MY FAVORITE WAY TO BIND A RUG

Actually I don't have a favorite way. 

I liken it to when I used to make dolls ~ after the cloth doll was sewn and stuffed the shape inspired me to either hand stitch facial features or paint them.  Likewise once the doll had a personality she inspired the clothing I'd make.  Below is one with a stitched primitive face.

Another with a Victorian look.

Don't want to bore you so will do just one more picture, but you get my drift I'm sure.

So depending on the rug is how and when I choose the style binding I'll do; and think I've done them all.  The rug below is a Bev Conway design named Rufus hooked in 2006 when I was in my brighter side of the crayon box.

I bound the rug with a bias wool covered cord.

BTW Blogger is NOT playing nice at all today.  It will not allow me to enlarge the photos.  Hopefully if you tap on the photos they will appear larger for you to get a better look.

Magdalena's Goat (and other rugs) have wool yarn whipped edges here is a corner of the front and back views.  I used to do wool whipped edge with cording but no longer do the cording.

Cherries and Candy Stripe was bound using the doubled cotton fabric technique which I have done on a few occasions.

This chicken rug was done in a completely different style as I wanted it to look primitive.  Betsy Reed demonstrated the technique in a class and you can see how I did it HERE.

And the last way I've bound rugs is using the traditional cotton binding which can be purchased in various colors.

I would like to suggest you not place your wool covered cord rugs in a highly walked area.  One of my rugs wore thin and you can see those white holes on the left side and bottom of the photo below.  Those are not moth holes, the wool has worn thin.

Okay, I know what you're thinking and saying to yourself, "but the cord edge protects the hooked edge".  Yes, that may be true but I've rugs in well used areas with cotton binding and the wool on those at the edge has not worn thin.

Well, I've an Ox Farm pattern to draw and hope to clean the pollen covered back porch.  Have a great weekend.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

  

JUST ANOTHER UPDATE

Now is when I wish there was a plus one to post about instead of another update on Running Horse.  While I'm excited to make progress on it I suspect you readers would like to see a variety of rugs in progress ~me thinks.  Anyway, here is what the antique adaptation looks like now.

You can see the fabric choice made for the doubled cotton binding.  So once all hooked, steamed and extra linen trimmed away it will be a breeze to bind it.

I have an annual doctor visit tomorrow but perhaps once home I should look for that 'plus one'.  Don't know what it would be yet but would like it to be something smallish so a finish wouldn't take too long 😊. Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

ANOTHER HAPPY FINISH

Can't take credit as my finish, lol.  It is a wonderful finish of Domestic Zoo hooked by Tammy Warren.

Tammy chose to hook a border around her rug and it frames her work nicely.  It is fun to see how each person's choice of colors changes the rug.  I hooked mine without a border but the border does frame it like a work of art.   Tammy needs her stand-alone private rug show otherwise I'd share pictures other folks have shared with me.  Great work Tammy!!!  And thanks for sending me your finished photo.

For others who have purchased patterns from me and who would like to share your finished rug with me I'd love to brag about your work too.  Happy hooking everyone.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

ANTIQUE RUG SHOW

Isn't is fun to look at rugs hooked by other folks?  When attending a rug camp I always look forward to the rug show.  Also enjoy the 'throw down' to see who is hooking what and if there is a pattern I'd be interested in myself.  And, of course I love antique rugs so let's take a look at what I've found lately.

Here's one with animals and flowers.   Hooked late 19th to early 20th century.  I kinda like this but could get bored with the curves.  But heck, I've hooked lots of circles in my time and never got bored with those.  Maybe I'd do just one row of curves both bottom and top border.

A lovely way to use up all those left over strips.  Look closely at the rug below which I like because it looks old and worn.   You could use up lots of the wool you don't know what else to do with as it would help create that vintage appeal.  They would make a wonderful geometric rug and not worry about what color goes well with the one next to it.  It works!

A shorebird and the auction house didn't provide a date.

Lauren will probably love this Pug Rug dated 1898 ~ the 1 must  have really faded out.   Might be something she'd like to adapt to give her DSO or for herself.

I don't particularly care for this cobalt blue floral (hooked mid 20th century).  The reason I saved it was because if the flowers were removed it would remind me of the 'no broadcast' tv signal back in the day.

A very well preserved hearth rug circa 1875.  Dimensions are 28.5 x 67.

A landscape hooked late 19th-early 20th century. 

Another landscape which has a pixelated look so wonder if it is wool crewel work instead of hooked.

OH, I don't have a cat or horse rug yet so guess I can't stop yet.  This next one should cover all those requirements ~ it has a cat, dog, horse, rabbit and even a goat.

Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

IT'S POLICE OFFICER REMEMBRANCE DAY

When I was a kid I was taught to respect my parents, elders, and police officers.  And to generally treat others as I'd want to be treated.  It was my parents who taught me that plus the teachings in my church.   What has happened to our society?

This rug I hooked to honor and in Remembrance of Cpl. Keith Heacook of the Delmar, Delaware Police.  You can read his Officer Down Memorial Page HERE.

Thanks to all Police Officers who chose to walk that thin blue line between life and death each day to serve and protect us.  I am sure your loved one does not rest until they hear the Velcro rip when you remove your uniform after your shift.  God Bless you and keep you from harm.

Saundra

RUNNING HORSE UPDATE

Just a little progress has been made on my current project.  But at least there's been some progress.  Seems we rug rug hookers are never satisfied with how much we've accomplished and don't think I'm alone in that respect.  Once the rug is done we are usually always pleased tho, right?

Not much else to share other than more rain tomorrow and Wednesday, my grass needs cutting but not sure it will get done tomorrow, depends on how wet it is outside.

My deck still needs to be washed and sealed but the pollen of different shapes continues to drop.  That light dusty yellow/green pollen has stopped but the worm-shaped and other pollen is showing its face now.

The part of the deck above was swept this morning but had to run errands and this lower part didn't get swept off.  That's why it has more pollen and leaf droppings.

OH!!!!!  Nancy Armstrong, I did receive your comment but you are a NO-REPLY blogger so was unable to respond to you.  That issue can be fixed, just goggle how to fix No-Reply blogger.  OR, if you look on the right side of my blog there is a spot to EMAIL ME.  That ensures a way for me to contact you.

Happy Hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to my mother in heaven.

And happy Mother's Day to my friends and family as well.  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com  

JUST ANOTHER RUG SHOW

Found some old rugs during my recent search and unfortunately not all provided me with age/date.  So I'll start off with a cat rug which was hooked early 20th century.  Shame the lady didn't pull a couple tails up in the middle of the eyes.  She had some black, and at least it would have given the poor kitty life.

A rug with double horses hooked late 19th century and located in PA.

Just a dog playing with butterflies; or are they playing with the dog?  

Actually my silly Rottie Panzer would and did chase butterflies and blackbirds.  I recall one time while living in Columbia, MD and walking them at the ballfield he pulled up a wildflower and was taunting his mother Shumba with it enticing her to play.  Another time the poor boy bent down to either sniff or look at a bee and got stung on his nose.  I was scared all night for fear he would have a reaction.  He was the goofiest 'most dangerous' Rottweiler alive, lol.  Below is a photo of Panzer and his mom Shumba playing with a ball they found at the ball field, photo taken 2016.

You know I love horse rugs, but this one does nothing for me; it doesn't have a story.  It is was hooked early 20th century and measures 26.5 x 34.  But it is boring.

This looks familiar and may have been shown before.  But maybe not all my readers have seen it.  Father of his Country, 35.5 x 46.5 and hooked early 20th century.  The rug sold at auction for $830 in 2011.

A lovely log cabin 14" chair pad.  

An intricate floral rug hooked 19th century.  Don't think I'd hook it but IF I did think I'd opt to hook the center part with just a simple border.

Well, folks, that's it for tonight.  Will pull a couple more loops before hitting the sack.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MY RUNNING HORSE

This is the start of my adaptation of an antique rug I've named Running Horse.  Or perhaps I should call it 'Horse with Red Mane'?  But then if someone wants me to draw the pattern for them and they don't want a red mane ... then the name is a moot point.  Anyway, I decided to pause on the horse and go for one of the corners with a scroll.  Figured the four corners would become boring so decided to tackle at least one right away.  The hit and miss will be a wiz.

This time I thought ahead and stitched the double cotton binding onto the pattern before starting to hook.  Also this time decided to do a continuous strip vs. the four sides individually.  Each way has it's issues which you learn as you do them and can't say which is my favorite or is the easiest.

Today was the third day in a row with rain and haven't walked back to see if the lake has replenished itself.  Perhaps I'll look tomorrow if it isn't pouring.

Hope my friends in Michigan will be safe as there are numerous tornadoes for that area according to my weatherman.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MISC. CHIT CHAT

Even tho Cape May is still a few months away I was thinking about the pattern I'll take.  Nope, not gonna share that with you just yet, because could be I'll change my mind before camp.  However, was thinking about the wool I'll take for it if it is indeed the one and picking a selection for the "wool ring".

This topic could also fit under the category of 'what teachers taught us' I'd posted previously.  While it is true Caroline Twigg talked about a wool ring in a class I attended.  However I learned about it years ago from another student who had a ring with strips and 1/4 yard pieces for her project pinned to it.  So here is the start of my collection.

Ya know how you always have those small quantities or slim strips which don't fold or pack neatly?  This is a way to take them and avoid the subsequent rats nest when rummaging for what you're looking for.  I have a few of those rings so could use a separate ring for different colors.  The rings were purchased several years ago in the craft department of Walmart.  Think they were intended as a frame for making a dream catcher but serves my purpose well.

You can take a trip back in time to 2012 when I posted about the wool rings just before a Woolley Fox camp HERE.

My deck needs to be washed and sealed but can't do that until the pollen stops.  The front porch collected a fair share even tho there is a roof over top.  I started sweeping and couldn't believe how much there was.  Look at the difference.  And we're breathing that; thank goodness I don't have asthma but do have a sneezing allergic reaction during the season.  Guess those masks might come in handy for things like this even if it doesn't prevent one from getting covid. 

My back lake has almost dried up so before the anticipated rains of today was able to cut the grass, even at the very edge of said lake without getting stuck.  So now the rain has begun and a few more days this week it is in the forecast.  Hope the lake doesn't fill up again as a result of this rain.

Yesterday afternoon the temperature dropped 30 degrees from what it was on Friday.  Today I'm back in a turtleneck and sweats since it is in the very low 50's.  Glad I had some homemade soup in the freezer which was taken out and will be my supper this evening to stave off the chill.  Happy weekend.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

VINTAGE RUG SHOW

I'll start the show with a floral which has a border with diamond shapes.  Hooked during the 19th century and measures 38 x 50.5.

A rug depicting a Clipper Ship named Susanah Capt. Ed Luce.  Dimensions of the rug are 30 x 46.5.  I googled the name of the ship and captain's name and a few links were provided with info but perhaps the link HERE might be the one related to this rug.  If anyone has info on the Captain of this ship please let me know if it isn't the link I provided.

There's a lot going on in this hooked rug below ~ rooster, birds, maiden with cows, a barn and said to be hooked in the 1920's.    

The brown dog rug I saw listed on ebay.  Obviously Jenny Smallridge did too since she purchased it.  The rug was hooked in the 1800's according to the eBay listing.  

Old Hagley floral dated between 1850-1900.  It is also known as Old Chatham and is a pattern offered by several and perhaps I may hook it too but not in these exact colors.  The original antique rug measured 35 x 38.5.

Cute cat and kittens but no date.  I recently found it and thought it might still be listed for anyone who wished to purchase it but didn't find it  just now.

That's the show kids.  Now back to hooking and a little binding on my Fox rug.  Can only force myself to work on binding during an hour show of The Five.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

WHAT'S ON THE FRAME YOU ASK?

A horse of course.  Animals are my preferred object, particularly a horse.  They are magnificently beautiful creatures and I especially love looking at slow motion videos of the muscle movement when they run.  And when I had my own horse enjoyed lifting the mane and taking in the aroma.  Mind you not so much when cleaning out his stall, lol.

I drew this from an antique rug I've never posted on my blog.  Therefore I'm refraining from showing the rest of the drawing until more gets hooked.  Heck, should have cleaned up the loops around the eye so it doesn't look like a crazed horse.  And, yes, the original antique has red in the horse's mane.

What's on your frame?  Happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

THE FOX RETURNS

Last loop just pulled on my version of 1922 Fox but still needs steaming and binding.

In case you'd like to refresh your memory on what the original antique looked like here it is.  Not sure I do myself any favors by posting the originals but ....

Normally I try to hook the main motif like the original but wanted my foxy fox to look like a traditional Delaware Red Fox with the white chest and tip of tail.  But was unsuccessful in getting the wool on the legs to look like them.

Friend Robin said she hoped my lake was drying up.  So went outside to take a couple pictures to show it isn't dry, but getting there.  In fact with the winds you can see that wood limbs have been floating up from either the farm behind me or from my back woods.   There are still lots of smaller limbs, pine cones and other debris which I'll need to pick up before ruining the blades on my mower.

Previously I tried cutting the green grass weeds you see in the foreground but it was and might be still too soggy.  Here is another photo just to the right of the previous photo which shows how that area has started to dry up with dead dry leaves and whatever else has washed up from the wind.  

Who knows what will be growing on that piece of land when it does get dry enough to cut.

Was chilly today so I made a delicious Moroccan soup as I love the flavors of the spices in it (coriander, cumin, ginger, cayenne, turmeric and cinnamon),  plus they have healing properties.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

THAT PUZZLE PIECE BACKGROUND

Lauren asked that I demonstrate what I referred to as puzzle piece hooked background.  I first learned about it from Lisanne Miller and guess it could be a relative of higgly-piggly except I changed colors with each puzzle piece.  You could use the same wool for each puzzle piece if you wanted, which would essentially be higgly-piggly.  But I find a background hooked in all the same off the bolt wool boring.

FYI this isn't my next project, this is a pattern I started for someone and didn't go as expected so have had the linen tucked aside for a future geometric to use up some of selvage edges.  

Anyway, inside that circle are small puzzle pieces I drew, you could draw larger puzzle pieces if you wish.  I grabbed a handful of #8.5 cut strips and think there is at least one #8 in there.  Colors are brown plaid, various values of dark, a black and white texture and at the last minute grabbed a short blue texture to fill in a little gap to the left.

Below is what I hooked using most of the colors in the strips.  You can see that black and white texture looks fine in the mix and adds interest so don't hesitate to use those odd pieces.   

You don't need to draw the blocks, you can visualize your own area for a puzzle without the added chore of drawing.  The puzzle piece background was attempted with 1776 Eagle design but my lack of desire to draw lines ended up with larger blocks of color.

I designed a rug for my son's game room but there wasn't enough of blue and had no interest in dyeing any.  So pulled several pieces of different wool and just made do.  I did the S and C on that background and it might not be the prettiest background hooked but am sure all he sees are the pool balls and beer mugs 🍺.

Now back to my fox rug, it's getting close to the end.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com