Good & Bad ~

Happy hump day, everyone.  Thanks for stopping by!

I have finished binding another hooked rug, this one my Magdalena wannabe that didn't quite make it :)  It's about 14" x 21".  I've finished binding 2 of the 6 rugs that I finished, but having finished the hooking on another small mat, my net gain is only one . . . sigh.  I wish I could learn to love (or even like) the binding process.

The good part about having a "hooking room" is that no one sees it.

The bad part about having a "hooking room" is that since no one sees it, it tends to get really messy, really fast.  It has once again gotten totally out of control.  Every time I clean it I vow it will stay that way, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.

Part of the problem is that I still don't have enough wool storage.  Isn't that an awful problem to have . . . lol?  Hopefully my problem is solved.  Tonight I picked up another pie safe bought from a friend.    First, though, I need to switch out my small hooking room with the larger guest room because it just won't fit in here.  Unfortunately, that won't be happening for a while.  There just aren't enough hours in the day or days in the week.  If only I didn't need to sleep!

{{To the person from the Cedar Lakes Rug Camp who sent me an email inquiring about the spoon necklaces, I haven't forgotten about you.  Somehow I've lost the email and can't seem to figure out where it went.  If you are reading this, please email me again!}}

Tomorrow is my 3 year blogiversary.  Woo hoo!  Stay tuned.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Please Thank a Veteran ~

It is the

VETERAN,
Not the campus organizer,
Who has given us freedom to assemble. 

    

It is the

VETERAN, 

Not the lawyer, 

Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the

VETERAN, 

 Not the politician, 

Who has given us the right to vote. 

It is the
VETERAN who
Salutes the Flag.

It is the
VETERAN
Who serves
Under the Flag.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,

AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT

 SHINE UPON THEM. 

* * *

Thank you to those who have served

 and to those who continue to serve.  

God Bless America!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

One Cool Dude & Auntie Peanut ~

Grandson Jake was so excited yesterday.  His helmet and seat back finally arrived so he was able to take his first motorcycle ride with his dad.  
 

He couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear.  Jake finally has one front tooth coming in!  Soon that sweet toothless grin will be gone.

Ohio does not have a helmet law for adults :(  Please say a little prayer that they are always safe.

I am finally done binding Auntie Peanut.  Isn't she a hoot?

All I need to do is sew on the label.  If you get a minute, check out all the wonderful patterns that Saundra offers on her website.  She also has offers some neat finished goods.

I hope everyone is having a good holiday weekend.  This was day two of four days off for me.  I feel like I died and went to heaven . . .lol!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Colors of Spring ~

I took a vacation day tomorrow to have an extra long weekend.  There is so much I want/need to get done.  I had planned on getting a load of mulch delivered, but that didn't work out.  (I think I am secretly happy about that.)  I need to edge, mow, weed, plant a few things, etc.  It would be nice to get the yard back in to shape.  Lots of errands to run.  A small cookout.  I'm sure I'll run out of weekend before I get to everything on my list.  I hope I make a little time for some fun stuff!

Isn't this a gorgeous peony?

Siberian iris are one of my favorite flowers.

A neighbor's blue spruce.  I just love the color and the feel of the new growth.

A few days ago I took a quick trip down to the beach in search of glass.  It was a good day.  Isn't it amazing how many different shades of green I found?

These are some of the largest pieces of glass I've found to date.  The amber piece is larger than a quarter and quite thick.  I love the small amber piece in the shape of a heart.

Happy Friday to everyone!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Sam the Work Cat ~

One day last week Sam thought the perfect place to chill was the top of my filing cabinet.

Do you know where "Oz" from the Wizard of Oz came from?

The classic tale of Dorothy in the land of Oz came from the imagination of L. Frank Baum, who made up the story for his son and a group of children one evening in 1899.

When a little girl asked him the name of the magical land with the Scarecrow, Tinman and the Cowardly Lion, he looked around the room for inspiration.

He happened to be sitting next to a filing cabinet with the drawers labeled "A-G", "H-N" and finally "O-Z", which gave him the quick answer, "Oz".

Can you believe this weekend is Memorial Day weekend?  Time sure is a flyin'!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

1827 Sampler ~

I don't often visit Etsy.  It is just too easy to find things to buy so usually I avoid it.  I'm not sure how I ended up there a few weeks ago, but I found this wonderful sampler that I decided I couldn't live without :)   It is just a little shy of being 12"x16".  It is unframed and backed with a piece of fabric.  The linen is very fine and feels so soft and worn.  It is predominantly cross stitch with the large blue alphabet and initials done in the eyelet stitch.

The verse reads, 

"This give a lite to every one

 It gives but borrows none

 When this you see remember me

 When I am dead and gone"

It is dated 1827 and initialed EAP, aged 14.  You can see a large repair under the date.  There are a few smaller repairs and a few missing stitches.  All in all, I consider it in very good shape for its age and I'm so happy I stumbled upon it!

I am a bit confused about the letter "J" in samplers.  I know the letter J was one of the last letters to be added to our alphabet.  I am not sure when it became commonly used.  It is present in this sampler, yet I have another redwork sampler dated 1892 that does not have the J.  Can anyone shed any light on this?

As always, thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Off & On the Frame ~

I finished my antique dog and cat rug.  (The e-pattern can be found at WoolnSails and I took it to Staples and had it enlarged.)  I just have to work on the cat's eyes a bit.  I've added it to the "hooked but need to be bound pile".  That makes rug #6.  Proof positive that I despise binding.  I did buy Kris Miller's finishing book, so maybe I will try a new technique instead of my usual binding tape method.  I really want to try the crocheted edge.  I must get busy, though and finish Auntie Peanut before the end of the month to give as a birthday gift.  That pattern can be found at Woodland Junction.   Saundra is just a sweetheart ~ and so talented.  You won't be disappointed in her offerings!

I've only made a little progress on Henny Penny.  (The shamrocks in the corners are a much more muted orange/rust.)

I've decided I better put her aside for a while and hook up a couple small mats.  I started hooking the horse in an 8 cut since the legs and tail are quite skinny.  I haven't hooked with an 8 for some time and I feel like I am hooking with thin spaghetti!  I am switching to at least an 8.5 as soon as I finish the last leg.

I am approaching a couple blogging milestones ~ post #500 and my 3 year anniversary.  For someone who really thought she had nothing to say, I've managed to do a lot of blathering.  Thank you so much for stopping by, reading what I have to say and leaving such sweet comments.  I have met some of the most wonderful people, some only through blogging and emails and some in person.  It is appreciated more than you will ever know.  In honor of all my blogging friends, I will be having a couple give-aways in the near future.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

This 'n That ~

The Western Reserve Rug Hooking Guild held their annual hook-in last Saturday.  Chairperson was Heidi (aka Wendy) of Woolnuts.  She and her committee did a phenomenal job!  Our welcome gift was a tote bag, the food was yummy and plentiful and they had the most amazing door prizes and raffles.  I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of the table decorations that were the door prizes.  Many people spent many, many hours hooking flowers and animals that  were attached to sticks and put in vases.  They had the best raffle prizes.  They solicited donations from the vendors and hookers throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Over sixty raffle prizes in all.  The Guild is very generous so all the money made on the raffles will go to many good causes.

Because of limited space, they had a "virtual" rug show in lieu of the real thing.  

I only a few pictures.  Of course I wish I had taken more!

Here's Kay hiding behind her Wendy Miller rug that she is in the process of binding.  She is one of the most talented hookers I have ever met!

I LOVE this rug!!!  It was hooked by Betsy of Heavens to Betsy fame.  The strips are 1" wide hand torn strips.  It was heavenly to walk on!  The braided edge was pretty cool, too.

Jane's lollipop basket made with lots of quilly circles.

This Maggie Bonanomi rug was being hooked by Kathy.

Here is Betsy's booth . . .

. . . and Donna's from Crows on the Ledge.  (Alice ~ I can't believe I didn't get a pic of your booth.  So sorry!)

The hook-in was great fun and I actually pulled a few loops!  I'll share my progress soon.

* * * * *

Around the yard, the iris seem exceptionally beautiful this year!

Sunday morning Jake and I headed down to the beach in search of beach glass.  It was a pretty good haul for us.  Though it did not have sharp edges, the one cobalt piece we found did not have the very soft, rounded edges of most of the other pieces.  The longer a piece of glass has been in the water tumbling around, the smoother the edges.  Jake calls the little shells in the upper right hand corner "tornadoes".

Thanks for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Somebody Said . . .

Somebody said it take about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.

That Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "normal" is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.

That Somebody never took a three year old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring.

That Somebody never road in a car driven by a teenager with a learner's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good".

That Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said "good mothers" never raise their voices.

That Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through a neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.

That Somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.

That Somebody doesn't have five children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books.

That Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is childbirth and delivery.

That Somebody never watched her "baby " get on the bus for her first day of kindergarten . . .

or on a plane headed for military "boot camp".

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back.

That Somebody never organized four giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.

That Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.

That Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows that you love her, so you don't need to tell her.

That Somebody isn't a mother.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Hookin' at the Library ~

I am so fortunate to hook with this talented group of ladies.  Carole's show and tell greeted me when I arrived.  I can't imagine how many rugs she has hooked.  Here are two of her latest. This horse rug was quite large and I failed to take a picture of her finishing technique.  She fringed two ends ~ and it was such a neat finish.  She said the instruction was in Rug Hooking Magazine, probably from late last year.  I guess I need to read my magazine a little better.

I don't think I could have taken a worse picture of the antique chicken rug if I tried.  The colors are wrong, wrong, wrong, but the rug was W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L.!!!

 

Karin (eBay seller PrimitiveSpirits) finished hooking a smaller version of the antique dog and cat rug that I just finished.  Her colors are so soft and old looking.  I love how she hooked the dog vertically.  I believe she will be offering this on eBay so check it out!

Theresa is working on a Magdalena Briner rug.  I love this pattern and it is on my very long to-hook list. I believe she is hooking this in a 6 cut.

Arlene is working on the spiral pad from Karen Kahle's blog.

Carole was starting chair pad #4.

I was about done with my antique dog and cat so went to the closet to find something ~ anything ~ to hook.  I just don't plan ahead very well with hooking last night and a hook-in on Saturday.  It is a Woolley Fox pattern, the smaller Henny Penny.  I am totally stumped on colors.  We'll see how it works out.

Woo hoo!  Tomorrow is POETS day.  Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren 

Just for Fun ~

QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT ME!

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They're going to see you naked anyway...

Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him? 

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They're both dogs!

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Why, Why, Why

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead?

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?

If people evolved from apes,
why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses
are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

And my FAVORITE.........
The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons are suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.

{{Do you ever wonder why you're reading my blog?}}

And since a post wouldn't be complete without a picture,

here is our Loocie the day we got her, 

April 2, 2006, 

taking a look at our "practice pug".

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

A Few More Rugs ~

More rugs from the Ann Arbor hook-in.

 

This framed piece of the birds was hooked with such a fine cut ~ a two or three would be my guess.

Melissa and Bobbie hard (???) at work.

The vendor area was full of beautiful wools and LOTS of buyers!  These were taken later in the day when there was room to move around.

 

Poor Annie.  She's probably beginning to feel like Little Orphan Annie.  Another application came in that sounded perfect for her.  They were willing to take a pug mix, had a fenced yard, etc.  When I spoke with the woman and I mentioned that she was most probably a mix and had a bit of a snout, the conversation quickly ended.  She wanted a flat faced dog that looked like a pug.  She wouldn't listen that Annie looks a lot like a pug - just with a snout.  End of story . . . sigh.  

Ohio Pug Rescue was set up at an adoptathon yesterday and I thought maybe it would be her lucky day.  I'm sad to say it was not, but she is welcome to stay with me until that perfect furever comes along!  She really was worn out at the end of the day.

The moon last night really was super!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren