SHOW-n-TELL

It's time for another rug show.  By the way, I did tweak Mother once more but won't bore you with that photo.  Guess this first rug could be considered a geometric with its 6 point stars, deer, tree and checkerboard border.  No date was provided.

Talk about circles... this one is dated 1896.

This Roosters rug was recently on one of the auction sites, it measures 21 x 39.

A colorful cat rug hooked early 20th century with dimensions of 41 x 41.

October is getting near, so here is rug full of cats, and bats ~ or are they birds?   I prefer to think bats.  With a couple small horses in the mix.  Heck, print this out and  use any image for a rug of your own.  The cat shapes in the corners are typical vintage shapes.

I so wish the person who took the photo below had stood on a stool to get a  more level picture.  Anyhoo.... the rug measures 18 x 43 and said to be hooked between 1880-1910.  It is a collection of John and Jane Thayer.

A pretty floral with a wonderful hit and miss fan border.  It measures 23 x 36 but no date was provided.

And finally, a folk art horse rug with horseshoes in corner.  Something I wasn't aware of with this antique before was the spelling of Kit and Tony in the rug.  That is until Lauren (Pugs and Rugs) sent me a photo of adaptations which were on display at Sauder.  I'm sure Lauren will post those photos so don't want to steal her thunder.  Be sure to check back on her blog to view the rugs from Sauder when they are posted.

Happy hooking.  I've a little yard work to do this morning before it gets too hot but then I'll be hooking on my circles.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com 

VISITING MOTHER AGAIN

This will be my last tweaking of Mother with Fishbowl so hope it goes smoothly today.  

Fast forward with hook in hand for about 3 hours this is the result of today's work.  Hard to believe there is almost 3 hours of work here because you probably don't see any change since I don't either.

Of course some of that time was reverse hooking then rehooking sometimes more than once.  Although you may not notice the difference these are the areas worked on:

     ~ eyebrow arch

     ~ cheek near mouth, lips and teeth

     ~ shade under chin to a somewhat lighter value

This is what it looked like after the last tweaking weeks ago ... hardly noticeable eh?  I'm calling her done except for a final steaming tomorrow.  Just can't handle that tonight.  Yes, Mother will go to Cape May with me as I've worked too much for her not to go.  I think she would be proud with my attempt. 

Some of the wool has been rehooked so many times some strips have tiny threads which stick up.  So tomorrow when I steam it will try applying a little hair spray (on my finger) then apply around the eye to keep the threads from moving around.  If anyone has experience on this problem let me know.

Once again, this is the photo from which I drew the pattern.

Hmmm, now  that I'm looking at the photo and comparing it appears there's no dark value on the back of the lower neck. POO.  Maybe I will do more tweaking tomorrow with an even lighter value at the back of the neck.

Several of my friends will be enjoying the rug show and/or classes at Sauder.  I've never visited Sauder and know that is my loss.

Happy Hooking and I am looking forward to working on my circles tonight!  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MISC. CHIT CHAT

Plan for today is to finalize my wool selection for this pattern.   Last time I walked by the wool temporarily selected thought there should be more options.

The original antique is a shirred rug which sold for $10,073. I named the pattern Lollipop Flowers and drew my pattern 22 x 31 not the original larger size of 31 x 44.  

Here is the wool I've selected and hope if Caroline (Eagles Nest Woolens) thinks she has something which will make the project special that she will suggest it.  As usual just before leaving for camp I'll probably put a few other pieces of wool in with this bunch.

I figured the black wools would be used for the background around the flowers ~ I prefer to have a mix vs just one piece of wool for a background.  Don't know what Caroline sees as flowers, leaves or stems but think I've given her options.  Plus there are several rows surrounding the floral center which I wouldn't know how to hook.  So excited to have a class with her.

I'm registered for a November class with Caroline Twigg  again but haven't decided what the project will be yet.  There's lots of time for me to change my mind between now and then so will wait.

This morning at 7:15 the temp outside was 79 degrees.  The A/C setting in the house is 76, which is by no means cold.  Yet look at the steamy kitchen window this morning with the high humidity.

If it wasn't for an eye appointment today at 2:40 I wouldn't go outside the house.  Only regret is that I don't have a rug to bind while waiting 😏, guess that is what I get for being up-to-date with binding.  And once I come home everything will be foggy just like that door you see above.

Happy hooking.

 
Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

UPATE ON GOING IN CIRCLES

FYI Geometric Garden is now bound and label attached so I'm caught up.  There's plenty more hooking to be done on this rug and for now I'm quite content pulling strips from the various colored baggies of worms surrounding me.

Usually I complain about a photo being too washed out and the one above appears a bit too dark so thought I'd take another photo with another camera ~ the one which usually washes out the colors let's see what happens this time.

Yup, the photo just taken is too washed out.  So let's just say the color is somewhere between the dark and lighter one.  Perhaps next time I take a photo in a better lit room and with the first camera.

Happy Saturday and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

ANOTHER RUG SHOW

Am happy to have the de-wormer project of Circles on my frame but I'm still looking for a super star. Meanwhile here is a rug found in Berks County of a trotting horse.  It measures 30.5 x 37 and hooked 19th century.

Below is an  unusual geometric with dimensions of 18 x 36.

This yarn sewn Tiger rug sold for $8,610 but don't have a year that sale took  place.  Said to be hooked 19th century and measures 34 x 70.

I really like this eagle rug below but don't have any other info.  It does look too pristine to be an antique.  If anyone knows who the designer is please let me know.

I'm wondering what antique  inspired the rug above and the one below (which is in the Barb Carroll rug pattern line) ...  Sorry the photo is so blurry.

...or perhaps inspired the pattern below known as The Poser and hooked by Lauren.  Would love to find the original antique which was the inspiration for all three.

Basket of flowers with tile border, 38 x 50.5.

Just a regular old chicken, no date was provided.  I'm guessing those corners depict chicken feet marks; at least that is my thought.

Center floral with ribbon-type scrolls in the corners, no date but measures 35 x 53.

The horse rug below was said to be hooked in the 1880's.

Some rain came thru this afternoon and I tried to chase it elsewhere but don't know if I was successful.  Hopefully it is gone for the day to parts unknown.  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitves.weebly.com

RUG HOOKING CHIT CHAT

I've many rugs on my walls, rugs on the floor, some I've given away yet they keep mounting.  Since I won't stop hooking, as long as my hands can pull loops and have all this wool, I might put a few on my FB web site for sale.  Just recently sold a rug named Chum which you will see near the end of the post.  This one below is the original antique.

And I wondered if it was hooked by the same person who hooked Ned.

Continuing with the story... when in class with Barb I asked if I should draw regular paws on Chum or do the same claw/toe nails as depicted in the antique.  Barb said to do the claw paw for sure.  Barb color planned the rug for me and it has great memories of our time together.   

Another tidbit and fun fact, I asked Barb if I should make that motif into a full star (left of the word Chum).  And she said, "no it's a 'what's it'.  Of course I didn't ask her what a 'what's it' was as that was supposed to be part of the intrigue of antique rugs ~ I guess.  Oh Barb, you gave me so many fond memories!!!!  You were COOL BEANS!!!!!

It so happened that Cynthia Norwood dropped by one day and while color planning my rug Barb held up a piece of wool and asked Cynthia if she remembered that wool from their past (the 3rd border in at the ends of the rug).  Don't know what their experience was but that happened to be a woman's jacket I'd purchased at the thrift shop and I've still some left.  

Here is CHUM, now in a private collection.

I shared the paw story to the buyer after she acknowledged receiving it and knew she was happy.  She said the feet were the most endearing part of the rug and will cherish it.

Last night there was another 2.69" of rain so my lake is still here as strong as ever.  Not sure how much rain fell a couple nights ago.  Tomorrow is supposed to be clear so will cut some grass since the ground won't be quite as soggy in most parts of the yard but still sponge like near the lake.

Hope all is well with my rug hooking friend folk.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

GOING in CIRCLES

Here is a little progress made on my project.

Yesterday afternoon I thumbed thru all my pattern books and some booklets with patterns in search of the star to no avail.  This morning I perused one antique rug site and Pinterest and still nothing struck my fancy.  So guess it will still be just me 'going in circles'.

Yesterday late afternoon I also made a pot of Minestrone soup and it was great.  Will also be tonight's dinner and there is plenty for me to freeze.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

  

MOVING ON

Every day the last couple weeks (including this morning) I spent ample time looking for a new rug pattern for my frame.  I'd already decided on the plus one a/k/a second-string project but not the star, otherwise known as the MVP.  So guess I'll move on and the second string will be the one on my frame.

Blogger friend Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) emailed me last evening to ask if I'd already started hooking the second-string rug yet.  I didn't respond to  her and thought I'd save it for this post as she seems to be living her rug hooking desire vicariously thru me.  So "yes, Lauren, I've started pulling loops on it".  However will save what little progress made until the next post.

Meanwhile, this is what I've chosen to hook and thought it would be a fantastic way to use up worms plus I do love a botchy background.  The original antique measured 21 x 35 so those are the dimensions I drew my pattern.  I don't always draw mine the same dimensions as the antique.

Below you can see it on my frame and since it will be a drizzly day it's a perfect day to hook.  Lauren, do you even know where your hook is?  How  many weeks has it been since you've seen it?  I miss your rug progress posts.

Happy Friday and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

GEO GARDEN ALL HOOKED

Last loops were pulled today and am quite pleased with it; I think.  Since the label was previously printed it now needs to be bound and label attached.  

At least right this minute I'm calling it finished.  Looking at the photo now am questioning that pinkish brown in the center with the trio of flowers.  On the one hand it makes the central 'garden' stand out as the main event.  On the other hand does it really fit?

Perhaps I should have chosen a different color brown.  See what I do with my head ~ always questioning my color choices.  At least the wide cut was comforting 😏

Think I told you I've chosen my my next plus one or second string rug project.  What I need now is the star or MVP.  For the last couple days I've perused my two flash drives, known antique sites and Pinterest yet still  haven't found anything which makes my heart skip a beat.  So could be my second string might have to fill in as the star of the show.  Stay tuned.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MOTHER WITH A FISHBOWL

Making changes to this piece has been stressful each time it is put on my frame.  Over the course of a few days I worked on it little by little.  But could only stand a few minutes each time.  If you want to see the some of the transition, you can view the previous update HERE. 

These are a few changes made ~ shifted some wool on the nose to reduce the ski nose; changed the brow, used ONE (1) dark brown thread from a strip of wool for the eyelash line, changed to a lighter value strip in the fingers, along the hair line, and shadow line in the ear to a lighter value.  

Today I had to put her aside and may or may not pull her out to change the value of wool under her chin.  But have until September before Cape May to decide.  I have thought about just why it stresses me and here are the reasons:

 * mostly because it is a very personal portrait to me

 * pulling apart pieces of my mother albeit for improvement

 * working with a fine cut which I hate but required to achieve a portrait 

 * and fear of making the mat worse with the tweaks              

That said, here is an update on my Mother's portrait as of 7/30/2023.  

If Mother goes to Cape May with me this year she just may go go to camp as is.  Time will tell.  Again, here is a view of the photo I went by.

My attempt at getting Mother perfect like the photo didn't happen and can still see things I should change, but will I?

Tomorrow will be August and can't believe we are more than halfway thru the year of 2023.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MORE OLD RUGS

I've done a tad more tweaking on Mother's mat but not ready to show photos yet as I want to work on her eye again.  Frankly I can only stand a little at a time tweaking as it is stressful for me.  So will show you some old rugs instead.

Lovely rug of birds with fern-like scrolls measuring 35.5 x 58; no date provided.

Here is a close up of a corner on the  back.  Must have some age to it as the rug was hooked though all layers to the edge as they did 'back in the day'.

At first glance the rug below looks more like a painting, but it is a hooked rug and was listed on Bidsquare.  Sadly I couldn't obtain any more info.

The cat must have been more important to the hooker than the dog as it  is more prominent.  Hooked late 19th century and measures 17 x 58.

Here is a close up of the bird in flight so you can see the variety of textiles used.

Primitive floral with scrolls  ~ 25 x 34.

A geometric hooked early 20th century and measuring 24 x 36.

Here is a closer view of a corner.

Another geo of sorts is this standing wool rug made in the 1800's measuring 27 x 50.

Here is a close up. Bet it was a plush and cushy rug to stand on.

Horse with soft or faded colors and measuring 27.5 x 41.  Wish I could have seen the back to determine if it was faded or hooked in pastel colors.

A Jester sitting on sliver of a moon said to be hooked1940 so not really an antique.  Dimensions are 18 x 36.

Here is a back view and appears to be hooked on burlap

Happy weekend despite the heat and humidity.  But hear next week will be a welcomed temperature change.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

GEOMETRIC GARDEN UPDATE

Yup, get'n close to the finish line.  

Am sure all of you are wondering what will be on my frame next.  You know I enjoy having a 'plus one' to work on when getting bored or frustrated with the main rug.  And have already decided what the plus one is.  Yet that one just might end up being on the frame until the perfect main rug is located.  There were several in the running but I changed my mind before enlarging the pattern and drawing it.  You know, fickle me.

Temperature today is in the high 90's with humidity the feel like is in the triple digits.  Tomorrow and Saturday temperatures will be even higher.  Thank goodness Monday it is supposed to be back to normal for this time of year and in the 80's.  Can't wait until Monday rolls around.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MIGHT BE A 'NO SHOW'

I've been unhappy with my attempt to hook my Mother and Fishbowl properly.  Since Cape May camp is just a little over 6 weeks away decided to tackle tweaking it a little more.  Frankly I'm surprised there are any linen threads left at the eye area as many times as it has been tweaked.

June 2022 this is what my dear mother's portrait looked like and I wasn't happy with the eye then.

So a couple days ago decided to tweak it and just made matters worse.  In this photo the mat is still on the frame and at a closer distance.  And I made the eye worse for sure, looks like it is popping out.

Today I did another attempt at the eye and even changed the brow color.

Here is the original photo I loved to look at as a kid and as an adult.  Then when the hooking habit happened decided I wanted to try and capture her with wool.

Am still not pleased because mother didn't have a ski nose, her lips, eye and brow still don't look like her.  I can see the arch of the brow needs to be lowered and perhaps a hint of a darker value from that to the iris.  While I can see what needs to be done I am not able to execute those changes.  Hey, I'm not McGowan trained y'all , lol.

So sometime between now and Cape May I'll try another tweak because unless I'm proud to show this work my dear mother won't be making it to Cape May with me.  

Saundra
www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com