Log Cabin #2

 Log Cabin #2

Whenever I share a rug without a black cat I hear about it

This one is about the same as the first one

with the addition of 2 black cats

pattern on linen available

As for yesterday's comment about taking that huge rug apart

will not happen

my NC sister wants it

so I have a year to get it done

90* here today

I'm done being outside

Giant Pink Flowers

 

My latest design

I'm stuck in a loop of black cats

flags and lollipop flowers

19 x 11.5

available on linen or paper

These two were great fun to hook!

Another of my new designs 

Cat in the Flowers

adapted from two antique rugs

With more free time 

I see a lot of hooking in my future

Starting Another Rug

I'm starting a new mostly unplanned rug

if you'd like to hook a long with me

these rugs from Pinterest

are all border ideas

you are in no way limited to these borders...

my rug will be large 

because that's the piece of linen I want to use up

from my 

"I'm never going to hook this pattern" stash

I'll use as many of the worms from my stash as possible

I'll cut more as needed

I've chosen a color palette

as in...no orange 

 

my "plan" is for a flag rug

with a busy border

I'll be doing an American flag

you can choose your own

 

I like asymmetrical rugs

so my borders will all be different

probably

see where I'm going?

loose plans

if this rug inspired me 

I'd just replace the elephant with a flag

maybe stay neutral

maybe use color

 

 

a couple more no brainers

replace basket or dog with a flag 

I'd put pennies in the corners 

very simple

 these two are my biggest inspirations...

both color and design

*****

so that's how I start planning an unplanned rug

I'm beginning in the left upper corner

will share photos as I go

other ideas will be shared in 

The Out of Hand Rug Hooker group on FB

Srappy Tips

Saundra

asked me about my hit-n-miss hooking

I should really just refer to it as scrappy

I choose my colors palette...

this project included all the colors except the light neutrals

mostly medium to light shades

no high contrast strips

I have a ton of worms after cutting so many last year 

for Mom and Ann to sort for me

 normally there would never be a mountain of worms

they have been sorted by color

then into light, medium and dark bundles
placed in a large basket by color

I pull a bunch of worms 
 put them on the rug in progress

my huge Talon frame has given me lots of room

to the left in this photo is a small basket overflowing with worms

I work from these worms

pulling from the large baskets as needed

I NEVER pull a random strip and hook

the traditional way to hit-n-miss

I have to like the feel of the rug I'm hooking
I've tried the traditional way and it doesn't work for me

I hate to waste linen

normally I draw my pattern leaving a 2-3 inch background

stitch on some scrap fabric so I can move it on the frame

usually I hook beyond the marked outside edge too

adding scrap fabric to your background 
lets you hook on small pieces of linen

if you purchase a pattern 

with a generous background

stitch some fabric to the edge before hooking

then use the excess linen for coasters or ornaments
before you take it off the frame

*while this one is off the frame

I'm going to do a few more small pumpkin mats

some of my rugs from years ago

the American Alphabet Crow was such fun to hook

if I remember correctly I did the border first

without any idea of what would go in the middle
obviously my design

bottom left is a Lori Brechlin pattern 

Old Glory my own drawing

it feels good to be back hooking

thanks to all who have welcomed me back

Flag Day

A few more prim stitcheries from last summer...no patterns, I just put a backing in the hoop and stitch away making it up as I go...these end up being some of my favorite pieces...really OOAK...

Liberty

Love this rug...my own simple design...I did happen to hook two of these rugs...one I sold and one went to Mom...it was supposed to be for me!

Birds, Flags and Sunflowers

Another hooked rug that now belongs to my sister Deb...hooked it a few years ago when inspired by some designs of Lori Brechlin(notforgottenfarm)...a free and unplanned piece wool wise...just used pieces form the snippet basket...a very happy rug...

Americana Stitcheries...

Last summer I was in a very low point creatively and fell back on some old favorites...prim stitching on prairie cloth...didn't use a chart or draw anything out...just made it up as I went along...these are just of a few of the many small pieces I did...have to make little pinkeeps from the rest...are perfect for tucking in bowls or on doll laps...

They are all walnut stained, backed with plaid wool and stuffed with snippets and scraps of wool...keeps pins and needles from rusting and give a nice heavy, lumpy feel to finished piece.

Flag Hit*n*Miss

I could hook flag rugs forever...especially with a scrap border...this one has been on the wall in my living room and is coming down for a while...am planning on making a few more larger flag rugs soon...just have to find time to dye some more red wool...