tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54194752384981362682024-02-02T14:38:47.169-08:00northwest folk designhook what makes your heart sing
northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-87701123848979159222017-06-30T11:02:00.001-07:002017-06-30T11:02:47.508-07:00A Tale of Two Whale Tails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpWIgx9llw9UN9ynRd9EsH6VIP6AZ47s0WAkUhK3AI9qOUPDxxhXEBG4YW-kq8v2slXngdGHm4zA1MIJJRmerh56vAfGzeNNOL9GeZmVl3EnuAgxyi-8cvZTEMymc1Eev5gnf2Iqw7msM/s2048/Photo+20170630110207180" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpWIgx9llw9UN9ynRd9EsH6VIP6AZ47s0WAkUhK3AI9qOUPDxxhXEBG4YW-kq8v2slXngdGHm4zA1MIJJRmerh56vAfGzeNNOL9GeZmVl3EnuAgxyi-8cvZTEMymc1Eev5gnf2Iqw7msM/s500/Photo+20170630110207180" id="blogsy-1498845765936.7947" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy47zyD-dJQR3xoPM1fBuhFBoOCge-Kl2Qf9UzGf6CzSnJRaXYHAJA8_76sFDclrwFngdY295TPgVZoxBr1yLDNO9kKK6lmwtYfz6DtUTmSpLaB48IcDPLhl_YhhBXrSEQWIjpSaSkp12z/s2048/Photo+20170630110207315" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy47zyD-dJQR3xoPM1fBuhFBoOCge-Kl2Qf9UzGf6CzSnJRaXYHAJA8_76sFDclrwFngdY295TPgVZoxBr1yLDNO9kKK6lmwtYfz6DtUTmSpLaB48IcDPLhl_YhhBXrSEQWIjpSaSkp12z/s500/Photo+20170630110207315" id="blogsy-1498845765917.3635" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="222"></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">This May, I finished my whale rug, Windrose Whale that I had blogged about in April. </font></span><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">It was a delightful pattern to hook, and I’m excited to offer it at my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop. As I said before, the whale with the compass rose, floating roses and arching branches was a fun rug to create.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYBoyMEMZ2PAnyFd1WqJpSq19zj9U8T9lR6Z1LZojWnFNwxp2pX6x_ImhQxfzvpfpfTaCp4VC8DEZHkhBtl5Tjgz3u93siNJ1yXKT2qBpbZQyBkhuv5tJQXBrsfyhL6S9MibCcKZLdKpJ/s1153/Photo+20170630110207360" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYBoyMEMZ2PAnyFd1WqJpSq19zj9U8T9lR6Z1LZojWnFNwxp2pX6x_ImhQxfzvpfpfTaCp4VC8DEZHkhBtl5Tjgz3u93siNJ1yXKT2qBpbZQyBkhuv5tJQXBrsfyhL6S9MibCcKZLdKpJ/s500/Photo+20170630110207360" id="blogsy-1498845765964.027" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="401"></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I had barely finished hooking Windrose Whale, when I got the idea to make another whale rug. I was curious. What if I used the exact SAME whale, but changed everything else. Could I create a totally different feel to this new rug.</span><br></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">That is how, Find Your Anchor, came to be. The whale is the same shape, but the color and hooking technique are different. This whale is hooked with darker wool, greens, blacks, browns and has a few directional lines running across his middle. </span><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l6IPFnpNhqwsegAFixDZu5sOmQm8r7AVCCLzIBiFy-fQmn5kz2npIhD8LbA4eQG_JD1uc_1XxDBj-GQOCoT3CKGILJsy1-P3vPDjWjUHWgIEUVR9OoyWGBqEPfVPWQ6spugk-Ua4QyBK/s2048/Photo+20170630110207525" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0l6IPFnpNhqwsegAFixDZu5sOmQm8r7AVCCLzIBiFy-fQmn5kz2npIhD8LbA4eQG_JD1uc_1XxDBj-GQOCoT3CKGILJsy1-P3vPDjWjUHWgIEUVR9OoyWGBqEPfVPWQ6spugk-Ua4QyBK/s500/Photo+20170630110207525" id="blogsy-1498845765942.0234" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">I was intrigued with the idea of making a very primitive hit-and-miss style background. The whale is a dark neutral, so there were a lot of color choices available for background colors. I am a sucker for using reds and greens, complimentary colors, with a wide range of neutrals. The more neutrals you use, in similar range of value to your colors, the murkier or softer the rug will be. The greens ranged from olive to khakis, the reds were red orange, maroon, with paisleys and textures to add more interest. The neutrals in the background are beige, dulled oatmeal, taupe and camel.</font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5"><br></font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9iSaPoaTL7fAY8kmzW1Jd2nDCK6l_tD-znBxOpk37B6_mmhaHowRFxvwMtRj93NwaI2LQmGaTaz_OXPg3x6vYD08T_uSTB8BkiIC9JGveUOCpNz_UKHjINgRUd3pZM4WAV40agxxaW1B/s2048/Photo+20170630110207690" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9iSaPoaTL7fAY8kmzW1Jd2nDCK6l_tD-znBxOpk37B6_mmhaHowRFxvwMtRj93NwaI2LQmGaTaz_OXPg3x6vYD08T_uSTB8BkiIC9JGveUOCpNz_UKHjINgRUd3pZM4WAV40agxxaW1B/s500/Photo+20170630110207690" id="blogsy-1498845765940.138" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="458"></a></div><p><font size="5"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The whale was the central motif, but somehow the idea of an anchor within the design became just as important as the whale, and then, adding words seemed like a fun way to create</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">balance to the piece and the hearts spouting from the blowhole helped to convey a heartfelt message….Find YOUR Anchor!</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13.1px;"><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The red hearts originate at the whale’s blowhole and expand as they float with the current of the background. It was exciting to use the strong intense reds within the hearts, because the rest of the rug had limited hints of reds, so that the red would not take over the whole rug.</span><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><br></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">Finally, the anchor and lettering, used similar strong dark colors as in the whale to tie those central motifs to the rest of the rug! </font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13.1px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">I did a tunneling sort of outline around the whale and hearts and just a bit of the anchor with a narrow cut of the grayed oatmeal color. I liked how it made those motifs stand out more, and added a bit of quirkiness to the rug. </font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVucMm6TOmDnMbW3LDSejc_pS-VXZzDDYjZlCfCRJY8qmjqpGYa0Sag6kQHvLc-rRT5lQZzY8BciBpC7weNObdv-GaO8v9OkD13rrkVHJznt7yP46bxzwnrtXZhwdEYKwK-Vb2DIDajR-/s2048/Photo+20170630110207922" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVucMm6TOmDnMbW3LDSejc_pS-VXZzDDYjZlCfCRJY8qmjqpGYa0Sag6kQHvLc-rRT5lQZzY8BciBpC7weNObdv-GaO8v9OkD13rrkVHJznt7yP46bxzwnrtXZhwdEYKwK-Vb2DIDajR-/s500/Photo+20170630110207922" id="blogsy-1498845765993.0513" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">In the end, I am very pleased with both whale rugs, and really cannot choose which is my favorite. So perhaps you will decide to hook a whale with a compass rose to guide you, or a whale with an anchor to help ground you. Then that will become your own story of the Tale of Two Whale Tails! </font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Windrose Whale and Find Your Anchor are both available at my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop. Thank you!</span><br></p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-81544886924630617782017-04-21T21:23:00.001-07:002017-04-21T21:23:04.845-07:00Windrose Whale In-Process<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGuVkvqkTYlY4ZeeUZhoUOcVXpBCNm9MwKj5SIuaAVyQZ28UjBb1l1tdc9tZXVWEM0LLZ7j2IfMO1SuOJ9QTqoal9To3dTfbFhCSzTKamSIfyWedl8l9ySKn6iTK0I9K1eyPnFCbOUHWS/s1936/Photo%25252020170421212242395.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><font size="5"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGuVkvqkTYlY4ZeeUZhoUOcVXpBCNm9MwKj5SIuaAVyQZ28UjBb1l1tdc9tZXVWEM0LLZ7j2IfMO1SuOJ9QTqoal9To3dTfbFhCSzTKamSIfyWedl8l9ySKn6iTK0I9K1eyPnFCbOUHWS/s500/Photo%25252020170421212242395.jpg" id="blogsy-1492834983346.6968" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="500"></font></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">With an upcoming workshop to teach in just two weeks, I should be dyeing wool, writing out lesson plans, getting organized. And, truth be told I am doing all that, but in between the cracks, I am designing and hooking this sweet whale rug! As I hook, I can think more clearly about what needs to be done. It is a win-win situation because I get a new rug design, and I get more focused on the other things I need to do. I have got a lot of lists on my clipboard.</font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">With Windrose Whale, I am still making decisions about color and design. Up until yesterday, the second small scalloped border had been sidelined. I am so excited I decided to rework that idea and add it back in. It brings the whale colors out into the border without being overbearing. The subtle scalloped shape reminds me of waves on the beach, very fitting for a whale rug I think!</font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">I am not sure if I will leave the stems of the arching branch in this soft value, or if I will change it and make it more bold. That is a decision that will wait until I am almost done. Sometime I like a motif to fade into the background. There is no rhyme or reason to that decision, really, it is just what seem to flow best with the main motif and overall balance and feel of the rug.</font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKDbb8nsUxkLJRf1h43JBxntnJb6gbVejvenjzeujGmyUSkNX_QzXCFq1z3bo83jdq4LPmVsAQxolE_cjn6lnFnHtZ79tt7avAL_5sooBzZeBc3viw6tXAm4UEGN9VPimlD8pSofRyEnD/s2048/Photo%25252020170421212242522.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKDbb8nsUxkLJRf1h43JBxntnJb6gbVejvenjzeujGmyUSkNX_QzXCFq1z3bo83jdq4LPmVsAQxolE_cjn6lnFnHtZ79tt7avAL_5sooBzZeBc3viw6tXAm4UEGN9VPimlD8pSofRyEnD/s500/Photo%25252020170421212242522.jpg" id="blogsy-1492834983343.3984" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The whale was so fun to hook using non-directional, or messy hooking technique. I used my marbleized wool, hand-dyed and as-is wool. The way the colors blend makes me think he is coved with algae and barnacles. I love his happy, self-assured personality!</span><br></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">The name of the rug, Windrose Whale has a double meaning. The little magenta pink flowers, or roses represent wild-like roses that cover cottages on Nantucket, but also look very much like a Nootka Rose that grows in meadows and near coastlines here on the west coast.</font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5"> I like the idea that whales migrate around the world, and always find their way home. Hence, the compass markings of N,S, E, and W. I had forgotten that the face of a compass is called a compass rose. I did not know of the other names for a compass, Windrose, or Rose of the Winds! I found either of those names a lovely, fitting description for this piece. </font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><span style="font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">There are still a few openings for my <a href="http://www.iloverughooking.com/nefoartpabym.html" target="_blank" title="Workshop">workshop</a> May 5th and 6th at Shelley Lencioni's of I Love Rug Hooking in Auburn, CA. She has included a super deal where you can stay overnight in her home for far less than a hotel. Check it out and come hook with us! I have beautiful marbleized and hand-dyed wool, and so many ideas I want to share with you! It will be a wonderful, cozy, magical rug hooking weekend!</span><br></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">Windrose Whale will be available for class participants upon request (whether I have finished it or not) as well as all other rug designs at my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop.</font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2PS_vwH29-DRH2iP6_1JX9chSDRpEPZkdZuErZaWWG9vR5eSHSqU63RUig1dUloRHdLSguzrOupO6qm4H2Uat5tqPS4MKAHFg5i4dFP6OvBVgCkugbTkiXcqhEXmgh21kkTO7DmUFZkc/s2048/Photo%25252020170421212242671.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2PS_vwH29-DRH2iP6_1JX9chSDRpEPZkdZuErZaWWG9vR5eSHSqU63RUig1dUloRHdLSguzrOupO6qm4H2Uat5tqPS4MKAHFg5i4dFP6OvBVgCkugbTkiXcqhEXmgh21kkTO7DmUFZkc/s500/Photo%25252020170421212242671.jpg" id="blogsy-1492834983345.7598" class="" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"> </p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-60574655457665108902017-03-29T22:59:00.001-07:002017-03-30T10:20:33.260-07:00Praise Every Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzdpio28fk79A0yc5dpCTKS17WM00GYxYI1yyeNmg64ujN7IadG3VgfsNE6zMdpm4MqpQE_v3Y0lzwD7a8zWX7UEgWLMJoO1XrlI5J1bTgXp7BMvysN1nODSlbBoVHZ9REeyx_7aRpw-0/s2048/Photo%25252020170329225845318.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzdpio28fk79A0yc5dpCTKS17WM00GYxYI1yyeNmg64ujN7IadG3VgfsNE6zMdpm4MqpQE_v3Y0lzwD7a8zWX7UEgWLMJoO1XrlI5J1bTgXp7BMvysN1nODSlbBoVHZ9REeyx_7aRpw-0/s500/Photo%25252020170329225845318.jpg" id="blogsy-1490894399937.5457" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="653" alt=""></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">Praise Every Morning, size 28" x 50" is a rug I designed last summer that has taken me until now to finally complete. Up until a few days ago, I always referred to this as my "big rug". Usually, a name comes to me as I hook, or often before I even start. Yet with this rug, taking over nine months to complete, I was surprised that a name hadn't jumped out at me. Then I remembered backed to the summer when I was thinking about making a big rug.</font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">As the ideas for my rug were coming together, there were several mornings when I would awaken with the song "Morning has Broken" dancing around in my head. The lyrics (praise every morning) now seem like a fitting, positive, uplifting name for this rug. Perhaps like many of you, I grew up loving this song, which was made popular by Cat Stevens, yet it is actually a hymn first published in 1931. The words are by English author Eleanor Farjeon and are set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune. Who knew?!</font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">My design was inspired by an antique rug that had intriguing hit-and-miss sections along with flowers set within diamond shapes against a light greenish background.</font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><font size="5"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">I find it interesting that something as simple as hooking repeated hit-and-miss lines can create unity in a rug. I love how the hit-and-miss repetition keeps drawing my eye in, inspiring me to look longer and see more. The parallel and perpendicular lines are hooked in soft browns and golds on the straight of the grain. The diamond shapes are hooked a little quirky here and there to compliment the homespun feel of the rug. </font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Vc86Ykw8K-agWX_a4cPJNYM3j1_PVLRmj7PU_oqUgqBqIg1UBxVfeQ3W_d7nJz7l-NaO0JukSRPafa9HVIoep0isRDoiVHQReuhC3qfK6Grd-oQ5skT9NLXvemTMtbiBd1S5IyHd0GDb/s1471/Photo%25252020170329225845398.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Vc86Ykw8K-agWX_a4cPJNYM3j1_PVLRmj7PU_oqUgqBqIg1UBxVfeQ3W_d7nJz7l-NaO0JukSRPafa9HVIoep0isRDoiVHQReuhC3qfK6Grd-oQ5skT9NLXvemTMtbiBd1S5IyHd0GDb/s500/Photo%25252020170329225845398.jpg" id="blogsy-1490894399915.1775" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="386" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0bcMiwIbS-WbObny60HE4_xb9pK7KOdYQoo8msVTFGAwNCbI7UpcK1COTfplvyDRgnWOZ795u-4i9wYx50-tGVZxeHBbT4lWMR5xjHLI-qwGAOxsn1qSfYDavnqCy0pAHw7oOh9WxAnE/s1899/Photo%25252020170329225845483.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0bcMiwIbS-WbObny60HE4_xb9pK7KOdYQoo8msVTFGAwNCbI7UpcK1COTfplvyDRgnWOZ795u-4i9wYx50-tGVZxeHBbT4lWMR5xjHLI-qwGAOxsn1qSfYDavnqCy0pAHw7oOh9WxAnE/s500/Photo%25252020170329225845483.jpg" id="blogsy-1490894399970.127" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="369" alt=""></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">Sweet birds, blooming flowers, bold roses, and vining hearts are the focal points within the diamonds that all come together creating a garden theme. I like to think that my little birds are "praising every morning" as they greet the day with song, flitting amongst the flowers in this hooked garden</font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSbNkjqjs8CXhij4weoYsrbf8h8m6_3h4O8qEIFlKBb5f2HJRmfJ2AdvWJDZ18OZBaP_s6KSZdApC8tdpcq3L_NHPM1kGbf1hJysTaowdjaq8P8glOkqzF-GwutXntnMChVxljQj7VSOe/s1858/Photo%25252020170329225845567.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSbNkjqjs8CXhij4weoYsrbf8h8m6_3h4O8qEIFlKBb5f2HJRmfJ2AdvWJDZ18OZBaP_s6KSZdApC8tdpcq3L_NHPM1kGbf1hJysTaowdjaq8P8glOkqzF-GwutXntnMChVxljQj7VSOe/s500/Photo%25252020170329225845567.jpg" id="blogsy-1490894399933.9968" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="379" alt=""></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-large; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Of course, my goal was to use up several of my already cut worms, but this never seems to be the reality for me. I was surprised that I didn't have too many worms left over, but I'm thinking I will have to find another way to design a rug if my goal is to use up wool worms.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAlNavJJSZY9-Bi4ab6Cgr13zLazOkd_0CNHAkZQYn0c8nGcqxucSp7ZRh4my2y0JGUia3hpdTN95ZhO3PBE8SORoXgNhG4GhdYMFiDnYjkOwI0S5ZA-ozOeGeocYXLIhqmDSH7XKB7B9/s2048/Photo%25252020170329225845709.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAlNavJJSZY9-Bi4ab6Cgr13zLazOkd_0CNHAkZQYn0c8nGcqxucSp7ZRh4my2y0JGUia3hpdTN95ZhO3PBE8SORoXgNhG4GhdYMFiDnYjkOwI0S5ZA-ozOeGeocYXLIhqmDSH7XKB7B9/s500/Photo%25252020170329225845709.jpg" id="blogsy-1490894399903.4785" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="634" alt=""></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">I am so happy to finally have my "big rug" on the floor. The lovely soft colors, the hit-and-miss lines, the garden flowers and cheerful birds are reminding me to "praise every morning" too! </font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgX2c1W4eV3kAqtAc3Oxcw5ClL6rQ61X7dgV2LwY9kIqgTSX0Jhmcn5BAUvoEEexr93lXuLj3PhvccgNoch5-SAlskTxEGn6gaWQLAa5CP5ew_0JtqyGG8gjYBnrOB5-IlzQieUwrl0iV/s2048/Photo%25252020170329225845801.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgX2c1W4eV3kAqtAc3Oxcw5ClL6rQ61X7dgV2LwY9kIqgTSX0Jhmcn5BAUvoEEexr93lXuLj3PhvccgNoch5-SAlskTxEGn6gaWQLAa5CP5ew_0JtqyGG8gjYBnrOB5-IlzQieUwrl0iV/s500/Photo%25252020170329225845801.jpg" id="blogsy-1490894399920.6145" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="291" alt=""></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">This pattern and other items are available in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop.</font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><font size="5">Thank you!</font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo9Uk5IDyXVGe_RzuVt4W7KFuHzOa9Y_U8HFcPHZRDALXsUpYIXE91AXlB_hykWhLGCCOt-GA3DLNrGpWvd9KWRQ9UOhJbZy2Di2IoNYzTC1xQhzzmEJTNd_1h9dZkwmce2CJdVgt5wM9/s1787/Photo%25252020170329225845877.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo9Uk5IDyXVGe_RzuVt4W7KFuHzOa9Y_U8HFcPHZRDALXsUpYIXE91AXlB_hykWhLGCCOt-GA3DLNrGpWvd9KWRQ9UOhJbZy2Di2IoNYzTC1xQhzzmEJTNd_1h9dZkwmce2CJdVgt5wM9/s500/Photo%25252020170329225845877.jpg" id="blogsy-1490894399966.023" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="355" alt=""></a></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 12.6px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; -webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span></p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-7335740246778532332017-03-22T22:40:00.001-07:002017-03-22T23:17:08.915-07:00Marbleized Magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSlC-Jsqntamz6tEqRQ4rCCYcNQxpUubR43rUhuu6JKY5P7isiUSY6F-pipAMUmApTlgn5O_E_3c9Sqxw_4-pRKXg9ybnKxz1gvK87VW6PC3qGsHM7gaet-m2te208r5aIkdhFVECBjfQ/s2048/Photo%25252020170322223924782.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSlC-Jsqntamz6tEqRQ4rCCYcNQxpUubR43rUhuu6JKY5P7isiUSY6F-pipAMUmApTlgn5O_E_3c9Sqxw_4-pRKXg9ybnKxz1gvK87VW6PC3qGsHM7gaet-m2te208r5aIkdhFVECBjfQ/s500/Photo%25252020170322223924782.jpg" id="blogsy-1490247949676.7957" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="405" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">These past few weeks I have been lucky enough to spend time in the dye kitchen experimenting with this wonderful dye technique. Marbleizing, the blending of colors onto wool that uses no dye. The technique was invented over 15 years ago by Karen Kahle of Primitive Spirit. I still remember the day she called me to come see the amazing results produced by having colors bleed out onto each other, using no powdered dyes. The wool was breathtaking. Now, years later, as I marbleize my own wool, I am still ridiculously giddy and inspired by the results as I take the wools off the stovetop and unroll them in the sink, seeing the magic unfold before my very eyes.</font></p><p><font size="5">I think what I love most about marbleized wool is the varied color changes that wash over the piece of wool. The base layer can totally change in color depending on what wools were layered next to it. The colors can be soft and muted, or dramatic. Each piece of wool is so versatile because of the coloration, with warm and cool colors that flow over it. Marbleized wool is most often reversible, one side can be very different than the other. Marbleized wool is perfect for blending wools, for a background or motif, because of the depth in color. Those subtle color changes in marbleized wool can be the "bridge wool" that blends readily with other colors, values and texture as you create your hooked rugs.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZpRybRdkE6TeP5ABljTZpUDYuXQbZMgEgT5e-XaRrtCjc-zcw96VVhgo96VUGJTh2y1IJP-ucmVXl4NEv87JXPcKalyyBqWGoDkMw-9RrgIdSxTua_xWzce2HzJORQG0WF-_F_pvUlx9/s1936/Photo%25252020170322223924959.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZpRybRdkE6TeP5ABljTZpUDYuXQbZMgEgT5e-XaRrtCjc-zcw96VVhgo96VUGJTh2y1IJP-ucmVXl4NEv87JXPcKalyyBqWGoDkMw-9RrgIdSxTua_xWzce2HzJORQG0WF-_F_pvUlx9/s500/Photo%25252020170322223924959.jpg" id="blogsy-1490247949736.7102" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">Look at this soft and romantic color combination. I am envisioning a light background with pink budded roses and greens for leaves, reminiscent of an old quilt pattern.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi4mgc8KJP8gSKZgpgQJPF7GXze_KLTg65zcnihx9uiIKxaiNI9wLL5SUhYY1UHS8ENZPxpGCZ0HRiF7Vmptf4sE9-C_WoR7-T2jh9NskamkRwVEkpTxMnRLq4PK1JarzT1ELwMij39Nj/s1936/Photo%25252020170322223925060.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPi4mgc8KJP8gSKZgpgQJPF7GXze_KLTg65zcnihx9uiIKxaiNI9wLL5SUhYY1UHS8ENZPxpGCZ0HRiF7Vmptf4sE9-C_WoR7-T2jh9NskamkRwVEkpTxMnRLq4PK1JarzT1ELwMij39Nj/s500/Photo%25252020170322223925060.jpg" id="blogsy-1490247949707.6077" class="alignnone" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">This color combination might be used with a dramatic red barn, smokey grey sky, and furrowed fields. The possibilities are endless!</font></p><p><font size="5">Currently I am marbleizing wool for two classes that I will be teaching this year. The first class this coming May, with Shelley Lencioni, of I Love Rug Hooking. It will be a two day workshop May, 5 and 6. There is still room in that class, and she has more information posted on her website at iloverughooking.com under "<a href="http://www.iloverughooking.com/nefoartpabym.html" target="_blank" title="Classes">Classes</a>". This will be a fun workshop, nestled away at Shelley's Auburn California studio. I'm excited to teach, share some new patterns, and my dyed and marbleized wool. </font></p><p><font size="5">The other class is a four day workshop in September in Texas. That class is already full. I hope to have more marbleized and dyed wool to add to my Etsy shop and for vending at some local Hook-Ins. Wow, I better get back into the dye kitchen!</font></p><p><font size="5">While I adore the results of marbleized wool, there is a lot of work that goes into choosing the wools, preparing and processing. It takes a long time to get the wools rolled, tied, twisted and up to proper temp, without over processing the wool. It really does seem like magic that this beautiful wool is created without adding dyes. However, my tired feet and stiff back are a good reminder that as in all good things, effort and hard work bring about good results, NOT the flick of a magic wand! </font></p><p><font size="5">Please check back to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> site for patterns, new designs coming, and I hope marbleized and dyed wool too. Thank you!</font></p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-4431155203753210232017-02-13T21:53:00.001-08:002017-02-13T21:53:52.031-08:00Love Binds Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtVv_-8THKF8vVHvirOSPY-lTNRa8El6iXKFf0B5v8hzIger3PWoT78Z6XIOzQMiQFdc_88FXwY2iHC1-2F0pKMLeGsltHFl89DDKtg2Ngk6lIsOXsMafK2FZtdKghIBn12Kz9ugO3R-T/s2048/Photo%25252020170213215324948.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtVv_-8THKF8vVHvirOSPY-lTNRa8El6iXKFf0B5v8hzIger3PWoT78Z6XIOzQMiQFdc_88FXwY2iHC1-2F0pKMLeGsltHFl89DDKtg2Ngk6lIsOXsMafK2FZtdKghIBn12Kz9ugO3R-T/s500/Photo%25252020170213215324948.jpg" id="blogsy-1487051630502.8513" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="312"></a></div><p><font size="5"> Valentine's Day seems like the perfect time to be reminded that, "love binds us"!</font></p><p><font size="5">This phrase, "loves binds us" kept bouncing around in my head, as 2016 came to a close. So, of course, when an idea gets caught in my brain, I did what I always do. I pulled up loops and hooked it into art! </font></p><p><font size="5">I like the simplicity of this design and the soft, romantic colors. The background was hooked with mellow greens, camels, gray and other neutrals. The outline of the hearts was hooked with sari silk. I liked the sheen of the silk, and the unpredictable way the loops lay, because of the differing widths of the silk. I used yarn as well, to add accents to the outline. The inner areas of the hearts were hooked with warm neutrals</font>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TLUmTBSWaNVhqpCtpv0Jpi36KVOp1YR3-qo4MnShl5rA5kUJIL6SaPrCM-xpLyVQwYY9jiyWIvf8SvgtRwED0raDW424Kil9Ycgu9ML_kOO0_szqmKTEDIQTZqgx54NWvKyaVpmcWl7H/s2048/Photo%25252020170213215325095.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TLUmTBSWaNVhqpCtpv0Jpi36KVOp1YR3-qo4MnShl5rA5kUJIL6SaPrCM-xpLyVQwYY9jiyWIvf8SvgtRwED0raDW424Kil9Ycgu9ML_kOO0_szqmKTEDIQTZqgx54NWvKyaVpmcWl7H/s500/Photo%25252020170213215325095.jpg" id="blogsy-1487051630554.3887" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="251"></a></div><p><font size="5">The three little separate squares are each 6" x 6". You can hook one or all three. This idea is a spin-off of my previous Heart Prayer Flag idea, but simpler in construction. Each little square is hooked and finished with a wool backing. A simple sari silk loop is attached to the top. At this point you can either use the loops to attach the little heart squares to a rope, or you can individually pin them to the wall.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrT5XNK7EWGh5rPBfcZ9Yi9o0xsY8AXNUrNWlm1qS4ALFdaJMScJoDlcrTmAB65hMstvax0rGaiMaLfk3uUXUE-vGDONIMsEJ_Kd-pHMivaGgO9bqdxQXugBHHntkkfW3ivLkzfjRtXzU/s2048/Photo%25252020170213215325292.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrT5XNK7EWGh5rPBfcZ9Yi9o0xsY8AXNUrNWlm1qS4ALFdaJMScJoDlcrTmAB65hMstvax0rGaiMaLfk3uUXUE-vGDONIMsEJ_Kd-pHMivaGgO9bqdxQXugBHHntkkfW3ivLkzfjRtXzU/s500/Photo%25252020170213215325292.jpg" id="blogsy-1487051630526.8867" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p><font size="5">This design, with all three heart patterns, is available as one PDF at my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop. So if you need to meditate on good things, creating this project will be a happy distraction. Once completed, this positive message will help remind you to focus on the positive, to breathe, to relax, to remember to find joy, because after all,...."love binds us"!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjxhBmIkF9MZhSI2uxjj_HxlesbXe6baII4fBR6R3_ycmdLKoG3fPzkez2MeiSGrDO6iZNGxTBzHa1NP0eq4nkN-RwIdlmFm8hYTtlQZVVRC12vIYFg8vuOqdrWGN90ZznvWaItMBX7Up/s1936/Photo%25252020170213215325435.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjxhBmIkF9MZhSI2uxjj_HxlesbXe6baII4fBR6R3_ycmdLKoG3fPzkez2MeiSGrDO6iZNGxTBzHa1NP0eq4nkN-RwIdlmFm8hYTtlQZVVRC12vIYFg8vuOqdrWGN90ZznvWaItMBX7Up/s500/Photo%25252020170213215325435.jpg" id="blogsy-1487051630542.6436" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a> </div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-27595084070262490582017-02-08T21:43:00.001-08:002017-02-08T23:00:13.403-08:00Doves Ascending<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsbcghjh0ZUfGFyOOWIPrPEMLSFShsmIiK_azODK6brhti3kXFh75wkI4p5jJsNoTPDmFz1oBj1w-eC6LhybiTxq7GvUaYx4kQQ46_QA_wRSualXwuv5ZG9BaoFCRAYgkGyI658-Klp0w/s1886/Photo%25252020170208214246697.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsbcghjh0ZUfGFyOOWIPrPEMLSFShsmIiK_azODK6brhti3kXFh75wkI4p5jJsNoTPDmFz1oBj1w-eC6LhybiTxq7GvUaYx4kQQ46_QA_wRSualXwuv5ZG9BaoFCRAYgkGyI658-Klp0w/s500/Photo%25252020170208214246697.jpg" id="blogsy-1486623577173.383" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="1136" alt=""></a><font size="5"><br></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p><font size="5">I like the idea that my first rug of 2017 has the message of love, doves and hearts! Doves Ascending is a hopeful way to begin the year don't you think!</font></p><p><font size="5">The scrolling hearts were the original idea that brought me to my sketch book, the doves came later. However, for over a year now I have wanted to do a primitive style rug featuring doves, and some how, some way, the doves insisted on being part of <em>this</em> design. </font></p><p><font size="5">Interestingly enough, last year, my first 2016 rug, was an antique reproduction that featured a dove. My new design, doesn't look anything like the antique one. My intent was not to copy the motifs of the antique rug, rather I wanted to recreate the feeling of peace with doves, and the feeling of motion by how the background was hooked. I had found those elements so inspiring in the antique rug. </font></p><p><font size="5">The color plan is a simple complimentary color plan with reds, dirty greens and neutrals. </font></p><p><font size="5">The doves, the "love" motif, and background are hooked with an 8 cut. The scrolling hearts are hooked with a 6 cut as is the background within the hearts.</font> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEShMS58HEX0Dub3HAd26ejcRMVIL7aIp8ZpPRt_0Of4lcoGmm15Bq9FATp1VYAokx2a5Jj8jwHOlIRnTFP2zrPeIXKj5UnNZGOpq3BpcHJdePtX-lpKR0gYv86fdIRueYih6cYjg6V5e/s2048/Photo%25252020170208214247182.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEShMS58HEX0Dub3HAd26ejcRMVIL7aIp8ZpPRt_0Of4lcoGmm15Bq9FATp1VYAokx2a5Jj8jwHOlIRnTFP2zrPeIXKj5UnNZGOpq3BpcHJdePtX-lpKR0gYv86fdIRueYih6cYjg6V5e/s500/Photo%25252020170208214247182.jpg" id="blogsy-1486623577217.482" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p><font size="5">I really enjoyed hooking each part of this composition.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7HE_iNyUa9jDMnV0eW3-svXHDJhSkkoSgZ_RQVtyrrAjywXT6P0TCpyp2QSkIWZ6iu1o04wglpBcyH6x-uGvbwC7vwSuOpE3mQqs57dDR9v7RFffwDfL88bBsa7Xl2ABqdLJ3rTueqeM/s2048/Photo%25252020170208214247450.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7HE_iNyUa9jDMnV0eW3-svXHDJhSkkoSgZ_RQVtyrrAjywXT6P0TCpyp2QSkIWZ6iu1o04wglpBcyH6x-uGvbwC7vwSuOpE3mQqs57dDR9v7RFffwDfL88bBsa7Xl2ABqdLJ3rTueqeM/s500/Photo%25252020170208214247450.jpg" id="blogsy-1486623577198.3042" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I like how the doves seem to be flying upward, with the background "movement lines" hooked with the wool loops at an angle, seeming to push the doves along.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hooked the doves in dirty whites and light to medium grey. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCwEVxNHvbYM8GtoOYrsyAZriL1twAtDTaH1dGHoGFs6JIRd14CwAjQ39Cr-qPW6P49cCTwDTmdmxqoupwmxP8dZcQiLoBSzWBounsUpGe7gwgYVlnPpUEViB8yOAdPxGc2S9eEjqFmH7/s2048/Photo%25252020170208214247664.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCwEVxNHvbYM8GtoOYrsyAZriL1twAtDTaH1dGHoGFs6JIRd14CwAjQ39Cr-qPW6P49cCTwDTmdmxqoupwmxP8dZcQiLoBSzWBounsUpGe7gwgYVlnPpUEViB8yOAdPxGc2S9eEjqFmH7/s500/Photo%25252020170208214247664.jpg" id="blogsy-1486623577171.8801" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5"> The word "love", seems grounding and significant placed at the bottom of the rug. I like to think, that the doves are carrying that message aloft, upward and onward. Notice how the red outline of the word, disrupts some of the flow of the inner part of the letters. I did that accidentally, but later chose to leave it like that because, well,...love isn't perfect.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwXxn9TxyV3nY2Bjf6n36-HinXZmyq833J9B9c1XszoR8xwVNFP7hvR6zOHbPUurcw4riFzOsBuO6vJS-DaKyogYkkPlCLOHf_tlloZKM_8vOV4Z88YVHmI64vcSG_n8Y_NrCJqsONGrR/s2048/Photo%25252020170208214248097.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwXxn9TxyV3nY2Bjf6n36-HinXZmyq833J9B9c1XszoR8xwVNFP7hvR6zOHbPUurcw4riFzOsBuO6vJS-DaKyogYkkPlCLOHf_tlloZKM_8vOV4Z88YVHmI64vcSG_n8Y_NrCJqsONGrR/s500/Photo%25252020170208214248097.jpg" id="blogsy-1486623577213.6936" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">The earthy green/brown background was the ideal foil for the red hearts. I found that hooking them in a 6 (or smaller cut could work too) was the best way to not have everything get too squished. There are three different, close in value reds that I used. Each line of the heart is a different red. That helped me not get confused as to what line continued where, as they scrolled and circled around to create the connecting hearts.</font><br></p><p><font size="5"><br></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYWC41leTl06AmsDfd0-qfGnyEusJi1x7ZAU8pdwrgnfsFeMN6KKfYKKBxygMO6k6epWk9WnM2uMK48APpPEo19nzKCz5tf6mfYIXUfJ2v3YjnyEIPzRBwBi5EaLygUlFSWwj2orAnTvP/s2048/Photo%25252020170208214248356.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYWC41leTl06AmsDfd0-qfGnyEusJi1x7ZAU8pdwrgnfsFeMN6KKfYKKBxygMO6k6epWk9WnM2uMK48APpPEo19nzKCz5tf6mfYIXUfJ2v3YjnyEIPzRBwBi5EaLygUlFSWwj2orAnTvP/s500/Photo%25252020170208214248356.jpg" id="blogsy-1486623577204.7676" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="667" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p><font size="5"> A friend suggested I offer three different variations of the rug. So there is the original design, Doves Ascending, that is 11" x 30". Two other variations feature the top half of the rug, Scrolling Hearts and Dove. Another variation, Love, Dove, and Hearts, with the lower half of the original rug. Those two designs measure 11"x 17 1/2". (See the listings at my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a>)</font></p><p><font size="5">Hooking this rug was very therapeutic for me these past few weeks. What can be better than practicing your craft, creating a rug, or wall hanging in which the colors, the motifs, the hooking technique all come together to make a design that sends out a positive, love-filled message. </font></p><p><font size="5">I feel blessed! </font></p><p><font size="5">Please visit my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop to see these new designs, or other hooking related items.</font></p><p><font size="5">Also, I'm excited to say I will be teaching this September in Fredericksburg, Texas at Two Stars In Texas Rug Camp. Come hook with me! </font></p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-34704174880247031102016-11-16T21:17:00.001-08:002016-11-16T21:19:57.533-08:00Heart Prayer Flags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxLOly0pIZrk8ogzKru5izXwc-ShSo7ljhI3p9zAyoXZefsICkIlMqtzQnrkunyW9rJ9V0wUvKtIXEs2kBbdUjdun6mHY3RpiUn6frKfqcZUF63kxpZezn2_U4_WIYjddc-NbsMYkmP4a/s2048/Photo%25252020161116211642394.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxLOly0pIZrk8ogzKru5izXwc-ShSo7ljhI3p9zAyoXZefsICkIlMqtzQnrkunyW9rJ9V0wUvKtIXEs2kBbdUjdun6mHY3RpiUn6frKfqcZUF63kxpZezn2_U4_WIYjddc-NbsMYkmP4a/s500/Photo%25252020161116211642394.jpg" id="blogsy-1479359841984.7747" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="334"></a></div><p><font size="5">When it comes to hooking, my guiding force has always been, "Hook what makes your heart sing!" Creating these Heart Prayer Flags does just that. Yet, perhaps you are wondering, just WHAT are Heart Prayer Flags? Let me explain...</font></p><p><font size="5">Earlier this year, the idea came to me to create banners. We rug hookers are always thinking of new ways to use our rug hooking skills. We make all sizes of hooked rugs from very large to small. We make table mats, wall hangings, chair pads, stool covers, mug rugs, ornaments, tree skirts, standing hooked items and even little stuffed animals.</font></p><p><font size="5">For me, the original concept of simply calling them banners, quickly evolved into calling them hooked Heart Prayer Flags, because the idea became much, much more than just a way to use up wool strips. </font></p><p><font size="5">Hooking my Heart Prayer Flags, follows the custom of traditional prayer flags, that honor special events and to share blessings. The prayer flags send out a sort of prayer of peace, love, and kindness to spread out on the winds to the surrounding countryside. Instead of real winds blowing through my Heart Prayer Flags, the winds of creativity, flow through my hands to share, peace, hope, and love in a whimsical, happy sort of way, out into the universe. </font></p><p><font size="5">I am offering two different sets of patterns at my ETSY shop, and you can order them two different ways. As an instant downloadable PDF and as PAPER patterns. The first pattern set is Heart Prayer Flags: St. Nicholas & Reindeer, with three designs. The second pattern set is the Heart Prayer Flags: Snowmen & Snowflake, also with three designs. There are several photos to aid in color selection, how to hook hints, and detailed instructions of how to assemble the Heart Prayer Flags.</font></p><p><font size="5">Making these Heart Prayer Flags: St Nicholas & Reindeer is a fun, sweet way to herald in the holiday season! </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPqBBTXT_ETLgFSDwYnTrI9CExI5H5PqhES-GpLhq3-5ldPUyh-G5J5ITLOh1nIu6kLen47C-ALuK7qEG_WkXhxFBTF_WqhHtfUzNrbf9d_1riUgHzSBRAnkQnHDFCETLJAB2Hq_aiY-X/s2048/Photo%25252020161116211642568.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPqBBTXT_ETLgFSDwYnTrI9CExI5H5PqhES-GpLhq3-5ldPUyh-G5J5ITLOh1nIu6kLen47C-ALuK7qEG_WkXhxFBTF_WqhHtfUzNrbf9d_1riUgHzSBRAnkQnHDFCETLJAB2Hq_aiY-X/s500/Photo%25252020161116211642568.jpg" id="blogsy-1479359841952.1575" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="271"></a></div><p><font size="5"> I find it reassuring and cozy almost, to make these heart prayer flags to celebrate the homey feel of winter. Notice how in between the Heart Prayer Flags: Snowmen & Snowflake, the word S-N-O-W, is spelled out</font>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuR2aAVnAo9Q2_BCUDfBJ0TfL8t6Qrip-DT3crjhhExoJdbRTzoT1VXIU6mwk4vy9atNNvXNYPZMw5PZdRY2C6OC54KQq5RMji9y_7PPf_yoFTQxbAkRwbTl7sYvm1rwQtMB1lTwTmZXU/s2048/Photo%25252020161116211642700.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuR2aAVnAo9Q2_BCUDfBJ0TfL8t6Qrip-DT3crjhhExoJdbRTzoT1VXIU6mwk4vy9atNNvXNYPZMw5PZdRY2C6OC54KQq5RMji9y_7PPf_yoFTQxbAkRwbTl7sYvm1rwQtMB1lTwTmZXU/s500/Photo%25252020161116211642700.jpg" id="blogsy-1479359841947.3442" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="337"></a></div><p><font size="5"> As an artist, I often use hearts as the main theme for a design. I love the idea that the heart symbol universally represent positive, encouraging and love-filled thoughts. Making these Heart Prayer Flags seems like a natural way to share love in a fun and playful way, all embedded with a heart, my favorite.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggCL5vQMbIz_Ld3Xsxy-965gpgtXdaaUrlpOuFqKfwEPv9JZ6ZL0jKqFL1mFE9DkE8fecYWlTDg68UcDRCui0VNWGa-Yg-sBSHVJoFI5KGYXzVGfatEFayir3l1YJaKrZev49CfJ5aHZz/s2048/Photo%25252020161116211642856.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggCL5vQMbIz_Ld3Xsxy-965gpgtXdaaUrlpOuFqKfwEPv9JZ6ZL0jKqFL1mFE9DkE8fecYWlTDg68UcDRCui0VNWGa-Yg-sBSHVJoFI5KGYXzVGfatEFayir3l1YJaKrZev49CfJ5aHZz/s500/Photo%25252020161116211642856.jpg" id="blogsy-1479359841915.7659" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="423"></a></div><p><font size="5"><br></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZIpHZHm9s5PG1QXHbqV4uJv4xO2XPUEvV9jPR_lNtnIWDq4L1zy01m_k6D5UFndbyrousnWu3uoi7o21ivXDih-wBhIqSxow2Pot8n-3-G2RnmtEiKHuvZvAFzH2zToC0uiO8-U13_H6/s2048/Photo%25252020161116211643014.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZIpHZHm9s5PG1QXHbqV4uJv4xO2XPUEvV9jPR_lNtnIWDq4L1zy01m_k6D5UFndbyrousnWu3uoi7o21ivXDih-wBhIqSxow2Pot8n-3-G2RnmtEiKHuvZvAFzH2zToC0uiO8-U13_H6/s500/Photo%25252020161116211643014.jpg" id="blogsy-1479359841955.1685" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p><font size="5">I plan to have many more Heart Prayer Flag pattern ideas to share in the new year. Stay tuned for Valentine's Day, Easter, Americana, encouraging words, nursery, baby animals, gardens, fall and Halloween,...Oh my, the list goes on and on. New designs will include this triangular shape, as well as squares and rectangles. </font></p><p><font size="5">I cannot wait to see all the clever ideas you come up with in recreating these designs! These designs would be perfect for punch needle and wool appliqué too.</font></p><p><font size="5">Please visit my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop today and get your Heart Prayer Flags, and start sending your creative, good vibes out into the universe too!</font></p><p><font size="5">Happy Hooking Friends!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsEsy2XDWloL7XGgrxBBHhEW2bpvPE85AwD8SIp2DhAlEOLximVdP4x0VlcXcVeoLeNFx1q1AUQniEZXFab2p5UXQcbTJxGMWL_S5KpmIneny97xfE3kgYyfhrnEpjDRTRP-q0ypP1nBM/s2048/Photo%25252020161116211643274.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsEsy2XDWloL7XGgrxBBHhEW2bpvPE85AwD8SIp2DhAlEOLximVdP4x0VlcXcVeoLeNFx1q1AUQniEZXFab2p5UXQcbTJxGMWL_S5KpmIneny97xfE3kgYyfhrnEpjDRTRP-q0ypP1nBM/s500/Photo%25252020161116211643274.jpg" id="blogsy-1479359841933.1074" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-71959855574008186372016-09-21T21:35:00.001-07:002016-09-21T21:35:59.052-07:00Color Studies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpjev4MPqRFFYCpHp2mzCOYC6587EX7dLCVRKIEPmjwWMYqI-yhHKhMx7TkuNdSTiTSLrR-2bN5AmvlHMm-QRbEvs_dHPo6iBWLEj7pqW-gGyBJK-WOQ5lyRbAZOlj0I8j2fSqcd-sW0D/s2048/Photo%25252020160921213507799.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpjev4MPqRFFYCpHp2mzCOYC6587EX7dLCVRKIEPmjwWMYqI-yhHKhMx7TkuNdSTiTSLrR-2bN5AmvlHMm-QRbEvs_dHPo6iBWLEj7pqW-gGyBJK-WOQ5lyRbAZOlj0I8j2fSqcd-sW0D/s500/Photo%25252020160921213507799.jpg" id="blogsy-1474518957724.5054" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="474"></a></div><p><font size="5"> Making a small hooked mat is a perfect way to experiment with color. Maybe you are in-between projects yet feel the need to have wool and hook between your fingers, so you grab a small design and commence with the hooking. Perhaps you have a large pattern and want to experiment with the colors on a smaller scale, before you commit to using them in a large rug.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRUkRFIreXZHa2SPEQzj9kxfDI1sWCbsBwXQohzhNb7kQfToyedjLRw-fVVme0iKrfMosSGsBaolz54zT-Dqu_uVomHsWuGfcohEMqyN2YlA9YkmNHEDDvIF90zrDO6z8l5qv9fF98FDj/s2048/Photo%25252020160921213507936.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRUkRFIreXZHa2SPEQzj9kxfDI1sWCbsBwXQohzhNb7kQfToyedjLRw-fVVme0iKrfMosSGsBaolz54zT-Dqu_uVomHsWuGfcohEMqyN2YlA9YkmNHEDDvIF90zrDO6z8l5qv9fF98FDj/s500/Photo%25252020160921213507936.jpg" id="blogsy-1474518957750.1985" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p><font size="5">These scenarios were just the case for me, earlier this summer, when I was finishing a rug. If you are like me, you most likely have another project vying for your attention, before you have even completed the current one! I had a big rug design/idea in my head and sketch book yet I had not quite settled on the lay-out of the elements. I also had a couple of color ideas, inspired by antique rugs that I was trying to decide upon. So, picking up a small design to hook seemed like a good way to take care of my desire to hook, and to experiment with the design and colors.</font></p><p><font size="5">As I hook a small mat, I am experimenting with many aspects of the rug. There are several questions I try to answer when I first begin to hook. It's not a stringent strict test, but more like an eye-opening exploration of ideas. A flow of give and take, a journey, with a hopeful open-mindedness on the road of discovery. There is a feeling of anticipation and excitement as I begin. </font></p><p><font size="5">What design elements "work"? Do I want part of the motif to fade into the background. Should I use a thin strip or beauty line to outline an area of the motif to make it stand out more than another area? What wools do I want to use. Do the textures I hook with "read" darker or lighter once hooked? If I use an as-is texture, is there a dyed-wool or one of my marbleized wools that will also work with it or could be substituted to add interest and depth to the piece? Do the values of the wools reflect the feeling I am trying to achieve. Do I want my neutrals to lean to a warmer or cooler tint? What hooking techniques will I use? How about using hit-and-miss (as a way to use up already cut strips). Will non-directional hooking for the background be a viable choice as a way to give a naive-sort of look to the piece, and as a way to move color, or will I use a blending technique. Do I need to dye wool, or will my stash be enough to complete my rug with the color choices I am hoping to use? Do I want to finish the rug with a crocheted edge or a different finishing technique? </font></p><p><font size="5">Below are some photos that show how I hooked some of these ideas into my mats.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBA3Y_xWOg_mHdew80-lBwRvBeNIqu6sushwYaDwCMFyxW0TE5r2JcwEGURoCnZV8QG7TKichNaswWHAoy9LKMCDdNF8p74PfHXGqOctL8-w1RHB8dqpBuYDTq_dy4QoTjMNOvNTITWfb/s2048/Photo%25252020160921213508070.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBA3Y_xWOg_mHdew80-lBwRvBeNIqu6sushwYaDwCMFyxW0TE5r2JcwEGURoCnZV8QG7TKichNaswWHAoy9LKMCDdNF8p74PfHXGqOctL8-w1RHB8dqpBuYDTq_dy4QoTjMNOvNTITWfb/s500/Photo%25252020160921213508070.jpg" id="blogsy-1474518957732.2195" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrgHoKCXnQFzXFp4CZ7uCFlIes5ma8F7xKm5-fBiU6EDdy_feKvRGFbPq9VbUzBgRy6U2_m01R1zHm-AoRn464HHBUsHdppvT552OjsgUD8FaVa_DWsvStnBj6fbeJxMbRqDgQW2FtYNi/s2048/Photo%25252020160921213508178.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrgHoKCXnQFzXFp4CZ7uCFlIes5ma8F7xKm5-fBiU6EDdy_feKvRGFbPq9VbUzBgRy6U2_m01R1zHm-AoRn464HHBUsHdppvT552OjsgUD8FaVa_DWsvStnBj6fbeJxMbRqDgQW2FtYNi/s500/Photo%25252020160921213508178.jpg" id="blogsy-1474518957707.1719" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiNCon4oHKzA_ILrvZfoupRN6nw5JJINATLOPNww-NVeiVRUSW4l1zG4EGDJcjm2h_SHTiEo9-xLy6WmFjgVwySq5hPcKboB8Ckr8yVVXB7OO4q3R-dR8aQZeSs5pziW7jghRIj3Oedsc/s2048/Photo%25252020160921213508336.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiNCon4oHKzA_ILrvZfoupRN6nw5JJINATLOPNww-NVeiVRUSW4l1zG4EGDJcjm2h_SHTiEo9-xLy6WmFjgVwySq5hPcKboB8Ckr8yVVXB7OO4q3R-dR8aQZeSs5pziW7jghRIj3Oedsc/s500/Photo%25252020160921213508336.jpg" id="blogsy-1474518957705.1375" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="463"></a></div><p> <font size="5">My large, yet unnamed rug, is 28" x 50". I am excited to get hooking on it. I really had high hopes to use my already cut wool worms, as a way to deplete that ever growing pile. Yet, I have to confess, I suffer from an affliction of wanting "just the right color", so the dye pots are never far away in case I need to augment my wool supply.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VnPZ5-ES2VQv17wL8OfyuKaOUFb2zdZsXn_E3Z0TlPeAwopQJpwS4dw4JTefqaEwlbmqy75OFSg_WPWkpQcNUAVbF8Fgmc5nEUJZY-8Dhrz9h_0ys0cnk9eBgqOE969YUqGMjspFKtAr/s2048/Photo%25252020160921213508625.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VnPZ5-ES2VQv17wL8OfyuKaOUFb2zdZsXn_E3Z0TlPeAwopQJpwS4dw4JTefqaEwlbmqy75OFSg_WPWkpQcNUAVbF8Fgmc5nEUJZY-8Dhrz9h_0ys0cnk9eBgqOE969YUqGMjspFKtAr/s500/Photo%25252020160921213508625.jpg" id="blogsy-1474518957738.7957" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p><font size="5">These little color studies are so fun to hook! They can be used as home decor, wall hangings, mug mats, or to use as gifts or donations. </font></p><p><font size="5">Happy Hooking!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN_CDZsdXkahI2Sl6UWNEWCckQPSlaG_aqfI1abQ5KPRJXGBQQ9Teqq4MeWiJMxcS1ssW23Byyunlgq6wdNC7MI5ZMcxJTanT8zLhGoqD2ud-So2L-IOQSZPVNmR9J6JZR1v-m0EOqmja/s2048/Photo%25252020160921213508791.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmN_CDZsdXkahI2Sl6UWNEWCckQPSlaG_aqfI1abQ5KPRJXGBQQ9Teqq4MeWiJMxcS1ssW23Byyunlgq6wdNC7MI5ZMcxJTanT8zLhGoqD2ud-So2L-IOQSZPVNmR9J6JZR1v-m0EOqmja/s500/Photo%25252020160921213508791.jpg" id="blogsy-1474518957709.6445" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="593" alt=""></a> </div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-24094734514936563232016-09-12T21:09:00.001-07:002016-09-12T21:09:26.979-07:00Forget Me Not<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR8YsoD7KKteQzTVzSdX2zTC1SOz3x2QkrRDnciQhFxGhOFFfYkROSjAZgh-__7ZsFtiwIfE7qHRI4RUotuVSd_aZs_k9aw4BD6j15T1NZwxRTwzFnK28MRG4sT-Sy5L9pQSRqvDgKrj9/s2048/Photo%25252020160912210844714.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKR8YsoD7KKteQzTVzSdX2zTC1SOz3x2QkrRDnciQhFxGhOFFfYkROSjAZgh-__7ZsFtiwIfE7qHRI4RUotuVSd_aZs_k9aw4BD6j15T1NZwxRTwzFnK28MRG4sT-Sy5L9pQSRqvDgKrj9/s500/Photo%25252020160912210844714.jpg" id="blogsy-1473739765692.0437" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="268"></a></div><p><font size="5">My latest design, Forget Me Not, was inspired by an antique rug. The original piece featured several flowers with a narrow border. I wanted to simplify the array of flowers, and add a geometric aspect to play off of the organic shape of those flowers. Above all, I wanted the design to look muted, time-worn, washed out, soft and faded. The large rose-like flower with the oversized leaf, surrounded by different flowers reminded me of a vintage-type postcard, which made me feel sentimental, hence the name, Forget Me Not.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc0P6i7bY3gOLnadNzQtjFq-oO09itgMx8fLRB6mG12fpuzVUErBD6dLAkgCssSqPNJV3c9XzpHziwwRC5K4bRHfXuYb8XJz9elE6xV3b0CiCTAe9pLWTjNTBxeBHkhQzWEeMpxfJhpIQ/s2048/Photo%25252020160912210844881.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQc0P6i7bY3gOLnadNzQtjFq-oO09itgMx8fLRB6mG12fpuzVUErBD6dLAkgCssSqPNJV3c9XzpHziwwRC5K4bRHfXuYb8XJz9elE6xV3b0CiCTAe9pLWTjNTBxeBHkhQzWEeMpxfJhpIQ/s500/Photo%25252020160912210844881.jpg" id="blogsy-1473739765686.8623" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="505"></a></font></div><p><font size="5">Once I decided on offsetting the two large flower-filled squares, the diamond and triangle shapes surrounding those flowers followed! To add a geometric portion to border the flowing-flower shapes seemed so right. Maybe that is why we like fences with flowers planted alongside them, an arbor covered in roses, or a checkered pathway with a riot of flowers on either side. The uniformed with the unruly, the tame with the wild!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-D9uzN5zqfHKLOv9iAUJxriALTmnJHxAmLtl5lp7imp6SANtR9uJKwOJo4NPhJquD5Vmfl-xsGoXeaULi8uSJtw0Gz3_79xEgmSIsvGocU3NZbci-HCmA4x-kZmc8QyRVVQpNAlX_m9a/s2048/Photo%25252020160912210845037.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-D9uzN5zqfHKLOv9iAUJxriALTmnJHxAmLtl5lp7imp6SANtR9uJKwOJo4NPhJquD5Vmfl-xsGoXeaULi8uSJtw0Gz3_79xEgmSIsvGocU3NZbci-HCmA4x-kZmc8QyRVVQpNAlX_m9a/s500/Photo%25252020160912210845037.jpg" id="blogsy-1473739765720.0125" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p><font size="5">I knew I wanted the rug to look antique, instant OLD! This was achieved by using medium values for the background, flowers and diamonds, so that they blend into each other. I did use lighter and darker values with neutrals too, but I tried to use these sparingly. I found it interesting that the diamond/triangle shapes didn't need to be the same exact colors that were used in the flower portion, but rather, keeping them within a range of medium values was what mattered most to make the whole rug feel balanced.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJig9Owkh4mH4dTK97aZ9QyZxYqlMYx5GFHkAERdMG6ZoGLpHDJeYb5shzvocy5m849NKLDQmBGHsHUwBYeoVMgfNaxdbuQZWf0bCiCXam4fi4-oNq7PbvEPD9iLpRKIqqXE9VFq5iFjxs/s2048/Photo%25252020160912210845167.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJig9Owkh4mH4dTK97aZ9QyZxYqlMYx5GFHkAERdMG6ZoGLpHDJeYb5shzvocy5m849NKLDQmBGHsHUwBYeoVMgfNaxdbuQZWf0bCiCXam4fi4-oNq7PbvEPD9iLpRKIqqXE9VFq5iFjxs/s500/Photo%25252020160912210845167.jpg" id="blogsy-1473739765685.0022" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="490"></a></div><p><font size="5">The rug measures approx 20" X 40". The two squares of flower bouquets are similar but not exact replicas of each other. Drawing them slightly different and hooking them that way too was my way of knowingly adding some charm to the rug. The lines for the diamonds and triangles are also purposefully slanted or crooked in some spots to add a feeling of naïveté. The edges are drawn on the straight of the grain.</font></p><p><font size="5">Forget Me Not, other patterns, and hooking related items are available at my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop</font></p><p><font size="5">Step back in time with Forget Me Not! </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E_AkgMblqWHzjIOXZ7QtVDQ64pWWR8tqayzZdGbq9vvfCuXnzHwWFZBMWPHaDrYX42x2670sOPIi_GF1AfhBxKRU-t9mvFQ2wpFs27ZoTiYq6gxK1y0IAaq6YfA_3txehc_qx7GTjehe/s2048/Photo%25252020160912210845299.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8E_AkgMblqWHzjIOXZ7QtVDQ64pWWR8tqayzZdGbq9vvfCuXnzHwWFZBMWPHaDrYX42x2670sOPIi_GF1AfhBxKRU-t9mvFQ2wpFs27ZoTiYq6gxK1y0IAaq6YfA_3txehc_qx7GTjehe/s500/Photo%25252020160912210845299.jpg" id="blogsy-1473739765746.2874" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="741" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-39107802689262636022016-06-29T21:13:00.001-07:002016-06-29T21:13:13.781-07:00Gallery: Kids At Play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKCDhHqFXhT9HIqmWNdSR6vFXrcGJC0Ya1F67oq9uqgMDmSMAPGVtQ9C70xgWdtXCJtOoc4JsQNcenwdn21UgvAO2P4GXER0i2v7qltPuvze2CtiktUiYleTOzvFe-C4jHW5kVsVguL7H/s2048/Photo%25252020160629211232623.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKCDhHqFXhT9HIqmWNdSR6vFXrcGJC0Ya1F67oq9uqgMDmSMAPGVtQ9C70xgWdtXCJtOoc4JsQNcenwdn21UgvAO2P4GXER0i2v7qltPuvze2CtiktUiYleTOzvFe-C4jHW5kVsVguL7H/s500/Photo%25252020160629211232623.jpg" id="blogsy-1467259992355.884" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="655"></a></div><p><font size="5"> In the spring of 2014, three rug hookers, independent of one another, told me I should design a goat rug. And so I did! In this rug, Kids At Play, each goat represents them and their favorite flowers...trillium, hydrangea and the heavenly-scented sweet pea. I love how happy these goats are! It truly is a good day to be a kid!</font></p><p><font size="5">For me, what is even better than designing a rug, is to get to see other rug hookers interpretation of my design. Below are photos of the beautiful rugs made by them. It is really inspiring to see how they make the design their own, whether through subtle color changes, or a totally different color plan. It is also interesting how some chose to make it more primitive or add more detail. One of the rugs, is an adaptation I made for a friend. Her sister had been gifted two goats to be companions for her lone horse. I love their names and this story! We adapted the rug's name too and called it, Boys At Play! </font></p><p><font size="5">The rug hooking artists are in alphabetical order and the rug gallery that follows, reflects that order starting with Marie Beers, Kathy Burton, Joan Humen, Cathy Lanning, Maureen Lowrey, Lilly McIntyre, Patty Rogers (the adaptation) and Lois Sutton. Thank you Ladies! Beautiful Work! Seeing all of these cute goats makes me want to run out to a county fair to pet some kids! BTW, all three rug hookers who inspired this design, have a hooked rug included in this gallery. </font></p><p><font size="5"><font size="5">Please visit my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop to see Kids At Play or other patterns and hooking related items.</font></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u-EgyhASfz9NIH9Mt3kSjsqUpRu358Ei7ubSzATlTitKpk0-n2JaGdW2_fuiHCt0qJaJ0cr-ANEvznITUU09TJ8a_7IgDO7zML8sqRHqvvb0s6jCcakCPAB0msRzAKNUcEDXOtptCSvw/s1499/Photo%25252020160629211232720.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9u-EgyhASfz9NIH9Mt3kSjsqUpRu358Ei7ubSzATlTitKpk0-n2JaGdW2_fuiHCt0qJaJ0cr-ANEvznITUU09TJ8a_7IgDO7zML8sqRHqvvb0s6jCcakCPAB0msRzAKNUcEDXOtptCSvw/s500/Photo%25252020160629211232720.jpg" id="blogsy-1467259992434.3591" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="690"></a></font></div><p><font size="5"> </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YWlFJ7_sETHkb8qNXH-Y15Gr1WMfMcNAV1kdxfmqa1m36tlxa6MFgzLyx7HaOG6ZHNT8K4bPLbN_QoAd480vDXXEOtnB7dPTpuwqAp1NLKGxWyfsSSgu5GfVx4yHmuTjBPpnMP8UUgmq/s604/Photo%25252020160629211232757.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YWlFJ7_sETHkb8qNXH-Y15Gr1WMfMcNAV1kdxfmqa1m36tlxa6MFgzLyx7HaOG6ZHNT8K4bPLbN_QoAd480vDXXEOtnB7dPTpuwqAp1NLKGxWyfsSSgu5GfVx4yHmuTjBPpnMP8UUgmq/s500/Photo%25252020160629211232757.jpg" id="blogsy-1467259992425.72" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="458" height="604"></a></font></div><p><font size="5"> </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7FceRu_B0PBxAUtkMQrfS-FfQ446EQp6xs1_vY7lTEvRV-WggxQcGqHV42UxKeEPbZaGgiLwn2Sc73KdonzRI6697GifgUSBrdSMCgXVUKAOcBRAtyvzWZYSazgGhz36iVyVfk_l7m4k/s2048/Photo%25252020160629211232900.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7FceRu_B0PBxAUtkMQrfS-FfQ446EQp6xs1_vY7lTEvRV-WggxQcGqHV42UxKeEPbZaGgiLwn2Sc73KdonzRI6697GifgUSBrdSMCgXVUKAOcBRAtyvzWZYSazgGhz36iVyVfk_l7m4k/s500/Photo%25252020160629211232900.jpg" id="blogsy-1467259992418.2458" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="666"></a></font></div><p><font size="5"> </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiEl1Wt88ab1kWBMb-AHxNCdhCHMz99zEloiGpvP8IwHnT4WeyH9OIbvnJuOopkuwiW468_ciYW-4CWji_rS2LtF3hwbW2CmLx7ByiNFtY0pxlX5YmCnpX8tfiZixdsx9zv0A7cIoLu7x/s590/Photo%25252020160629211232952.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsiEl1Wt88ab1kWBMb-AHxNCdhCHMz99zEloiGpvP8IwHnT4WeyH9OIbvnJuOopkuwiW468_ciYW-4CWji_rS2LtF3hwbW2CmLx7ByiNFtY0pxlX5YmCnpX8tfiZixdsx9zv0A7cIoLu7x/s500/Photo%25252020160629211232952.jpg" id="blogsy-1467259992429.9893" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="436" height="590"></a></font></div><p><font size="5"> </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6PLz4NRP40NoHnuBpJsEvRhokLl0sB_2c6P6CLe3-WHMPhxvYf_vuDjGgCwDovfsiCaSMZXKoU_dB_MorMy2BrfPM1seC7l1s85yNxwrAfha7q4-aKseXKfiSeAdIjB7Q5NEuE_WUgfF/s917/Photo%25252020160629211233005.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6PLz4NRP40NoHnuBpJsEvRhokLl0sB_2c6P6CLe3-WHMPhxvYf_vuDjGgCwDovfsiCaSMZXKoU_dB_MorMy2BrfPM1seC7l1s85yNxwrAfha7q4-aKseXKfiSeAdIjB7Q5NEuE_WUgfF/s500/Photo%25252020160629211233005.jpg" id="blogsy-1467259992394.1392" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="666"></a></font></div><p><font size="5"> </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lrZEq2NIQufsTcNjTZPh4rRmJsurycxBqCjIZ4EOTiK5xbe-7E7JZrS9_IEh0gTuBrecSoUcLVsgCJ2xEZ0Sr975-tcNZyPmsrC7MZqg0GlR87vW1KjXTtXUyJyfaZ1mlpcwRye-iRFH/s1909/Photo%25252020160629211233106.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lrZEq2NIQufsTcNjTZPh4rRmJsurycxBqCjIZ4EOTiK5xbe-7E7JZrS9_IEh0gTuBrecSoUcLVsgCJ2xEZ0Sr975-tcNZyPmsrC7MZqg0GlR87vW1KjXTtXUyJyfaZ1mlpcwRye-iRFH/s500/Photo%25252020160629211233106.jpg" id="blogsy-1467259992422.8167" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="635"></a></font></div><p><font size="5"> </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzCwZKEbF_YfFPQ66VpHDF4MI43CxeLRT8ZVQ6lVZgvWuicr7aa0FGlwBMdc7Wx8tKn-8LhbiiEDiGnNf3kY-NVUyzpSWj9w5sWvH6O-_ZbAo4YwtpLN1225oQsdXAlbXaAaFN4D4_1Wn/s2048/Photo%25252020160629211233233.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzCwZKEbF_YfFPQ66VpHDF4MI43CxeLRT8ZVQ6lVZgvWuicr7aa0FGlwBMdc7Wx8tKn-8LhbiiEDiGnNf3kY-NVUyzpSWj9w5sWvH6O-_ZbAo4YwtpLN1225oQsdXAlbXaAaFN4D4_1Wn/s500/Photo%25252020160629211233233.jpg" id="blogsy-1467259992419.119" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="642"></a></font></div><p><font size="5"> </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsh70VEL53yZcOJTeLnRTfv0ZpWXg-mWh3L2PsYEACFMbStj3VpqiRwLUXBQ0h5Xyd3LrcHye8gqT3yLIfsCTH3vLlUwi1fpa_sj170aNPDxiSbirthPinIu3dTQBy_awQbTNiRjgjI7ry/s2048/Photo%25252020160629211233358.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsh70VEL53yZcOJTeLnRTfv0ZpWXg-mWh3L2PsYEACFMbStj3VpqiRwLUXBQ0h5Xyd3LrcHye8gqT3yLIfsCTH3vLlUwi1fpa_sj170aNPDxiSbirthPinIu3dTQBy_awQbTNiRjgjI7ry/s500/Photo%25252020160629211233358.jpg" id="blogsy-1467259992398.7344" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="606" alt=""></a></font></div><p><font size="5"> </font></p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-53791818760815337002016-05-11T22:01:00.001-07:002016-05-11T22:01:16.076-07:00Safe Haven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUICpekJvL2qJ6YkbdHqg6cWYmB7vW0kv4asPLWGCWvUT1NUG2Ld40g27HOs92N0jctzQ3GIS8AUFqj17Ul0Bmm_oqxJGAPFDIDUx8ls_BhuXmzU7zhkHMJJsryh-4ZEBhhEaKxR0t2za/s2048/Photo%25252020160510234352326.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUICpekJvL2qJ6YkbdHqg6cWYmB7vW0kv4asPLWGCWvUT1NUG2Ld40g27HOs92N0jctzQ3GIS8AUFqj17Ul0Bmm_oqxJGAPFDIDUx8ls_BhuXmzU7zhkHMJJsryh-4ZEBhhEaKxR0t2za/s500/Photo%25252020160510234352326.jpg" id="blogsy-1463029274686.173" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="413"></a></div><p><font size="5"> Finally, the story of the grey fox gets to be told.</font></p><p><font size="5">As with all stories, a bit of folklore and mystery gets wrapped around the retelling. </font></p><p><font size="5">Remember, I was raised on a small farm, where a small mountain top, rolls into forestland, which rolls into meadows, and finally the farm. I adore all things wild, roaming and free. I have been on a fox kick for a couple years now. In February of 2015, I blogged about an uncanny experience that I had while hooking my first fox pattern Cozy Fox, visit my blog post <a href="http://northwestfolkdesign.blogspot.com/2015/02/do-we-choose-art-or-does-art-choose-us.html" target="_blank" title="HERE">HERE</a> to reread.</font></p><p><font size="5">This grey fox pattern, Safe Haven, is an indirect result of that Blog Post. A dear friend of mine, who has lived out in the country for over 20 years, had a mystical encounter after reading my blog about the fox. She was traveling home, after in-town errands, in the late afternoon. She saw a pair of eyes bounce off her headlight beams. It was still late winter, so the sun was low in the sky, that time of year when dusk comes too early. As her car approached the animal that had been in the middle of the road, skirted off to the side. It had an elongated body shape and a big bushy tail. It's silhouette suggested fox, and then it did something unexpected. It climbed up into a nearby tree to hide. She thought her eyes were playing tricks on her! Isn't that crazy! Who knew foxes could climb trees? Apparently, <em>grey</em> foxes can!</font></p><p><font size="5">It's true, they can! Grey Foxes, are a carnivorous mammal in the Canidae family, and the only American canid that has the ability to climb trees. At one online site, I read that they can climb branchless, vertical trunks to heights of 18 meters! They sometimes make their dens up in the tree canopy, within old snags, or on the ground in areas of heavy brush and undergrowth. </font></p><p><font size="5">So I suppose you are still waiting for the punchline. Well, it isn't really all that exciting. I just thought it was so fascinating that in all the years that she had lived in the country, she had never seen a grey fox until after reading about my fox experiences, and now she had her own fox story to tell.</font></p><p><font size="5">For me, it is a true blessing to be able to interpret my experiences through my art. When my friend told me of her grey fox encounter, I immediately imagined some version of this rug, Safe Haven. I wanted the background to be dark, to make it feel cozy and safe. The rug measures approx. 19"x 23". The narrow border has simple scrolls that are suppose to suggest ferns and the way the tips unfurl in early spring. A wreath of brambles and wildflowers protectively wrap around his hiding place</font>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bURumQX2dspjtrZ-3V1Pbu_zUgGIdspA2b0Xgckt0ARGixOPiacGpEnM1OngBE8MlSP4rZ6LlOxv9qbVcJ5cF6WT9ialCLos1j3_UaHTunxhVERw7S_5ffFEidUNCtoPce2gi8wZGMC7/s2048/Photo%25252020160511220051502.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bURumQX2dspjtrZ-3V1Pbu_zUgGIdspA2b0Xgckt0ARGixOPiacGpEnM1OngBE8MlSP4rZ6LlOxv9qbVcJ5cF6WT9ialCLos1j3_UaHTunxhVERw7S_5ffFEidUNCtoPce2gi8wZGMC7/s500/Photo%25252020160511220051502.jpg" id="blogsy-1463029274632.4133" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="359"></a></div><p><font size="5"> I like that this fox looks content and peaceful. He doesn't have to worry about being secretive or scrambling up into a tree for safety. Rather, within his den he's found his own little piece of paradise, his Safe Haven.</font></p><p><font size="5">Please visit my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop to see this pattern and other hooking related items.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GpBjZBB1kyT5cCgyCm672WrGwsPByMcNgWEgmClz11TSxR6tHgriaZUOtNKBNCPtRYg6m2WznAoR_dyYlS7u_b9E8XdSoGv0kjMqF1kNhhMxJKwwc9XsPTkpMpwDNcGJlsI-QAA_2lH5/s2048/Photo%25252020160511220051637.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GpBjZBB1kyT5cCgyCm672WrGwsPByMcNgWEgmClz11TSxR6tHgriaZUOtNKBNCPtRYg6m2WznAoR_dyYlS7u_b9E8XdSoGv0kjMqF1kNhhMxJKwwc9XsPTkpMpwDNcGJlsI-QAA_2lH5/s500/Photo%25252020160511220051637.jpg" id="blogsy-1463029274632.9622" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="320" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-21981315487863669942016-04-27T22:43:00.001-07:002016-04-27T22:43:44.238-07:00Birds of a Feather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLzE8CtsI-h41KUjPzP5vT_64ctI8bEeAZOT4eQ3mrpJsLRv_f0gDBqJ7Mlk_2W65Gvvmja5SKGHCNUIyXsUlrcFheCBzUy85xFw8EyxkX4zD94LnkbP6KADx-ErdUZtGqUFTgNhYfZ8b/s2048/Photo%25252020160427224323807.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLzE8CtsI-h41KUjPzP5vT_64ctI8bEeAZOT4eQ3mrpJsLRv_f0gDBqJ7Mlk_2W65Gvvmja5SKGHCNUIyXsUlrcFheCBzUy85xFw8EyxkX4zD94LnkbP6KADx-ErdUZtGqUFTgNhYfZ8b/s500/Photo%25252020160427224323807.jpg" id="blogsy-1461822222859.3225" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="360"></a></div><p><font size="5"> Spring seems like the perfect time to reflect on using bird motifs in your rugs.</font></p><p><font size="5">After all, here in Oregon, the swallows and buzzards have returned quite awhile ago. Now, when you step outdoors the flurry of songbirds singing and flying about, certainly catch your attention!</font></p><p><font size="5">I have hooked many birds into my rugs from swans and geese, roosters and chickens to ravens and crows. Along with quails, hummingbirds, swallows and songbirds and more. Heck, I have even hooked a peacock! </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKl3GC3FovuL_YN28tdwBfgjRbzPmnky0fFLh5pksMW9-FRo0M8IHEhm2gdQEVkuMBid1zKRB3qepNPxCf8r5GHhM9W_0lv7u-3xVjyCxkmBRPCL6K-kayrERQyyJAkSjAGV2BM1lQcJ8S/s2048/Photo%25252020160427224323914.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKl3GC3FovuL_YN28tdwBfgjRbzPmnky0fFLh5pksMW9-FRo0M8IHEhm2gdQEVkuMBid1zKRB3qepNPxCf8r5GHhM9W_0lv7u-3xVjyCxkmBRPCL6K-kayrERQyyJAkSjAGV2BM1lQcJ8S/s500/Photo%25252020160427224323914.jpg" id="blogsy-1461822222837.4448" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="375"></a></div><p><font size="5"><em> Above Photo: Sanctuary: Raven or Crow peering from tree</em></font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCI_4MIx6hrqvRjj6xf19nHRF77ex6kBGA4diJEof3-nurRDojwibzWOG2RNqyjh2G7qEPTYRG-Ktc5hZLtWxKb_4Xc__2yJKOyHoFiyVkQjLmF3-Ddb4HgoGaBRXQPK5lmKtl4iG2qvg/s2013/Photo%25252020160427224324024.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCI_4MIx6hrqvRjj6xf19nHRF77ex6kBGA4diJEof3-nurRDojwibzWOG2RNqyjh2G7qEPTYRG-Ktc5hZLtWxKb_4Xc__2yJKOyHoFiyVkQjLmF3-Ddb4HgoGaBRXQPK5lmKtl4iG2qvg/s500/Photo%25252020160427224324024.jpg" id="blogsy-1461822222852.3145" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="364"></a></div><p><font size="5"><em>Above Photo: Intrepid Souls: Hummingbird searching for blossoms</em></font></p><p><font size="5">I like how adding a bird to a rug can add interest and charm. It can be part of the composition or a focal point. Many of my rugs tell stories. In River & Raven's Roost, (topmost photo) it was the raspy call of the raven that inspired part of this rug. In Dove's Song, it was a mourning dove's meditative cooing that mesmerized me as I stood in my garden. In Rose Wreath, (photo below) the flowers are the focal point, but the birds hidden within the wreath add a lot of sweetness to the piece.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_4m7QsysoTqo1daHb0JPiM6lPHXjh0bmPKPxAPLy8vyp5kCB9G_jkFcrnLwL_1ow4oECnvVn8QcDGqML4puFqe-JTmcoefLQbgd0MYodDho0QIGs2_kmOI75pCYfOk5-EZoARdYOzDYT/s1526/Photo%25252020160427224324116.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_4m7QsysoTqo1daHb0JPiM6lPHXjh0bmPKPxAPLy8vyp5kCB9G_jkFcrnLwL_1ow4oECnvVn8QcDGqML4puFqe-JTmcoefLQbgd0MYodDho0QIGs2_kmOI75pCYfOk5-EZoARdYOzDYT/s500/Photo%25252020160427224324116.jpg" id="blogsy-1461822222838.7734" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="387" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5"> Whether you design your own rugs, or purchase rugs made by other designers, consider hooking a rug with a bird motif in it. I am sure you will enjoy the process and love the outcome!</font></p><p><font size="5">Please visit my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop and view my patterns, there are more patterns of mine with birds, too many to post.</font></p><p><font size="5"><em>Administrative FYI:Beginning in May and thoughout the summer months, I will be blogging only once a month. With the onset of warmer weather I will be outside doing more gardening, trips to the coast, and family visits. I do hope to get some hooking done too. I will keep you posted! Thank you, marijo</em></font></p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-64120523067427662662016-04-20T22:28:00.001-07:002016-04-20T22:28:02.158-07:00Flying Flying Fox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6TivlLhfjtgpRMrJlgEy_1c24Jylf5VAIXK5VetEq1VZYzHSJtzmuTz7qZCUtWGZ1R_lFKxWKwHohlMcdmaGbY8iIo8-oKSEdCNFZLzwNBSDZIgSd1imE7f9GM61c8e8DunrD9QraK9I/s2048/Photo%25252020160420222721401.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6TivlLhfjtgpRMrJlgEy_1c24Jylf5VAIXK5VetEq1VZYzHSJtzmuTz7qZCUtWGZ1R_lFKxWKwHohlMcdmaGbY8iIo8-oKSEdCNFZLzwNBSDZIgSd1imE7f9GM61c8e8DunrD9QraK9I/s500/Photo%25252020160420222721401.jpg" id="blogsy-1461216480353.9119" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="278"></a></div><p><font size="5">This design, Flying Flying Fox, was inspired by an antique hooked rug's background that I admired. I loved the way the background colors flowed using a tight range of values, in warm and cool colors. This is not a case where you put all the wool strips in a bag, to then pull out any ole color and use in any area you are working on. I was surprised at how much thinking and scrutinizing went into the placement of each strip to create this unique look. Again, it was a good reminder, that primitive hooking does NOT mean simpler hooking, far from it! </font></p><p><font size="5">I'm currently reexploring, my fox phase! I hooked my first fox rug, Cozy Fox, in the spring of 2014. When I blogged about that rug in the spring of 2015, a friend then told me of an amazing experience that she had with a gray fox, (I will blog about that soon with a rug to match). As I was designing that more folk-art style gray fox rug, I asked myself, why don't I design a more traditional primitive rug also, since I adore that style too, and so primitive Flying Flying Fox design was born.</font></p><p><font size="5">I love this happy little self-assured fox. There is just enough color and texture differentiation in him to add interest to his "black" silhouette. The antique blacks are in the blue-black, purple and brown range of color, which perfectly compliment the warm-orangey background colors!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjHozWQcV9RDD5cLRyA5oXjd-xaJZRLIPHOMPkNx-CiB4-QpKuwVcORyYUBnVI4_Ot_y547_Rq097HmaOL_kjf2SpsIjcEO2uKWXBrOAF1rYrAyi0NU343UH9rYeFAaSuQYO_tJZoyuAZ/s2048/Photo%25252020160420222721568.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjHozWQcV9RDD5cLRyA5oXjd-xaJZRLIPHOMPkNx-CiB4-QpKuwVcORyYUBnVI4_Ot_y547_Rq097HmaOL_kjf2SpsIjcEO2uKWXBrOAF1rYrAyi0NU343UH9rYeFAaSuQYO_tJZoyuAZ/s500/Photo%25252020160420222721568.jpg" id="blogsy-1461216480316.6702" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> <font size="5">The background is hooked in light to medium colors of warm peach, tan, tawny and camel tones. The interest is added with the usage of cooler similar value grays that lean toward blues and mellow soft purples. I had to use a lot of different wools, and different directional hooking techniques so it would be interesting and not just a "blob" of color. I definitely want to explore this technique further. I was humbled by how tricky it was to achieve this "aged" look.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2Nn0j9g2p1CEfmsnpsCfjDFlvGZ2PNxLq0auXq-yfGkF8UuaZFvPRtsb2SlqiCPeKOlVcBID_qxZ7-jaJIqgKtchhFdmZcydJAHt9jsz4tJtLg-3_x0_hTAz9Sprj-2M4rpbEIP14Jgh/s2048/Photo%25252020160420222721741.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2Nn0j9g2p1CEfmsnpsCfjDFlvGZ2PNxLq0auXq-yfGkF8UuaZFvPRtsb2SlqiCPeKOlVcBID_qxZ7-jaJIqgKtchhFdmZcydJAHt9jsz4tJtLg-3_x0_hTAz9Sprj-2M4rpbEIP14Jgh/s500/Photo%25252020160420222721741.jpg" id="blogsy-1461216480298.8684" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p><font size="5"> The suggestion of the flowers, or dandelions gone-to-seed are intended to fade into the background. It was a fun experiment to use a neutral light wool for the flowers, whereas normally, I use all sorts of color and values to define a flower from the background. A narrow strip of a slightly brighter color, is randomly "tunneled" around the edge of the flowers to softly define them.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JfSl_jf-_DfiJwRPhGAx9InzKF2OIFKgXfMCFMP2rIp4DWiDxmj9X0tEEKVm81WuCax2SyEWgAAmkl4J5WeTlMx9_-9kXUhZ0bF95vdn29iJQKjGrcimyuEQPAiEX1saWy6Pcgkw2duq/s2048/Photo%25252020160420222721862.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JfSl_jf-_DfiJwRPhGAx9InzKF2OIFKgXfMCFMP2rIp4DWiDxmj9X0tEEKVm81WuCax2SyEWgAAmkl4J5WeTlMx9_-9kXUhZ0bF95vdn29iJQKjGrcimyuEQPAiEX1saWy6Pcgkw2duq/s500/Photo%25252020160420222721862.jpg" id="blogsy-1461216480316.908" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p><font size="5">As you know, I usually bind my rugs with a crocheted edge. This time, I wanted the binding to look rustic. So,I bound this design with 1/2" torn strips wrapped around cotton cording. </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ittc5bOlqSR80-g2J9XDBiBwAyoUm6dp_Yy1fzTSG4YglNQ6N6ekzSuUUGLMxs2O5IXwwcxTiMajzG1a0aZmV9AKDmE6uT3eDhJ9IXgJuAizFzWUB3tMpJoEbkQpvWfvqNEUcraLmenC/s2048/Photo%25252020160420222721945.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ittc5bOlqSR80-g2J9XDBiBwAyoUm6dp_Yy1fzTSG4YglNQ6N6ekzSuUUGLMxs2O5IXwwcxTiMajzG1a0aZmV9AKDmE6uT3eDhJ9IXgJuAizFzWUB3tMpJoEbkQpvWfvqNEUcraLmenC/s500/Photo%25252020160420222721945.jpg" id="blogsy-1461216480384.5981" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p> <font size="5">This carefree, bounding fox is soaring through a field of dandelions gone-to-seed. As he passes, the little white "parachutes" are sure to go flying, flying in all directions! I like to think he is inviting you to happily join him, to make a wish, and blow!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo-SS8rFnWQjO04smm6ckb1BWlqG9058MN6idIxGqrts6UcoNkaEvSzFdUnPrqBAUxZqt5xxbaRLt3gsrgQKIUOCbW9p0Q_qaug68_b4dW2E7FprDZ-CweaoK0_eG7DvVwPHrq45Diq5G/s2048/Photo%25252020160420222722030.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo-SS8rFnWQjO04smm6ckb1BWlqG9058MN6idIxGqrts6UcoNkaEvSzFdUnPrqBAUxZqt5xxbaRLt3gsrgQKIUOCbW9p0Q_qaug68_b4dW2E7FprDZ-CweaoK0_eG7DvVwPHrq45Diq5G/s500/Photo%25252020160420222722030.jpg" id="blogsy-1461216480295.6042" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5"> Please visit my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop to see Flying Flying Fox and other hooking related items.</font></p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-70389041198533032192016-04-13T21:56:00.001-07:002016-04-13T21:56:05.114-07:00Travel Postcard: A Dove in Flight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbjOx8DKPeEJcNNEC1M50inI4QVgoUBUifHPF0X5H3kaZTnvmFLhoH1goAxrIzec3Wo9amJlrWvszlyzuF8JqemqZBDmYOrSBT28sXDE4kRD9glgor3Sy29EC3DWtF8_K1IKujjuKDUrX/s1715/Photo%25252020160413215559746.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbjOx8DKPeEJcNNEC1M50inI4QVgoUBUifHPF0X5H3kaZTnvmFLhoH1goAxrIzec3Wo9amJlrWvszlyzuF8JqemqZBDmYOrSBT28sXDE4kRD9glgor3Sy29EC3DWtF8_K1IKujjuKDUrX/s500/Photo%25252020160413215559746.jpg" id="blogsy-1460609763743.3562" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="445" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words!</font></p><p><font size="5">A Dove in Flight was a rug I finished hooking this past January and blogged about in-length, in a post on January 27, 2016.</font></p><p><font size="5">Earlier this month I was fortunate enough to see the "dove rug" in it's new home! </font></p><p><font size="5">Currently it is on the floor, though it might be mounted later as a wall hanging.</font></p><p><font size="5">Picture Perfect! </font></p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-66678720241719286952016-03-30T21:33:00.001-07:002016-03-30T21:33:55.618-07:00New Lease on Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVA15WlQb7nHMCMPXGhAt-1AeZmpZWMasbyLIlpyO2B8gmjrTqnIRy_00njOw8hptXdtyARfljYYu5QptwyyciY93-BmFgWJdMz0r8p9rpgSUe-JfbrGoMQKOIAa1I1FpVL8xoKQALDsv/s2048/Photo%25252020160330233258184.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVA15WlQb7nHMCMPXGhAt-1AeZmpZWMasbyLIlpyO2B8gmjrTqnIRy_00njOw8hptXdtyARfljYYu5QptwyyciY93-BmFgWJdMz0r8p9rpgSUe-JfbrGoMQKOIAa1I1FpVL8xoKQALDsv/s500/Photo%25252020160330233258184.jpg" id="blogsy-1459398834132.233" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="587"></a></div><p><font size="5">I am a consummate thrifter! I come from a long line of folks who value the idea of the reuse, recycle mentality. That can be anything from simply reusing your plastic lunch bags, to the finer art of veering off the beaten path to stop at garage sales and thrift shops to find and appreciate items from days gone by.</font></p><p><font size="5">So, it should be of no surprise that when I saw this DiFranza Rug Hooking Kit at one of my local antique and collectible shops, I could not pass it by. It did not matter, that it had wool strips that were probably a very narrow cut (3) which I had no intention of using, though the wool was in excellent condition! It did not matter that the pattern was printed on burlap, which I personally would never hook on, due to longevity issues. It did not matter that the little hooks were so small, probably a "fine", that I could barely see the bend on the ends. What did matter, was that "someone" had bought this kit, with the full intention and dream of hooking it into a lovely mat, and that intention needed to be honored! </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8fZyfedZE9aPSBzs64fZZW1KU3sEDWdtqeW6PfzA9R6iuha1eE60q14MPd4rWaQf6qDi2ekbvybauBnca7LYPcSD-eVufRBQOhcyuoTBkQhiAJcrF59tR0E_6D4iZh56fg3lDhCYa_YT/s2048/Photo%25252020160330233258379.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8fZyfedZE9aPSBzs64fZZW1KU3sEDWdtqeW6PfzA9R6iuha1eE60q14MPd4rWaQf6qDi2ekbvybauBnca7LYPcSD-eVufRBQOhcyuoTBkQhiAJcrF59tR0E_6D4iZh56fg3lDhCYa_YT/s500/Photo%25252020160330233258379.jpg" id="blogsy-1459398834067.7068" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="434"></a></div><p><font size="5">Within a month's time of purchasing the kit, I had a Hook-In, where I would attend as a vendor. Nobody there seemed interested in the kit, however, the Region 11 president of ATHA (Association of Traditional Rug Hooking Artists) was there, and suggested I might donate the kit to their scholarship program. That was an excellent suggestion! Everyone wins! </font></p><p><font size="5">The kit would go to someone who wants to hook it and would value the whole kit and caboodle! The ATHA organization would benefit, and as I understand it, their scholarship for this particular camp was not on a need basis, but on a basis of someone applying because they want to further their rug hooking education and ability. Finally, I won because this kit assembled long ago and purchase by a hooker with a dream would finally be going to a good home!</font></p><p><font size="5">I sure hope I get a chance to see this kit completed at some future Hook-In. Now that would be a dream come true! </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hy-I4Oxi4DDgZ2vv2yawS1GRUleQT1HnOx5d6eHzlgNQi7nmNRMoEVhRe3dL805VuvDerrqv3suVcR5QcF5B80a-DPj2LH1GIZCF5m4kxxTrAz3qZ_ScJcEJU-NO8cvpw1DdVsi4PFAe/s1805/Photo%25252020160330233258487.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hy-I4Oxi4DDgZ2vv2yawS1GRUleQT1HnOx5d6eHzlgNQi7nmNRMoEVhRe3dL805VuvDerrqv3suVcR5QcF5B80a-DPj2LH1GIZCF5m4kxxTrAz3qZ_ScJcEJU-NO8cvpw1DdVsi4PFAe/s500/Photo%25252020160330233258487.jpg" id="blogsy-1459398834054.0032" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="567" alt=""></a> </div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-91592491653317937412016-03-23T21:28:00.001-07:002016-03-23T21:28:27.769-07:00Spring Renewal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSeW_GhybgZbgRHQxzpVWZmQHnGrzbPeu8phCE1dz5uH3HqnZTNdUXEqJYTqJyar1Gu2hhtNs_X3Ur2rZixBtsEyYRFo7rHz_dqyx719Ok3lWKMbZOBMfJbFhHZWikTK4b7P4ZdSkXk3P/s2048/Photo%25252020160323212759837.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSeW_GhybgZbgRHQxzpVWZmQHnGrzbPeu8phCE1dz5uH3HqnZTNdUXEqJYTqJyar1Gu2hhtNs_X3Ur2rZixBtsEyYRFo7rHz_dqyx719Ok3lWKMbZOBMfJbFhHZWikTK4b7P4ZdSkXk3P/s500/Photo%25252020160323212759837.jpg" id="blogsy-1458793706408.4385" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><p><font size="5"> It is officially spring!</font></p><p><font size="5">The days are getting longer, the wet spring days do give way to sunny ones. The beautiful flowering trees have chirping birds flying from branch to branch. The first wave of early spring bulbs like daffodils and crocus are giving way to tulips, hyacinths, muscari and iris.</font></p><p><font size="5">I find myself wondering about all the new babies born or hatched in this season like, kittens, lambs, bunnies, and birds. Yay for Nature! </font></p><p><font size="5">I hope you are feeling renewed, inspired and creative in this season of rebirth! </font></p><p><font size="5">Happy Spring!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1ts4DfoHOCZKlJK8GlX7XRO1nKId9rBkE3PrsWJNXpgwTcbBeYoSH4INRG61alRylytbSgl5PAg_92o0-zLbiheXjVInyji7nGCWWXCG7xfT0NRQVp7x3KkQLKfDj6RMhGHpJv8uR4aB/s2048/Photo%25252020160323212800267.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1ts4DfoHOCZKlJK8GlX7XRO1nKId9rBkE3PrsWJNXpgwTcbBeYoSH4INRG61alRylytbSgl5PAg_92o0-zLbiheXjVInyji7nGCWWXCG7xfT0NRQVp7x3KkQLKfDj6RMhGHpJv8uR4aB/s500/Photo%25252020160323212800267.jpg" id="blogsy-1458793706355.648" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="667"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxMAYtF9xiYTHR1o-KzvrpiVeMJE96jPFnrT99Rr2a5O8lkgYSFEWDGSmqE803yx2UdzOefrV24VKivEirxnkQqvodwSgcjtAuoHXBBKNr5OoI_DETCJMojNN8FuArn45a5gTuvcmJwKE/s971/Photo%25252020160323212800295.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxMAYtF9xiYTHR1o-KzvrpiVeMJE96jPFnrT99Rr2a5O8lkgYSFEWDGSmqE803yx2UdzOefrV24VKivEirxnkQqvodwSgcjtAuoHXBBKNr5OoI_DETCJMojNN8FuArn45a5gTuvcmJwKE/s500/Photo%25252020160323212800295.jpg" id="blogsy-1458793706440.7627" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="487" alt=""></a> </div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-17117309525830665172016-03-16T22:30:00.001-07:002016-03-16T22:30:41.882-07:00Oval Squirrel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMUQtReoad2xgg3ptkKbAvz6G_rW3N4t4XehkfKES6wckFzxJNF22XhULjYjE1JKuEG__YnrJ5qEjycMnhtxzWIDYDBVs1K2JNaW2YpiSWovNjqJPq8xv0_EyKLdqT56l0lSyFlaGLhul/s1586/Photo%25252020160316223018592.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMUQtReoad2xgg3ptkKbAvz6G_rW3N4t4XehkfKES6wckFzxJNF22XhULjYjE1JKuEG__YnrJ5qEjycMnhtxzWIDYDBVs1K2JNaW2YpiSWovNjqJPq8xv0_EyKLdqT56l0lSyFlaGLhul/s500/Photo%25252020160316223018592.jpg" id="blogsy-1458192640406.4636" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="589"></a></div><p><font size="5"> Maybe I AM still feeling a bit squirrelly! But I am in good company! (To follow, is a showcase of Oval Squirrel, hooked by three talented rug hookers.)<br></font></p><p><font size="5">I hooked my Oval Squirrel mat two years ago. I had designed All Seasons Squirrel, the larger rug, but had not hooked it yet. I needed a small gift, so I used some of the elements from the larger design to make this one.</font></p><p><font size="5">Oval Squirrel is approx 9" x 11" and now available as an instant download PDF pattern in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop. I also provide a 6" version of this pattern for punch needle work. When you use a paper pattern, you get to be the co-designer, and choose to use elements as originally designed, or change elements to fit your needs. </font></p><p><font size="5">This photo shows Oval Squirrel hooked by Patty Rogers. </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbx1z6FiW5jF89UD6dZthBcuW7PgjRH50wx6c1vxaIdMnN7phPD5enxXZI9EIR28G_PkswvTvQcY6XpcN_2NBBhKLuW_o4r7Gu8NKx_d7JMD7Rncg_6wnrNViLmS-O-3sZgbC2OIH4IqK/s596/Photo%25252020160316223018640.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbx1z6FiW5jF89UD6dZthBcuW7PgjRH50wx6c1vxaIdMnN7phPD5enxXZI9EIR28G_PkswvTvQcY6XpcN_2NBBhKLuW_o4r7Gu8NKx_d7JMD7Rncg_6wnrNViLmS-O-3sZgbC2OIH4IqK/s500/Photo%25252020160316223018640.jpg" id="blogsy-1458192640401.5334" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="480" height="596"></a></div><p> <font size="5">Patty hooked this mat for her sweet niece, whose nickname is Squirrel. The muted gray, green, and soft blues in the main background work well as compliment colors, to make those orangey-red flowers pop! All the elements in the motif shapes show up nice and crisp because she has used the lighter value background within those shapes, rather than the medium value like I did. Binding with red wool strips completes the magic!</font></p><p><font size="5"><br></font></p><p><font size="5">Marie Beers, had a clever idea to make the pattern into a circular chair pad.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_92zk_bLgxwC_IZrL3hbDyu-jK5Ww84FjjPTJT0F9Au-9Fi8OenKxfj6HXHmM04mQyBPjmSQZtWKBYRhtTu-fHN4_kmTgod57cJ1U10oIe-xTlaWOLRze4aS0Pma5B60MittRvDjyiZH/s1103/Photo%25252020160316223018698.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_92zk_bLgxwC_IZrL3hbDyu-jK5Ww84FjjPTJT0F9Au-9Fi8OenKxfj6HXHmM04mQyBPjmSQZtWKBYRhtTu-fHN4_kmTgod57cJ1U10oIe-xTlaWOLRze4aS0Pma5B60MittRvDjyiZH/s500/Photo%25252020160316223018698.jpg" id="blogsy-1458192640455.5752" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="505"></a></div><p> <font size="5">When Marie traced the design elements onto linen, she made the oval, a circle, and spread the little mosaic shapes out so that they worked well within that round format. Using textured wool for a background is a great way to make all the elements of the design pull together, and here is why. The textured background that she used, when the light hits it, looks green with lighter flecks of blues or gold which helps pull all the other colors together. Those other colors that she used to outline the mosaics, the hooked line that encircles the mat, or the lighter values of the mosaic shape background all make a unified statement with the help of that textured background. Notice the crocheted edging also picks up the green and light blue colors used throughout the rug. By crocheting a border, she is a girl after my own heart! It looks great and will be very durable as a chair seat edge. A funny aside, her husband does NOT like squirrels, they cause havoc in his yard, so it will be his chair pad!</font></p><p><font size="5"><br></font></p><p><font size="5">Maureen Lowrey hooked her Oval Squirrel mat in 8, 7, and 6 cut strips with her beautiful trademark primitive colors! </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzGp2tYml_O0Qos4hYmKcVDQUaM1qQHz5oxQO_q-s-YTRZZtAieaE59s_FDYMS7Sg1QgQ5-sKGidf80IgrhTiWk5tBl0L6XwnO0xYf3WkOgoXelPjSSUQRXd9YQSSl6e18PFjNDuHBNrZ/s960/Photo%25252020160316223018732.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzGp2tYml_O0Qos4hYmKcVDQUaM1qQHz5oxQO_q-s-YTRZZtAieaE59s_FDYMS7Sg1QgQ5-sKGidf80IgrhTiWk5tBl0L6XwnO0xYf3WkOgoXelPjSSUQRXd9YQSSl6e18PFjNDuHBNrZ/s500/Photo%25252020160316223018732.jpg" id="blogsy-1458192640497.5974" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="747"></a></div><p><font size="5">Maureen had recently moved from the country to the city, and wanted to celebrate the red squirrels that were busy in her yard. (Her squirrels are so bold that they even climbed up onto her front door to help themselves to the fake berries on a seasonal wreath.) Her use of twine and acorn that hang on the mat complete the primitive ambience emulating from this happy squirrel! </font></p><p><font size="5"> Thank you ladies for sharing your beautiful, unique and fun mats! As you can see, squirrels are not just for fall! Please consider joining us in the movement to have squirrels as part of your year round decor. This little mat hooked with other shades of squirrel colors such as, white, gray, or black would be cute. There are over 200 species of squirrels, so you have lots of color choices!</font></p><p><font size="5">Here is the quick link to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop.</font></p><p><font size="5">Happy Hooking!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZU8H34tI4_-CRE0qx7ZyWklvgwp4chCqVRUpQAvVfuu_8pJvj86mJXwHAeF_558fhCXtm85PdjBy_vR7OlUOg1IcTyUhGP4hXxNGCKk45JaTIsPHpVRdGDfHGHg1WQidlJAHepPQLOq7/s2048/Photo%25252020160316223018799.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZU8H34tI4_-CRE0qx7ZyWklvgwp4chCqVRUpQAvVfuu_8pJvj86mJXwHAeF_558fhCXtm85PdjBy_vR7OlUOg1IcTyUhGP4hXxNGCKk45JaTIsPHpVRdGDfHGHg1WQidlJAHepPQLOq7/s500/Photo%25252020160316223018799.jpg" id="blogsy-1458192640426.061" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="669" alt=""></a> </div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-15167933510537293532016-03-09T21:30:00.001-08:002016-03-09T22:48:04.035-08:00All Seasons Squirrel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIX-18namkfVIUz6qlC8kDuaFkYUp8_pR6Au8sFwRkhg_m4uQ4RSNU3keDaxCN_JVbvNDDigZd1_7-Zbs0AJzx-G8wGtVuHs-I1duNOhcohgz5mYRZjUTt9ZzKuQxFX8_aPo-PtVSwTU-/s2048/Photo%25252020160309212926187.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIX-18namkfVIUz6qlC8kDuaFkYUp8_pR6Au8sFwRkhg_m4uQ4RSNU3keDaxCN_JVbvNDDigZd1_7-Zbs0AJzx-G8wGtVuHs-I1duNOhcohgz5mYRZjUTt9ZzKuQxFX8_aPo-PtVSwTU-/s500/Photo%25252020160309212926187.jpg" id="blogsy-1457592366526.7441" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="201" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">I designed All Seasons Squirrel a couple of years ago, and finally started hooking on it this past summer. I didn't realize it would take me almost ALL of the Seasons to finish, once I started hooking! </font></p><p><font size="5">The inspiration for the design came about as I was wondering why folks seem to decorate all sorts of squirrel related decor in the autumn, but not other times of the year. I can tell you one thing for sure, I have squirrels busy in my yard all seasons, not just one. </font></p><p><font size="5">Yes, yes, in the fall they are especially busy hiding acorns. But they are also visiting my garden daily throughout the year. During winter, they seem even more adept at finding ways to raid the bird feeders. I have watched them straddle rose bushes to pick rose hips to nibble on. I gotta admit they look cute when they do that. In the spring, I have caught them picking the buds on my beloved magnolia tree and taking bites out of them. In the summer months, they are busy eating fruit or helping themselves to yet unripe filberts. </font></p><p><font size="5">Color planning for this rug was easy, or so I thought! </font></p><p><font size="5">I knew I wanted the squirrels to be a gray tone. I had just figured out a dye formula that had a gray-green cast to it. I liked how soft the color was, and what a chameleon it could be. If placed with taupe or light brown it looked gray, if used next to greens it looked greenish.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_8OJgvseedOZGq7cHJp_2pIigiwPyc2PWvLpaRK95HwgBUCdEETdQlYsg28BtWZMGgG63q-COIu7xA6YZP1tHy7U_ELrKUkOBhyphenhyphen1fPuwwVDX6RrbOGPBjxBbEgY5ES29auGV__oILIuv/s2048/Photo%25252020160309212926338.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_8OJgvseedOZGq7cHJp_2pIigiwPyc2PWvLpaRK95HwgBUCdEETdQlYsg28BtWZMGgG63q-COIu7xA6YZP1tHy7U_ELrKUkOBhyphenhyphen1fPuwwVDX6RrbOGPBjxBbEgY5ES29auGV__oILIuv/s500/Photo%25252020160309212926338.jpg" id="blogsy-1457592366518.855" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">I wanted the background light in value, with different directional hooking techniques, and just a hint of medium value strips here and there to suggest movement, but not to overtake the background.</font> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwayxMf3oCsZn_kVIZJ1ss3s5bAUEze7WQQ6ju0u3YdQDpweT2FLZ5juFSDp0qM-QkqfXnGz1Mc9Is8NE38XG1jy4-4sPm8w0t1vqyS2T1C2Ud8mumBWSVCDsPjOWKTsVEUO_bWLnRBHP/s2048/Photo%25252020160309212926470.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwayxMf3oCsZn_kVIZJ1ss3s5bAUEze7WQQ6ju0u3YdQDpweT2FLZ5juFSDp0qM-QkqfXnGz1Mc9Is8NE38XG1jy4-4sPm8w0t1vqyS2T1C2Ud8mumBWSVCDsPjOWKTsVEUO_bWLnRBHP/s500/Photo%25252020160309212926470.jpg" id="blogsy-1457592366541.31" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="669" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">The mosaic pathway that flows across the rug represents all of the squirrel's different food choices in my garden and the many colors of the seasons. I knew that the background inside the little mosaic-like shapes that run across the pattern, would need to be a medium value. (It was important to make the background within the mosaics a different value, than the main background, because otherwise, your eyes could get confused about where to focus.) I know medium backgrounds can make it more challenging to figure out how to make the motifs show up. I was fine with the idea of using a pop-out line, around those motifs to make them stand out.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32-AGD_tv61B6tR7N7hyMdjdIUqaLOaFfyhxpzinvcAjY4Vtuaeiid4MXxJxVg8pBgClxGaxn4RNgxfLsREj573kDPcwxYVxPgqYCIIhx4eZeTafKmuU8qQ9nay2ZFEwH5lNtBn75oJUJ/s1936/Photo%25252020160309212926601.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32-AGD_tv61B6tR7N7hyMdjdIUqaLOaFfyhxpzinvcAjY4Vtuaeiid4MXxJxVg8pBgClxGaxn4RNgxfLsREj573kDPcwxYVxPgqYCIIhx4eZeTafKmuU8qQ9nay2ZFEwH5lNtBn75oJUJ/s500/Photo%25252020160309212926601.jpg" id="blogsy-1457592366522.0474" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM0zqdeeiqvcXx-rBtFUYf0BoO_L_IiBKyutGPsek_HKsdLJt62qtCcGh1GRM3dOINgzUm6FlJCyiqZXVpfwaAnB0_fKMaKbm-V3POWxsqTy8l4ounlc0mVg16L0SUs9PQTsJw9Tdjhwd/s2048/Photo%25252020160309212926778.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM0zqdeeiqvcXx-rBtFUYf0BoO_L_IiBKyutGPsek_HKsdLJt62qtCcGh1GRM3dOINgzUm6FlJCyiqZXVpfwaAnB0_fKMaKbm-V3POWxsqTy8l4ounlc0mVg16L0SUs9PQTsJw9Tdjhwd/s500/Photo%25252020160309212926778.jpg" id="blogsy-1457592366534.2925" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">I am so pleased to finally have this finished mat on my dining room table rather than on my hooking frame. Real life squirrels are such characters, and this rug catches their fun-loving spirit perfectly! I smile every time I look at it.</font></p><p><font size="5">All Seasons Squirrel and other hooking related items can be found on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a>.</font></p><p><font size="5">Happy Hooking!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-oOnSPr8Fi_fIF2mpFmVKRRl0Nub9R-9pQL31HSj2BsJfyuULmrAodHobUYdzYvMLpZFF2fFuUNl0IuDVSxX4cgq5d5nkKiZReDcDnN1HGVaIANV-m-OgRwunnwxTTmX0FpONle_1zPv/s2048/Photo%25252020160309212926911.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-oOnSPr8Fi_fIF2mpFmVKRRl0Nub9R-9pQL31HSj2BsJfyuULmrAodHobUYdzYvMLpZFF2fFuUNl0IuDVSxX4cgq5d5nkKiZReDcDnN1HGVaIANV-m-OgRwunnwxTTmX0FpONle_1zPv/s500/Photo%25252020160309212926911.jpg" id="blogsy-1457592366487.2644" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-6854322767467409412016-03-02T21:53:00.001-08:002016-03-02T21:53:03.855-08:00My First Hooked Rugs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfFPppncNeKv1yZShzRhGBlRqYMcdKZiJk1_arsV6EtaDzFjW1evMRxomWWYFJCjCl8tDWi_ZqLULhamSZLTnwxrgOx1Sa-2wWZY3H8rAP6hyphenhyphenXTRT53LK-7jChEbVi4JnIcgdkEKhJkBa/s1933/Photo%25252020160302215238486.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfFPppncNeKv1yZShzRhGBlRqYMcdKZiJk1_arsV6EtaDzFjW1evMRxomWWYFJCjCl8tDWi_ZqLULhamSZLTnwxrgOx1Sa-2wWZY3H8rAP6hyphenhyphenXTRT53LK-7jChEbVi4JnIcgdkEKhJkBa/s500/Photo%25252020160302215238486.jpg" id="blogsy-1456984382491.8557" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="481"></a></div><p><font size="5">My first hooked rug was this fine-cut pansy chair seat/table mat.</font></p><p><font size="5">I got the kit, hook, a frame and Rigby double-bladed cutter all for under $25. My brain cannot be remembering that correctly! Maybe I got the used cutter later. It WAS over thirty-five years ago!</font></p><p><font size="5">All of us have a history, a creative journey, of how we got from point A to point B within our craft. I believe our journey is always evolving. What we choose to hook is shaped by so many varying aspects in our life. There are ever-changing color plans we want to explore or are drawn to use. The circumstances in our lives that we are experiencing influence our work. We may want to commemorate a joyous time, such as an arrival of a new baby or wedding. Perhaps it's a time of struggle when we need our craft to ground us, as we create a piece that reminds us of beauty and hope. There may be a long list of rugs on our hooking "bucket list", or workshops that we want to attend with rugs patterns that are the instructor's specialty.</font></p><p><font size="5">Those many years ago when I first began my journey, I adored the pansy motifs in the kit, but learned early on that I am NOT a fine-cut rug hooker. I appreciate the look of these rugs and the skill it takes to make them, but creating them did not play to my strengths. However, working with colorful wool and the "simple" act of pulling loops through a backing to create a useful, lovely rug was something that I wanted to continue to explore. </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tFUdpEiW9gq4TxpbIMVGVX63xi9_424oHs0Nofoo3ZqzGQ922Nv8LjrpR5ZkHUfKVfk5UXglPt_SppPjcVqlnln7NBl0psl_A3AEkpCR4OlmYbx9P6AHbjULt5XwcloF_Bj8kp4CsJ-Z/s1936/Photo%25252020160302215238616.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tFUdpEiW9gq4TxpbIMVGVX63xi9_424oHs0Nofoo3ZqzGQ922Nv8LjrpR5ZkHUfKVfk5UXglPt_SppPjcVqlnln7NBl0psl_A3AEkpCR4OlmYbx9P6AHbjULt5XwcloF_Bj8kp4CsJ-Z/s500/Photo%25252020160302215238616.jpg" id="blogsy-1456984382485.1062" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="524"></a></div><p><font size="5">Almost all the rug hookers that I knew at that time were doing fine-cut rugs. I had worked in an antique store and admired the antique wide-cut rugs that were for sale there. My next rug that I hooked was a primitive-style rug called Cape May Primitive by Joan Moshimer. At the time, a five-cut was considered wide (the size 8, 1/4" cutter blade would come shortly thereafter)!</font></p><p><font size="5"> I was hooked! Somehow the relationship between the design elements and making color choices that had nothing to do with realism to create a charming rug, spoke to me.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7FTUIJ_IJNnCtqzijk-JG9kuWefA_S5rIHjevVO_6QOA7HyI8HqtAbNCWmCISjB4WdaFJz39wurXDsZNuIXuTPMFGU9V1wEXPF0Biw8Y7yNJNd_0nbntMwjG75VU5xiLBvISVhQJRAC7/s2048/Photo%25252020160302215238758.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7FTUIJ_IJNnCtqzijk-JG9kuWefA_S5rIHjevVO_6QOA7HyI8HqtAbNCWmCISjB4WdaFJz39wurXDsZNuIXuTPMFGU9V1wEXPF0Biw8Y7yNJNd_0nbntMwjG75VU5xiLBvISVhQJRAC7/s500/Photo%25252020160302215238758.jpg" id="blogsy-1456984382400.7139" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="990"></a></div><p><font size="5">It is fascinating to look back on our creative journey. To wonder about how we got from there to now. I was lucky enough to hook with some talented rug hookers, designers and color artist's that influenced my work. </font></p><p><font size="5">As artists, we must pay close attention to what we LOVE to do. That is how we stay true to ourselves and create our best work. Is it a fine-cut or wide-cut rug that makes us happy? Do we prefer working with muted, soft-colors or vivid, saturated colors. Do we like to design our own rugs, use commercial patterns, or reproduce antique designs? So many more questions you can ask yourself, because, you are the only one with the answers.</font></p><p><font size="5">Whatever, and where ever you are in your creative journey is perfect for you! Listen to that inner voice that drives you to create. Listen to what YOU want to do. Try not to compare yourself with others, they have their own path and you have yours. </font></p><p><font size="5">Keep exploring and experimenting with what makes your heart sing!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8EvqrUwVQ2O7JsXi-zXI6PxEwy_Pib0Nk0C9_gMgIYxPrMAvan8ZTYNzJZE5ArhK9scmGzRbKjSIHE8DOyyD2XwqlXho-OrhrfZUZHOAx6a0CxAwv3VMN2NmxKJiSjXPw8gSt-VnwSL2/s1904/Photo%25252020160302215238881.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8EvqrUwVQ2O7JsXi-zXI6PxEwy_Pib0Nk0C9_gMgIYxPrMAvan8ZTYNzJZE5ArhK9scmGzRbKjSIHE8DOyyD2XwqlXho-OrhrfZUZHOAx6a0CxAwv3VMN2NmxKJiSjXPw8gSt-VnwSL2/s500/Photo%25252020160302215238881.jpg" id="blogsy-1456984382426.7927" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="484" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-77261541738357359312016-02-24T21:58:00.001-08:002016-02-24T21:58:34.036-08:00Garden Inspired Dye Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnzjVisgLc3w5QdMImZ9xJAJIGRbm7R-ONMb5yuuyqyOG1Yo22r9HhJGuPqweT96WYFbtKEnVKHza_X3iQaZVZWZZlh6ELNiefLTS4fnQmyaMc5qoEXk3Cu1uIMNADkXH5HW9VtVlFvi5/s1936/Photo%25252020160224215805627.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnzjVisgLc3w5QdMImZ9xJAJIGRbm7R-ONMb5yuuyqyOG1Yo22r9HhJGuPqweT96WYFbtKEnVKHza_X3iQaZVZWZZlh6ELNiefLTS4fnQmyaMc5qoEXk3Cu1uIMNADkXH5HW9VtVlFvi5/s500/Photo%25252020160224215805627.jpg" id="blogsy-1456379908761.4204" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></font></a></div><p><font size="5">In the Pacific Northwest, we seem to be having an early spring. I am inspired by all the colors that are blooming in my garden and neighborhood. </font></p><p><font size="5">So, of course, this inspiration has to some how translate into my rug hooking.</font></p><p><font size="5">This week I have been dyeing wool and not getting much rug hooking done. I dye batches of wool with amounts ranging anywhere from 1/8 yard, which is my test batch, to one yard batches. Within the next couple of weeks, I hope to have plenty of wool to offer at a vending event, or in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9uRYFexqxd510uB-agWooW50VzRn7L_lph8Zk0u4XsCeUyjmB8eX2kcufcXvFnSFJKGi3d1Foa3W6wrH1rDyWzimbfTgeXsRUBSyVCjTAkVVdHNpOV91uPVfVeKPZ7maqXZs6qy9Zxr-/s1936/Photo%25252020160224215805725.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9uRYFexqxd510uB-agWooW50VzRn7L_lph8Zk0u4XsCeUyjmB8eX2kcufcXvFnSFJKGi3d1Foa3W6wrH1rDyWzimbfTgeXsRUBSyVCjTAkVVdHNpOV91uPVfVeKPZ7maqXZs6qy9Zxr-/s500/Photo%25252020160224215805725.jpg" id="blogsy-1456379908843.0564" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO-rSphyphenhyphenvZSvbLHOCwJSx8uIbucV-6_ynx9V0bMJZh20ZumX6zYIZEYuCmHv4Nd_Asl6Ed3KtIJHTxIH7m9XQz3r3bsWRE3VANQ4Vrnkgib-la9rDdmLAfZJl4BdCOpqsG2nBspEm6q1v/s1351/Photo%25252020160224215805786.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO-rSphyphenhyphenvZSvbLHOCwJSx8uIbucV-6_ynx9V0bMJZh20ZumX6zYIZEYuCmHv4Nd_Asl6Ed3KtIJHTxIH7m9XQz3r3bsWRE3VANQ4Vrnkgib-la9rDdmLAfZJl4BdCOpqsG2nBspEm6q1v/s500/Photo%25252020160224215805786.jpg" id="blogsy-1456379908783.243" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="718"></a></div><p><font size="5">It is a fun experience to dye wool. I find it exciting to create new formulas or tweak old ones. Yet, I will have to admit, it takes a lot of dedication to persist dyeing batch after batch of wool. I have developed a systematic approach, yet, sometimes it seems like I am juggling a lot of balls all at the same time. From choosing which wool solids or textures to dye, to then soaking wool, to figuring out how much of which dyes to use. Sometimes I repeat this process six times in one day. Tonight, my back is telling me that I have been doing a lot of standing over the dye pots this week. My dining room table is covered with wool batches and recipe cards that need to get organized and updated. Even with all these steps involved, it is very gratifying to be surrounded by lovely wool. </font></p><p><font size="5"> Next week, my goal is to focus on dyeing some lighter neutrals, but for now, all the colors of the garden inspired the day!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Ho9WwgVQbO3dmBXWLkyHg8C83ZBkzY5GQBQUXZCYg0RIsrTw2Wt5nGyS6iJVs_sT7jn9-izZ_wNaSW9BEiS0FmhGvHsEkbH44Q-jBW_gX4GW9CzYdn2aMCyPaC1kzZ2OxptTGj0TOTF/s1936/Photo%25252020160224215805852.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Ho9WwgVQbO3dmBXWLkyHg8C83ZBkzY5GQBQUXZCYg0RIsrTw2Wt5nGyS6iJVs_sT7jn9-izZ_wNaSW9BEiS0FmhGvHsEkbH44Q-jBW_gX4GW9CzYdn2aMCyPaC1kzZ2OxptTGj0TOTF/s500/Photo%25252020160224215805852.jpg" id="blogsy-1456379908837.5664" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="697" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-14483279470203106152016-02-17T22:16:00.001-08:002016-02-17T22:39:46.761-08:00Listen to Your Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlWn30Zwhs3XatBddp-lNvtY3s6NjM0Hf-9o-vU7C3CnNf8RM1rv3GsP4-_QZ5X4_tz_OjatXEaRGPVvr_q3xJQ7t1HZvlNHfiQpRM3RmFVZ28pD4KIEpAxGFXqGgQkHR-85Jep_I36Nz/s2048/Photo%25252020160217221543898.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlWn30Zwhs3XatBddp-lNvtY3s6NjM0Hf-9o-vU7C3CnNf8RM1rv3GsP4-_QZ5X4_tz_OjatXEaRGPVvr_q3xJQ7t1HZvlNHfiQpRM3RmFVZ28pD4KIEpAxGFXqGgQkHR-85Jep_I36Nz/s500/Photo%25252020160217221543898.jpg" id="blogsy-1455777558303.677" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="629" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">I know, I know, Valentine's Day was LAST weekend. Some folks might think it is time to put away the hearts and gear up for the next holiday. However, I like to have hooked rugs and mats with uplifting words or symbols decorating my house throughout the year.</font></p><p><font size="5">There are many examples in books and on the internet of antique hooked rugs made with heart motifs. I like to look at these old rugs, as well as, needlework, quilts, woodwork, and nature for inspiration on ways to express love by using heart shapes in different ways.</font></p><p><font size="5">I love all the symbolism my simple mat, Listen to Your Heart, has hooked into it! Of course, the most obvious are the hearts! Four hearts in all with the biggest heart echoing out to the border. It is suppose to symbolize that love isn't contained, that love radiates out beyond our edges, if we let it.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi825om8HLKA-pait5u0mZQkQT7rX0_wEy2dJBt_CKc7Lh5xAM_1f36-_AaHEWtNKeeo6NVstH4UZszQW8Aw7tx9KpSweAOXMSVK8DvYmv4B3rM2gLvUGEdTaErpJ9MVMLfNVciPoitGDS8/s2048/Photo%25252020160217221544033.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi825om8HLKA-pait5u0mZQkQT7rX0_wEy2dJBt_CKc7Lh5xAM_1f36-_AaHEWtNKeeo6NVstH4UZszQW8Aw7tx9KpSweAOXMSVK8DvYmv4B3rM2gLvUGEdTaErpJ9MVMLfNVciPoitGDS8/s500/Photo%25252020160217221544033.jpg" id="blogsy-1455777558317.9126" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="595" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">The words and little heart, LISTEN TO YOUR ❤️, are clearly spelled out, so that every time you glance at the mat, you will READ that subliminal message, even if you aren't aware of it.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7N7ia2GlmIQrDd3MO2XmcTW2KllK0Tdrc8_lEhWPdmknQOfILI-kEl0WSEZm0YGbF2cVWHAIGNx2bFBPV7Sfh3WDZFVNdHUZ0TlabCxAZ3YEFLZ0iA-kqDQKUS_H-EzviK3cRYKQIBx6/s2048/Photo%25252020160217221544168.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7N7ia2GlmIQrDd3MO2XmcTW2KllK0Tdrc8_lEhWPdmknQOfILI-kEl0WSEZm0YGbF2cVWHAIGNx2bFBPV7Sfh3WDZFVNdHUZ0TlabCxAZ3YEFLZ0iA-kqDQKUS_H-EzviK3cRYKQIBx6/s500/Photo%25252020160217221544168.jpg" id="blogsy-1455777558293.5261" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="669" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5"> The heart in hand symbol, is an old Shaker symbol meaning charity given from the heart. My use of the hand, is meant to symbolize your hand cupped to your heart, to amplify "your voice" pounding forth from it, just like you would cup your hand to your ear to hear something more clearly.</font></p><p><font size="5">All those little red dots that outline the two main hearts represent roses. I adore a red rose that grows in our front yard. Really though, their placement was practical because I wanted to spread more red around the pattern. </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjmJUS3cpEcE9eLeKgycAh2hxom-NGRnPtTJX9jDKENSEuFSPTg5o-wB0zFmeE9gAxV_wmoVpRpvwGA5QPiUkc00sFUtrPRUahRAxAgXk7r-JhRMPFJ58uf5dmWZ9tM0E1C48kLMyxaOE/s2048/Photo%25252020160217221544279.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjmJUS3cpEcE9eLeKgycAh2hxom-NGRnPtTJX9jDKENSEuFSPTg5o-wB0zFmeE9gAxV_wmoVpRpvwGA5QPiUkc00sFUtrPRUahRAxAgXk7r-JhRMPFJ58uf5dmWZ9tM0E1C48kLMyxaOE/s500/Photo%25252020160217221544279.jpg" id="blogsy-1455777558298.9475" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5"> I hooked this mat using again, my already cut wool strips from my previous big rug that I finished in early January. I cannot believe, I am going to say this, however, I am getting tired of green! Well, maybe I will take a step away from green for one or two of my next rugs..no promises!</font></p><p><font size="5">The background four corner areas were hooked in similar value hit-or-miss directional hooking. For binding the edges, I used off-the-bolt yardage of three different textures. I really should try some other finishing techniques, but crocheting the edge goes so fast, and I still like the way it looks to complete a rug.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYtRfxGi_lmhI8YOsOLVHgYD_16hDExOeQV4tDAQ5Hh_TmZJ1LoqTbpKskVPnYd_ybdAV77aDIEcfL4fhNybnGnJUFxAgrE1jjhs7pdPTgQUMHEzQvyCf6wiYoW5Z7fNpfa-pt1hlAwcD/s2048/Photo%25252020160217221544399.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYtRfxGi_lmhI8YOsOLVHgYD_16hDExOeQV4tDAQ5Hh_TmZJ1LoqTbpKskVPnYd_ybdAV77aDIEcfL4fhNybnGnJUFxAgrE1jjhs7pdPTgQUMHEzQvyCf6wiYoW5Z7fNpfa-pt1hlAwcD/s500/Photo%25252020160217221544399.jpg" id="blogsy-1455777558340.0647" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="669" alt=""></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMgpiIGFDPBe2zTUTNfkC5nFpWQfQVBp5pkPrewVW2J6FQDBDicsiywmOCk2kOKOXZArGDM_KdzUYTZg9sRmWNtddyTBq01SmGKtOvIagqs18ltwwgOTR3rrAsehBqjy8e4LItC9j9KxI/s2048/Photo%25252020160217221544496.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMgpiIGFDPBe2zTUTNfkC5nFpWQfQVBp5pkPrewVW2J6FQDBDicsiywmOCk2kOKOXZArGDM_KdzUYTZg9sRmWNtddyTBq01SmGKtOvIagqs18ltwwgOTR3rrAsehBqjy8e4LItC9j9KxI/s500/Photo%25252020160217221544496.jpg" id="blogsy-1455777558346.2766" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5"> Listen to Your Heart measures 14"x17". It is available in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop as a PDF instant downloadable file. </font></p><p><font size="5">I have my two most recent designs hung next to my front door, to serve as a reminder when I leave and when I return to strive to have a heart-focused day!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeaFngrWA4x6M0A6N0a5b9LGClRlEOogq6oqOhUYsi1gVuzSZxJFaM7pFZ57c8DNcGE14fr7Ghfz25-5VZUBGIWD9m9BR6Y7_k6A9J536MdWLL9Cx-QI0F2z7x-jlvJfG4uU2fCobgSOb/s2048/Photo%25252020160217221544581.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeaFngrWA4x6M0A6N0a5b9LGClRlEOogq6oqOhUYsi1gVuzSZxJFaM7pFZ57c8DNcGE14fr7Ghfz25-5VZUBGIWD9m9BR6Y7_k6A9J536MdWLL9Cx-QI0F2z7x-jlvJfG4uU2fCobgSOb/s500/Photo%25252020160217221544581.jpg" id="blogsy-1455777558310.5422" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="862" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-58984390279475668942016-02-10T22:04:00.001-08:002016-02-10T22:04:10.406-08:00Follow Your Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jf2FZtUHcbX_xtrbGFAWd8AneTVCkl18XBKGJDWE6p3nBGPwg7vLiXh3rmqV12UrD0H79fnD3FEZzZBdYtZNuWOOcpzeJYNBNqdfzjmAzo37CKTk9R-YI8C_MjYlJoSN3wf-yAEV0vOG/s2048/Photo%25252020160210220347310.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Jf2FZtUHcbX_xtrbGFAWd8AneTVCkl18XBKGJDWE6p3nBGPwg7vLiXh3rmqV12UrD0H79fnD3FEZzZBdYtZNuWOOcpzeJYNBNqdfzjmAzo37CKTk9R-YI8C_MjYlJoSN3wf-yAEV0vOG/s500/Photo%25252020160210220347310.jpg" id="blogsy-1455170649069.2327" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="426"></a></div><p><font size="5"> This week commemorates my one year of blogging! My very first post was about hooking hearts, and so it is fitting that this one year anniversary post is too. Thank you to all of you that follow me, and those who check out my musings now and again! I love the idea that I join you for your morning cup of tea, coffee or commute each week! I am truly grateful for all of you!</font></p><p><font size="5">This design, Follow Your Heart, 14" x 17", is one of the panel ideas for a larger rug design, that I have mentioned before, called "Matters of the Heart". In fact, in the next few weeks, I will be exploring some of those designs and make them available in my ETSY shop as I contemplate whether I want to follow through with getting the large rug design from paper to linen. It is such a big job! I am catching my breath before I commit. The goal is to use my already cut wool strips for this big project! </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3Z_UHbl5BVUo5OBgORu8SMX5BCtQ2EnYpvzlCmL4q1vbRHgrxh3AqvRCPe7hQePEmpRkdjKRGcnzjU6WLShK6s9VeBk0_nWpb3yXgPtmYTZbImKIMWLVgOm6qRXeUZ0fu_rPrUu6c59U/s2048/Photo%25252020160210220347485.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3Z_UHbl5BVUo5OBgORu8SMX5BCtQ2EnYpvzlCmL4q1vbRHgrxh3AqvRCPe7hQePEmpRkdjKRGcnzjU6WLShK6s9VeBk0_nWpb3yXgPtmYTZbImKIMWLVgOm6qRXeUZ0fu_rPrUu6c59U/s500/Photo%25252020160210220347485.jpg" id="blogsy-1455170649051.1204" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="421"></a></div><p><font size="5">I am happy to say that I DID USE ALREADY CUT WOOL STRIPS, for at least 75% of this little mat. I am feeling so virtuous! In fact, these wools were ones that I cut for the Dove In Flight rug (see post from last week of January 2016). I am thinking that after every big rug I hook, I should challenge myself to design some smaller rugs to use up cut wool. Why haven't I thought of this idea before?! Time will tell if this really happens, but I can dream right?!</font></p><p><font size="5">Colors used in the big heart are greens, grays and tans to complement the cool pinks used for the heart that surrounds the dove. Dirty whites are used for the dove and the "messy" hit and miss background surrounding the big heart. In that background, use a variety of gray green, taupe, whites, pinks, (cool and warm) with some reds and rusts thrown in, here and there! Yay for using already cut wool strips! </font></p><p><font size="5">I realize that Valentine's Day is almost upon us. So why am I just now showing up with a heart focused rug? Hearts have been used throughout the ages in textiles, architecture, ceramics, paintings, poetry and songs to express our appreciation for nature, love and beauty. I think we need more than just one day out of the year dedicated to LOVE! I am voting through creating my hooked heart pieces, that we have a week, a month, a year, celebrating LOVE, not just one day! Goodness, we could all use a little more love in our life, right!?</font></p><p><font size="5">The little heart-like weather vane with the dove within, is meant to remind you, that no matter how the winds of life blow you about, remember to FOLLOW YOUR HEART! Fly straight as an arrow!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYG46n4Unk4Qxbd-otMfDlrBnAytgmnT0XbNhv7-lF4BARgELpxSdiZ5KX-xi2mlPjPMJEJeI0f5Y5i3p9nvtOeUCiFr7Pxep0eIuHqJIKl3RzxKY-1hWHbBiA_gpHWGSqcFIc_9BJ2T0/s2048/Photo%25252020160210220347734.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYG46n4Unk4Qxbd-otMfDlrBnAytgmnT0XbNhv7-lF4BARgELpxSdiZ5KX-xi2mlPjPMJEJeI0f5Y5i3p9nvtOeUCiFr7Pxep0eIuHqJIKl3RzxKY-1hWHbBiA_gpHWGSqcFIc_9BJ2T0/s500/Photo%25252020160210220347734.jpg" id="blogsy-1455170649016.5208" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a> </div><p><font size="5">I'm excited to announce that my design, Follow Your Heart, is available as an instant downloadable PDF in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop! </font><span style="font-size: x-large;">You do not have to wait for the mail carrier, you can start hooking to your heart's content today!</span><br></p><p><font size="5">Cast your vote for LOVE!</font> </p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-46942646057343536612016-02-03T21:33:00.001-08:002016-02-03T21:33:41.551-08:00Guest Hooking Artist: Patty Rogers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TAd-PsWd2zK4ztXHtJQotsXCSwux6CbwsEBrt0PrM-gWK9Ofqnfq0013nxMUOJdADT5DHIOrjgOaeQyADFj8LheseCeEBvJ46UNOSCL-0_1L5qY7LodRtN9Tqm7dXsujBcqGc0xF3Ujw/s1850/Photo%25252020160203213240967.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TAd-PsWd2zK4ztXHtJQotsXCSwux6CbwsEBrt0PrM-gWK9Ofqnfq0013nxMUOJdADT5DHIOrjgOaeQyADFj8LheseCeEBvJ46UNOSCL-0_1L5qY7LodRtN9Tqm7dXsujBcqGc0xF3Ujw/s500/Photo%25252020160203213240967.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020194.2383" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="512"></a></div><p><font size="5">From a rug hooker and designer's perspective, it is always an honor when another hooking artist, likes your patterns enough to hook multiple designs of yours. What is even better, is when you get to actually see these rugs.</font></p><p><font size="5">I recently had the opportunity to view my rugs being used and displayed in Patty Rogers home. They look beautiful! Patty often uses a more saturated color palette than I do. Which totally works with her home decor and color scheme! It is so much fun and educational for me to see my rugs interpreted in different ways! </font></p><p><font size="5">This is a quilt-like inspired rug Stars & Squares.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQle7jepKGPzqbPZv7TMkNo8ZmFT4vQd70BsKA9PSc3uSYVp60t4g6vPTP6RXJxosH3orOSvIWGml19L5lTCMycrAWiG-D6x4YQfAAeqXbeIzpx2p_pyo5OLYyEOYLD27c1vTNi3CKIrG/s1903/Photo%25252020160203213241113.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQle7jepKGPzqbPZv7TMkNo8ZmFT4vQd70BsKA9PSc3uSYVp60t4g6vPTP6RXJxosH3orOSvIWGml19L5lTCMycrAWiG-D6x4YQfAAeqXbeIzpx2p_pyo5OLYyEOYLD27c1vTNi3CKIrG/s500/Photo%25252020160203213241113.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020220.8274" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="710"></a><br></div><p><font size="5">I really like the little details of how she used a lighter value to age the pinks near the star.</font> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinn6prIBF3YrWmyHdXlYnPrXpcvAamIOBkrbvb3DBXD5jkqw8eHl4NdgI2mSO-Xp9yZGnRFOLnA0k21vOfs3PVyTs92RB2kP28el1gT32OdYcW8rJCb8QIZbKC79ydlRrdJbcI4Po2xSu6/s1520/Photo%25252020160203213241188.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinn6prIBF3YrWmyHdXlYnPrXpcvAamIOBkrbvb3DBXD5jkqw8eHl4NdgI2mSO-Xp9yZGnRFOLnA0k21vOfs3PVyTs92RB2kP28el1gT32OdYcW8rJCb8QIZbKC79ydlRrdJbcI4Po2xSu6/s500/Photo%25252020160203213241188.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020236.262" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="476"></a></div><p><font size="5">Notice how she uses reds, browns and rosy pinks to blend the background colors to make it more interesting</font>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew3QC7WThmQ05lN1CGZ3tntnHGAFP7qfFXW6pu5SLJRiFXvLoHvhIMVy7u4QCUxoDNNKtTmZfuKIVsOJxQOZY4o2lMz1H6iVSZI5t0HnfWtm7xKopiFE_RRNJDuZcz92SvPponXwwHGYu/s1390/Photo%25252020160203213241267.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew3QC7WThmQ05lN1CGZ3tntnHGAFP7qfFXW6pu5SLJRiFXvLoHvhIMVy7u4QCUxoDNNKtTmZfuKIVsOJxQOZY4o2lMz1H6iVSZI5t0HnfWtm7xKopiFE_RRNJDuZcz92SvPponXwwHGYu/s500/Photo%25252020160203213241267.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020233.8113" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="502"></a></div><p><font size="5">Patty did a lovely job of hooking a few of my salmon motif rugs. She really nailed the technique to make the background look like rippling waves in Salmon & Wild Roses.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qZ7wuNBb-iqIr9Tkks3kGm0ZFWT3ZUaOcYRXhRkYtYaLsotoXHv0yVeUAZnDOFhCkYbbyajSpGc0OupWYAP9wCLRvoCN1m4ExqU339mKtFX0ea8JJRXPbKSKLFJg0jbl8tSwBvgQY8u4/s1936/Photo%25252020160203213241372.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qZ7wuNBb-iqIr9Tkks3kGm0ZFWT3ZUaOcYRXhRkYtYaLsotoXHv0yVeUAZnDOFhCkYbbyajSpGc0OupWYAP9wCLRvoCN1m4ExqU339mKtFX0ea8JJRXPbKSKLFJg0jbl8tSwBvgQY8u4/s500/Photo%25252020160203213241372.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020251.0415" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="309"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtODuWNwnorJtBTrhygiGyRjjq2xlxJNCdm8y8lp0aBJ1iP_Tg-d0vvMO8JXAc1jxzq516_JSruCVCRqGgDzNJ6IvyEttW3eeQW4n_qHQWZf8f5N2xpdIVm3_fUF8IpNnzxe8Gjhlb0ujZ/s1936/Photo%25252020160203213241490.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtODuWNwnorJtBTrhygiGyRjjq2xlxJNCdm8y8lp0aBJ1iP_Tg-d0vvMO8JXAc1jxzq516_JSruCVCRqGgDzNJ6IvyEttW3eeQW4n_qHQWZf8f5N2xpdIVm3_fUF8IpNnzxe8Gjhlb0ujZ/s500/Photo%25252020160203213241490.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020225.0352" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p><font size="5">Below, in The Valley, is a close-up of the pictorial middle section of the rug, and a section of the border. Unfortunately, I could not get my camera to cooperate to show the high contrast between the motifs and outer border background. </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5KQt8K6DRbHTcVmqHUvWGugCuFKd0dI7pP_Q4NTUGri27K7OkZmxR6JuUllMRdALVNGeaFObd7C8Gm8FkaE876S6qfOOPmbLbU1qZPfnREx2dK6-ZmpstSk_9pNc_s2UnwQJBH_onsMS/s1822/Photo%25252020160203213241630.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5KQt8K6DRbHTcVmqHUvWGugCuFKd0dI7pP_Q4NTUGri27K7OkZmxR6JuUllMRdALVNGeaFObd7C8Gm8FkaE876S6qfOOPmbLbU1qZPfnREx2dK6-ZmpstSk_9pNc_s2UnwQJBH_onsMS/s500/Photo%25252020160203213241630.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020187.6555" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="491"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QldtlBLqh4fApxmJak7u2vEmoypn5AlFRjqhKXJZQzqwjBjQUuLZJzgm6Y6kRxNeZ_92YNfnKqC-jEAeWkFdxgP_PgOoilb_eq7qKuoBWlUve91PXdgRPis7M-KdRvzr-e2BfXENdTC1/s1936/Photo%25252020160203213241752.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QldtlBLqh4fApxmJak7u2vEmoypn5AlFRjqhKXJZQzqwjBjQUuLZJzgm6Y6kRxNeZ_92YNfnKqC-jEAeWkFdxgP_PgOoilb_eq7qKuoBWlUve91PXdgRPis7M-KdRvzr-e2BfXENdTC1/s500/Photo%25252020160203213241752.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020182.246" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><p><font size="5">Finally, these two sweet mats, the Lullaby Bunny is cleverly made into a pillow. The Garden HIdeaway is a table mat used in her hooking room. </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd-6kAtIaIJDEvm8rHFRMYsiay9e870_FGWAQ1mhaoKPIRYRgKi2gdfKdfrtT51IaEie4Yl3mvuMYSOmsRzhX2HwPtDxbGpLzfOSAhXxtG2kZEpNzYSZ8GuIJlvpQgNaqz9Z10lLn4fOO/s1936/Photo%25252020160203213241886.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd-6kAtIaIJDEvm8rHFRMYsiay9e870_FGWAQ1mhaoKPIRYRgKi2gdfKdfrtT51IaEie4Yl3mvuMYSOmsRzhX2HwPtDxbGpLzfOSAhXxtG2kZEpNzYSZ8GuIJlvpQgNaqz9Z10lLn4fOO/s500/Photo%25252020160203213241886.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020239.9873" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="485"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4WumJipFIFq8sgoQhjRCeJKLIAuh5k2VNdWln7P1mKXymi88OipYh0euAS_Dw2UcgXBNTGluZjfHecaFWKLM3suFQd3KQ79cO2xaSDYRFb4YC2gf_asQ5YCqm0bb4vn0j_Vg-Da4dM6m/s1780/Photo%25252020160203213242097.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4WumJipFIFq8sgoQhjRCeJKLIAuh5k2VNdWln7P1mKXymi88OipYh0euAS_Dw2UcgXBNTGluZjfHecaFWKLM3suFQd3KQ79cO2xaSDYRFb4YC2gf_asQ5YCqm0bb4vn0j_Vg-Da4dM6m/s500/Photo%25252020160203213242097.jpg" id="blogsy-1454564020238.9385" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="501" alt=""></a></div><p><font size="5">Patty has been hooking for many years and has so many varied and interesting rugs in her home. She used her rugs on the walls, as table mats, as bathroom mats, in the kitchen, as pillows on the bed or couch! Her hooking pieces are as small as mug coasters, to a huge 4' x 6' rug in her entryway! Maybe the next time I visit I can show off all of these! </font></p><p><font size="5">Thank you Patty for letting me admire all of your amazing rugs in your home, and for letting me showcase my designs hooked so beautifully by you!</font></p><p><font size="5">Please visit my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/northwestfolkdesign" target="_blank" title="ETSY">ETSY</a> shop to see many of my pattern, designs, and hand-dyed wool.</font></p><p>*<font size="5">Yin & Yang Salmon opening photo</font></p><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-1399980915302769602016-01-27T21:30:00.001-08:002016-01-27T21:30:42.473-08:00A Dove In Flight: Antique Reproduction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7djOWBFravtSjCRZVk98XNQuDwfZ47QqeQL84TeDN3KocBNrbl2a097Zk9AXK_KSURfYSP96n05hH0ghXPiSOl7OubPRO0ExbLSxhLnBoyvXDWgBgblZkka5rcUnIs7igaJvFFDOOB-ma/s1774/Photo%25252020160127210101861.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7djOWBFravtSjCRZVk98XNQuDwfZ47QqeQL84TeDN3KocBNrbl2a097Zk9AXK_KSURfYSP96n05hH0ghXPiSOl7OubPRO0ExbLSxhLnBoyvXDWgBgblZkka5rcUnIs7igaJvFFDOOB-ma/s500/Photo%25252020160127210101861.jpg" id="blogsy-1453959038981.0737" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="460"></a></div><p><font size="5">When I was asked to hook a reproduction of the antique rug, A Dove In Flight, I didn't have to think too long or too hard to answer with an emphatic, "Yes!"</font></p><p><font size="5">I was finishing a rug I had designed called Dove's Song, that features a mourning dove and garden flowers. I was actually familiar with the antique rug, A Dove In Flight, having seen it earlier in the year somewhere on the Internet. It seemed like a great opportunity to experiment hooking a copy of an antique rug, with a subject I was already exploring myself! </font></p><p><font size="5">This rug seems to be one, folks either love or hate. However, I was fascinated by it. There were so many interesting aspect to this piece that each time I looked, I would notice something different and be pulled back into admiring and wondering about this rug and it's creator.</font></p><p><font size="5">Take a good long look at the original photos (One photo was taken with a flash. The other without. I used the one without the flash as my color reference.) </font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KeFUnFmJHBkY7gHadQqgsXRK3uz05MUeJC4HsuEZhVrf4hHm3dvSQSbbbV5UAIUjPoZP8O9okczPRm3goz1R7ArueidpVaZKhrNhVgVsEPkWmIh_kTRXrsphny6Udz6yOkZ044a0YwG3/s712/Photo%25252020160127210101915.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KeFUnFmJHBkY7gHadQqgsXRK3uz05MUeJC4HsuEZhVrf4hHm3dvSQSbbbV5UAIUjPoZP8O9okczPRm3goz1R7ArueidpVaZKhrNhVgVsEPkWmIh_kTRXrsphny6Udz6yOkZ044a0YwG3/s500/Photo%25252020160127210101915.jpg" id="blogsy-1453959039017.357" class="alignleft" alt="" width="215" height="298"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KeFUnFmJHBkY7gHadQqgsXRK3uz05MUeJC4HsuEZhVrf4hHm3dvSQSbbbV5UAIUjPoZP8O9okczPRm3goz1R7ArueidpVaZKhrNhVgVsEPkWmIh_kTRXrsphny6Udz6yOkZ044a0YwG3/s712/Photo%25252020160127210101915.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KeFUnFmJHBkY7gHadQqgsXRK3uz05MUeJC4HsuEZhVrf4hHm3dvSQSbbbV5UAIUjPoZP8O9okczPRm3goz1R7ArueidpVaZKhrNhVgVsEPkWmIh_kTRXrsphny6Udz6yOkZ044a0YwG3/s712/Photo%25252020160127210101915.jpg" target="_blank" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br></a></div><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYPnDu5XY-i-GBQIZmOl7tVnouCZCh0dxJ7Tkj_8kDFz434WLSNk6tQi7jd8rXryvmLfXASZkJ48AiyqDzGny71KRvoOmSatebgqRCo5by_bjnabnrxvVaiQvFNI14VBwNcfjs_-SUPuE/s961/Photo%25252020160127210101971.jpg" target="_blank" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYPnDu5XY-i-GBQIZmOl7tVnouCZCh0dxJ7Tkj_8kDFz434WLSNk6tQi7jd8rXryvmLfXASZkJ48AiyqDzGny71KRvoOmSatebgqRCo5by_bjnabnrxvVaiQvFNI14VBwNcfjs_-SUPuE/s500/Photo%25252020160127210101971.jpg" id="blogsy-1453959038963.294" class="" alt="" width="338" height="304"></a> </p><p><font size="5"> Notice, first, it is a wonderful folk art dove in flight with an olive branch. Now that is a happy, hopeful thought! See the white and grays in the dove. Was it originally all white? Are the grays caused by aging, or was it primitively shaded? Note the movement created in the background around the dove. There are a lot of hooking techniques and use of color used to keep your eyes moving about the background. It's a fine balance to keep your interest, but to not be overpowered by this flowing movement. The original rug hooker was no amateur! With the scroll shapes rolling out from all four corners of the rug, or earth, and the the gold and black at the top and bottom of the rug, what</font><span style="font-size: x-large;"> was this designer trying to convey? I reserve the right, to blog and post about this rug a few more times in the near future. I have so much to share and reflect upon, that it would be a novel if I tried to do it all in one post.</span></p><p><font size="5">The original was hooked in wool and cotton on a burlap backing. It's dated between 1870-1890. </font></p><p><font size="5">As I blogged in an earlier post. I have been hooking only my own patterns for these past 10 year, although I've been hooking for over 30 years and have hooked several rug patterns by other designers. I am no expert on copyright laws. So, if you are going to hook any antique reproduction, be sure to check out what the parameters are concerning copying and if the original pattern rights are owned by anyone.</font></p><p><font size="5">The version that I hooked of A Dove In Flight, is an antiques reproduction made by The Sampling. The dove has been adapted compared to the original and the overall size of the piece is a few inches smaller than the original. Copyright laws definitely apply to this version of A Dove in Flight.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxIcTAGlVIblC9yYxT0YTpgWGNmkkkOhuX8NbwkUKKb8rQN7969Ffuu9E7bvkeQBVQ2_sfWWSmbV1-_nBnumkK9OGHD3WqLx5KyOQCW539uPMjErdsi2F7yJLwrbhFfty__uCOGItbrPE/s2048/Photo%25252020160127210102161.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxIcTAGlVIblC9yYxT0YTpgWGNmkkkOhuX8NbwkUKKb8rQN7969Ffuu9E7bvkeQBVQ2_sfWWSmbV1-_nBnumkK9OGHD3WqLx5KyOQCW539uPMjErdsi2F7yJLwrbhFfty__uCOGItbrPE/s500/Photo%25252020160127210102161.jpg" id="blogsy-1453959038971.5415" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHAfYoXZG5ntc7Hq9XAi68_PanOXNPN2pUxuoraJxmjDygeOmcygFcylGscbfO-Ydgb6WMpq1UHd2dFmknFffiwuZv-7N4DfTQdvVWupcajV6_oVJNVNcTlzTbxOsUzFsgSX_0nbltKoo/s1641/Photo%25252020160127210102245.jpg" target="_blank" style=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHAfYoXZG5ntc7Hq9XAi68_PanOXNPN2pUxuoraJxmjDygeOmcygFcylGscbfO-Ydgb6WMpq1UHd2dFmknFffiwuZv-7N4DfTQdvVWupcajV6_oVJNVNcTlzTbxOsUzFsgSX_0nbltKoo/s500/Photo%25252020160127210102245.jpg" id="blogsy-1453959038996.6453" class="alignnone" alt="" width="500" height="335"></a></div><p><font size="5"> It truly was an honor to hook this rug. To bring a beautiful, aged antique rug into the present.</font></p><p><font size="5">I think the original artist of A Dove In Flight would be pleased to know her masterpiece is appreciated into a future that she could barely have imagined. That her subject, the dove with the olive branch, still today is recognized as a hopeful sign of peace, freedom, new beginnings and reconciliation.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPr3S_cxTzEkSriZbt62u1jJ8I0vt17oG3er8UbQ21PVQ73K74rTW3kCNaDdZu9vf5yZ0gLEnekqNwtPiW4rlMkemZITqrAiGSqUQMXBkvdNF-gYDhBI26L8VdDVVP_SNA6KiNMHWTdS2/s2048/Photo%25252020160127210102380.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPr3S_cxTzEkSriZbt62u1jJ8I0vt17oG3er8UbQ21PVQ73K74rTW3kCNaDdZu9vf5yZ0gLEnekqNwtPiW4rlMkemZITqrAiGSqUQMXBkvdNF-gYDhBI26L8VdDVVP_SNA6KiNMHWTdS2/s500/Photo%25252020160127210102380.jpg" id="blogsy-1453959039013.7258" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aRq7Lce6zCXOqUmqGDf2IxDNRooC21Lokp4kImxU_vZBZohlcEe4yRtW_DHaAtrOuqJjdOeeujsu0GwR7iiR8ILxcn-JSpgwo76fk6HS23rGIsZqZe5gOm0pPWwlbRgM7jMRCpcotoxO/s2048/Photo%25252020160127210102519.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aRq7Lce6zCXOqUmqGDf2IxDNRooC21Lokp4kImxU_vZBZohlcEe4yRtW_DHaAtrOuqJjdOeeujsu0GwR7iiR8ILxcn-JSpgwo76fk6HS23rGIsZqZe5gOm0pPWwlbRgM7jMRCpcotoxO/s500/Photo%25252020160127210102519.jpg" id="blogsy-1453959039034.179" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zA1Qe6diZ7BUXbo1amALYc5-6qoDjS3Do8MO8xYuZlu627TyLN5_eVa8iSQaRQ0jiEez3s75EXNo1tb3UeSLqWs7SQ_bomHeZMtoAuky3-eiw4mH7q4Al51NRQNqIYk8hp7eVO5BbZO0/s1774/Photo%25252020160127210102662.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zA1Qe6diZ7BUXbo1amALYc5-6qoDjS3Do8MO8xYuZlu627TyLN5_eVa8iSQaRQ0jiEez3s75EXNo1tb3UeSLqWs7SQ_bomHeZMtoAuky3-eiw4mH7q4Al51NRQNqIYk8hp7eVO5BbZO0/s500/Photo%25252020160127210102662.jpg" id="blogsy-1453959039028.7876" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="500"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrRvZJ8eG2Xjt8jO-tolBtJmYsBadgSZR4usgBSwX07kXItkx7zgI6a2iT8soEIhS0oz0RfobOrsYf3QK3ZiYB3a_AuXCotID5Gud6jmWYU2Cct4SBkL3SxHqQAkbcvEiEbc5MlGiS8J0/s2048/Photo%25252020160127210102892.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrRvZJ8eG2Xjt8jO-tolBtJmYsBadgSZR4usgBSwX07kXItkx7zgI6a2iT8soEIhS0oz0RfobOrsYf3QK3ZiYB3a_AuXCotID5Gud6jmWYU2Cct4SBkL3SxHqQAkbcvEiEbc5MlGiS8J0/s500/Photo%25252020160127210102892.jpg" id="blogsy-1453959039034.8083" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5419475238498136268.post-9208648669166549742016-01-20T21:35:00.001-08:002016-01-20T21:35:49.312-08:00The Designer in Me, Honors the Designer in You!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D6R7Hwu8bxDNsvfOOxMuQTGazatsgEcEdce6odfu9gzt7MZPYdwshI-npB5uGxIRTHCtToL56-frRg6cLBjbjkmbuqP5Nk27VpKYr4XVEvdFlZrWoqsjiBS_biqxqeORcAc2xjaEsReN/s2048/Photo%25252020160120213449979.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5D6R7Hwu8bxDNsvfOOxMuQTGazatsgEcEdce6odfu9gzt7MZPYdwshI-npB5uGxIRTHCtToL56-frRg6cLBjbjkmbuqP5Nk27VpKYr4XVEvdFlZrWoqsjiBS_biqxqeORcAc2xjaEsReN/s500/Photo%25252020160120213449979.jpg" id="blogsy-1453354547844.7217" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="749"></a></div><p><font size="5">These past few months I participated in a rug hooking challenge, presented by Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farms. She provided motifs drawn by her, based on antique rugs. Those of us who chose to participate were to use ONLY those motifs in a rug design that WE created. We could use one of the motif, all of them, or whatever inspired us. She had an alphabet, whale, mouse, cats, dog, flowers, scrolls, chicken, squirrel, I think about 26 different choices in all. The rug needed to be at least 17" x 24". We had three months to finish it, that included binding. The challenge began on October 3 and ended by midnight January 3.</font></p><p><font size="5">For the last ten years or so, I have hooked only my own designs. I guess I had many personal stories and ideas I needed to share and express through my rugs. But, lately, I have tried to say, "Yes," to the Universe, when it comes calling. The idea of using Lori's antique inspired motifs and to be part of a creative group of rug hooking women, seemed like a fun thing to do! And it definitely was!</font></p><p><font size="5">We were to share our designs and rugs with the Facebook challenge group, as we hooked along from start to finish! I was amazed at how some people had their designs on paper and were transferring them to a backing the next day just about. I am a "ponderer", so it takes me a while to get my designs worked out. It was good for me to see people jump right in with their ideas! Liberating really! And best of all, I thought it thrilling to see how other rug hookers, who may have never designed a rug before, made meaningful beautiful rugs for themselves! They were designers!</font></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">So, how did I choose which motifs to use? When my daughter was a little girl and could not fall asleep at night, we would recite the poem All Things Bright And Beautiful, by Cecil Frances Alexander. When I saw the whale and mouse that Lori had designed, a line from that poem, "All creatures great and small" kept popping into my head.</span><br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFE3CeqYolGeS81kcl476YVgkyiZdsVAQNpRyjSNmxYL5HOg3UX3xqLpMXoSV6vwsjo0qMncCP7BfX6eB5MCiMJMb6bnn5VLARyqTRLv01R-zMLb4uSDAgdJ_fwZvBOiAV3jNHIcFfnyV/s2048/Photo%25252020160120213450193.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFE3CeqYolGeS81kcl476YVgkyiZdsVAQNpRyjSNmxYL5HOg3UX3xqLpMXoSV6vwsjo0qMncCP7BfX6eB5MCiMJMb6bnn5VLARyqTRLv01R-zMLb4uSDAgdJ_fwZvBOiAV3jNHIcFfnyV/s500/Photo%25252020160120213450193.jpg" id="blogsy-1453354547831.1965" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CK1yUHm9t-RHDY2iUQgi55D79XNuGlqz2Da-tczHY8VhVox4AtpFD2isWgAE-VECSW4-AEvk2eBKd3LhmYP8YTpyQyVuKlzobWBwUs9eOavwOwmCoeGbBnhvmZ_BmMN0_xdz4-9A0b8d/s2048/Photo%25252020160120213450337.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CK1yUHm9t-RHDY2iUQgi55D79XNuGlqz2Da-tczHY8VhVox4AtpFD2isWgAE-VECSW4-AEvk2eBKd3LhmYP8YTpyQyVuKlzobWBwUs9eOavwOwmCoeGbBnhvmZ_BmMN0_xdz4-9A0b8d/s500/Photo%25252020160120213450337.jpg" id="blogsy-1453354547845.1855" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="373"></a></div><p><font size="5"> When I initially designed this rug, I was SO FOCUSED on the suggested size, 17" x 24", that I didn't take into account, how the color would flow once I hooked it. (An aside, I was already working on a rug, an antique reproduction, that is 30" x 36", which also had a deadline for finishing... more on this in another post.) So, I was trying to keep the challenge rug as small as possible.</font></p><p><font size="5">Originally my rug design, ended at the top, with a scroll-like wave just above my lettering... But read on!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABcMWdWy9eCu578XXWbfpXqr0OsPmld_Qg1G3egh3hwnUJF6UdawnTky-Xmupv0R9R5Y54u_1Wy8127ejkCKfJmZ0fSdFxnibeZhqCYbF53VFLc6-Xc1Xf-UARnBFeJAhTlGtCtvzKozU/s1182/Photo%25252020160120213450399.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABcMWdWy9eCu578XXWbfpXqr0OsPmld_Qg1G3egh3hwnUJF6UdawnTky-Xmupv0R9R5Y54u_1Wy8127ejkCKfJmZ0fSdFxnibeZhqCYbF53VFLc6-Xc1Xf-UARnBFeJAhTlGtCtvzKozU/s500/Photo%25252020160120213450399.jpg" id="blogsy-1453354547881.467" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="280"></a></div><p><font size="5">As I was hooking my rug, I realized I had a problem with my design, that would bother me unless I fixed the issue. But the "fix" required me doing something I have never done before. I would to need to attach more linen at the top of my rug, in order to adds the flower motifs, above that top scroll, so the colors used in the bottom would flow to the top. </font></p><p><font size="5">I contacted a friend and fellow designer, who often hooks large rugs and sews linen together to make the linen big enough for her rugs. She suggested that for this size of rug, I overlap the linen by three inches, using the largest zigzag setting on my sewing machine, so that my hook could fit between the stitches. I was very nervous to try this. I was possibly going to ruin my rug, and all the work I had put into it. I was pleased her approach worked like a charm! It was not difficult to hook through the double layers of the foundation, and once pressed I could not tell where the rug was joined. </font></p><p><font size="5">(Look closely in the photo below, you can see the zigzag stitching where the linen was joined. In between the TOP zigzag line and BOTTOM zigzag line is the three inches of double overlapped linen that I hooked through.)</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1O0pxRN8lwsnK1-lREhkPX0PhDH-deltMqCYEV4D9Dv6JFeXqhu9M_ouKUGixJl0X72E8AZ2z_hftfTIFPwVN_MKVG6JE_SqKJnlZIeg1M7RyoRluP3gWg9kycuFSAHgGqlEBwcoxqcJ/s2048/Photo%25252020160120213450511.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1O0pxRN8lwsnK1-lREhkPX0PhDH-deltMqCYEV4D9Dv6JFeXqhu9M_ouKUGixJl0X72E8AZ2z_hftfTIFPwVN_MKVG6JE_SqKJnlZIeg1M7RyoRluP3gWg9kycuFSAHgGqlEBwcoxqcJ/s500/Photo%25252020160120213450511.jpg" id="blogsy-1453354547868.6384" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><p><font size="5">My goal was to hook a soft, pastel and muted rug, reminiscent of a vintage valentine postcard. I had recently marbleized batches of wool and thought they could blend in an interesting way for the background to look like the sun sparkling on the water. I also used some textured neutral wool, to blend with the marbleized wool, and to add interest.</font><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W-IE7hPfFwtHzHuFOief_aLfJup0rgL0Kr1lfPSAkDPAs9ceIXhgUKOcbB_xMmoafXLlHXWoUIkJgIykvdYo9d9u3Om9Qax7pCJ-xG9Ab4vKoF6Q3rCTsZUf6r-QRqi4NVLkOCl6VJeZ/s2048/Photo%25252020160120213450646.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W-IE7hPfFwtHzHuFOief_aLfJup0rgL0Kr1lfPSAkDPAs9ceIXhgUKOcbB_xMmoafXLlHXWoUIkJgIykvdYo9d9u3Om9Qax7pCJ-xG9Ab4vKoF6Q3rCTsZUf6r-QRqi4NVLkOCl6VJeZ/s500/Photo%25252020160120213450646.jpg" id="blogsy-1453354547864.9778" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="655"></a></div><p><font size="5">For my binding, I often use the technique of a crocheted edge. I had two ideas I wanted to experiment with. One, was to use yarn for crocheting the edge, the other was to use wool fabric strips. I had some beautiful multicolored yarn, that I thought would look beautiful, and it did! However, getting just the right color placement was going to be "fiddly". (This was the weekend before Christmas, and I had yet to wrap presents, or do any baking.) I needed to finish this rug, or risk mutiny by my family!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB06OPBn70vjldYZT5qRN22zm7lMIDxHsifpoFwBd7yqIcXE9Fvsag2EkhyphenhyphenpGZeI6u3am1f_syhcy99exTednPk4cYxYS1xpOdHv0RhawORQLsmZbttLrWg0muJ-Cxo0RfCSvL3pGXqM40/s2048/Photo%25252020160120213450764.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB06OPBn70vjldYZT5qRN22zm7lMIDxHsifpoFwBd7yqIcXE9Fvsag2EkhyphenhyphenpGZeI6u3am1f_syhcy99exTednPk4cYxYS1xpOdHv0RhawORQLsmZbttLrWg0muJ-Cxo0RfCSvL3pGXqM40/s500/Photo%25252020160120213450764.jpg" id="blogsy-1453354547836.2495" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><p><font size="5">So, instead of the yarn, I chose to use long wool fabric strips. I had used this same wool in the background and it picked up the lighter and darker tones of the background perfectly. I liked how it did not compete for attention with the overall design of the rug.</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuPbHNapgUmdEqfAz4WwP0OjmFmxmOdGwkqgv6IgZwnNgB0lCnfw0jsAB8fAyUQF5bfavMexAhM3BHZVpb8xBHqNWnE4w9Y1fJmB51nfteWr-ueLWLWCGA4nCGUwtcy-HkQoxB3tvzdAt/s2048/Photo%25252020160120213450849.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuPbHNapgUmdEqfAz4WwP0OjmFmxmOdGwkqgv6IgZwnNgB0lCnfw0jsAB8fAyUQF5bfavMexAhM3BHZVpb8xBHqNWnE4w9Y1fJmB51nfteWr-ueLWLWCGA4nCGUwtcy-HkQoxB3tvzdAt/s500/Photo%25252020160120213450849.jpg" id="blogsy-1453354547891.253" class="aligncenter" alt="" width="500" height="669"></a></div><p><font size="5">Thank you Lori Brechlin for the wonderful motifs and challenge!</font></p><p><font size="5">Thank you fellow rug hooker and designers for the shared journey.</font></p><p><font size="5">It was a fun challenge!</font></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkuR3InDKpMjsPCGRpowqU189TztKHnDf7ivFwSvpaP7xxy6hFEU0xWd_-ITUfQC6-7SoRT8-pl1AQt3a6RgRw43VfUWJA0tILt8YcYWD_dnBj1398IGRzLJ9K0IEg8YvXojLWy825rXD/s2048/Photo%25252020160120213450995.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkuR3InDKpMjsPCGRpowqU189TztKHnDf7ivFwSvpaP7xxy6hFEU0xWd_-ITUfQC6-7SoRT8-pl1AQt3a6RgRw43VfUWJA0tILt8YcYWD_dnBj1398IGRzLJ9K0IEg8YvXojLWy825rXD/s500/Photo%25252020160120213450995.jpg" id="blogsy-1453354547894.9478" class="aligncenter" width="500" height="373" alt=""></a></div><p> </p>northwest folk designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15893683054653406939noreply@blogger.com18