RUG HOOKING BLOG

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I'm a mother of four grandmother of seven and great grandmother of three. I live with my husband in the house that we built with the help of my brothers and will have been married for 57 years this February.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

NOTHING EARTH SHATTERING BUT I PICKED UP MY HOOK AGAIN

 It's was too damp and cold to work outside so instead, I worked in my dye kitchen. I boiled some onion skins and dyed some wool to be used as flesh color in my new rug. It felt a little strange at first as I've forgotten how to dye with onion skins. I need to dye some blue wool, next.


I strained the onion skin juice and poured it in a clean jar and put some more water in the pot and put my wet wool in and simmered for about 20 minutes. Some pieces that  I wanted lighter were removed first.



Notice the 4th piece from the left is two tones. I dipped the end in a stronger dye bath to give me graduation of color on the same piece.



This is what I hooked this evening. I need to do some major tweaking or surgery as it seems that the features have grown and no longer look proportioned. I had forgotten how more difficult it is to do hook a face that looks sideways. I should have chosen an image that was looking straight. This one is challenging as there are so many highlights on the face. I like to look at the image on the computer to see what needs to be changed.

I wasn't going to show my work until it was more presentable but anyone who has hooked rugs, knows that sometimes, things don't always work out as we plan and we have to rip up the work and try again. Anyway, it's a work in progress and it's been so long since I've picked up the hook. Lauren, Saundra, and Cathy are putting me to shame.

One thing I've noticed is that when I hooked my last rug, I used this monk's cloth and hated it. I was used to hooking on Linen backing and did not enjoy working with monk's cloth. This time around, it didn't seem to bother me. 


I chose this image of the Virgin Mary and Child from the public domain. I doubt that I can do it justice. Anyway, I'm willing to meet the challenge head-on. 



After the hard work, I treated myself to a small piece of pumpkin pie. 

Thanks for your visit and comments. Stay well and keep positive. Some people have bigger problems with all the flooding and landslides in British Columbia on the west coast.

Julia



9 comments:

  1. It has been a while since I dyed using onion skins. First time was a disaster because the onion skins were loose. Second time I did it they were in a woven bag so the skins wouldn't get mixed in with the wool.
    Your project is looking good and I do recall my teachers telling me to stay WAY within the lines otherwise the space will grow. It still takes me a time or two to get it right. But you're an experienced hooker and it will be beautiful.

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  2. This is something I have never attempted! While I’ve done quite a bit of sewing in the past, this kind of working with my hands didn’t ever catch my interest. I’m just hearing about the problems in British Columbia! Sending my thoughts for them!

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  3. Wow. Thank you for showing us your progress - I hope you are enjoying doing it as much as I enjoy seeing it.

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  4. What a beautiful portrait! I have always been in awe of those who tackle faces...I have never had the courage...I suppose a pumpkin head face doesn't count, does it LOL? I'm not a huge fan of fine cut hooking (doing it, I mean), so I don't see many faces in my future. I would eat pie and think about it and then eat more pie. ;-) Looking foward to folling along on your progress! ~Robin~

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  5. It will be a wonderful rug I am sure of it! Pumpkin pie...cannot wait until next week when I get some. Janice

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  6. I am so happy you are pressing on, I have a feeling this rug will turn out lovely.
    I am just hearing about British Columbia.
    Praying,
    Carla

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  7. I love the start of your hooked rug. And the dying of the wool pieces look so pretty! It is always a good time to reward yourself with a piece of pie! Cant wait to see more of your progress!

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  8. Not being a hooker, your work is always amazing to me. I also enjoy Cathy's blog and her work. Like you, she's an artist! I know this will come out so lovely. You will figure out what needs tweeking although I think it looks good already! The pie looks yummy. Thanksgiving next week will find pumpkin pie on the menu here! Have a good weekend!

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  9. Oooh, I missed this! The dyeing colours are brilliant! You are so clever!x

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