Losing momentum ~

My goal at the end of my Jenny Smallridge class was to hook one "motif" (triangle, hexagon or tongue) daily along with the surrounding dark background.  I was hoping to have it all hooked by mid August.  The best laid plans of mice and men.  It got set aside to bind America Banner (pattern by Cathy Stephan, Red Barn Rugs), which I am happy to say is complete except for the label.

Nancy (The Wooden Folks) said she is able to get the most accurate color on a picture taken with an iPad.  Thanks for the tip, Nancy.  This is much more accurate than I normally get.

Now I am back to hooking my antique adaptation started in the Jenny class.  I am a couple motifs behind but (fingers crossed) I can get my momentum back.

Tomorrow I am heading to Hook & Thread.  It is a hike there, but such a great group of hookers.

I was scheduled for possible jury duty on Tuesday but have already been notified the trial has been canceled.  

Other than that, just busy as always trying to keep caught up on life!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

As usual ~

I am leaving for a three day rug class tomorrow and I have barely begun to pack, but that's pretty normal for me.  I guess I will never learn, but it will all get done, and if I forget anything will just have to purchase it!

First this morning I needed to mow the lawn.  Thankfully only a 35 minute task (my yard is small!!!).  It really did not need it, but I figured by the time Friday rolled around it would be looking pretty shabby.

Also, it's that time of year.  Lousy timing . . . but I made time for it today.

Believe it or not I have a finish to share.  Of course not fully finished but the hooking is done.  Pattern by Cathy Stephan of Red Barn Rugs.  I added the 1776 and 2026.  I am happy with the finish!!!  (I just can't get a picture that is not washed out.)

And I finally pulled a (very) loops on my June class rug, Indian Peace Flag by the Woolley Fox.  This rug is a biggie and my goal is to finish it in 2026.

That's it.  Really must go work on my packing.

Hopefully will take pictures at class!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

America Banner update ~

I have made a bit of progress on my America Banner by Red Barn Rugs.  Cathy has some of the best patterns.  I have had many classes with her (I am a Cathy groupie!).  I see she will be vending during rug week at Sauder Village.  It will be good to see her.

Hopefully this will be finished before I head to my next hooking class with Jenny Smallridge of the Wooly Horse on July 21.  It shouldn't be a problem finishing it unless I get distracted, set it aside and move on to something else . . . sigh.  

Sure wish I could figure out how to take rug pictures without them being so washed out!!!

That's all I have.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

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

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

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

Throw Down ~

Here are the wonderful projects being worked on in class. Three people left early so no picture of the rugs they were working on 😢  All were started in class except for "As for Me and My House" which was started in a previous class with Cathy.

This is being hooked with handtorn strips.  That will be one heavy . . . and cushy . . . and gorgeous rug!

And yours truly . . . 

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Hooking at the Black Squirrel Inn ~

Getting away with hookers for the weekend is good for the mind and soul.  Lots of laughing, eating, (maybe a glass of wine or two), a bit of hooking but most of all friendship 💘

A throw down of the rugs being worked on.  Sadly one of the group left a day early and I did not get a picture of her rug.

Two hookers were working on patterns by Michelle Palmer.

I am in love with this face.

Door prize mats being hooked for the Crooked River Hook in.

Sweet Christmas rug.

Antique rug.  I didn't measure how large, but it is H.U.G.E. and she accomplished so much.

She was hooking this in an 8, cut on a Fraser cutter.  This 8 is as large as my 8.5 cut on my Townsend!

I always think I should get more hooked than I do.  You'd think by now I would learn, but I am happy with the progress made on The Poser.

Blogger ~ what can I say?  I think anyone who blogs knows that sometimes there are "issues".  A couple months ago emails stopped being sent when I leave a comment on a person's blog.  I didn't change any settings.  It is returned to me as an error.  I have no idea why and I know how annoying it is not to be notified and I apologize, but I have no idea how to fix it.  I think it may be my ISP, but you know what it's like trying to deal with speaking with someone halfway across the world.  

Another blogger thing ~ this time good.  For many years I have not known how many followers I have.  Suddenly today, there it is ~ 401.  It has come and gone before so I don't expect it to last . . . sigh.

Oh, my.  Today feels like spring.  60* and sunny.  Mother Nature is just being a tease because Thursday the high will be 28* with a chance of snow.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Woo Hoo ~ Ole Jack is Finished ~

Ole Jack was started at rug camp in September in a class with Cathy Stephan (Red Barn Rugs).  Though many people are now selling this antique adaptation, this is Cathy's smaller version and measures 28" x 39" which for me is BIG!  I absolutely LOVE how it turned out and I could not have done it without her guidance and belief in me that I could really do it.  THANK YOU, CATHY 💗

Next up . . . finishing my Granny Donaldson cow blanket rug.  I am so close.  Only background left to hook.

Our snow storm is over 😁  My son came yesterday after work and used his snowblower on my drive and sidewalks and even cleared a grassy area for Molly.  Two hours later with the additional snow and the wind (it was snowing sideways), you had no idea that it was ever cleared.  I am so thankful he came back today and did it all again.  There is no snow in the forecast for the next week, but this is Ohio and can easily change.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Getting Close ~

 

Good Sunday to one and all.  I hope this finds you warm and safe!  I cannot imagine the 2+ feet of snow some areas of the east have gotten.  Even in Florida there are freeze and frost warnings.  My brother and his DSO are currently in Naples and it was 37* this morning.  I told them to watch out for falling lizards 😁

I am getting very close on Ole Jack and I am truly loving him!!!  So outside of my comfort zone.  I never would have put those background wools together.  Thank you Cathy Stephan of Red Barn Rugs for convincing me that I really could do this.

I think we all need to take this to heart.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Cathy's Class ~

I believe this is the fourth time I have had Cathy Stephan of Red Barn Rugs as a teacher.  Obviously I think she is a great teacher 😁

Here are some of the rugs that Cathy has hooked and brought along with her to class.

This antique reproduction is one that has been on my hooking bucket list for MANY years.

A technique I had not seen before.  A shirred edge.  Sure wish I was listening when she talked about how she did it.

Some of Cathy's yummy wools.

A sampling of the rugs being hooked in Cathy's class.

And a better view of the rug.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊
Lauren