The Old Tattered Flag

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Brrrrrrr.........simply brrrrrrr!

 Actually, today was a heat wave, it went all the way up to 28 degrees, but for the past 3 days it hasn't gotten above -9 and with the wind chill it was -33.  That's just unpleasant!!  It makes you want to curl up in a quilt and never come out.  But somehow you always have to find beauty in a situation and I found it right out my back door.......look at the sky over the neighbors house.....

I have been working in unacceptable conditions.......ok, not really, but my office has been well, a mess!!  Here's a few before pictures I snapped because, as I sit here typing it is really starting to take shape.  I have stained the built in table hubby made for me and painted the walls a nice pale gold.  We had redone the floor and I got a nice rug and next up is curtains, so keep checking back and I'll show the finished product.






 Here's the first of the four new designs I gave Mom for Christmas.  "The Winter Star" is GORGEOUS!!  Such pretty colors Mom used.  I had done it years ago, back in 2005 as a wool applique pattern.  Watch for the wool applique pattern to come to the website (www.theoldtatteredflag.com) soon as well as punch needle, but for now, the rug hooking pattern/kit is available, it is 20 x 20.  
Click here: The Winter Star
So, the other night I decided to punch and put this on my frame.  I've had it available for punch for some time, but have decided to enlarge quite a few of my patterns and this is one.  Look how it fills up my whole rug hooking frame!  Sadly I got sidetracked and have not started it yet and probably won't because I want to do the Winter Star design above first.....

 I can count on one hand how many returns I've gotten in all the time I've been in business.  This valance below is one of them.  Our customer was not happy because she said it wasn't symmetrical.  Well, I don't draw florals symmetrically.  I try to make them flow, because really, how many symmetrical flowers have you seen?  We all know that nature isn't perfect.  But it's all good though, to each their own, and I benefited because Mom hooked it for our guest room and it looks lovely........warts and all!  (although I have to say, I don't see any warts, do you?)


 She wanted to hook it with the colors in the rug on the floor that she had hooked about 15 years ago.  Just lovely!


 .......and here she sits working on another new design....keep watching for it....


 I saw this cute little Hyacinth bulb at Wegmans (the greatest grocery store ever) and picked it up for Mom last week.  It hadn't started to bloom, but now look at it.  A reminder that this crazy weather is not forever and spring really is right around the corner................really!


 ...and it starts.  We are trying to build our inventory for our Shop and for our next venture, a hook in with Betsy Reed in Kinderhook, February 1.   Here's some wool applique kits ready to be bagged up.


and next........the thinker!!  Good ol' Max.  He's not a morning dog and this is usually how I find him in the morning.  You just have to wonder what's going on in that head.  Perhaps it's "are they really going to make go outside to pee in this cold!!!"  or "I need coffee!"


Until next time......

14 comments:

Lady Locust said...

That global warming is a bugger isn't it:?) All that wool is just yummy. The piece your mom is working on looks like a beauty. Oh and your non-symetrical piece~ sorry, I can't even type that without chuckling to myself. It would be pretty easy to take that off someone's hands.
Keep warm & happy stitches/hooking.

Myra said...

The sky shot looks like something from a postcard ... beau-ti-ful! Everything is shaping up nicely. Love the color on the wall of your studio/office.
As for the valance ... well someone must have spend to much on Christmas shopping and needed to return it for the cash. Anyone can clearly see it's stunning! How I missed the farm animals is beyond me. I saw the separate ones on the stairs (hooked) but not the one shown here .... I'll take care of that real quick!! :-) Plummeting temps here in Mi too, along with another 8" ... sigh.

theoldtatteredflag said...

I should tell you all that I mean no disrespect to the person who returned the valance. My intent was to show the finished product and to really stress that I do not draw flowers symmetrically. I just don't do it. I wouldn't want anyone to be unhappy with one of my patterns and have no problem with taking a pattern back. Like I said above, "it's all good" ....

theoldtatteredflag said...

Wow that was quick. I will email you in the morning about the two sizes I have for the farm friends pattern. Thanks so much Myra and stay warm!!

Amy in Cleveland said...

Hello! Your mom is wearing an LL Bean nightgown that I almost ordered today! Honestly, is it worth the $60? I am in love with it an know if she's wearing it during your cold spell I can wear it during ours here in Cleveland. We're going to get record lows by Monday.

theoldtatteredflag said...

Hi Amy,
Lol, very observant!! She loves it and I love the look of it, kind of vintage looking. She wears it over lighter pj's. As for keeping her warm, it's hard to say because her living/bedroom is so toasty warm. It is nice quality though, I do like their nightgowns!

The Eveningstitcher said...

Julie...You and your mom are the two most ambitious women I think I've ever seen (or read about)! The shot of your neighbor's home is beautiful! You will most likely be getting the cold temps and huge amounts of snow that we are getting today. It's beautiful...I could just stay inside and watch it snow all day! I love the valance...it looks perfect on the window. Have a wonderful Sunday!

theoldtatteredflag said...

Thank you very much!! I do love that picture of the neighbors house too!! Today is just downright balmy at 39 degrees, but I am afraid it's not going to last long.....You also have a great Sunday...my favorite day of the week!

marie said...

Valance----uh-----I've never had any of my flowers/vines grow symmetrical. But I do know people who have to have everything match, a little boring for me. Love all your designs. Keep warm. Our 26 with frost/ice is cold enough mornings for me---we warm to high 40's during the day. Your - degrees way too cold.

Raymond Homestead said...

That first picture is so pretty. I agree with you, I've never seen symmetrical flowers. Loved the picture of the dogs in the previous post and your Christmas table looked so nice. Of course I always like seeing pictures of Baxter, he's a sweetie.

theoldtatteredflag said...

Thanks minds that means a lot coming from you because you take some of the most amazing photos!!!

Anonymous said...

If I needed a valance I would hook it asymmetrical and all! Can't wait to see you in Kinderhook... Bring lots of good stuff and I'll bring my Halloween rug to show you ... I am almost finished with it. See you soon!
Ellen

Primitive Stars said...

Hello, found your wonderful blog and now I am a new follower.....love the hooked rugs, beautiful and sweet Baxter, Blessings Francine.

theoldtatteredflag said...

Thank you very much Francine! Welcome!!

About Me

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my blog. I am married and just entering the second phase of my life as a Army retiree's wife. My husband and I did 25+ years in the Army. He is now officially a retired Colonel and has just entered the civilian workforce and I am happily settled in our 1830 Stone house. I (along with my Mom) operate www.theoldtatteredflag and currently we are building a small shop in the back part of the house. We live in Northern NY, right near the Canadian border. I have two handsome sons and 2 puggles. Life is busy for us, but I wouldn't have it any other way.