there will trim around the spiral mat.
Have a great Mother's Day.
Saundra
I am so relieved and content now that the spiral mat is all hooked. As much as binding is not one of my favorite things, it will be a welcomed task for this piece.
I'm very happy that I replaced the outer row of wool with black. Here is a picture of what was originally hooked for the spiral, but in a brown at some point.
Oh yeah baby...... big difference. But must admit there came a time in hooking this that I frankly didn't care what color or value the wool was hooked next as long as it wasn't the same color beside or below. Have me committed if I do another hit and miss any time soon. And think the geometric will stay put for a couple more years before it is pulled out again.
There is much I need to do before leaving next Saturday morning but at least now I'm not feeling anchored to the mat. So I'm free to do other tasks to get ready for camp and perhaps even pull a few loops on a new, fresh, project if I have time to relax here. Plus that project will be what is worked on the evening arriving at Woolley Fox and keep me occupied until Barb gets to my Oh Deer design in class.
No way did I want to take the spiral to work on at Barbs. That would be like taking dirty laundry with me. AHHHHHHH, a deep sigh of relief. Thanks for visiting. Have a great weekend and happy Mother's Day to all.
Saundra
But before I show chaos pictures I'd like to welcome my 180th Followers... thanks for joining!
Here is the chaos with the STILL unfinished Spiral Chair Pad (notice Ben is laying right where my feet would be). Yes, I just overturned the tote so all tangled worms would be available. I want this sucker all hooked before I leave!!!!!!! Close, but not close enough. If it isn't done by the time of leaving for camp it will be put away forever and ever and ever I'm afraid.
And there is the chaos of now gathering wool for camp since the 32 patterns have been drawn and shipped.
Notice those two rings on the table to the right. That is where I put samples of the wool to be presented to Barb and will have the bulk of the wool in my van. So whatever she chooses can be retrieved from my van later. Previously I'd taken half yard of all my presentations and that was a lot of bulk to take to the class room. Now will just have these two rings full of samples for her to choose from.
That four spool of pink threads is the serger that saved my butt. That is the one which allowed me to finish the last two patterns for the shipment. Still don't know the story with the one just taken to the shop AGAIN. But hope to know before leaving for camp.
Thanks for visiting and hope you stop by again sometime.
Saundra
I'm both frustrated and thankful at the same time. I'm frustrated because I'd drawn out 30 of the 32 patterns and only had 2 more to cut, serge and draw to be done.
As luck would have it, my Bernina serger (which I just had serviced in March) began making a nasty 'click' and was afraid that to continue using the machine would just throw the timing off or worse break a part. So I had to stop in my tracks. Yes, I checked and double checked the threading and it was okay and the needle wasn't broken.
Thankfully my friend had given me an older Bernina serger when she learned mine was not working properly in March. The conversation couldn't have been more timely because it was headed to auction just days later. So with the grace of having that backup was able to finish the last 2 patterns. Here is the stack.
Now to do an invoice, box and ship tomorrow. And then I'll be free to finish the Spiral Chair Pad, gather my Woollie Fox items and prepare for camp. What I'm NOT happy about is having to drive an hour to take my Bernina in for repair again nor the trip home when I'd rather be getting ready for camp. But I will be needing it again soon so the sooner it gets repaired the sooner it can be picked up.
The Bernina guy did tell me that the linen is tough on sergers but hey, that is what we use to serge the linens isn't it? Does anyone know of a perfect work horse serger that can withstand the coarseness of linen?
Oh, and another bit of luck is that I had JUST enough linen to do the last two patterns. So now need to order more Dorr Natural Primitive Linen and need to do that before I leave for camp as there will be more patterns to draw when I return home I'm sure.
Thanks for dropping by. TA TA.
Saundra
Margaret hooked this rug in record speed. I just checked and she purchased it on April 18th and it has not even a whole month later and she has it hooked. The measurements are 18 x 35 so it isn't huge but it also isn't a mat size. It still needs to be bound but she was so excited to share with me (and you) that she sent a picture early; and I'm glad she did.
Along with the picture she had this to say.....to quote Margaret,
"Hi Saundra,
Not yet bound, but I just steamed it and it's resting comfortably. I was skeptical about the yellow kool aid but it really seems to work with the other colors.
I enjoyed hooking this and hope that you are able to entice many more hookers to do their own version. It's simple but very charming!"
Thanks for your kind words Margret and happy you like it. For all who have ventured onto my blog, thanks for visiting.
Saundra
My friend Mary hooked Domestic Zoo and entered it in the the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and won Second Place. Congratulations Mary!!!!!!!!! This is a picture of the beautiful entry and ribbon.
Now that Mary knows what the judges are looking for and nit picky things she knows to correct, she plans to enter it in the Maryland State Fair. So check back later to see what ribbon she gets next.
Okay, I've been remiss in posting a picture of the spiral hit and miss chair pad. That is because I've been busy drawing patterns for someone ~ I've drawn 23 and have 10 more to do before I leave for Woolley Fox rug camp. Since these need to be shipped before leaving for camp I can't be having fun hooking OR even getting ready for camp.
So, here is what has been accomplished so far on the chair pad and it seems like so far to go to finally finish even tho I see the area of the spiral getting thinner.
I truly do like the look but hate hooking it. Hit and miss takes a lot more effort than you would think.... UH, or than I thought. There is still the hit and miss geometric I started over 7 years ago which still needs to be finished but don't think that will happen any time soon.
No more drawing of patterns tonight, gonna have din-din, walk the boy Ben and hook more on the %#!?# spiral chair pad.
Hope you have fantastic evening.
Saundra
Actually I received it yesterday afternoon, however I'd already posted on my blog so saved this for today. But in yesterday's mail received the book of sketches from Lori of NotForgottenFarm. And much to my surprise was an unexpected gift..... a retractable tape measure with her logo.
Immediately after taking this picture it was put in my woven basket which holds my hooks, scissors, rug brush, felt tip pen and all important hooking paraphernalia. Thank you Lori!!!!! The girls at camp will be jealous.
Saundra
In 1997 I did two sets of 12 month stitchery projects in anticipation of the new home being built; one was posted yesterday of the applique. And I also did 12 Angel stitcheries, one for each month.
Unfortunately I couldn't locate the patterns so can't provide info on the original designer. But if anyone knows please write me so that I can give credit to the designer.
Obviously I'm biding time in hopes the spiral chair pad will soon be done and can post a finished picture.
Saundra
Spring is definitely in the air and so is the pollen but the leaves and new green grass is ever nice to look at instead of snow. This is just one of 12 stitchery designs by Indygo Junction which I appliqued and stitched the year this house was being built.
They were all fun to applique and I'd planned to finish each of them properly but think only one was finished nicely. Each month I look forward to the change out. This one I placed on the school marm's desk to take a picture of it and was moved back to the sofa table.
There are a few designs which would make great small hooked pieces too; one design I plan to hook before next winter. This particular design is tempting me to buy some new herbs for my garden.
Have a great evening everyone, and please be kind to one another.
Saundra
