Not Hiding Our Colors Here...Framing A Hooked Mat

I finished binding and mounting my newest hooked rug project today while a cardinal couple ate lunch outside my kitchen window. Mr. cardinal in his bright red feathers and classic black mask sat in the bushes while the Mrs. flitted beneath the feeder on the ground. He watched her every move while she dined on sunflower seeds that little finches and chicadees had scattered about. So wary that I couldn't get a photo of the two of them together. There she is up in the header. Not a very good photo but I tired of waiting for them to cooperate. I had a lot to do in the studio this afternoon.

I decided to try a different way to finish and hang this little birch tree mat. In my usual "do it my way" style, I decided to try mounting it on a pine frame covered in burlap. Dave was kind enough to nail up a simple pine board frame for me. A coat of polyurethane to seal and protect the fabric and rug from future acid damage is probably a good idea. I actually did that step yesterday.

Then things got a little tricky while stapling the burlap to the frame. It was hard to get it pulled tight while stapling and the corners were difficult to get all the burlap wrapped around nice and neat. I persevered.

After I got all the burlap stapled onto the frame I laid the rug on top. It needed a little support underneath so I used a few layers of cotton quilt batting between the frame and the rug. Just enough to poof it out a little and keep the rug from sagging in the middle. From there I hand stitched the rug around the edges to the burlap on the frame. That was a little tricky too but I finally got the hang of it.

I think the burlap lends a kind of organic look and feel. The padding lends a slightly soft and pillowy feel and fluffs out the hooking a little bit.

I decided to hang it in the studio above the primitive yellow cupboard for now. It will provide some needed inspiration for me to try brighter and different colors in my rug hooking. Who says primitive rugs have to be drab and dull in color? I still like the primitive style but give me happy, alive and luxurious color. Right Mr. cardinal? Now if you had the drab green brown feathers and she had the bright red suit, well......you wouldn't have to hide in the bushes while she eats lunch out on the sidewalk!