Another Rug is Bound ~

 

 

What a great feeling to have all my rugs bound.  Here is Stag, pattern by Lori Rippey, finally finished.  He will be rolled up and put away until next Christmas.  It's a terrible problem not having places to put all my rugs :)

 

I've also finished the last two hearts, hooked with handtorn strips.  The wool is similar on both fronts, so the backs were finished with the same wools.  They are stuffed with snippets and some heavenly lavender.  I still have several pumpkins to finish this way, but since they are not rugs, they don't count as not bound in my world :)

Tomorrow I leave for Sauder Village for two days of hooking heaven.  It's something I look forward to every year.  My hooking supplies are packed and ready to go, but still need to pack my clothes.  I left work sick today which is a rarity, so I do hope I am over this by tomorrow.

 

Because I have THE BEST readers, I am giving away one of my hearts.  The rules are simple ~ leave a comment on this post or send me an email with give away in the subject line.  The winner will be chosen next Wednesday and must contact me within three days or I will choose another. 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Color Planning ~

 

Next Saturday at this time, the Sauder rug hooking retreat will be winding to a close.  Two days of hooking heaven :)  Melissa and I will actually meet Bobbie there Thursday afternoon.  It's always fun time ~ I think this is our fourth year going. 

 

Of course I always agonize over what I am going to hook.  Presently there is n-o-t-h-i-n-g on my frame.  I am almost done binding my Lori Rippey stag rug and that means I am caught up on my binding.  That doesn't happen very often and when it does, I always vow not to let that happen again, but we all know the road to hell is paved with good intentions . . . lol.  I also have two more hearts to finish and stuff. 

 

Subject to change, of course, here is the rug I plan to start at Sauder.  Daisy, adapted from Lori Brechlin folk art by Spruce Ridge Studios.  It is a rather large (for me) pattern.  I plan to hook it with a dark background.

 

 

Wools I have pulled so far.

A couple years ago at the Lakeside hooking retreat, Bobbie was hooking it.  Here is her completed rug.  Wonderful, no?

 

 

Happy Saturday to you.  A very pleasant day on Ohio's north coast.  I even spent a bit of time raking leaves from the little brick patio.  One day closer to spring :)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

3 1/2 Years in the Making ~

 

What Nots, an antique adaptation by the Woolley Fox, was started at the Heavens to Betsy Shaker Village rug retreat in July of 2012.  Upon returning home it was set aside until 2014.  I finally finished it in June of that year, rolled it up and there it sat until last week.  FINALLY I decided it needed to be finished (well, except for the label . . . sigh).  Here it is, hooked, bound and steamed.  I don't hook really big rugs, and this is the largest rug I've hooked to date.  It's 23 1/2" x 41", hooked in a 9 cut.  The colors are much richer in person.  They are quite accurate in the second picture.

 

I think it will reside in the living room in front of one of my favorite antique cupboards.

 

I know it's silly and it's only a number, but I have lost over 20 followers in the last month.  I was hoping to one day hit 400, but now I'm down to 368 :(  I know it's not just me because Saundra is whining about it, too.  (Love you, Saundra)

 

How the heck did it become almost February.  Wasn't Christmas just last week?  How is this happening???

 

It's a great evening for a fire.  It's 28* which really isn't bad for this time of year, but it's a very chilly 28* . . . lol :)

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Finishing Hearts ~ "Betsy" Style ~

 

Since a couple people wondered, I thought I'd give you a quick how-to finish the hearts.  The finished heart is about 10" x 10", give or take a little.  After the hooking is complete, I cut out the heart leaving about 1" - 1 1/2" of linen.  I then zigzag around to prevent fraying.

 

I just thought I'd show the back so you could see how far apart the hooking is.

I use fray check in the crook of the heart and press the linen to the back.

 

I then lay pieces of wool on the wrong side of the heart.

 

CAREFULLY begin to trim away the excess wool.  It's better to trim away too little and continue to trim more.  I do not fold the edges under.  I then use a straight stitch (a whip stitch that is not slanted - does that make sense?) to sew all the pieces together.  Be sure to stitch only the wool and not catch the backside of the heart.  After you've stitched all the patches together, whip stitch your patchwork to the heart.  I leave an opening and lightly stuff the heart with wool snippets and a lavender sachet and then continue to stitch closed.

Time consuming, but worth the effort.  It takes me longer to do the patchwork back than it does to hook the heart.

 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Two Down ~

And two to go.  I've hooked four hearts with hand torn strips and have two of them finished.   

 

I mean really "finished".  Stuffed with wool snippets and lavender and finished "Heavens to Betsy" style.  They will be heading to their new home tomorrow.

 

We were lucky here on Ohio's north coast.  No snow from Jonas.  I hope all those in the storm's path are safe, warm and able to enjoy being snowed in.  Today it's 36* and sunny.  I will take all the sunshine I can get :)

 

Fun little sign from a friend ~

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

 

TGIF ~

 

Sometimes these 4 day weeks seem longer than a normal 5 day week.  To say I am happy it's Friday is an understatement.  Time to catch up on life and some much needed sleep :)

 

I finished the binding on "A true friend".  This fun pattern is by Cammie Bruce - Primitive Junky.  She has so many great patterns.  I refer to it as my Ellie rug since I hooked it to her likeness.  

 

For the first time, the last two rugs I've bound I used #8 cut wool strips.  I trim the backing to about 1 1/2" and zigzag the raw edges.  I then fold it over twice (to the front of the rug) and baste.  Basting is not necessary, but I prefer it to working with pins and I don't have any clips that I could use.  Then I just bind with the wool strips.  I really like the look.  I've used the same prep when whipping with wool or doing the crochet edge.  It really is quite simple.

After almost 4 days I have not heard from the give-away winner, so a big congrats to Kim, My Field of Dreams, out in California.  Please send me your snail mail address and I will get your package mailed next week. 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

FUN New Finishing Book ~

 

 

You know how I feel about binding rugs and I know many of you feel the same way. Well, there is a new book out by Kathy Clark of Briarwood Folk Art. This is not your normal "how to bind a rug" book. Her motto is "Keep it simple, keep it fun and if possible make it a little sassy".  She has 11, yes count 'em 11, fun finishes to give your rug some pizzazz. How about a "wool wrap finish scrappy style"? Or an "easy peasy folksy finish"? "Asymmetrical curves finish"? "Sophisticated gimp trim"? They just sound fun, don't they?  To find out for yourself how to do them, you can order the book here.

 

 

 

I am thoroughly enjoying this book and hope to try one of her finishes soon.  I think you'd enjoy them, too.  And . . . she also sells some really great patterns.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren