Bambi Is Finished!

(Lousy phone camera. It's not so highly contrasting, nor the reds/oranges/purples as bright)

I finally finished my Bambi Rug (last night)! Yes, after 6 months (although a lot of that time I didn't touch it excepting at the weekends, so it could have been quicker).

We (the One True and I) went on an emergency trip to Kazari in Prahran last Saturday, because, even though I have as much fabric as they do, I didn't have anything that looked right for the rug binding. Nothing! And, being silks and cottons (and nylons), I wasn't going to use wool (which I could dye the right colour but which wouldn't look right, texture-wise).

I managed to find (within the first minute) the perfect colour and a pleasing texture to use. An old kimono, unlined, $20. You can see it in this awfully blurred and temporary photo (which shows the colour well, nonetheless). It's fluffy because I cut off-grain and the back-colour shows at the edges (an old shell-pinky shade). Noice.

I also had to have a $10 length of gorgeous, purple, silk-satin damask (amazing colour), and... a shell thingy and a fabulous ceramic bird in jade green. While I was choosing the fabric (and I looked at every roll of cloth in the shop, but came back to the first choice) my Fella went to the art supply shop and spent loads of money. Loads. So, our $20 ended up being nearly $300. Sooo naughty.

But we don't care.

Bambi's now in pride of place in front of the chaise, looking the wrong size but nearby enough, for the moment, to gaze upon all of those beautiful mostly vintage silks.

Anne's Santa Star Rug

"My Santa Star Rug finally finished, although not quite, still the binding to do and a few spaces I need to fill in and a steam.

A pattern by Leah Smith, it was originally intended for a star shaped pillow or on a board, but I decided to turn it into a rug instead as I thought it would make for easier storing when not in use.

Measures 26"(66cm) by 24 1/2"(62cm) done in a #8 cut wool.

What to finish next??  Or start!!"

January 2015- HAPPY NEW YEAR

What a wonderful day we had.

Our group is growing. We had another lady come and enjoy the fellowship of rug hookers, wanting to learn the art of hooking.

Welcome to our group Wendy.

Wendy started off like a whirlwind, and took to hooking like a fish takes to water, with no mistakes and beautiful ‘Shepherd’ corners. Gene would have been proud of her. No loopy backs for Wendy. Maybe she will have an up and coming rug on the go by next month, who knows. You have to be keen when you will drive from Seymour to Warrandyte for a meeting, and that’s what we all are, with most of us travelling an hour for our get togethers.

It was great to see Robyne and her daughter Claire too, it has been some time since I have seen Robyne, and although she could only stay for an hour it was a lovely time of catching up. We are hoping Robyne, and maybe Claire will be with us again next month, [hopefully for good].

Robyne showed us her beautiful Magdalena Briny Eby inspired Bambi rug, which she has been working on. This rug has special memories for her as she is using up her stash of all types of fabrics from her past. Yes fabrics can bring back memories.

Anne has been working furiously on her santa rug and I am sure it will definitely be finished before next Christmas, while at the same time her lovely pear chairpad is nearly finished.

Joy also worked furiously, to finish the herringbone whipped edge on her ‘Manet’s melon’ rug so that a photo could be taken of the completed rug, and then onto her ‘last leaf rug’ which is waiting to be edged. 

Jen walked in late having had to work in the morning but she couldn’t stay away and quickly whisked her ‘tightrope to the sun’ rug out to do some work on it before home time.

Sandra was quietly working away at Shaun looking a very schmick sheep indeed and Leanne, had brought in her adult [as in skill, nothing else OK?] colouring book working in artist's water colour colouring pencils. 

Me, myself and I started on a punchneedle embroidery, having no rug to work on at present, but that will soon be rectified as I still have one, yes, only one portrait rug to do to complete my set of six grandchildren’s rugs. However, I will also have my oriental floor rug to work on, but this only at home- it is definitely not portable. 

Cheers, till next time :)

Still Thinking Of Magdalena Briny Eby

Well, I am still thinking of Magdalena Briner Eby,ish... though not trying to copy her so much as starting with her work in mind. She had a fantastic, organic style, and this rug has been growing too, rather than following any pre-known or colour plan. I like to begin with the Must Use fabrics or Definitely Will Include colours, and then follow their lead.

As usual, in so doing, I make work for myself. But the idea of using old clothes and fabrics dictates the colours and you can't always know what works, in advance. As opposed to dyeing woollen cloths to suit, that is (where you obviously have a plan).

I've really made inroads into my (often) Japanese silk and my (unwearable) vintage clothes stashes! It feels at once wasteful and the exact opposite. You can't see the details of prints etc., but the lusciousness abides! And I don't do so much embroidery these days so it's just sitting there accusing me.

Scribbles become intelligible if you Add Too Many!

These are just crummy 'phone shots. My camera had Alzheimer's. So... the colours aren't good in this overall shot. Probably, the first photo is most accurate.