Hit and Miss Rug

Cape Rug, 2012

Wool strips on linen, 24.5" x 37"

When I began rug hooking, about four years ago, I was thrilled with the brightly colored, pre-cut wool that was offered for sale on Ebay.  I bought many of the bright colors with no idea what I would do with them. It was the beginning of my stash (which continues to grow and grow - it has a life of its own....). 

I started this rug about three and a half years ago using my bright strips, but didn't finish it.  When I was having chemo, it went into the closet, and I didn't give it another thought. This year I'm trying to finish  projects (And, boy, do I have a lot of unfinished projects! Every time I see something new, I want to try it. Very bad habit!)

I read about Waldoboro rugs, and of course, I wanted to try the technique. The star fish and the shells were hooked very high, the loops were cut, and then the shapes were clipped with scissors to form the high pile and three-dimensional design motif.

Leaves

Leaf Rug, 2012

Wool strips and wool yarn on linen, 14" x 14"

This is a pillow top made during the Deanne Fitzpatrick course.  Now.... to put the pillow together.

Winter Night Rug

Winter Night Mat, 2012

Wool strips on linen backing, 10" x 9"
Private collection

I'm enrolled in Deanne Fitzpatrick's new online course, "Getting Wild with Style". This piece was created with a Van Gogh influence and my fascination with vast expanses and "big" skies. I love the color of snow on a moonlit night.  I might be standing in the darkened room in the farmhouse looking out the window.
The wool for the snow was dyed in a roll.  I sandwiched together different colors of wool, rolled them like a jelly roll, and tied it with string.  I put the roll in water in the dye pot with soap, put it on the stove, and let the colors bleed out of the pieces.  After a while, I added vinegar and the color reabsorbed.  I like the result, but I can't replicate it.

Pillow

Rug Hooked Pillow

Hand dyed wool, 14", 2012

This pillow is made from an old Karlkraft pattern that I bought on Ebay.  The pattern is the rooster with a plain background. Not wanting to hook the background in one color, I took my Sharpie and drew a landscape.  I used the colors from the bird in the background. 

I put the pillow together 4 days ago and already had to take it apart and repair "the cat" pulls.  Guess I'll have to put it away for now.

Penny Rug

Penny Rug

Hand dyed wool, 29" x 21 1/2"

Private collection

I completed this penny rug in a class at The Quilted Crow in Boxborough, MA with Diane Daniels.  This is her design and it is made with hand dyed wool. I cut each applique and basted it to the base fabric before doing the decorative stitches to attach the pieces. All the tongues are backed for a neat appearance. The back is covered with a pumpkin colored cotton.

Library Project

Library Doors

Micron pen on Strathmore bristol, 8.5" x 11"
Private collection

Our library is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2013.  I've been working on some illustrations for a coloring book.  This is one of the 17 illustrations I've done.

Barn Owl

Barn Owl, May 2012

Acrylic on canvas, 4" x 6"

ps. September 8, 2014.  The Barn Owl was entered in the 2014 Sterling Fair and received a first prize blue ribbon.