Heart'n Hands and the Fish Rug are Finally Ready!

Finally, the two new kits are finished!

It has been quite a struggle with the 

hands and fish rugs because

the rugs in my mind

are not how they eventually finished.

Colleen and I have a saying when

a rug gives us problems.

'The rug will tell you what it needs.'

They did but the Salmon played

tricks on me and the 

Heart'n Hands stayed silent for

two weeks!

Most designs I can actually 'see' the finished rug 

in my mind..just choosing the shades of wool

and tweaking patterns and sizes

mostly I have trouble with shades of wool.

I wanted aged red threads on antique black wool

for the Salmon.

The Salmon stayed silent until it was time

to stitch him and then of course..

The red string with salmon wool..

looked terrible!

Not to mention cutting and stitching large

tongues that also did not work!

I could have finished and completed

four rugs in the time it took to complete

this one!

The Heart'n Hands also stayed silent..

I stitched and then did the 10 foot rule

I removed and started over..

I actually stitched one hand three times!

I discovered I had the thumb pointing the wrong way.

I can't believe I removed that hand and 

stitched it on again with the thumb the wrong way!

My husband is a huge Star Trek fan.

As I was stitching the rug I really wanted

to do the fingers of one hand as Spock

had done with the Vulcan Salute.

Now that would have been an 

interesting story for the rug!

But I resisted.. and so 

the story of this rug is

dedicated to a wonderful

facebook group of early

artisans and craftspersons.

I am asked often why I do my rugs.

What makes me reproduce rugs and not

early quilts or other textiles..

I have a love of everything early in

the textile arts but the penny rugs

have my heart.

Words cannot explain but 

that feeling in my heart is 

worked with my hands.

I'm sure many feel the same way.

We collect and long for the homes of 

a hundred years.. to open the door and

step back in time surrounded by 

things our heart loves and 

possessions we cherish.

We just cannot explain to someone that 

lives with modern.  Lucky is the partner

that shares the love .. the leather recliner

and big screen tv can be a problem.

Suzanne Kizis has created a group on facebook

Early American Folk Arts and Trades

Many of the artisans chosen in the

Early American Life Directory 

are there as well as other very

talented artisans, collectors and 

those who understand the meaning

The love in our hearts of the old

we created with our hands.

Please check Suzanne's group

on facebook, we are almost

1000 strong with the love of

early American life and wares.

The fish rug too has a story.

This rug will go to my son, Lucas.

Growing up Lucas could not wait for fishing season.

I remember one year on opening day.. it snowed.

Lucas bundled up with his rod and reel, tackle box

snow boots and parka.. on his bicycle he goes to 

the favourite fishing hole.

Salmon fishing was a very important way of life

here on the Medway.

Most caught their yearly catch, betting who

would be first and second the weight.

Salmon planked suppers, fishermen in waders

watching the skill with the fly rods are a

part of history as our beautiful

Medway is now closed to salmon fishing.

This rug is for my son..

the only salmon he will catch from our 

Medway River and I hope

when he tells the story of the rug

it will be a few tall tales of 

growing up as a boy 

fishing on the 

Medway.

Both kits are now listed 

In My Etsy Shop

I will not go into details of the kits as

they are in the listings.

The Heart'n Hands is a bit different for a kit

It is one 'we'.. you and I..

design together..

Change the design

Emblish with embroidery

Add your own dates and initials.. or not

Make it your own design

from

Your Heart to Your Hands

Quanties are very limited with these kits.

Due to the antique black backgrounds

 I can offer more than my usual number

of kits.

My mailing list went out yesterday and 

Heart'n Hands sold out over night.

I have added 6 more kits... 

after those are sold it will be a waiting list

only depending on the wool I have left for

the hearts and hands.

Thank you Everyone 

for reading my ramblings..

as always.. I wish you..

Happy Stitching!

cee