Bird In The Hand Primitives

Primitive Folk Art Designs and Finished Items
By: Robin Leuschen

" Who you are is God's gift to you........ What you do, is your gift to God !"

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Bunny Rug Begginning ...hmmmm



I'm not real sure my mind is made up whether I am liking this so far...I love the color wools that were gifted to me, but I'm not working them right ??

I am happy however with the skill level I've nudged my way too...I am starting to get the hang of the even loops and not hooking so tight. I AM Loving hooking, that is a positive !! I can't wait to get better, and learn some new skills...color planning is a challenge for me... But I guess that all works out in time..Tell me I'm right please ??
Hugs,
Robin

30 comments:

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

You will only get better Robin. But I think this is wonderful so far! I love the colors that you're using. I'd buy it from you in a heartbeat!! =]

Have fun hooking~

woollylottrugs said...

It's looking great Robin. Keep on hooking! Love the colors!!

hugs
cyndi

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

You're doing a beautiful job, Robin.
Don't doubt your abilities.
It's going to be gorgeous.
Hugs,
Susan

newburyarts said...

*****first: the colors are great
second: the hooking isn't...so here
are a few pointers. the technique is that you insert the hook at a forty five degree angle, scoop up the wool strip underneath, pull up to the surface of your foundation and ROLL the hook in the direction of the last loop pulled. stick with the theory of whatever the width of the strip, overall width,
and pull the loop(s) to that height. your technique should be good from the beginning...yes, the hook is a strange thing in your hand at first, but that will go away with time. now, your loops should ALWAYS be even...if you want your end results to look good. this all depends on you...are you interested in a good
work from your hands or mediocre?
you can correct the uneveness in this one by taking your hook and putting it into the loop next to the one that is uneven...roll it
gently towards the right, if you are fight handed, if not reverse the format to fit the left, and this will gently pull the wool into place. not hard and well worth
the end result. i'm assuming that you are hooking with a number eight cut...skip two spaces between each loop, don't be lazy...count! skip the same amount
side to side and remember to not have much foundation showing on the back. that is the true test when the finished piece is turned over. the difference between a good
craftsman/woman and a poor one.
there is a difference between men and women in this art form...why is it that women settle for such a lower standard than men? so...it's up to you on how you want it to look...great...or sloppy? good luck!

newburyarts said...

*****first: the colors are great
second: the hooking isn't...so here
are a few pointers. the technique is that you insert the hook at a forty five degree angle, scoop up the wool strip underneath, pull up to the surface of your foundation and ROLL the hook in the direction of the last loop pulled. stick with the theory of whatever the width of the strip, overall width,
and pull the loop(s) to that height. your technique should be good from the beginning...yes, the hook is a strange thing in your hand at first, but that will go away with time. now, your loops should ALWAYS be even...if you want your end results to look good. this all depends on you...are you interested in a good
work from your hands or mediocre?
you can correct the uneveness in this one by taking your hook and putting it into the loop next to the one that is uneven...roll it
gently towards the right, if you are fight handed, if not reverse the format to fit the left, and this will gently pull the wool into place. not hard and well worth
the end result. i'm assuming that you are hooking with a number eight cut...skip two spaces between each loop, don't be lazy...count! skip the same amount
side to side and remember to not have much foundation showing on the back. that is the true test when the finished piece is turned over. the difference between a good
craftsman/woman and a poor one.
there is a difference between men and women in this art form...why is it that women settle for such a lower standard than men? so...it's up to you on how you want it to look...great...or sloppy? good luck!

newburyarts said...

*****p.s...sorry for the two comments. your doodles are color planned perfectly...just repeat those colors in your rug. remember this...keep it simple. too many colors only make your work look too busy. study the old rugs on-line and learn from their colors. they didn't have many to work with and the simplicity is what has made them works of art.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Robin ~
I think it looks great and so are your colors. Don't take the previously comment to heart. He (?) tends to be very negative and has trashed others before, hiding under the name.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Carolyn said...

I agree with Lauren! Looks great, Robin! Drop perfectionism. I blogged about that a few weeks ago. Go back and read it! lol Take joy in what you are doing and strive for YOUR OWN excellance, not someone else's. Love the wool colors! lol wooly hugs. Take joy.

moosecraft said...

Methinks your bunny is primly gorgeous and I would not change a thing on it! :-)

Ronda said...

Love it Robin..Have fun with it..

Blessings,
Ronda

Jean Barker said...

Robin, I am loving this rug! If you decide to sell it, please email me, as I am interested in purchasing.

Your doing a wonderful job!

Blessings,
Jean

Plumruncreek ♥ said...

Robin,
Great job!! Love it!

Joanne said...

Robin - love your bunny and the colors and your hooking is looking great to me - loads of people have trouble "loosening" up between loops - too me a while but it comes. I for one am not a believer in not having the "holidays" (where did they get that word?) on the back - meaning the white showing - sometimes when doing the wider width strips and if your wool is "fuller" than others it will be 2 - 3 or even sometimes 4 spaces between. Also it's nice to get perfect loops but remember when you steam it it generally evens it all out! Wish i could doodle like you!

Susannah said...

I love it!

Susannah

Simply Quaint said...

I love it I think all the colors blend well together. What material are using to hook on? I was curious, I am using burlpa that I have laying around, but wonder what material is actually used for hooking?
Thanks
Rhonda

Simply Quaint said...

I love it I think all the colors blend well together. What material are using to hook on? I was curious, I am using burlpa that I have laying around, but wonder what material is actually used for hooking?
Thanks
Rhonda

TeresaM said...

I think it looks great Robin!!!!

My Colonial Home said...

Wowzer Robin...all the beautiful things you do and they said that??? Well I love what you are doing - the colors are great too.
Don't over think your work...it's wonderful.
Karen

Anonymous said...

Your rabbit looks great and the color is just fine. I think you can't really tell how the color will look until the pc is finished. I've always had a color problem and still do.
Hooking is so much fun, glad you are liking it.

Prims By The Water said...

I like the colors that you chose and I am an art major...but you need to hook what makes you happy...don't let others stop making you create and don't take what others say to heart. There are too many bloggers out there that make rude comments. Do what makes you happy! PS. I love that bunny!! Take care, Janice

The Grinning Sheep said...

I like this very much! Just stay with it. Kathy

newburyarts said...

*****well good luck...like i previously posted, your work is a
reflection of your own self worth.
should you listen to the mediocre
crowd, then you will always be in
their realm. to be the best that you can be is always a challange that some women (and men) do not want to
avail themselves of nor do they want others in their
realm to attain. their work and subsequent struggles are very much reflected on their blogs. sad that it is lost on them and that they think it is acceptable to stay at the lower realm. they are even complemented to do so...ah well, the world is watching via the internet!

Teri said...

Hi Robin,
I think it looks great! And I am all for seeing the HAND in handmade works of art!
I don't know who that person was ... that left that comment ... (must be nice to be sooooooo perfect) but, you are doing a great job.
Color planning will be a bit less stressful if you get a color wheel for hookers. Just sayn'
Keep up the GREAT work.
Teri

Mugwump Woolies said...

Wonderful...all the way! It's suppose to be fun...not stressful! You are doing great!
Robyn

Simply Quaint said...

Robin, sorry for posting the same twice, don't know what that is all about.
But anyways, you're work is great, some of us are self taught, we learn as we go, I think all of your projects you have done have been wonderful!. I also wanted to say "thank you" for all the great freebies you have shared with us. I have made some wonderful gifts with them :)
Keep up the great work, and don't take some comments to heart.
Hugs
~Rhonda~

Countryfolk Keepsakes said...

Your bunny is looking terrific and the colors are perfect! ♥

Christine said...

SOMEBODY needs to get a life........must be exhausting critiquing others and being so perfect. I always love what you do Robin. I think you have a fabulous color sends and always love your designs. We all start somewhere and I commend you for putting yourself out there! Christi.e

Christine said...

Sorry about my above typos. Sending this from my DROID. I mean color sense.......dumb phone! Lol Christine

basketsnprims said...

Love your bunny and love, love the colors. I'm not a hooker and wishing I so was but I have bought a few and yours is every bit as good as the ones I have from great artists. Someone else nailed ~ "someone needs to get a life". I'm way critical of my own work, too, we are always hardest on ourselves but don't let that rude person bother you. We can't all be "perfect", haha and who has time for that anyway? Love your work and your generosity with your designs. You are the best.
hugs,
pam

Sher said...

Hi Robin, I'm a newbie at hooking and can honestly tell you that your hooking skills are much better than mine!
To that "perfect person" who has no life, what is it about "PRIMITIVE" artwork that you don't understand?

Primitive(prim'i tiv),adj. 1.being the first or earliest of the kind. 2. characteristic of early ages or of an early state of human development. 3. simple or crude. -n. 4. a person or thing that is primitive. 5. a naive or unschooled artist.

If it all artwork was meant to be PERFECT it would not be labeled PRIMITIVE, duh!!!

So, go ahead and strive for perfection if you want but don't bash others for following their hearts. I would buy an unperfect handmade rug a hundred times over any perfect one that looks like it was made by a machine.

C'mon, give Robin a break, she's trying and with practice comes perfect...although it is my hope that she never gets too perfect because I, like many, LOVE her PRIMITIVE WORKS OF ART!

Keep up the good work Robin and continue to have fun with your newly learned craft!

Hugs,
Sher