So You Want to be a HOOKER??? {{Give~Away}}

~ ~ ~ Welcome Friends ~ ~ ~

I often read comments from people who say they would like to learn to hook, so I've put together a little give-away designed for new or almost new hookers.  It is everything you will need to hook this little kitty mat except for a frame or hoop.  {This is not for the finished mat.}

I've drawn the pattern on primitive linen and have cut the wool in #8 strips.  If you do not have a hook, I will include a beginner's hook.  Rug binding will also be included to finish your mat.

To be entered in the give-away, leave a comment on this post or send me an e-mail with "give-away" in the subject line.  You don't need to be a follower, but I really hope that you will be.  I will have my grandson draw the winner Thursday, March 3 at 4:00 pm.

Since so many of my loyal followers are already seasoned hookers, I'd appreciate you spreading the word. 

Peanut is settling in quite nicely, though we have had a few potty issues.  I'm giving her a few "get out of jail free" cards since her life was turned upside down yesterday.  She is very sweet and was referred to as a "Velcro" dog and I think that is an apt description.  Last night she snuggled up to my knees all night. 

Here's a little hooked mat I started that Peanut decided to pose next to.  Isn't she just too cute?

The temperatures are rising here in Ohio and the snow is quickly melting. Rain and wind are in the forecast for tomorrow.

Only 21 days until spring!!!

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

Found a Peanut ~

 {{Does anyone remember that song?}}

* * * * * * * * * * *

Well, I didn't actually "find" her

but I did pick her up this morning.

Peanut is my new foster baby.

She is a six year old female

who is an adoption return.

She is on the small side for a pug.

I'm guessing she weighs in about 15 pounds.

Don't you just love that senior muzzle? 

I have very mixed feelings.

She had been in her "not quite forever" home for 2 years.

There have been some aggression issues

that have apparently gotten much worse

with the addition of 2 smaller dogs in the house.

(I think they are a family member's dogs.)

The lady cried the whole time we were doing the return.

I did feel very sorry for her

but I wonder if she really tried

to deal with the aggression.

I also felt so sorry for Peanut. 

When they were pulling away,

Peanut was at the passenger window

"crying" for her momma

and that was heartbreaking, too.

Peanut was introduced

to my Loocie.

They sniffed butts

(what I call the canine Google search)

and all was well.

I hope it is a case of

Peanut just not liking

the dogs she lived with ~

or perhaps she needs to be

an only dog.

Whatever the case,

I will love her

until she finds

her forever, forever home.

Thank you for all your sweet comments

about my Eema.

It tugged at my heart a little

that she did not remember me

(even though I did not think she would)

but it made me feel good

knowing that she is so secure and loved

by her forever family

that she doesn't need

to remember me.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

A Visit with Eema ~

Many of you will remember my foster Eema,

the former puppy mill momma

who was adopted last fall.

I fostered her for 11 1/2 months. 

She lives about ten minutes from

That'll Do Farm where I was headed this evening

to hook for a bit.

I have only seen her once since she went

to her furever home

so I was glad to have the opportunity

to see her this evening.

Oh, she looks so beautiful

with her coat all shiny.

 She still has her snaggle-tooth grin :)

 Here she is with her Ohio Pug Rescue

sister Cher.

 Cher reminds me

of the Flying Nun.

 Eema still loves her treats.

{I affectionately called her

my chunky monkey.}

Isn't she just too sweet?

She is being spoiled in her forever home

{THANK YOU DOLLY!!!}

She did not remember me,

but that's okay.

I am just so happy for her.

All furbabies deserve a life

such as she has.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

My Winnings and One More Thing Off the List ~

I've come to the conclusion that the crow must be my lucky bird.  In December I won a give~away (a wonderful hooked mat) from Sandi over at Olde Crow Primitives and last week I won once again from Mona at My Old Crow Primitives. 

Mona also has a pug named Sydnee and a Basset Hound named Guiness. 

Mona said that the furbabies insisted on sending some treats for my Loocie.  I most probably am getting a new foster girl this week, so Loocie will have to share the treats with her.  The treats even arrived in a paw print bag. 

Here is the angel that Mona sent me.  I LOVE her.  She is hanging on the dining room cupboard so I can admire her whenever I pass by.

The pug card to the left is also from Mona.  Pug people can be a little obsessed.

She is so old looking and has this alphabet stitched to her belly.

A close-up of her wings. 

And here's one more thing I can cross off my list.  Another little pug love mat for a member of Ohio Pug Rescue. 

Thank you all for stopping and Dear Mona, thank you from the bottom of my pea-pickin' little heart for my amazing angel and pug treats!!!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

This is what I get . . .

. . . for doing a springtime happy dance

in February.

It is a blustery, cold day

here on Ohio's north coast.

At least it isn't

supposed to stick around for long.

 Sam the office cat

decided the top of my desk

was THE place to spend the afternoon.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

I do hope you will come again soon.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Saturday's Antique Show ~

There was a little girl

And she had a little curl.

Right in the middle of her forehead.

And when she was good

She was very, very good.

And when she was bad

she was horrid.

Welcome friends.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  That is the start of a nursery rhyme my Mom taught me when I was young (a long, LONG time ago).  Well, today I was bad, but not horrid.  BFF Belinda and I went to an antique show.  I attended the show maybe 7-8 years ago.  It was a very good, high end primitive show.  I heard it wasn't nearly as good as in the past, but I managed to find a few treasures I just couldn't live without . . . lol :)

I spotted this little guy walking in to the show and since he was still there when I was leaving, it was meant to be, right?  I really know nothing about these door stops.  It was sold to me as old and I believe it to be.  He's sitting on a piece of an old quilt I also purchased at the show.

This little Steiff elephant was calling my name, so how could I say no? 

Two little pillows made from old quilts ~ the red one is hand quilted ~ sitting on the most wonderful coverlet ~ my splurge of the day.  It is in wonderful condition, most likely Civil War era.

Unfortunately it may be just a little too small for the full size bed in my guest room.  (It's way too short on the other side.)

All in all, a good day, topped off with a Five Guys burger for lunch.  Life is good!  Now if I'd just get a little hookin' done...

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Hookin' at the Library ~

Last night was hookin' at the library.  The usual suspects were there working on amazing rugs!

Carol's rug



The rug above was hooked by Carol a number of months ago.  It is many shades of  very primitive greens.  Below, Mitsuko is hooking the same rug in a very similar palate.  That's Karin, eBay seller Primitivespirits, to the right.

Karin hooked the Olde Rag Dolls rug, a design by Julie from Plum Run Creek and currently has it listed on eBay.

Karin's rug

This is the reproduction rug Carole is working on.  She has made a considerable amount of progress since I last showed it. 

Carole's

Lisa from Twice Loved Woolens was working on transferring a pattern to linen.  It is based on an antique rug and it is HUGE!  I think she said it is about 36" x 60". 

  

Candy was knitting this evening.  She makes the most wonderful socks!!!  I believe she has knitted over 100 pair.

I took the horse rug to get opinions from the "experts".  I was hoping they would not find something horribly wrong with the color choices because I am not one to reverse hook.  Everyone agreed that this little brown area detracted from the rug and gave me a suggestion on how to remedy the situation.  I don't mind taking this little bit out, so that is on the weekend to-do list.  That and actually finishing the hooking on this rug!!!  Oh, I can't wait to be done with this rug.

Most of our snow has melted and just the ugliest and dirtiest snow is left.  I'm sure all you northerners know exactly what I mean.

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you will come again soon.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Can It Really Be?

Kim's Wednesday Word of the Week is delusional.  That is how I am feeling today.  Our weather has been above freezing for a few days and today it was very spring-like.  I poked around the yard for a minute thinking I may spot a snowdrop or two.  Nope, they are all buried, but near the foundation I found this.  Are they real or is my imagination playing tricks on me?

Only 32 days until spring :)

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

So Close ~ ~ ~

 ~HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY ~

I hope everyone had a sweet treat

of some type today.

I am close...

very close.

I only have this small area left

to hook on my rug

and the center to fill in on that

"blob" above it. 

The area is about

6 1/2 x 5 1/4.

For whatever reason,

this rug has just given me fits.

I had help with color planning

but when the time came to hook

everything suggested

was gone from my memory

{even though I had taken pictures!).

I still am not wild

about some of my color choices,

but I WILL learn to love accept them.

 Since today is the day

one thinks of red,

I will share my favorite

redhead with you.

I can't believe he will be six

next month.

He has changed so much

since he started kindergarten.

Today was also a lucky day for me.

I won a give~away from Mona

over at My Old Crow Primitives.

I won the most wonderful

primitive angel.

Thank you so much, Mona!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

More Pug Pics ~

I am often asked how I can give up a pug after fostering her.  My answer is always the same ~ it is very bittersweet.  I grow attached very quickly but I believe they become attached to me even more quickly.  Sometimes they come from loving homes and have to be given up for a myriad of reasons.  I was present when a man surrendered three pugs due to an illness in his immediate family.  The man had a hard time not crying, but the tears could not be hidden.  Then there was TeeJaye and Linnie who came from god-awful shelters.  All they wanted was to be loved!

I have fostered eight times and seven of "my" pugs are in loving homes.  (My poor Linnie Lu had health issues and is now running fast and free at the Rainbow Bridge.)  Below are the two pugs you've heard the most about and the forever families who have kept in touch with me.

Eema, a former puppy mill momma, was with me for 11 1/2 months.  She just returned from a month in Florida.  Here she is with sister Cher who was also adopted from Ohio Pug Rescue.  Eema's the one with the sweet gray face in back :)

Hopscotch (nka Midge) was with me for one short month.  That's her in the middle with pug brother Elwood and sister Rhoda.

I'd say they are getting along marvelously!

Thanks so much to Hopscotch's mom Heidi and Eema's mom Dolly for sending me pictures.  I just love seeing how happy the girls are. 
It's 33 degrees, snow is melting and spring arrives in 36 days.  WOO HOO!!!  Life is good.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Rug Label Dilemma ~

I was inspired by Alice at Folk Art Primitives to label a couple of my rugs.  When I make a square or rectangular rug, I just use a marker and write on the binding, but with a round or oval shape, that is out of the question.  I have used the printable fabric in the past, but this time decided I would try ironing weaver's cloth on freezer paper and running that through the printer.  I don't have the beautiful penmanship that Alice has, so I just used a font I like.  I was very impressed how easy it was and how nicely the fabric printed.

But then I accidentally got some water drops on it and it ran.

The next time I tried spraying the fabric with a matte spray, but when I got it wet it still ran a bit.

I ended up using the printable fabric which does not run.

Has anyone used this method of printing labels on their own fabric and not had it run?  Any advice you can give me would be most welcome!

I hope everyone is staying warm.  We are supposed to get in the 30's in a couple of days.  It's going to feel like a heat wave!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren