Friday, June 5, 2009

~* Rug Hooking Critique *~

Hello Dear Friends! Well, I finished hooking the lil' log cabin mat last night. I must admit, I'm not 'thrilled' with it... but I did learn a lot. Let me critique this one as I see it...



Simple, primitive thoughts went into the designing of the mat. I had a scraps of linen and stray, woolly worms that I wanted to use up. (believe me when I say... I still have TONS of those stray, woolly worms here to use in the future...how do they multiply so quickly?!) Olde~looking, naive rugs are my favorite & I try very hard to get my finished pieces to look like those of days~gone~by. A simple, log home with patchwork type of border was the plan.

The finished result, as I see it though, seems kind of boring. The design could use a little more of something ~ whether it be a path to the door, smoke from the chimney, some numbers to make a year, an oversized animal sitting on the roof... something, but not too much to take away from the simple design.



Remember I used scraps... well, I should have thought about cutting the 'dirty, whites' down into thinner strips. The mortar between the logs should not be the first thing you see in the house, huh?

As for color... even using scraps, there were light and dark variations of the same hue. It would have made the door and roof line POP if I would have used the lighter wools to outline these areas.



Something I do really like though ~ are the borders on each side of the rug. The scrappy, jewel tones did finish off as I had wished.



The 'golden yarrow' color of the background gives me mixed feelings. Part of me says it is too bright... the other part of me says it adds some nice poison & naivete to the mat.

Maybe I should have done some reverse hooking... BUT someone asked me if he could have it. How could I say "No" to these eyes?



He absolutely GLOWED when I gave it to him & is so proud to have it hanging on the wall in his room. (one of these days we will paint & decorate his room... then I can show you how it looks there)



So, although I'm not thrilled with the finish of this little ditty, I have learned a lot from it and have given a smile to someone I love.

Warm smiles to you...

Betty

16 comments:

  1. Betty~ It is absolutely perfect and even if it didn't turn out just how you wanted it to I think you achieved a very primitive style rug.
    I just love that Trinity wanted it for his room. Now that's an honor sure to make your heart sing!

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  2. Oh, we are so critical of our own work, lol.
    I like it and the colors. The only thing that throws me off is the side borders over power the design, needs a thicker band of color on the top and bottom to balance it.

    Debbie

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  3. I think it's pretty doggone cute, myself :) And nope...how could you resist those eyes OR that glowing smile? :o)

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  4. I think it's a great rug. We can always find so much fault with our finished products. I rarely make one that I think is perfect. It is so neat that Trinity is so fond of the rug. I hope he keeps it a long time as it will always give warm thoughts of his mom.

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  5. Well, the yellow background looks a little on the bright side in the first pic... but somehow in the second pic, that same yellow looks so warm and perfect! Trinity must be your good luck charm, Betty! :-)

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  6. PS: Thanks for yet another free pattern. I just love that cat. Can't wait to work it up!

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  7. Everything that you pointed out as a "critique" I saw as part of its charm :)

    Isn't it lovely when someone we love appreciates our work?

    Blessings, Patti

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  8. Betty-I think it's cute and prim! But who cares what I think! Obviously it's a hit with your biggest fan! Warms the heart!

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  9. I love this rug! Don't be so critical. You always do beautiful work :) If you really don't like it, though...I'll be glad to take it...LOL

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  10. we are our biggest critics. I think it turned out great, and how sweet that your son wanted it! I wouldn't be able to say no to those eyes either lol.

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  11. We certainly are our own biggest critics. Thankfully we shine in the eyes of those little people who mean the world to us! :D

    I love it, btw!

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  12. Betty ~ It's a sweet little rug.
    How cool that Trinity wanted it!
    Lauren

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  13. Betty, I think you are being waaaay to hard on yourself girl!

    So happy that Trinity is in love with the piece....when you sit down and think about it, that's why we do this....to create and bring joy to someone else's lives.

    You've definitely been successful at that in more ways than you will ever know.

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  14. Betty,
    That is a sweet little rug! I think it's so special that Trinity wanted it and you gave it to him.

    Lori R

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  15. I think it is awesome that Trinity asked for it and you giving to him is a gesture that goes a long way!
    Terri

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