Confronted with a Decision

That happens a lot when the rug on my frame is almost all hooked.  Remember the beautiful antique I named Red Bud?  When push came to shove I nixed the idea of hooking it...for the time being.  All that white hooking began to feel boring and I hadn't even started  it.

Then thought of finally drawing a geometric to use some of these selvage edges of wool ~ a thought which comes to mind each time I'm in limbo.

Then I looked thru my pattern stash on linen, as opposed to the many paper patterns I've accumulated, and found a couple which interested  me.  One is a smaller version of Mary Comstock's Bed Rug.

Another on linen is Winter Buddies which I purchased last year from Cushing.

Once Bird Dog is fully hooked I'll draw out my Granny Donaldson choice and fight the urge to start it.  This is the design I've decided on except I will replace the camel with a horse.  Am sure some of you are thinking it is an Alpaca or Lama, but even tho they are related to the camel neither of them have a hump.

Hopefully I'll choose something to hook and start it before giving in to that urge.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Magdalena's Works

Geez, have I been in a coma?  I'm even further behind and should have made a blog post yesterday to keep up with the every-other-day plan.  Oh well I'm here now and will show you the latest on Magdalena's Bird Dog.  

Good that it will be done in 2021, or at least the hooking will be; who knows when the final whipped edge will be done.  In case you've forgotten below is a photo of the original Bird Dog rug but remember it is a poor photo which I copied from the booklet.

Something else you might be interested to know is that one of Magdalena's ORIGINAL rugs was recently resold on November 19, 2021.  The Dog and Crows rug brought in a huge sum of $20,315.  YUP!   And here is that valuable rug.  The original measured 36 x 48.5.

I hooked it also but mine has no value, lol.  Heck it is hard to get $85 per sq. ft. for primitive rugs ~ or at least for me in slower lower Delaware.  I took some creative license with the dog's ear as Magdalena made the dog look like he had a dent in the head.  To her credit I'm sure she was trying to illustrate it was an ear.

Soon I'll be able to draw out something new to hook.  It still isn't AFTER the new year so I just might need to draw something to keep me occupied until my pals and welcomed guests are ready to work on a Granny Donaldson design of choice.  

If you're new to my blog you can read about Granny HERE.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com  

THIS and THAT

I know this is going to be a shock to your system, but I finally finished binding the horse rug.  Guess it's about time since the last loop on it was pulled November 30th.  Plus I misjudged the amount of yarn I'd need to bind it and had that roll of yarn left over.  But I'm still glad I ordered two more skeins as I will use it to bind Magdalena's Bird Dog too.

Why can I not get rugs centered in a photo????  I took 5 shots and this was the most straight of all of them.  But in my defense there is a delay between pushing the button and the shutter and don't know how to fix that ~ maybe it is a default setting.

Here ya go Sheila, now to that vintage rug which made my heart skip a beat.  It isn't what you'd think I'd fall in love with as it isn't a dirty, naïve  primitive.  I've named it Red Bud and Scrolls.  I'd like to hook it but it might take me a while as the all white/light background could become boring.  So it could be one which is worked on all thru the winter when I need something else.

Was said to be hooked around 1910 with dimensions of  36 x 39.  This is another one that if it was at Sauder or a textile museum I'd stand in front of it and study the hell out of it.  See how the lights change into yellows, grey, bright or dull white and even a dirty green gold.  And in the center is a beautiful red bud blooming out of the abyss.  Awesome.

Yesterday the temperature reached 66 and the day before that was even warmer. Today's high will be about 59 and then the cold comes back.  And do you believe it is just one week from Christmas?  OMG this year has come and gone so fast.

Today is Lauren's Christmas celebration with several friends/neighbors so she will have a week to recover before the next round of being hostess.  Here's to you Lauren 🍷.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Rug Eye Candy

I try to do a blog post every other day but yesterday I forgot and am off schedule...again.  Well you know what that means...a rug show.  Doubt anyone is upset about that tho. 

There is something about red, black and gold together which make an outstanding rug.  And so does this one with red flowers and leaves in corner.  It measures 32 x 43.

This Horse and Roosters rug I've liked and had this photo for a while.  Said to be hooked in 1902 but don't have dimensions.  Sorry for the blurry look but the copy I have saved doesn't have high pixel count.  Wish I did have a better photo of it.  So if anyone has a better picture could you send it to me please.

Landscape from the1900s was hooked on burlap with old fabrics.  It measures a huge 72 x 84.

A close up of some fabrics.

Close up of house, sky, trees and birdhouse.

The back of the rug showing repairs.

For some reason I always think of deer rugs as being a winter rug, tho I've Woodland Deer hanging on the living room wall all year long.  Below is a deer with flowers and wool tongue border.

An interesting hooked rug of another deer and dog rug which measures 47.5 x 54.  Sorry but have no date when it was hooked.

From the shape and size I'm guessing this was a chair pad.  The black cat was hooked 1920 and measures 14 x 14.5.

The following rug depicting farmers harvesting potatoes has all the signs of it being a Barbara Merry rug but the listing didn't mention her name.  It measures 29.5 x 34 and said to be hooked 20th century.

A well worn pot of dainty flowers hooked early 20th century which measures 36 x 45.

I recently found another antique rug which made my heart skip a beat when I saw it but decided not to show it this time as I'm considering hooking it between Bird Dog and a Granny Donaldson cow blanket design I've chosen.  

Here is the one I'm planning to draw (at this time) ~ but you know me, I'm fickle and might change my mind on which design by the time Lauren, Sheila and Nancy are ready to join me.

If you would like to join in on the fun of hooking the simplicity of a Granny Donaldson design you can check out the designs HERE.  You can draw it any size and if you don't draw your own patterns you can check out Woolley Fox for one she offers named Granny Donaldson's Family.  Or if you prefer I would be happy to draw which ever design you choose and just let me know the size.  This should be a fun and rather easy peasy project because none of the people or animals need any detail.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Magdalena's Bird Dog Review

It has been a while since the rug has been pulled off the frame and reviewed with a critical eye.  Yet when I stop working on it I release the paddles/flaps on my Snapdragon to lessen the tension on the linen.  Of course what I see in person and what comes across in photo format is totally different.  

That be what it may, I do think some wool in the top right curved area needs attention.  Am not sure if wool will be replaced or maybe I'll try spritzing it with black walnut dye.  Won't do anything right now and will just keep hooking to see how it all works out.  It ain't over until this fat lady sings 😮

So far I'm very pleased with how it is progressing and already have a spot on my wall after it makes its trip to Cape May in September for the show.  

I don't have this pattern listed on my web site yet as it isn't fully hooked.  But if anyone wants a pattern drawn on linen with serged edges let me know what size you want and I'll give you a price.  Mine measures 20 x 27 and is a descent size for me to hook but I'll draw smaller or larger.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Winter Hooking Ideas

Most Christmas themed rugs have probably already been started but if not or for next year I'll show you some I've hooked.  Below is the first Christmas rug I hooked and is an antique adaptation of Santa and Deer hooked 2014.

Last year just before Christmas I  hooked the Woolley Santa, a Karen Kahle Design.  I decided to eliminate the sack Santa was holding and show him in his coat.  If you'd like to purchase Karen's pdf pattern click on the previous hyperlink.

If you are looking for something quick for yourself or to give as a gift to someone you could hook this mitten.  This is one I have hanging on my front door and still want to put pine tree greens in it.

You can find that pattern in the following Kindred Spirits booklet.

This time last year during the pandemic shut down I was looking forward to the new year.  This was my celebration rug which was so much fun.  Named New Year's Eve you can find it HERE.  You may need to ask for the pdf pattern if there aren't any available.

I've snowmen patterns I'll show when we have our first snowflakes dancing in the sky.  Some was predicted a few days ago but nothing happened, not even rain.  So sad for the lives lost and damage caused by the horrific tornados.  The turbulent weather in the mid-west is sending the 70 degree temps for today but hope tornado activity does not occur as tomorrow the cold weather will be back.  

Sorry for showing the same ol same ol rugs I've hooked.  But in my defense I figured everyone is busy baking cookies and putting up Christmas decorations so wouldn't be reading blogs anyway.  But just in case someone was looking, at least I'd have something to read albeit old news, lol.  Then that gives me more time to accomplish more on my rug.

Back to working on Bird Dog and later this afternoon will make chicken turkey rice soup using the meat left over from my son's Thanksgiving dinner.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

THIS and THAT

As you all know I've been a little distracted the last couple days but must admit it has been the best birthday celebration I can remember since being a kid. Wish each of you could have shared in the 'behind the scenes' commentary between me and Lauren thru her denials of orchestrating the event.  

Actually with the powerful reach of Lauren I'm not sure the celebration is really over yet because mail hadn't been delivered when I arrived at 4:30.  If that is the last of the cards just know all of you blog and rug hooker friends have made this milestone birthday a success.  Okay, back to reality.....

Only a tad more has been hooked on Magdalena's Bird Dog but I'm having fun.

Also this week had an order to draw an antique adaptation I named Star and Flowers and the person wanted a 22 x 29.5 size, just in case anyone else is interested.

The predicted snow flurries never happened today even after the roads were brined.  But winter really hasn't arrived yet so am sure there will be our share of the white stuff all too soon ~ and I might add too soon for me.

Have a wonderful evening and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

The Delightful Neverending Birthday

Hey, call me conceited but think I'm a rather likeable person and believe my blog is entertaining if not helpful to newbies.  Yet I never thought my mailbox (both snail mail and email) would have a continuing influx of birthday wishes ~ but they have.  

Because of the abnormal amount of mail (and a sweet gift from Cathy) I knew who the 'recruiting' culprit was ..and you know too....Lauren.  I wrote her one day I received cards and accused her of recruiting people to send me birthday wishes.  She pleaded the 5th.  Next day I emailed more guilty charges against her and again she denied any association.  

Just now I emailed Lauren and told her I had evidence of her guilt and she cannot deny it.  I received a card from sweet Joanne H. who doesn't have a Facebook account nor does she do email.  Yet I received a sweet card from her ~ hmm, how would she know my address???  

All good things must come to an end so this might be the last of the cards.  The cards and birthday wishes from all of you have been fun as has the faux fight with Lauren.  You'd never believe who sent me that tall green card in the back with the male eye candy.  Hey, I might be 80 but still enjoy that eye candy as well as rug eye candy.

Below is the sweet primitive wool wreath Cathy made me.  I love it and have it hanging on the door to the computer room so I can see it several times during the day when walking in and out.  Thanks Cathy.

The rug on the table with the cards (first photo) is an antique adaptation I offer named Cherries and Candy Stripe.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Look'n at Vintage Rugs

Although I've already decided what I'll hook after Magdalena's Bird Dog it is always great fun to look at antique rugs.  There's a lot going on in this first rug....a skunk and farm animals, a dog on the left bigger than the horse on the right, and is that a bear in the back carrying someone?  

This is a view of the back to see the non-faded colors.  It measures 33 x 51 but don't have a date.

This Amish Folk Floral measures 25 x 37 and hooked early 1900s.

A very detailed country home rug hooked by Anthony Weatherby of Canada.  Sorry but I don't have dimensions.

Folk art black cats sold for $2,150 on ebay.

This rug named Horse For Danny measures 37 x 48 but there is no date.  The rug is drawn and hooked with such detail I'm wondering if Danny was a child with no left arm and the horse was a very gentle equine.

This rug really got me wondering if it could possibly be a Knights Templar Ship ~ you see I watch the Oak Island show on the History channel.  The rug is from  Sturbridge, MA and measures 22 x 38.  This is the back and dang if I can find the front view on my flash drive.

Another landscape with dog, bridge home and trees said to be hooked 1930-40 and has seen its share of abuse during that time.  It measures 20 x 36.  

A view of the back so you can see true colors where repairs were made.  Note also it is self bound thru double burlap.

Well guys and gals, thanks for visiting my blog thank you for all the email AND snail mail birthday wishes.  And thanks for the opportunity to consider all of you 'friend'.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

ANOTHER MILESTONE

Yup, to quote Robin from her 12:15 a.m. email....It's official, it's my birthday.  Of course I was sound asleep when her email came in but read it this morning.  Interesting how I've handled those milestones ~ some okay and some not as time is slipping by.  

December 1981 you'd have thought that birthday would put me in a deep depression because I was 7 months a widow, just moved back to the east coast from California without a job, my world had been turned upside down and just turned the big 40.  Think it was the love of family and my wonderful step-father Pat who kept me grounded.

Here it was November/December and he went to the beach area and somehow found a T-shirt store to make a "39 and Holding" long sleeve T-shirt for me.  Even my  mother told  me it was his idea. He was such a beautiful person and I miss both of them.

The next milestone birthday was when I turned 50 and this photo was taken at work.  My real estate lawyer boss set this up for me while he and the CEO were out of town doing due diligence for an acquisition.  

Who the heck could be depressed with this kind of celebration, I ran my first 10K that year, got married (turned out to be an unwise decision) but not depressed at all for being more than halfway thru my life on earth.

Even 2001 when I turned 60 my age didn't bother me but the year I turned 70 I could feel a panic attack beginning and knew the symptoms all too well.   Between ages 60 and 70 discovered my husband cheating AGAIN which put me in the hospital with a panic attack and stroke high blood pressure.  And life at home was strained to say the least but I survived the divorce and kept myself busy with my dogs, craft shows and rug hooking. 

Below is the rug I was working on mid-divorce.  I only hooked the initials of my first name because as part of the divorce I asked for my previous last name back ~ that of my deceased first husband and father of my son.   

But 2011 when turning 70 the realization that many of my classmates had passed away, had no companion and what was there to look forward to I felt the twinge of a panic attack coming and talked myself down.  Thanks to GOD's help for getting me thru that and I've not had another panic attack since.   

With this 80th birthday milestone can honestly say I'm happily celebrating and thankful for just being here.  I've a good outlook on life, enjoying surrounding myself with the rugs I hook, my family, friends (particularly the on-line friends).  Still enjoy rug hooking and don't really need any more wool (tho I'm sure I'll buy more) what I really need is  more time. 

Thank you to everyone who has wished me a happy birthday and thanks for your friendship.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Binding in Progress

I've made it no secret that I HATE binding rugs.  Blogger friend Robin (Cranky Crow) once said "no wonder you hate binding because you do double the work".  That is because previously I'd roll the foundation forward and secure the roll with heavy cotton thread first then do the final whipping with yarn.  Here is an example.

Well I decided to show her that you can teach old dogs new tricks 😊. (why doesn't the emoji show up in yellow color?)  So this time I'm whipping the edge and moving those clips as I go.  Perhaps I'm not doing double the work but find moving the clips slows down the whipping process and loosens up the edge a tad.

Here is a closer look at the Kindred Spirits wool yarn I'm using and how well it goes with the rug.  As previously mentioned the name of this one is Brown Variegated and it doesn't appear on Ali's web site, only the plain colors do.  So you would need to ask for it and she will even do one-of-a-kind dye works for you.  

Happy Saturday to you all and happy hooking (stitching, quilting, etc.).

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

My New One on the Frame

In a previous post I told you what my next project would be but understand that you may have doubted me since I'm so fickle.  Nope, it didn't change.  On my frame is a Magdalena adaptation named Bird Dog,  drew it myself measuring 20 x 27 whereas Magdalena's original measured 37.5 x 50.  Am guessing that would have been the dimensions of a burlap grain or feed sack opened up and she would utilize that size ~ waste not want not.

It took several sketches and reviewing the poor photo in the Magdalena booklet before deciding on my drawing.  If you have the booklet by Evelyn Lawrence please look there first.

If you don't own the booklet here is an even worse photo which is a copy of the photo in the booklet.  A well known rug hooking business offers the pattern with an elongated snout.  Perhaps thinking the white spot to the lower right of the dog's face was its nose.  I didn't think so.  To me it was a white spot at the tip of the ear and was confusing.  BUT, if you look closer to the left of that spot you will see a darker speck which I believe to be the nose Magdalena captured.

However since there is no good photo of the original Magdalena I chose to make my own speculation of what Magdalena intended and did not hook the white spot on the end of the ear.  While that would be feasible since there are white tips on the toes and the end of the tail it is visually confusing.

It feels good to work on another Magdalena rug and somehow comforting.  Not sure if I'm channeling her or she's leading me at this point.  

Once my piece is hooked and have a photo I'll offer it on my web site.  But I have a master copy of my size if anyone is interested.  It would be drawn on Dorr Natural Linen with serged edges.  If you desire a larger size I can do that too.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com