Penny Rug Process

Let me start this by saying "MY TAXES ARE AT THE ACCOUNTANT'S!!! WOOHOO! I finally finished up everything and took it last night. I was not leaving work until they were ready!
Tomorrow is Hysterectomy Day and almost everything on my BH (Before Hysterectomy) list is done. I have to finish the list at work today and then pack some things tonight and drag all my Recovery projects downstairs to the family room so that everything will be ready for my return home.
Yesterday morning, in the insomniac mode that I am in...I started this project and thought that I would document the process. I have had this frame hanging around for awhile and finally painted and crackled it. The wool came from the Dirtiest Yard Sale EVER (at least the dirtiest one I was ever at) but they had lots of wool blankets and I washed and washed and finally my daughter suggested washing them in white vinegar and sure enough that took the smell out. Several people have suggested that I was not in my right mind bringing ANYTHING home from that sale, but we won't go there. Sunday night, I sat and sketched until I came up with something that I liked, then I retraced the bold lines with a Sharpie, (I LOVE Sharpies..all colors, all sizes)
Then I numbered all the flowers and leaves and so on and then retraced them onto freezer paper. The Sharpie makes the lines bold enough to see through the freezer paper, eliminating the need for tracing and transfer paper and all that stuff....shortcuts...gotta love shortcuts!

On to the wool. I have this suitcase of "pieces", well actually I have two suitcases of pieces, this is the suitcase of bigger pieces and the other one, a typewriter case actually is the suitcase of littler pieces. This is the manic mode that my girls have seen and wondered about. I sit on the floor and throw pieces all over the place. In normal mode, I would have thrown them all over, matching colors here and there and thinking of fifteen more penny rugs that I could make and then leave them all over the floor for a week or so, but in this pre-hospital stage, I am trying to keep everything relatively neat and calm, soooo...
I found the colors that I wanted to try and cleaned everything up and put it all away.
I just knew that lime Koolaid and Easter Egg dyed wool would come in handy some day. Not exactly in the primitive color scheme, but I kept it and it is working perfectly for this project. For all I love primitive, I love bright colors even more!

I ironed the design pieces on to their respective colors and cut them out. Cutting out is close to my favorite part of penny rugs. It must remind me of cutting out paper dolls. As a little girl, I loved a new book of paper dolls and really like the ones that the clothes all had to be cut out and did not punch out. Seems as though the cutting out of the clothes was the best part of the paper dolls, but I digress.

Next, I piece it all back together like a puzzle and dig through the floss stash to find coordinating colors.

I baste all the pieces into place and then I like to felt the smaller pieces in place. A little light felting over all holds everything a little more secure.

And it is ready for stitching. It is already sitting in a tray in the family room waiting for my return and the Recovery Time.








Comments

I'll be thinking of you") Smart girl to have something waiting for you when you get home, get lots of rest!!!
Rondell
Anonymous said…
Spacify has a collection of modern rugs with an array of modern designs. Each has its own great look that will find a way to enhance your home.
Cindy said…
Cathy you are going to have me doing penny rugs soon! I have seen so many and now you put them into a frame!

I'll be thinking of you.... prayers for a safe surgery and healthy recovery (not fast, until you're running out of post recovery projects!)

Be safe :) Cindy
Tami said…
Cathy~

I will keep you in my prayers, may you have a fast recovery!

Hugs~
T

PS I love what you are doing with the atic room....gorgeous!!
Good morning Cathy - GOOD LUCK AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU...and please don't overdo when you get home. You sound like that could happen very easily! lol

Love the colors you chose for your new creation - I love your design as well....anxious to see the stitched piece.

Karen
Laurie said…
I will pray for a speedy recovery Cathy, when I had this done I was anxious to do what I knew I wasn't supposed to, so listen to the doctor, and even if you feel like it, don't overdo! Working on your projects will be perfect for you and I can't wait to see the results! Let us know how you're doing,
Blessings,
Laurie
Tymes Past said…
Cathy,

Can't wait to see the finished product!

Praying your surgery goes smoothly and recovery is uneventful and complete...smiles and sunshine...Bev
Hello Cathy! Being a Cathy myself, I have to tell you, your blog first caught my attention because of your subject about Penny Rugs. I am also a penny rug stitcher and I really liked your idea about needle felting those small pieces in place. I never thought of doing that and I surely will do that from now on, thank you! After reading, I realized that you're also from Western Pa, so now, I'm just going to have to follow your blog because there's just too much that we have in common not to! Nice to meet you, Cath and best wishes with your surgery and recovery.
Cathy
BurttBunch said…
Hope everything went smoothly and that recovery goes quick! Enjoy the downtime!
Unknown said…
I can hardly wait to see what this looks like when you're finished! Great tip, needle felting in place before stitching - thank you!!!! I'm going to have to try making a penny rug or two!
Hugs,
Sher
Carol K said…
Love the framed rug design! I am thinking of you today, remember I am only a phone call away if you need more fiber or yarn or something when you get home!

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