House Guest ~

"Daddy" was going out of town today, so Loocie spent the night with us.  Isn't she just the cutest pug you ever did see?

So Ellie doesn't feel left out, here is a goofy picture of her.  She just doesn't stay still for a minute to get a decent one.  I guess that's the nature of a Jack Russell Terrier.

Tonight is Trick-or-Treat.  Here's Loocie in her Halloween finest.  She probably has a complex because she has to wear the same costume every year.  Poor Ellie can't be outside with us because she'd want to kill all the ghosts and goblins.  Little dog syndrome . . . sigh.

 

 

I really enjoyed all the comments about me considering an 8 cut "fine".  It's all relative, right?  Congrats to  Simply Primitive.  Please send me your snail mail address so I can get your package ready to send.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN :)
Lauren

8 Cut ~

 

I am still working on the hooking room.  It seems to be taking forever, but I am getting there.  I hope to share pictures soon.

 

It's amazing what you find when you open lidded baskets for the first time in years.  I found this punch needle piece done a few years ago.

 

 

And in another basket . . does anyone remember making these rabbits out of that paper you had to unroll - sort of like a crepe paper?  The name of it escapes me now.  I bet this was made 25+ years ago and is very faded.  I haven't a clue what to do with her, but don't have the heart to get rid of it.  {{Yes, I do have a problem.}}

 

 

I'd like to finish hooking Santa's face this evening.  I have drawn up two patterns on linen (in addition to the many already on linen) and hope to start a new project soon.  So many rugs, so little time.

 

I purchased this precut wool in an 8 cut many years ago on eBay from Joni Black of Fully Wooly.  It is 170 strips of what she called "Sun Kissed Fields".  They colors are wonderful but I don't enjoy hooking with such a fine cut . . . lol.  If you do, leave a comment on this post or drop me an email with give-away in the title.  I will choose a winner Thursday.  I have but one rule ~ you must contact me within 3 days or I will choose another.  I may even add a little something extra :)

 

Perfect colors for fall

 

 Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Spinnin' my Wheels ~

Wowza!  How can it already be the end of October?  I am so not ready for the cold and snow.  Hopefully this winter won't be a repeat of last year. 

 

It's the start of leaf pick in the City.  That's my department . . . sigh.  We've had dozens of calls so far and it will get much worse before it gets better.  Leaves are a really big issue to some people.

 

Antiquing . . .

Yesterday I went antiquing hoping to find some kind of shelves/cupboard for my wool room.  Yes, I am still folding wool and running out of room.  I have just one small space where I could squeeze a small piece, but didn't find anything that could work.  I found some good bigger pieces, but they were just too large for the space I have to work with.  Why is it that when you have a bit of cash to buy something, nothing can be found?  I did pick up a couple small things, but nothing worth sharing. 

 

The wool room . . .

Why do things have to get worse before they start getting better?  The project is so overwhelming to me that I have to work on it a bit each day.  I am ready to be done but that isn't happening for a while.

 

Santa and Sheep . . .

It's long overdue, but I'm almost done with my Santa and Sheep rug.  I still have to hook Santa's face and reverse hook a few loops.  The good news is that it will be done very soon.  The bad news is that I will have another rug to bind and I'm behind again. 

 

That's about it from this Ohio hooker.  Sure do wish I had something exciting to share, but I don't.  If you looked up the word boring in the dictionary, you'd find my picture.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

A Fine Mess ~

 

The hooking room started like this.

 

I've piled it on a table to sort through.  A big problem is trying to decide what color is the wool.  Is it green, blue, somewhere in between?  Brown?  Black?  Dark?  Do you have trouble deciding?  All the pieces are different sizes.  Folding them uniformly is a real issue, too.  

I am not good about washing wool as soon as I bring it home.  (New wool, not recycled.)  Sometimes I even have trouble trying to figure if I've already washed it.  I find the "sniff test" (the scent of Downy) works best, but sometimes I am still not sure.  I have more in another cupboard that has yet to be washed.

 

 

Here's the start of my wool organization.  Trouble is, I am going to run out of space long before I run out of wool to be folded.  Such a terrible problem to have . . . wink, wink.

After my wool is finally organized, I may not want to start a new project for fear of messing all my neat piles . . . lol.  We hookers (well, most of us anyhow) know it's almost impossible to keep a neat work area. 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Saturday Stuff ~

I am a master at frittering away the day.  I was going to go play (antique) today, but got too late a start with grandson here, so after taking him to his dad's, I thought I'd get so much done.  Oh, the best laid plans of mice and men!

 

Last night Jake and I went to Boo at the (Cleveland) Zoo.  It was a beautiful evening with temperatures in the 60's so we were very lucky.  Just a few sprinkles started when we were making our very long trek back to the car.  (Sorry for the lousy pictures!)

 

 

The Koala exhibit is one of my favorites.  They had just brought him out a bit earlier so he was sitting in a tree munching on some leaves.

 

New to the zoo this year is a carousel with the most wonderful carved animals.  Jake chose to ride the shark . . .

. . . and I was on a rabbit.

This was a really cool "glow" show.  It was in a dark room and the characters were wearing black clothing outlined in lights is the best way to describe it.  It was really fun.

Here is the progress on my Santa and Sheep rug.  Not as much as I had hoped for, but at least I've gotten a bit hooked.  My goal was to finish hooking all but the outside border this weekend, but I don't think it will happen.  This darned machine just sucks me in and uses so much of my time . . . sigh.

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Fall Harvest Among the Flowers ~

 

Yesterday was an absolutely perfect day for an outdoor show.  I was a vendor at one hosted by Lil Raggedy Angie at her mom's home.  I did not do as well as I had hoped, but I did buy this sweet concrete house for my garden . . .

. . . a couple Christmas gifts, and I came home with a few coins in my pocket. 

 

Her mom has the most wonderful old Victorian home.

 

 

She most graciously said I could share her yard with you.  Thank you Myra.  Everywhere you turned there was something fun.

 

Gazebo made from an old corn crib.

 

 

The back of the house.

 

 

Wonderful garden angel made from an old shutter.

 

 

Garden sculptures made from old implements.

I think this longhorn steer was my favorite thing . . . made from an old gas can . . .

. . . with a shovel face.

More angels.

A true "bottle tree".

 

This old willow trunk was probably the largest I've seen outside of the redwood forest in California.

Isn't she FUN?  Love the boobs.

Here is the hostess with the mostest.  It was such a pleasure to meet her! 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Finally Friday ~

 

 

Last evening the Hidden Hills Hookers met.  Here are a few projects that were shared.

 

The three dog rugs were hooked in a class with Donna Hrkman.

 

The next two rugs are from a class with Connie Bradley.

 

Sunday I was supposed to leave for a hooking retreat but unfortunately it was cancelled.  Was it karma ??? that I was then asked to vend at a show in Mt. Vernon, OH on Sunday.  Not a primitive or antique show, just an eclectic group of sellers.  If you are in the area, please stop by.  Please also pray for good weather :)

Just a few of the things I will take with me.

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren