It's a Small World . . .

. . . and getting smaller all the time.

 

Last week I got an email from a blog reader named Kim.  No, not Kim of Millie's Mats or Kim of My Field of Dreams.  This was just Kim.  She told me of an auction she found on eBay that was a pug pin cushion and when she saw it she thought of me.  Well, I wouldn't call it a pin cushion and neither would Kim, but it was a sweet little stuffed pug.  Old and tattered.  I already had one that size in much better shape, but the current high bid was low in my opinion, so I placed my bid sure I would not win him.  Lo and behold, I got him for a great price.  He fits in just fine with my pug family.  The new pug baby is in the middle.

 

One of several repairs.  He was well loved :)

 

 

Now the ironic part is that I had no idea where Kim was from and she sends me an email telling me she is going to her very first hook-in in Navarre, Ohio, and has no idea who the vendors will be.  Here's the small world part.  That is the hook-in where I was going to vend, so I had the pleasure of meeting her and thanking her in person for sending me the auction information.

 

The Arbonne party went well, me thinks, but I am happy it is over.  If you've never heard of it, we were told that in the U.S. there is only 1% brand recognition.  I like the fact that the products are all made in the U.S.A. and are vegan certified.  (No, I am not a vegetarian or vegan or will ever be.)  That just means they contain no animal fats or animal bi-products and in addition no product testing is done on animals 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

That Darned Butt Spot ~

 

I thank everyone for their input on the butt spot.  I decided to change the shape just a little and color-wise make it less obvious.  I also skinnied up his back leg.  Woo hoo!  It is already bound with some wonderful, chunky wool from Ali Strebel.  I love her wool for binding rugs.  I think he's sweet if I do say so myself :)

 

I am so not a party girl and hate asking people to buy something from me, but my son's girlfriend just started selling Arbonne products and asked if I'd have a spa party.  I almost said no but thought that very rude, so tomorrow is the day.  I hope she has a successful evening.

 

This weekend will be another busy one . . . sigh.  One antique show, one fall festival and working the Ohio Pug Rescue booth at the Oberlin, Ohio Doggie Do.  That should about take care of my weekend.  But next week, I have ME TIME.  A hooking retreat in Lakeside, Ohio.  3+ days of hooker fun.  I am so looking forward to it.  I went last year and it was wonderful.  Hookers are the nicest people!!!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren



Another Weekend Bites the Dust ~

 

Oh, these weekends just fly by much too quickly.  Another busy one for me :)

 

Saturday was a hook-in in Navarre, Ohio, put on by the Fort Laurens Rug Crafters.  So many wonderful vendors (and I was lucky to be one of them).  Just a sampling of the beautiful wool.

 

 

The featured hooker was Betty Kurtz.  She is 91 years young and still hooking.

 

Here is a sampling of her beautiful work.

Hooker Deb was working on this rug started in a Barbara Carroll class during rug week at Sauder Village.  The colors are so much richer in person.

Not that I need another rug pattern, but I love this pattern by Lana Omlor of Humble Rugs.  I "need" to buy this soon.

And how could I not buy some luscious wools and this wool yarn?



It was a wonderful hook-in.  I am thankful I was asked to vend ~ anything to help support my habit . . . lol.

 

Today was spent on the shores of Lake Erie at Whiskey Island Marina.  I was heading up the OPR booth at the Mutt Strut & Mingle/PAW-ject Runway.  Thankfully the weather co-operated, lots of people fawned over the pugs (Loocie, Posey and Tai Chi) and we made some $$ for rescue.

It's been a while since I've gotten on my soapbox, so . . . If you are looking for a pet, be it a cat, dog, even a skunk, DON'T SHOP, ADOPT.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

NEVER FORGET ~

 

May God Bless

America

 

Hugs :)
Lauren

On the Frame ~

Good evening, dear friends.  It is a wonderful, rainy evening here in northern Ohio.  We so need the rain.  I think I can hear my lawn rejoicing :)  On the other hand, this little miss won't be too happy when it's time to go out.  She HATES to get wet.  (Oops.  Need to wipe her eyes.)

 

 

I started hooking this sweet little rug this evening.  I swear I put in on linen a couple months ago, but it is nowhere to be found, so I drew up another one.  I'm sure I'll find the other one soon.  Murphy's Law, you know.  It is a pattern by Polly Minick from her book American Summer.  The pattern called for it to be enlarged 400%, but I did much less, though I don't remember what.  It measures about 10 1/2" x 22 1/2".  Polly's whale is white.  Mine is almost white but there are bits of color in the wool.  It is much lighter than I would normally hook, but it is a gift so I didn't want it too drab looking.

 

 

I still haven't decided on the butt spot on my cat mat.  I'm leaning towards changing it.  Kelly suggested changing it to grey, but I couldn't find a grey I thought would work.  I just posted it on Facebook and the consensus seems to be for a change.  I'll keep you posted.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Monday Already?

 

What a crazy, busy weekend, but as I've said, I bring it upon myself. 

 

Saturday I headed to the Harvest at the Mill show in Holly, MI.  What a wonderful show.  It's so funny because I could head to a show a half hour from home and not know as many people as I knew there.  I had a limited amount of time to spend there, and had a hard time trying to see everything because I spent most of my time yacking, and I really am not a yacker . . . lol!  And I am so sorry I never even took one picture :(  I could have been really bad, but with my upcoming hooking retreats, I tried to restrain myself.  I did buy this coverlet piece for me . . .

 

. . . and this fabric covered box from Bobbie, the Evening Stitcher, because it has my initials on it, though backwards. 

 

 

Other than that, I did find some silverplate teaspoons for a reasonable price (yeah) and these typewriter keys.  I am just kicking myself.  Maybe 13 years ago I sold an old typewriter ~ that was before I ever saw the cool things they do with the old keys.  Just about every time I sell something old I regret it.  That's probably why my attic is out of control . . . lol!  Also a couple Christmas gifts that I can't show.

 

 

I got to spend some time talking with Earlene.  She had some wonderful antiques in her booth.  I did buy one of the Christmas gifts from her.  I also met Marie, better known as Olde Lady Morgan.  She and hubby were just as sweet as can be.  Both Bobbie and Marie have shared some great pictures of the show on their blogs.

 

Sunday morning Jake and I headed to the Akron, OH, Zoo, treated by dear friend Dolly.  It is a smaller zoo, but lots of fun.  Thanks so much Dolly.  You are a special friend :)

 

Jake going down the slide that runs through the river otter tank.

 

Jake showing off some of his smashed pennies.  In California, I found a smashed penny album.  I had not seen those before.  The pennies are great souvenirs for only $.51 each and more and more places now have the machines.

 

Grizzly Ridge is the zoo's newest attraction.  Jake and the grizzly were separated by only a pane of glass.  Too cool :)

His favorite was the Komodo dragon, though it just laid there.

These jellyfish known as Pacific Sea Nettles were just fascinating to watch.

 

Isn't this sweet?

Jake and Dolly.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Butt Spot ~

 

Should it stay or should it go?  I can't decide.  In person, the background is more subtle, but I can't get a good pic to save my soul.

 

 

This is going to be a crazy, busy weekend.  I would like nothing better than to stay home, but it isn't meant to be.  Every weekend in September is super busy.  UGH, but I bring it upon myself.  Tomorrow we are off to Michigan for DSO's daughter's 40th birthday celebration.  Since I will almost be in the neighborhood on Saturday, I will here.  I hope I don't find much I can't live without.  I need to be saving my cash for my upcoming hooking retreats :)

 

 

Will return home Saturday evening and Sunday morning it is off to the Akron Zoo with grandson Jake and friend Dolly.  Sunday evening is a cookout and then in too few hours it will be Monday and back to work. 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren