So Close ~

One of my favorite Valentine post cards. 
The little dog reminds me so much of my Ellie. 
Sure am missin' that little spitfire :(

 

But still not done.  I was sure I would finish this rug on Friday at Sauder, but I always underestimate how long it will take. 

 

Sauder as always was so much fun!!!  This is maybe our 5th year attending.  It's nice seeing familiar faces and getting to know new hookers.  And if you like to snack it was snack heaven.  I will be afraid to step on the scale in the morning.

 

This is what I had left to hook upon my arrival at Sauder.

At the end of the day on Friday.

 

So I was certain I would finish the hooking on Saturday.  Not quite.

Saturday night I did hook a bit more but still not done.

Haven't had time to work on it today.  DSO and I took a road trip today and this rug is just too cumbersome to work on in the car, but I did start a little mat.  I'll show that in another post.

 

I have more of Sauder to share in my next post.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

The Hurrier I Go ~

. . . the behinder I get.

 

There is absolutely no excuse why I am not packed and ready for Sauder.  Hooker friend Melissa is picking me up at noon thirty tomorrow.  Have I packed?  No.  Is my hooking stuff ready?  No.  Have I even decided what all I am taking to hook?  You guessed it.  No.  (But I do have my wine and snacks packed . . . grin.)  I know it will all come together and I'll be ready when she gets here, but in the mean time . . . 

 

I was sure I would be done with this rug before Sauder, but the hearts got me side-tracked, so I will be taking this along to finish.  I think I will also try to hook a couple more hearts.  I still better plan one more thing, just in case I am a hookin' fool.

 

 

Happy birthday to my Mom in heaven.  Today would have been her 97th birthday.  Love and miss you :)

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Can You Believe?

Thanks to all who entered my heart give-away.  I had 39 entries via comments and 6 via email.  I must say I was rather surprised by the winner.  I would describe this person as the hooker we all love to hate because of how much she accomplishes and by the wonderful rugs she hooks. 

How many have guessed that the winner is Saundra?  Saundra, I have no doubt that I will hear from you soon.  You have three days . . . tick, tick, tick :)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Done ~

The hearts are done though I am considering hooking a couple more.  If you are wondering how I finish them, I posted a little tutorial last year.  Click here to view.

 

 

 

I finally pulled a few loops on my rug.  I'm getting close to finishing and need to decide what to hook when I go to the Sauder Village retreat on Thursday.  I always agonize on what to take and of course wait until the last minute to decide.

 

 

Not much else going on.  I think winter has arrived in northern Ohio.  A bit of snow this morning and a chance for more all day.  Our winter has been very mild so far.  No complaints from me about that!  I'm still cleaning the basement.  I'm getting to the stuff I have no idea where to store but just can't part with it.  My curse . . . lol!

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

Two Down ~

Two to go.  The first heart is already with its new owner.  My Alabama sister (actually, my only sister) is visiting a friend in Ohio about an hour and a half from me, so we had the chance to get together the other day.  Being the nice sister that I am (grin), she got this very neutral "Betsy style" heart.

 

 

 

Here's the heart that I am giving away on Monday and here's where to enter.  It has been rather primitively given a patchwork back and "lumpy stuffed" with wool snippets and a small lavender pouch.  I do hope the winner will be pleased.  We're not talking fine stitching here :)

 

In person, you cannot see the linen backing
(showing as light spots in the picture).

 

 

While with my sister, we were able to visit Chagrin Valley Antiques in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.  I have been wanting to stop by for a long time, and was so happy we had the opportunity.  Diana, the proprietress, was a delight to chat with and offered some great deals.  This in an "antique shop" that truly carries "antiques".  Sadly, that is not often the case.  I'm sure many of you have been in antique malls with no real antiques to be found :(

 

This original surface chest of drawers, circa 1850, was something I just could not leave behind.  I'm not sure if this is where it will stay.  I had planned on putting it in my bedroom, but it's a little bigger than I thought is was. 

That's all that was coming home with me until Diana made me an offer I could not refuse on this circa 1870 treenware sewing spool holder.  She said it was possibly Shaker but could not verify.  The little sewing stand on top is Shaker, the only such piece I own.

No progress has been made on my rug.  I was hoping to have it done this weekend, but the hearts are the priority at the moment.  It's the journey, not the destination, right?

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

How Ironic ~

The red hooked heart was almost an afterthought.  How ironic that it seems to be the favorite.  So . . . I will be giving it away.  Most of you know the details.  Leave a comment on this post or send me an email with give-away in the subject line.  THE WINNER MUST CONTACT ME WITHIN THREE DAYS or another will be chosen.  A winner will be picked Monday sometime after noon.

 

Before and after ~

 

My first attempt at the bunny's ear.  Not enough contrast in the wools.

 

 

I added the beauty line.  It looked better in the picture than in person which isn't saying a lot.

Finally ~ this was actually the fourth attempt.  At first I used the dark grey in an 8 cut 3 rows wide.  Too fat, so I skinnied up the ear. 

I mentioned in a previous post that I liked the kitty's spot but not the legs.  Well, the comment at hooking was that I needed to add some straps since it looked like a backpack.

 

So . . . the spot is gone and the legs are the same dark grey as the bunny's ear.  Better, me thinks.  He doesn't look so "puss in boots" :)

 

 

I'm continuing to shovel out clean the basement.  This went to a local thrift shop today.  Hopefully much more will be going soon.

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Detour ~

A little hooking detour, that is.  No real progress on my rug since I decided to hook some "Heavens to Betsy style" hearts.  Hooked with hand torn strips about 1" wide, they will be backed with wool patchwork  and lightly stuffed with wool snippets and a lavender pouch.  If you need lavender, check out eBay seller lavenderandotheritems.  I got a half pound of Washington state grown lavender for only $12.50 which included shipping.  I could smell it as soon as I opened my mailbox.  Heavenly.

 

Here are the hearts I worked on.  They hook up very quickly, being about 10 1/2" high x 9 1/2" wide.  The back will take longer than the hooking, but they look so nice when done.

 

 

The wools that I used.  Both of these were cut across the stripe.

 

On the heart to the left, I cut the wool across the plaid.  The wool on the right it did not matter how it was cut.
 

 

Stay tuned.  I will be having another give-away soon and one of these hearts will be going to a new home.

 

Another beautiful day on Ohio's north coast.  Sunny most of the day.  Currently 57*.  I am lovin' it :)

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren