Antique heart rug update ~

ARGH!!!  Darn desktop computer is acting up.  Keeps telling me I have all these viruses and trying to sell me antivirus programs.  Hopefully I can get a quick post in.

Progress has been made on my rug.  Woo hoo!  If I keep at it I may actually reach my goal of finishing it by mid-August.  Hopefully life won't get in the way.

Another picture of Ernestine from this morning.  Daddy went to a meeting.  She hates to be left alone (she's not spoiled . . . much) so she stayed with me.  That grey face of hers just melts my heart.

The computer is behaving for a minute so I'd better end this before it starts up again.  Don't you just hate computer issues?

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

For Modrina Neba ~

Just a quick post for Andreja and Ula.  So happy you found my blog and I would love to email you, so your email address would be much appreciated!

This is Ernestine, almost 14 1/2.  I fostered her and my significant other adopted her a week later when she was just five years old.  Here she is in all her cuteness!

And a little tidbit for you.  I am part Slovenian!!!  My mom was 100%.  Born in the USA, but her parents were from the "old country".

Next post will be a rug update.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Losing momentum ~

My goal at the end of my Jenny Smallridge class was to hook one "motif" (triangle, hexagon or tongue) daily along with the surrounding dark background.  I was hoping to have it all hooked by mid August.  The best laid plans of mice and men.  It got set aside to bind America Banner (pattern by Cathy Stephan, Red Barn Rugs), which I am happy to say is complete except for the label.

Nancy (The Wooden Folks) said she is able to get the most accurate color on a picture taken with an iPad.  Thanks for the tip, Nancy.  This is much more accurate than I normally get.

Now I am back to hooking my antique adaptation started in the Jenny class.  I am a couple motifs behind but (fingers crossed) I can get my momentum back.

Tomorrow I am heading to Hook & Thread.  It is a hike there, but such a great group of hookers.

I was scheduled for possible jury duty on Tuesday but have already been notified the trial has been canceled.  

Other than that, just busy as always trying to keep caught up on life!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Dulling down~

Jenny Smallridge of the Wooly Horse gave us a couple great tips on how to "dull down" wool.  I gave it a try.

Here are the before wools.

And after a dye bath of Cushing's taupe dye.

I forgot to take a before picture, but here are the wools after a tan dye bath.  A much more gold/muddy color.

I hope the next generation of digital phone cameras can see color better!!!

My cherry tomato plant finally has tomatoes.  A volunteer from a friend (thanks Valerie), I should soon have lots of little home grown tomatoes.

That's it for today.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Class projects ~

So many talented hookers were in the Jenny Smallridge class hooking a wide variety of rugs!

Debbie finished all but the eyes on her Love Birds rug, in honor of her 50th wedding anniversary this year.  Congrats to Debbie and hubby.

Geez, on my phone the colors are true to color, but not when transferred to the post.  Darn!  Kathy's antique adaptation is absolutely wonderful.  She was in both sessions of Jenny's class and was so close to finishing.  Jenny owns the original antique.

Sue's HUMUNGOUS rug, 4' x 5'.  With Jenny's help, she changed up some of the motifs.

Robyn's fun antique adaptation, and once again the original antique is owned by Jenny.

Pam is working on a Jenny pattern . . . 8' long.  She has the perfect spot in her home for a rug that large.

A pattern that Julie designed and is sold through the Woolley Fox.  Both she and Tammy were hooking it.  I love seeing the same pattern hooked in totally different colorways.

Tanya's rug.  She always chooses the best colors.  I just love her red barn.

Another rug Tanya brought along.  An antique adaptation.  She was incorporating some alternative fabrics and was getting ready to add some gauze.

Peggy, Carroll and Terry were working on Jenny's scrappy rugs.

And finally, the start to my rug, an antique adaptation.

There are two antique shops across from the Hotel Millersburg.  I'd say antiques are few and far between.  I snapped this picture there.  Seriously?  Would someone actually buy this?  It was good for a laugh.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Playing catch-up ~

It's so easy falling behind, especially having been gone for 3 days.  I have unpacked, watered and done some deadheading.  Still lots on my list to do.  And of course rather than stay home tomorrow and accomplish more, I am off on a play date with a favorite partner in crime . . . sigh.

Class with Jenny Smallridge of the Wooly Horse was great fun.  Jenny is a true teacher (she actually retired in January from teaching 6th graders) who teaches.  She is not there to just color plan your rug.  She had "lessons" for us each day, offering tips and tricks and showing us examples of what she was talking about.  I had her last year for a scrappy technique class, this year for how to hook a great rug, and I would not hesitate to take her again in the future.

Jenny helping Sue redraw some of her rug to more pleasing/meaningful motifs.

Examples of different colors in her backgrounds to make them more interesting.

A close up from the above rug.

And yet another example.

Lots of fun colors in the corner of the rug she is currently working on.

Her treatment of using what I call reversible black in her background.  I believe she calls this wool Blackjack 2.

Jenny has started a 7' x 7' story rug.  The buildings are all part of her past and all the motifs have meaning to her.

How she is working on the design.

I cannot even begin to imagine hooking something that large.  She is a high hooker and that rug will weigh a ton.  She has the perfect spot for it and it will be amazing.

A fun Santa she has hooked and cut out.

Her scrappy American flag.

Isn't he the sweetest?

Her fun labels.

I will leave you with three antique chicken rugs she owns and in the next post will share the class rugs.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren 

As usual ~

I am leaving for a three day rug class tomorrow and I have barely begun to pack, but that's pretty normal for me.  I guess I will never learn, but it will all get done, and if I forget anything will just have to purchase it!

First this morning I needed to mow the lawn.  Thankfully only a 35 minute task (my yard is small!!!).  It really did not need it, but I figured by the time Friday rolled around it would be looking pretty shabby.

Also, it's that time of year.  Lousy timing . . . but I made time for it today.

Believe it or not I have a finish to share.  Of course not fully finished but the hooking is done.  Pattern by Cathy Stephan of Red Barn Rugs.  I added the 1776 and 2026.  I am happy with the finish!!!  (I just can't get a picture that is not washed out.)

And I finally pulled a (very) loops on my June class rug, Indian Peace Flag by the Woolley Fox.  This rug is a biggie and my goal is to finish it in 2026.

That's it.  Really must go work on my packing.

Hopefully will take pictures at class!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren