Next Rug Group Day 20th October at Robyne's

 I'm at The Patch in the (Mt.) Dandenong's and will be ready for invasion by 10am on Saturday. 
Call me on 0410876096 or email at r.m.square@bigpond.com

Magpie rug being used as a chair pad on one of the Hubby's willow chairs (clever boy). The fox pelt was road-kill.

I bought this from a local Op Shop for $15. I hummed and aahhed but couldn't leave it there in the end. It's wool, not latched but worked from the back I'd say. I love it!
Not sure where it will end up yet... In the big Activities Room when we build it? Grandchildren? Kids? We'll see.

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.

Grandma's (Pure!) Nylon Bambi Rug

Many years ago when my Grandma died (1993), I saved most of her clothes to use for crafts.

She had a heap of overcoats and loads of ‘Pure Nylon’ tops and pant suits, many of which were paisley and bright. Quite lairy was my old Grandma. Born in 1909, she found her heels (but not her temperament) in the 60’s. Well, with the fabrics and ‘kitsch’ of the era. I have lots of her old bric-a-brac and have added much of my own now too. What was once my Grandma’s style is now my style too. I have a collection of little porcelain fawns and Bambi’s, for example, which is a definite a Grandma influence.

I madeWagga’s out of Grandma’s coats, and still use remnants in all sorts of things: blankets, pot-holders and rugs.

When I first collected the nylons, I imagined using them in hooked rugs, what else after all? They don’t feel so nice to wear and can get a bit smelly, ew. I had bought, or rather borrowed Joan Mortimer’s fabulous book on Rug Hooking, so here was reason enough to save these quite lovely fabrics and save the memories that went with them.

Years went by. I made my ‘Grandma Curtains’ with some, embroidering notes and letters and recipes from my childhood and my life with Grandma and Mum. We three sewers. These adorn my sewing room, appropriately.

But this week, after having a bundle of colours made up for the last year, I started my Grandma’s Bambi rug (name in progress). It’s been sitting in the back of my mind for so long! As ideas do. All I want to do now is work on the rug, even though I really have no place for it in my tiny little house. Let alone anywhere for a pink deer rug! (I can hear your comments about that from here, and I am going ahead so you see, I agree).

Anyhow, the main reason I wanted to write about this is that I feel the intimacy of my Grandma so very much, doing this. Grandma was a quick sewer. Always eager to try something new and get on with it. She used pinking shears rather than zig-zag on the seams (pre overlocker days). I’m not like that. I’m fastidious, but have otherwise almost completely morphed her into myself.

As I pull apart these nylon clothes, I see her quick and ‘strong-but-not- blind’ hemming and remember when I got her to make my end-of-year dress for dressmaker’s college (myself a lazy 16 year old) and lost marks for the pragmatic but not saleable, invisible hem. And last night as I unpicked another outfit, I discovered Grandma’s pencil marks for her darts. It brought a tear to my eye and a pang of loneliness for her and for my Mum. We three sewers who shared so much.

Only I, remaining, know these things about my Grandma. When I look inside these old clothes, I know instantly if she made it and that makes me smile. I still miss her terribly even after this time, but she is hooked into posterity with this very bright, pink, maybe a little bit kitsch, Bambi rug.

Not sure about the background... scenery? Grass and sky? We'll see.

The Ruggy Seat Covers

OK, here they are. I like the first (pink tabby) the best.

I want to avoid the direction I'm heading, style-wise, and need to think on it a bit.

I like him, and I love the colours, but...

Blossom. You can still get a pattern for Blossom if you email me at r.m.square@bigpond.com. For free that is. If you're new, there are a few tips you might find useful.

There is minimal dyeing here, just the tan colours in the ears. It makes for a different look I feel, and may be part of what I like. I love dyeing though, so there's loads to ponder.

Foxy didn't feel as if it needed bobbles. It's quite chunky. Overall, Foxy gives a lovely warm hue to the kitchen.

Developing your own (my own) style means thinking about (and applying) what you like and don't like. I find that if I have references around me while I work (in Foxy's case it was various photo's of foxes) then I will go in that direction unless I purposely redirect my thinking.

I guess that indicates that there is a style that comes unbidden (and is therefore my own natural tendency), and a style that I seek to satisfy my brain (for example, I can truly hate my drawing style. I have always to apply discipline to avoid going to a hateful place). It's better if I draw my picture, from whatever references I like, then refer to my drawing instead of the photo's. If I get that right, the rest will follow. Ish.

But, it's not a biggie. It's not Rembrandt. It's all fun and when I say fun I mean heaps of fun. Rug hooking is a lovely thing to do.

Foxy Seat Cover Almost Done

I've changed the eyes quite a bit.
With the very dark surrounds, you saw nothing else. Just the eyes.

 Compare it to the previous post.
I may take out some of the red to the right underside of the right eye too.

The most exciting thing about it is, now I can figure out my next project! I have a few pictures in mind. My major drawback is having such a small house. The bar-type stools have been a good introduction, oh and the Uzbekistan rug. Being for the kitchen, they don't have to be too serious.

Looking forward to next Saturday too, with the gals!! 

Foxy Seat Cover

So at last I get around to posting... sorry guys! Life gets ridiculously busy, but, now that I'm spending time looking after my old, old Dad, it's actually giving me some craft time. Plus, he has a big back verandah where I can set up and make dust without worrying.
Lately though, I drag Mums old, disused ironing board into the lounge room and work on my rug standing up (my preferred position) in front of the tele, where we can chat (actually I just watch my old, old Dad snooze and watch what I want, like 'Arthur 2' the other night). It's just where I used to so the ironing as a child too. Hankies, pillowslips, sheets... remember when we ironed everything?
So, Foxy is for the third foot-stool we have at mine. The other two are cats now. I printed out a heap of fox pictures and use them to do choose how to colour in. Plenty of tweaking to do yet!

Robyne's Blossom For Her (Ample) Bottom

She's finished! I finally got around to taking a little out for the darts (to make it sit nicer around the cushion) and made a heap of pom-poms and put it all together. Another happy project off the list and into use! Yay!

It's only a lowish seat/stool. A bubsy seat.

If you want a copy of the pattern (just the design in the circles, not with the darts) please email me at r.m.square@bigpond.com and I'll send you a copy. For free, that is.

Lis and her Bird

Here is an update on Lis's rug, with her gorgeous pet bird along for a ride!

 

Uzbekistan Update

A few more pics and blether here.

OK, Last Post! The Bling Is In Place & The Seat Is In Use.

It's so much nicer in real life.

 

 

This is my grandfather's needle case and hook needle. He was an upholsterer for the Victorian Railways. He worked on the Southern Aurora and domestic trains... the old Red Rattlers. It's lovely to use his needle. Dah died when I was 8 but I remember him well. He made things for us all of the time... a shield for my brother, a doll's cot or cradle or a castle or a garage. A lovely man.

What Do You Think Of The Whiskers?

I have yet to finish stitching the darts, and need to build up the stool with foam (I made the cat mat bigger than the present seat cover to that end). My One True Love thinks the whiskers are too busy, but I can't see for looking anymore. Maybe the multi-coloured wool thread with the blue is wrong? Or is it right? He barely glanced at it and was feeling a bit tired and maybe a bit grumpy at the time... and I'm confused.
One friend said that with the whiskers, it looks more grown up and without them it's like a little kitten. I want the kitten! I'll halt for a night or two to decide.
Please pipe up!

Kitty's Ready Now, Yay!

So, The kitten is finished and I'm onto the border. Yay! I had loads of fun dyeing bits and bobs to make out the various details. Mostly it's old blankets. Almost exclusively.
The kitty circle is 53 cm across and the whole is 50-ish cm across.
I am now thoroughly addicted and took it on the train and did some at work too. Business men in suits probably wondered where all of the fluff on their trousers came from. I tried to shield it with my scarf but...
They're used to me doing things at work and cast me affectionate glances (I'm pretty well alone as a crafter there). Happy La!

Moving Right Along!

It's getting there.
The orange bit will be the sides of the seat cover. I'm going to put a blue stripe in it though, nearer to the blue background though, to funk up the transition.
I did find a pile of old plaid style (and other) blankets at an Op Shop last Thursday. Really grand 70's style colours, tans and creams. Great also for dyeing, which I did into the wee hours last night. The browns were just the thing.
Photographing is a good way to get a look at what you're (I'm) doing. I hadn't noticed a few things until just now! The left ear, for example (our left, kitten's right)... it's finished in as much as there is no gap left, but I can see I may need to edit it a little, to define it better.
I intend to embroider some whiskers last of all. I'm sure that will change the look dramatically.

Moving Along

I hope I don't bore everyone with my incessant progress reports? Hmmm...

 

I've trimmed the face on the right side (our right) and altered the eye there too, a bit. Maybe I could do a little more? Yes, I think I will. Getting there...

Elisabeth's Three Sheep Rug

 

I finished my first wool strip rug hooking project... the '3 sheep' rug, on the weekend.  I have to say that I am very proud of myself.  I have even put the binding on (with thanks to the internet)!  

I am currently designing my next pattern.  It will be a geometric style rug allowing me to use lots of different colours... very excited about starting it!  I figured it was a good idea to keep practicing before I spend the dollars on buying a kit from the US.

 

I first started rug hooking by using yarn. I found this quite a challenge as I kept splitting the wool. We had our get together last month and I found out (with help from the lovely Joy) that my technique was not right. I wasn't getting the correct tension. The yarn rug was put aside (for the moment) and out came a kit that I purchased from the US. Once I started working with the wool strips, and the correct technique, everything came together. I was truly hooked! My rug hooking frame rotates, which I found very helpful, no need to twist and turn. I must confess though... I have 'hookers arm'. I must wear long sleeves and avoid the bare strips on the frame! Nothing a bit of Olay cream won't fix!

I guess my tip is, as a beginner, to relax and enjoy the journey! Holding your first completed rug is such a wonderful sense of achievement.

Now... onto project number two!

Here is a picture of the new venture.  I have pencilled the design and if anyone has any tips/ideas, please let me know.

 

Cat Update

 

I can see that I need to make the background wider on the right hand side. And my One True Love says the eyes are too blue. I will think upon it. Obviously, it's not a realism issue, but is a graphic issue. Soft green might be prettier.…Also, I don't think the orange patch in the right side ear is right, so that'll come out too. It's so easy to edit! Please jump in with suggestions at any time!

This is the picture I've used (kind of) in the colouring in. I should have used it as my original sketching references, it's a pretty little kitten and mine's a bit grumpy.

 

Started At Last!

This is my first 'rug'. The cat foot-stool cover. I didn't have the ginger-tabby colours I'd thought to use, and hadn't a pot for dyeing (actually I bought a large bowl at lunch time just now), so after sorting out my woollens, decided to use the tartans (I have heaps since it's almost all I ever wear).
It's loads of fun!
The eyes are too big, the buttery-palest-yellow (looks more cream here) is not quite right but Oh Well. I've since pulled out all of my tabby-cat pictures, and outlined the highlights, which are different than what I've hooked so far. I can see how I could have made it friendlier... and better... might not be too late and I can always give it to my grand-daughter and do another. I'm feeling relaxed about it though, since it's number one and The Official Trial Run.
This is my first attempt, other than a little yarn thing I started 20 years ago. I've never done hooking with the fabric strips and am in Love! Lerve! Luff! I am genuinely as happy as a lark! It's good to be so easily pleased!
The light blue/pink is the sample of my background. Those old pink and blue checked blankets work up to be just gorgeous!

I've used varying widths of fabric, varying weights too. I'm not trying terribly hard to maintain consistant loops, more to get the colour down. It's such a pleasure.
The backing is cheap coloured hessian from Spotlight. Nothing special.
Already, with my other (more important and linen backed) rug design pinned up near where I work, so many ideas are forming.
It's terrific to have started and there's no turning back now.
I found Jeanne Sullivan's tutorials very helpful. She reminds me of Kaffe Fasset, the way they are so matter-of-fact about things. "You just do this", no fuss, and hence no intimidation. If you love something, you'll pick it up, is my philosophy.