See new entries on my website

I have been having trouble posting my entries on blogger. I installed software on my website and it is now self contained. You can see my new entries at www.cindigay.com, click on blog.

Here's a preview of my current project:

The website name is still the same

In my last post I told you that I got possession of www.cindygay.com back. That does NOT mean that the domain name has changed. You can still reach my site using www.cindigay.com or www.cindigayrughooking.com. I also own several misspellings so there are other ways also. The important thing is that I can now announce to a group that my domain name is cindigay.com and I do not have to spell it out because I own all the spellings. It's a technical web thing, if you have my website on your list of favorites, you do not have to change a thing. And thank you for visiting the site.
Tuesday I attended a sales tax seminar. yawn...... but I used the time to doodle and I am getting closer to the design of the major border for my room-sized rug.

FINALLY!

Today I was able to purchase cindygay.com. For those of you following the blog for a while, you know that I lost it due to a billing problem over a year ago. It was important because many people would naturally spell my name with a y instead of i.

My favorite backing: rug warp

Sheri's question:

Hi Cindi, what's the difference in rug warp and say primitive linen. That's what I usually hook on but it's so darned expensive. I use an 8, 8.5 and 9 cut. I am also experimenting with monks cloth. It's not too bad and Alot cheaper than linen. And where do you get to rug warp? Dorr?
Thanks for the help.

Rug warp is the heaviest backing that I know of. It lays on the floor like a rug. My linen rugs are often a pain because they tend to wrinkle and I have to straighten them. In my opinion, a rug should not wrinkle.

Rug warp is made of 100% cotton just like monk's cloth so it is easy on alergies, but much heavier and not nearly as prone to stretching. If you pack, avoid monk's cloth.

I've heard some comments that rug warp is not straight. It may not be at first, but pull on it! It straightens out every time. I will work on writing up a lesson on transferring a pattern. If you use the threads to draw the outlines of your rug, and then tug until the box is square before transferring your motifs it works like a charm.

Rug warp will hold your loops tight. If you have problem with the loops pulling out as you work, consider rug warp. If you have pets, rug warp is the best backing of them all. I have two of Kim Nixon's footstools sitting in front of my couch. The two cats consider them their own scratching posts. I know all animals are different, but I have no problem with them.

And last, but not least, rug warp is cheaper than linen but it costs more than monk's cloth the last time I checked. My supplier of choice is Dorr Mill Store.

I planned a large rug, Antique Rose Basket, to hook at Sauder Village last year. Because I wanted to use 8.5 and 9's I drew it on linen. I tried hooking a bit on Monday night and ended up running home Tuesday to get rug warp. I haven't worked on it since because of the large rug, but I am glad I made the change. Be sure to use a hook with a thick shank such as a Hartman Hook. You can buy these hooks at Dorr Mill Store. My favorite hook is made by Diane Kelly.

Here's what she says about her hooks:
the hooks are hand ground, magnetic and will hook wool strips, sizes 4 through 12. contact Dianne Kelly at 330-357-8074 or e-mail at diannekelly67@yahoo.com.

I put an earth magnet on the corner of my Puritan frame and this hook will latch on even through heavy #8 and #8.5 strips.

Update on Mom

This weekend Mom got out of the hospital but has to stay in a rehab facility because she needs IV antibiotics twice a day for the next three weeks. The pain in her lower back is some degeneration. She is slowly regaining her strength but still needs the walker to keep her balance. Every day is showing some improvement.

Thank you again to everyone who sent messages or said a prayer.