Memorial Day ~

It is the

VETERAN,

Not the Campus organizer

Who has give 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.

If you can read this,

thank a teacher,

but thank a VETERAN

since you are reading this in English.

Please take a moment

to honor a veteran today. 

Remember . . . freedom isn't free.

May God Bless

this Land that I love.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,

AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT

SHINE UPON THEM.

Hugs :)
Lauren

Next on the Frame ~

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY weekend, everyone.  Please take a moment to remember why we are celebrating this day.

I'm working on getting a new project ready to hook.  I have so many rugs on my hooking bucket list, but nothing is screaming my name.  I've decided to try to hook a Magdalena Briner Eby rug.  I find her style difficult to duplicate, but I am going to try ~ unless I wimp out and move on to something else . . . lol.

I know I've shown in the past how I transfer a pattern to linen, but maybe there is someone out there who has not seen this method.

I decided to hook this rug . . .

Lousy color ~ I know :)

. . . found in this book.  (FYI . . . many people offer Magdalena patterns, but there is no copyright due to the age of the rugs.)

Here is the dog enlarged to the size I desired.  I lay fiberglass window screen (found at the "big box" home improvement center) over the pattern.  When buying screen, be sure to buy gray and not black :)  Trace over with a black Sharpie.

Lay the pieces on your backing.  Normally I don't pin, but did this time trying to get the placement the way I wanted it.  Now trace over the pieces with your Sharpie.

This is what you end up with.  I normally will trace over again for a more distinct line.

Next I will draw my outer border and then draw in the leaf between the crows and add the corner fans and go from there.  The screen can be used over and over ~ a great way to share a pattern that has no copyright with a friend.

Last evening after work, DSO and I decided to head an hour and a half west to a huge antique mall.  I read reviews ~ some favorable and some not so favorable.  Well, I should have listened to the not so favorable.  I maybe got through 1/4 of the booths before I couldn't take any more.  For me to leave an antique mall without at least a cursory glance of every booth is unheard of.  It was like a giant indoor flea market with antique shop prices.  The only thing that made the trip worthwhile was that DSO found a treasure trove of old silver plate spoons at a very good price.  I never would have made it to that isle.  Thanks, Sweetie.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Daisy ~

Well . . . finally.  I pulled the last loops on Daisy (pattern by Spruce Ridge Studios) a bit ago.  Geez, I started it back in the beginning of February at the Sauder Village retreat.  It's about time she's done.  She measures about 32" x 20" which for me is a rather large pattern.

I decided to keep the "donkey balls" that I blogged about here.  I guess just because it makes me laugh.

This is the wool used for the flag canton.  I didn't want to try to hook stars, so I thought this would give the illusion of stars.  I'm not sure I like it.  It looks a little blah to me.  Perhaps I could get a big rusty star and sew it on if the rug will only be hung and not put on the floor.  Thoughts?  Suggestions?

(I'd love more of this wool if anyone knows of a source.  I just had a small piece that was given to me several years ago and I've never seen it anywhere.)

I used maybe 7 or 8 different blacks/blues/dark reds/dark greens for the background.  I do like the look it gives.

Rebecca Erb has some yummy new wools.  Of course upon seeing them at hooking I could not resist purchasing a few.  Such soft, muted colors.

I wish I had my next project planned, but do not.  I have so many patterns on my bucket list ~ some already on linen, some ready to be put on linen, some in books, some just in my head.  I really hate when I don't plan ahead because I tend to procrastinate and have nothing on the frame . . . sigh.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Hugs :)
Lauren 

Around the Yard ~

Just a few pictures from around the yard.  I just love my bleeding hearts.

Oh, the camera does not do this poppy justice :(

My wisteria is just gorgeous this year.  I've never had so many blooms and it smells heavenly.  I must say it is the invasive variety and I am finding shoots every which way, but right now it's worth it.

Next post I will finally show you an update of Daisy, the rug I've been hooking since the beginning of February.  It's good to be pulling a few loops again.

Pug hugs :) 

(seems strange saying that)

Lauren

Thank You ~

Thank you with all my heart.  Words cannot express how you have made me (us) feel.  Thank you for taking the time to let me know you care and understand.  So many of you know the grief, the heartache, the emptiness.  I know with each passing day it will get a little easier and the hurt will lessen, but for now it's almost unbearable.  Those furbabies sure do leave HUGE paw prints on the heart.  They are gone, but will never be forgotten.

Loocie's 10th birthday

11.11.2015

Run fast and free, my precious furbabies.

xoxo

Lauren

Loocie ~

5.10.2016

Last picture taken of Loocie

11.11.2005 - 5.12.2016

Rest in peace, our little princess

Words cannot describe what we are feeling.  We are numb, devastated, heartbroken.  Loocie died unexpectedly in her sleep Thursday evening while DSO was at school teaching.  She was my little girl, but she was his princess and constant companion.  She lived with him.  We are in shock.  That's two lost in seven weeks, both out of the blue.  It hurts so much. 

Please hug your furbabies and give them an extra treat or two.  Tell them how much you love them.

xoxo

Lauren

Meet the Granddog ~

Last weekend I watched my granddog Kali (the goddess of destruction . . . lol).  She is a year and a half old Newfoundland but she is ALL PUPPY.  Isn't she a beauty?  I think the ex-girlfriend got her from a puppy mill which saddens since it keeps them in business.  Supposedly the parents were HUGE, but she is small for a Newfie, making me more suspicious.  It is what it is and my son and grandson love her so that's all that matters at this point.

She thinks she's a lap dog.

By Sunday she started to calm down a bit ~ or so I thought.  I had her outside with me while I did yard work and when I wasn't paying attention, chewed her leash to shreds!  I may be watching her for 8 days later this month.  ARGH!  I must really love my son. 

I can't believe it's been seven weeks since Ellie was attacked.  I miss her so much and there are so many reminders of her.  Here she is getting ready to bury a bone in a basket of wool.  She had stolen it from Kali at Christmas.  I have not gone in the basket because I know it will break my heart to find it buried there.  Geez, I'm crying just typing this :(

This is how she was every morning ~ under the covers.

I've had to hire an attorney to try to recoup my vet bills which were over $5k.  The owner of the dog was only charged with a minor misdemeanor of dog at large (they said they could not charge him with vicious dog because the dog had never attacked or bitten before, but in fact it had attacked his daughter's pug last summer.  The police were called, but she did not press charges)  and because of that, the court could not order restitution.  My gut feeling is that the owner will try to say that I have no proof that it was his dog that attacked her.  I would just like to put this behind me . . . sigh . . . but I want him to take responsibility.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Happy Mother's Day ~

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there ~ whether it be to two legged or four legged children.

A few momisms for you ~

        Why? Because I said so, that's why!      

       I'm going to give you until the count of three!

       It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt

       I don't know is NOT an answer

       I would never have talked to my mother like that    

       I'm not running a taxi service

       If everyone jumped off a cliff would you do it too?

       Someday your face will freeze like that

       It hurts me more than it hurts you

       I love you

       Money doesn't grow on trees

       Were you born in a barn?  Shut the door

       Go ask your dad

        I'm not talking just to hear my own voice

        I hope someday you have kids that are just like you

        Bob, Sue, Joe, Frank. . . whatever your name is . . .

I hope your day is special.  Mine will be spent doing some much needed yard work.

Sure do miss my mom . . . sigh.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Frozen Charlotte ~

Greetings, dear friends.  Have you ever heard of Frozen Charlotte?  I had not until I read that Bobbie bought a Frozen Charlotte necklace at the Holly Hills primitive show in March.  You can see hers here.

Here is a synopsis found on Wikipedia. 

Frozen Charlotte is a name used to describe a specific form of china doll made from c. 1850 to c. 1920. The name comes from the American Folk Ballad Fair Charlotte, which tells of a young girl called Charlotte who refused to wrap up warmly to go on a sleigh ride because she did not want to cover up her pretty dress.  She froze to death during the journey.  

Just a bit macabre, don'tcha think? 

A Google search finds a plethora of information on Charlotte and her male counterpart, Frozen Charlie.

Bobbie brought one Frozen Charlotte necklace to From Our Hands, and I knew it had to come home with me.  Made with an antique Charlotte and vintage heart, I just love her.

Friend Melissa comes up with the best ideas.  This little pendant is made with antique paisley and vintage buttons.  Isn't it sweet? 

I am in a creative slump :(   I could hook on Daisy . . . or start a new project . . . or get busy on my Rebekah L. Smith mystery stitch along (that I cannot share) since I am now three months behind, but I just am not motivated to do anything.  I'm still not out doing yard work since the weather is not cooperating.   {{Sigh}}  I hope this passes quickly.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

My Treasures ~

Just wanted to let everyone know that this wonderful booth belonged to Kathy Bonnes.  Thank you, Lori Ann, for letting me know.

This well loved bear has a new home with me.  I just couldn't resist his charm. 

His arm has been crudely sewn . . .

He's got a hole in his belly . . .

And did I mention he's blind?

When DSO saw him, his comment was, "I hope you didn't pay much for him!".  Typical guy reaction :)

The bear, along with these coverlet pieces and 19th century homespun, came from the booth of Jackie Cessna.

This carved lemon was done by Ginny Henson.  She had a trencher full.  They really did smell heavenly.  Ginny also had THE MOST WONDERFUL stuffed animal creations that looked old, old, old.  Had I not bought the bear, one of them would have come with me, too.

From the booth of Lisa Evans, Folk Art for All Seasons, is this sweet little box that will hold my hooks and scissors.  The neat thing about this box is that the bottom is in the middle of the box, so it can be used  up . . .

. . . or down. 

Last but not least, two patterns and a piece of velveteen from Blackberry Primitives.  They also had beautiful wool.  It's the wool that Maggie Bonanomi uses for all her creations. 

If you ever get the opportunity to head to Peninsula, Ohio, and attend From Our Hands, you will not be disappointed.  There is so much more I would have loved to bring home with me . . . sigh.

Two more things to share from the show in my next post.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

From Our Hands ~

First off, just a quick computer update.  DSO took the computer (which first lost its internet connection and then would not even turn on) back to the well know big box store.  Well, they plugged it in (or whatever they do) and there was no problem ~ booted right up.  That dear man brought it home, set it up and voila, the internet is working.  What the heck???  I'm just happy to be back up and running.

Yesterday's show in Peninsula, From Our Hands, put on by Rebekah L. Smith and Lori Ann Corelis was amazing. 

So many talented vendors and I was blessed (along with friends Melissa and Bobbie) to be asked to vend.  A very rewarding day indeed. 

I must say, our booth was beautiful.

 

Some of Melissa's bracelets.

Bobbie's necklaces

Stacey Nash

Sorry, the vendor's name escapes me :(

Jane Theobald's Nantucket baskets

Lisa Evans ~ Folk Art for All Seasons

                          

Rebekah L. Smith ~ Folk Artist

Lori Ann Corelis ~ the Spotted Hare

I didn't take as many pictures as I thought I did and I have a few more pictures on my phone, but of course can't figure out how to get them downloaded.  Oh, how I hate being so challenged!!!

Overall, it was just a great day.  I will share my purchases with you in another post.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren