Sunday Finishes

Actually the sheep rug was finally finished being bound yesterday evening but I'd already made a blog post.  The pattern is called Flag Day Sheep however I had other plans for my prize sheep and took liberties. It is a Woolley Fox design.  

Since I hate binding and whipping, or any other type of finishing a rug the task drags on and on for days prolonging my misery, lol.

The rug below you may have been shown since it was finished.  It was finally whipped with that special wool yarn spun and dyed by my departed friend Lesley Coveney.  There was enough and some left over. A Day in the Country is a design by Mad Hen Prims.  

Maybe someone can tell me why the top and bottom of my whipped edges are rippled and sides aren't?  At first I thought the ripple was due to the scalloped hooking and maybe it still is.  Perhaps I packed the curved sections too full on top and bottom.  Strange.  And yes, I steamed the back again after whipping.

Now I need to do labels for both of these rugs, plus a few others which haven't been labeled.  But I don't print labels until the sheet is full of rug labels.  Then it will be to sew each on the appropriate rug.

Today also drew a Domestic Zoo pattern to have one ready to go. As two will soon be going to rug camps there may be another request for one when folks see the progress the hooker is making. Since the pattern is rather large and lots of motifs I don't have a stack already drawn but do like one ready and another foundation serged waiting.

How are my horses doing?  Have started hooking the top section of the one horse pattern so will make some progress on that tonight I hope. Am fighting the urge to cut some dark strips for the stripes at the top but want to use my worms.  So while the colors or width may not be like the original antique I'll use what I have.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

A Talented and Creative Friend

As I'm pondering what to write about on my blog suddenly it came to me about an email conversation between me and friends.  Joan Strausbaugh (who has been published numerous times in Rug Hooking Magazine) sent me a picture of a hooked/proddy project which our mutual friend might enjoy.  

That mutual friend (and she's gonna hate me when she reads my blog) is Char Lough.  Char prefers to be in the background and doesn't like attention but think her work is awesome and worthy of sharing. 

A few years ago our friend Char took loads of photos of moss to study and hooked a piece for inside her Adirondack cabin home.   The photo was taken at the rug show at Cape May and not in her home but you get the idea.  

Char also wanted a bear rug in front of their fireplace at the cabin and she did a proddy and hooked mama bear.  Again photo taken at Cape May rug camp.  

A close up of the bear's face.

AH, here is a photo that Char just sent me of both mama and baby bear together.

As most of us just starting to hook and building our stash, we collect undesirable wool from thrift shops.  Either it won't full when washed, has polyester, or maybe too thick after washing. Smart Char saved all that dark wool and used it to proddy the bear. Good grief!!!!!! That is what I should start working on...DUH!!

Another fantastic original design by Char was this Full Beaver Moon.  If you look carefully you'll see the beaver has teeth and claws.  Of course there was a story behind the rug.  Tap on the photo and look at the detail of everything.

Char can hook primitive and naive as well.  When she was starting to think about becoming a 'snowbird' and downsizing she stumbled upon a drawing by her now adult son drawn at a very young age.  She decided to turn that whale drawing into a rug.  This is an heirloom the son will cherish as a work of art by him as a child and captured in another form of art by his mom.

Char prefers to design her own rugs rather than buying patterns.  She knows there are many talented designers out there but her first teacher Janet Reid instilled the desire to design her own.

Char entertained us with the funny story behind the next rug which was started at rug camp with Barb Carroll.  The short story is Char directing her husband to get closer to the log truck in front of them so she could get a picture.  She sure does know how to entertain us with her words as well as her hooking.

Okay, here is an over the shoulder view of my pal Char as she ponders placement of her next color on her log rug.

This is the beautiful result of her study of photos and use of textures. At camp Char had various wool and was also using silk from blouses of appropriate colors to give texture to her logs.

Sadly I don't have photos of Char's works before I was lucky enough to meet her.  However, the grande piece of work is the Wedding Rug Char hooked for her daughter and son-in-law. 

Look at the list of family history hooked into the roots of the TREE of LIFE. OMG, what a beautiful work of art it is and family heirloom.   Here is a picture taken of it with a different setting and probably without a flash.  

Not sure what Char is hooking now but she is well connected with a group in Florida.  She's one very talented lady and I miss her since becoming a snowbird.

Hope you enjoyed the eye candy.

Saundra

Horse Mat Adaptation Update

Yes, it's been a while since I showed you progress (or lack of) on the first of two horse adaptations on my frame.  Just didn't want to bore you so thought I'd wait until a little more was hooked.

Honestly, the red in the brown wool hooked in the horse doesn't stand out in person like it does in the photo.  

And in case you've forgotten what the original looks like here's a picture.  

Remember, am using up as many leftover worms as possible.  Those mish-mash of white, cream and tan worms were overdyed with Olde Patina for the background.  In the first picture they take on a yellowish color compared to the original antique photo.  But that's okay with me because my intent was to make mine look scrappy and use up leftovers which seem to multiply fast.

Does anyone have a topic they'd like for me to talk about?  Not that I know the answers but would be willing to research and learn too.  

Remember all that nice spring like weather I was bragging about and the crocus?  We are supposed to get wet snow tonight and those poor crocus and daffodils will be shivering.

Hope your evening is mawvelous and Lauren, have fun at Sauder the next couple days (I know you will). 

Saundra

February Springtime

It has been spring like weather here but things are about to change as of this evening.  Below is a quilt block I did a few years ago, is a design by Jan Patek.

Here are a few pictures I took just before the rain started.  Earlier when walking Ben could not believe the crocus were popping up in the yard.

And the daffodils are budding.

Even tho Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow, which indicates an early spring, the plants may be fooled by the recent warm weather.  It is not uncommon for us in Delaware to have a horrendous snow storm in February or even in early March.  But good ol Phil is right.

Tomorrow I promise to have an update on my horse rug.  Won't promise it will be finished even tho it is smallish, but an update nonetheless. Oh, did an edit on yesterdays post because someone questioned me about using a wide cut on rug warp.  So showed a picture of a rug hooked on rug warp using #8 cut.  If interested in reading it scroll down to yesterday's blog post.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

What I Look For When Buying a Pattern (edited)

First thing that pulls me in is the design.  And my interest can change in a nano second from the point of order to the time it goes on my frame. That is also the reason I've 28 patterns in my stash waiting in line to be next.  Eventually I'll get them but I'm fickle, lol.

So, after the design the next most important issue for me is the right foundation fabric.  When first beginning to hook I had no clue what I liked or what was right for ME.  Now I know.

My first choice is natural primitive linen but will buy a design on bleached primitive linen (not hairless linen) as well as rug warp.  I will not buy a design on monk's cloth, hairless linen or burlap without the express consent by the seller for me to redraw the design on my own natural primitive linen.

In the event you are a new hooker and still testing the waters you will find out which hooking foundation you prefer.  Some people love monks' cloth and I learned the hard way it was not for me.  But here are some things you should keep in the back of your mind when ordering a pattern from someone for the first time.

After this initial posting a follower was surprised that I'd use rug warp since I'm a wide cut hooker.  Yes, I have used #8 wool strips to hook the rug below.  That was the cut used before falling in love with #8.5 so wouldn't hesitate using that cut either.  Don't understand why people believe it is a foundation fabric for only narrow cuts.  And to use a narrow cut on rug warp you'd have to hook in every hole I believe.  Not that I'm willing to give it a go as I don't like hooking narrow cuts.  Rug warp is heavier than natural primitive linen.  Sorry it is a very washed out version of the rug and since it was sold don't have it to take another photo.

When you buy a pattern it should have at least a 3" outside margin. Two names come to mind who provide extraordinary nice margins ~ Kris Miller of Spruce Ridge Studios and Barb Carroll who formerly owned Woolley Fox.  I trust that tradition has continued.  There are more good ones out there but those are the two most recently hooked so stand out in my mind.

The second important ingredient to a good pattern is the edge of the foundation.  Is the edge serged or not?  The pattern above was purchased at a hook-in for a great price and design I loved by a well known designer.   The edges were done with "fray check", a fabric glue and not to my liking after having used a pattern drawn for a camp once. I hooked the design at camp the edges did fray and dropped off around my feet.  So as I own a serger the above design was brought home and serged the edges until it is ready for my frame.  

I do not like the fray check edge and if the seller of a pattern is not serger friendly then even the edge covered with duck tape would be better.  I've seen some cute colorful duck tape that would be a better alternative to "fray check".  So that is a viable question to ask the person before you buy a pattern from them.... how is the edge prepared.  Below are a couple patterns I drew of Polly Minick designs.

Next important item is to have the outside edge on the straight of grain. Always double-check the exterior lines and inside lines if there is a border to be sure it is drawn straight.  OMG, I purchased a pattern on ebay from a designer and it was so off kilter that when I tried to draw the lines straight the inside design was so far off it couldn't be fixed.  I took a photo of the proper lines I drew and sent a photo to the seller.  She returned my  money and paid for the shipping back.

Let me make clear that is it very easy for the Sharpie to slip over a row and into the next ditch.  It has happened to me and since I can feel that slip will correct it.  The story above was way different.  The difference was not a row or two it was more like an inch ~ sorta like it was a red dot which was plopped on linen and drawn with no inclination as to where the outside boundaries were.  

So when you draw your own patterns, be aware of that scenario. Draw your boundary lines first and then place the design inside those lines.

In January I did a blog post called Domestic Zoo Review and this wonderful rug didn't get posted then.  I recently saw it posted on the Out Of Hand Rug Hooking Group and is being hooked by Karen Schoenrock.

OH!!!!!!!!!!!!  I forgot one important issue!!!!!!!!!!!  What cut wool do you prefer?????  Some designs are meant only for narrow cut.  I prefer wide cut although it is not uncommon to need a #5 for eyes, flower centers, leaf veins, etc.  But the majority of the motifs I hook or the design I look for is to accept a #8 (preferably #8.5) and above.  Okay, let's recap what I said newbies should consider when buying a pattern...

~ Interesting design
~ Foundation fabric
~ Edge preparation
~ Drawn straight of grain at outer edge
~ Width of margin beyond design
~ What cut wool is it designed for

Sorry that I missed posting on my blog the first day of February but was afraid to bore you with yet another update on my horse project.  If anyone has any questions or what they would like to see me post about, please feel free to write and suggest.  

Goodness this ended up being a huge long post and I'm sorry.  Guess I'm making up for lost time missing yesterday.  You just might have to revisit tomorrow to finish reading.

Have a great evening everyone and now I'm too tired to do an edit, lol.

Saundra

Rug Hooking Chit Chat and Jonas revisited

This is my progress so far on one of the antique horse mats.  This one I drew to the size of 15 x 16.  Looking at the photo the red/orange threads in some wool is showing where it was hooked at the neck.  Not sure yet if I'll pull it out and use the more brown wool or not.  But you know me, it will probably but the heck out of me until I do.

Also, if you read my blog you know I wanted a lighter tail but not as light as the original antique.   Plus the background is using a mix of light wool worms dirtied up using the Olde Patina dye recipe.

And in case you've forgotten what the original looks like here it is.  This is an antique rug so if any of you wish to join me in hooking one to the size of your liking, feel free.

The sheep rug still hasn't been completely bound but I should get busy finishing that up before there are two more mats to bind.  

Happily I've gained 2 followers; not sure if they were ones previously lost who opened a gmail address and came back or new ones.  But whatever the case am happy to see the follower numbers increase instead of decrease.

Last weekend the east coast experienced the wrath of the nor'easter Jonas.  Depending on where along the coast you lived depended on whether you received snow or rain.  When this nor'easter occurred it also happened to be high tide, high winds, full moon and loads of rain and snow mix.

As I live inland, it was snow for me. The news photo attached below shows a photo of what Mercer Avenue in Oak Orchard, DE looked like.  

The white lamp post to the right belongs to my mother's house.  Yes, she lived in a flood zone as her house is across the street from the Indian River.  If you enlarge the photo you will see the picture was taken after the water had already receded 12" - 15".

The other photo was removed as it didn't pertain to Oak Orchard. 

 

Now the great news is that my brother and I who used to worry about flooding in the house each time there was a hurricane or nor'easter, had just sold the house in December so it isn't our problem any longer.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Saundra

Antique Rug Show

Oh how I wish there was an antique store or auction site locally which would offer old hand hooked rugs.  That would be my playground and e would less hooking here as I'd enjoy those hooked by others in days gone by.

Since I'm hooking horse mats a good start to these old rugs would be this one sold by Olde Hope Auctions and was to have been hooked in 1890.

This one below really surprised me when seeing it on the auction site. At first I thought there were 3 rugs.  However the transition of motifs in the hit and miss sections seem to indicate otherwise ~ very interesting. 
It was to have been hooked around 1930. Again, the woman used what she had and guess her prize rooster and hen took precedence.

Below is the Winterthur Hearth rug hooked 1815-25 wool and cotton.  It is beautiful and do you see the horse, either a lion or dog, birds and either stars or constellations?  Love the colors and only wish I knew the complete history of this rug.  

Below is a shirred rug which has an uneven and/or worn oval edge.

This Sparrow rug below was hooked between 1930-50.

Below is a rooster which was to have been made between 1920-1950. Can't tell if it is wool yarn, nylon or other and the info didn't provide that info that I saw.

The dog rug below I've not seen until just recently.  Sadly I've no provenance but you can see it is OLD and worn.

Seems I've neglected my cat people so below is a rug which was documented as being hooked between 1920-30.

In the future, when you design your own rug it should have a label on the back to document it's history so our future people will know the story.  I did that with my son's Man Cave Rug.  Sadly I don't design my own that much since there are so many other designs out there to enjoy ~ particularly those antique rugs.

Hope you all have a great evening and wonder how many followers Google will pull from me tonight.  I think that sucks!!!!!!   Guess I could switch my blog to someone else and drop my gmail.  Will give that a thought.  Am damn glad I don't have any Google stock in my portfolio!!!!

Saundra

Saundra

Horse Update

For those just now checking out my blog, this is an adaptation of an antique horse mat that is on my frame right now.  For you others who follow me I'm sorry if this is redundent  But it is a great way for me to view progress and see what needs top be tweaked.

As you can see comparing my rug to the antique below my colors are different.  However, I am using a darker value where is required yet using what I have.  

The plan is to use only my left overs and the wool worms over dyed (shown in a previous blog post).  Haven't figured out what choices to make for the tail but won't be almost invisible like the antique.  

Binding of the sheep has been stagnant because once I get the hook in my hand it is glued in.  Each day the plan is to bind the sheep for 20 minutes and THEN hook.  Uh, hasn't happened since starting hooking on the horse mat.

Craziness is happening with my followers again.  The other day I gained a person after having lost several in previous weeks.  So I thought Google had gotten their s**t together removing all folks who had a yahoo, aol or other email address and didn't have a Google email.  Well today I lost another 16 followers.   

No way I believe the followers don't like me.  Think it is because the people who join are being held captive until they become a gmail person.  Hey, Google, what the hell does that prove?  Do you really want to put yourself out there to say...."it my way or the highway?"

Okay folks, if my blog disappears overnight you'll know why.  Google decided to say "bye bye".

Hope everyone has a great night.

Saundra (who did make the blog with a gmail account but who has other email accounts as well)

It's A Horse of Course

Yippee, finally managed to pull a few loops on one of the horse mats. Am wanting to make this one look scrappy as I'm using (so far) only left over wool strips.  Some will be short, thin or thick and just going for using what I have....just like our foremothers did.

In case you don't remember, here is what the original antique looks like. 

Already I see that I've hooked too thick a brown area on the horse's leg compared to the original...also I've hooked a brown texture in the neck; oh well.

Am planning to go spend a little time now binding the sheep rug.  But before bedtime will go back to my horse.

Feels good to have one rug edge whipped and one to go.  At least now I'm hooking again.

Warm up today started melting the snow and now is the dirty, slippery mush.  At least poor Ben can walk unscathed instead of stepping on crusty snow only to drop several inches with each leg movement.

Hope all of you have a great evening and am in anticipation on what the heck my friend Kim is going to post tonight.  She is an over achiever, a show off and other things, lol.

Luv ya'll.

Saundra

On Your Mark..... Get Ready.....

With one rug bound have started binding the sheep. But I'm really wanting to hook as I've not pulled a loop in days.  Think this is the longest I've gone without hooking.  

Have decided to hook both of these horse mats and put them both on the same linen to conserve linen.  But there is enough between them to have fold back foundation for binding.  As you can see I've sewn some fabric to the top and bottom to be sure there is ample room for the grippers.  The sides are fine.

Will hook the bottom horse first and wanted a dirty background like the original.  So back to my worms and pulled out the mixed whites and since the original antique rug has some red, green and dark colors in the background mixed a few of those in too.  

 Next they are put in an onion bag with the end closed, then went into a dye pot after soaking.  This is a cool way to overdye worms without them getting tangled.  And for drying I have a dryer that has a shelf which can be inserted so the shelf stays stationery yet the tumbler rotates to circulate heat.

I'm using the Old Patina dye recipe which is:

Olde Patina

1/2 t. Khaki Drab (Cushings)

1/8 + 1/16 Golden Brown (Cushings)

1/8 Old Gold  (Cushings)

1/16 t. Dark Gray (Cushings)

1/64 t. Wood Rose (Cushings)

I mixed up the batch in 1 CBW but only used 2 tablespoons of the dye solution in the pot.  The rest I put in a small jar and labeled it to be used when I want something old and dirty for an antique adaptation.

Here is the result of that dye job.  If you recall this recipe was used to dye over worms once before and I had a few left.

The previous dye leftovers are on top and the new batch is below.  They are all mixed in together now.  Funny how the color changed; the top photo looks really yellow but not so in person.

There won't be much progress to show tomorrow as I'm just now getting ready to start on the horse.  So if you have any questions or something you'd like for me to write about tomorrow, leave me a comment.

Hope you have a great evening.

Saundra

Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe this myself, but have just finished whipping the edge of A Day in The Country, a design by Tonya Robey.  

Again...hallelujah; it is a day I've been waiting for since starting it at a camp in November 2015.  It still needs to be steamed from the back to soften, ease and smooth the ripples of the yarn at the edge.  This is a pattern/kit I've had for quite some time so it is nice to see it finished. 

Must give credit to the yarn wool used for the whipped edge.  That wool was a gift given me by a departed hooker and spinner friend Lesley Coveney.  I'm not a spinner but those of you who are will understand that the tag attached to the hank of yarn was "Romney fleece, "Princess", and was dyed with Pro-Chem "Brick".  

Kris and Lauren, you were right.... there was plenty of yarn to whip the edge of this rug and some left over.  

Now waiting in the wings is binding the sheep rug.   That one won't jave a yarn whipped edge but will be bound.  Stay tuned to see that one and what is next on my frame.

Saundra

A Domestic Zoo Review

Recently a follower who also purchased a Domestic Zoo pattern sent me a photo of her finished rug.  Oh my what a delightful specimen it is. Marketa changed some of the motifs to a raccoon, deer, rabbit, cone flower, sheep, butterfly, dogwood flower and more.  It is wonderful!   

I applaud her for making this Magdalena Briner design known as Domestic Zoo to her own liking by changing some motifs.  She did a great job.  Marketa did say that a smidgen of help by Jayne Hester's husband was needed to tweak the raccoon.  I sure do love that raccoon and is one of the critters she is familiar with in her area.

The one below was hooked by Susan Wrynn.  It is great to see a Domestic Zoo hooked in a dark background.  A dark backrgound is usually my 'go to' color and makes the colors pop.

Here is a Domestic Zoo hooked by Debbe Whalen with the traditional light background.

The rug below was hooked by my friend Evelyn Lawrence.  As you know, it is Evelyn Lawrence who researched the history of and studied the rugs hooked by Magdalena Briner Eby.

My friend Shari hooked the Domestic Zoo below.  I believe she sold it and bet she regrets that decision now.

Another friend, Mary, hooked this adaptation of Domestic Zoo, pictured below and won a ribbon, I believe at the MD Sheep and Wool Festival.

The photo below was taken in progress at Sauder last year and I copied from someones blog.  So if any of my followers know who hooked this I'd LOVE to have a finished photo.

Here is another Domestic Zoo picture I acquired somehow.  Sadly I don't know the name of the person who hooked this and as you can see the hooker made this rug their own as well.  It must have been in a rug show as there is a label but can't make out any name.

This is a picture of a chair which was upholstered with a hooked version of Domestic Zoo.  Awesome isn't it?

Below is the Domestic Zoo and tried to replicate best I could like the one Magdalena hooked.  The background wool was all the same color but does look darker on the left side.  That's because I'm standing on a stool on my back porch and that side of the porch was in the shade but bright enough that the flash didn't go off.  Oh well, you get the idea. 

I had a request from a hooker who wanted me to draw the cats vertically because she wanted to hang it lengthwise along a special wall. For the life of me I cannot remember who it was and sadly have not received a photo of it.  If the hooker happens to read this blog please send me a picture.

And, for those of you who may be interested in learning more about Magdalena Briner Eby, would like to see a collection of her hooked rugs, and the rugs replicated by Evelyn Lawrence here is her book.

So far Jonas has dumped about 8" of snow on me, has turned to rain but we are in for more snow on top of this.  Thankfully I've heat (unlike last January) and the power is still on....for now. Hopefully it will stay on.

Please bring in your pets.  Although they may be made of hearty stock and big dogs like my boy Ben, it is too cold for any domestic animal to be out in these elements.  Just ask my boy who is yawning right now.

 And he takes another peek outside to be sure no human or animal invades his domain.

Stay warm and stay off the roads unless it is an emergency.  Thanks for visiting.

Saundra