Rugs and Pugs

Three W's ~

2012-01-29T19:52:00.000-05:00

WINTER ~ WILLIE ~ WINNER

Saturday morning we received some rather unexpected snow. It was beautiful but short lived. By afternoon it had all melted.

Willie's well worn guitar was front and center before the concert began.

What a beautiful backdrop!

A great concert! Non-stop singing for just over an hour.

* * * * *

Many thanks to all who read my blog and leave comments. Congrats to Amy of Bumble Bee Lane who is the winner of the hooked mat.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Friday ~

2012-01-27T16:57:00.000-05:00

Thank you for all your sweet comments regarding my little heart mats. Many of you encouraged me to sell my wares. I don't make enough to sell and much of what I make is given away. Two of the mats already have new homes and Sunday evening, this mat will have a new home, too. I decided to have another quick give-away. I think you know the routine. Leave a comment on this post or send me an email with give-away in the subject line. Easy peasy as my grandson would say :) (I will bind it before I send it on . . . lol!)

I am not a big country music fan, but I do like Willie Nelson. He is having a concert at our local theater on Sunday as a fundraiser for a congressional candidate who is a friend of his. The tickets were only $15, so how could I resist? I will draw the winner after the show.

I hope you all have a great weekend!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Doin' the Math ~

2012-01-24T21:44:00.000-05:00

I've often wondered about the going rate for commissioned hooked rugs. I recently was on the website of a well known hooker and pattern designer, and her rate was between $125 and $175 a square foot, depending on the complexity of the design. $125 a square foot works out to be $.87 a square inch and at $175 it works out to be $1.21 a square inch. Out of curiosity I compared that to some hooked pieces that are on a new selling blog. The pieces ranged from $.38 a square inch to $1.07 a square inch. I guess it really does pay to be well known!

Here are three little heart mats I recently finished. (Hooked but not bound.) This first piece is 6 3/4" by 7 1/4" for a total of 50 square inches. If I was famous I may be able to get $43.50 (since it's not complex I'm figuring $.87 a square inch) but since I'm not, maybe I could get $19.00 ($.38 a square inch).

I love the colors in this little mat. Of course they are MUCH better in person. It's about 6" x 9".

About 10 1/4" x 5 1/2".

Have no fear. I don't plan on selling them. They will most likely be given away.

Thanks for stopping by for the math lesson.

Hugs :)
Lauren

A Wasted Day ~

2012-01-22T20:38:00.001-05:00

I hate wasting a whole day and that is just what I did yesterday. I slept in later than I had planned, took the girls for a nail trim and headed home. Spent a little time catching up on some blogs when the arms of Morpheus took hold of me. I have been battling something for almost a week. One day I even left work early (I only went in because it was purchase order day and I had some to enter) and that is very rare. I went home and slept that day and did it again today. Now I am not one who can power nap and when I lay down, it is at least for a couple of hours. So I slept for a couple hours and then took a quick trip to a cross stitch shop in a neighboring town. I had stopped at the shop when it first opened about a year and a half ago. I was unimpressed then and my opinion has not changed. I'm not sure what I was looking for, if anything, but I didn't find it! They had only one reproduction sampler in the shop and nothing remotely primitive. They told me that primitive was not popular. I am amazed how things have changed since I was an avid stitcher (20-30 years ago). There are so many choices of linens and threads. The price of charts ~ OH MY! I remember buying the Prairie Schooler annual Santa for fifty cents or a dollar. Now they are $5.50!!! OUCH!!!

I would like to thank everyone who helped or offered to help me add an email link on my sidebar. I got it done thanks to you! (And it actually works!)

Not much else is going on. Yesterday's snow storm sort of fizzled (yeah!) and we only got about half of what was predicted and today it is starting to melt away.

I enlisted a totally unbiased helper to choose the winners in my worm give-away. She took her job very seriously :)

Congratulations to Lulu and Susan from Glen Oaks Primitives. Please send me your address so I can get your worms sent. Thanks to all who entered!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

A Couple Questions about Blogger ~

2012-01-19T21:41:00.000-05:00

Is anyone else having problems leaving comments when there is word verification? I am having to type three or four words before Blogger says I have typed it correctly. I know I'm not the world's greatest typist, but I also know I'm not making that many errors!

Also, I want to add an icon to my sidebar that says "email me". I know how to add the icon, but can't figure out how to link it to my email. One time a kind blogger explained it to me, but I haven't a clue where to find that email. Sometimes I am blogger stupid (!) so I need very explicit instructions :)

Still no prospective home for Annie . . . sigh. How can you not love that face?

I have several bins full of woolly worms from my early hooking days. They were all purchased on eBay before I had a cutter and before I knew the difference between good and bad wool. These worms run the gamut of really good, okay and so-so at best. They are an 8 cut, but we know that all 8 cuts are not created equal. With that being said, I am giving these away. I will draw 2 names on Sunday, sometime after 6pm, and send a box of worms to those two people. {I see there are no green worms ~ I'll add some of those and more.} It's simple to enter . . . just leave a comment on this post only or send me an email with give-away in the subject line.

Once again it's winter in Ohio. A couple of inches of snow today and more in tomorrow's forecast. I did spend a few minutes hooking by the fire this evening. I'm still working on my hearts.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Crazy, Crazy Weather ~

2012-01-17T19:29:00.000-05:00

What a weather roller coaster it has been. These were taken yesterday about 10:30 am. By 4:30 the majority of it had melted and by this morning, not a flake remained. Today's temps were near 60. They've begun to fall and we are supposed to be in the low 20's with high winds tonight. WELCOME to Ohio!

Yesterday Jake and I headed to Disney on Ice in Cleveland. It has been at least {big gulp} 45 years (I'm how old???) since I've taken the train downtown. It was actually much easier driving half way, hopping on the train and avoiding the hassles of finding a place to park ~ cheaper, too :)

This year all the stories were princess stories. Many young girls arrived in their princess outfits. Too cute!

What a racket! $12.00 cotton candy (with a Styrofoam crown) or a snow cone (in a plastic character cup) or a bargain priced box of popcorn for only $5.00. $20.00 t-shirts and flashlights. You get the picture. I got off really easy. I had Jake bring his Christmas money and gave him the choice of buying something there or saving it to buy a Nintendo game. He opted to save his money for a game and didn't bug me to buy another flash light to go with the one from last year that he never plays with . . . lol!

We did have a good time and I'm so happy he's still at the age where spending time with grandma is great fun.

Wishing for spring!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men ~

2012-01-15T22:44:00.001-05:00

Okay. Wasn’t Christmas just a week or so ago? And now it’s January 15. Holy smokes. Where has the time gone? The good news, though. Spring is only 9 weeks away. Yeah!

* * *

Woo hoo! A three day weekend! I was going to accomplish miracles. All my Christmas goodes were finally going to make their way to the walk-up attic. I was going to hook to my heart’s content and take a friend to lunch for her (belated) birthday. There was also a cross stitch shop I discovered about an hour away I wanted to check out. Oh, the plans I had, but the weather had other plans for me. I work for the city department in charge of snow plowing and when the guys work over, sometimes I must, too. Friday I worked four hours over and then worked eight hours on Saturday. Well, that still left Sunday and Monday, I thought. {{Big sigh.}} I got a call this morning to come to work. I’m not complaining . . . well, maybe a bit. The extra $$ will really help, but I so enjoy my time away from work. The extra $$ will pay for my mini hooking retreat at Sauder Village at the beginning of February. It is two days of hooking!!! Is anyone else going? I’m going with Melissa and we’re meeting Bobbie there. Heidi will also be there with friend Jane, but I betcha Mr. Taylor has to stay home. I've never been to anything more than a one day hook-in so this sounds like great fun.

I've made some progress on my Berk's County Floral but have set it aside to hook a few small heart mats for Valentines Day. I wish I could capture the true colors of this rug.

I've gotten two little mats started.

I love this piece hand dyed wool I bought at the ATHA Biennial. It is much more subtle in person.

Here's Jake reading Annie and me a bedtime story. Tomorrow we are off to see Disney on Ice.

I have been reading everyone's blogs, but just haven't had the time to leave many comments. I hope to get caught up soon.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

If Dogs Could Talk . . .

2012-01-12T21:27:00.000-05:00

Try to understand this:

You see, my FUR keeps me warm.

Your sweaters only serve to insult me.

If the choice is between prison and playing dress up with you,

I choose prison.

Though I have provided all the evidence in the world,

perhaps I should take this time to state a certain fact explicitly:

I am a DOG.

I am NOT a CHILD.

If you wanted a bunny,

why didn't you just buy one?

Please remind me why I'm supposed to love you.

I give you everything I have to give and you still wish I were a Dalmatian.

I wish your husband had taken me with him when he left.

If I had hands I'd strangle you.

I suppose it could have been worse.

You could've put me in a hair net so I'd look exactly like you do in the mornings.

Oh... wait... you did.

What is wrong with you.

Seriously.

Did you not get enough love as a child?

Is your world so completely devoid of meaning

that you think dressing me as a flower is a form of care taking?

I hope the house gets burgled tonight.

And when it does, you know what?

I'm not even going to bark,

because FLOWERS can't bark!

Oy vey.

If only Moses would have left in that 11th Commandment:

"Thou shall not desecrate one's pet."

I wonder how many of these I have to slip into her water

to end the torment.

Very cute.

You come up with that yourself?

Look, I'm barely a dog.

I have enough identity issues without you dressing me up

as a cheetah.

And in case you haven't noticed, I'm not Tarzan.

You are doing your best to ruin what self-esteem I have left.

And I thought the bunny suit was bad . . .

What am I now?

A Dogglebee?

A Dogfly?

Please stop.

Please.

I beg you.

* * *

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

This 'n That Tuesday ~ ~ ~

2012-01-10T20:35:00.002-05:00

I have been very remiss with my thank yous, and I do apologize to my most generous blog readers.

Acorn Hollow Cathy sent me the most wonderful ornament she made. It is filled with old sheet music and glitter, topped with a rusty cap and star. So very sweet.

Cyndi from Woolly Lott Rugs sent me this pin cushion. She did not make it but it is absolutely beautiful. Now that I have three pin cushions, I think it's the official start of a collection.

The back is as pretty as the front!

Also, big thank yous to Doris (Moments in Time) and Judi and her pug boyz in Florida for their generous donations to Ohio Pug Rescue. I thank you and the pugs thank you!

Speaking of pugs, I think Annie has gotten rid of her "worms". She appears to be back to her normal self. I am now guarding the woolly worms!

* * *

The Christmas decorations are all down and have made it as far as the spare bedroom on the second floor. Hopefully soon they will be in their rightful place in the attic. I am in the process of re-decorating. I am so ready for the house to be back to normal.

This evening I left the house at 5:20 and it was still daylight. Woo hoo! The days are getting longer. Our weather remains unseasonably warm and I am in no way, shape or form complaining!

Thank you to all my followers ~ old and new. I appreciate you taking the time to read my ramblings!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

It's Just NOT Right ~

2012-01-08T21:11:00.001-05:00

So many bloggers have commented on the lovely weather in their part of the country. Here's my niece Elise with daughters Sophia and Alexis ~ in C-H-I-C-A-G-O!!! Sophia without gloves, hat, or jacket ~ in January. It's just not right!

This was blooming in my yard ~ today ~ in northern Ohio. It's just not right!

Daffodils peeking through the soil. It's just not right!

It's still even too early for my snowdrops to have buds.

This is today's temp and the next few days it's supposed to be even warmer. I'm not complaining, but it's just not right and I'm afraid one day we will be in for a rude awakening!

I've found a new blog you MUST check out. Well, actually she found me and then I found her. Robyn's blog is Mug Wump Woolies. Please stop on over to see the rug she is hooking. If you have time, check some of her older posts. Her home is beautiful and so tastefully decorated. Any one who collects stone fruit is okay in my book :)

Not much else is happening in my neck of the woods. I've gotten all the Christmas decorations down except for the big tree. That was supposed to be done, too, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. Maybe tomorrow . . .

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Un-decorating . . .

2012-01-07T17:56:00.000-05:00

. . . or is it de-decorating?

I don't start taking my Christmas decorations down until after the first of the year. Three of the four evenings this week I had places to go and things to do, so there was very little time to do it :( Thankfully they go down much more quickly than they go up, but I want it done . . . NOW! (I am stamping my feet . . . grin!) I am knee deep in boxes, clutter and mess.

So how did I spend my day? Annie and I went to PetCo where Ohio Pug Rescue was set up to promote rescue and adoption. This young lady needs to find her forever home!

PUG BUTTS

Annie had one lady who seemed very interested in her. We'll see if anything comes of it.

Speaking of Annie, she has worms. {If you are squeamish, it's time to stop reading.} No, not the kind dogs normally get. We are talking woolly worms. (For you non-hookers, a woolly worm is about 1/4" - 3/8" wide and at least 12" long.) I have caught her a number of times with them in her mouth and I was pretty sure she'd eaten a few. Let me just say they do not dissolve in her stomach like I had hoped. She has been having some "issues" the last few days and now I know for certain she ate at least two worms, one being at least 18" long. YUCK!
Here she is on her favorite corner of the couch, worn out after a hard afternoon of having to be cute :)

I have been seeing wonderful little cross stitch pieces on blogs lately. I am getting anxious to stitch again. But I have so many rugs I want to put on linen and to hook the patterns that are sitting in the closet. Check out this post of Ann's. Marly always has wonderful stitches to share, too. There are just not enough hours in the day . . . sigh.

I am making some progress on my Berks County Floral. The true color is somewhere between the two of these.

Now, if I'd just get off this computer, I'd get lots more done.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

Pleasantly Surprised ~

2012-01-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

I used to be so good at keeping track and logging all the rugs I hooked. I kept a log on the date the hooking was completed (not including the binding), the size and where the rug ended up (given as a gift, give-away or kept). This year I have failed miserably. I lost part of my log. I know it is here somewhere . . . sigh.

I tried to do a quick tally today of the rugs/mats I hooked in 2011. I was surprised to find that I had completed over twenty of them. Granted, most of them are not very big and more than half of them were given away.

Here is a sampling of what was completed.

I have never hooked a really big rug. There are just so many smaller things I want to hook and I really enjoy giving them away.

I finally started to take down the Christmas stuff today. I got four boxes done and have many, many more to go. I will be doing it for a while longer . . . ugh!

Thanks for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

A Low Key Day ~

2012-01-01T22:36:00.000-05:00

New Year's Eve was perfect! I chose dinner at Five Guys and then we went home for a quiet evening of watching "It's a Wonderful Life" and hooking. Do you get the impression I am not the party girl?

I hope everyone has had a wonderful New Year's Day! It has been pretty much a do-nothing day for me. I wanted to stop by one of the antique malls, but it was not open so I stayed home, did some hooking, blog reading and worked on an order I have for some spoon necklaces. Pretty low key which is nice for a change of pace. I could have started putting Christmas stuff away . . . sigh. Even though it comes down much more quickly than it goes up, I still dread the task!

I did make some progress on my rug, though not as much as I had hoped.

My favorite "boys" came for dinner (DSO, son & grandson) and Jake is spending the night since I am off work tomorrow. After his bath, Jake told me he was glad he had such a nice grandma. Oh, that made my heart sing! At bedtime he read ME a story. Here he is hamming it up for the camera.

One of my amaryllis plants has started to bloom . . .

. . . and the cyclamen from Dolly (Eema's forever mom) is just gorgeous.

Dolly also gave me the most wonderful memories of Eema. In addition to one of her paw prints, she made this book of Eema's happier days. I get all teary-eyed every time I look at it. Eema's and my life became richer the day we met Dolly!

As I start this new year, I want to thank everyone who reads my blog. I have learned so much and met so many wonderful friends because of blogging. It is much more rewarding than I ever imagined it could be. THANK YOU!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Happy New Year ~

2011-12-31T17:22:00.000-05:00

Wishing you . . .

Health,

Happiness

Prosperity

in 2012.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Victorian Christmas Lights ~

2011-12-30T19:41:00.000-05:00

Many bloggers who left comments on my last post were not familiar with Victorian Christmas lights. I did a google search and found this website to be very informative. I was under the impression that they were all made in England, but that is not true. According to the website, they are also American made. Most of mine were purchased on eBay a number of years ago and the sellers were in England. I have rarely seen them at antique shows, even the high end ones. The color red was expensive to make so it is one of the rarer colors and consequently pricier. I was very happy when I was the winning bidder on a red one. When lit with a tea light it is so pretty.

Now that I am done hooking presents, I can get back to hooking for me. Yeah! I finally took this rug out of the bag a couple of days ago where it has been untouched since the ATHA Biennial in October. When I pulled the wool out, I was kind of befuddled as to what color was to be hooked where. Thankfully, I've got part of it figured out. In the last couple of days, I've hooked the hearts and am starting to hook more on the basket.

Without the flash it's too dark . . .

. . . and with too bright.

Annie is so afraid she might miss something. For the most part, she is my shadow. When she's not near me, she's usually up to no good :)

Pug hugs to all :)
Lauren

Rugs and more Christmas Stuff ~

2011-12-27T19:47:00.000-05:00

Can you believe another year is almost over? Where, oh where, is the time going? It seems like just last year everyone was in a panic over Y2K.

Just a few more Christmas pics to share with you.

Here's my collection of pressed (?) cotton Santas from the 1930's, I believe. All are vintage except for the guy on skis in front. I added the tall Santa with the star on his belt to the collection this year.

Some of my Victorian Christmas lights (aka fairy lamps, fairy lights). I leave these out year round.

One of the hooked mats just recently completed. I finished the hooking weeks ago, but his little black legs were lost. One suggestion was to proddy them, too. I tried that with different lengths and widths of wool strips. I didn't like how it looked. The other suggestion I received was to use twigs for legs. I'm not sure I like how it came out, but I was out of time to come up with Plan C.

Finished only two days after Christmas . . . not too bad, except that unbeknownst to me, the gift exchange was the week BEFORE Christmas. Oh, well . . . sigh! Tomorrow it will be in its new home in Michigan.

I had a wonderful Christmas Day spent with family! Lots of good food and wonderful gifts. I am truly blessed. I hope you are, too.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Merry Christmas ~

2011-12-25T20:47:00.000-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

* * *

May you be blessed

with health and happiness

this Christmas Day.

* * *

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Christmas with Jake~

2011-12-24T15:57:00.000-05:00

Last evening we celebrated Christmas with Jake since he will not be with us on Christmas Day.

To say he got many presents is an understatement!

DSO Fritz got Jake a coonskin hat. I love it.

I remember the coonskin hat my brother Bill had when he was young, but back then, it was the real thing. Here he is modeling Jake's.

Jake with his Dad. Jake was in h-e-a-v-e-n!!! Dad got him a Nintendo DS (or whatever it is called). Here they are getting it set up.

Loocie all decked out for Christmas.

Me and my sweetie and the furbabies.

Brother Bill again with his DSO Lyn.

Here's Annie all ready for Christmas. (Now that is a face only a mother could love!)

Can you tell she was less than thrilled with her hat?

Getting ready to start chewing on it.

Now I have to tell you that Annie must be the smartest dog in the world. She can read! She found her present under the tree . . .

. . . and started to open it. I swear, she is just like a kid. When she is out of sight and too quiet, I know she is up to no good!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my blog. A big thank you to those who leave a comment. I have met so many wonderful people through blogging and I hope to meet many more in the new year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Oh Christmas Tree !

2011-12-22T22:03:00.002-05:00

My main Christmas tree, whether real or artificial, has alway been at least seven feet tall. It has been many years since I've had a live tree, but I had this wonderful artificial one that I just loved. The branches were spaced unevenly, it had grapevine and pinecones attached and it would hold heavy ornaments. Sadly, for the last few years it has been losing more needles than a real tree. This year I decided I just couldn't haul it down from the attic. I brought another tree down from the attic I haven't used in years. At my previous house, it was the family room tree. Oh my goodness! It is so much smaller than what I am used to. I even had my DSO put it on a milk crate, and it still looked too small. I was undecided as to what I should do. Since I had not found a tree I wanted to buy, Jake helped me decorate this one. It has sort of grown on me and Jake had a ball decorating it and thinks it is just beautiful.

My Mom gave me this angel many years ago. She said it was the angel from my Grandma's Nativity set.

I still cherish the ornaments made by my boys.

Plastic drapery ring and brown craft paper ornament made by my dear niece Elise almost 40 years ago. (She must be getting old!)

Needlepoint ornie made by my sister (also many years ago!).

I got this in first grade. This angel broke off many years ago.

My one true antique Christmas ornament. I was told it is probably 1880's.

Old Santa light bulb.

Of course there's at least one pug.

One of a set of six pysanka eggs my niece brought me back from Czechoslovakia, I believe.

And a little humor to end the day.

Dear Friends,

This time of year worries me. Not for the crass commercialism and forced frivolity, but because it's the Season when the food police (remember them?) come out in full force with their fingers wagging and their annual tips on how to get through the Holidays without gaining a few pounds or inches.

You can't pick up a magazine or news paper without finding a list of Holiday eating do's and don'ts. Eliminate second helpings, high-calorie sauces and cookies made with butter they say, and filling up on vegetable sticks is encouraged. Good grief! Is your favorite childhood memory of Christmas a carrot stick? I don't think so! Mine isn't either.

A carrot was something you left for Rudolph. So, here are a few of my own tips for Holiday eating. Rest assured, by following this sage advice you'll rekindle fond childhood memories (unless your parents were vegan) and quite possibly enjoy yourself a bit.

So what if your drawers are a little snug by New Year's Day, that's what resolutions are for!

1) About those carrot sticks. Avoid them! Anyone who puts carrots on a Holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. If you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, or down the street where they're probably serving rum balls.

2) Drink as much eggnog as you can and do it quickly! Like a fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer. You can't find it any other time of the year. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not like you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat, so enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think...so drink up!

3) If something comes with gravy, for god’s sake use it! That's the whole point of gravy. Go ahead and pour it on! Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Pretend it's erupting and watch the villagers flee! Save the villagers, then repeat.

4) As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk with sour cream and butter. If it's the former, pass it up. Why bother? That'd be like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5) Do not have a healthy snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello? Remember college?

6) Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do but take long naps. You'll need all your energy circling the buffet table while carrying several plates of food and that vat of eggnog.

7) If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. Like a fine pair of shoes or a great buy at Home Depot. You can't leave them behind at any cost, because you won't be seeing them again any time soon.

8) Same of pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat? Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat? Have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9) Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards, mate.

10) And one last thought: If you're not stuffed when you leave the party or have a problem getting up from the table, you haven't been paying attention here. This wasn't written for your amusement.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope a few of you have made it to the end.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Productive Day!

2011-12-21T21:47:00.000-05:00

Just a little update on my vacation day yesterday. Well, let me tell you, it was no vacation, but I got lots done! Woo hoo! Just what I needed. I met my DSO for lunch at the local Chinese restaurant (and forgot my take-out box ~ darn!), made a quick stop at Kohl's to return an item and another quick stop at the toy department at WalMart. Came home empty handed. I then finished my one hooked rug (can't show it until later in case BFF checks the blog), got it boxed and ready to mail. Then it was time for my marathon shopping spree. (Have I ever mentioned I HATE to shop?) Nine stops in just under three hours, but I suppose the stop at Wendy's shouldn't count! I pretty much finished my shopping (but had to return to Toys R Us today to switch out a Transformer that someone else had gotten Jake), finished and mailed my cards, and today got all the wrapping done except for a couple of gifts. The dining room table is "almost" cleaned off. Tomorrow it's grocery shopping and a small birthday celebration in the evening. WHEW! No wonder I'm tired!

* * * * *

Church Ladies With computers

They're Back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with computers. These sentences (with all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

--------------------------

The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'

--------------------------

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

--------------------------

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.

--------------------------

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

--------------------------

Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

--------------------------

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

--------------------------

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

--------------------------

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

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A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

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At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.

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Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

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Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

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Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered..

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The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

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Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.

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The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

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This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

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Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM . All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.

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The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

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Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use the back door.

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The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM . The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

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Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

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The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.'

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Thanks so much for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Please Tell Me it's NOT December 20!

2011-12-20T10:53:00.001-05:00

To say I am behind is an understatement! I think sheer panic is beginning to set in. I took a vacation day today and hope to accomplish miracles. I need to finish binding a rug that must be mailed, mail the packages at the post office, Christmas shop, birthday shop, wrap, write a few personalized Christmas card letters (individual ones, NOT a generic letter for all) . . . and I am sure there is more. This is how the dining room table has looked for days . . . and I hate chaos!

I couldn't figure out why I was having such a hard time sewing the binding on this little rug. Well, duh, I forgot to trim the linen. Maybe that has something to do with it. Am I just a bit stressed?

Just remember, stressed spelled backwards is desserts :)

Sunday was Tuba Christmas and here's Jake during Jingle Bells. He had so much fun!

Well, I better go trim the linen and finish that darned rug!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Date Night ~

2011-12-17T22:55:00.000-05:00

Tonight was date night with my favorite redhead. We started the evening with a visit with Santa . . .

. . . and ended it with a movie. At the end of the movie, he turned to me and said, "That was good!". It was very cute.

We had our first snow of the season. I didn't even know it was supposed to snow, and we received several inches. I think it will all melt tomorrow ~ and that's okay with me. They say if you don't like the weather in Ohio, stick around for a day and it will change. Thursday evening the weather was nice enough for my son to go for a motorcycle ride and today the snowplows are out. Welcome to Ohio :)

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Patriotic Christmas ~

2011-12-15T21:03:00.000-05:00

With Thanksgiving being so early this year, I thought for once I'd have a stress free time getting ready for Christmas. I should have known better. Most of the decorating is done but I still have not done anything with the banister or the bookshelves on either side of the fireplace. The cards are not mailed ~ heck, they are not even written :) I still have shopping and wrapping to do and two hooked mats to finish. Oh, and two more packages to mail. Yikes! I think I'm in trouble!

* * * * *

Tonight I thought I'd share my patriotic Christmas decorations with you. My stairs leading to the second floor make a 90 degree turn and each year all my patriotic items are displayed on this little landing.

Some of my favorite ornaments.

This guy is one of my absolute favorites!

Santas, nutcrackers and Uncle Sam atop an antique cupboard.

In a small antique cupboard.

Today was grandson Jake's Christmas program at school. I was able to take part of the afternoon off work to attend. They sang a half dozen songs and he smiled through the entire performance. What fun to see the joy on the children's faces.

I really need to pull a few loops before the evening is totally over.

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

More Christmas ~

2011-12-11T18:33:00.000-05:00

More of my Christmas. I really have put out less than in previous years, but I definitely have not "simplified".

On my upstairs landing . . .

In the living room. All three samplers are antique.

A little tree in the kitchen set in an old butter crock. The lights are the tiny rice lights that I dipped in silicone. All the ornaments are old figural light bulbs.

In the downstairs bath, decorated with both vintage and new glass ornaments. I made the candy canes several years ago.

In the dining room.

I love my light up plastic Santas!

Yesterday Ohio Pug Rescue was set up a dog event. I was hoping Annie would find her forever home, but it was not meant to be :(

Meet Fred. He was the coolest bulldog I've ever seen. So laid back and friendly. He was a big boy!

How would you like a derriere this size?

An OPR pug, but I don't remember his name. He was so content sitting on a lap, people and dog watching.

This is Ruby. She was adopted from OPR about two years ago. Look at the white tips on her paws.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was good. I got some things done, ran some errands, hooked a little (still must finish that Christmas present!), but of course did not get all done that I had hoped. I never do . . . sigh!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Lucky ME!

2011-12-07T21:20:00.000-05:00

I was one of the lucky winners of Joanne's most generous give-away! {Be sure to check out her blog. It's always a fun place to visit. She is a very prolific hooker and she has the sweetest kitties.} Look at the wonderful hooked pillow I received in today's mail. Woo hoo! It is wonderful and something I can display all winter long. THANK YOU JOANNE and a big thank you to her furbaby Jonesy who picked my name. I think he deserves an extra treat (or two!).

I love how the snowflakes are dimensional. It looks like she used yarn and made a French knot. {Am I correct, Joanne?}

I also have a couple of finishes to share with you. I've finished the pumpkin mat that I started at the ATHA biennial in Maria Barton's class. Maria has the sweetest patterns. You can see them all on her website, Star Rug Company. {I prefer to think I am ahead for next Halloween, not that I missed this year's.}

The rooster is another Christmas gift.

I'm not quite sure what I am doing with this mat, other than the dog. I'm sure it will be something rather simple ~ and it better be quick :)

I had plans to hook yet one more mat, but it's not going to happen!

Thank you so much for stopping by. I do appreciate you taking the time to read my ramblings.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

More Christmas and a Thank You ~

2011-12-05T21:47:00.000-05:00

A big thank you to Elaine at Wool Stitches and More who presented me with this award. It's German for I love you. I feel honored that she chose me. I am supposed to choose five blogs and present the award to them to spread the love. I don't mean to be a party pooper, but I just cannot choose only five blogs to present it to, so I will be selfish and keep it to myself. Please stop by Elaine's blog and say hi to a fellow hooker :)

Tonight I feel as if I've been spinning my wheels and getting nothing done. I did get a few more things done, but my decorating list is still quite long. Here are a few more pictures. As you can see, I still have not mastered the "less is more" style of decorating. The snowmen are sitting on a doily that my grandma crocheted decades ago.

Two vintage snowmen ~ gifts from a dear friend.

Celluloid reindeer.

Pretty scary to think that decorations from my youth are now considered vintage . . . lol! {These are not ones I had as a child, but ones I've purchased over the years.}

The Santa in the back is embossed paper ~ marked Germany. The bottle brush tree is also vintage.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Tuba Christmas ~

2011-12-03T15:49:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to Google Tuba Christmas and see if there is one in your area. Last year I blogged about it here. It really is a fun event, especially if you've never been to one. You just won't believe how many different kinds of tubas there are! I had forgotten Jake went with us and just recently he mentioned how much fun it was and he wanted to go again. If you go, be sure to take some jingle bells. Check out this You Tube video of Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center in 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Plbl0fTYAY

I'm still decorating (and will be for quite a while yet) and will have lots more to share with you. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

"Tis the Season ~

2011-12-01T20:30:00.000-05:00

A big thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the kind comments regarding Eema. They mean so much to me and Dolly. I appreciate each and every one.

* * *

I am knee deep in Christmas boxes. I am trying to simplify ~ rather unsuccessfully I might add. Many of my decorations are gifts and as I unpack them, memories come back and I have a hard time not putting them out. Annie has been helping me. Yesterday I brought a 3' tree down from the attic. I had left the silicone lights and old glass bead garlands on the tree. Next thing I know Annie has stolen one of the bulbs and is chewing on it. Now I don't know if I can blame her, but I then discovered half the lights were not working. I removed them from the tree along with the glass garlands. One of the strands of garland broke with glass beads flying everywhere and as I'm trying to pick them up, Annie is stealing them. Thankfully she let me retrieve the one she had in her mouth (without biting me!) before she had a mouthful of glass. Today I was at the store buying some silicone caulk because I really wanted silicone lights on the tree. So in between trying to decorate and working on hooked Christmas presents, I am dipping bulbs in caulk.

One of my little repro feather trees. I cross stitched the piece under it 20+ years ago.

A favorite Santa ~ made in 1990 by Vaillancourt Folk Art.

The first repro feather tree I bought MANY years ago. The samplers are antique reproductions that I stitched in the 80's and early 90's.

Celluloid Santa and reindeer.

More celluloid Santas and reindeer.

A flock of vintage German woolly sheep.

Vintage glass Santa ornament on yet another feather tree ~ this one old.

I am SO HAPPY to report that my picture downloading problem has been solved. WOO HOO! It dawned on me that my problems began when I got my new camera and my DSO figured out that the setting I was using was taking HUGE pictures that were just too large to download easily.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

My Dear Sweet Eema ~

2011-11-28T20:08:00.000-05:00

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,

that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends

so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food and water and sunshine,

and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;

those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,

just as we remember them in our dreams

of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing:

they miss someone very special to them;

who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together,

but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

The bright eyes are intent;

the eager body quivers.

Suddenly he begins to break away from the group,

flying over the green grass,

his legs carrying him faster and faster.

YOU have been spotted,

and when you and your special friend finally meet,

you cling together in joyous reunion,

never to be parted again.

The happy kisses rain upon your face;

your hands again caress the beloved head,

and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet,

so long gone from your life

but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together . . .

* * *

It is with great sadness I tell you that dear, sweet Eema went peacefully to the Rainbow Bridge last week, held lovingly in forever mom Dolly's arms. I could not have asked for a better mom to Eema. Dolly is truly an angel on earth and I will be forever grateful for the life she gave Eema.

Run fast and free, my dear sweet girl.

I've fallen and I can't get up until I get a belly rub!

With pug sister Cher (L) wintering in Florida

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

That'll Do ~

2011-11-27T14:04:00.000-05:00

~ Farm, that is. I'll get to that in a minute :)

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining, but something is just not right. It is November 27th, I live in northern Ohio, and yesterday I had the door open. I smelled freshly mowed grass. (I cut mine, too - easier than raking.) Grandson Jake and I were playing outside and he was in short sleeves with no jacket on. Well, to me it's not quite that warm, but to a 6 year old it is! I'm lovin' it. Friday I took Jake and my two great nieces Sophia and Alexis to the lake to search for beach glass. They are predicting a harsher winter than normal with an over-abundance of snow. Oh, how I hope the weather-guessers are wrong.

My niece, her hubby and daughters Sophia (age 8) and Alexis (age 5) made their annual Thanksgiving pilgrimage to Ohio from Chicago. Friday we thought it would be fun to head to That'll Do Farm. Hooker (and knitter and spinner) Andrea welcomed us and gave us the grand tour. Here an alpaca . . .

there an alpaca . . .

. . . everywhere an alpaca-paca. Oh, wait. Wrong farm.

We got to feed Joey the llama and the goats he protects.

Son J feeding Joey

Jake and Joey

Niece Elise

Alexis feeding the goats

I hope the chickens don't feel too left out. I forgot to get a picture of them. Andrea tried to get Jake to help clean the chicken coup, but he would have nothing to do with it!

If you are ever in the northern Ohio area, be sure to stop by and say hi. If you are a knitter or spinner, you will be in heaven. Gorgeous, soft wools. Makes me want to learn to knit ~ in my spare time . . . lol! It is a fun place to spend an afternoon.

* * *

I found the cutest masks at Dollar Tree (I love that store!) for the kids.

They were glow-in-the-dark.

And just because she is so darned cute ~ Loocie :) To me she always looks like she's depressed and needs some puppy Prozac.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I have much to be thankful for.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Happy Thanksgiving ~ ~ ~

2011-11-24T06:00:00.002-05:00

May your stuffing be tasty.

May your turkey be plump.

May your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious.

May your pies take the prize.

May your Thanksgiving dinner

stay off of your thighs.

MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

HAPPY HOLIDAY

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Gifts from Friends ~

2011-11-23T14:16:00.000-05:00

I have been very remiss in showing some of the treasures I have received from friends ~ some I have met and some I know only through blogland.

Doris from Moments in Time gifted me with this stained glass rug hook when I saw her at the ATHA biennial. I get many compliments on it. Saundra from Woodland Junction made me the sweetest little snippet bowl.

I received the most wonderful little quilt from Lori at Homespun Prims. Her work is perfection!

Dolly, who adopted my Eema, gifted me with these really cool beach glass identification cards. The last time I saw her she also made me a yummy pumpkin cheesecake. I just love cheesecake!

Karin, eBay seller Primitive Spirits sent me one of her hooked hearts. I have it hanging on an antique cupboard and it is just perfect!

Also, Judi and her pug boyz in Florida made a generous donation to Ohio Pug Rescue.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! I will treasure my gifts for many years to come. I am blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Hooking Troubles ~

2011-11-20T21:42:00.000-05:00

Recently, I've had great difficulty hooking. I normally hook sitting on the end of the couch with the Ott light to my left. Annie has decided that she is going to sit to my left and there is no stopping her! Today she was chewing on her toy, shaking it as dogs do and pushing up against my leg. Other times she insists on putting her head on my lap while I am trying to hook! Oh, what we put up with for our furbabies.

I hope your week gets off to a good start. As I've said before and I'll say again, I just can't believe Thanksgiving is here. Shouldn't it just be Labor Day?

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Furry {and not so furry} Friends ~

2011-11-18T20:28:00.001-05:00

I can't believe another Friday has rolled in. How is it possible that next week is Thanksgiving? At least Thanksgiving is early this year so we will have a few more days to prepare for the Christmas season.

Last night I visited with my Eema. I am so sad to report that the tumor continues to grow. I had a very nice visit ~ not sure if it was my last :( I know Dolly and I will remain friends. I am so thankful that she became Eema's forever mom.

Here are a couple pictures of Eema from her healthier days. I will not say happier because she is still as sweet and as happy as ever. If you didn't see the tumor, you would have no idea that she has cancer. This picture is from when she first came in to my life ~ before I fattened her up . . . lol!

And here she is ten months later. She is the foster I had the longest (11 1/2 months) and she will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Here is Sam, our work cat, mouser in residence. He is so spoiled that when we get to work in the morning, he cries and carries on until he gets his morning lunchmeat!

My orange pumpkin did not make it to Halloween, but I thought just maybe the white one was going to make it to Thanksgiving. I guess it wasn't meant to be . . . sigh!

Jake had $2.00 that was burning a hole in his pocket. Now unless you are at the dollar store, what toy can be found for that amount of cash? Luckily part of Grandma's job is to spoil the grand! {He picked out the picture he wanted posted on the blog . . . lol!}

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

On the Frame ~

2011-11-16T21:57:00.000-05:00

I need to get busy. Somehow I've got to get three more hooked mats done for Christmas presents. I'm not sure if that will happen, but I am going to try. This rooster is based on a doodle by Tonya Benson of Mad Hen Primitives.

I absolutely love the reversible black wool I used for the rooster. It's not the Wool Studio reversible black (which I love, too!), but a wool I got from Alice quite a few months ago. I really NEED more of this wool for my stash! The other wool is the texture I am using around the rooster.

Last night was hooking with Katie (and I forgot to take out the camera!) and tomorrow is hooking at the Farm. No wonder I'm not getting anything done at home!

Pug Hugs :)
Lauren

To All My Enabling Friends ~

2011-11-14T19:38:00.000-05:00

Saturday I killed two birds with one stone, so to speak. There was an antique/craft show that I wanted to attend and it was just about halfway to the antique shop where I had found the pie safe. Well, since I was already going to be halfway there, it just made sense to continue south and get the pie safe. Right?

Since the pie safe would not fit in my little SUV and I thought I was not going to drive back to get it, I did not look it over that carefully. It is in a little rougher shape than I thought it was, but I love it. After a good cleaning, it is perfect to hold my wool. Geez, I didn't realize how much wool I had hiding in the closet. Probably about 2/3 of this has not yet been washed (and I still have more that is not yet out. Can you say addiction?)

Here's a picture without a flash . . .

. . . and with a flash.

I really need to sort through the wool and arrange it a little better by color. Here is my other wool cupboard displaying the hobby horse I got the previous weekend.

I really did not buy much at the Gathered Treasures show. There were lots of "prim" goodies, but none came home with me. I hadn't bought a cookie cutter in years and have bought two in as many weekends. Also a couple little tart tins and some scrabble tiles. I just think they are fun.

Some vintage Christmas that I thought was a real bargain ~ $6 for everything.

A punched tin chandelier that will go in the hooking room once I switch the hooking room with the guest room (but first I need to paint so that won't happen for a while).

A big THANK YOU to all my enabling friends for encouraging me to get the pie safe. You are THE BEST!!!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

And the Winner is ~ ~ ~

2011-11-13T21:04:00.000-05:00

I want to say a big THANK YOU to all my readers. I am totally overwhelmed by all the entries to my secret give-away. {I forgot to mention that the top and bottom wools are reversible.} It has been my most popular give-away to date. I had 48 entries by comments and two by email. Once again I've enlisted Annie to pick the winner.

Congrats to Wool Woman, aka Mel in Florida. Be sure to check out her blog. She is an incredible cross stitcher, knitter, needle pointer and yes, she also hooks rugs.

I've finally gotten my Halloween decorations taken down, but they haven't yet made their way to the attic. I'd say it's about time! So many of you ready to start decorating for Christmas. Yikes! Not me. Usually by now the bulk of my shopping is done. Not this year!

Thank you again for taking the time out of your busy lives to read my ramblings.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Happy Veterans Day ~

2011-11-11T21:36:00.000-05:00

My all-time favorite hooked rug.
Hooked by Donna Hrkman

If you can read this,

thank a teacher.

If you are reading this in English,

thank a veteran.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

and

GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Rug Progress ~

2011-11-10T20:45:00.000-05:00

I should be working on Christmas presents, but have not gotten around to drawing out a pattern, so I'm pulling a few loops on the rug I started at the ATHA biennial in a class with Maria Barton. I have a confession . . . this rug is so not me, but I'm loving it! What a fun rug. Lookee, Alice, Maria got me to use purple :)

Can you keep a secret? I am having a give-away. I am not announcing it in my title, nor will I remind anyone that I am having one. Please do not mention this on your blog. This is for people who are actually reading this post! As always, entering is simple. Leave me a comment on this post or send me an email with give-away in the subject line. I will draw the winner sometime Sunday evening. In case you are wondering what you can win, it's hookers crack as Kim would call it. Five pieces of new, off the bolt wool, washed and ready to hook or craft with. I think each piece measures about 1/4 yard. Most of it is from Heavens to Betsy and one of the wools came from Searsport Rug Hooking. I'm not sure if any of it is Rebecca's. Good luck!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Beach Glass Class ~

2011-11-09T22:02:00.000-05:00

Daddy is out of town for a few days so Loocie (even though she technically is half mine) is staying with me and Annie. I'm trying to convince Annie she needs to be on her best behavior and stop with the "canine google search", but we are only partly successful.

Loocie's favorite spot is on the back of the couch. She will sleep there for hours on end. Sleep is what she does best.

Annie, is well, Annie. We are working on some of her issues, but I think she chooses to be a slow learner.

This evening, Melissa (new blogger EverThyne) and I took a beach glass class at the local metro park. Dolores has been collecting beach glass for twenty years and making jewelry for three. Here she is showing us how to drill. You must drill underwater so the glass does not break. I was the only one who volunteered to try it. It was not as easy as I thought it would be!

Here are a few of the more unusual pieces she's found. On the top right are perfume bottle stoppers, the piece with the flower is a piece of pottery and the small, roundish yellow piece is a marble. On the bottom right is a piece of safety glass. You can see the embedded wire. The blue piece said "bromo" as in bromo seltzer. The large red piece is extremely rare.

It was a very informative evening and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to attend.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

A Few New Treasures ~

2011-11-07T20:42:00.000-05:00

I just realized as I came back to finish this post that it is #400. I just don't understand. I don't consider myself a chatty person, so how could I have blogged so often? I really enjoy blogging, sharing a bit about me, family, friends, crafting, and of course the pugs. I think this milestone calls for a give-away and I will have one soon ~ I promise!

Here are the treasures I came home with. Nothing too exciting here ~ a brown canning crock, a white ironstone bowl, the yellow ware butter crock minus the lid and the sweet little cookie cutter.

Many years ago when I first started buying antiques, I always wanted to come home with something. It was usually a cookie cutter or a wooden butter paddle. It's been a long time since I've bought a cookie cutter, but I couldn't resist the little kitty. It is only about 2 1/2" tall. I think I will enlarge it a bit and make a small hooked mat.

Here is my real treasure. I've wanted one of these for ages . . . in fact I bought one in the spring that wasn't as old as this one (the shop owner thought this one might be late 19th century) but gave it away as a birthday gift. I'm not yet sure where it will end up, but I will eventually find the perfect spot for it.

Dear friend Wink gifted me with an early Christmas present. She is the person who introduced me to feather edge 25+ years ago. You can see a big part of my collection here. I have never seen a plate with this edge. It is also stamped Riley and I do not recall seeing that mark before. It is in pristine condition. What a perfect gift from the dearest of friends.

As Alice pointed out, my blog buddies are enablers! Everyone says I should make the trip to get the pie safe. I wish I could share a picture but I did not take one :( It really isn't that exciting but would be the perfect piece to store wool. The Tahoe is out of town until Saturday so if I want to get it, I may have to come up with Plan B. HHHMMMM. My son has a truck but can it make the five hour trip? I think I'd better find out. I will keep you posted :)

Thank you so much for stopping by and for all your kind words.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Six Inches Too Short ~

2011-11-06T20:56:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned my dear friend Wink many times before. She is my antiquing partner in crime. I caught the antique bug from her many decades ago. We live several hours apart, but met for the weekend in the Lancaster, Ohio area. We stayed at the Dum-Ford House Bed and Breakfast in Amanda, Ohio and spent Friday evening and Saturday antiquing.

In years past, the Christmas antique open houses were Friday evening and Saturday. We did not realize that it had been changed to Friday during the day, but luckily we were able to make quick stops at two of the shops in the early evening hours. The following pictures were taken at Miller House Antiques in Carroll, Ohio. Isn't their log cabin home wonderful? We did not get to go inside this year, but the inside is even better than the outside.

A small log cabin out-building.

Decorating with cotton seemed to be very popular this year.

I just love the stack of sandstone grinding wheels.

This was in a planter-type box.

Mr. Snowman standing guard by the door.

I do have a few purchases to share with you, hopefully in my next post. Blogger is still giving me fits trying to upload pictures. It took me several hours to load these.

Now to the title of my post . . . I need more storage for my wool. I want open shelving so I can see what I have. I found a wonderful old pie safe that is missing its doors. The spacing of the shelves is perfect. I drive a Chevy Tracker and usually what I want to haul fits in it. Unfortunately, the cupboard was about 6 inches too tall to fit (or my little SUV was six inches too short!). Now I am trying to decide if it is really worth the added cost of borrowing my sweetie's Tahoe and driving two and a half hours to get it. Logic says no, but when it comes to wanting this antique, my mind is screaming YES! You know, it is said the best time to buy an antique is when you see it because tomorrow it may be gone.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

And Yet More ~ ~ ~

2011-11-03T22:32:00.000-04:00

Here are a few more rugs from the show at the ATHA Biennial. There were many more that I failed to photograph. The talent displayed was just unbelievable.

I will end the ATHA Biennial rug show with a few of the rugs of Magdalena Briner hooked by Evelyn Lawrence who co-authored a book with Kathy Wright about this very prolific hooker.

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

A New Blog & a Few More Rugs ~

2011-11-02T22:03:00.000-04:00

Hooker friend Melissa has finally started her blog. Please stop by and give her a big hooker welcome (non-hookers welcome, too). I'm sure she'd love if you became a follower! She has hooked some amazing rugs in the four short years she has been hooking that she will be sharing with us. I'm jealous. Please stop by EverThyne and say hi!

Blogger is still giving me fits uploading photos. Today the first four uploaded in a matter of seconds. It then took at least an hour for the next three before I finally gave up. Here's more rugs from the ATHA Biennial rug show. If blogger ever cooperates, I will have a few more to share.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Happy Halloween ~ ~ ~

2011-10-31T20:54:00.001-04:00

~ HAPPY HALLOWEEN ~

Some of my longtime readers may remember seeing my Halloween decorations (but if you have CRS like I do, you may not . . . lol!), but I thought I would share some of them for all my newer followers.

I have a very eclectic collection ~ some new, some vintage, some hand made and some imported.

Witchy was a gift a friend.

Vintage paper mache pumpkins and witch. I thought they were pretty pricey when I bought them (except the pumpkin on the right was bought at a tag sale years ago in a bag with plastic pumpkins for only $4 ~ woo hoo!), but now prices are sky high!

These are also vintage.

Vintage tambourine and noise makers.

Cats ~ mostly imported.

Another gift from a friend.

Gourds I painted a few years ago.

My mom did beautiful ceramic work. This is my favorite Halloween piece she made for me.

She also painted the spider, cat and pumpkin. They all have music boxes that play the "Death March", though ironically all the batteries are dead . . . lol.

Another piece from mom. I will treasure these always!

A paper towel ghost I made 20+ years ago. The pumpkin picture behind the ghost was a gift from Karen at My Colonial Home.

Black feather tree.

My favorite trick-or-treater.

Isn't Loocie just too cute? She was so good while candy was being passed out and received many compliments on her costume. Annie, on the other hand, barked the entire time.

I hope you got more tricks than treats this Halloween.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

And Yet More from the ATHA Biennial ~

2011-10-30T21:09:00.000-04:00

There was so much talent at the rug show. So many magnificent rugs. It makes a person want to do nothing but hook, but we all know that is not possible :)

Here are some of my favorite rugs.

* * *

As you will see in some of the detail pictures, many parts of the rug had dimension. I cut off just a bit of the top, but down the side it says "memory time can't erase.

I absolutely LOVE this rug. It is something that would be so much fun to hook, but it was HUGE. It would take me years to do :) Very Magdalena Briner-ish.

Isn't this too cute?

I did not take a picture of the entire rug, but WOW!

So soft and old looking. I wish I could choose colors like this.

This looked like a tapestry.

This rug spoke to me. It was one of my favorites. It was probably 4' x 4'. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! (Sorry about the shadows. The lighting in the room was not the best.)

I hope I haven't bored you with too many rugs. I have even more to share in another post.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Seeing Red at the ATHA Biennial ~

2011-10-28T20:50:00.000-04:00

Another challenge at the biennial, was "Seeing Red". Each person had to interpret what Seeing Red meant to them in a 9" x 12" hooked mat.

This was my favorite rug. {God Bless America!}

This sunbonnet girl was very sweet.

Many thanks to Kathy and Brenda for identifying the "mystery" rugs in the previous post as patterns by Susan Quicksall of Holly Hill Designs.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

More from the ATHA Biennial ~

2011-10-28T06:46:00.000-04:00

I have so much yet to share from the ATHA Biennial, but getting pictures loaded is a real challenge!

Here are a few shots from the vendors that were set up. Unfortunately I do not remember (oh how I miss my mind!) whose rug this is. It was magnificent.

These rugs were all from Heavens to Betsy. I know the pumpkin and I think the two dogs were hooked with all hand torn strips. I love that look!

Here are some rugs from Kris Miller's booth. Love them all!

My favorite :)

I am almost certain this was Lucille Festa's booth. She had the most wonderful patterns!

This was another wonderful rug in one of the vendor booths. Does anyone remember whose booth it was in?

The following is self explanatory and so much fun!

I hope to share more soon!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

More ATHA ~

2011-10-24T20:29:00.000-04:00

Once again blogger was giving me fits. I was able to upload a grand total of ONE picture. I was not going to let blogger get the best of me, so I grabbed my laptop and headed to the nearest Mickey D's to see if the WiFi would make a difference. Believe it or not, it did, so is it my ISP that is causing problems? It took much longer than it should have, but I was able to upload more pictures. It just isn't a post without lots of pictures! I think I need to find a twelve step program because I am addicted!!!

Here are a few more pictures from Maria Barton's class.

Maria

Hookers hard at work.

Here's Shari who was also in my Barb Carroll class.

We joked that she was one of the class overachievers. Here is what she accomplished in the class. Cute!

And here is what the underachiever {me} got done :)

I believe the convention center was called the Eden Resort. Look at the wonderful fall display at the lobby entrance. There were actually two of these.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Taylor whose blog is Wool Nuts. I think he is giving me the stink eye.

For two days I looked for Lee (LeLoops) without success. Kind of hard when you don't know what she looks like. Saturday at lunch she just happened to come sit at my lunch table. I guess it was meant to be :)

This summer I had the pleasure of meeting Doris (Moments in Time) and we made plans to have lunch. I was so happy that it worked out. She is the most delightful hooker you could possibly meet! She gave me the sweetest gifts which included a stained glass "rug hook" to wear as a necklace. I will show that at a later time. Annie was very happy with the treats that were included.

Heather Ritchie was signing her book.

I have so much more to share with you if blogger will co-operate.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Classes at the ATHA Biennial ~

2011-10-23T19:22:00.000-04:00

Is blogger giving any one else gray hair today? (Lord knows I don't need any more!) I tried uploading pictures for at least two hours and could not get them all uploaded. Hopefully tomorrow I can do better.

My first class was the Berks County Floral, a pattern by Barbara Carroll. Here is her finished piece. We began by picking out what color background and basket we wanted to hook. From there we went to the leaves, flower, tulip and hearts. We left class with a color plan and wool to complete the piece. The finished size is 17" x 20".

Hookers hard at work!

Lots of wool choices.

Saundra of Woodland Junction had "introduced" me to Shari who lives in Lancaster, home of the 2011 biennial. She was in both my classes and it was fun getting to know her. She is a very talented rug hooker and makes the most wonderful early style Santas, elves and dolls which she sells through her website and juried shows. She accomplished a lot more hooking than I did!

This is all I got done :( The colors on the top right will be my tulips and the wool at the bottom my hearts. Unfortunately, no progress will be made on this rug for quite some time. Too many other pieces need to be hooked first.

My second class was with Maria Barton, from the Star Rug Company. What a delightful instructor! If you ever have the opportunity to talk a class from her, do so!

In her class we were hooking a whimsical pumpkin. In addition to traditional hooking, we were adding rolled circles (quilling), using the beading technique and adding lamb's tongues.

Here is Maria's finished sample.

She had also started these two rugs to show what other color pumpkins could be hooked and some fun embelleshments that could be used.

Two ladies decided to hook purple pumpkins and mine is green. Unfortunately, I have no additional pics to share this evening since blogger is being a real booger! Hopefully I can share a few more pics from the class in my next post.

I can't believe the biennial has already come and gone. I am so happy I decided to go. The next biennial will be in San Diego, maybe just a little too far for this hooker to travel.

Thanks for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Wool Heaven!

2011-10-21T11:11:00.000-04:00

I'm here at the ATHA biennial in Lancaster, PA. Talk about a plethora of hookers!

Before heading to Rebecca Erb's Wool Studio, we decided to make a quick stop at the rug show and to peruse the vendors.

I was so excited to run in to fellow hookers and blog friends. Perhaps you will recognize the legs to the left. Here's a hint if you are a blog reader of hers. It's the first time she's worn shoes in a long time. She's finally given up her flip-flops!

Then it was off to the Wool Studio. Wool heaven! Hooker's crack, as Kim once called it :)

In addition to Rebecca's wool, there were a number of other vendors set up selling their goods.

This guy was sold!

Here are the hookers who go with the legs. That's Joanne of Snippets and Scraps and Kathy from Woolfind. They are just a couple of sweeties!

I have so much more to share . . . the rug show, vendors, and last evening's class with Barbara Carroll, but that will have to be another day. It's time to "hook" up with another classy lady I've met through blogland ~ Doris from Moments in Time.

Thanks for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

My Swap Goodies ~

2011-10-18T19:46:00.002-04:00

I participated in my first swap ever hosted by Amy over at Bumble Bee Lane Cottage. Amy paired me with fellow hooker Margie of Hungry Hook Primitives. Margie spoiled me rotten :)

I received this hooked mat in perfect fall colors and a bundle of fall colored wool.

Margie is a fantastic hooker. Check out the perfect loops!

There was also a trio of hand stitched pin keeps. They smell divine. I haven't quite figured out how the other bowl fillers were made, but they are coated in wax.

Another sweet little hooked piece.

Now isn't this just too cool? A perfect item for the pug lover in me!

Last, but certainly not least, this sweet little towel. (No, Miss Cranky Crow. You can't have it :) )

A great big thank you to Margie for all my wonderful goodies. I will find a special place for each and every item!

* * * * *

In less than 12 hours I'm heading out to the ATHA biennial so I think it's time to start packing! (After I catch up with a few blogs...lol!)

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Library Rugs ~

2011-10-17T20:12:00.001-04:00

My DSO came to the rescue! { As always :) } He figured out how to resize my pictures on the camera, so I am able to share them with you.

Deanna was hooking the cutest little Santas on a very loose weave linen for her church's cookie walk.

Arlene is hooking my favorite Christmas rug.

Carole is working on 3-D pumpkins.

Karin (eBay seller Primitive Spirits) is working on hit and miss Christmas ornies/tie ons.

Lisa continues to work on her crow.

Here is Sylvia's rug I was raving about. As I said ~ it is HUGE, it is gorgeous and her choice of colors makes the rug look so old.

Only 2 days until I head east to Lancaster, PA, for the ATHA biennial. Someone asked what that was. Well, the description that comes to mind is a hooker's convention :) There will be classes, a rug show, vendors and more. Hookers will think they died and went to wool heaven..

Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Spooky Pooch Pet Parade ~

2011-10-16T11:16:00.000-04:00

The Spooky Pooch Pet Parade was held yesterday in Lakewood, Ohio. It was very windy and quite chilly, but thankfully there was no rain. They were trying to break the Guiness Book of World Records for the most dogs in costume in a parade. I believe they succeeded with over 350 dogs.

Ohio Pug Rescue had a booth and we made just over $150 for the pug babies.

Here's Pumpkin Annie. I was hoping someone would see her and fall in love with that face. I guess it wasn't meant to be. I don't think she found her forever home :(

Meet Tetley, a nine year old male who was looking for his forever home. He may have found it. Yeah for Mr. T!!! I don't know how I missed getting a picture of one and a half year old Sully, a fawn male who may have also found his forever home.

Oh, how I love those gray faces!

Here are a few random shots from the day.
Greyhounds were in abundance.

A very cute little witch.

Some people are so creative.

I'm not sure what the breed of this dog was, but it was a very cool ballerina!

Look at the size of her head! Check out her toenails.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Halloween Mats ~

2011-10-14T17:00:00.001-04:00

I thought that I'd share a few of my Halloween mats. My long time followers may remember these, but in the last year I've picked up many new followers. {THANK YOU!}

A punch needle pumpkin, a design by Lori Brechlin.

A little hooked mat.

A small (about 4" x 6") crow that I hooked in 2005, the year I started hooking. Back then I was REALLY slow and would spend hours hooking something this small. I'm a little faster now, but some days, not much :)

This is a design taken from the cover of Country Living magazine a few years ago. I believe it was meant to decorate the top of a cake.

I purchased this rug on eBay in 2006. It was hooked by Alison Maurer and is titled "Skeleton Flies".

That's it for my hooked and needle punched Halloween mats. I've made more but given them away.

Today the weather feels like late fall. Not too pleasant. I hope the weather will be better tomorrow for the Spooky Pooch parade in Lakewood, OH. Annie will be there and just maybe she can find her forever home!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Hookin' at the Library ~

2011-10-13T22:33:00.001-04:00

I hate being technologically challenged! I finally got a new camera and took it last evening to hooking at the library. I took pics of some amazing rugs and was very pleased when I looked at them on the computer ~ much better than those taken with my old camera. I started a blog post with LOTS of photos. They weren’t downloading. Well, duh! I had sized the pics about a million mega pixels (or something like that) and they are just too big to load. I wanted to at least show a picture of Sylvia’s rug. After more than a half hour, it still would not upload. There are just not enough adjectives to describe this rug. It is gorgeous, it is huge, the colors are breathtaking and it looks so old. Maybe she will bring it next month. It will probably be done by then. Karen was hooking some hit and miss stars and hearts, Deanna was hooking the most adorable Santa pillows on some very loose weave linen, Lisa was working on her crow, Carole on her 3D pumpkins and Arlene on the antique reproduction Santa and reindeer rug. Sorry I can’t show any of those! I’ll do better next time ~ promise! I was able to take a pic of the rug I started (after resizing it). Of course it was time to leave for hooking and I had NOTHING on the linen, so I drew up a little sheep. How pathetic. This is all I got done in a couple of hours! (Insert...very embarassed!) I really need to get busy on Christmas gifts!

Thanks for stopping by. I can’t believe the weekend is almost here again. Time is flying!

Pug hugs : )

Lauren

ATHA & a Favor

2011-10-11T22:34:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it's almost time for the biennial.

I am excited about going

but wondering how I will ever be

ready to go.

I'm heading out Wednesday morning

with Andrea from That'll Do Farm

and a couple of her friends.

I am taking the Thursday evening class

with Barbara Carroll

and the Saturday class

with Maria Barton.

Are any of you going???

I'd love to meet up with fellow bloggers.

Speaking of fellow bloggers,

(and she's a hooker

who will be at the Biennial)

can you do me a favor?

Stop by and say "hi" to Lee

at leLoops.

She'd love to have you

as a follower, too :)

* * * * *

I am so far behind on blog reading!

It just seems to snowball, doesn't it

when you can't find time for a day or two

to stay current?

So many good blogs to read

and just not enough time!

* * * * *

A big THANK YOU

to all who have purchased a necklace!

They were mailed out today.

* * * * *

Thanks for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

For Sale ~

2011-10-09T20:10:00.001-04:00

I've made quite a few spoon necklaces ~ given most away and sold some pug ones with all the proceeds going to Ohio Pug Rescue.

I thought I'd offer them on the blog if anyone is interested. They are made from old teaspoons and come with a charm and a 30" ball chain. They are $16 each which includes first class shipping. I will accept Paypal, check or money order. Please email if you are interested in purchasing one. I can also make custom ones, but the maximum word length is seven or eight letters.

The "wool" necklace is made from an iced tea spoon and is a bit smaller.

I will be adding a cat charm to "meow". "Prim lover" doesn't have a charm and is $14. (The L does show up better in person.)

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Bipuglar

2011-10-07T23:58:00.000-04:00

I think my Annie Banannie may be bipuglar. She has a real Jekyl and Hyde personality. One minute she can be the most loving girl ever and in the next moment, she is barking and bordering on snarly! She even bit me the other day when I tried to break up an altercation between her and Loocie. Annie thought she was entitled to a treat but Loocie was not.

Ohio Pug Rescue has provided me with a Thunder Shirt to see if it can lessen her barking. According to their website, the shirt not only can help with anxiety, it sometimes can help with barking.

I just received it today but I am hoping for positive results. Here she is modeling it.

Daddy (aka DSO Fritz) is out of town for a few days, so Loocie is staying with me and Annie. Loocie is so funny. She always "hides" under chairs.

She is getting so grey!

Doesn't she look forlorn?

Annie still being so much the puppy at a year and a half wants to play so badly. Loocie will have nothing to do with it! Here is a rare picture of the two of them (almost) together.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Annie Picks a Winner ~

2011-10-05T19:48:00.000-04:00

THANK YOU to everyone who reads my blog,

entered my give-away,

and leaves me such sweet comments!

A big welcome to my new followers ~
WOO HOO!

Congrats to Anita

who entered via email.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren