RECENTLY FOUND BEM and NGS RUGS

Barbara Merry was prolific hooker whose primitive style was thought to be antique.  I've posted several of her rugs on my blog and if you type her name in the search box they will come up.  I knew her name was Barbara E. Merry but didn't know until recently her middle name was Evelyn, or at least according to the antique auction site info.  

Farm scene with hay wagon, 32 x 39.5.

Here is her Farm Village measuring 35 x 43.

Men sapping trees.

This may have been an adaptation of her barn red home in Maine, a red house winter scene.  It measures 20 x 31.

In previous posts I've mentioned Barbara had a daughter named Nancy who also was a rug hooker.  About the same time finding Barbara's new ones I found these rugs for sale.  For those of you who may not have read my previous posts, as a child Nancy remembers Jamaicans working on her parents' farm, thus the reason she hooks many black people as they were part of her daily life.   

Another of Nancy's earlier rugs and measures 16 x 34.

A row of houses with 2 chickens measuring 28 x 42.  You can see the camouflaged initials of NGS at the bottom right.

This rug below shows Nancy had honed her hooking skills and changed the signage from NGS to N Scott.  Farm children measuring 30 x 36.  

And yet another improved hooking style.  A farmer holding Pitchfork 31 x 37 from the estate of Laura Fisher, NY.

Hope you enjoy my vintage rug posts.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

LOOKED and FOUND

That's right, I looked for the next one and found it.   Am sure you will recognize which antique rug it is from the post by clicking HERE. 

The bottom of the Snapdragon frame shows the yoke (ball harness) which prevents the frame from dropping straight down.  The frame came with the regular yoke we're all familiar with but I became frustrated when the frame would suddenly just drop unless the bolt was real tight.  So I contacted the woman from whom I purchased it and she said they had other folks complain and her husband developed this new style.  It works fine and am happy.  Unfortunately I don't see it on the web site for Snapdragon Frames replacement parts but perhaps you could inquire if interested.

As promised, here is a photo of the ice cream parlor table and chairs as I've dug it out from under the heaps of wool.   Guess those are plywood seats but the table top is marble.  

The vintage hooked chair pads I found at a thrift shop years ago.  There is one more chair but is at the vanity in the guest bath.   To the left is a quilt rack holding odd sizes of linen which have already been serged.  When I need/want to draw a small pattern I look there first.  There's another quilt rack which holds larger pieces of linen so when an order comes in that's the first place I look.  Lately I've been drawing my patterns larger than normal so go there to shop for me.

I've made headway in cleaning up the room but there's still more to do.  It just seems so overwhelming and regret letting it get to that state.  Sadly I can't promise it won't ever happen again 😞

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

RUG HOOKING CHIT CHAT

The last loops on 1911 Horse were pulled and out of necessity with no new rug to hook (yet) have started the binding process.

The rug will be bound using cotton rug binding tape as I don't want an extra row of any color at the edge.  I want the thin dark areas to show as they are since that is how the antique was.  

Below is a fun rug I found on an auction site in 2022.  The info was that it measures 17 x 19 and said to be hooked between 1920-1949.  Am finally posting it now because of an article in the latest ATHA  June/July issue of ATHA Magazine. 

In that issue there is another cat rug Amy hooked with Nola Heidbreder adapted from a famous St. Louis artist Charles Houska.  So perhaps this rug below is an adaptation of his work as well. 

If you received the latest issue of ATHA check out page 59.

This is a preview of the articles in the issue.

I enjoy this magazine as much if not more than RHM.  If you'd like to subscribe and see what other folks in your area are doing you can subscribe to ATHA HERE.

Nancy asked how I hid my ends.  Actually I've done 3 different ways and intended to do those on a piece of linen to show you.  But decided to take the easy way and provide you with a video by Cindy Gay, enjoy.

Hook on folks.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

A BIT OF GOOD LUCK

I can now see the top of my ice cream parlor table but the clean up in the wool room isn't over yet.  Yesterday my sciatic nerve hurt so badly I couldn't work too long as the pain would shoot down the leg to my ankle when lifting the leg to climb on a footstool and to scale the steps up and down the stairs.  Hmm, that's not good luck, lol.

Have mentioned this before and this post is a perfect example of my thinking a glass half full rather than half empty.   I have bad sciatic nerve  pain but at least can see some progress in my wool room....

Also, on Monday I noticed the hot water heater had leaked water into the pan below ~ yeah, bad luck.  But luckily there was a pan underneath to collect that water.  The  bit of good luck is the warranty was for 6 years and I was just under that, so that saved me over $700!!  

Yes I still had the plumber to pay; did you know here they get $100/hr?  So that cost me $240 for parts and labor.  

Still don't have a pattern drawn for 'the next one' but at least I've been forced to start binding the 1911 Horse.  Guess that isn't such a bad thing to endure when there's no rug to hook...hmm another example of glass half full me thinks.

As I'm composing this post I'm awaiting the plumber (again) because I see droplets of water coming from a pvc pipe fitting above the tank.  Nothing much but want it addressed right away.  Just hoping this isn't the beginning of more shoes to drop ~ guess I just blew the concept that I'm a glass half full gal, lol.

Happy hooking, binding or whatever.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

BEFORE I BEGIN THE BEGUINE

The song "Begin the Beguine" was written by Cole Porter in 1935, recorded by Artie Shaw and became a musical hit in 1938.  A beguine is a popular and physically active dance in the islands of St. Lucia and Martinique which is similar to a rhumba.   

My 'beguine' may be a physical activity to clean up after my wool room neglect but it is not a dance to be enjoyed.  It's rather similar to the binding process which is most unpleasant in my opinion.   But before I can begin drawing my next rug project this is what must be cleaned up first.  

This is the mess I usually make while pulling wool for a new project and with each new rug and getting ready for camp.  If only I'd be diligent and put things back right away.  But you know some of that same wool is  needed to finish the rug so there it sits until the rug is done.

This first photo is after I'd already started folding and putting away some wool before deciding to take photos.  So when someone requests a pattern and my reply is, "will draw it as soon as I clean off the drawing/cutting table" this is what I'm referring to.

Another view of wool clutter, below you can see the two different paisley wool pieces purchased on FB which haven't made their way to the shelves yet either.

And more to the left just piled up on top of a container.  Believe it or not behind and under the rats nest below is an antique ice cream parlor table and chairs.  Am hoping next time I take a photo you'll be able to see it.

So one day soon you'll get to see what will go on my frame ~ when it's drawn.  But that will wait as there's a smidgen more to hook on the horse and a massive clean up of the wool room.  Until then, happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

RUG SHOW for MOTHER'S DAY

Here is a bouquet of flowers measuring 26 x 35 and hooked in the 1800's.  I often see flowers in baskets and bowls but don't recall any in a pitcher which makes this special.

Stars and Hearts dated 1911, the same year as the horse rug I'm hooking.

Home sweet home, and obviously the hooker was a gardener as you can see flowers outside surrounding the home and in the house at the windows.

The information on the horse rug was that it is yarn sewn and hooked from Nova Scotia circa 1850-1860.  Dimensions are 28 x 59.

Have had this photo of a tattered Jumbo the Elephant since 1921 so think it's about time I posted it even tho it may not be anyone's ideal rug.

An optical illusion ~ when you first look at this rug below do you see stars or blocks?

Sweet cat rug measuring 22 x 33, no date attributed.

A very primitively drawn and hooked dog with hit and miss border, 35 x 51.

Carriage House landscape measuring 17 x 27 and previously owned by Penny Marshall.

A very soiled hooked Clipper Ship measures 33 x 50 and hooked 19th century.  The Tall Ships visit Delaware beaches for tours every so often.  They are a sight to behold.

There ya have it for today's show and Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there.  Enjoy your day.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

STILL PULLING LOOPS

Wish it was a finish photo for you, sorry to disappoint as there are still more loops to pull.  But it is getting closer to being done.  Okay, a confession ~ the problem is I stop hooking to pay close attention to two TV shows on the HISTORY channel.  I've mentioned them before:  The Curse of Oak Island, and The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch.  I'm  mesmerized by the information obtained with testing on the ranch which indicates a portal and space ship underground.  

The major scientist is Travis Taylor with other people and companies joining in with their knowledge and equipment.  Also there is some unseen force which causes equipment to malfunction, in most, if not all, tests.  So what is that force?  Is it magnetic, alien interaction?  Sound unbelievable you think?  Watch the latest two episodes on Skinwalker and see for yourself.

Okay, you want to read about hooking, right?  I have done a couple line drawings on paper in anticipation of my next project but haven't enlarged any design nor have I drawn anything out yet.  But I'll need to choose soon.

I do love antique rugs and enjoy trying to replicate them.  Look at the primitive scrolls, some are delicate and the one at the bottom right is bigger.  Yes, that is the way the original was and that is what makes antique rugs so special ~ the wonkiness and imperfect design.  

When I draw an antique adaptation for myself or to sell, I draw that imperfection.  The exterior lines ARE drawn on the straight of grain but what is drawn inside will be a little wonky like the original antique.  The border line inside won't be straight unless the original antique was.  All those crooked lines and color changes helps create that old look.  To me, hooking an antique adaptation is like putting together a puzzle and don't want mine to look like it was manufactured by a machine.

Guess I'd better get on with my day, hope you have a good one, and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

LOOK'N for the NEXT ONE

As I'm getting closer to the finish line with 1911 Horse it's time for me to get serious look'n for the next one to put on my frame.  My heart always skips a beat when I see this oldie.  Have been pondering a name for it IF I choose to hook it.

Another being auditioned is this simple flower with scrolls too.

Sheesh, so far the ones which seem simple and interesting are florals.  

Rooster, Berries and Hearts hooked in the 1800's piques my interest each time I see it.  But will it be 'the one'?

I've also loved the sweet hen and chicks.

Or I could finally start this geometric using up some of the selvage edges I've been saving.  That one could be put to the side to be worked on when getting bored with something else.

You know I'm getting desperate when I also think about this big snowflake-ish flower design.   It was said to be hooked 1900.

This one below is quite tidy and attractive.

This one is so-so. I stop to look at it closer each time scrolling thru the flash drive but doubt it will be 'the one' despite the great blue.

Antique star and diamond shaped border might be fun.  Or would all that background get boring?

The Shelbourne Flower basket is on the list but boy will it be a challenge to get a descent line drawing from it.  Could lose my patience before getting the lines drawn.

Appears someone is tackling the Shelbourne flower basket and think I found it on Pinterest.  Thought I'd show you a more eye appealing photo of that design.

So I'm looking for prospects today, but am wondering if my picks would be different in a day or two?  Must admit my immediate attractions are to the horse and deer rugs but am not even putting them in the line up since I'm working on one.  

Oh my, what's a rug hooker to do when she's between a hook and a hard place?  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

STARS, STARS, STARS

I  had a rather productive week despite some rain but it didn't rain every day.  So was able to get the grass cut, do two loads of laundry, balanced my check book, drew and shipped a rug pattern.  The great thing was getting my oil changed and finished binding the Stars rug.  I hate waiting and hate binding so it was a  happy marriage.

If you are wondering, the dimensions are 17 x 30 and no other rugs are on the pile to be bound until the horse rug is done.  Meanwhile I'm still looking for the next one and hope something catches my eye soon.

Happy weekend and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Ya Just Never Know...

This blog was started as a venue for beginner rug hookers to connect remotely and hopefully glean some knowledge from a seasoned rug hooker.  When my rug hooking journey began I wasn't aware of any resources, at first; so wanted to provide info to others.  But then my blog became a group of friends whose names I'd see pop up in comments, questions and those who became 'followers'.  

While most of my blog posts are about rug hooking on occasion there would be a post about personal experiences.  I'd provide links and labels which end up on the www for people to search.  So ya never know what those labels will reward you with.

I received an email from Carol Pollio (Intuitive Investigations).  Turns out in one of her web searches on Patty Cannon one of my old posts came up which interested her and therefore contacted me.  You can read that old blog post HERE.

Check out Carol's Certifications and Qualifications under the 'more' tab of her web site.

Among other things, Carol is a volunteer with the Georgetown Historical Society (my hometown) and has been given the task.  She is to find the location of Patty's skull so a replica may be made for the Old Courthouse Museum.  The books shown above have an image of a skull but is that hers?  And where is it now?

In the 1800's Patty Cannon was a notorious violent woman and was in the Georgetown jail when she poisoned herself.  The skull was stored, loaned out, handled and moved by many so present location is unclear.  Yeah, I know gruesome, right?  But this is history albeit macabre and an item the Smithsonian and other museums would want for Delaware history.

During our communications I told Carol about the orbs I've captured at Cape May and the scent when repairing rescued hooked items from the thrift shop.  If you don't recall reading that blog post you can find it HERE.  

She stated while doing a public investigation the entire group smelled a floral perfume and in another investigation smelled a specific tobacco scent of a crossed-over loved one.  In case you haven't figured it out, she is a paranormal investigator, works on historic sites and is a retired Chief Scientist from the National Park Service.  Carol has invited me to tag along in any of her investigations.  Dang, that would be so much fun as you followers know how I love posting orb photos.  Just wish I was younger and went out at night as I believe that is when most paranormal investigations are more active.

Check out her web site, check her credentials, of which she has many.

Guess it is t ime for me to pull a few more loops on my horse rug.   Happy hooking everyone.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

HODGEPODGE POST

Otherwise known as a group of diverse topics...  or something like that.    Will start off showing you my 'lake back water view' property after several days of rain.  That woods you are looking thru to the farm behind me used to be thick with trees and other brush so you couldn't see the farm.  Sadly Gypsy Moths were responsible for a lot of the tree damage.

Since those big trees weren't there to absorb the rain water this is what happened.  Here's another view and that skim on top is floating pollen.

To the left of the property it goes on and you can see a tip of that tree stump to get an idea (bottom right).

There is more rain in the forecast for the next couple days but thankfully today it was dry enough for me to PUSH the mower and cut Ben's backyard.  The riding mower won't go thru the gate but am hoping my great neighbor can figure out a solution for me when he has time.

After cutting the backyard I started drawing a pattern Cottage and Apple Tree for someone.  Here is the one I hooked.

And this is the antique.  Oh but I adore that antique rug much more than mine....sigh. 

And soon I'll be needing to find my next project as the horse is getting closer to being finished.

Am hoping tonight I sleep better as last night my mind just wouldn't shut off. This is me as an adult thinking about life; can you imagine how our youth is struggling with their limited life skills?  Today most parents are coddling them so they aren't equipped with how to handle life decisions.  

OK, enough of that but am sure you know a little something about that too.       

Not sure what tomorrow will bring as weather but I have a pattern to finish so know what is on my tomorrow schedule.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com