Hooking ... thoughts

I don't know about you, but the day doesn't feel right unless I have my hook in my hand at some point. Yesterday, I began the binding on my large flower rug (see previous post), and didn't hook at all. When I was getting ready for bed, I felt like something had been missing in my day. It was the hook in my hand.

Although I'm continuing today working on the binding, I have also started repairing a rug for a man who contacted me about a rug his mother had made and the run-in the poor rug had with his dog. Thankfully, the hole the dog made was not that big, but the repair involves replacing a part of the burlap backing and trying to match the background strips. Here is a photo of the rug now sitting on my frame where I'm beginning the repair.

I dyed up three pieces trying to match the wool, and finally came up with this piece. Although it is brighter, I knew that eventually the wool would age and hopefully match the color of the original background. I have some strips from the rug that I'll hook in with the new wool.

One of the challenges of this rug is in trying to match the maker's loops. Everyone hooks a little bit differently and this hooker tended to keep her strips very low even though the strips are either a 5- or 6-cut. I like to keep my loops on the higher side, so this is something I have to pay attention to.

The other issue is that when the dog chewed the rug, the already older burlap stretched, making it difficult to do the straight rows on the border.

Wish me luck!

Today

I just came back from a walk to our downtown area. Broadway is hopping as it is racing season in Saratoga. Went to the Post Office and then treated myself to a Pike's Roast coffee from Starbuck's. Quite strong, but I liked it.

After purchasing the coffee, I walked through Congress Park on my way home. The cedar waxwings were flitting here and there landing just long enough to get a look at this very pretty bird.

Now, I'm back home and since it's not too hot in the house, I'll hook for a bit. Here's where I'm at with my latest rug.

Horses and Wool

Yesterday, the Saratoga Yearling Sales got underway at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs. Held ever August, the sales attract thoroughbred horse owners from all over the world. Although we were not in the market for a horse, we did take the opportunity to walk around and watch the potential buyers viewing the yearlings. So where does the wool part come in, you ask?

This horse reminds me of the wool Bay Colt:

And the flowers and leaves:

Tomato Red

Bamboo Green

Here is the inside of the pavilion where all the bidding takes place.

Just up in the corner of this next picture, I see Endless Sky.

 Here was my favorite horse. I'm a sucker for the silver ones!

Although this wool is called Gray Squirrel, it would work well as the coloring in this horse.

In the garden

I don't normally post pictures of my garden, but I thought I'd share a couple from this summer. First is a clump of hens and chicks in bloom. I love succulents and have several in my yard and in the house. The hens and chicks don't always bloom for me, but this year they outdid themselves!

The next photo shows my yellow hibiscus plant. I have two of them, purchased from a local greenhouse. I decided to invest in them, as they can come in for the winter, and then go back out next summer. Just beautiful. The two plants have been blooming all summer.