I hit the mother-lode...a rug hooker's dream!!!
Feeling down & out yesterday I decided to do what cheers me up most...SHOP!
But not any kind of shopping...treasure hunting. Decided to pay a visit to Mr. McGowan's antique shop...it's a teeny tiny place where you have to look carefully, scrounge, get dusty, peek behind things & generally be nosy...I happened upon his glass cabinet of curiosities & started digging around...saw an intriguing looking basket & pulled it out. I near fainted from excitement...inside was a hoard of antique to vintage rug hooks of every size & description...from fairly recent to my favorite...the truly primitive ones wrought by hand & nature.
Some examples were carved from wood, one from bone, another from forged metal. Initials can be seen on a couple of them...the stories they could tell.
It was an older woman who brought them in to Mr. McGowan. I wish I could have met her, heard her memories of how she came by each one. Whoever you are,thank-you! You have made this rug hooker very happy! Usually I would be lucky to find a couple of oldish hooks a year...to find a whole basket full of highly unusual ones is a gift. I am pleased that I found them & could give them a home where they will be appreciated.
Lets not forget the basket...it's rich color & patina...the fabric worn soft from years of use. I am not sure what type of basket it is, but it is beautiful in it's imperfections...a cozy nesting place for a truly one of a kind collection.
After I went to the antique shop I went rummaging in the local thrift store...I found four wool coats in four delicious shades...chartreuse, raspberry red, taupe & a wonderful chocolate brown...I want to use them to create a penny rug.
I spent the morning stripping the coats...us rug hookers...always busy hooking & a stripping...
I'm a work while you wear your flannel PJ's kinda gal...
All the coats are have been stripped, now I want to marry them in a big old pot on the stove...get the colors to bleed a bit so that each piece of wool will have a little of every color in it...makes for a cohesive look in your project. I saved the lining from the chartreuse jacket...just to pretty to throw out...
I have almost completed another rug...an antique reproduction of a French Canadian rug...very primitive & rustic with loads of character...can't wait to show it to you...soon!
I haven't made much in the critter department...just not in the mood...& I definitely have to be in the mood to create them, becuase if I don't they end up looking like crapola...& nobody like crapola...right? I am hoping to be back in the studio soon.
Please join us for our Birthday Giveaway!
Feb 28th - March 20th
Fabulous handmade prizes
Feb 28th - March 20th
Fabulous handmade prizes
donated by our members.
Tdipt is celebrating their Birthday during the month of March with lots of chances for you to win one of many prizes that are to be donated by some of TDIPT's artists. Hope you can all come by for a visit.
Till next time...have a mice day!
Susan
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