Moving

Yippee...I am finally moving!

Will be back to work and in my new studio sometime in September.

See you then...Susan

Adaptation of French Canadian Hooked Rug

Hey strangers...been a while since I have posted...thought I better get in here before you all think I have gone for good.

Life has kept us busy with a vacation to Sedona and Tucson which turned out wonderful...those big red rocks, canyons and chasms always manage to enthrall us and after enduring our long dreary Canadian winter...blue skies and sunshine were badly needed and much appreciated. 

On returning home we continue to have a good number of people popping by to view our condo (it has been up for sale for a while now) plus we are still having an open house every weekend. We have had some luck in this department but I am leery of sharing any news until all matters have been officially looked after and conditions have been met. So my friends and future wee furry collectors...you will have to wait a while longer...sorry, I am just not able to get into my studio to create. I did however manage to complete another hooked rug as this is the only pastime I can clean up and put away in a hurry. It is an adaptation of a late 18th to early 19th century French Canadian hooked rug that is housed in the Mussee des Maitres et Artisans du Quebec 

You can adapt many of the historical/antique rugs in this booklet as they are old enough to be in the public domain. You can order this booklet from the Craft Journal.

Hooked Rugs : Tapis crochetés

This booklet is full of inspiration as well as articles about well known rug hookers such as Doris Eaton, Deanne Fitzpatrick and others.

Below is a photo of the original pattern which was adapted for my own use. I tried to hook a similar background but failed to succeed. I just decided to loosen up, have some fun and just hook intuitively...each strip being hooked by feel without any planning...definitely my preferred way to work.

I did email the Craft Journal and the Museum to get information regarding this rug and to ask if this rug was in the public domain. They graciously replied right away so if you have any questions I am sure they would be more then happy to assist you.

I love the naive way in which the three white rodents & cat are depicted in the original pattern, no ears on the mice and no real nose to speak of on the cat....plus those round unrealistic eyes just add to it's Primitive personality.

As for other news...I want to thank everyone who sent their congrats to me about being published in the Spring issue of Prims...much appreciated...your kind comments make my heart sing!!!

I was also much aggrieved to hear of the passing of some dearly beloved pets that have been spotlighted numerous times on a couple of my favorite blogs...my heart goes out to you & and please know you are in my thoughts.

My friends I hope you are enjoying the reemergence of spring...lets hope the sun keeps shining and that the bluebird of happiness will alight on our side of the fence.

Cheerio

Susan

Tootin my Horn

I want to share my excitement with you...I have an article in the Spring 2011 issue of Prims. It will be on news-stands April 1st, I do believe some folks have already received their copies if they ordered them by mail.

Thank-you Stampington!
Prim`s Magazine Link

Inside it you will find two new designs and a couple of oldies...all beautifully photographed, plus my article. I also want to congratulate all the others who were featured as well...more wonderful art by the talented folks of PFATT & TDIPT. I have yet to get my copy so I am sitting here patiently waiting for a phone call so I can go & pick up my copy.

I am looking forward to getting away for a couple of weeks...My hubby Dino, my brother Mike & I have rented a cabin in Sedona Arizona for a week, then we are off to Tucson for an addtional week...oh heavenly bliss...I love that area!!! Time to recharge our batteries, get away from this cold. When I come back I will have to give you a (what I did on my vacation report). I won't be able to answer emails or comments for the next while because when I am on vacation it also means a vacation from the computer.

We have been hosting an open house every weekend for some time now in hopes that we would get a few bites on our house which is up for sale...no luck yet...but it is early in the season & we remain hopeful that a move will happen this year. 

My apologies for not having listed any new pieces for you...life in my studio has been limited due to having so many open houses etc etc. My hope is to have new work available for your perusal when I return...till then.

Cheerio my friends

Susan

Vintage Tapestry Couture

Ya know...we Canadians...in the depths of winter...when we are hunkered down wondering what to do with ourselves while the wind howls outside & we are freezing are...off.

We devise new & wonderful ways to stay warm...

I present to you...the Canadian Couture Vintage Tapestry Jacket

This latest in fashionable winter-ware is brought to you by Heather, a dear friend of mine who happens to be a collector of these Vintage rugs. She has about 30 of these things. Since space was running low in her house she decided to thin out her collection by using a few of them to create a jacket...and if I say so myself...I think it is stunning, fun, whimsical & a great way to recycle these tapestry's. She has made lovely box pleated book bags & plans on sewing up Moroccan style beanbags for the floor as well as doggy beds...with dog images on them of course. So next time you go to the thrift store don't overlook these rugs when you see one...put your thinking cap on...think outside the box & find ways to create your own Vintage tapestry project.

Note - I have washed these rugs in the washing machine on the gentle/hand-wash cycle with a little detergent...take out of washing machine & brush the nap in the direction the nap is going...use your fingers or a small brush to do this...hang to dry.

Cheerio

Susan

Week-end wool dyeing workshop

A couple of week-ends ago our Rug Hooking group got together to have a wool dyeing workshop. More experienced members were kind enough to teach us newbies how to create beautiful colored wool to hook into our rugs. Fun was had by all, mistakes were made & learned from...especially by me. Having about 14 hookers running madly around a kitchen with hot water & dye tends to create a bit of confusion...my mishap turned into a beautiful piece of rich reddish wool...perfect for fall leaves.

Above a dye solution is mixed to create a wandering pattern. Precise measurements, timing & a prepared work surface are important.

One color dye bath...

Second color dye solution...

Adding the second color dye solution...

Adding the third color dye solution...the wool must simmer for a certain time between each added color.

Above is a photo of dip dyeing...a process where you create multicolored swatches.

First you dye the wool one color(the gold)...then you create another dye bath with a contrasting color(the green)...then slowly dip your wool in & out of the dye bath. Practice is definably recommended.

Practice makes perfect.

Explaining various ways to achieve a mottled look in wool. Fabric swatches can be ordered from various dye companies to help you in your color planning.

Equipment is set out, techniques, rules & recipes are discussed.

A good example of what can be achieved when using the recipe for a spotted/mottled look in your wool.

Below is a set of three dye solutions used to create a spotted mottled look.

Wool must be laid out flat in the pan, crinkled, scrunched with even valleys & peaks.

Dye is then spooned on evenly.

A second color

A third color.

Finished adding the dyes.

Then you have to gently squish the wool to blend the colors a bit & to make sure there will be no white spots left in the wool.

Off to the oven to cook for a while. After heating the wool is ready to be rinsed & dried...ready to use in a new project.

 

A few gals try their hand at dyeing.

 

Recipes are looked up & swatches examined.

The results of our dyeing workshop.

Thanks so much to all for an enjoyable day...great food & great company!

Cheerio, Susan

Show & Tell Treasures & Projects

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

donated by our members.

TDIPT Mercantile

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