The Marriage Pen Wiper Rug

 

I am beyond thrilled to have finished The Marriage Pen Wiper Rug.

 

An Anniversary gift for friends of mine and finished in the nick of time.

The idea behind it is that of a family tree stitched in thread.

 

The kit was from Cee Rafuse of Early Style Penny Rugs on Etsy.

The aged wools and string give it an antique look and style.

The Marriage Pen Wiper Rug

It's be awhile since I've shown my progress on The Marriage Rug.

I need to add a few more dates and initials before I'm finished.

It's an anniversary gift for friends of mine.

 



 

This was a kit from Cee Rafuse of Early Style Penny Rugs.

This is Cee's version from her Etsy shop.

 

 

Surprise...

 

 

I decided to go with the aged fabric that Cee provided instead of the print.  The print didn't give that aged, worn look that I was striving for and seem to get lost next to the dark background.

 

I'm so pleased with how the mat turned out.

Heart'n Hands

 

I really love the look of this wool mat, just need to add initials and dates in the open spaces.

 

I'm auditioning the fabric for the binding and backing.  The light fabric came with Cee's kit.

 

 

I'm leaning towards this print instead.

 

What do you think?

Heart'n Hand

 

Heart'n Hand, a new wool applique design from Cee Rafuse

of Early Style Penny Rugs. 

 

This one really calls to me with the symbolism of the hearts and the hands,

reflecting family and friends.  I'll be making this one for sure.

 

The Medway Salmon...wonderful vintage and antique wools.

I like Cee's idea that you can finish off the look of the salmon with

 your own embellishment or embroidery stitches.

 

The Marriage Pen Wiper Rug,  I'm still working on this one.

I have all 100 tongues blanket stitched and have been adding the little stars.

The planning comes with the layout because

there are ten different shades of wool.

You would want the shades to be in a random order as well

as the embroidery with the initials and the dates.

 

 

Photos courtesy of Cee of Early Style Penny Rugs.

You can find her on Etsy and Blogger.

A Wool Table Rug

 

I finished 'Ned and Jake'.  A large wool table rug that was designed by Cee Rafuse of Early Style Penny Rugs on Etsy.  The rug is large, 36" long.  Cee's kit included the design, wools and aged string.  She even cuts out the applique shapes for you. I bought several packages of her aged string for some of my own primitive projects since I've come to love the look of this stitching.  She has sold out of all of these kits.

 

I used an aged muslin for the backing and the binding.

 

A close-up of the primitive feather stitching. 

 

I'm a traditional quilter and I applique much the same way, I use applique pins, fabric glue or baste to hold my pieces in place.  I don't fuse, it seems to distort the look and feel of the wool to me.

 

 

 

Ned and Jake...and Bison

 

I finished the applique on Ned and Jake.  Now to add the backing and a very thin binding.  I'll sew it by hand so that it continues that primitive and aged look.  Cee had a great tutorial on her YouTube channel on how to do that. Then the wool will be aged further.  

 

I thought I better throw in that picture of the wool rug in case you all aren't as captivated by the Bison as I am. 

 

A bit of a stare as another Bison is getting just a bit too close.

 

 A little tail and a big tail.

 



 

Like I said, I'm so captivated by them and the depth of feeling in their eyes.

 

A little one was enjoying the sun...jumping

 

 

Rolling in the dirt...

 

And jumping some more.

 

 

Progress on Ned and Jake

 

I started stitching the appliques on Ned and Jake.  I have found that I really love using this primitive feather stitch.  I basted the large pieces before stitching instead of using pins like Cee recommended.   

 

 

I love this picture of this young Bison that I snapped in Yellowstone yesterday.  I have about a hundred pictures to go through yet and then I will share.

Traditional Wool Applique

 

I've been waiting a long time to see a book released from Rebekah L. Smith.  Her wool applique work and style is amazing.  She is a folk artist who is inspired by American antiques and decorative arts.  I've pre-ordered my copy. 

You can see her work on Pinterest,

http://www.pinterest.com/rlsmithfolkarti/my-work-textiles/

 

 I am gravitating more and more to traditional wool applique.  The Emily Munroe Quilt seemed to have started the journey last year as did the early style penny rugs and mats from Cee Rafuse of The Diary of a Rug Maker.

 

My next wool project from Cee.  'Ned and Jake' is a wool mat Cee designed and the kit includes her hand dyed wools which she dyes using traditional methods and the aged string thread for stitching.  It's going to be a large mat, 36' long.  It just shipped so I'm looking forward to receiving it this week.

Photo courtesy of Cee Rafuse.

 

The aged string thread which really compliments a wool project when you are trying to reproduce that aged look.  Photo courtesy of Cee Rafuse.