Pillow in Progress

This is the second installment of the making of Hearts and Swags into a pillow.  It is hard to see in this picture but with right sides together I did one row of hand stitching close to the last hooked row (using heavy cotton button hole thread) followed by one row of machine stitching all the way around.  Well, except for the opening at the bottom of the pillow.  But I did go around those two corners at the bottom so that the pillow could be contained and controlled better when hand stitching it closed.  The hand stitching is closer but at least the machine stitch is the more secure back up that will prevent my pillow from teasing open.

Then at the bottom corner I turned in and stitched down the corner.  Followed by a running stitch all the way around securing down the excess linen backing.  This is done so the inside of the hooked pillow cover is smoother when inserting the pillow stuffing.

Each of the corners are turned in and mitered; again, to make a smoother inside when it comes time to insert pillow stuffing. 

Turned inside out (below) is front of the pillow, and you can see the opening at the bottom.  Also notice how the bottom corners have been stitched to contain the dimensions.

Flipped over you can see the back of the pillow. 

 

Tomorrow I have a doctor appointment so plan to take the un-stuffed pillow cover with me and do a little more work on it as I sit impatiently in the waiting room.  They are NEVER on time at this doctor's office and need something to occupy my time...which is also valuable.  I mean at my age I've less time to waste than they do.

So stay tuned for the installment 3 of the making of a pillow tomorrow afternoon.  What you are looking at below is the space between the back and hooked front of the pillow cover.  When I bring it home tomorrow it will have a primitive trim all the way around.  It is a delightfully primitive technique that Betsy taught us in her class.  Ah, I think I've got your attention.

Try to stay warm folks.  These are some very frigid temperatures and with wind chill it is even colder.  I pray that homeless people and stray animals can find shelter. 

Saundra

Santa and Deer Update

Not a whole lot more was hooked since you last saw it but here is what the 'guys' look like now and picture taken with a flash.

Today I did manage to get some hand stitching done around the Hearts and Swags pillow while waiting to pick up my grandson from school.  You've heard the story before...... I hate the finishing part; yet I'm anxious to be able to use the pillow so I'm torn between working on the pillow and hooking.  Don't you wish all issues were this level of difficulty?

Strange weather we're having in Delaware.  Three days ago it was 7 degrees when I walked Ben with 5-6" of snow outside.  This morning when I awoke and walked him the snow was gone of course, and the temperature was 61 degrees.  But then temps dropped and it will be 9 degrees tonight.  But hey..... it's Monday and the weather man said it is going to be 60 again by Saturday......  Strange.

Stay warm everyone.

Saundra

Let the Pillow Begin

First I want to show you the front hooked part of the pillow.  This was a FUN and FAST project which was started in Betsy Reed's class this past November.  For those just joining me the design measures 20 x 20 (I also offer a 25 x 25 version for those who like larger).  I call it Hearts and Swags and it is an antique adaptation.

This was a hand torn project and the strip widths were between 1/2" to 1" and on occasion I used a leftover in #8.5 or whatever was available if the color was right.  I LOVE how the really wide strips curl.  A photo without a flash.

And photo with a flash.

Those who have been reading my blog for a while know I'm avid about securing the raw edges of backing to prevent any chance of raveling.  So I did the normal two rows of straight stitching, one row of zig zag, trimmed and THEN did a serged edge.  Even tho this will be made into a pillow and the edge tucked inside it still needs to be properly finished, IMHO.

I wanted to have the pillow back done in the 'patchwork' style that Betsy showed us in class.  Here are two hooked Hearts she did which shows that style.

And here is Betsy demonstrating how to do a pillow.  She has turned under her hooked linen backing down and has stay stitched it in place.  She didn't have a sewing machine in class so there are raw edges.  Betsy is using a quilting product known as Warm and Natural to baste her wool patches onto, pinning them along the way.  Notice that the Warm and Natural is cut smaller than the size of the pillow, which I also did (as you will see).

 Betsy then shows how she turns under the edges of the wool and that part will be hand stitched down using a sturdy button hole thread or other sturdy thread and securing close to the last row of hooked loops.

But I wanted to take it a step further.  While I did have some Warm and Natural instead I used a piece of fabric (not wool) and cut it just inside the dimensions of the design (as did Betsy). I wanted my pillow to slide in a little easier than perhaps the Warm and Natural would have allowed.

Next I started choosing wool.  Hey, I've kept wool that ended up being too thick to hook with but is perfect for purse backs and now this pillow back.  So those were the wools I sought out.  Don't throw anything away as it will be used for something one day.  I am pinning the wool to the plaid fabric and plan to completely make the pillow back before attaching.

There were a couple different designs I had in mind.  One had a donut shape in the center of the back similar to the one on the front.  And thought of doing a wool swag on a corner but it all seemed to 'fussy' so just went simple.

Oh yuck!  This picture is a flash and the colors are NOT like the one above; notice the plaid to the top right (above)?  That is really what the plaid to the top left looks like ~ but not in this picture below with the flash.  Anyway, I stitched all the pieces of wool directly onto the plaid piece of fabric.  THEN, did the primitive stitch over that.  Oops, guess you can see that I steamed the pillow back after stitching because I can still see the impression of the iron.  Oh well, this is a pillow for me and doesn't show up except in this flash photo.

 

What I've done now is put right sides together and pinned all the way around the hooked front.  I've straight pins where I will be hand stitching and THEN machine stitching over that.  Unlike Betsy's demonstration I wanted to do the two series of stitching all the way around; one by hand and one by machine.  Not that my way is better, I'm sure her way does the very same thing and works as well.  And.... in case you are wondering, yes, guess you could call me anal? 

At the bottom you will see safety pins.  That is to remind me to NOT stitch there because that is where I will turn the pillow inside out.  And that portion will be the only part which is just hand stitched down.

Since I've not pulled a loop on Santa and Deer all day think I'll do that this evening.  But stay tuned to see how this project turns out.

Saundra

Santa and Deer Reappear

Today a few more loops were pulled on the background and do like the tan/brown texture background.  And I love the choice of wool chosen for the antlers.  It is a nubby textured wool that Barb totally loved and said she hadn't seen that wool in years.  Lucky me stumbled upon a woman's blazer at the thrift store and since it was mostly wool purchased it.  Can't remember what the other ingredient was but it was a natural fiber.  Each time I take some to Barb's camp she uses it in part of my rug so thought I'd use it for the antlers here.

But, are you getting as bored watching my updates of progress as I am?  The fun part of hooking this design is over and all that's left to hook are a couple more stick trees, background and border. 

I think I need to make my antique adaptation of Hearts and Swags into a pillow and give myself something different and interesting to do.  It will require me doing some outside the box thinking for the pillow back as I want to do it sorta different than Betsy taught us in class....BUT, using her technique.  Ah, have I piqued your interest?  Perhaps that will be my challenge for tomorrow. 

Stay tuned, stay warm and take this winter time to relax and do what makes you happy. 

Saundra

Snow Day Hook'in

Well actually I had to do a little snow physical labor as you could see from my previous post.  Also managed to fill an order for someone for a little pin money.  So it was a good day with a little work and a little play.  But I still don't like snow ~ Loved it as a kid but I'm older now.

This is my adaptation of the antique Santa and Deer rug I've been hooking.  Have made more headway and already I'm thinking about what design to put on another frame.  When it gets down to the background I get bored and like to have more than one hooking project going on at the same time.

Here is another shot of the Santa rug while Ben (paw to the right) was looking on to give his input. He seems to think I need a little spark in Santa's eyes like the deer has.  He is right IF the white will show up in the blue.  For sure I didn't want dark eyes for Santa. 

Was giving some thought on changing the deer lead (leash) using a dark.  And like Lori I sometimes over think things.  So what I'll do is keep it like this until more is hooked and then decide.

Hope everyone is warm and enjoying being inside with their 'fun' things to do.

Saundra

Snow

Yup, unfortunately I got snow too.  Thank God it wasn't what Canada endured but I'm not in favor of this either.  The weather station yesterday said we would get around 2" - 4" for the Seaford area and learned we received between 5" - 6".  From the looks of my photos was sure it would be over 4" in height by what was on top of the table, bird bath and the deck railings.  Hope my pond netting doesn't collapse and trap my fish.  It is totally covered so will have to go out and see if I can brush it off.  I did brush it off before going to bed last night but it continued to snow all thru the night.



I hate snow.  Yes it is pretty but it is bothersome for me since I'm the one who must shovel it and deal with the build up on the pond net, walking Ben in it, and beating the trees so the weight doesn't make them snap off.   

The heavy snow is weighing down the pines and when the wind picks up wouldn't doubt if trees come down over some power lines in the area to cut off electricity.  Thankfully I've a propane gas log fireplace if that happens so Ben and I will sleep in the living room for warmth.

I tried walking Ben after his breakfast but all he wanted to do was run in the snow and kept pulling me along.  He never did take care of 'business' so if he has to go, he will just have to endure the back yard as momma is staying in the house and going to hook.

Hope you are staying warm.

Saundra

1 January 2014

Holy Moly.... how can this be?  Yet another year passed already?  Oh well, it is a new month and time for the January quilt applique and stitchery.  Guess starting out the new year you need 'new mittens', right?

And yes, I did the applique with raw edges.  However, I have done fold over type stitchery before and used the double sided light adhesive ~ so I AM informed.  I just wanted primitive raw edges for these.

And the January stitchery also shows mittens.

I'm still enjoying hooking on the Santa and Deer and have made a little progress which I'll show you tomorrow. 

Happy New Year to all.  My wish for each of you is good health.  I read on Rughookers from someone (and it is true) if you have your health, can get out and about to meet with friends to share special time with .... you have it all.

Thanks to everyone who visits my blog and those who take that special time to post.  Oh, and you "Followers", you ROCK!

Saundra

Last Day of 2013

I promised myself that I would have my departed Shadow Memorial hanging on the wall THIS year.  And by golly girl dog I kept my promise.  As of this morning binding on Shadow was almost 1/4 done so spent the rest of the afternoon finishing that and preparing a sleeve for the dowel.  Now she will hang on the wall and begin the new year at my right side every day..... like she always did.....by my side.

So that leaves just the antique adaptation Hearts and Swags piece for me to make into a pillow.  That will be fun and a challenge which I plan to do before binding Santa and Deer.

Speaking of which...... I haven't pulled a loop on the Santa rug all day but plan to do so tonight.  HA, which means my plans are to spend a calm new years eve hooking and will welcome 2014 behind closed eye lids.

Have a great evening, and will chat with you NEXT YEAR.

Saundra

Well I'll Be... Bells

As many times as I've looked at the antique Santa and Deer rug picture I never noticed until now there were bells on the Deer's collar. 

So yup, had to hook those babies in.  There are three but the ones on the sides don't show up well, the one in the center does.  Perhaps I'll have to work on that and make a different choice of wool so the other two show up; or better placement of the wool color against the brown body.

For sure I'm happier with the new shape of the face and collar rather than halter across the nose; it defines the shape of the head better and gives the deer a sweeter look.  My deer needs a bit of a bigger nose too I think.  Now need to hook the ears and decide on the antler color.

The glove color was also changed out and went with a different and slightly brighter green.  That was an over dyed piece I did on  Honeycomb wool of which I only had a smidgen. 

And... the border.  I've been pondering the border since drawing out the design.  There was the thought of no border, a plain all around border like the antique or hooking swags randomly here and there. 

When it came time decided to go with a regular framing.  I figured the swags would detract from the focus of the main objects.  But maybe next time I'll do the swags.  That is if I ever hook it again.  

What I'm using here is wool from a man's suit coat (recycled wool, ain't it grand?).  The wool has the green from the trees, brown like the deer and a smidgen of brown/gold. This wool appears more green than brown but I've another I just might try before the final decision is made.

Oh, for background think I'll go with the tan/brown plaid texture (thanks for your input Louise).  It seemed to do well around the moon with the brown part of the plaid hooked closest to the gold. 

What to do about Santa

I'm having issues with my Santa and Deer rug.  It seems that all I do is air my dirty laundry on my blog about the decisions or issues with the rug I'm working on at the time.  And truly I do enjoy hooking, but since it's only me and Ben here there's no one for me to vent to other than my readers.  Oh don't you feel special now ~ haha.  But it also gives any of you newbies comfort knowing that you aren't the only ones who are in a quandary on what to do next.

So here's the skinny........ I've tried two different wools for possible background choices and not sure I like either because they will both make the moon disappear.  Hmmm, maybe if I use the most blue part of the texture wool which is to the right of Santa's beard around the moon it will be okay.  Oh, I've put a black arrow at Santa's cap and that is a tail sticking up and encroaching on the pom pom of Santa's cap.

Then there is the tan texture hooked in above the deer's butt and toward the tree.  Since the original antique had a tan background with a darker brown border thought that might be a good option. 

So...... do I go with the texture which has blue to make it look like sky or go with the tan/brown texture similar to the antique?  Decisions decisions.

The other problems are Santa's gloves (yet again) and the Deer's face.  For Santa's gloves think I've got it figured and will re-hook using the green in the tree limbs instead of the texture used for the trunk I used. 

So that next decision is what to do about the deer face.  The original antique has a collar around the neck instead of a halter across the nose.  If I change mine it will eliminate the issue I have on how to separate the face from the chest of the deer.  And, just now I walked away from the computer, pulled out the wool and re-drew the face.

So guys, gals and hookers all..... check back tomorrow to see what I've gotten myself into now.  Hopefully it won't be another 'hot mess' but a lovely antique adaptation going in the right direction.

Ta ta.

Saundra

Figuring out Santa

I'm still having fun figuring out my vintage Santa and Deer rug but so far haven't decided on my background.  And sure hate having nothing left to hook except background and border.  Usually after I hook a motif will do at least one row of background around it so it frames the motif as well as making less background to hook all at once.   Well duh, I haven't chosen my background yet.

Here is what I've hooked on Santa so far.

Dang..... I think I've got to find yet another mitten color for Santa as the glove still gets lost in his coat.  And Tried a textured plaid for the deer's eye and just might go with flat black so it shows up more.

Now to the ticklish situation of background.  The wool to the top right of Santa's head (near the moon) I have plenty of but it is too light for what I want.  The softer wool to the left is all there is in my stash and that is what I was going to use but there's not enough of it.  NOTE TO SELF.....("find out who sells it and order more"). 

The light textured wool to the right is what I THINK I'll go with because it will give the appearance of sky, soft neutral and think it will work okay around the deer and trees.

Even I don't know which direction I'll go on the eye or background yet (for certain) what I choose might not be what you would have chosen .  There is no right or wrong it is just what our personal color preferences are; I mean we have to live with our rugs so it is ultimately our choice.

Vintage Santa and Deer

Here is the current picture of the progress on Santa and Deer.  Really wanted to keep on hooking but needed to cut more white wool for Santa's trim and decide an alternate color wool for Santa's gloves.  What I chose sure seemed like a good idea at the time because it had some gold and green in it but the value is just too close to the coat and it gets lost.  So now I'm thinking of going with the plaid used for the tree trunk which has some red but a lot of green.  Oh well, back to the drawing board...uh make that the wool cutting board.

If you look at my Santa you will see that I chose to go with a more primitive look for the face, sorta like the original.  My friend Shari (remember her perfection hand sculpted Santa in a previous post?) hooked her Santa with the eyes more realistic in appearance.

 

My background wool hasn't been chosen yet as more of the elements will have to be hooked before I decide that.  And, as I look at the original antique again am considering re-drawing the placement of the 'collar' from what I have on the nose like a halter, to more of a dog type collar like the original.  The jury is still out on that right now.

This is what the original looks like.  Part of me wants to have a dark brown border and tan/brown background like the original.  But not sure what I'll end up with since I've deviated from the original colors and design in so many other ways.

Before beginning to hook this design I'd also considered using various reds for Santa's coat like the original but figured that if I choose to sell it or given to my family, the more traditional red might be enjoyed more.

Hope you had a marvelous Christmas holiday with family and friends.  For those of you with other cultural celebrations I hope those were wonderful as well. 

Saundra

Here Comes Santa Claus

There really must be a Santa Claus, because here he is.  Actually, this is a Santa that my talented doll maker and hooker friend Shari Lutz has  created for a customer.  Do you believe the talent that woman has to create such a lifelike face?   The face is NOT from a mold, but is hand sculpted by Shari using sculpy and glass eyes.

If you wish to see other items she creates, click on her name and it will take you to her web site.  She does other folk art, not just Santas.

And speaking of Santa....I've had a marvelous time hooking today when I should have been cleaning.  But hey, it is just me and Ben here and tomorrow I'll be at my son's house with family so just may as well enjoy my Christmas eve the way I wish, right?  That's what I thought you'd say (think).

Once I started hooking Santa realized I'd messed up on my drawing (after comparing it to the antique again) and made a re-deux.  If you compare this photo with the previous post you will see what I mean ~ the deer chest and Santa coat/arm area.

And this is what I accomplished today.

It was fun checking my bags of left over wool strips to see what I could use in this one as it is rewarding to know that the leftovers are being used up little by little.  The eyes were left over blue strips as were the lips, nose and cheeks.  Santa has a wind burn, har har, he does look a little tan and for that used a wonderful wool that makes a nice primitive flesh.  Most of his beard was also left over strips.

Since there are no plans to change the dimensions or border of the piece have sewn my pre-binding line.  So now all I have to do when the hooking is done is steam and trim off the excess backing before the binding.

As you can see from the note at the bottom of the design, it measures 23" x 25 1/2".  I'm sure the antique was larger but this is the size I wanted since there are no plans for it to be a floor rug but rather something to pull out and place on the harvest table at Christmas.

Have a marvelous holiday.  Peace be with us all. 

Saundra

One Down and Two to Go

Yup, finished binding and have hung Long Island Farm (design by Lucille Festa) so tomorrow will begin binding my Shadow girl. 

Meanwhile, I'm going thru withdrawal and need to start pulling loops on something.  Each year I plan to have a Christmas themed rug to put on my harvest table and for years had wanted to hook the vintage Santa and Deer.  About 3 weeks ago decided that this was the year I'd start hooking it and wanted to work on it between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Well, duh..... Christmas is in 2 days.  So this is what I've drawn so far.

Wasn't sure if I wanted a border of two rows, or draw swags here and there, or no border at all.  The only pieces I've hooked with no border were my two memorial rugs of the Rotties and of Shadow, all others had a border of some kind.

The purpose of the picture is to see which white I want to use for Santa's beard and which to use for his clothing trim and to see if it shows up too white.  And in this picture it looks like the red might be too bright, but then guess it depends on whether it is the bright red or the dark which shows at the top of the loop.

 

Drew the stick trees and sliver of moon at the last minute.  Now fix a salad to go with my new pot of homemade soup and pull some loops.

 

Have a great evening everyone; I've only one more gift to wrap and I'm ready for Christmas. 

 

Saundra

 

p.s.  Lauren, next post I'll give dimensions

        I forgot to measure it.

 

Making Some Headway

Yippee, I've pulled the last loop and steamed the antique Hearts and Swags piece.  Have even gone so far as to clean up all the wool strips from this project and put them away.  Thought I'd post a picture of it after being steamed and before being made into a pillow since the shape of a pillow will distort the look of the design.  This is a picture without a flash.  I love the look of the curl from the hand torn.  But not all wool used was hand torn as sometimes I wanted a thinner row of a color.

 While the steamed piece is resting I'm determined to finish binding Long Island Farm and get it hung.  I really want to start hooking another project but must get some of these pieces completely done.... meaning the binding.  Having 3 hooked items hanging in the balance to be bound is wearing me down. 

When I get ready to make Hearts and Swags into a pillow I'll do a tutorial of sorts.  Obviously my will power won't hold out and somewhere after having one bound and hung I'll start that new project.  Then will bounce between that new project (secret right now in case I change my mind on design), binding Shadow and making the pillow.

Have a great evening.  Yikes, just 3 days and it will be Christmas. 

Saundra

Santa times Two

Here are two Santas I made using a canvas type fabric which would be sturdy and handle a gesso coating and paint.  These were fun to make and to experiment with different media other than my usual primitive tea dyed style.  I forget the designer of this or would give him credit. 

Another Santa I made is using wool for clothing, sheep's wool for beard locks and tree trim candy cane to hold.  His pants were vintage worn blanket.

By the way, my grandson made his presentation as Albert Einstein in his class project at school today.  He was so stressed and was SO happy to have it over with.  Here is a picture of my wonderful grandson Zach in costume just before school.  Grandma made the wig and mustache, but appears grandma should have given Einstein a bit of a hair cut before he left for school.  However, Einstein DID have unruly and long hair which is what we were trying to achieve as it was in the making.

Believe me I have numerous other photos of Zach in costume and while I'm very proud didn't want to bore you with more photos.  BTW, Zach is 10.

Good grief.... Christmas Day is less than 5 days away.  YIKES.  I've got to purchase some 'what if someone comes and brings me a gift' gift. 

Hope you have a great evening and hope we'll all get through this holiday jolly and wise.  Ya think?  Har har......just throwing in a little humor there.  Please be kind to one another  AND, whatever holiday you are embracing, I hope you enjoy it to it's fullest with your family.

Saundra

Santas and What I've Been Doing

It has been fun looking at Ali Strebel's blog and checking her daily Santa collection postings.  I've made and sold numerous Santa figures during my craft show life and of the many sold don't have pictures since they are on the 3.5 diskettes which are now antiquated.  So here are a couple Santas I was able to obtain pictures of with the use of newer data. 

This one someone inquired on my blog if it was for sale....and it was.  However, the person couldn't receive my response because she did not put her e-mail address on her profile page so it was a "no-reply" blogger.

And this one was made using part of a cutter quilt.  And when I say "cutter" it really was destroyed before I used it.  Often I will find quilts in a thrift shop which I CAN NOT cut up.  They are brought home and I enjoy them.  Hmm, think that is another day of blogger posting I'll save.

So now what have I been spending time doing since it isn't obviously rug hooking?  That would be making a wig and mustache for my grandson's class project where he transforms into Albert Einstein.  Of course there is much work that Zach is doing himself, but grandma has the resources to make the wig.  Items cannot be purchased, as in going to a costume store to buy or rent a wig.  All items must come from the home.  If only he'd gotten Abraham Lincoln.....sigh.  Just a top had would do.

To make the wig I started out with a lined shower cap and cut away the plastic so that what was left was the lining.  Then I proceeded to cut wool in various lengths and using a needle stitched 3 strands at a time into the wig base and knotted off a couple of the pieces of wool at the base to secure. 

This is Icelandic carded and spun (not twisted) wool from their sheep. When I was a hooking fanatic my Icelandic girlfriend would purchase it for me.  So this was great for me to use to make Einstein's hair. The grey was three ply but the white was only one ply so adjusted accordingly. 

Here I placed the partially done wig on a stand of sorts, so I could see how full it was.  Oh my but such a long way to go.  (by the way, the doll to the left is from my doll artist friend Shari Lutz and the one to the right is made by my dear friend Frannie Meshorer.

The wig and mustache are done, and eyebrows IF he wants to use them.  Not sure if the class project is tomorrow or Friday but his mother has PROMISED me photos of him in full dress before he is dropped of at school.

This has been fun helping and sharing in classwork with my grandson.  BUT, like him, I'm glad it is over.  Hey, I already went thru school already, worked already and now I'm retired and it is time for this old broad to play and have fun so I'm ready to get back to playing with my rug hooking again.  But can't wait to see pictures of him which I'll share.

Have a most marvelous evening everyone.  Grandma is going to play tonight with her Antique Hearts and Swags pillow.

Saundra

Antique Hearts and Swags

It's been a few days since I've given you an update on my progress on this piece.... uh, because there hasn't been much progress lately.  I've been busy helping my grandson with a project at school, which I promise to bore you with later.

This is the pillow 'wanna be' and measures 20x20.  I'm looking forward to leaning back on it where I sit to hook.  I'm using a variety of hand torn from 1" to 1/2" and some previously cut strips from my stash in smaller widths for certain areas.

And this is what the original antique rug looked like.   Provenance is New York 1875 and original dimensions were 34 x 41 according to the auction house.  Oh my but what I wouldn't give to make mine look like this beauty!!!!!!

The antique rug was much larger but I reduced it to two different sizes and chose to hook the 20 x 20 as a pillow. 

 

I'm still slowly working on binding two other rugs but other projects have intervened so will just take one day at a time.  But once they are done will have a celebration and show-n-tell.

 

Have a great evening everyone.  Life is Good!!  And oh my do I love those tee shirts to wear and spread the word.  For some this is a tough time so a <smile> just might make a difference.

 

Saundra