Seal Brown ~

Why is it there are so many things to do on the same day?  Saturday I had planned on attending the From our Hand & Hearts show in Peninsula, OH.  I passed on the dog rescue event so I could attend.  Then the chance to take a dye class came up.  I was torn, but decided it would be much cheaper to take the dye class than to attend the show . . . lol. 

I hook with mostly as-is wools, but do like some of the dyed wools, but at $40-$70 a yard, they are much too rich for my blood.  Hopefully I will learn some techniques and start more dyeing.  I have all the equipment and many packages of dye.  Finding the time is a big problem.  I guess I will just have to make the time.

Last week I did dye some blue wool (narrow piece on top) I had.  I had heard a bath of Cushing seal brown is great to tone down wool, and I am pleased with the results.  I am using it as the background wool on my robin.  

My DSO lives in what used to be the local shipyards and the former dry dock where 1,000 foot ore carriers were built is out his front door.  Heron are frequent visitors.  This guy was kind enough to let me get a couple good pictures.

 

 

Not much else going on.  Thanks for the visit.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

More Rugs ~

 

 

No words needed.  I hope you enjoyed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Rug Show ~

Some of the hooked pieces displayed at the Ann Arbor hook in.  Such inspiration!

 

Just F-U-N!

This was a LARGE rug, hooked in either a 3 or 4 cut!!!

This would make a dent in your worm basket :)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Hook in Hand ~

 

Last night I finally picked up the hook. It felt so good :)  What a fun pattern this is going to be.

My progress so far.

 

Tomorrow I'm off with hooker partner in crime Melissa to the Ann Arbor, MI, hook in.  They always have such wonderful vendors  ~ it's scary . . . lol.

Gloves???  To cut grass???  At the end of April???  What's wrong with this picture???

Yup.  I needed them today.  Sunny but cold.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren 

Withdrawal Symptoms ~

 

It's been two weeks since I've picked up the hook.  ACK. I have been busy with other things but the real problem is that I did not plan ahead and have a project ready to start once I finished the paw print.  I appliqued the Maggie pocket and finally got the binding on two larger rugs.  You know me and my binding issues . . . sigh. 

 

My Barbara Carroll pattern, Here a Chick, started at the 2014 Susan Feller retreat and finished many months ago . . .

 

 

. . . and a pattern by Maggie Bonanomi.

 

 

I used 3" rug binding that I first learned about from Saundra.  I really like the width of the tape but I'm hoping once I give it another good steaming it will lie a little flatter.

 

 

It's not like a don't have many patterns to choose from, but next up on the frame will be this sweet pattern from Terri Lehmer of Red Snapdragon Farm that I just got at the Amish hook in.  She has some wonderful patterns and you can find them here on etsy.  She finished hers as a pillow and I'm hoping you can enlarge the pictures and see the wonderful edge she put on it.

 

 

Tomorrow I'm off to hooking at the library ~ hopefully to start my robin ~ and then Saturday it's off to the Ann Arbor hook in. 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Maggie Class ~

I am so happy I took Maggie Bonanomi's wool applique workshop.  Each participant was working on the same pocket, but each one ended up being a little different.

 

Here is Maggie with my partner in crime Melissa hard at work. 

 

A close up of her work in progress.

 

 

Rita got most of hers done in class.

 

Another work in progress.

Maggie shared many tips and tricks with us.  This information can be found in her books, but if you are like me, you don't read too much but just look at the pictures :)  The best tips are that she does not use the blanket stitch but just whip stitches the pieces on.  This is much faster than the blanket stitch and in my opinion, gives the piece a much more primitive feel.  The other tip is to use Coats & Clark sewing thread, single strand in color #8360, summer brown.  I am amazed that this brown thread ends up being so neutral and works with all colors of wool.

 

I've finished my pocket.  I had never done any quilting before but quilted around the design.  If you are a quilter, please do not enlarge the picture.  You will be mortified at the job I've done . . . lol :)  I have to say I absolutely LOVE my pocket and hope to find the time to do more applique in the future.  

I restrained myself at the hook in and only bought about 1 1/4 yards of wool (though I have bought more since then . . . will I ever learn?), but did come home with some really fun items.  I guess it was the day of the velveteen.  I've never bought anything before made from that fabric, and came home with three items.  Can you believe that amazing puzzle ball was still in the flea market booth midday and it was only $20?  I can't imagine the work that went in to it.  The sweet little lamb is not showing up very well but he is made from a dirty looking velveteen.  I see I need to change my silicone bulb.  Funny, the things you don't notice until you take a picture.  

The little mohair bird on the pin cushion was made by the very talented Lanna Omlor of Humble Rugs.  It will keep the little yellow chick pincushion also made by Lanna company.  I guess I need to buy one more item from her so I will have an official collection :)

We have had some beautiful spring weather here in Ohio ~ FINALLY ~ so I've been out doing lots of yard work.  It feels good to be out playing in the dirt, but I am ready to be done with the initial clean up.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren