This Fickle Hooker Update

You regular followers know I'm a fickle hooker who will take a right hand turn in a heartbeat.  Yeah, I ALWAYS finish my rugs but sometimes a project just pulls me in to delay the one in works.  

The Horses and Hearts rug was completely hooked but not bound and was looking forward to working on Star Geometric started at camp early this month.  BUT ~ I received an order from someone who wanted a pattern designed by Kelley of With Hook and Needle.  It was so dang cute that I wanted to hook it TOO.

Here is my progress so far but there is still one more small figure which needs to be hooked but wouldn't fit on this piece of linen.  As you can see I utilize every piece of linen left over from orders for myself.  If it doesn't fit on my hooking frame then I sew a piece of fabric along the short side.  It works perfectly.

Was thinking of tea staining this but as I look at it here everything seems fine so that decision will be made later.  BUT, December is just a few days away so my hook better get working.

 Okay, okay.. in full disclosure the Snowman is a design by Kelley which was in her Merrie Wynter pamphlet.  However, Rebecca of The Simple Quiet creatively used that image in a stocking.  Therefore I was in a pickle.  YES, the snowman was a design by Kelley; BUT the creative use of her design came from Rebecca.  

So I contacted both Kelley (I'm authorized to draw her designs) and Rebecca asking permission to use her creation of the stocking.  Rebecca graciously granted me permission.  

This is just a mini-lesson on this whole copyright issue for those of you who are newbie hookers.

Hopes are to get this stocking and accessories finished, assembled and hanging on my front door before or at least by December 1st.  Am very anxious to get back to Star Geo because there is another 'hot number' waiting in the wings.

Saundra

Heavens to Betsy!

Not only was that a comment my grandmother would say when something surprised her, but also a great company by that same name.  Today I received my order of two wool remnant bags  from Betsy and am beyond pleased.  

Always look forward to November when she and Eric offer these remnants as it is a great way to see and try different wool without having to buy a whole yard.  Plus you could almost color plan a whole rug with just one bag of that wool.

The wool has been washed and is in the dryer now.  You can see there is a variety of colors and textures which come in each bag.  I knew one bag wouldn't be enough so ordered two and am very glad because it gave me even more variety.  Just can't wait to try some of those which I've never ordered before.  

There was a very interesting purple texture which is wonderful.  I'm thinking it was Purple Rain (on Betsy's web site) except it looks much better in person than on her web site.  I thought of Barb Carroll immediately and bet she has some on her shelves.  

Am thinking tomorrow I'll be able to show you the Snowman project I've been working on.  At least the major part is done and now working on the small accessories.  Did the accessories part pique your interest?

Also am anxious to get back to the Star Geometric started at rug camp.

Happy Monday.

Saundra

Finally Hanging and a Shock

Was contemplating what to post since my Snowman isn't done, haven't gone back to my Star Geometric from rug camp and binding of the Horses and Hearts rug isn't finished yet.  So decided to show a picture of this room where I finally hung a few more smalls.

Top left you will notice the recently hooked Donkey at the top and previous small horse pieces below.  Next right is the wonderful Kinderhook Basket which was color planned with Barb Carroll. 

To the right top of that is the small version of Magdalena's Goat with the antique adaptation Spike below.  I will talk about other side of the room in a second.

The two green birdhouses sitting on the dough-box came from Cape May and the little mat was hooked by Tonya Robey.   The hooked heart pillow and heart footstool were also purchased on eBay from Tonya.

That primitive Annie doll stuffed with rags is one I made and wearing a pair of my son's shoes from his youth.  Annie is sitting in an antique doll highchair.  The antique school desk I've had as long as the dough-box and it moved a few times between Delaware, Maryland, to California and back again.

 Starting on the left side top rug is Harvey's Magdalena, next an antique ceiling tile, which looks out of place and hooked antique adaptation Chum.  Both the antique tin and Chum need to be replaced with other rugs.  That is an antique grape wine press which has fake grapes in it and also has several thousand miles of travel in its history.

Now for the shock to me.  When I downloaded the photos I saw that orb on the chair which my boy Ben would curl up in.  Immediately upon seeing it I burst into tears.

Here is one of many old photos of Ben, he is laying in that chair.  He sure didn't look comfortable to me but he would come to the room and lay in the chair often when I was on the computer.

Yes, that orb brought me to tears but believe it is an indication his spirit is with me.

Saundra

Country Cottage

Country Cottage is the name I gave this antique adaptation which was beautifully hooked by Linda Scheffler.  The pattern measures 30 x 38 and Linda used various size wool strips to achieve the look.  She hooked the border in #10, the background in #9.5, the flowers and leaves in #5 and #7 cuts.

Linda said she started it in a class with Diane Stoffel at Sioux Falls rug camp.  

This wonderful hooked Country Cottage was hooked by Pam Gunn.

Below is the original antique and think both ladies did the antique justice.

Thanks for sharing.

Saundra

More than the Eye Can See

Since Rug Camp in Ocean City, MD I veered off from the Star Geometric to finish Horses and Hearts rug shown in the previous post.  THEN changed directions to work on a design by Kelley Belfast which was in her "Merrie Wynter" booklet.

There's more to that story and more enjoyment for your eye to see so stay tuned.  Doubt many are reading blogs since everyone is busily getting ready for the Thanksgiving holiday.  OMG, cannot believe how fast this year has flown by.  

Saundra

New OLD Rugs the Naked Truth

How's about an antique rug show?  This time I'll show the nitty gritty of some ~ there may not be many on this post as I've not too much time to do this post.  So here goes.....

Below is 2 Blue Roosters from Tomlinson Antiques, the rug measures 29 x 54 and no date given.

But, when you check out the corner of the hooked rug you can see the cotton homespun and various other textiles used to hook this design indicate it is OLD.

A hit and miss folk art red horse with hit and miss circles measures 33 x 38.  From Old Hope antiques no date was given.  I like this but cannot add yet another horse rug to my list of 'to do'.

Here is a close up of the horse.

This Folky Chicken hooked rug reaped a whopping $3,500 at the sale by 1stdibs.

A Hunter shooting a Deer by Cecile Perrault; this is the front.  And some have asked what the real colors were of old rugs ~ not all the time are the backs shown as most are often covered.  

This is what the true colors of the front looked like before fading.  What a difference!

Speaking of covering the backs of rugs..... here is named Flowering Tree early 20th century which measures 37 x 55.

This is the back and you cannot see the real colors as it is covered by an old American flag which you can see by the faded red and white stripes.

Okay kids, things to do ~ hope you enjoyed a different kind of old rug show.

Saundra

Horses and Hearts

Upon coming home from Ocean City rug camp thought it best to finish the rug started before attending camp ~ Horses and Hearts.  It is a design by Marion Hamm and understand it was in a crafts magazine free to use.  I purchased mine drawn on linen at Cape May rug camp 2017.  It measures 20 x 36.

You'd think I'd be back hooking my Star Geometric right now, but that would be wrong.  Someone ordered a design by Kelley Belfast and I'm so enamored with it that I've drawn one out for me to hook as well.  

Guess you'll just have to come back for a visit to see what that cute design is.

Yet another nor'easter headed this way and because of the March 2018 storm which brought down two healthy trees I'm fearful of wind and rain combinations.  Guess I should be thankful it isn't snow......yet.

Saundra

More from Ocean City Rug Camp

The November camp has 3 teachers with around 10 - 12 in each class.  Most all of them have been hooking for a while, yet there is very little participation for the show ~ I've even thought 'why bother taking mine?'   

I took all the rugs which were hooked since last November so had about 8 rugs to show, won't bore you with them again since you've seen them over and over during the year.  Here are a few of the pieces which were brought and I have no idea who hooked what.

 The rug below has a pair of doll glasses on the woman's face which added something special to the rug.

 Love how the person hooked the background of the bunny rug.

Hit and miss circles and squares was interesting and good use of worms.

The party cat below was cute.

There were a couple pieces in frames but when I went back to get a photo of them they had been removed.

Here are a few of the in-progress projects some of us were working on in class.  Betty Ann was hooking this very handsome goat.

Cathy accomplished a lot on her Harvest Time rug.

Tho the narrow cut piece being hooked by Betty is not something I'd hook but had a great appreciation for it was a beautiful piece of work.  The cherry blossoms were proddy and looked real.  The Pearl McGowan design underwent a little reworking with the help of Cindy so that Betty could have a good vision on where to hook.

Oysters and More was another project in our class and forget who was hooking it.

Sadly I didn't get a photo of Diane's beautiful owl, Reina's Tiger or Ruth's finished purse.  If any of them are following my blog perhaps they will send me a photo so I can add it to the blog.  

Here is my Star Geometric which is an antique adaptation.  The dimensions are 29 x 32.  Haven't worked on it since being home as I'm trying to finish hooking Horses and Hearts rug first.

There wasn't a group 'throw down' as normally happens, but made sure to get a photo of Cheri Reid's rug which was being hooked in another class.  Cheri is hooking a life size rug of Marilyn Monroe in the gown she wore singing "happy birthday" to President Kennedy.

This is the photo being used as her guide.

 And this is what Cheri has accomplished so far.  I'm really looking forward to seeing it finished at Cape May rug camp next September.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

Back to Ocean City Rug Camp

As mentioned in my brief post earlier, the class with Cindy Irwin was informative and fun.  When Cindy showed and explained what went into her designed and hooked "Dad's Rug", we were in awe.  Amazing how much we learn from our teachers ~ even those who become teachers learned from other teachers.

I could copy and paste all the wonderful story about this rug but instead, treat yourself to Cindy's WEB SITE where you can not only read about it but check out some of her offerings. 

First, here is a little of what we gals were doing.  A view across the room from my linen ~ on the left is Cathy and friend Betty Ann getting a head start.  Nothing on my linen yet.

In this photo from Nancy Jewett's side of the room is Patty, Cheri and Diane. 

Betty Ann (left) is busily hooking and Renia shopping.

Below is Cheri wearing her newly purchased coat weight cape which has a hooked and embellished collar.  Cindy overdyed the wool, beaded and hooked the collar.

Cindy brought a great collection of semi-precious beads to use on projects.  My gal-pal Deb would have a blast shopping here I'm sure.

Cindy demonstrating how to attach beads to a hooked purse.

This is the purse my table mate Ruth was hooking but with different colors.

This is the back of that purse.  Once the hooking and beading is done the hooked piece is then sent back to Cindy who has a leather craftsman make a purse complete with zipper opening and matching leather straps.  You can see it is a nice soft leather.   Ruth was able to complete hers before the last day of class so gave it to Cindy.  Ruth then did a couple other small projects in class.

Cindy also taught us a way to attached an all hooked purse where you do not see one iota of linen backing.  Her example was that hooked hobo bag on the right.  

Another very interesting lesson we were shown was how to hook a frame around a rug.  It is totally wonderful and up close resembles a wooden frame but requires a lot of work.  Cindy said it took as long for her to hook the frame as it did to hook the entire rug.  

Cindy also explained the sky effect, the thatched roof technique and wool used, flowers were a combination of velvet, and other textiles.  The roadway was interesting too as it was a piece of wool which looked like a cobblestone road.  That was stitched down and then to secure and hide the edge of wool she needle felted the green.

Some other works done by Cindy.  The adorable "Runaway Bunny" rug below is from the artwork of Lisa Arkus and hooked by Cindy.  

A turkey rug which I believe is also the artwork of Lisa Arkus and offered by Cindy in pattern form.

Cindy made this clutch purse below and I want to make one.  It is beaded and needle felted for extra pizzazz.  Wonder if I could make a strap for it???

More delightful purses by Cindy.  This first purple one has very sturdy leather as opposed to the soft supple leather of the green purse above.

In another post I'll show some of our in progress work and the small participation  of the impromptu rug show.

Contact Cindy on the link near the top of the post if you wish to purchase any of these patterns or wish to have a class with her.

Happy Hooking.

Saundra