WHEW!

 

I finally decided to hook Santa's face.  Did I struggle?  Yes indeed.  I probably make it harder than it is 😢  It did take me three tries to hook the nose and two tries for the beauty line around the moustache.  The eyebrows still kind of blend with the face, but at this point I am going to call him done.

Santa's even been bound, labeled, and a had a final steaming.  

So . . . other than the little applique kit I could not find, my September list is done with a few hours to spare.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Monday Update ~ Part 4

 

I was a bit more productive this past week, but time is running out to finish the list.  I have no idea why I have this mental block about finishing my Santa mat.  I haven't pulled a loop on the old guy in over 2 weeks.  I started him back in August . . . sigh, but I do have until Wednesday to finish him 😁

Primitive Gobbler - bind - label

Jack's Crow - bind - label

Santa - hook - bind - label

Scaredy Cat - pattern to linen - hook - bind - label

Pumpkin for wood box - pattern to linen - hook - bind - label

Acorns - pattern to linen - hook - sew on backing and lightly stuff

Hand torn pumpkins - pattern to linen - hook - patchwork back

Horse mat - applique

5" pumpkin - applique

RLS pumpkin - find kit (!) - applique
Still not found.  One of life's little mysteries.

I am working on my October list and will share that with you on Thursday.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Acorns ~

 

Just a quick peek at the acorns I hooked.  I used a twig for the stem but a piece of tightly rolled wool could also be used.  Here they are sitting in the tote I recently bought.  The pumpkin was hooked a number of years ago.

Here's a better view.

I backed them with wool and stuffed them with snippets.

Here's the pattern I drew up in case you'd like to hook a few.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

 

Happy Fall, Y'all ~

 

Welcome Fall???  I am loving our current weather, but I just don't like what will be coming soon.  A light winter coat and gloves are now the morning attire for my walk.

I always receive comments on the antique postcards.  I do not own them.  They are on a CD I bought many years ago on eBay, but I enjoying posting them for all the holidays.

Today I thought I would give you a quick "how-to" do the edge on Scaredy Cat.

First I trimmed the linen to 1 1/4" and zig sagged to prevent fraying.  (I do not have a serger.)  Next time I would trim the linen to 1".  Fold the linen to the front and press.

I tore a strip of wool to cover the exposed linen.  The strip needs to be wide enough to cover both the front and the back.  Position the wool on the front as close to the loops as possible to avoid seeing the linen.  I pinned in place but you could also baste it down to avoid pin pricks.  

I used one strand of #12 Valdani floss I happened to have.  You could also use DMC or any other floss in your stash.  The four sides are done individually.

The back is not pretty, but oh, well.

I hope I haven't missed any of the steps.  Very easy.  Please don't hesitate to ask if my directions aren't clear as mud.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Monday Update ~ Part 3

 

Last week was not a very productive week.  I was gone more than usual.  That's my story . . . and I'm sticking to it 😁

Nary a loop was pulled . . . sigh.  Santa's face is not hooked.  Acorns are just a vision in my head.  Pumpkins do not have a patchwork back.  The RLS pumpkin kit is still MIA.

Primitive Gobbler - bind - label

Jack's Crow - bind - label

Santa - hook - bind - label

Scaredy Cat - pattern to linen - hook - bind - label

Pumpkin for wood box - pattern to linen - hook - bind - label

Acorns - pattern to linen - hook - sew on backing and lightly stuff

Hand torn pumpkins - pattern to linen - hook - patchwork back

Horse mat - applique

5" pumpkin - applique

RLS pumpkin - find kit (!) - applique

 

Friend Belinda has a 5" cast iron skillet.  I don't know if it was really meant to be used for cooking (one egg?) or just decoration.  I have been hooking or appliqueing her seasonal mats.  This very simple fall mat was done this past week.

The binding is finally done on Jack's Crow.  I had a hard time deciding what wool to use (I didn't have enough of the wool left over from the rug to use) but finally found a wool that was close.

I would describe his shirt as a dirty textured oatmeal.

I tried a new to me binding technique for Scaredy Cat.  Terri Leamer had shown an edge finished with Xs.  Friend Melissa took it a step further by wrapping the edge in wool before stitching the Xs.  Next time I think I would do a bit narrower edge, but I have to say I just love the way it turned out, wonky Xs and all.  (I tried taking the picture outside because inside it was washed out . . . well, still not a true picture, but you can see the cat is hooked with gray, black, dark blue and even some very dark red.  The color variations are much more subtle in person).

Only one week left to finish the list!  I don't think it will all be done . . . but it should be close.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Half Over ~

 

Well, September is already half over.  WOW!

Last week was such a productive week, but this week I seem to be spinning my wheels and going nowhere.  I did get my Halloween decorations out.  I don't have much "fall" stuff, but Halloween is another story.  Why does one person have 5 large plastic tubs and one large box of Halloween?  

Many comments were made about my list from my last post.  I am a list maker.  I have a daily list, a weekly list, plus sticky notes on my lists and more lists hanging from the kitchen cupboard.  Some lists are hanging for a VERY long time, but they are a constant reminder of things that eventually need to be accomplished.

A few weeks ago I bought this little wooden tote at an antique shop.  I didn't need it (but I always say what does need have to do with it?), but it was a great price.

I think my Halloween noisemakers look pretty good in it.

Yesterday I headed two hours south to meet up with my dear college friend Wink.  The city where we meet also has one of my favorite antique shops.  I found this largish papier mache turkey to add to my collection and I couldn't resist the patriotic Thanksgiving postcard.

Then I agonized over this wooden tote/caddy.  I've never seen one like it before.  The bottom and two sides are tin.  How could I not bring it home with me . . . lol?

This guy has visited me twice in the sweet potato vine.  I am assuming it is the same guy, but I suppose all praying mantids (plural for mantis .  . . you learn something new every day!) look alike 😁

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Monday Update ~

I had a productive week, me thinks.  I have been making an effort to spend more time on my projects.  It helps that yard work is winding down a bit, though since we've gotten rain, the yard needs to be mowed more often.

Primitive Gobbler - bind - label

Jack's Crow - bind - label

Santa - hook - bind - label

Scaredy Cat - pattern to linen - hook - bind - label

Pumpkin for wood box - pattern to linen - hook - bind - label

Acorns - pattern to linen - hook - sew on backing and lightly stuff

Hand torn pumpkins - patterns to linen - hook - patchwork back

Horse mat - applique

5" pumpkin - applique

RLS pumpkin - find kit (!) - applique

Here are the week's accomplishments.

I only have the face left to hook on Santa and I have been avoiding it for days.  Maybe it's just a mental thing, but I find primitive faces intimidating.  (Heaven forbid I would ever hook a realistic one!)

I finished hooking Scaredy Cat.  The cat is hooked antigodlin style (higgly piggly), not my favorite way to hook, but I do like the end result.

Two pumpkins with hand torn strips were hooked.

The horse mat is done.  I made this to use as a hooking frame cover.  I'm not real happy with it.  I don't care for the color of the horse and I still have problems blanket stitching points.  I know, we are our own worst critic . . . lol.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

NEVER EVER ~

~ God Bless America ~

Monday Update ~

 

I've decided each Monday in September, I will do an update on my ambitious project list.  I figure it will help keep me on track 😊

Primitive Gobbler - bind - label

Jack's Crow - bind - label

Santa - hook - bind - label

Scaredy Cat - pattern to linen - hook - bind - label

Pumpkin for wood box - pattern to linen - hook - bind - label

Acorns - pattern to linen - hook - bind 

Hand torn pumpkins - patterns to linen - hook - patchwork back

Horse mat - applique

5" pumpkin - applique

RLS pumpkin - find kit (!) - applique

Here is progress so far.

Primitive Gobbler ~ DONE 👍👍👍  I darkened three of the feathers . . . but in the picture they are still showing a bit bright but not in person.

Last Sunday I was bragging how quickly Santa was hooking up.  Well, not sure what happened . . . but I am finally close.  I need some kind of beauty line to define his mustache.  I was hoping how I hooked it would work but obviously does not.

Pumpkin for the wood box.  It's only 4 1/2" x 12" so a quickie.  

Since it's in the box, I cheated and did not use binding.  I just turned back the linen and stitched down.

Horse mat.  The background wool is an old army blanket and the horse is an old (army?) blanket, too.  I've used neither for applique  before and it may be the first and last time.  It's much more of an effort to stitch through the heavy wools and my arthritic thumb is not liking it.

We are getting some much needed rain today.  My grass and flowers are doing a happy dance.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Four Years Ago ~

 

Time is just flying by.  I can't believe today marks four years of retirement.  I questioned whether I was making the correct decision.  After four years, it is a resounding YES.  I have loved every day of it and can count on one hand the times I have been bored.  Retirement may not be for everyone.  I'm not sure what people do who don't have a hobby.  I don't have that problem.  There are just not enough hours in the day.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Small Stuff ~

September is going to be my month of "small stuff".  No large (for me) project will be started.  I have several things to finish.

Binding on Primitive Gobbler is nearing completion.

Still haven't started the binding on Jack's Crow.  Just not sure yet what I want to do.

Santa is not that big and I've worked on it daily, so why is it STILL not finished?  Then on to the binding.  

There are lots of piddly projects I hope to accomplish this month.  

I have wanted to do this Wool Horse Mat ever since it came out in the June 2009 issue of Create & Decorate magazine.  I sure do miss that publication!  I am stealing friend Kaye's idea and making it in to a frame cover.  (Thanks, Kaye!)

I have several small mats I want to hook.  A couple for gifts, a couple for me though I have really not decided on what they will be.  This is one I have decided on.  Look at this fun little rug hooked by friend Melissa.  She has the greatest primitive style.  Of course mine won't look like hers.  It is a free pattern called Scaredy Cat by Lindsay Bowles that can be found here.

I need to hook something fall-ish for my wood box.  Time to be rid of spring.

I also hope to hook a couple pumpkins with hand torn strips and a few acorns.  Oh, and a small applique pumpkin for a friend.  And another oh.  A little Rebekah L. Smith pumpkin applique kit I purchased last year, but it is currently MIA, so if I finally find it, that goes on the list, too 😏

Whew!  If I get half these things done I will be one happy camper.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren