The other day I emailed follower/reader Denise and asked if there was something she'd like me to blog about.  As any of you who have a blog know, sometimes we (or at least I) struggle to come up with a topic which might interest readers.  Her question was "wondering what was the best tip learned from a class or teacher".   A comment from Julia made a perfect and classic example of 'must do' ~  Use a good linen foundation and not cheap brittle burlap for your rug hooking.  Must admit that when I was teaching myself and practicing that is what I used because i ..read more

Am getting bored with the sunflower and made some changes but more changes might be coming.  Decided to not put my initials in, won't hook the date, decided to not make it into a pillow and will probably make the lower larger leaf smaller too. The petals in the flower have all been from the wool worms/noodles.  The stem and leaves started with leftovers but found they worked.  Looked around and found more of that ugly (but suitable) wool and cut additional for the leaves.  Here is that wool.  Ya just never know when the uglies will work. As I was drafting this post ..read more

I love this rug of fishermen and wish I knew more about it.  All I know is that it's Canadian. The next photo provided on the site was the back of the rug with this name.  If anyone knows something about this please let me know. An attractive geometric was listed for $5,400 on Charish.  It measures 24 x 48 and dated between 1920-30. Here is a closer view of the textiles. Saw this wonderful Canadian hooked rug of a full moon and fox somewhere during my searches but don't have date or dimensions.  This would be an awesome rug to hook if I'd not already started the 1922 ..read more

Otherwise known as 'bored again'.  While the sunflower was a fun and short-lived diversion it was time for me to reconnect with the fox.  You will see more of the sunflower in a couple days.  Meanwhile I did fill in the date and spot above the fox. Friend Lauren has asked what is next and told her there are a couple I'm interested in but no decisions yet as I'm so fickle.  That plus a few doctor appointments coming up ~ will get my permanent crown tomorrow then two other days will have leg vein work done.   Our bodies, just like other machinery requires wo ..read more

As I'm so close to finishing the Fox rug it was time for me to choose my next project.  So that little diversion ended up being a gift for someone who likes sunflowers.  Truth be told I love sunflowers too but this one won't be mine.   I've pulled several yellow and green strips from the 'worm farm' but cut the blue for the background which might work or not, will find out later.  The brown and gold texture is a wool purchased years ago which seemed perfect for the center seeds of the sunflower.  The darker thin green strips in the container will be for the ..read more

A few weeks ago I showed you some red striped fabric being auditioned for binding the antique adaptation.  The bright reds and white just didn't suit me so went for the darker red and cream stripe on the shelf. I ripped 4 1/2 inch strips, sewed them together folded in half, ironed them then did a 1/4 inch stitch down the length. Next task was to hand stitch it close to the last row of hooking.  If I'd planned in advance I would have machine stitched along the edge before hooking to make life easier.  Guess I was in a hurry to start hooking the rug and lost focus. Below ..read more

Here's an update on my vision of the antique fox rug.  Decided to hook my fox with a white tail tip and chest like the Delaware Red Fox instead of following the directional hooking of the antique.  Delaware also has a grey fox but didn't want those colors. There's a strong possibility I'll reverse hook some of the brown in the background since it is too close to the color of the fox.  Yet the antique rug has brown in the background so will figure it out.  Also might change the cream colored elements....maybe.  This evening I'll start on the date and background s ..read more

The post was to be either an update on 1922 Fox or another old rug show.  So an old rug show it is.   A pair of horses circa 1800-1900 from the Winterthur Museum. A rug named Hard Times and dated 1874 measures 37 x 73. A naïve floral. And now a bold floral. I love the colors and design of the geometric.  Sorry, no other information. One day I'd like to find a ship with sails that I'd be driven to hook.  A Bluenose 1921 Schooner with dimensions of 30 x 42. Cat with a ball early 20th century. A whimsical landscape, no date but measures 15 x 33.5. And my ..read more

Am testing three things...the white chest, textured and white wool for the tail and a piece of dark textured wool for the legs.  And I'm sure the legs will have to be brown like the other three.  First thing I will do is reverse hook front paw and continue with the fox. As of this moment think I'm okay with the white chest which makes the white tail acceptable to the eye and brain, me thinks ?.  Here are a couple other photos of fox which show the white tail.   Both of these photos were taken from state of Delaware fox web sites. Something I found, or rather re-di ..read more

It's raining again with 1 1/2 - 2" expected on top of what is already here.  This is my dreary, dark and damp day so I'll be inside hooking.  When this system is done there will be more rain still to come.  If it continues I'll no longer have a lake view property it will become a floating house boat. AND ... it's antique rug show time.   Finding vintage rugs on the internet has been rather scarce lately, but will show you some of what I've saved on the flash drive.   A bowl of flowers  dated 1900 and measures 20 x 30. A cat made of wool and cott ..read more