Multiplying Rabbits (edited)

Chris is getting very close to the finish line with only the border to hook.  

She said the bunnies wanted to do a little moonlight dancing, she's having fun with the hook-along and "livin' la vida loca" in the process.    

Crystal must be the first to complete her rug and look at that interesting background.  She outlined the rabbits in black to make them stand out.  She also told me she hooked this in one day.  That blew me away and had to inquire what size the pattern was to accomplish that feat.  It measured 16 x 25.  WOW!!!!  She said she hooks fast and doesn't use a frame which she thinks makes her hooking faster.  Not having a frame to keep the pattern taut would make my hooking much slower me thinks. 

This just in from Kitty.  She hooked her Dancing Rabbits to match the décor in her room, a chest.  Look at the creative bunny rabbits with polka dots!

Another photo received from Deb who has 5 grandkids and made a huge Dancing Rabbit rug representing all her grands.   Love that background.

Angela from Adams County, Ohio has joined in too.  This is the first time she has joined in a hook-along but is a loyal reader.  She said she's hooked hers with old tee shirts, something she learned when I hosted the 'textile challenge'.  Waste not want not, right Angela?   And that pulls much easier thru foundation than woven cotton!  

Rhonda is making headway on her rug too.  So far I think the favorite color for rabbits has been brown.  But guess that is decided by background color each of us wants to use ~> light background dark rabbits.....dark background = light rabbits.

This one below is from April and I know someone who will love that primitively hooked rabbit.  Can't wait to see what the other bunny colors will be.

I recall Kris (Spruce Ridge Studios) emailing to join saying, "You had me at granddaughter", which was some inspiration I tried to evoke in my initial post about the Dancing Rabbits event.  So this is a photo sent of what she plans for the granddaughter's rug.  Kris I cannot wait to see how this develops and happy my words were able to inspire YOU.

Karen said seeing the hook-along encouraged her to start the pattern she had in her stash for years.  Great job on those brown rabbits and looking forward to that active background.

Sheila finished hooking her rug after 3 days and says it was a record for her.  

Perhaps one day she will hook that antique version she originally drew, which you can see a bit of on the unhooked portion on the right.

And now after all the wonderful exhibits above, here is my bland endeavor.  Should have realized I was playing with the big league here.  

Am enjoying seeing and sharing everyone's rendition of this old rug design.  For those of you wondering how to get a photo of your progress on my blog, just EMAIL ME your photo and I will put it there on the next post.  

FYI the next blog post will be an antique rug show as I don't want my readers to become bored; plus it will give everyone an opportunity to pull more loops on their project.  Meanwhile, happy hooking.  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Springing Forward (Edit #2)

Fran hooked a checkerboard pattern in the rabbit's bodies to give it the optical illusion they are moving.  She said "...it was one of those happy surprises you see when you've finished a mat, stand back and see the rabbits dancing".

And Robin was right, the rabbits were hooked using the beading technique with #8 strips of off white and blue.

Lauren recently finished her Patriotic Dancing Rabbits also. 

Laurel sent me her 1st finish which is lovely.  But she said it didn't turn out quite as she first envisioned.  She was thinking more of a Magdalena style but lighter colors.    I know the feeling Laurel, my desire was to hook that antique look with blocks of different background colors. 

So she decided to pull out a somewhat darker wool to hook the rabbits in.  I love her background colors!!!!!!!

It's definitely looking like spring and Margaret's bunnies are dancing with joy because they found a cache of Easter eggs.

Finally finished hooking my version of Dancing Rabbits and am in the process of binding it.  Perhaps one day I'll be in the mood to hook the one which was the most vintage looking.  Til then, this will have to do.

My kitchen is looking a bit more spring like also.  Very rarely do I display this Claire Murray rug design named Strawberry Patch.  I thought it would be fun to experience hooking with yarn, the kit was on ebay and purchased it.  That was my first experience with an all yarn rug and my last; but must admit it is cute.  I also made the paper clay rabbit container.  The rug is for sale and measures 29 x 33.5.

Photos of Dancing Rabbits has slowed down.  Happy hooking and enjoy your weekend.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

WHERE DID MY DAY GO?

What a timely and perfect title to my blog.  And thanks to friend blogger Cathy of Acorn Hollow for providing the idea for my post since that was the title of her last post.  

This morning after breakfast I started drawing patterns.  Most were Dancing Rabbits patterns but there were three other designs ordered too.  Since I'm a one woman operation it's me cutting and serging the linen and drawing so only accomplished one pattern before lunch.  Then went back to draw more but quit just before 5 p.m. to watch The Five.  Then another order for rabbits came in so will finish drawing and ship the patterns tomorrow.

Here's what has been ordered.  What took most of my morning was drawing the Cottage and Apple Tree.  I had to really concentrate on the tree limbs and apple's as it is easy to get confused as to where the limb and the background were because of the location of the apples.

Five Dancing Rabbits patterns, some with border some without. 

One Ali Katz small (without the zig zag border ends).

And one Mache' Jacks.

Or at least that's all on the schedule so far.  In queue tomorrow will be to finish Ali Katz and draw the last order for Dancing Rabbits with border.  Wish I could be more creative in my blog post this evening but I feel brain dead and tired.  BUT!  Not too tired to pull some loops.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

 

HOP on a HOOK-ALONG

As the saying goes...."when one door closes another door opens".  Yes, I'm talking about another challenge/hook-along.  I have chosen Dancing Rabbits as the next pattern.  If you know any new rug hookers or want to mentor someone who wants to learn this would be a great beginner project.  Plus it is perfect for a spring design and Easter.  It is an antique rug most known as Dancing Rabbits and I've wanted to hook this for years.  

You could choose to draw just one rabbit if it is a new hooker, or for you if you just want one rabbit to make it a faster hook.  For those who want to do something outside the box you could even dress up the rabbits ~ if I were frilly hooker OR, if I had a granddaughter I'd even consider taking pink tulle and put tutu's on them.  

Maybe you might also want to draw one as Peter Rabbit or do the more primitive.  You know me, I'll be doing a drab antique adaptation as mine but cannot wait to see what each of you do and hope you will share with me.  

You can draw it any size and start whenever you want.  There is no deadline and I will post updates anytime you want to send me a photo.  This will be the final hook-along/challenge this year that I will host.

Will give you some ideas with photos others have hooked, but first will show you a black and white version to make the drawing a pattern easier.

Here are many other wonderful adaptations, the one below was hooked by Arlene.

Another version by Judy Foster.

The one below was hooked by Carole.

Unfortunately I don't have a name to provide for the hooked rug below, if anyone knows let me know and I'll give credit.

Friend Pam Gunn hooked the version below.

Below is a version hooked by Tanya which I found on Susan  Feller's blog.

These next two rugs were found on an old blog post of friend Lauren and I have no name for either rug.

Below is a rug which was featured in an issue of rug hooking magazine.

Below is an antique with hit and miss background where the rabbits are almost camouflaged.  

And of course a delightfully worn antique.

Another version hooked by Diane which she named Rogue Rabbits.

And here is Lauren's, which I did not realize until today, that she has already hooked it.  So will she or won't she be joining us on this hook-along?  Sorry Lauren, perhaps I should have involved you in the decision on a subject.

Okay folks, you have seen several ideas presented here.  So now you have lots of ideas to choose from.  So who wants to play along with the hook-along?  As mentioned you may draw your pattern but if you don't know how or have your own foundation, you can purchase a pattern from me by clicking the link below my and and scrolling down to the bottom.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Dancing Rabbits

I love America and cuddly bunnies so who wouldn't love Patriotic Bunnies?  This is Lauren's (Rugs and Pugs) newest version of the vintage design (she's hooked it before).  BTW, that star was hooked in a #9 cut which was a tutorial by Kris (Spruce Ridge Studios) shared in a class.

Nancy has completed her rug and what a difference her red outline of the rabbits and linking hearts makes.  The tongue border adds color and frames the piece nicely.  She says she's not ready to hook tongues any time soon.

April has finished hers and as always does an incredible primitive look.  Wonder what she has on her frame now.  If I were to buy a rabbit it would be the one one the right, lol.  Me thinks he's cute.

Janice is busy with her two shops but still finds time to work on her rug which is moving along well.  Hmmm, wonder if it will go in her shop?  If it does it will be swooped up quickly I'm sure.

Kim (My Field of Dreams) sent me her finished hooked and already bound design.  Must admit it blew me away because the last time I saw a photo was with just the dark rabbits.  Really cool Kim!

Valerie sent me her finished Dancing Rabbits in white with dark blue background which is close to one of the vintage photos I originally posted.  Great job.

Blogger seems to be acting up.  Sometimes the photos don't show up then I have to click on the 'renew' circle then they appear again.  Perhaps you'll have to do that as well.  

Happy Friday.  Sadly it won't be a happy Saturday as it will be heavy rain and winds with some snow.  Not looking forward to that as it is just the time to turn the clocks forward one hour tomorrow evening.  

So happy hooking instead tomorrow.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

THIS and THAT

Am taking a brief break from my Dancing Rabbits to work on the antique adaptation Blue Bowl of Flowers.  That way it will give time to those who joined this original venue to send me a photo of their accomplishments on their rabbits.  If you are new to my blog you can find info about the Hook-along HERE.

I'm liking how this is rug is turning out but wish I'd drawn it a tad smaller than the 30 x 41 it is.  I've put this photo on my web site and if anyone wants to hook it but wants a smaller pattern I'll be happy to do that for you.

Janice (Prims by the Water) drew out her Dancing Rabbits pattern and sent me this photo.  Since she and her husband own two shops she's quite busy making items to sell and changing themes in the shops but was able to get in a little hooking time.  It looks sweet Janice and love that flower with the promise of spring. 

There is a weather roller coaster here in Delaware; yesterday and today in the mid to upper 60's again and tomorrow will be at least 30 degrees cooler.  Yet my crocus have popped up strutting themselves.  Here is a yellow one growing among leaves and new holly sprout which will be plucked out later.

One of the many lavender crocus growing among the leaves and broken branches ~ a lot of broken branches in the yard after days of wind.

The wind has been fierce here and had a tree company give me an estimate on removing some trees threatening my house.  Tree companies are so busy they won't be able to get here until maybe the 3rd week of March.  Just hope the trees stay put for a few weeks longer.  The cost estimate was $2,025 and frankly I had a sigh of relief as I thought it might be closer to $3,000.
 

Whatever you are hooking I hope you are enjoying the process.

Saundra

My Web Site:  www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com 

Dancing Rabbits Update

Dancing Rabbits photos are becoming less frequent but arriving nonetheless.  Karen sent me her finished version and the chocolate bunnies are sweet...pun intended.

Denise sent me her finished piece and makes me wish I'd not hooked my rabbits so white.  

I recently sent out a few more patterns so there will be another wave of rabbit photos to share soon.  So make note hookers, I'll be at rug camp next week so any photos which are sent to me next week will be shared once I return home.  

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

DOUBLE-FEATURE of HOOKED RUGS

Rug hooker and friend Lisa often sends me photos of antique rugs and asks me to draw them for her.  She tells me the dimensions she is looking for and I enlarge them close as possible.  This one of her most recent finishes 1907 Eagle which measures 23.5 x 27.5.

If you're curious here is the original antique.  Lisa said she didn't want all the other tidbits and also opted out the date.

Another she recently finished is 11 Star Flag, another antique adaptation which measures 26 x 35.

Two things can describe Lisa ~ she is patriotic and she loves horses.  She hooked this antique adaptation "White Horse and Scrolls", it measures 23 x 37.5.  

Here is the original antique.  I hooked this rug also but drew mine out smaller at 20.5 x 33.5.  

In 2017 Lisa hooked Frost Sheep and Birds, this is her interpretation of that antique rug.  Think I like the way she hooked it without the circles in the triangles and would make for an easier hook as well.

The E.S. Frost original.

Lisa has hooked several other rugs I drew for her but can't locate photos of them on my various flash drives at the time.  She has a couple in her stash that I'm anxious to see when they are hooked.

As promised, it is a double-feature;  now will show you the latest Dancing Rabbits photos sent to me.  Naomi said she made 5 dancing rabbits for each of her grandchildren.  I've inquired what the wording was on her rug but all I know so far is that it's a Grateful Dead theme (the dancing bears) and the first couple lines from Row Jimmy. 

Paula also has 5 grandchildren and did the same. 

Janice finished hers and added wool strips as a bow around the neck, I'm guessing they are all boy bunnies.

That about wraps up today's blog post.  Happy Friday and Happy Hooking.

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com