Seriously?

I started Red Barn Rugs America Banner about a month ago and here is my progress ~ or lack thereof.

Then last week in my Katie Hartner class I started Indian Peace Flag, an antique adaptation offered by the Woolley Fox.  

So yesterday, I was in the wool closet looking for a piece of screen to transfer a pattern from Sue, when seriously, this fell out of the mess.  So what did I do?  Quickly put it on linen figuring at only 8" x 24", that is something I could finish before the 4th of July.  Since I  have all my red, white and blue wools pulled for America Banner, easy peasy, right?  A paper pattern by American Folk Artist S. West, available from Buttermilk Basin.

I feel like I am living in the Twilight Zone.  Today was hatch day #5 of those darn Canadian soldiers . . . and then another flying bug on my car this morning and this evening yet another I haven't seen before.  Earlier in the season we had the midges so we are up to four creepy flying insects (or are they bugs?) this June.  Enough already!!!  (Whine over.)

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Class projects ~ Updated

 

Here are the rugs being hooked in the Katie Hartner class in no particular order . . . other than I will start with Sue's antique adaptation.  

A small pattern that was started and finished in class.

The same Maggie Bonanomi pattern being hooked in two totally color palates. 

A coverlet inspired design 

Santa 

Antique adaptation known as Tennessee Hearts being hooked with handtorn strips.

This hooker started her rug at last year's Katie class.  It is curling because she packs her loops.  A good steaming will remedy it.

Flower close up.  The true color is probably somewhere in between.

This will hang above the hooker's antique pewter collection.

The hooker is hooking this GINORMOUS maple leaf to coordinate with her hooked stair treads.  

Close up

She says she has been collecting spot dyes for years.

One hooker left a day early so I did not get a picture of her start.  Sue sent me a picture of her rug so that's everyone 😁

Katie's class was absolutely wonderful.  She shared so much useful information and so many helpful hints.  I would take another class with her in a heartbeat!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Indian Peace Flag ~

I am home from rug class.  This is the second time I have had a class with Katie Hartner of A Nimble Thimble/Woolley Fox.  She is just a delight and shares so much knowledge.  I'm sure everyone left class with much useful information.

Today I will quickly share the rug I was working on.  It is titled Indian Peace Flag and if it sounds a bit familiar, check out Saundra's blog.  It is an antique adaptation sold by The Woolley Fox.

Day 1 progress ~

At the end of day 2.  I accomplished much more the first day, but I was still happy with what I got hooked!

And finally day 3 which was only a half day.
The color is most accurate in the first picture, but if I want to get this post done before I head to dinner, this one will have to do . . . sigh.

At 31" x 38" this is a big pattern for me.  There will also be stars & stripes on the rug (but not a full flag).  I will be working on this for a long time!  Sadly I know it won't be done for our nation's 250th birthday.  I also plan to eliminate the bottom right star and replace it with 1776 - 2026.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Hook-y stuff ~

 

I assumed (and you know what happens when you assume!) everyone was tired of seeing my deer rug that was started at camp in January.  Saundra wanted to know if I finished the binding, and yes, so here it is.  It's ok but definitely not one of my favorite rugs.  The rug doesn't really have a name.  Perhaps I should just call it Damn Deer.

I have been slowly working on America Banner by Red Barn Rugs.  I have had the pattern forever so it's the perfect time to hook it.  I see I need to remove those few very light strips . . . or add some to the I C A.

Tomorrow morning I leave for rug class in PA.  I will be meeting up with my hooking partner in crime Sue.  We are looking forward to another class with Katie Hartner, owner of the Woolley Fox.  I have chosen to hook one of her antique adaptations, Indian Peace Flag.  I am in a very patriotic hooking mode.

One version of many I have found online.  Saundra is just hooking the canton.  See the start of hers here.

Those of you who have followed me for a while know that I have not yet begun to pack.  I did get the lawn mowed so now it's time!!!  It will get done, it always does 😁

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

They're baaaack ~

For the most part the midges were finally gone, a mosquito looking creature that does not bite.  The Canadian soldiers, aka muffleheads, arrived early this year.  They normally don't appear for another two weeks or so.   This morning my area of the city was inundated with them.  They are attracted to lights and piles of them are on the roadways under streetlights.  They also love white houses . . . and guess what color my house is?

They only live for about a day, do not poop or bite, but I have this crazy fear of them.  If one lands on me I turn in to a crazy lady.  (Well, crazier than normal!)  If your really want to know more, you can read about it here.

The more Canadian soldiers, the healthier the lake, so I suppose that is a good thing.  I just wish I could get out of Dodge when they are here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Big Boy No. 4014 ~

Big Boy came rolling in to town Monday morning.  What a sight to see!!!  I knew there would be a crowd, but I had no idea it would be that large.  I had told Sue we needed to get there about an hour early, and when we arrived there was no parking for 2-3 blocks.  Thankfully her son dropped us off and parked the car.  I heard that people who were closest to the tracks started arriving at 8:00 am, three hours before the scheduled arrival time.  

What a patriotic crowd.  Several times the people on both sides of the tracks began chanting USA, USA, USA.  It brought a lump to my throat and it was hard not to tear up.  Makes me proud to be an American.

If you are on Facebook, look up the Lorain page.  You can find some amazing pictures and videos.  It will pass through our area in July on its return journey.  It won't be stopping here in Lorain, but I do hope to see it passing by.

Some good news.  I AM BRACE FREE!!!  After the ortho doctor gave me the good news, I told him I would have broken down in tears had he said to continue wearing it.  I feel like a new woman.

My mantra ~

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Odds & Ends ~

How can I be busy all the time meeting myself coming and going, but not have anything to blog about?

Ernestine after she enjoyed her pup cup.  She sure does love them.

Isn't this cool?  I need to be on the hunt for another vintage funnel.  I have a couple but use them as planters.

A couple evenings this past week there was a chance that the northern lights might be visible.  No luck the first night and the second night was cloudy, but did get this moody picture looking out on Lake Erie.

Tomorrow Vernon Junction Sue and family are heading up to see Big Boy.  An historic event not to be missed.

Then in the afternoon I have an ortho appointment.  If the doctor says to keep wearing the brace I just may lose it!!!  Five weeks is about four and a half weeks too long 😢

That's it for my pathetic post.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Big Boy No. 4014

 

Big Boy No. 4014 is the world's largest operating steam locomotive.  Twenty-five Big Boys were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific Railroad, the first of which was delivered in 1941.  These massive locomotives were built to haul heavy equipment in support of the war effort, normally operating between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.   No. 4014 was retired in December 1961 after traveling 1,031,205 miles.  Of the eight remaining Big Boys in existence today, this is the only one still in operation.  It is 133' long and weighs 1.2 million pounds.  It is making a cross country trek in honor of our nation's 250th birthday.

The exciting news is that it is making a 15 minute "whistle stop" here in Lorain.  How wonderful that our humble city is part of this historic journey!!!  You can read more about it here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Obsession(s) ~

 

Last summer I must have sold at least 6-7 wooden bowls.  I loved them but they were just hidden in a cupboard.  Am I sorry I sold them?  Yes and no.  I just have too much stuff and less is more, right?  (Now that's funny!)  That did not stop me from looking at them when I would see them out and about.  I resisted . . . until yesterday.  I just could not say no to the repairs on this one.  

Hard to believe we now live in a throw away society.

And crocks?  I needed another crock like I needed another hole in my head.  Need I say more?

I also love old children's blocks and how could I resist for only $3.00?

I am finally getting a bit of yard work done.  Went to the garden center today and bought some more annuals for my pots.  Now to get them planted.  Some days condo living sounds heavenly, but most of the time not so much.  I would miss playing in the dirt.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Up next ~

 

I don't know about you, but I am feeling more patriotic than normal with our nation's upcoming 250th birthday.

I am in the process of binding that darn deer rug and thought I would go back to one of my WIPs.  I have several to choose from 😕.  But since I have all my red, white and blue wools pulled from hooking the patriotic smalls and I found this pattern in my stash, that's up next!  I haven't hooked anything for me in honor of this milestone birthday.  In a few weeks another patriotic one will be started at a three day class.  

I am not even sure when or where I got this pattern, but I am guessing I have had it for at least ten years.  About time, isn't it?

I am still in this darn brace.  Hopefully for only a week and a half more.  I have been hesitant to dig in the yard, sure don't want to mess up my healing, but have finally started planting some of my annuals in pots and edging the gardens.  They are totally out of control.

Just a few pictures . . . 

I just discovered I have baby birds in my lilac bush.  It looks like there are three, no idea what kind, and by the way they are filling the nest guess they will fledge soon.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊
Lauren