Primitive kitty

This is my version of the little primitive kitty project featured in the new book, Miniature Punchneedle Embroidery: Simple Techniques Beautiful Projects by Linda Repasky. It's a must-read (or must-have!) if you're interested in this type of needlecraft. The book is very well written, has outstanding photos for visual learning, and is just chock-full of useful information. And check out these pretty hand-dyed cotton threads, Wildflowers by Caron. I was recently turned onto using them for pne. The kitty and border were worked using these. The background is 2 strands of cotton embroidery floss.
Now, back to rug hooking.

Turning lemons into lemonade

I never much liked the saying but it's turned out to be that kind of weekend. I didn't have any lemons but I did have my cats' old worn felt ball and the need for another pin cushion. I didn't pay attention to stitch perfection but had fun making my new pin cushion. (and it makes a funky creature turned upside down).

Cambridge Hooked Rug Exhibit

It's not every day there's a hooked rug exhibit so if you happen to be in the Cambridge, Ma. area in the next couple weeks, plan to see The Passion of Emily Robertson: Contemporary Hooked Rugs in the Sherrill Library at the Episcopal Divinity School on Brattle St. All the rugs are wonderful and span a variety of styles, including some of her garden rugs that are brilliant expressions of light and shadow. Other rugs are downright humorous and thought-provoking. Emily joined our rug hooking group when she moved to Cambridge to pursue another degree. The rug shown is taken from the Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild's web site. Emily will be one of the featured artists at the guild's rug show in April. Bravo, Emmy!

Permanent UFO?

I'm heavily leaning towards putting this mat, Swirling Seaweed, into the not-to-be-completed pile. The design originally had a dragon fly in the upper right area but I wasn't satisfied with how that was turning out, so I nixed the dragonfly and thought I might add a needle felted lotus. But I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be happy with that because I just dislike how this is turning out. I'm also not satisfied with the dark background. The green seaweed is temporary bits and pieces until I find the green wool I was going to use. My original thought was a moonlight Asian inspired image. The design was inspired by an antique Deerfield embroidery. Maybe I should rip it all out and restart with different colors?

Put Yer Feets Up Thursdays

Week 4: Center Stripe
This stripe variation is one of my favorites. I like using these colors and should do some dying because I'm completely out of the terra cotta color. I love mixing salmon-pink with terra cotta or warm oranges. The result is lively I think. I didn't plan the pattern other than the center stripe. The rest of the design I decided as I went along.

Crafty day

Today was a mixed bag. Here's some marble magnets I made using last year's calendar. I also framed yesterday's embroidery piece and sketched out some potential designs for rug hooking projects.

Eat, drink, and be merry

I finished this pn embroidery last night. It's 3.75 x 2.5 inches. I used one strand of embroidery floss. I have a little black frame I'm going to put it in. I'll find a spot to hang it in the kitchen.

Put Yer Feets Up Thursdays

Week 3: Klee's Twilight
Thursday's going to be a busy day so I'm jumping the gun! This stool was inspired by Paul Klee's "Fire in the Evening" painting. I was looking at a book on Klee and realized I had just dyed some similar colors. I planned the design as I went along, again starting at one end, switching to the other end, and meeting in the middle. I remember being a bit nervous that it wouldn't be balanced as I headed toward the middle, but it seemed to work out fine.

Swirls Round

Okay, you get a heart today. This was my first attempt at needle punch embroidery. Quite bad, but it's the thought that counts.

Flowers and Vines

I just finished hooking this. It's a good thing because I had just enough of the main background color. After steaming it, I'll do the upholstery step and then this stool wil be finished. Bad photo I know- I think my camera's focusing ability may be on the decline. I hope not - maybe new batteries will do the trick.

Put Yer Feets Up Thursdays

Week 2
9 circles for February 9! This stool was fun to hook. I enjoyed making each circle different while using the same wools in each. I've been meaning to make another with circles, but with the circles placed randomly.

Mafrash Discovery

Friday after work I went down the street to the Armenian Library and Museum. It was a nice way to shift away from the work week. One of the exhibits on view right now is about Turkish baths. There were some absolutely beautifully embroidered bath towels and bundling cloths. There were also some mafrashes - large storage containers made from kilims. The patterns and colors were great. I was very interested in how the edges were joined. It looks like the edges were sewn together with overcast stitches and then covered with herringbone stitches. Sue, the textile conservator at the museum, showed me Mafrash, a book they had just acquired. It was filled with lots of wonderful photos. You can always be guaranteed you’ll see some interesting textiles at the Armenian Museum. I found an online exhibit from the New England Rug Society “To Have and To Hold” that has lots of photos and good information.

Put Yer Feets Up Thursdays

Week 1:
I've decided to do a weekly feature for awhile highlighting some of the stools and ottomans I've hooked and made. This was the first one I made using this metal frame. It was a housewarming gift for one of my sisters but I hope she doesn't mind the flaws. These hand dyed colors are some of my favorites. I let the stripe pattern evolve as I hooked it. I started at one end, then switched to the other, and finished up in the middle. It was the start of enjoying stripes.
Check the links in the sidebar for an online random stripe maker I found. Endless possibilties and it's also great for looking at color combinations.