'A Cat Named Peony'

If there was a rug of mine that reaches back in time for me, it would be this one. I loved cats growing up. We never had them, but I sure liked them. I briefly had two in the sixth grade. I had to keep them outside and I did not have them very long and my mother felt uncomfortable with their presence. But in the few weeks that I did have them, I looked forward to being with them everyday. I read cat stories- my favorite being Beverly Cleary's 'Socks.' I checked stacks of books out of the library about cats- cat breeds, cat grooming, cats around the world.
When I was kindergarten age, my grandmother would walk me to school every morning and we played the game of counting cats- sort of a version she made up of 'Eye Spy.' I loved it. Those cats seemed so mysterious and sweet.
At my grandmother's house was a large pine tree under the kitchen window that I would watch robins playing under. I would stand and just watch them from that window as my grandmother talked to me about everything.
I have this pattern now listed in my Etsy store. It will come with a book that I put together of photographs and color suggestions- a recipe and fun for you.

The Pumpkin Patch Is Ready

All through fair June the tasseled corn waved forth

In shining green arrayed;

The warm,sweet air that bloweth from the south

It's verdue richer made,

Till now it's ripened husks are gathered all

The granary within;

And harvesters are met this Autumn night

To fill the waiting bin.- 1893

I love how this came out! The colors are great and the design so cheery! This pattern is now available in my Etsy shop along with a book of instruction, colors, and more.

'The Pumpkin Patch'

Just this morning, in a personal e-mail, I was explaining to a friend of mine that with a creative mind comes a lot of disorganization. So many ideas flying through my mind and I 'zig-zag' through them. I start on something and think of another as I work- I frustrate myself. And when something just jells in my mind, it's ready to just 'become'- no matter what else I may be working on!  So, for quite some time, I have thought about doing another version of my 'Miss Pumpkin.' Miss Pumpkin was so fun to play 'dress up' on- and I have heard that from customers as well. So, I drew up 'Patch' and decided she needed a husband. He will be holding a little sign that reads, 'Hay Rides.'

I ran into a problem as I worked on the background. I ran out of the blue I was using and needed a creative way to make it stretch. Originally I had wondered about adding a hay-bundle, but then decided against it. Well, as my blue came to a screaming halt, the idea of the hay bundle came to be very practical. Then my husband suggested a couple blowing leaves- perfect!

Right now I am trying to decide what color to whip-stitch my edge with.

My favorite part of this is the background blues- I used a Double M Sheep and Wool color, 'Clementine' and an unidentified (LOL) matching gray/blue. I just love how the colors create a brisk, blustery day.

Now onto a little kitty in a bed of Peonies........

Patch and Jack Pumpkin

A couple years ago, I designed and hooked my 'Miss Pumpkin.' I have her hanging in my work-room and I love her to pieces- I do not know why that she makes my heart smile like she does- but, she does. I have heard many ladies say they have enjoyed hooking Miss Pumpkin because she is fun to dress. And since I have a real fondness of Pumpkin head dolls, I have known I wanted to do another.

So I have Miss Patch this time and she has her husband, Jack by her side. They are enjoying a pumpkin patch and Jack will be holding a little sign reading, 'Hay-Rides.' I am thinking of making a small paper pattern of a 'Baby Pumpkin' to go with this pattern- an idea my sister, who is also a Pumpkin Head fan, is encouraging me to do.

I have heard from many ladies that they would like to see some of my patterns made into punch-needle patterns. That is one of my very next things I will be working on. I have my Cameo needle and we have a long road trip ahead- my son's wedding in Seattle. I will be taking it along to work on as we drive. Wish me luck!

I hope you are having a good summer- I can never get enough of summer- I savor every bit of it!

Sweeter Than Honey

I love summer. I think I am the only one I know that loves everything right down to the heat. I love to feel the warm sun hit my feet and arms as I hang wash or make my way across the yard to the little screened in 'house' my husband made for me a few years ago. I love to take my coffee and whatever I reading and, of coarse, my hooking. I love hearing the birds- this year we have an abundance of doves. We have a family with sheep behind us and I listen to the sheep 'baa.' 

I am a bike rider. Love my bike. During the winter months- cold, wet, bleak- I long for the sunshine and the breeze hitting my face as I pedal. If my legs did not get so tired, I could ride for hours. 

I love summer time memories of being a child- the outdoor vegetable market in Denver, Colorado- the fragrance of tomatoes and onions as I tagged behind my mother and father. I used to spend a lot of time at my grandmothers who had 'Five-O Clock' flowers that she and I would go see hand in hand- oh! and her grape arbor. There was a bed of pansies that I loved- the dark soil and an array of violets and yellows- it was magical to my little girl eyes.

On Father's Day, I sat on our deck talking with my husband and sons while I stitched this little tag for this rug. I kind of like it. 

Bee happy!

Color

COLOR. I would have to say there is nothing more that sparks an idea in my mind than color or seeing colors together. A few months ago, I was in a fiber shop where I saw a yard of what was labeled 'Charcoal' wool. It was a gray blue and mottled so beautifully- instantly I saw how I would use that. In fact, as my husband and I traveled that day, all I could think of was that color. I cannot tell you what I see because since then, I have scribbled out my idea and it has grown to include valleys and a river and houses and activity. I have it scribbled in my sketchbook, on loose paper and two church bullitans- which all started with a single color on the shelf of a quilt shop.

"What a pretty color I made!"

"Baa!Baa! " Trivia: That center color on the clothes-line is my favorite color on my shelf. 

I cannot decide what I like best about this design- is it the scalloped aprons? The wool hanging to dry on the clothesline? Those little sheep? I think it's all that color!

I did something different this time around. I asked for a rug hooker to volunteer to hook this rug with me. Kim Jones from Nova Scotia came forth with her hook ready. I sent her the design and quickly I 'remembered' how many changes I make as I work out a design. Poor Kim! However, by having her hook the design and giving her the freedom to do as she wanted, what I really wanted took place. Often enough, I will see what a customer has done with a rug and I am blown away with their wonderful choices- wondering why I didn't think of them myself! LOL Kim hooked her ' drying wool' and her colors are different- all of which may spark an idea with someone else that hooks this rug in the future.

Kim's girls! LOVE the colors she chose for her 'Mother'- very Tasha Tudor to my eye.

Wool moving about in a breeze- what cheerful, happy colors Kim chose! 

"Hand Dyed Woolens" will be available at my website- vintageheartprimitives.com or in my Etsy shop, https://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageHeartPrims?ref=si_shop    in the next few days.

Hooking "Hand-Dyed Woolens"

Kim and I are 'hooking' right along. I will be adding swatches of hanging wool from the clothesline and a piece that will hang from the stick above the dye pot. As always, have touch-ups to do- Mother's face needs brightened. Little girl's right shoe needs to be replaced with a dark brown as I have a cream that I stuck on when I was not near my wool supply.

Kim sais she is unsure that she likes her lady- that she may re-do her. The goal is that when she is finished that she loves it. That is the most important thing to me. However! I like her lady. I like the very Tasha Tudor colors that 'Mother' wears as I am a complete fan of Tasha Tudor.

To be continued!!