Mystery Solved

Remember this old rug from yesterday's blog post?  I wondered what those letters meant.  Well the brilliant mind of Joan Strausbaugh gave me the answer this morning.  

She wrote me saying the rug was upside down and backwards and that was a date not a word...... 1940.  

I'll be a monkey's uncle....er, aunt. Thanks Joan!

Hope you have a great Saturday.  

Saundra

Old Rugs

I'm drawn to the patina of the old rugs and wonder about the stories they could tell.  Wish I had that ability to feel the rug and see the past history.  Meanwhile will just enjoy the beauty and imagine.

Above is a well worn Duck and Berries from the Textile Museum of Canada.  Wonder if the letters are French Canadian and/or what it means.  Interesting rug and nice hit and miss hooking, sad it is so worn.

A 19th century rug with lone small horse in the center.

Folk Art Cats in the circle with Tulips and 8 point stars.  Nice indigo center.

Here's a pair of beautiful horses from 19th Century Pennsylvania.  The bridles and reins add the color to an otherwise neutral colored rug. Love the hooking style of the horses.

Above is a quoted "horseshoe and cat rug found in Marietta, Ohio 1700s".  Only typing what the auction site said.  It surely does look worn.

A Floral and Scrolls rug from an Estate Sale in New England states.

Not so sure this fish swimming with the clam shell corners is old but thought it might be interesting to some. 

Boy have I been lazy.  My house needs cleaning, windows need washing but I've been chillin' and working on my grandson's rug. 

Have a great weekend for you worker bees.

Saundra

The Wool Marriage Didn't Work

Well, ya have good days and bad days.  Thought that marrying the darks would be a good idea but there weren't very good bleeders in the bunch.  Here is what I started with.  That Dorr #44 green wool isn't this light in person.  But thought it would be good to get some black to bleed and maybe even release some blue to spread around to the other guests in the pot.  Really wanted mottled dark sections in the Dorr.

With some soapy water in a large pot there was over a yard total of various wool you see above.  I brought it to almost bubbling and simmered for quite some time.  Did see some color releasing in the pot but not as much as I'd hoped.

After a well cooked pot of wool I glugged over half cup of white vinegar and let it simmer a little longer.

Seems there was some change made to the wool but not the magnitude I'd hoped.  Oh well, regardless it is all primitive dark and will be used in antique adaptations or other rugs that I hook.

This evening I'm quite content working on my grandson's rug in hopes of accomplishing a little more on the background.  Plus I've still Simple Gifts to bind so just gonna chill before starting my next project. Besides, as Kim says.....I'm always changing my mind who knows what the next project will be.  So true.

Have a great evening; I am totally loving this lower temp, lower humidity and no rain weather.

Saundra

A Mell of a Hess.

For a while I had a good track record for cleaning up after finishing a rug, putting all the uncut wool back on the shelf and separating out the woolie worms before starting another rug.  HA!  That record got squashed fast today. 

And look this mess.  I've pulled out some colors that will go in a dye pot with khaki or something to age it.  Don't want white in an antique adaptation when I love that yellowed dirty aged look.

And there's more mess around the corner to the left looking for the proper brown.

And Kim, you're right not to believe what I say about any next project. Seems my last comment was.....no new pattern was being drawn because it would be something from my stash of 29 patterns. Apparently I lied.

Today I did get a pattern drawn and the wool you see is the once very popular Dorr #44 green/primitive black wool.  I just might put it in a pot with some black dye along with a few other pieces of primitive dark. OR, marry some primitive darks.  Hmm, that makes more sense.  I want the green but blotches of black.  UH, this won't happen tonight kiddies but will post my results when I do.

Well tonight it is going to be my grandson's rug to work a little more.   After-all there is only 6 months until that "C" word that Lauren doesn't like to read on my blog.  Yet she does such a great job decorating for the season.

Have a great evening everyone.  Glad the grass got cut yesterday because there are gale force winds and I'd have had dry dust and grass blowing every direction.

Saundra

Progress

Today a little progress was made in a couple areas even tho I was sequestered to my home all day.  Sears repair called yesterday to confirm my repair service for today and a recording said there was a window of between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.  HUH?  A 9 hour window?  Really?

Then today around noon received another recorded message saying the time of arrival would be between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.  Well dang, I was also expecting an overnight priority mail and didn't want Sears to interfere with this special delivery.  BTW, this special delivery is related to my next hooking project.....aaahh... got your interest, eh?

Yes, the mower works and I DID cut the grass.  Am sure the neighbors are happy about that.  

PLUS, the last loops of Simple Gifts (a Karen Kahle design), were pulled but the rug hasn't been steamed yet; maybe tonight?

Also started looking for wool colors in my stash for this next very special project but am not ready to start hooking it yet, too much preparation to do first.

Meanwhile, since I cannot stand not to have a project on my frame will put my grandson's rug on the frame to keep me busy tonight.

Have a great evening everyone and stay tuned.... more great stuff is coming soon.

Saundra

A Little About A Lot

This will be rather chatty about a few different things.  First, there is the update on Simple Gifts, a design by Karen Kahle.

With just the bottom part of the border left to do it will soon need to be steamed and bound.  Since some of the animals and tree limbs encroach the dark border there were a few places which where close in value. The chicken was a worry but I cut some wool strips in half which was the darker wool line between the green border and the beige/cream background.  Am hoping that will allow the eye to see the primitive legs of the chicken okay.

Topic 2 ~ With the death of Muhammad Ali I was reminded of the time my deceased husband Gary told me about meeting him at an airport.  It was during the time Gary was catching red eye flights between California and Maryland for his employment with IBM.  

Gary said Ali was kneeling down talking to a child and was very gentle and gracious to him and parents.  Ali even took the time to shake Gary's hand and they exchanged conversation.

Ali was on top of the world at that time and in the beginning of his career I wasn't fond of his arrogance and bragging.  Soon I realized that was part of the psychological game playing with his opponents. Plus Ali did have the speed, talent and long arm reach to back it up. And, well,  you  must admit he was a 'pretty' man.  In this reflection back to that time it was fun to remember bets that Gary and I would have on who was going to win.  Rest in peace Ali.

Topic 3 ~ As all of you who read  me on a regular basis know, I've always something planned 'for the next one on the frame'.  Think I know what it is but not going to share that information just yet.  After all, I've Simple Gifts to finish and bind first.  Then will go back to my grandson's rug for a while.  ..... .....

BUT, will also start a new one to work on at the same time and it won't be one from my stash.  That is just a teaser for now to keep you all checking back.  Don't bother to bait me with free wool or patterns because I'm not squealing.  You'll just have to wait and see.

Besides, Tuesday the Sears service man will arrive and if weather is good I'll be cutting my field of weeds.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Saturday Stuff

...and with only 3 days left to get Sears here to do repair on my NEW riding mower the 3 week growth of grass might be mowed on Tuesday. That is IF it isn't raining.

Speaking of rain, I've family in Texas who are now worried in their area they may be flooded out.  And would you believe that Ligonier, PA (where Barb Carroll lives) also experienced flooding.  Barb is on higher elevation so she is okay but folks on the other side are having to be evacuated by boat from the raising water.

So for the good news is another rug show.  This one below is written as a lion early 20th century.

This chicken rug below is to have been located on the eastern shore. Who knew there were antique rugs available for me to find.  Guess I don't get out enough.

The early abstract below is quite a nice piece and would love to chat with the person who hooked it.  Even tho rugs were hooked for a purpose of keeping the home warm and the floor covered, there were some artistic rug hookers making their statement back then.  

Found this old dog rug also, here is the full view. 

 

Here is a close up of the face.

Okay guys and gals, time for me to retire for the night and will try to find something to write about tomorrow.  If there is something any of you would like for me to address, please leave me a comment.

Have a great evening.

Saundra

Two Camp Rug Updates

Not quite 3 weeks since starting these rugs at Barb Carroll's rug camp I'm ready to show updates.  This one is mine a picture taken today of Simple Gifts, a design by Karen Kahle. Oops, had the flash off for this photo so it is dark.

And the one below with a flash shows up too bright.  So figure that somewhere between the two is what the rug really looks like.  Oh, there is some debris on the horse's face and after investigating notice it was grass from my shoe by stepping on the rug to flatten it for the photo.

Yesterday afternoon Shari sent me a photo of her updated foot stool pattern.  That burgundy wool really makes the colors of the flowers pop.  Bet it will be a beauty when done.  Am hoping it will be done and Shari will take it to Cape May for the show and I'll get good pictures of it then.

Joanne said she will have her son take a picture of her rug so everyone can see the entire design but haven't received it yet.  When I do will be sure to show you what great gal has accomplished to hers.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Saundra

How Would You Describe a Primitive Rug?

A loyal follower has asked me some questions:  What makes a Primitive rug different from others; is it details or lack of details?  Are there certain colors you would place in a Primitive Rug that wouldn't be used otherwise?  Are the cuts of the wool smaller or larger in a Primitive Rug?  Thank you Carolyn for giving me fadder to write about on my blog.

I'll give my personal thoughts on the subject but more than likely if 10 people were asked there would be varied answers.  My explanation of a primitive rug is, as she said....lack of detail and with a bit of naiveté.  

The rug above is a primitive and naive style and most likely hooked in at least a #8 strip or larger.  Can't remember where I borrowed this photo, probably Pinterest.  Notice the dark and quiet colors but there is contrast and some color.

The scrappy cat hooked mat also qualifies as a primitive design, you can tell it is a cat even tho it lacks the realistic features.

The original antique known as Boyerstown Dogs pictured above may be a little more elaborate than the scrappy cat, but this (IMHO) still qualifies as primitive.  In primitives there is no artistic perspective as you can see the owl is equally as large as the cow and the mother dog is larger than the two buildings.  I don't know what strip sizes were used to hook this rug but even with the use of light background and color, it still shouts primitive to me.

My girl Shadow was hooked using #8 cuts but I don't consider this primitive since it is too realistic looking.  So a wide cut doesn't necessarily determine a primitive design.

The rug above, if I had to put it in just one category I'd classify the hooked people as folk art.  But sometimes folk art and primitive may be synonymous.  

The two roosters above I feel fall into the joint category of primitive and folk art.  I'm thinking out loud (har har, typing) now and maybe I feel that way because of the color factor.  Both the people and the colors in the roosters add to the folk art part.

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts on this subject and Carolyn, you really made me put on my thinking cap, thanks for that.  Now I'm definitely looking forward to that issue of ATHA magazine so I can read others thoughts on this very subject.

As for the cut of primitive rugs..... originally rugs were hooked just to cover the floors out of necessity and women used what they had as scraps of various textiles whether it be narrow or thick.  They ripped or cut everything by hand as no one had a Townsend back then.  I've even had a teacher suggest hand cutting wool uneven to get the look of an antique primitive rug.  I've done that but takes more time.  So often I'll use different sizes in the same rug to give that same effect.

Would love everyone's feedback and thoughts.  And hope everyone has a great evening.

Saundra

Publications to Keep in Touch

There are new hookers developing all the time ~ I was one once as each of us were.  But the choice to continue hooking is dependent on learning how to overcome those obstacles and unhappy loops.  I'm not talking about the 'right way' I'm referring to over coming the bumps we newbies encounter as we start.

Way back when starting the blog mentioned that I was self taught and read the instructions in a pattern book by Kindred Spirits as well as Rug Hooking Magazine.    They gave me the basics but still didn't have a grasp of the process or the direction I wanted to go.  So it was a definite work and, as my dad would say.....'practice makes perfect'. Below is a photo of the current issue or RHM.

Here is the next issue of RugHooking Magazine which hasn't reached my door yet.  But you can click on the link above to subscribe to either or both.  

Another great informative magazine is ATHA Art of Rughooking.  

If anyone is getting ready to attend a rug camp anytime soon there is an article in there which will help.  Here is the magazine contents; as you can see it is well worth the subscription price.

OH!!!!!  Coming in a future publication will be about primitive hooking. I understand there will be numerous articles written by different people, and am looking forward to it as one article and rug will be written by Barb Carroll .

Getting a yearly subscription is far cheaper than buying the magazine at the book store.   And, if you are far away from other hookers and can't afford time away from family to attend a camp this is the best alternative to learn and see what is happening in the rug hooking world. 

Hope tomorrow I'll have more to share on my rug in progress.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

End of May Rug Show

Where oh where did May go?  We went from needing heat to monsoon and now air conditioning.  Seems Mother Nature has a schedule of her own.

It's too soon to post another update on Simple Gifts so figure I'll entertain you with some antique rugs.  This first one looks like it is new and as if it could be needle punched.  But it came from an auction house site.  It is framed and there were other less bright pictures and now wish I'd saved those pictures too, but this one made more of a showing.

Another eagle hooked piece with 13 stars and is to have been hooked in 1800s.

Below, Two horses hooked late 19th century and located in Pennsylvania.

Seems I'm on a roll with fur and feathers.... here is an old rug Jersey Brand cows.

A cat said to have been hooked early 19th century and the background is really faded but still visible are the faded flowers and the triangle border.

Three foxes with a geometric border and sorry don't have a provenance on this one.

A tree, cat, two parrots and bird.... or maybe 3 birds?

First time I saw the mat below there was something intriguing about it and I'd like to replicate it one day.

Below is a geometric which is visually interesting and wouldn't be boring to use up those left over strips of wool.

Wonder what the real color of this rug happens to be?  I'm thinking the lighting or the camera is making the walls and the rug appear with an orange/yellow glow.

Well kids, I do have a few more antique rugs pictures but I've got to save a little something for the next time I need to put something on my blog.  BUT..... you newbies could help if you had a question you'd like to ask or something you'd like to see.

Do you believe tomorrow is June 1st?  So now I know there are 6 months before I need to  have my grandson's rug done for the word Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) doesn't want me to say.

Just another week before Sears comes to work on my New riding mower purchased last year.  So after the rain the weeds are beyond my ankles so in another week can't imagine where the grass will be.  FYI, I have used the push mower to cut Ben's backyard but it doesn't have working rotor wheels so I look like a cartoon character at a 45 degree angle leaning against the mower.  No way I can do that for the rest of the acreage here.  Plus, my wooded area is so cut up there is no way a lawn service could come in and do it....they wouldn't want to do it.

Have a great evening everyone ~ stay dry and cool.

Saundra

Simple Gifts

Am finally going to post an update of Simple Gifts (a design by Karen Kahle) started at Barb Carroll's on May 16th.

Naturally there is purple in the rug because it was hooked with Barb. The purple cat is easy to identify but you'll have to tap on the picture to see the purple hit and miss in the border since it is the same value as the border color.

I love what Barb did with the pig.  It was just a cookie cutter outline and she drew two lines to make it more like a Wessex Saddleback pig. Now that's special!  She even shared some pig racing stories and how she obtained the collection of pig memorabilia in her cottages.

When hooking the left side border and saw that yellow stripe pop had my doubts.  But now that I've continued hooking am remembering what Barb said about filling in those hit and miss lines.  It goes something like this....'the color corners are on the outside looking in at the party inside; and the border wants to be part of that party..'  So I was to take the colors of the animals and let the border join the party.  

Taking a class with Barb is always special and when I look at each of the rugs hooked in her classes remember special conversations we had. AND, didn't realize that Barb also remembers her people.  When at her color planning table this year she brought up a story about a rug with a scroll she color planned for someone else.  Then she referenced the E.S. Frost Sheep with Scrolls she color planned for me.  Goodness, my rug was hooked back in 2011 and she still remembers mine and a whole conversation started with yet another hooking insight on scrolls.  

Barb loves teaching and truly enjoys the connection with her students. She has integrity, a gift for color and just wish some of her intuition and color sense would rub off on me.  Try tho I may have not been able to obtain that instinct thru osmosis so far.

Happy Memorial Day to all of you and God Bless the men and women who have served our nation and to their families.

Saundra

We Five Gals at Camp

With all the equipment handy, Barb was able to send me photos she had taken of us 5 gals before we left Ligonier.

Above, left is Deb who was hooking 1920 Stags, a Woolley Fox pattern and Shari who is hooking a foot stool cover.

In this photo above is me hooking a Karen Kahle design named Simple Gifts; Joanne who is hooking a design of which I'd forgotten the name, and Mary who is hooking a design named Yesterday's Spring. Both Joanne's and Mary's patterns were done by Lin of I Love Rughooking, tho I didn't see a visual of either pattern on the web site. 

If any of Joanne's friends are reading my blog please let Joanne know that I've sent her an email and prod her to check on her emails at least once every two weeks.  At camp she was complaining that when she did check she'd have lots of stuff to delete.  But if she would check her emails more often the emails wouldn't mount up that much.

On another note....finally Spruce Ridge Studios web site is up again. And if you click on that link provided, scroll down to the middle of row 13 and you will see my hooked version of Nantucket Broom Ride.  Wow, what an honor for my version to be chosen as the poster child for that pattern.  Thanks Kris for choosing mine, and thanks Barb for the 'care package get well card' when I was hooking it.

God Bless America, God Bless all those who served and their families. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Saundra

My Other Rugs Hooked with Barb

Seemed only fitting for me to use purple text again when talking about Barb.  In the previous post you saw the first rug hooked with Barb, which was Kinderhook Basket.  The next rug hooked at camp with her was Woodland Deer, another Woolley Fox design under the category Keeping the Past Alive.  You can see the purple in numerous leaves spread about the trees.  

I actually used Barb's idea when hooking a design from one of Barb's books.  The pattern was called July Cabin and instead of flags on the trees I changed to be more like the trees above since I so loved how it turned out.  Here is that rug, the book is titled American Folk Art Rug Hooking and has 18 projects inside.  

You can see that I really got into the 'purple' stage by making a purple moon.

An E.S. Frost Sheep was a 'must have' for me and there were a couple versions but the one with scrolls is the one I knew Barb could help me with.  Even tho scrolls were very intimidating it seemed my home needed to have one.  So figured if anyone could hold my hand thru the job it would be Barb.  Doesn't this look rich and old with the worn spots?  It hangs over my fireplace.

Next rug hooked at a Barb class was Brave Hunter; yes, another Woolley Fox design.  Now here is another story you may find interesting.  There were two of us in class who just happened to be hooking that same design.  Each turned out way different due to our individual wool color choices taken.  Here is mine and I can see the purple even without tapping on the photo to enlarge it.

In that class was sweet Deb Burcin and based on the colors she took to class this is the prize that Deb hooked.  Deb says this is one of her favorites not only because it was hooked in Barb's class but because the deer/moose was hooked with purple and green and the antlers were from an orange plaid skirt.

The following year I hooked Lion in the Woods, a pattern gifted me by my friend Evelyn Lawrence.  It is an antique adaptation offered by Port Primitives.  WHAT??????  Could it be we missed putting purple in this rug?  I enlarged it and don't see any purple.  Maybe I'll have to pull that rug out and hook some in somewhere.  

Oh Deer was the rug I chose to hook in class with Barb.  I'd seen Barb's version while at her camp and got bitten by the bug.  That happens to me a LOT.  Case in point is that while at Barb's I purchased wool to hook Olde Hearts, another Woolley Fox design.

The following year it was Magdalena's Farm on my frame with Barb.  I love Barb and all of Magdalena Briner Eby's designs.

During the year I designed an antique adaptation called Chum, which I offer as a pattern.  It is my feeling the same person who hooked Ned is the person who originally hooked Chum.  So it was Chum which was hooked with Barb the following year.

And this year I'm working on Simple Gifts which is still in progress and will keep you updated.  My only regret is that I didn't attend a Barb Carroll class earlier.  IF you are interested in having a class with Barb you can contact her HERE.  Don't know her schedule but if you contact her I'm sure you will hear back.  

Have a great evening everyone and happy hooking.  BTW, I hook summer as well, for my hooking isn't just a winter project.  With summertime chores it does curtail the amount of time spent with a hook in my hand but enjoy the journey anyway.

Saundra