Ohio Flags of Honor ~

Yesterday I hurried home from the primitive antique show, Back to Our Roots (more on that in another post) to hop on the motorcycle (finally!) to head an hour to the town of Willard.  They were hosting the Ohio Flags of Honor Traveling Memorial.  The Ohio Flags of Honor Traveling Memorial honors the men and women of Ohio who have given their lives in service to their country.  Specifically, those Fallen in the Wars in Afghanistan, Irag and the War on Terrorism since September 11, 2001.  Over 800 flags were set out and 301 of the flags have the name of a fallen hero on them.  You can read about the history here.  My son, a veteran, had seen the flags a number of years ago.  He brought his son Jake along to witness the event.

Please keep our Armed Forces’ service men and women in your thoughts and prayers. They defend our freedom both at home and abroad.

…And never forget our fallen heroes or their families.

~ God Bless America ~

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Invasion of the Spiderworts ~

Doesn't that sound like a cheesy horror flick from the 50's?  Spiderwort is pretty, but another one of those uber invasive plants I have in my yard.  I have two different shades of purple.  The flowers close up in the evening, and when finished blooming, get very scrappy looking.  I just read if you cut them back to 8" - 12", they may bloom again.  Usually I cut them to the ground so may have to try the more conservative approach this year.

My jungle :)

I've always loved daisies.

Still not much hooking going on, but I did hook these sunflowers.  I forgot to take better pictures before I took them to guild.  They are a couple more door prizes for our Hooktoberbest hook in this October.  The flower on the right is very washed out, while the one on the left is close to the true colors.  

Hopefully I will get something inspiring on my frame soon!

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood ~

Bright sunshine.  Blue skies.  Temps in the low 80's.  Summer is here ~ at least for a day or two.

At long last I got my teeny tiny little pond cleaned out :)  DSO modified a pump for me that I am using this year to pump water.  The iron hummingbird was a gift from my younger son for watching his dog one weekend.  It sits perfectly on top the old sewer tile I had sitting in the garage.  The perennial geraniums are almost done blooming.  They get kind of scrappy so I will cut them back and get more flowers later in the season.

Congrats to Julie ~ My Primitive Heart.  She is the winner of the little hooked hit 'n miss mat.  Thanks to all who entered and left such kind comments.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Tulips Fini ~

Happy Sunday, dear friends.  It is a beautiful day on Ohio's north coast.  I've gotten a few much needed yard tasks done, most importantly cleaning out my little pond.  Usually it is done in May, but the weather did not cooperate . . . plus it's just a nasty job cleaning out all the rotting leaves so I did procrastinate a bit.  

Tulips, a pattern by Cathy Stephan of Red Barn Rugs, is FINALLY done.  Started last October in a class with Cathy, it was put aside and nary a loop was pulled until a few weeks ago.  It is now bound.  It just needs a final steaming and a rug label made :)  This is the best of my lousy pictures of the rug :(

I must have at least 30 patterns on linen and many more than that ready to transfer.  Plus two rugs that are kitted.  I normally don't buy kits, but one was bought second hand and I purchased another from Tricia Travis at rug camp in April.  Nothing is screaming . . . or even saying . . . hook me.  I need to decide on a project tout de suite.  I have not yet dyed the wool necessary to finish Antique Floral that was started at rug camp  so can't do much with that.  Decisions, decisions.

I've showed this clematis in years past.  Dug from my parents farm, it survived being run over by the lawnmower and eaten by the cow.  It must be at least 40 years old and is just such a prolific bloomer. 

Thanks for all the fun comments on my last post.  I guess there are many wool obsessed hookers out there.  I am amongst good company.

Last chance to enter my give away.  Check it out here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Too Much Wool?

Normally I would say a person cannot have too much wool, but I am beginning to rethink my position.  The cupboards are bursting at the seams, so how can I never have the color I am looking for?

The first three cupboards are "sort of" divided by color families.  There is also wool in all the baskets but will I ever remember to look in them?

I really need to sort through those baskets on the top shelf.

The top shelf is wool that still needs washed and/or overdyed.  There is no rhyme or reason to the second shelf and some of the wools can't even be seen.

More wool that needs washed and/or overdyed.

This does not take in to account all the worms and small bits of wool living in the closet.  I think I need WA - Wools Anonymous - and I would bet I could start my own chapter.  Care to join me?  Or maybe I just need a bigger hooking room :)

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Hit 'n Miss Fini ~

I know it's not just Ohio that is waterlogged.  I was to go on my first ever motorcycle trip this past week.  DSO and I, along with my son and grandson were planning a trip to Niagara Falls, about a 250 miles.  We were going to take the scenic route along the lake.  Our rain date was this week.  That trip, too, has been I cancelled.  There is just too much rain in the forecast.  But as I've stated before, for me it is just an inconvenience.  My livelihood does not depend on it.

My so sweet baby bathtub fell over in my waterlogged flower bed.  No real damage done, but all the plants had to be moved back in place and some dirt added.  Several people asked what the yellow flowers are.  They are a medium sized petunia that I purchased at Walmart.  How ironic.  I was showing a neighbor who brought me a climbing rose bush (how very sweet of her!!!) my bathtub planter and she said she had one in her garage that was left in her attic when she purchased her house and even the antique shop did not want it.  It was mine for the taking :)  Well, how could I say no to that?  I've already had a friend threaten to steal mine.  It is currently sitting in the driveway by the garage.  DSO made some little wooden feet so hopefully it will not fall over again when it is put back in the garden.

I've finished my fun little hit 'n miss mat.  All it needs is a final steaming and a label.  As predicted, it did not make the slightest dent in the worm farm.  The finished size ended up being about 13 1/2" x 22".

It's been forever since I've had a give-away, so if you'd like a chance to win this little mat, leave a comment on this post or drop me an email with give-away in the subject line.  My only real "rule" is that you need to contact me within three days or I will choose another.  Please, no sharing on any social media.  I will choose a winner in a week or so :)

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Flag Day ~

~ GOD BLESS AMERICA ~

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Baby Bathtub ~

I've been wanting a European baby bathtub, similar to this, for many years.  I thought it would look so cool in the garden, but the rare time I have seen one the price is WAY more than I am willing to spend.  This one on eBay is $575 plus $87 shipping.  I've seen a similar one, the style I really want, for $300 locally, still totally out of my price range.

At a vintage shop last weekend, I found this white enamel one for only $24.

Thankfully DSO is very handy :)  With a $4 piece of rebar, he welded me this great frame.

All planted.

Here it is, residing in my jungle of a garden.  Pretty cool, no?

This clematis is so pretty this year.  I guess it is loving all the rain.  How do you like my cheesy $3 birdbath?  I really should see how it can be painted so it would be less offensive.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

Mindless Hooking ~

Good Monday, dear friends.  I hope today finds you all well.  It is another rainy one here in northern Ohio.  Everything is so lush and green, but I'm sure the poor farmers are in a world of hurt.  Then come August, we will be praying for precipitation.  

I needed something mindless to hook, and this little hit 'n miss fits the bill perfectly.  Granted, I do think about each worm I choose, but once it is chosen, the row hooks quickly.  The finished size will be about 13" x 22".   

I have seven totes of sorted worms and this mess which needs separating.  I'm sure this little mat will not make a dent in the worm farm.

I've been wanting one of these double wash tubs for ages, and finally found this one.  Not exactly what I was looking for finish-wise, but for the price thought it best come home with me.  I don't plan on planting it this year, but it will make the perfect beverage container for DSO's annual 4th of July party . . . which will be here all too soon.

Ernestine is so funny.  She goes crazy whenever an animal is on TV.  Last week we watched the movie Patrick.  It is a cute, kind of cheesy movie that stars a pug.  After the initial barking and craziness of seeing the dog, she then sat and stared intently at the screen.  Too funny.

She is not a motorcycle dog, but was content to sit on it :)

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

Rug Show ~

A sampling of the rug show at the Western Reserve hook in.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren