Lakeside Rugs ~

I have many rugs, completed and in process to share with you ~ so many I'll break it in to two posts.  For the most part I won't even try to identify the hooker because I know I will mess a few of them up.

 

Friend Sheila's rug.  The second picture shows the color much better though I'm sure she'll hate me for posting her picture :)  She hooked the entire rug there except for two rows of the red/orange.  She was trying to decide whether to add a border.  The rug is a pattern by Humble Rugs and had "kindly welcome" in the brown area, but since it is going in her powder room, she decided to omit the lettering :)

 

The sweetest little footstool I've ever seen.

Hooked in a 3 cut!!!

Isn't this just the sweetest rug?

 

Another rug being hooked from a photo in a 3 cut.  Absolutely stunning.

The colors on this log cabin rug are much richer in person and included some sparkly wool.  It's making me re-think sparkly wool since I never thought I'd hook with it.

Two more rugs being hooked in a very fine cut.

There was SO MUCH talent in this great bunch of hookers.  I am just in awe.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Lakeside 2014 ~

Another wonderful Lakeside, Ohio, hooking retreat is over all too soon.  Oh, what fun we had.  I don't think I've ever eaten, laughed or hooked so much.  Time spent with friends ~ new and old.

 

Here's the house we once again stayed in.  It is directly across from the pier.  Sleeping accommodations for twenty one!

 

Hooking is messy business.  It also makes one thirsty.

Group shots were taken at two different times.  Some people are in both.  At least one hooker had already left.

Val taking pictures of the group.  Not the phones resting on her foot.

Our hostess with the mostest Katie thanking Someone above for our perfect weather.  Her invaluable helper, sister Laura.

On the east side of the pier where the waves hit was this foam.  I remember it being there last year, too.

It reminded me and Sheila of toasted marshmallows on hot chocolate.  

 

 

The sun setting over Lake Erie.

 

I didn't take as many pics as I should have, but I do have more to share.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

My Bags Aren't Packed . . .

 

. . . I'm not ready to go, but I will be tomorrow morning.  I don't know how anyone can fly to a retreat.  This is what I've amassed to far and that doesn't include clothes or toiletries.  I know I overpack.  I always do.

 

I hope to get my Polly whale rug hooked.  I've also packed linen and wool to work on pumpkins with hand torn strips.  Oh, I've also packed this Star Rug Company pattern (that I've had for several years) and some of the wool.  I will just be happy if I get the whale done.  I never accomplish as much as I hope. 

 

 

I will leave you with a selfie Jake took the other night.  What a sweetie.  He's getting so big.

 

 

Good times with good friends.  Life is good :)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Just for Fun ~

 

 

A sales rep stopped in to speak with my boss the other day.  After he left, she gave me this.  The rep had given her a can and she said that we definitely needed more than one . . . lol :)

 

I sent a pic to my DSO and he said that I shouldn't try it on him because he doesn't want to know if it works.

 

 

Thursday morn I'm off to Lakeside to hook.  Woo hoo, can't wait but I haven't a clue how I'll ever be ready to go.  Oh, well . . . I'm sure whatever I forget can be bought or borrowed.

 

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Gone ~

 

Another weekend gone in a heartbeat.  I somehow managed to get nothing done.  Not even one loop pulled . . . sigh.

 

At least I have an excuse for Saturday.  The day started with an antique show.  I purchased this old mirror.  Missing lots of its' silvering . . .

 

. . . it kind of looks like an old piece of electrical wire was used to hang it.  The best part?  Only $3.00 :)

 I also purchased this old quilt top.  I haven't a clue why.  Some really neat old homespun was used, but it also has some really strange colored fabrics.  Perhaps it is large enough to use as a table covering or maybe it will just be folded and put on a shelf (or in a drawer . . . lol).

 

Then it was off to Oberlin to work the OPR booth at the Doggie Doo.  This is Bentley, a former OPR pug now living happily in his forever home with mom Ramona.

 

This handsome guy is a one year old named Roscoe.  Long story short, he was surrendered to me due to divorce, put on Craigslist and given to a pug lover.  She was afraid of who might adopt him and what might become of him since he was free, so she turned him over to Ohio Pug Rescue.  He was one high energy pug.  I don't think I've ever come across a pug as wild as him.  I had to take him to the east side of Cleveland where he is being fostered and will most likely be adopted by his foster mom.  

 

 

Today I headed to a fall craft festival.  As I feared, the quality has gone done and many fewer dealers than in previous years.  Still lots of good stuff, but nothing much that I wanted to bring home. 

 

This afternoon I dyed some more of Emma Lou's putty (old).  I love this color.

 

Now it's nearing bedtime.  Darn.  These weekends just don't last long enough.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

It's a Small World . . .

. . . and getting smaller all the time.

 

Last week I got an email from a blog reader named Kim.  No, not Kim of Millie's Mats or Kim of My Field of Dreams.  This was just Kim.  She told me of an auction she found on eBay that was a pug pin cushion and when she saw it she thought of me.  Well, I wouldn't call it a pin cushion and neither would Kim, but it was a sweet little stuffed pug.  Old and tattered.  I already had one that size in much better shape, but the current high bid was low in my opinion, so I placed my bid sure I would not win him.  Lo and behold, I got him for a great price.  He fits in just fine with my pug family.  The new pug baby is in the middle.

 

One of several repairs.  He was well loved :)

 

 

Now the ironic part is that I had no idea where Kim was from and she sends me an email telling me she is going to her very first hook-in in Navarre, Ohio, and has no idea who the vendors will be.  Here's the small world part.  That is the hook-in where I was going to vend, so I had the pleasure of meeting her and thanking her in person for sending me the auction information.

 

The Arbonne party went well, me thinks, but I am happy it is over.  If you've never heard of it, we were told that in the U.S. there is only 1% brand recognition.  I like the fact that the products are all made in the U.S.A. and are vegan certified.  (No, I am not a vegetarian or vegan or will ever be.)  That just means they contain no animal fats or animal bi-products and in addition no product testing is done on animals 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

That Darned Butt Spot ~

 

I thank everyone for their input on the butt spot.  I decided to change the shape just a little and color-wise make it less obvious.  I also skinnied up his back leg.  Woo hoo!  It is already bound with some wonderful, chunky wool from Ali Strebel.  I love her wool for binding rugs.  I think he's sweet if I do say so myself :)

 

I am so not a party girl and hate asking people to buy something from me, but my son's girlfriend just started selling Arbonne products and asked if I'd have a spa party.  I almost said no but thought that very rude, so tomorrow is the day.  I hope she has a successful evening.

 

This weekend will be another busy one . . . sigh.  One antique show, one fall festival and working the Ohio Pug Rescue booth at the Oberlin, Ohio Doggie Do.  That should about take care of my weekend.  But next week, I have ME TIME.  A hooking retreat in Lakeside, Ohio.  3+ days of hooker fun.  I am so looking forward to it.  I went last year and it was wonderful.  Hookers are the nicest people!!!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren



Another Weekend Bites the Dust ~

 

Oh, these weekends just fly by much too quickly.  Another busy one for me :)

 

Saturday was a hook-in in Navarre, Ohio, put on by the Fort Laurens Rug Crafters.  So many wonderful vendors (and I was lucky to be one of them).  Just a sampling of the beautiful wool.

 

 

The featured hooker was Betty Kurtz.  She is 91 years young and still hooking.

 

Here is a sampling of her beautiful work.

Hooker Deb was working on this rug started in a Barbara Carroll class during rug week at Sauder Village.  The colors are so much richer in person.

Not that I need another rug pattern, but I love this pattern by Lana Omlor of Humble Rugs.  I "need" to buy this soon.

And how could I not buy some luscious wools and this wool yarn?



It was a wonderful hook-in.  I am thankful I was asked to vend ~ anything to help support my habit . . . lol.

 

Today was spent on the shores of Lake Erie at Whiskey Island Marina.  I was heading up the OPR booth at the Mutt Strut & Mingle/PAW-ject Runway.  Thankfully the weather co-operated, lots of people fawned over the pugs (Loocie, Posey and Tai Chi) and we made some $$ for rescue.

It's been a while since I've gotten on my soapbox, so . . . If you are looking for a pet, be it a cat, dog, even a skunk, DON'T SHOP, ADOPT.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren