THE SEARCH GOES ON

Am always looking for lovely old rugs to share with readers who, like me, enjoy looking at them or maybe looking for their next project.  However this nice beaver rug won't be the one on my frame next although it is a lovely rug.  This is a Canadian rug hooked early 20th century and is cotton on burlap.   

A great weathervane horse rug but don't know date hooked so am scared to draw this not knowing if it is an actual antique.

A floral and scrolls hooked early 20th century.  

Another floral with scrolls plus hit and miss background, no date but think it is a legit antique.  Yet I've no desire to hook either of those beauties.

A kitten on oval mat measuring 19.5 x 36 and hooked early 20th century.

Here's a huge rug I've shown before but which I may adapt for my next project ... maybe, lol.  Listed as a Magdalena rug dated 1890 and a huge 45 x 115.  If I do hook it I'll eliminate the left side panel of the square, turtle and bird which will make it a tad shorter.

A yarn sewn runner circa 19th century 33.5" long.  Doing those type rugs must have been tedious sewing the yarn on vs. hooking with loops.  But guess it would require less yarn since the yarn would remain on top.

Sweet rug of two rabbits sharing (?) one carrot.  No date was provided but it does have the appearance of an oldie.

The colorful rug below I saved on my flash drive back in 2016 but never posted it because of the colors.  Am wondering if this is the back because those look like repair patches on the right side. No date was provided yet think it is an antique.  If it isn't an antique someone sure did a great job making it look so. 

This owl rug I found in a July 1992 issue of Country Living magazine.  Description was it is an early 20th century rug.  Often I've thought of hooking it, but haven't done so yet.

A dog with a leaf in all corners, no other info provided in the auction.

Well kiddo's that's the show for today.  I wanted to get this posted yesterday but was too busy with washing curtains, washing windows and washing my latest purchases of wool (I must be crazy as I don't need more).  So didn't get a lot of hooking in either.  Today I plan to change that when I should be outside doing yard work while temps are still mild ~ oh well, oh hell, lol.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

TRUE CONFESSIONS

Do you remember seeing True Confessions magazine on shelves at the shops and grocery stores?  I do, but if you don't you can read about it HERE for a little useless conversation piece.  But my confessions are about the rug I'm working on and an update to Giant Flower.

Just before Cape May I had nothing planned to fill my time with teacher Lucille to work on before the camp project.  Frankly nothing in my desperate searches for an antique interested me but the giant flower raised my smile meter more than the others so drew it out.  Will show you the update below then continue with my confessions.

Second confession ~ Getting ready for Cape May I had tunnel vision and didn't think ahead about how I'd bind this rug.  Even just last week realized I should have sewn on something as a binding.  The purchased cotton bindings I have were too dark, didn't have a suitable color wool yarn for whipping and wasn't sure there was even enough of my various colors of dyed blue wool to do a wool edge.

Sooo, the row of hooking closest to the edge had to be pulled out so I could sew the cotton fabric on in order to get it close to the last row.  Oy vey!  Had my head been right before camp I'd have thought of that earlier.  BUT, being in a hurry missed that planning step.

Third confession ~  I don't have a 'plus one'.  BTW, just to clarify how I came up with that term, ya know how when you're invited to a party and the invitation says you can bring a 'plus one'?  That's how that became a thing with me.  Figured this is my party and I'll bring another.  Anyhoo, I digress...

So that is why Do Goode Be Nice was changed after 8 years, I needed something else to work on other than the flower.  Still don't have a plus one and if it weren't for having this mess below and the mess on my drawing table to clean up I'd draw one. 

Those are all the various colors of cut wool worms I'm using for the floral rug.  The only wool I'm cutting now (after perusing the worms) is the blue background and the green for leaves.   The blue is a mixture of many previous dye jobs I did over the years but at a distance they all seem to work okay.

Thanks to those of you who recently 'followed' my blog.  Not sure what I posted that inspired you but hope I can continue to keep your interest.  Hope you will check in often to see what I'm working on.  If you have a question or want me to cover a certain topic, please email me.  If you don't want to put it in the 'comment' section there is a special "EMAIL ME" spot on the right hand side of my blog which comes directly into my email.

Nice mild temperatures today but we all know winter is in our forecast and dark getting earlier.  Enjoy it while we can.  Happy hooking, knitting, quilting, stitching or whatever floats your boat!

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

CHANGED AFTER 8 YEARS

Couldn't stand looking at it any longer until a change was made to the witch's eye.  This Lori Brechlin design (sold by Spruce Ridge) was hooked 2016 and this is what it looked like all those years until yesterday.

I know it is a whimsical design but the eye looked too awkward and bold.  It was too big for the face, the outline of the eye too dark, the eyebrow a tad too light and didn't like that 'hairy' mole on her chin as it looked it was a piece of wool there by accident.  So this is how the rug looks now.

The new softer version is much better me thinks.  I'd contemplated removing the entire eye and starting from scratch.  Then decided to try a simpler way by making the eye smaller from the top.  I trimmed the top loops of the entire eye (white, brown, black, brown then white at the right corner).  Then used a thinner piece of wool which wasn't quite as dark as that first to outline the top.  That meant there was room for a piece of green to hook above the eye adding to the face and reducing the bold eye.  I also changed the color of the eyebrow and added a couple loops to the forehead hair.  Oh, and surgically removed her hairy mole 😁.

I'm happier now and it took me 8 years to finally change it.  Oh, and what a difference a photo makes, the colors look better in this last shot too ~ a win win.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

FINALLY BOUND

Dog with Basket finally got bound.  It was color planned by Lucille Festa at Rugs by the Sea in Cape May this past September.

In other news...an acquaintance asked me if I would repair an old rug her grandmother hooked.  Told her I'd have to see the rug first to see how big the repair was and see the type foundation.  Explained that with age burlap gets very brittle and any manipulation of the rug could cause more damage so wouldn't get involved in that.

Tuesday she came over with said rug.  Turns out it was hooked with wool yarn on what appeared to be rug warp.  You can see the areas needing repair in the photo below at the top and to the lower right.  I explained that I use wool fabric and she said she didn't care if it was fabric or yarn, she just wanted to save the rug.

In the photo below you can see I repaired some at the top but the very edge was too fragile to deal with and she said that section was placed under the bed anyway.  Still have to deal with the little empty spot on the lower right.

Seems I successfully repaired that spot using the hanging wool yarn below the rug.  And told her not to pass the word around that I repaired her grandmother's rug as I don't want more offers, lol.

Yesterday I was forced to turn on the heat as it was too cold in the house.  Tomorrow it is supposed to be a normal temp of close to 70 so will turn off the heat and open the windows.  But that too will be short-lived as winter is inevitable. 

Now back to hooking on the Giant Flower.  What is on your frame?

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

CALIFORNIA FLASHBACK

As you know my husband and I were from the east coast before he was transferred to the 'left' coast.  While there I worked for Sunset Designs, a needlearts company started by Tom Cundith in the garage of his home.  It developed into a thriving profitable company by the time I moved to San Ramon.  The company was eventually sold but you can still find stitchery kits on eBay today.

In all the years I worked never did we dress up for Halloween during the work day until California.   Driving to work could easily have been a scene equal to that of the Cantina scene of Star Wars. Imagine seeing this elephant behind the wheel.  Californians go bonkers during Halloween and I saw many an odd character driving on the freeway.

Here is one of the Sunset employees dressed as a character from the Carole Burnett show, but can't recall the character's name.

A secretary dressed as a flapper.

A nurse, Geisha and not sure of what the other two were.

Something was quite funny to these gals and I was probably laughing along with them but can't recall why.

This witch must have had a cold as that's a really red nose.

Employees gathering around a cubicle and probably typical of the whole day.

A couple more characters below.  

Lunchtime where we all brought in food to share.

This is me below and guess I went as Hiawatha.

Unidentifiable character to me, but phones need answering when you're at work even during having fun.

Tinkerbell sitting on my boss's lap.  Mike Lacy was the Sales Manager and I was his secretary.

Photo below looks like it was taken in the customer service department.  There were more employees in that department.

Many of the employees used the day as a normal 'casual Friday' attire vs. wild costumes.

A photo of Tom Cundith, the company's founder, having a meeting outside with the employees on a nice day.

Sunset Designs was a wonderful company to work for; they introduced me to 'flex time' where one could take a 2 hour lunch if you worked an hour beyond their work schedule or came in early.  When Gary became really ill, they let me do my secretarial work at home and I'd deliver the work the next day.  That way I was able to be around Gary near the end of his life and still have an income.

Yet am thankful I took it upon myself to move our son and me back to the east coast.  California was fun and entertaining for a while and am so glad not to live there now, just doesn't seem the same from the news I see on TV.  Happy Haunting.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

OLD RUGS

Here are a few rugs you may not have seen.  Actually it is the first time I ever heard of a "ravel rug".  A Shaker ravel rug is done by sewing knitted sections on a foundation then unravelling the unsewn parts.  This one measures 33 x 37, was found in Canterbury, NH but no date provided.

Petite flowers  and leaves mid 20th century so not really considered an antique yet, I don't think.  

A lion hooked late 19th to early 20th century measuring 16 x 28.

An oval floral dated 1900's.

A geometric from the Robert L. Pfannebecker collection.

A horse rug listed on Bidsquare and have no date or dimensions.

Apparently a family rug with everyone's initials and a date of 1893.  Dimensions of rug is 35.5 x 36.5.

I know someone who reads my blog isn't fond of ducks, so sorry about the following rug.  Said to be hooked early 20th century. 

A naïve landscape with dog, no date provided.  Reminds me of a child's drawing.

Sorry there isn't anything breathtaking here for you to see and am hoping there will be more for me to find on the internet for future shows.  Meanwhile, make your own beauty with your hands and wool ~ happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MISC CHIT CHAT

The range was delivered yesterday and I took it on a test run with baked chicken breast.  Interesting was the digital temp/timer/clock alerted me every increase in temp to the designated temperature.  Seems it does take the oven a tad longer to reach optimum temperature and probably does so for the burners.  But I can learn to adapt ~ at least everything works now.

In the past I've purchased an extended warranty on my appliances and chose to not do that this time.  Frankly I never had to call anyone for repairs during the 27 years I had the previous range.  It seemed cheap enough tho at $130 for a 5 year warranty.  I still have a couple days to change my mind but would be interested in what YOU would have done and what you normally do.

Okay, as promised here is an update on the Giant Flower (20.5 x 35).

Must admit I'm getting a little bored with it.  But maybe since I'll be moving onto the leaves and other small colorful flowers it will be more fun.  Below is a picture of the original antique.

In other mundane news...I had the flu shot today and was asked if I wanted the Covid shot and said "No".  Tomorrow I will continue to yank out more vinca minor and it won't be all out during my lifetime.  But at least I'm working on it one section of roots at a time.

And to buy range warranty or not to buy, that is the question.

Praying for those in the wake of hurricane Milton's wrath.  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

'TIS OCTOBER

We are already one week into October, how is that possible?  This is my favorite month of the year ~ cool nights and warm days, changing colors of leaves, pumpkin spice and everything nice.  The inside of my house is cooler than outside so I've started wearing long sleeve tee shirts and sweatpants.

It won't be long before my gal pal Lauren climbs in her attic to retrieve her Halloween décor and start decorating ~ or perhaps that's already begun.  I used to decorate heavily for all holidays but no longer.  Gave all my Halloween items to a local friend who hosted parties at his house for the event.  Well, I did keep my hooked rugs and the Jack-O-lantern I made so do still have a couple items to put out soon ... maybe.

The Merrie October 31st is a Lori Brechlin design I hooked and the paper mache' Jack is the one I made, as I did the white wool applique pumpkin.

Perhaps in a couple days I'll have some progress to show you on the Giant Flower pattern.  And have nothing else in queue as there's plenty of hours left to finish this one.  But will continue to look for the one which rocks my world, lol. 

Tomorrow the new range will be delivered between 10-2 and hope no other appliances or electronics go bad anytime soon.

God Bless folks in Georgia, North Carolina and now again in Florida.

Saundra

www.woodlanjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

A HAPPY SURPISE

Regular readers know I love homemade soup and make a lot of it during cool weather.  I normally make a big pot as I enjoy leftovers and don't mind  having soup for lunch then again that night for dinner.  There's usually enough for me to freeze 2 meals for later.  This afternoon I pulled a container of soup out of the freezer and checked to see what my dinner would be.  OH BOY!  It is Moroccan Sweet Potato Soup with all the tasty and healthy detox spices.  If you are interested in seeing the recipe you can check it out HERE.  BTW, I didn't use a crock pot, just cooked it on my range top.

When this house was built I made some very bad plant choices, one of which was vinca minor (periwinkle).  For the longest time it seemed it would never grow and now it is out of control.  Weeks ago I started digging it out of the ground along the driveway and worked a little more today but have a lot more to do in order to get it under control.

And because a blog post should have a photo or three, here are a few rugs to show you.  Said to be hooked early 20th century is blocks of images of ships, spinning wheels, flora, etc. 

For feline lovers is a rug with 13 cats hooked on burlap and dated between 1920-40.

The canine folks will enjoy the dog and pup rug and no other information was provided, just the picture from an auction.

And for horse lovers like me, one which seems like a free range mustang; again, no other info provided.

Happy hooking and pray those in North Carolina, Georgia and others devastated by Helene will get major help soon.  I feel guilty sitting here talking about the frozen soup which will be my dinner tonight when those folks don't even have a bed to sleep in or know where their meal or water will come from ~ God less them all.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

MISC. CHIT CHAT

I'll start with my displeasure of having to replace an appliance.  Frankly I should be happy the electric range has survived this long.  We built the house in 1997 so it lasted 27 years.  Meanwhile in that time I've had to buy a new refrigerator, washer and dryer, water heater twice, furnace once, heat pump twice so understand I should be grateful this is the first range.  And am thankful my order was placed and delivery scheduled already since there is a longshoreman strike and who knows when I'd get one otherwise.

I've always had coil electric stoves and decided to go for the 'flexible' flat top range this time.  Don't know the difference or survivability between glass and flexible but nothing built these days lasts very long anyway.  But hope I made the correct decision on the range.  Heck, my 2003 van still runs like a top so I'm definitely not getting rid of that.

Anyway, onto the good stuff ~ the dog with basket was started on 9/16 and pulled the last loop this afternoon.  Just 17 days so that might be a record for me; and yes Lauren, it is SMALL at 17.5 x 30 but still a record for moi.  Still needs steaming and binding tho.

Am thankful to Lucille for color planning the rug and she even made suggestions on the directional hooking in areas.  It was fun to not have to make decisions on color choices so was an easy and fun hooking project.

Already I've thrown the giant flower 'plus one' on the frame and will c continue to work on that.  There's a way to go on that one so it will be several days/weeks before I'll be searching for a new project.

NOTE:  Just before leaving for Cape May I received an email from someone who was also leaving for a rug camp.  She said she wanted the pattern when we each returned from camp.  However, I've managed to delete her message and cannot remember her name.  So if you are reading this post and still interested in the pattern send me another email.  Sorry I accidently deleted your message and hope you had a great time at your camp and happy hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com