Learning new things
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For the last several weeks, I have brought out some very early rug hooking projects that needed to be used as upholstery covers. Upholstery is something I have never done before, and I've been waiting a very long time to get these things done, thinking I might ruin the hooked pieces in the process.
Maybe it's due to my age, wanting to see these done in my lifetime, or my diminished patience, but I have been plowing through several of these projects now. The results are far from perfect, but things are getting done. It's nice to see the results, and I can live with the imperfections.
This first one is the very first item I ever hooked. It started as a kit for just the Peter Rabbit character eating carrots, with no background intended. I enjoyed the process so much, I looked for the actual Potter drawing for inspiration, and then made my own background for the piece. My additions included all the foreground, foliage, veggies, shovel handle, and the little bird sitting on the handle with one leg up and one down.
You could say this is the piece that got me hooked.
My kiddo was only six years old when I did this one, which makes it 20 years old. Ayup, I finally got it put into action. It's like a little jewel for my front parlor, and I love it. It shows where this all began, including all the imperfections of a first piece. That's alright, because it represents the journey's first steps.The close up at the bottom shows the layers of trims. There's a brown bullion, a turquoise beaded trim, and the upholstery nails. Each nail is hammered in one at a time.
I find the upholstery process very enjoyable, too, which made it easier to jump into the next project. I have no illusions about the amateurish skill level this represents, and I'm quite fine with it. As I look at vintage upholstery items from old homes, they are often homegrown projects like these, full of imperfections. It has emboldened me to do more, and I have.
Here's the first project:
Yes, I got better at hooking over the last 20 years, so the rest of the hooked projects may be more interesting.
There's also one project that has no hooking, just upholstery of a vintage and homely sewing chest. I still like hooking best, but this upholstery stuff is also enjoyable, with results in a short time instead of months or years.
More to come, if you are interested? I know this stuff isn't for everyone.
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"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08
The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.
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@George-K said in Learning new things:
I see an opportunity for some $$$$!
Those are wonderful.
Oh, I have a job. This is for fun. I doubt anyone would be willing to pay what I would charge. Rug hooking is a very slow process, especially because I now design every piece from scratch, draw the pattern on the linen, and then get into hooking it. There wouldn't be much market at my prices. I couldn't afford my prices! LOL
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@George-K said in Learning new things:
I see an opportunity for some $$$$!
Those are wonderful.
And thank you for thinking my very first piece is wonderful. LOL
Holy cow, it's pretty rough, both the hooking and the upholstery. I still love it. It's sort of like the face-only-a-mother-could-love project, and I am the mom.
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Success is measured by your discipline and inner peace. – Mike Ditka
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Always remember, Operation Valkyrie was an act of sedition.
Warning: I post things that interest me. Read and comment at your own discretion. -
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Those are great!!!
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@jodi said in Learning new things:
Oh my! That is fantastic, I love it. What a treasure!
Awww, Jodi, I really appreciate your comments. I think of you as having artistic talent and an eye for all things handmade. It means an awful lot to hear that from someone who does her own beautiful work.
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@taiwan_girl
It's the hooked piece that started my hobby, and it will always be special to me, but I'm also aware of how it's a beginner piece. So thank you for encouraging me. -
“I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” ~Winston S. Churchill
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@brenda said in Learning new things:
More to come, if you are interested? I know this stuff isn't for everyone.
Let's see it! That looks amazing.
Please love yourself.
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@Aqua-Letifer said in Learning new things:
@brenda said in Learning new things:
More to come, if you are interested? I know this stuff isn't for everyone.
Let's see it! That looks amazing.
+1! Awesome stuff. It might surprise you how much people will pay for original, hand crafted art.
