Are You Sitting Down Saundra???

I do so certainly hope so for this is not only a post about hooking, but it's also a post about my hooking and a hooking finish at that.

It only took me 15+ (?) years to get here.

I've posted about this rug several times already (Just use the index on the sidebar and look up "Welcome Cats" and you will find the posts about it...at least the posts from after the time I started using the label feature.)

It became a true bane...and pain.

It started when I saw this photo of an antique rug in a book.

It was love at first sight.

The muted/faded colors...the watercolor(ish) effect of the background...and

I mean, seriously, those wonderful, wonky, cats!!!

I searched for a long time before finding a pattern online. (This was long before my days of knowing Saundra of Woodland Junction and her gift for reproducing antique reproduction patterns.)

It was well before WWR ("When We Remodeled") that I finally located and purchased a pattern, chose the wools, and started it.

I am, by nature, a slow hooker slow at everything and, at the time, I was still working so progress was snail-like.

This is a photo of the original antique rug taken from a book:

Then WWR hit.

The rug pattern and wools were hastily shoved in "some box somewhere" (there was a lot of that during WWR) and forgotten.

When the dust of WWR (somewhat) settled, I eventually pulled it out again...only to realize I was at a complete loss as to what wool I had intended for where since I had not marked or noted or organized anything. (In fact, I wasn't completely convinced it was even the correct wool for this project that I had shoved in the box.)

I picked things back up, however, in earnest in 2021(ish??)...

only to realize three significant things:

1) The pattern I purchased was far from true to the original and, while not an antique reproduction purist like Saundra, I really had wanted it to be a somewhat faithful reproduction of the original rug. (One would think I would have noticed the discrepancies before I was halfway through...but....).

2) My style of hooking had changed over the years (not necessarily for the better), so it looked like two different people had hooked it; and

3) I somewhat regretted using the cool color palette of the antique and wished I had instead used the warm colors (and more simplified background) that others who hooked it had used.

It was even more slow-going from then on out, but I did, finally, finish the hooking in the latter part of 2022.

The cats' snaggletooth grins are one of my favorite things:

Another is the "ghost" ball between the two cats. The ball is barely noticeable in the original and I missed it initially. It was not included in the pattern I purchased and only discovered it when bemoaning the discrepancies between my pattern and the original.

While I generally enjoy binding my rugs, I felt this one was doomed to reside forever and always on The Isle of the Unfinished.  But then, in March of last year, Saundra and I decided to join each other in long-distance, virtual, binding "dates" for an hour each day.

Of course, Saundra finished binding her rug in no time flat.

I, on the other hand, did not.

Yes, I had handicaps Saundra did not:

 

My efforts were, nonetheless, quite pathetic.

But here is where the drumroll begins...and Saundra needs to sit down.

It is finally bound and fully finished (well, except for the labeling which will never happen...and the hanging on the wall which probably will never happen.)

Ta da!!!

{The colors in the above photo aren't quite true...but you get the idea.}

I used a subtle plaid wool for the binding:

It's officially in the books as the rug that went on forever.

😅

Playdate at Red Barn Rugs

{The red barn at Red Barn Rugs}

Somewhere down the back roads of the farthest reaches of Nod, during the cold, snowy, and blustery days of February's end, seven (somewhat) like-minded people came together for three days of camaraderie, shenanigans, wool fondling (a LOT of wool fondling), shenanigans, amazing food, shenanigans, and a little (rug) hooking.

I am not sure why I didn't get better photos as I certainly wasn't busy hooking, but I am sharing what photos I did remember to take.

Cindy's start on "Cabbage Rose" (a Red Barn Rugs design):

Cindy was also working on a tribute rug to her furever beloved Holly:

A close-up:

Barb was building a fluffy sheep:

Although she was one of the main shenanigators, she had made good progress by the end of the three days:

Nancy (a native South Carolinian who came all the way from Minn-eh-sota) was also a main shenanigator - but she also got top honors for wool fondling (and thievery).  She was working on Cathy's (the genius behind Red Barn Rugs) new "Colonial Eagle" design:

{Sorry for the wonky photo...Nancy's from Minnesota don'tcha know?}

She also got some help with finishing touches for her "Winter Berries" sheep:

Just look at that face!

Mel (mostly) behaved and so got a lot done on "Bossie."  I love her spotted cow (a tribute to the famous brew from a certain brewery in New Glarus.  Hey, it's a Wisconsin thing.)  (And Mel, you are so right: Dogs ought really not have 5 legs. 😂)

{"Bossie" by Jill Peterson}

Lisa joined us on the last day only.  I know she brought more rugs with her, but these were the only two I caught photos of:

{Does this look familiar?? It should...it's an antique adaptation that Saundra of Woodland Junction (relatively) recently hooked and she drew this pattern (which she calls "White Horse With Scrolls") for Lisa.}

...and

{A Carol Weatherman (Pine Island Primitives) design...not sure of the name.}

{LOVE that walkway wool!!}

Cathy (in the rare moments when she was not quelling shenanigans helping the minions or busy making the best "lunches" EVER) was working on her newest design, "Colonial Eagle:"

{I am so doing this one!!}

My sincere apologies to Ellen....I did not get a photo of her rug, but she was also working on Cathy's new "Colonial Eagle."

As for me, well, yes, I was one of the main wool fondlers but I KNOW someone (you know who you are) will ask what I worked on.  I am not sure there was actually any true progress since I spent most of my time trying to figure out if the wool I had stuffed in with this project (the many years ago I put it aside) actually went with this project.

Yikes.

Oh...and there was a wee bit of puppy fondling going on too.  🐶

{Cindy snuggling with Cathy's Raffi}

*******

I have neglected to mention my "reads" in the last few posts and know I have missed some...but this is the one I just finished up:

Jodi Picoult is one of my very favorite authors.  I was riveted to this book as tightly as I have been to her others but, in this case, it was likely more because of the setting and backstory: Egypt and Egyptology.

(Archaeology/Anthropology was one of my very first loves.  It was my primary degree in college and I actually toyed with Egyptology as a specialty - but that, once again, is another story for another time.)

As with her previous books, Picoult takes on a timely social issue in The Book of Two Ways:  In this case, she centers the plot around the ancient Egyptian "Book of Two Ways" often found in ancient tombs which is essentially a guidebook or map for the afterlife, but makes it a metaphor for the choices we make while on earth.

Would I recommend it? Yes...but with the proviso that you might not like it as much as I did unless you, too, are a closet Egyptologist.

*******

Now...back to the shenanigans.

Merrie October

October is, by far, my most favorite month of all...albeit a very bittersweet pleasure.

The fall leaves dance their last dance, the autumn winds conspire, shadows linger a bit longer than they should and magic comes a bit easier.

It is a month-long celebratory preparation culminating in one of the best days of the year.

{"Oct 31" by Blackbird Designs}

Nothing that has come before it, nor anything that comes after it, is ever quite as good as October.

I finally picked up my hook and started working on "Jack's Crow" by Winter Cottage Studio.

Yes, Lauren, I agree....Loops should be like little soldiers one by each...but just remember: Not all soldiers are the same height. 🤣

Lauren (Rugs and Pugs) and Saundra (Saundra of Woodland Junction) hooked this little mat last year...or the year before??? ...Whichever, I nonetheless am late to the party.

And remember I said I'm over the mermaid thing?  Well, I lied.  (Get used to it, I'm an attorney.)  

I stitched this last year (or the year before??) but never fully finished it.  I kept looking for the right frame or right something on which to mount it and never found one.  So I decided to make it a practice piece for a flat-fold finish.

It is difficult to see/photograph, but it is finished somewhat like a book which you pull apart to stand.

(The above photo was taken before I decided to make some cording and add it around the edges.)

(Backside of piece folded...again, before cording was added.) (And no, I am NOT a purple girl...it just went well with the linen....and it was intended for the lake house.)

For many reasons (aren't there always "many reasons" in my world??), I will not be decorating for my beloved Halloween this year.  (Ok...I did pull a few things in easy reach out.)  So, I decided that I will share with you a photo of some of my "Halloween Pasts" each post I do this month.  (Yes, my intention is more than one post this month unlike prior months.) 

This is my collection of vintage pulp/papier mache Jack-o-Lanterns....probably one of most favorite things:

I also thought I would start sharing what I happen to be reading at the time of a posting since it is an addictive escape for me.  I likely won't always remember and I know it won't be something everyone cares a rat's gray hair about, but I have learned, over the years, there are many of you who are fellow book addicts.

This is currently what I am engrossed in:

Just as I prefer hooking/stitching/punching "in season," I also prefer reading "in season" as well....although I confess that I do not limit my intake of books regarding the Salem witch trials to the fall.  Given my connection, I devour whatever I can get - both fiction and non-fiction - whenever I can get it.

Hmmm....perhaps I will share with you "A Witch's Reading List" sometime...

Until next time, be well, be safe...and enjoy this month of magic.

I Like To Do What Most Hookers Don't.....

Cathy from Acorn Hollow likes them "big," Lauren from Rugs and Pugs enjoys (and often pursues) "quickies" and dear Mummy Dearest (a/k/a Saundra) of Woodland Junction's penchant is clearly for "older" ones.

To each their own, I suppose, and while I have experienced, at some point, some of the pleasures of the above preferences, my predilection is, as in most aspects of my life, of a more peculiar bend:  I like to do what other hookers do not like to do.

I like to bind rugs.

(What were you thinking I was going to say???)

Most hookers (including those above-named wonted hookers) dread binding their rugs.  I, however, find it relaxing, mindless and effortless...the part where I don't really have to do any work.  

While I have not yet brought the Beast forth from his dark hiding place or otherwise engaged in full-blown hooking activities, I did finally bind my "Guilford Runner" that I had finished hooking some time ago.

There are some amazing old paisleys used in the red and gold portions that do not show in the above photo, but think that you can see in the photo below:

 

This design (by Edyth O'Niell) was what I first chose to hook after having taken a long hiatus from hooking.  I should have thought more clearly in both my choice and technique while doing it.  The pattern is clearly very symmetrical in design and was not drawn as symmetrically as it should have been (at least according to the dictates of my OCD).  It, therefore, required many "adjustments," most usually in the form of reverse hooking.

In the end, however, I was "satisfied" enough to even consider doing the same one again sometime - something I never, ever, do. (I am usually a "once and done" kind of hooker.)  There are so many tempting color combinations and it just might be better the second time around.

I'll have to "circle back" on that.

And since I had no more rugs to bind am fickle, I finally also finished "Salem Village," a design by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm.  I am ashamed to admit this took me over 4 years to finish. And it is not "finished" finished...it still needs to be framed...or something.

 I guess sometimes I like it slow too.

I have not decided what's next.  I have a few things started, but none is really getting me terribly excited.  At the risk of once again not finishing something I have started, I may pick up something entirely new.

But, not tonight because I have a headache.

 Yes, my internet woes are continuing.

  I will not bore you with all the technicalities but, basically, my "system" is dropping connectivity somewhere between my devices and the satellite. Still trying to figure out if it is a router issue, a modem issue, or something else altogether.  The bottom line is it's not fixed and I am operating now on "borrowed time."  Hence, why I have a headache.

(Where I go when "she" has a headache.  Smart kitteh....)

Signing off for now while I am still connected.  Hope you are all well and happy. Happier than me will do.