Nothing Short of a Miracle ~

 

After 5+ months, I now have a dishwasher door that is not dented.  I have spent countless hours on the phone or texting with Samsung.  When they scheduled today's service call and assured me the door really was in (I had heard that song & dance before), I did not believe them.  I was sure they were going to cancel once again, but miracle of miracles, they came with a new door panel ~ in the correct stainless finish.  Now, the only issue is that the kickplate, for whatever reason, can't be attached below the door.  ARGH!  Hopefully DSO will be able to come up with a solution.  I do NOT want to deal with Samsung ~ ever again ~ if I can avoid it.  (The cupboards are not yellow as they appear on my monitor.)

My Thanksgiving cactus is confused but beautiful.

I had an order for a coverlet hook pouch, so thought I'd make a few more for vending later in the year.  I am thankful a friend found some coverlet pieces at an estate sale and thought of me.

On a heartbreaking note, my granddog got her wings yesterday.  Last week it was discovered that she had a tumor in her lungs and there was nothing they could do.  She took a sudden turn for the worse yesterday and that painful decision had to be made.  My heart aches for my son and his girlfriend.  Run fast and free, Kali.  I hope Molly is not too mean to you at the Rainbow Bridge 💔

Rudie, as little as he is, still isn't quite done.  I have also been junk journaling daily.  Really enjoying putting pages together and when I think one is done, keep going back and adding more.  My once skinny journal is skinny no longer.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Cricut Stupid ~

As I have said before, I am pretty much Cricut stupid and don't take the time to figure things out.  I am more visual and prefer to be shown.  Well . . . I had the bright idea to make some canvas hook pouches (purchased on Amazon) for a new vending item.  A while back I bought some heat transfer vinyl at Michaels and decided I could/would do this.  Our local libraries have Cricut machines and staff to help you.  My first attempt came out great.  

Front

Back

I came home to print out sayings (happy hooker, primitive hooker, wool whore, etc) because I have fonts I liked better than the free ones I could find at the library.  I had to buy more vinyl and Michaels no longer had the brand I used, so purchased a different brand.  ARGH!!!  It did not work out as planned.  I spent a considerable amount of time printing them out (after making a few stupid mistakes like not printing them as a mirror image).  So I head back to the library to use the heat press.  That did not go well . . . at all.  Instruction said use a temp 270*-290* for 15-30 seconds.  Nope.  Did not transfer.  Thankfully only ruined one pouch.

So tried upping the temp and the time in the press.  After repeated tries still did not work and the staffer at the library helping me had no solution.  So after a few wasted hours headed back to Michaels to return the vinyl (thankfully they did refund my $$) and buy a different brand of vinyl.  Today I spent time reprinting everything and tomorrow will head back to the library to try again!!!  Will keep you posted 😁

On a sad note, the Rebekah L. Smith tribute show that I have spent months making things for has just been cancelled.  Hopefully I can find another avenue to sell all the things I have made.

And finally, on a happy note, yesterday and today we have gotten rain.  Real rain.  I think I see my grass doing a happy dance.  I guess we won't have "August brown" grass in the near future.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Miscellaneous Finishes ~

I finished putting the backs on my hooked hearts.  They can either be used as bowl fillers or tucked in to an old bed spring.

Funny story.  Last night I got the hearts out so I could take pictures this morning.  I could not find the large hearts.  I spent at least a half hour looking for them on my main living level, upstairs, basement . . . where is the he** could I have put them?  I got up this morning and looked some more.  No luck.  Finally later in the morning while showering, it finally dawned on me.  They were in the freezer.  WTH you ask?  I stuff my hearts with bits of wool.  Last week at guild there were some pieces of wool being given away.  Some of the pieces looked like they had been around for a while, and I always worry about moth eggs in old wool, so a solution is to put the wool in the freezer for a number of days to kill any eggs that may have been laid.  I had stuffed the hearts . . . so put the hooked hearts in the freezer.  DUH 😲

I also finished some hook pouches.  The paisley one are partly machine sewn but the ones from antique coverlets are completely hand sewn.  I am so glad to have those done!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Spinning My Wheels ~

Do you ever feel that way?  I am busy all the time.  I never sit and do nothing.  Sometimes I think I don't know how to relax.  When I retired (6.5 yrs ago!!!) I imagined I would have so much free time.  HA!  Hasn't happened yet.  The list of things I wanted to make in March for the October show . . . well here it is May and only one or two things have been crossed off the list.  (I do think I've complained about this in the past . . . sigh.  Some things never change.)

Anywho . . . here is what has been accomplished recently.

I finished the binding on these two little hooked mats.  Still no label 😖  The color of the pumpkin is pretty good . . . but the clamshells on the bunny rug are not accurate.

Pinkeeps are totally done.  The colors are so washed out.

I bought the large tintype recently because the facial hair reminds me of my younger son.  I don't think he was amused 😁

I am working on putting the backing on my hooked hearts and also hook pouches made from antique coverlets and paisley.

Last week DSO and I went to the Apple store for an iPhone photography class.  I wanted to learn how to get better color when photographing my rugs and such.  Sadly, no real answer.  A suggestion was to build a lightbox.  Not what I want to do.

Enough whining for today.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren
 

Last Minute ~

As usual, I am trying desperately to get last minute stuff done.  First thing tomorrow morning I head to Peninsula, OH, to set up at From Our Hands, the most wonderful show put on by Rebekah L. Smith and Lori Ann Corelis.  This is a show that is not to be missed.

Here are a few of the things I will be offering.  {{Of course, friend Melissa will be offering unique, one of a kind bracelets, necklaces, and more made from vintage lace, buttons, bits of jewelry, etc.}}

Pouches made from antique homespun and coverlets.

Little cross stitch necklaces.

Necklaces from chandelier crystals.

Coverlet (and also paisley) on vintage silverplate.

I just love these necklaces.  I think they are my favorite :)  The heart is from an antique welcome mat.

Just Gail wanted to know if the branches on this tree were strong.  Since she in a no reply blogger, I'll just say that I consider the top three rows pretty strong and the bottom two not as much.  But it will easily accommodate little glass ornaments and such.

There's been no hooking, stitching or applique going on.  Hopefully once the show is over, I will have time just for me.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

The Importance of Capitalization ~

I just wanted to pop in and say hi.  I don't have much to share.  I haven't picked up the hook in days.  Just trying to finish some things for the hook in this weekend where Melissa and I will be vending.  I've made some more strawberry pincushions from antique coverlet and paisley pieces.  I still need to add a few buttons for embellishment.

More hook pouches and a few more to make.

I still need to add the buttonhole and buttons.  These are hand done.

 

I LOVE this box I display them in.  The lid is long missing, but I am a sucker for hand cut dovetails.

 

And don't you just love this escutcheon? 

Hopefully I will be back to hooking soon.  I miss having hook in hand.

 

I will leave you with this.  I hope you laugh as hard as I did :)

 

 

In this world of hi-tech gadgetry, I've noticed that more and more people who send text messages and emails have long forgotten the art of capital letters.

 

For those of you who fall into this category, please take note of the following statement.

 

"Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.

Is everybody clear on that?

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

 

Master Procrastinator ~

 

I swear this year has been the worst ever.  My taxes are not hard to do and I use a computer program over at DSO's.  So why do I wait?  No good answer.  I WILL get them done today come hell or high water. 

A couple purchases I've recently made.  Not things I normally buy, but I just could not resist.  Friend Linda (Primdollie Koch on Facebook or Primitive Tymes on Early Works Mercantile) sews to perfection.  This little mouse just makes me smile. 

 

Also purchase on Early Works Mercantile (The Beary Patch ~ Billie Cudney) this little mohair elephant was calling my name.

 

Melissa and I leave Friday for the Ann Arbor hook in.  The hook in is Saturday but set up begins at 7am so we would have to leave hours before the crack of dawn.  All my goods are packed and ready.  I am not going to stress myself by trying to get any more done!  The fat lady has sung :)  Here are my completed hook pouches.  It is a new venue for us so we're hoping for good sales.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Happy Easter ~

 

 ~ Happy Easter ~

 

I finally started working on some hook pouches that I will take to the hook ins.  Made with antique cutter coverlets, they are lined and blanket stitched.

 

Hook pouch made from a piece of old paisley.  This one is machine and hand stitched.  The background wool was from my dye pot yesterday.  I normally don't dye over solid wool, but many years ago bought yardage of white Dorr wool.  I didn't stir much, so it came out quite mottled.

My arrow is finished :)  I really don't like hooking letters.  I think I hooked "in" three times.  First the spacing was wrong, then I just kept hooking the letters too big. 



The back went on a little easier than I anticipated.  I'm happy this project is done.

 

Little label.  I am not good at labeling my rugs, but am trying to do better.  I have a number of rugs hooked by others and have no idea who hooked them.

Easter blessings to all.  I hope your day is everything you hoped for ~ and more.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren