Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The Girlz ~


DSO got a new camera that takes amazing close-ups!

Here's our Loocie . . .


. . . and my foster Annie.
She has a face that makes you smile ~
or maybe laugh!
One of these days someone will meet her . . .
and fall in love with her . . .
and she will finally have her forever home.


{If you haven't already done so,
you still have time to sign up
for the give-away.}

Pug hugs :)
Lauren


Sunday, February 26, 2012

A BIG THANK YOU to Polly Minick ~



In a recent post, I mentioned how much I love Polly Minick's new book, "American Summer, Seaside Inspired Rugs & Quilts".  Saundra of Woodland Junction sent Polly the link to my blog and I received the sweetest email from Polly offering to send me a copy of "Victory Girls, Patriotic Quilts and Rugs of WWII" to give away on my blog.  This book is co-written with her sister Laurie Simpson.  Within days, I had an autographed copy in my mailbox.  It is the only Polly book I do not own.  {{Can I enter my own give-away???}}  I will definitely be buying this one soon.  I am not a quilter, but this is a book any quilter or hooker should have on her bookshelf.  I just love a book that offers patterns!
Anyway . . . entering the give-away is simple.  Just leave a comment on this post or send me an e-mail with give-away in the subject line.  I will pick the winner Thursday evening. 
Thank you so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Friday, February 24, 2012

Down on the Farm ~


Last night was hooking at That'll Do Farm.  The usual suspects were there . . . actually I should say the usual hookers.  Check out Andrea's blog for more pictures.  Here's Andrea's chicken rug.  She is getting SO CLOSE!!!  And it's lookin' SO GOOD!!!  I keep trying to convince her that if you hook in something larger than a 6 cut it goes much more quickly, but she is not yet convinced :)



Here's the latest rug on my frame.  It's a Wendy Miller pattern I bought at Sauder Village last year.  I plan to finish it rectangular, not round.  The colors in this pic are quite accurate (thanks, Andrea!).


I wanted to show the wool I used for the urn.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that wool.  I only used the lighter area of the wool.  This should hook up pretty quickly.  I am using an 8.5, 9 and 9.5 cut.


Here are a few daffodils I got from the garden several days ago.  It is amazing how much they continue to grow!  The stems have probably grown close to three inches and tomorrow they should be blooming.  


Have a great weekend!  My next post will be a really cool give-away.  Stay tuned.
Pug hugs : )
Lauren


Monday, February 20, 2012

A Few New Treasures ~


Friday hooker friend Melissa and I headed to the wool sale at the Ault's in Shelby, Ohio.  They are downsizing their shop and are having a wool sale throughout the month of February.  Most of the antiques were already sold, but I did pick up this little folding chair.  Nothing great, but for $3.00, I couldn't leave it there.  The bear is vintage and definitely has "age".  It was mine as a child :)


Sunday I headed to an antiques show.  Last year I thought the show was really good.  This year, not so much.  If you liked jewelry, you would have been in heaven.  It was slim pickins for primitive antiques, but of course, I did manage to bring home a couple new old treasures.
I love this thread keeper/pin cushion.  The dealer thought it to be circa 1860.  It did have some damage so I thought it was very reasonably priced.  She had several others that I would have liked to have bought, but . . . sigh, I can't have everything I want or I'd be in the poor house in a nano second.


I know absolutely nothing about toy sewing machines.  This is my second one so I need one more to have the start of an official collection :)  Does anyone know if they have been reproduced?  This one just seems to be in too good of a condition and just doesn't look quite "right" for a vintage one, but no matter, I am happy it is now residing with me.


The newest pillow pet :-)


Happy Monday.  Thank for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Saturday, February 18, 2012

A Must Have Book ~


It's a sunny but chilly day here on Ohio's north coast.  The thermometer is reading 40 degrees, but the wind coming off Lake Erie makes it feel much colder.

My first spring flowers are blooming.  

WINTER ACONITE

 
SNOWDROPS


Polly Minick's new book is hot of the presses.  Love, love, love some of the patterns in the book.  I've been wanting to hook a whale for ages.  She has several in the book to choose from.  The patterns are all seaside inspired and very patriotic.  I love buying a book with patterns and this book will not disappoint!

Can I gripe for a minute?  Is any one else truly annoyed with the new word verification that blogger is using?  Having trouble reading the letters?  Is there a place to complain to blogger?

I don't know how I do it, but I sometimes make pocket calls from my phone.  I guess I pocket dialed my son in California today and this is the text I got back from him.  "U leave the best messages when you pocket dial me.  I now know the dog is not going to poop on Jake's lap."  I think I need to be a little more careful . . . lol!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Hookin' at the Library ~


There were only a few hookers at the library last night, but what talented ladies!  Karin hooks the most incredible rugs.  This one is currently listed on eBay.  Her seller ID is primitivespirits.  Check it out if you want the perfect rug for Easter disply.  As always, the colors of all these rugs are so much better in person.


And another of Karin's rugs.


And yet another.  This was from a paper pattern included in the January/February 2010 issue of Rug Hooking Magazine.


Deanna was hooking this antique adaptation in the softest, old looking wools.


I wish I had captured the true colors of Arlene's rug.  It is just  WONDERFUL!


Here's Jake getting ready to pick the winner of the kitty mat.  Typical kid ~ he has to ham it up for the camera.  It is so funny.  He got that coon skin hat for Christmas and had not looked at it since.  Today he asked where it was and it was his favorite thing.




Congrats to Janice!  She is a pug lady with two adorable pugs ~ Cleo and Winnie.  Winnie has the most beautiful grey face.  I really like those "older" ladies!  Check them out on Jan's blog.



The mail carrier left a surprise in my mailbox yesterday.  Acorn Hollow Cathy sent me this sweet little pincushion she made.  Thank you Cathy!  You made my day.  It is a great addition to my small but growing pin cushion collection.


Pug hugs :)
Lauren


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day ~



HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I was never happy with the face on this rug. I didn’t like it then, and I still didn’t like it now. I don’t know why I didn’t reverse hook then . . . I guess I thought I’d learn to like it. I did not, so finally yesterday, I tried to improve on it a little. Let me just say that I found it VERY difficult to hook not being able to put it on the frame. I think it’s better, but still not great, but I think I can live with it. If you think you can live with it, let me know because I’ll give it away on Thursday evening. It's a small little mat, about 8 3/4" x 10 1/4".  I’ll have Jake pick a name around 6 pm and contact the lucky (?) person. Leave a comment on this post only or send me an e-mail with “give-away” in the subject line.

I am up to 248 followers. Thank you to all my followers, both old and new. I am humbled and appreciate you taking the time out of your busy lives to read my ramblings. I’ve never insisted that a person be a follower to enter my give-aways and I don’t plan to start now.  This give-away is only for the people who are reading this so I'd appreciate you not mentioning it on your blog :)


I purchased this cupid from Olde Lady Morgan.  Isn't she just a hoot?  I also purchased a "dammit" doll.  You can read about them on her selling blog.


My Sweetie gave me roses and cash for some hooker's crack.  (Thanks, Kim!)


Life is good!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Goals ~


Last year I was making a monthly goal list and posting it to my blog.  It really motivated me and helped me to keep on task.  Once summer arrived, I let it fall by the wayside.  I had every intention of beginning it again, but we all know that the road to hell is paved with good intentions :)  So many things on the list last year need to be on a list once again.  Cleaning the basement (did that a couple weeks ago), working on taxes (started that yesterday), filing paperwork (haven't done any of that since last year), deleting emails (somehow I am up to almost 13,000 in my inbox - how did that happen???), and on and on it goes.  {Sigh}
* * *
One thing I've had lately is my hooking mojo.  (I'm doing a little happy dance!)  Here's the progress I've made on "Little Dog".  This is really a fun pattern.  Of course Annie had to get in on the action.




I am VERY close to being done with my Berk's County Floral that I started at the ATHA biennial last October and I also know what will be on the frame next ~ very unusual for me to plan ahead.  I hope I can keep that mojo!

Our winter storm once again fizzled but you'll get no complaints from me.  We only received a couple inches of snow but had a lot of blowing.  By Wednesday we are supposed to be back up to 40 degrees.  Only 37 days until spring :)

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Friday, February 10, 2012

Just Friday ~


Welcome, dear friends!  Another week has come and gone.  Time is a flyin'!
Our mild weather may come to a screeching halt tonight.  Up to 8" of snow is predicted for today and tomorrow, but by mid-week I believe it will be back in the 40's.  Only 39 days until spring :)

* * *
Last evening Jake and I went to the library to make play-doh.  Here he is doing his Annie impression.


Poor Annie!





The end result was quite good.


It's been a while since I've posted pictures of Sam, work cat and resident mouser.  I think he just may be Quentin's long lost big brother. 


Here's a pic of Quentin I stole borrowed from Joanne's blog.  I know hope she won't mind.



A neat desk won't be found in my office.



Thanks for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Maxine ~ a Lady of Wisdom


After these Maxine jokes there is a summary on how she was created and a photo of her creator. More from the gal everyone loves and admires.







The creator of Maxine is a man!  How cool that a man has such insight into women and this kind of humor.

John Wagner, Hallmark artist since 1970, says Maxine was inspired by his mother, his maiden aunts and his grandmother, the woman who bought him art lessons when 'fill in the pumpkins' was about the extent of his art classes at St. John's Catholic School, Leonia, N.J.  John remembers doodling as a preschooler and says both his grandmother and his mother encouraged his artistic interests. He eventually attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston and landed at Hallmark as part of a new artists group. But it was the birth of the humorous Shoebox Greetings (a tiny little division of Hallmark) in 1986 that added a new dimension to John's professional life. The Shoebox way of seeing the world unleashed his talents and created Maxine.

'Cartoonists are sensitive to the insanities of the world; we just try to humanize them,' John says. 'If Maxine can get a laugh out of someone who feels lonely or someone who is getting older and hates the thought of another birthday, or if she can make someone chuckle about stressful interpersonal relationships, then I'm happy.
Putting a smile on someone's face is what it's all about.'

Why the name 'Maxine'?  'People at Shoebox started referring to the character as 'John Wagner's old lady', and I knew that would get me into trouble with my wife', John says. The Shoebox team had a contest among themselves to name the character and three of the approximately 30 entries suggested 'Maxine'.

John says the name is perfect.

John, who says he's humbled by such acceptance of Maxine, admits he's proud of her.

Now you know the story of how Maxine came to be.

{I had no idea!}



Thanks for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Sunday, February 5, 2012

More from the Sauder Hook-in ~ ~ ~


I thought I'd have many more pictures to share, but I guess I was too busy gabbing and hooking.


Heidi's Rug (Woolnuts)


When I was admiring this rug, I asked the hooker how long it took her and what cut she used.  It took her 4 months which she seemed to think was a long time because it was hooked in a 4 cut and not a 3!






I look at the progress I made in two days and think how could I have gotten so little done since most of it is a 9.5 cut, but then I think, WOW!  I've never hooked so much in two days.  (I told you I was slow!)


The table where we hooked was right next to the snack table (we did not go hungry!) so there was lots of traffic.  If I had a dollar for every time someone commented on the cut I was using, I'd have come home with a mighty thick wallet! 
If you live within a few hours of Sauder Village (Archbold, Ohio), you should try to make the hook-in next year (February 1-2).  It is very well organized and the hooking room has great lighting.  It  was a very enjoyable two days!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren