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

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

Darn Phil ~

 

Punxsutawney Phil Saw his shadow this morning.  Legend states that we will have six more weeks of winter.  We have not seen above freezing temps in eight days here in northern Ohio, and the forecast is currently showing we will not for at least the next eight.  Normally we do not have that long a freezing spell.  I am just thankful that I do not live in Robin's Nod.  I don't think I could survive a winter there.

As stated in my last post, I have never taken an online class before, but Katie Hartner (A Nimble Thimble) who owns the Woolley Fox offered a class on mastering values.  Even after hooking for over two decades, I still do not understand much about color, value, warm and cool, etc.  I hadn't a clue how to use the color wheel.  This class gave me a much better understanding.  As part of the class fee, we got to choose a 13" round chair pad in the "Magdalena style".  I choose the eagle, and here is my progress so far.  I should be done already, but oh well.  Hopefully soon!

I also finished one of the hand torn hearts I had hooked and got it sewn in to a pillow.  (More red in person.)  It will be on its way to its new home this afternoon.

Only 46 days until spring 🌷

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

FINALLY!

Primitive Chickens, a 12" x 36" pattern by Hooked on the Lake is finally finished.  It was started in a class with Katie Hartner of the Woolley Fox on March 16.  For whatever reason I continually drug my feet and would only spend a short time each day working on it.  It's not like I was hooking something else at the same time!  I am just glad it is done.  Now on to the least favorite part (right Saundra?) prepping for binding, steaming and then binding.  I don't think the binding fairy will show up and do it for me.  I know there are people who finish rugs for a price, but I am too cheap to even consider that.  I'd rather use that $$ to buy more wool 😁  Lousy color as usual . . . but the feet/legs do show up a little better in person.

For you cat lovers . . .

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Teacher Rugs ~

Katie Hartner of the Woolley Fox was truly a wonderful teacher.  One of the best!  So many teachers are there to color plan a rug and little to no teaching is done.  Each day Katie covered a topic for us.

Here are a few of the rugs she shared.  There were many more I did not get pictures of.  This rug was gorgeous!!!  I always love a patriotic rug.  So very sorry for the washed out colors.

Close ups . . . 

Part of the flag canton's blue had faded to a totally different shade.

This rug had a proddy edge.

And the backside showing how it was bound.

Katie teaches an online values class that I have heard is a great learning experience.  She is big on using leftover worms in your project.  Here are some of the pattern choices for the class.  (The carpet in the room was a bit on the hideous side!)

Head on over to Sue's blog to see the rugs being hooked in class.

Time to finish packing!
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren