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 !"

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Spring in my craft room area.....New rug progress...and a new inspiration....

Been doing a whole lot of nuthin round here ! ... Not sure why, but it seems like I've just been either doodling or daydreaming... A little " break in the action "....lol
 I did up my little corner of my craft area for Spring....I don't have much and it isn't real primitive or early looking..... I needed a little Spring in my corner here... I just made a small vignette.......
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I started on my  " Wool A Plenty" Rug... I will try to make this short............
I thought I'd save a little money and so I bought Scottish BURLAP...The weave is nice and straight, and tight...almost too tight !! The wool doesn't like to pull through very easily...
The first drawing of this design was a little too "cramped" for hooking....I re-drew it to do the pattern, but I traced the original design first and then I didn't even enlarge it quite as much as I should have...After all the work of drawing it out, tracing..re-tracing onto backing... I just said heck with it...I dug my heels in and started hooking...I quickly realized for the cramped lettering, I would need to cut my #8 strips  down the middle...I only have one blade for my cutter...so, I just did it with my scissors...
I also am more of a directional hooker, but I wanted to make the inside areas of the sheep look more like natural wool, so I've been doing the loops side to side......
Also....I think the difference between the outline of the sheeps face and folds is a little stark...The white wool is a little too white...I'm going to try to dab the entire sheep with some walnut stain when I finish it....we'll see how that looks....
So here is my slight progress :

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I have an exciting "event" happening later on, in the Summer to be exact, so my inspiration is turning more towards Nautical, Americana , etc....
So I'm just doodling around trying to figure out exactly what I want to do...

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Well, I'm going to do a little more hooking ...I may move my frame and wool into the living room tonight, to watch some recorded shows..hubby and I have a list of favorites...I am usually all by my lonesome at the other end of the house , but soon, that will change. Youngest daughter is moving out soon...guess who will TAKE her bedroom.... :)
I told her how much I wish she was staying, and I'll miss her, but there is always that little bit of me thinking..."sooon...sooon ...you'll have you very own ROOM for a studio...." Am I a bad Mom ??? 
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OHHHH...ALMOST FORGOT !!
I'm going to a Rug Hooking Retreat in April !!
I saw where Lori Brechlin posted about it on her blog a few days ago... Talked to Teresa ( Teresa's Primitive Treasures ) .. she said she'd like to go....so we both made our reservations and yippeeeee..I'm going !
It is being sponsored by The Woolen Willow ...click on the name to check it out...There is only room for 50 folks, so if interested better skidaddle on over and read about it !
This is my very first experience of any kind going to a rug hooking ANYTHING !! I can't tell you how excited I am !!!
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Ok....now I'm going to go watch some TV with hubbs..
Goodnight !!
Robin

14 comments:

Rugs and Pugs said...

Robin ~
You will fall in love with the hooking retreat. I've not been to that one, but I went to my first one in 2012 and I'm HOOKED...lol!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Raymond Homestead said...

The hooking retreat should be a lot of fun! Love your little Spring corner!

WoolenSails said...

Love your decorations and the little chick. I was thinking of making some punched ones to put in my bowl.

Debbie

From Sherry's Heart said...

Robin,I have always told people,they leave,BUT they come back!!!! I think your sheep rug is looking great,the lettering too. Just keep hooking,when it's finished you may be surprised that some of the things you're ?? now,look great in the end.

My Colonial Home said...

Hi Robin....Love the sheep rug - and I'm still going to order it.
I checked into the retreat site....sounds like tons of fun.
If I didn't fear the drive alone I'd certainly sign up - I need this kind of getaway badly.
Now I won't be able to stop thinking about it!!!!
Karen

Sandi said...

Robin yr spring bunnies and chick are lovely..I like to bowl of eggs along side.

Your sheep is looking very nice I like how it is coming together.

I hope you have a grand time at the retreat, enjoy yourself.

Bisous Ve said...

whenever
I admire the views of your home remain enchanted by your country primitive style, beautiful!
As always your wonderful work.
Good start of the week and a kiss
Love et bisous Ve

Anonymous said...

I like what you are working on the retreat sounds like a lot of fun..Have an enjoyable evening with your husband..

kelley said...

Robin you are turning in to quite the hooker...love this design...

the retreat sounds great...I'm with Karen on the driving issue...you'll have a blast!!!

Jan - Life on Buttermilk Hill said...

Robin, oh my, how I'm loving that hooked chick in your pic! I think your sheep rug looks good and you might not want to use the walnut dye after all the work is done. I think you should be very proud of how far you have come in the craft in such a short time! ---Jan

Unknown said...

I think everyone is feeling the dulldrums lately Robin! I know I am!!! I really have to make an effort to keep moving! At least you have your retreat to look forward to now! :) I just LOVE your "corner" - so cute!! Take care!

Margie said...

As usual you stuff looks fantastic...you are so incredibly talented !!! Hoping to be able to go to the retreat but I need to find someone to room with to keep the cost down !

Heritage Homestead Decor said...

Robin:
Love the spring decor!! Just beautiful and really puts you in the spring mood!! Have fun at the retreat. Wish I could go but I live just too far and my kids are way too young. Have fun!! Love the rug hooking by the way!!
Hugs
Darlene

A Primitive Homestead said...

I think it is beautiful. I hope to some day try rug hooking. AS I follow you I'll learn the In and outs. Have a wonderful time . Prim perfect corner. It will be nice to have a room to create & work on your creations. Blessings! Lara