More on Betsy's Reed's Class

Sharing a bit more on Betsy's class I'd like to show a couple more samples she brought.  And it will take a couple days for me to post all the pictures as there were her samples, a way different technique to bind a rug or pillow, she taught braiding and attaching it to the rug so hang tight and you'll enjoy the ride I'm sure.  Oh, and then there are the rugs that each of us started in class as well as the impromptu rug show of previously finished rugs brought by those of us who wished to share or thought to bring them.

Here is the cutest Sheep rug with a patchwork background with a border which is hooked.  Notice also the light patchwork hooking effect of the sheep's body .....CUTE.

I loved her little critters which were either lightly stuffed like a toy or more flat but with a patchwork back; most were stuffed with lavender. 

When I refer to a 'patchwork back' this is what I'm talking about.  Here is the patchwork back of two of her hearts.

Here you can see her pumpkin (again with the patchwork back), a sweet cat and the rabbit are laying on top of other hooked works by Betsy.

In my pre-class peeking I was in awe when I saw this horse rug and the way it was bound as that made it look old.  I know we all strive to steam and bind our rugs to make them straight on the edge, right?  Well this rug appeared old. It looked as though it had been a rug in need of repair and was done all around the edge in a primitive whip stitch.  So COOL!  Also notice the unevenness of the stitching along parts of the edge of the rug.  And, it just so happened that even this rug was covered on the back with a wool patchwork style so there was some work done here to make a good product but make it look old.

Here's a picture of the corner where the hooking is uneven (planned of course).  Yeah, I know, only a primitive rug hooker could love this.  But I use to admire the antique rugs when looking in Country Living magazine and so much wanted one of those antique rugs for myself.  Now, with techniques like this taught by Betsy it is possible.



I'll post a series of Betsy's rugs without verbiage since I'm getting hungry.  And these are only a sampling of what she brought.

There were other rugs which I regret not getting pictures of.  I thought that I'd taken pictures of all her samples but now when looking for pumpkin rugs and others, they aren't here.   So next post will show a smidgen of what we were shared in class.

Hope you enjoyed part of Betsy's works.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Saundra

Pre-Class Peeking

It was before supper and the room with two classes had been set up.  Naturally it was fun to peek at the rugs and wool in Betsy's class and take pictures before the room became packed.  This is the over dyed wool on the metal shelving which her daughter Erica dyes and patterns to the left on the table.  There was also another table where there was wonderful 'as is' wool.  I was sure that I'd taken a picture of that table too but couldn't find it.

I just fell in love with these very primitive hand torn hooked hearts of Betsy's.  Stuffed inside is some lavender and the backs were covered patch work style with different colors of wool.  They smell good, feel good and it is also on my 'to do' list.

Below is the cutest cat and mouse pattern by Betsy which I've just got to hook.  Don't know that I'll do the braided border but she did give us instructions on how to do it.  Isn't that the cutest design?  Lauren of Rugs and Pugs also hooked it as I saw it on her blog a few months ago.

 

This is our table of the class and I'm sitting (uh, was sitting) with my roomie Deb and a couple other hooker friends.  You can see my project in the foreground and this is why I didn't get a lot accomplished..... already I'm missing in action.

 

I've SO much more to share but sadly I still haven't unpacked my suitcase yet.  The dirty clothes went in the laundry room but the unworn clean clothes haven't been put away (too much other stuff to do today).  So check back again as there's lots more to share.

Saundra

HONEY'S...... I'M HOOME.....

Oh my but having fun is exhaustive!  As much as I hated leaving all my pals and fun must admit that I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.  And was totally looking forward to greeting my big boy Ben who was waiting for me at the door near the garage. 

Ben saw my van pulling into the driveway and greeted me at the door with a wiggling nub of a tail and lots of kisses.  I knew he'd be there so that he wouldn't have to jump up to my face to give me kisses I sat down; I mean even Ben knows where the kisses go.  We had a great reunion and he followed me everywhere I went and even sniffed out the van as it was being emptied.

There will be lots to share on my blog and so much that it will be in several day segments.  There is sharing stuff about Betsy and her class, the impromptu rug show, rugs being hooked in class, finishing techniques and lots of stuff and too much to show tonight.  Here is a picture with a flash of my class project.  Just remember this isn't natural light so everything seems brighter.

And this is light dulled in my kitchen without a flash and more natural as it would appear in my home.  Sadly, this is all I'd accomplished between Monday and Wednesday afternoon, which seems sparse compared to other hookers.  Guess I was either talking too much or not in my seat enough.  You will be in for a treat on the accomplishments of others as the days go by.

My plans are now to finish Lucille's Long Island Farm rug first, then Shadow, and then this one and make it into a pillow for me in the living room.

Okay kiddies, play nice until I post again.  Have a great evening and hope everyone will enjoy their sleep tonight like I'm looking forward to in my own bed.  Like I said previously, it is exhaustive having fun.

Saundra

I'm Off to See the Wizard.....

.... the wonderful wizard of OZ.  Okay, not really, but I am leaving for a hooking work shop on Sunday and hoping the wonderful wizard will give me my 'play' back.

I've been buying wool from Betsy for years, we've written funny notes to each other during that time, but I've never met her.  This will be a fun few days if only for that.  And I'm looking forward to hooking with hand torn strips, something I've never done before.  That is as long as my hand can endure it.

In choosing a pattern I searched thru the Kopp book, my pictures of antique rugs saved over the years of ones I wished to replicate and was particularly looking for something that could adapt to a very wide cut with simple easy lines.  There were a few options and I chose this one. 

Mine will only  measure about 20 x 20 so am guessing it will go fast.  Therefore plan to take an extra piece of linen just in case I need to keep myself busy or if my hands give out with hand torn. 

Sunday evening at the hotel I'll work a little more on the Long Island Farm.  This is how this fun rug is looking now.  And I've already decided where it will hang.  I'm not opposed to rugs being on the floor but want this one to hang since it makes me smile.  It is a design by Lucille Festa and measures 24 x 26.

Tomorrow will be a busy day for me and while I'm hoping to make a post before I leave, can't promise.  I've soup to make for my house/Ben sitter, house to clean (the quick version), and load up my van so I'm ready to go on Sunday.

This is just a 3 day workshop and there are just 3 teachers usually.  But it is still fun time getting to meet old friends who love the same thing you do.  And hey, what's not to like about having someone fix your meals 3X per day while you get to hook?

Have a great weekend everyone.  Woolley hugs and lotsa luv.

Saundra

For Better or Worse

And right now it is beginning to feel like it is 'for worse'.  When I looked at the original photo of Shadow and what I'd hooked it looked as tho I needed to make that extra flesh fold line so pulled out several loops and hooked it in.  Now this most recent photo of my hooking makes her appear as tho she has on a collar or weird hooker making irrational hooking choices.

This is the pose I chose for her portrait and you can see the fold that I made a stab at. 

Perhaps I should have left well enough alone when Shadow looked like this and before I pulled out loops and rehooked what you saw in the first posted picture.

But now I have to obviously pull out the *#!? loops once AGAIN.  And do what????  Hook back in the strips that I removed????  Were it not the fact that I'm so close to being done, and the fact that she was a precious part of my life and loyal companion, I'd roll this up and stuff it in the back of some shelf so I didn't have to look at it for a while.

Today I really thought that I would be on the right track and the change needed to motivate me to complete the rug.  Not so; I've had it, I'm frustrated and plan to pull loops on Long Island Farm for relaxation tonight. 

I'd thought of taking the rug with me to my workshop this weekend and get teacher advice to set me straight and give me direction.  But don't know if I want to taint my fun time at camp bringing it even if only for advice.  Obviously I will NOT be hooking on Shadow at camp because this will be a fun camp and not work.

Sorry to use the blog as a sounding board and I'm not normally a negative type person.  But Shadow was started in early September and it is now November 7th.  The rug only measures like 19 x 20 or something like that.  I would have had most things this size hooked inside a month or less.

So now that you've heard me rant and rave I'm wondering how many primitive hookers (like me) are interested in doing realistic hooking now?  I'm pretty sure this will be my last.  Heck, I thought I was doing good by hooking Shadow in a wide cut #8 vs. #3 like my departed Rottweilers were hooked in (below).  But think the days of hooking realistically is over for me.

It is time for me to take my boy Ben for a walk and will hopefully walk off a little frustration with the fresh air and the driveway full of pretty fallen leaves. 

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Udate on Long Island Farm

I haven't had my Shadow girl on my frame for a few days and while I've only hooked on LI Farm it doesn't appear much has been hooked.  For those just joining, it is a design by Lucille Festa of American Country Rugs and measures 24 x 25......that one's for you Lauren ;~)   And I'll explain the reason not much has been hooked below.

This is what it looks like right now and as soon as I publish this blog post will go back to it.  A picture without a flash which is always a little blurry.  I'm planning to take a little license with the fence too but guess I'll have to wait until the perimeter rows are hooked in for the border first.

And a picture with a flash which tends to make things lighter and brighter than in person.

So, my excuses for not accomplishing more is that I leave Sunday for a hooking workshop.  Yeah, I know that's several days away.  BUT, I've had doctor appointments, picking up my grandson from school, shopping for lumber and supplies for the house/Ben sitter to do work around here for me while I'm gone, etc. 

Worse is that I haven't even started gathering and pack my hooking stuff up yet and my wool room looks a wreck from the rugs I'm presently working on.  But, hey, you know how we hookers are.  When it comes time for a rug camp we make do and will be there on time.  Whether or not the cleaning gets done here before that remains to be seen.  Hopefully my house/Ben sitter will be kept busy and won't notice I haven't cleaned for him.  But I did promise him some chicken rice soup to heat up so that is a 'must do'.

Have a great evening everyone, gonna put LI Farm back on my frame. 

Saundra

Lollipop Bouquet Finally Bound

Since binding a rug is my least favorite thing to do it is a slow going process.  If there is a doctor appointment it goes with me while sitting in the waiting room, or waiting to pick up my grandson from school.  So the rug, needle and yarn or thread stays in the car until finished.  This is a picture of it without a flash.

And a picture of it with a flash.

Thankfully it is one more on my 'finished' list but still have Shadow and Long Island Farm to complete hooking.  And THEN this coming Sunday will go to another hooking workshop where I'll start yet another project.

Have a great evening everyone.  That nice weather I had the other day sitting on the back deck didn't occur today as it was rather frigid.  But at least it is better than having snow.

Saundra

Forging Forward

I'm not moving along at a very fast pace but at least I put Shadow back on the frame and hooked a few loops to make a little more headway.  The jaw line has been changed 3 times yet it still isn't right.  Have pulled out loops near her temple and hooked part of that again.  I'm sick of pulling out loops.  In her neck there are 3 noticeable light strips that should be pulled out but I'm not going to do it.  Or at least not right now.  And just maybe never.

At some point I'll stop showing the actual photo of the pose so that you can just surmise my attempt at her portrait is close to correct.  But for now here is the pose chosen for my departed Shadow.

Comparing them on the blog brings out noticeable differences and I see an enormous one that I'd lost touch of working close on the frame.  She has another fold of light flesh which tapers down to the dark black which I missed when hooking.  Since I've not hooked a lot I will pull out a little of the area and do it over again. 

But Shadow is off the frame for tonight and I'll enjoy working on Long Island Farm.  Of course that means I'll need to refer to this post again  before putting her back on the frame and will do some felt tip marking on the pattern to refresh my plan at that time.

This is some enjoyable and comfortable weather right now in Delaware.  My Rug Hooking Magazine arrived a few days ago but haven't taken the time to look thru it.  So I just went out on the back deck with a glass of Pinot Noir, the magazine and Ben where we enjoyed the lovely weather and nature. 

Ben can smell the deer in the woods and he was prancing back and forth with his nose in the air.  Most likely they are lingering in the background waiting for him to be from the yard so they can come enjoy water I keep for them near the woods.

Have a great weekend my dears.  OH!  And don't forget to turn the clocks back.... FALL back.....SPRING forward.

Saundra

If it's November First, then ......

.....it must be time for the November quilt applique' and stitchery pictures.  For those of you who have followed me for a while then you know I post these each month.  Since I can't remember which month last year this theme began it might soon be time for me to drop this idea and give you guys a break. 

Of all the quilt applique' pieces I've made for the 12 month year this one is my very favorite.  It is this one I want to hook and cannot believe that I've not done so in the 16 years I've lived here.  Dang, I used a different setting on my camera for some reason so it doesn't have the clarity of the stitching for the eyes, etc.  Oh well, you get the idea.  Yet it IS a primitive and tea stained piece so no biggie.

This is the stitchery I did and both of these were projects intended to be completely finished in an individual quilt ~ one for the applique months and one for the angel stitchery months but never got that far. 

After completing the fun part of the applique quilt and stitchery pieces, is when I then became interested in traditional rug hooking.  My intentions then were to finish each piece properly and with a backing and use it on the sofa table for the appropriate month instead of a quilt.  But alas, it was over for quilting and I just enjoy my humble endeavor each month on the sofa table just as it is.

Have a great evening everyone and enjoy this warm weather on November 1st as it will change soon.

Woolley Hugs.

Saundra

HAPPY HALLOWS EVE

Tis the eve when all the ghosts and goblins will gracing our doorways and shouting "Trick or Treat".  Of course there will also be some Princesses, a Spiderman or other super hero or villain walking around at dusk too.  And the eve when all the kids over indulge in sweets and perhaps even a belly ache or two.  Oh I remember those times as a child myself.

This is a piece I hooked and is a design by Barb Carroll called Jack.  This was a free pattern insert in an old issue of Rug Hooking Magazine.  It was fun and fast to hook and love the colors.

This is another piece hooked and designed by me which I sold a few years ago at one of my craft shows.

And this was a Fall Swap mat I hooked last year and is a design by Lori Brechlin of NotForgotten Farm.

Another design by Lori Brechlin that I hooked (and sold at a show) was this cute design.  Thanks Lori for being such a creative person and giving us such cute designs to hook.

And a Cat in Candy Corn that I made as well.  OOPS, can't get the dang photo to be upright, sorry.

 

There have been many other witches I've made that were adorable but can't find a picture.  AH  HA!  I was able to circumvent the situation and went into the belly of old images previously on my web site so DO have some pictures.  Here is a picture of a quilt applique wall hanging and cannot remember the old magazine from which the pattern was offered.

And now a Witch with a hooked face that I hooked a couple years ago.  Oh, since I don't have any vintage pumpkins (lucky Lauren does tho), I made my own as you can see in front of the cat.

And more doll type witches I've made, of witch (pun intended) I made two just a smidgen different to give buyers a choice.  This was a pattern by Nettie LaCroix.

 

 

 

Just love this pattern I purchased a few years ago from Veenas Mercantile, believe the designer was Niddy.

And then we have white wool pumpkins I made.  I've made and sold several of these over the years on springs, hog scrappers and without.  And in various shades of orange and white.

Have a great evening, enjoy the upcoming entertainment as visitors come and go on Hallows Eve.

Saundra

Taking Creative License

Well, that is if you really want to call a border change creative license.  Since there wasn't much of a border but a couple rows of hooking in the original design, figured I wanted to make it interesting by adding a flow that is represented in the hill at the bottom of the red house.  The thought of squared off top corners just didn't do it for me.  So this is what I've drawn and hooked so far.

In case you're wondering, I haven't hooked on my girl Shadow for a few days and am enjoying the freedom and frivolous fun of this primitive rug.  But she is displayed on the back of the love seat in the living room so that I can feel guilty every day.  Every day she looks at me with those 'puppy dog' eyes and head twisted in wonderment and know she needs to be completely hooked.  SIGH.  Oh what guilt we put on ourselves.   

Hmm, come to think of it.... isn't that what we were taught as children?  We were taught to finish our projects, take pride in what we do, respect for others, so perhaps guilt is really my conscience.  Now that will give you something to think about tonight while I enjoy hooking my primitive rug.

Have a great evening everyone and enjoy what may soon be the last of the warm fall weather.  Life is Good!  BTW, I love those Life is Good tee shirts.

Saundra

Long Island Farm and Pizza

I've given myself permission to have a little self-indulgence ~ The comfort of hooking a primitive rug and pizza.  It has been very nice hooking on Long Island Farm and I'm liking it a LOT!.  While I really wanted to keep hooking to show you more progress finally decided to pull it off the frame and take a picture of it.

And now to the PIZZA part!!!!  I love anything with red pasta sauce (or as the Italians call it 'gravy'.  I could drink the red sauce straight or over Cheerios I think. 

Anyway, in a quandary on what to have for lunch was craving pizza. And then I remembered there were two Pita Breads left and in the freezer.  There was also some left over pasta sauce and always veggies in my fridge.  So this was my delightful lunch.  Yup, was going to only fix one but decided to make two and I ate them both and proud of it.

The ingredients were, of course, the Pita bread and:

Pasta sauce spread on Pitas
Broccoli (lightly steamed)
Red pepper sliced
Red onion sliced
mushrooms sliced
black olives sliced
Roma tomato sliced
Fat Free Mozzarella cheese

I pre-baked the pita bread for 3 minutes on the rack in the oven then placed the pitas on a baking pan with other ingredients on top.  Baked again until I liked the looks of the melted cheese. You can also sprinkle garlic powder, Italian seasoning, etc.  Oh my but my tummy felt yummy after lunch.

Have a great weekend everyone, and please be kind to one another.

Saundra

If at First You Don't Succeed......

......Try, Try Again.  That was just one of my Parent-isms so wisely told to me in my youth which we all tend to pass on from generation to generation.  And try again I did and will have to try once again.

Even tho I made what I thought was the appropriate adjustment to Shadow's jaw line can see (now that it is hooked in, that it still isn't right.  Not only that but can see darker wool is needed near the eye below and to the right of the very dark that is hooked in.  OMG, perhaps my downfall is placing the photo right beside the rug to make the comparison.  I mean, if I didn't have that photo butted up against the rug I'd think it was Shadow.  But the truth is the jaw is still too large.

So this picture doesn't have the photo next to it, but you can scroll down for the comparison yourself.  Guess it's time for my Long Island Farm to go back on the frame for comfort hooking.

And I've put a picture of a Santa below which Kara inquired about.  She saw it on a previous blog post and inquired if it was still for sale.

Kara, I was unable to respond to your blog inquiry since you have a "NO REPLY" Blogger.  That happens when you sign up for blogger but you don't put any identity as to e-mail address.  If you are reading this and still interested, it is for sale and can read about it on my web site HERE.  So you can write me personally at saundra125@comcast.net if interested.  But just know that unless you go to Blogger and provide an e-mail address no one can reply to any request or comment you make.  I believe that is a little known fact that numerous people aren't aware of.

So, guess what I'm going to place back on my Snapdragon?  You got it!  A comforting wide cut primitive.

Have a great evening folks and stay warm.  Well at least it isn't raining or snowing.

Saundra

Throwing Caution and Proper Hooking Techinques to the Wind

I have never had a class with Elizabeth Black, mostly because I don't care for tiny cuts even tho my Rottweiler Memorial was hooked in #3.  At my age I don't want my hand slapped with a ruler if I don't follow the rules (pun intended).  But I've heard that when hooking animals you hook them the way the hair grows.  Oh, right.  Look at Shadow's picture further down ~ her hair moves in every direction because of the folds.

The reason my poor girl Shadow hasn't been completed yet, even tho it has been almost 2 months since starting her is because of the jaw and neckline.  So I did all the easy stuff first (like the complete border and the body to the left bottom).  Oh oh... so now what Saundra?  Well, Saundra stopped and decided to start on the comfort of a primitive rug.

So this morning I threw caution to the wind and decided to hell with it I've got to move on and make some sort of progress with Shadow.  I pulled out some loops and drew in and hooked a jaw line across grain.  I was always under the assumption that the definition is made with the change in color of the direction of hooking the way the hair grows and not the way this was done.

Now that I look at it in this photo think I've made her jaw too thick in an area.  Yup, got to angle the dark wool up a little.  Here is my subject in my favorite pose of my special girl.

She isn't going back on my frame tonight because I need to chill and hook for fun.  My girl Shadow will just have to wait for her 'nip and tuck' for another day.

Dang, I lost a FOLLOWER today and can't imagine what I've done, and frankly don't know that I've ever 'UN followed' someone's blog which I joined.  Oh well, as the saying goes...."win some, lose some".  Sorry I didn't pique your interest.

Have a great evening everyone and PLEASE be kind to one another.

Saundra

Long Island Farmhouse on the Frame

I stand corrected on my previous post about what was on my frame.  Seems to me I erroneiously named it Vermont Farmhouse when in fact it is Long Island Farmhouse.  This is a design by Lucille Festa and measures 24 x 25.

Since I was having so much fun hooking on it hated taking it off the frame long enough to take this picture and update my blog.  Well, and the fact I've been busy the last couple days drawing patterns, mulching leaves and cutting the tops off the weeds in the yard preparing for winter before it gets too cold out, so it felt really good to sit and hook for a bit. 

Tomorrow I'm hoping to work a little on my girl Shadow and attempt to get over the hurdle of her jaw and neckline.  It would be so easy to roll it up with the wool and tuck it away but I'm so close and she was such a good girl that she deserves the best attention from me now that she had then. 

Sure wish someone had known who hooked the Domestic Zoo rug that was in the show at Cape May week two.  I really liked it and would love to label the photo with the person's name.  It is copyright free since it was hooked in 1881 so it isn't a copyright issue, I'd just love to have the name and comment to the person that the 'creative license' was cool.  Just loved that arrow pointing at the snake at the top of the rug. 

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra