Sheep at the Beach Binding Tutorial (revised)

Finally all hooked and bound!!!!  All it needs now is a label which hasn't been printed yet.

Those of you who follow me know I wasn't looking forward to hooking this on monks cloth and had other hooking priorities at the time.  With Cape May rug camp a month away am SO HAPPY I decided to hook it.

Here is the my version of "Sheep at the Beach", a blanket design by Norma Batastini to challenge camp participants.  It was just a sheep on a blank canvas for us to be creative.  For sure I don't claim to be creative but at least it is done and have something to share at camp.

I bind my rugs and mats differently.  Here is how this mat is bound.  Once the last edge of the design was decided I drew a line 1/4" away from that for the sewing edge of fabric binding.  

Before hooking to the edge of the design you then place the edge of the fabric on that new line.  Sewers know that is a 1/4" sewing edge.  

I used cotton fabric to match the sky and sea.  There was a piece cut a tad longer on each side but only sewn to the edge of the hooking.  I trimmed the corners of foundation so the corners could be mitered without bulk.

OOPS, I see I missed one before taking the photo but was trimmed before binding.  But that was corrected and here is the back.  All that it needs now is the label and a visit to Cape May with me.

Today's quilt booklet sale was surprisingly easy.  Only have one other Cheri pattern but am not ready to let that go yet.  But do have other quilt and Stitchery booklets here to sell from the likes of Sarah Sporrer, Kindred Spirits and can't remember who else.  So stay tuned.  

Saundra

p.s.  
Meridiana, you are a NO-REPLY blogger so could not send you a personal email.  The top photo was a photo taken after the binding was done.  
And yes, I have bound rugs to go on the floor this same way.  Sometimes I've used wool and sometimes cotton binding tape.  Have also whipped the edges with wool yarn, covered cording in wool fabric, I've bound rugs all ways except for the crochet edge.

SOLD!!! A Cheri Payne Booklet for Sale

Here is a Cheri Payne booklet "A Country Quilt Garden" for sale to first person from the U.S. to reply.  Since the FB group Quilts by Cheri is a 'no sell' zone wasn't sure where to post it for sale.  The cost of $24 includes shipping and I will send a PayPal invoice.

As none of the designs show any wool used it couldn't be listed on the Destash Anything Wool Related either.  Besides, since I'm not savvy on how to post numerous photos on one message decided to post it here and take my chances that someone may see it.  

Here is the front cover and you can see the color on the sides are worn a little but all pattern pieces are attached and not cut out.

Inside front cover.

Colored page is page 23 on right.

Below are the colored designs in the booklet from quilts to articles of clothing.  There is a pattern for the Country Vest included but the bib jeans is not a pattern, just showing how to decorate them with some of the designs in the booklet.

There are a total of 52 pages in the booklet,  all pattern pages are intact and never cut.  Again $24 to someone in the US and that includes shipping.

Saundra

After Yesterday's Blog Post

Shortly after yesterday's post was sent I received an email asking if I would be interested in selling my Nantucket Broom Ride rug (below).  

First, let me say I was quite honored (thanks Ranae).  But explained the rug had too many fond memories to sell it.  The pattern is a design by Lori Brechlin and sold by Spruce Ridge Studios.  

It was hooked in a class with Kris Miller at Cape May where I have attended camp since 2003.  A class with Kris is always fun and interesting.  By the last day we thought we'd figured out how I could get the purple dress I wanted.  We chose wool to outline the witch and to show arms even tho the colors were close in value with the background.   

Came home and worked our plan but it just wasn't working.  As always I took you followers on my hooking journey via the BLOG.  Hey, you guys know I always do that with all my rugs ~ show what I've pulled out, replaced.  It's like standard operating procedure to share my torture, 😀.

Then while walking my handsome boy Ben (miss you sweet boy) ended up with cellulitis in my arm by his thrashing about wanting to chase a vehicle.  Went to doctor, got meds and Barb Carroll was worried about me.  Sweet Barb reads my blog and we keep in touch.  

Shortly after I received a package in the mail with several pieces of wool for dress outline, dress and hat wool...you name it and I got it.  Could not believe her generosity, but she said...."I considered it a get well card".  
They weren't huge pieces because Barb knows how much wool a certain motif will take.  That was something I noticed taking classes with her.  If I purchased a piece of wool from her for my rug, she would rip off a strip and there was usually a couple strips left after the rug was done.  No waste and she doesn't sell you anything you don't need or want.  Quite an honorable and humble woman.  

Barb even suggested the green scarf flowing behind the witch as well as the red hair.  Great suggestions which I adapted in the pattern.  Love you Barb Carroll!

Saundra

Two Rugs Sold...

....but there are still too many here.  Luckily someone wanted to buy two of my rugs and they shipped this morning.  Since I don't do artisan shows any longer there isn't much of a venue for me to sell them.  Yes, I've put some on eBay and etsy from time-to-time and was fortunate to sell a couple over the years.  Not doing shows but continuing to hook sure makes the quantity of rugs stored away staggering.

Numerous rugs hang on my walls, many on the floor and display some on table tops or harvest table periodically.  But many more are rolled up and never see the light of day.

I cannot part with the rugs I've hooked in a class as there are too many fond memories of fun shared with friends and teachers.  The two that sold were easy to let go of as they were hooked at home to have a sample to show potential buyers of a pattern for sale.  

Both of these were antique adaptations.  First was Red Bird of Pennsylvania  ~ the auction house named it Red Bird and was from Pennsylvania, thus the name.  Perhaps the original antique did have a red bird but faded over time.  

The other rug sold was Ducks and Eggs Nest.  Both rugs went to the same person.

Neither of these rugs have known the floor.  I probably put them on my harvest table after each was hooked to enjoy them.  But then rolled up and stored away.  

A successful day so guess I'll go back to making yet another rug, 😉

Saundra

Sheep at the Beach

Sheep at the Beach is the name of the pattern design given the 30th anniversary of Rugs by the Sea.   The last loop was pulled this afternoon, it has been steamed, now resting and waiting binding.

Recipients of this generous gift could make it into a mat, purse, tote, pillow, etc.  It was a basic sheep design so each could do our own thing.  But the name lends itself to indicate the sheep is at the beach.  The beach is only two blocks away from the Chalfonte, where classes are held.

As much as I wasn't looking forward to hooking it I'm so glad I did.

Below is the basic design gifted to each participant last September.  Except there were no exterior lines drawn since we could make it into any size.  I drew those lines 1" from the edge of the monks cloth to ensure my design didn't exceed that.  

Wasn't sure what it was going to be but had planned to go 'small' to get it finished early.  As it turned out I used that whole space to end up with a mat measuring 12 x 16.

Here is a sample Norma sent to all the Cape May registrants of her design and invited us to hook ours in our own way and take it back to camp this September.  

Plans are to do a still photo tutorial of how this one is bound on my next post.  Uh, when I get around to binding it.

Saundra

Using Worms

Cannot believe I just lost the whole post and photos before hitting 'publish'.   So here is something to fill in for today.  Even changed the post name.

Above is a six-sided geometric and great way to use up various colors and size strips from your worm bags.  

Perhaps this was a gift presented to me so that I can now have time to finish hooking the Anniversary Sheep mat it total...not part way.  Hey, I look at life as a glass half full rather than a glass half empty.  

Saundra

Antique Adaptation Update

One star and a few diamonds to go but getting closer to the end.  

In case you've forgotten what the original antique looked like, C is below.  Comparing the two it looks like mine is more intense in color than the original.  But not planning on pulling out a whole bunch of loops ~ it will just have to do.

Guess it wouldn't surprise you to say I've already begun thinking about what is next on my frame.  But before getting to that will have to finish this one and bind it, finish hooking the Anniversary Sheep, and put labels on 6 rugs.

Grass was cut yesterday and now the rains will be back again tomorrow.  BTW, the lake is back in the very back part of the yard and into the woods so can't cut the almost knee high grass growing at the edge of the water.

Saundra

Rug Show Time

Have been perusing my photos of antique rugs; some you may have seen but think they need re-posting. One is this spread-winged Eagle with Stars and Flag.  Was hooked late 19th early 20th century, it measures 28 x 37.

Below is a leaping deer hooked with knits, wool, cotton, etc.  Just what a thrifty woman would do to use up 'what she had'.  The rug measures 23 x 36 and to have been hooked late 19th early 20th century.

Not much information was provided on the rug below but guess the date and style says it all.  In rug hookers terms this non-descript flower type is called a "Padula". The deer shown at the bottom are much smaller in comparison to the flowers, typical of primitives.

Love this sewn geometric below and sorry that is the only information I have.

Something I never noticed at first, there's a baby sheep with it's mother.  They just seem to blend in together ~ again, the only information I have it was hooked late 19th century.

Oh my, what's not to love about the beauty below.  It is a combination of geometric and patriotic, great use of hit and miss.  It is stitched onto a black fabric of some type (according to the auction house).  The original measures 26 x 43.

Today on an auction site I found this Sunbonnet Sue design feeding chickens.  It was mounted and measures 17 X 35 but sorry, no date listed.

Love this blue cat rug hooked late 19th century.  Perhaps she ran out of grey and black so used light and dark blue in its place.

A geometric with hit and miss blocks measures 37 x 39 and was hooked 19 century.  

Hmmmm, wonder if it was the same person who hooked the rug below?

Two more small pieces just found yesterday.  One of two 6 point stars which were hooked with loops cut or was set out done in proddy.  Both are close in size measuring 36 x 36 and 36 x 37.

And the other.  Tap on the photos to see the texture.

Happy Friday everyone.

Saundra

Making Rug Labels again

There is a lull between rug label making as several pieces need to be hooked before a label is made to fill a page.  This is what I printed out today then realized I'd missed a rug.  Will save that for next time.  

These still need to be attached to the rugs but placed the labels on top of black felt to show up better.

It had been so long between label making I'd forgotten to print it in 'normal' instead of 'draft' format.  So the color on the labels isn't really crisp.  

If you are checking out the rug names you may wonder why there is a light background on that 2nd left side Flower Power label since I hooked mine with a black background.  That is the pattern shown on Nola's web site. 

I've attached the printed labels differently ~ in the beginning I just attached the cotton printed label directly onto the back of the rug like below.

Then decided to sew the label on black felt first and then attach like below.

Since the second choice takes two steps, albeit neater and more sturdy, am considering forgetting the second step.  Out of curiosity, which would you do?

Also, I've previously posted a tutorial on how I make labels.  If you would like to visit please click HERE.   Well crap!!!!  While copying and pasting that link was reminded that I have put EIGHT (8) labels on one sheet.  No wonder there was so much excess waste cut away today.  Oh well......

Another rainy day today and another tomorrow.  My pond is back and will be lake before the rain ends.

Saundra

Rugs by the Sea

Cape May rug camp is less than 2 months away.  Am happy I started the Anniversary Sheep challenge early so now can take my time to finish it.  This is what it looks like now with  only a small section to do.

Don't know if I was able to pull it off or not, but attempted to make the sand appear wet toward the sea and more dry forward.

Wool for the sun was from my worm bag in various cuts and values as was the sea reflection.  The sea has been a combination of cut #8.5 and worms.  The sand was mostly #8.5 cut and from overdyed worms.

Now am looking forward to paying more attention to my 'other' project.

Rained heavily during the night, heavy wind and rains today.  More rain tonight.  OMG, I'm sick of rain!  

Saundra

Sunday Work and Play

Humidity is back with a vengeance but the grass had to be cut before the next rain this evening and tomorrow or at least that is what my weather app says.  After cooling down thought I deserved a little play time with my hook and wool.

Am working on the Cape May Sheep Challenge and here is the container of wool I'm working from.

As you can see, I've already sewn on the cloth which will be the binding.  A strip of cotton was sewn to each side before hooking up to the edge.  When time to do the binding I'll show you how I do it.  Actually, I'd done the tutorial before, and more recently Lauren of Rugs and Pugs did a tutorial also. 

The wonderful grosgrain ribbon tied container (set of 4) was made and given to me by friend Deb Nees.   Each could have different colors of wool and set inside one another to reduce space usage at camp.  Also helps prevent your wool getting all mixed up.  

But you can see instead of putting the blue in one, tan in another and yellow in yet another they are all mixed together.  Uh, what do you expect?  You've seen the rats nests I make anyway so why not just start out that way? 

Happy hot humid Sunday.

Saundra

It's About Time

Good grief, I haven't made a blog post since Wednesday so it definitely about time.  Since it was also time to move the rug on my frame figured I'd show you progress on the Stars and Diamonds antique adaptation.

And before I pull another loop on anything, this rats nest of tangled up wool strips must be organized one-more-time!

On the arm to the left is a mixture of all the wool colors which started out in bags and containers.  Even tho (at first) they were kept tidy somehow I lost control so now have to pay the piper.  

Happy Saturday, raining here and it was needed for the farmers' fields and believe it or not, also my yard.  Although, when the grass is crispy it doesn't need to be cut as often 😁.

Saundra

Special Gift to Myself

Was so excited to get my mail today even tho it included a couple monthly bills.  I mean, who doesn't want to GET money ...OR...get GIFTS?  This was the special gift to ME.  It is a chair pad designed AND hooked by none other than Edyth O'Neill.

After buying it I asked if she would kindly sign it for me before shipping, which she did.

The name of the pattern offered by Woolley Fox under Edyth O'Neill's name is Flame 1.  Edyth hooked the chair pad in this shape to fit a chair of hers I'm sure because the pattern in the WF book is more rectangle.  This has a slight angle from front to back which would fit nicely on an old chair.  

I have an antique rocker but there sits a doll I made and don't want to cover up my new beautiful gift.  So am presently sitting on it and this is where it will be and what I'll see when coming to the computer.  Oh, and a note from Edyth thanking me for the purchase.  Edyth... thank YOU for allowing me to purchase it.  This is a treasure from a true artist of many talents ~ antique doll restoration, painting, designing and hooking rugs.

IF you check Woolley Fox for the pattern, which  measures 16 x 20, the visual in the pattern book will be in this direction.

I enjoy surrounding myself with things which give me joy.  This is one of those things.  Thanks Edyth.

Saundra

A Few Old Rugs

Recently I stumbled upon a piece described on an auction site as a 1940 piece found in Iphra, PA with wild animals including an iguana.  Strange for that area I'd say in 1940..but I have never lived in that area.

Below is a floral hearth rug from New England, 19th century.  Lovely rug and nice mellow background

Another beautiful Eagle rug ... hey, all Eagles are beautiful and sadly a declining species.  This was from Virginia and hooked late 19th or early 20th century.

The 2 Fowl hooked rug below was located in Salem, Virginia.  No date was given but definitely so shows age as you can see with photo of the front and back.

Don't have a date on the Blue Diamonds Geometric below but would be a great way to use up wool worms in any color combination and have a nice design.

Lastly is this hooked piece.  Don't get your knickers in a twist, it isn't the National Rifle Assn.  But if it were I wouldn't be offended as I am a supporter of the Second Amendment.  

This is a symbol of the National Recovery Act enacted by President Roosevelt in 1933.

Rain came thru this evening so the farmers are happy.  

Saundra