Happy Halloween ~

 

Sadly this year with my house being in chaos, I never hauled my Halloween decorations down from the attic.  It has taken me much longer than anticipated to get my house back in order.  I am probably 98% there.  I will be happy when I get to 100%.

In the last few years outdoor decorations have become so popular.  I cannot even begin to imagine the $$$ people are spending.  I know the 10' skeletons are $300 each at Home Depot and some people have several in addition to all the other "Halloween accoutrements" to complement their display.  Where in the heck do they store all the items???

On my morning walk the other day, I found this house in my neighborhood.  I believe they have the Amityville sign hanging all year.  Their displays are really kind of creepy!!!

It is going to be C.O.L.D. passing out candy this evening!!!  Hopefully I will still get lots of trick-or-treaters because I sure don't want all that candy in my house 😁

Happy Halloween.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Fall Gathering ~

The Wooly Rustic Fiber Designs Fall Gathering in Tipp City, Ohio, was great fun.  Put on by Jenny Smallridge and Laurie Cook of The Wooly Horse, Chrisi Koehl of Rustic Eweniques, Jo Wick of Jo's Folk Art Fibers and Ali Strebel of Ali Strebel Designs.  So well organized!!!  Attendance was at 75.  People were hooking, punching and doing applique.  So much talent in one room.  Three hours from home, but I probably knew half the ladies there.  I know a good time was had by all 😉

It was held at the Tipp Center and I must share this horse that was displayed.  Such a treasure.

The ladies hosting were also the vendors.  Here are pictures from their booths.  (Somehow I missed getting pictures of Ali's booth.  So sorry 😢)

Look at the size of Jenny's new patchwork Santa pattern!!!

I didn't take as many pictures as I thought I did, but you get an idea of the wonderful items that were offered!  In my next post, I will share a few rugs and what (little) progress I made on my "plus one".

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

A Finish ~ a Plus One ~ ATHA Magazine

Almost the end of October.  How did that happen?  I know, I know.  I say that all the time but 2023 is flying by.  We have had absolutely gorgeous weather, but that will be ending in a few days.  It is only supposed to be in the low 40's for trick-or-treat.  In Ohio, costumes must fit over winter coats!

My little Cammie Bruce pattern, Pair of Jacks, is bound 😁  I hope my next project goes a little more quickly.

Now on the frame, as Saundra would call it, is my plus one that she so generously drew up and gifted me.  I will be taking it to the 2 day hook in tomorrow in Tipp City, about 3 hours south of me.  I have pulled a few loops . . . very few.  Pulling wool to take is next on my to-do list.

ATHA Magazine, in my opinion, is the best hooking magazine out there.  ATHA (Association of Traditional Hooking Artists) is an international fellowship of artists that fosters individuality and diversity in rug hooking. The magazine is composed of articles written by ATHA members.  They were asking for seasonal rugs, so I sent in a few pictures.  I (wrongly) assumed my little mats would be included in an article along with other hooked rugs, but low and behold they gave me my own page.  To say I was shocked is an understatement.  I wasn't going to say anything, but since Saundra shared that I was in the magazine, several people who are not ATHA members and do not receive the magazine asked to see the page, so voila . . . here it is.  More information on ATHA can be found at www.atharugs.com.

I had another sleepover with my favorite pug this week while daddy went to Michigan for the day.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Seriously?

It has been nine days since my last blog post.  Why?  Haven't a clue but I have been meeting myself coming and going.  And when I went to upload photos, the method is different.  GGGRRRR!!!  I hate change.

Anyhow, a little mat that is only 12 1/2" x 16 1/2" should have taken a few days to hook instead of a few weeks.  It is finally hooked and partially bound.  Here's a peek of pumpkin #2.

Colleen left me a comment asking how I hooked the mouth on the sage green pumpkin.  (It really is not gray!)  Colleen, if you do a Google search on how to do beading on a hooked rug, A Cindy Gay video will come up.  I hope that helps because I would never be able to explain the process.  

Friday I am heading off to southern Ohio for a two day hook in with hooker friend Val.  Hopefully I will do a quick post before then, but if not I will see you when I get back.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

 

I Wouldn't Quite Say . . .

. . . my mojo is back, but I have finally pulled some loops on the little Cammie Bruce pattern I bought a few weeks ago at the hook in.  Yesterday I was at another hook in and actually hooked!!!  Probably pulled more loops than I ever have at one.  Now if I can just keep it up 😁.  It has been far too long since I have accomplished much of anything.

Today ~

And here is dear Ernestine.  She is 11 now and starting to show her age ;-(  That grey face melts my heart.

Thanks so much for stopping by on this not-so-nice Sunday.  The weather is not very friendly today.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Changes ~

The days are changing much too quickly.  It is now dark when I get up in the morning and our sunset is at 6:56 pm.  And to think once daylight savings time ends on November 5, it will be much worse.  I have not heard if it is officially ending, but I am hoping daylight savings time will soon be a thing of the past.

Our weather has been a little crazy, too.  We went from HOT . . . low 80's during the day to suddenly low 40's at night.  We have not yet had a frost so hopefully we will have an Indian summer (if we are allowed to call it that!).  Lake Erie was wild the other morning.

This morning the sand had the coolest pattern.  DSO (being the engineer that he is) said it was because of the wind velocity and sand density that the repetitive pattern was created.

I am still fighting the crud but think the worst is behind me.  I still don't have much energy but am forcing myself to do a little each day.  I have cancelled some plans with friends because I don't want to risk infecting anyone if I am still contagious.  DSO came down with the crud the other day, but says it is just a cold and is already feeling better.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
STAY HEALTHY!!!
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

At a Standstill ~

 

Last week I had a day with watery eyes and a drippy nose.  I thought it was a bit of an allergy and the next day I would be fine.  The next day I was not fine.  Horrible headache and even my teeth and sinuses hurt.  Ok, so I have a head cold, right?  Well, it ended up being the mother of all head colds.  I pride myself on getting 10,000 + steps every day.  That day I got 572 😟  I slept almost nonstop for 2 days.  (I never even got out of my jammies or took a shower one day.  I have never done that before!!!)  It really did kick my butt.  Today is the first day I was somewhat productive.  No nap and I mowed the lawn and did a bit of yard work.  It is wonderful to feel almost human again.

Needless to say, no hooking going on.  I keep saying I hope it will be soon . . . and I really do hope so.

What is a blog post without pictures?  BORING.  So . . . this is the counter over the washer and dryer.  A little bit of fall since there has been no Halloween decorating this year and not sure any is going to happen.

At last week's hook in, believe it or not, I bought NO wool.  However I did buy a fun little Cammie Bruce pattern and this cool box from Chrisi Koehl ~ Rustic Eweniques.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren