One Down, Three to Go ~

Woolkeepers Hook In, held annually in Danville, IN, is so much fun.  About 30 vendors selling a variety of items.  Mostly hooking related items, but also baskets, soaps, altered art, punch needle, applique patterns and more.  My sales were so-so, but I did too good a job supporting the other vendors :)

Melissa's and my booth.

I even remembered to take a few pictures of other booths.

I will be vending three more times this fall.  Almost too busy, but I must support my hooking/antiquing habits :)  I have three hooking classes at the beginning of October (OMG ~ 3 new rugs) and had chosen 2 of the three that I will be hooking.  I saw this one in the booth of Heavens to Betsy and fell in love, so this is what I will be hooking in Caroline Twigg's class.

This evening, I will be heading to southern Ohio to meet up with college friend Wink and tomorrow morning we will be heading for Franklin, TN, to spend a few days.  I hear it is a wonderful, historic town.  Kris Miller is having a rug camp there in October (that I am not attending ~ boo hoo ~ maybe next year).  Hopefully I will have lots to share upon my return.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Discombobulated ~

Tomorrow before the crack of dawn Melissa and I are heading to Danville, IN, to vend at the Woolkeepers hook in.  I thought I had my act together until last week when I realized that the hook in was this Friday eve and Saturday.  I knew the dates, but somehow it just did not register.  Today I am a crazy lady trying to get a few last minute things finished, organizing, packing and all the other good stuff that goes with vending.  

I have a hooked finish :)  Finally finished Diamonds in the Rough, a pattern by Woolen Memories.  The finished size is about 23 1/2" x 29".  I may coffee stain a few of the diamonds that look bright to me. 

I probably won't get to start binding for a couple weeks.  My trip to Franklin, TN, with college friend Wink, has been rescheduled for next week.  My head still feels about the same, but I know a concussion (though mild) can take time to heal.

My brother took this great pic of my frog the other day, but sadly I haven't seen him recently.  I was hoping he'd stick around. A little washed out, but you can really see the green on his face.

I had another visitor in my yard the other day.  I think he's trying to mimic the colors of the sedum.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

September 1 ~

I, for one, am not happy for it to be September :(  I do enjoy fall . . . it's what comes after that I really hate don't like.  Since life goes on whether I like it or not, Happy Labor Day.

I finally have a finish to share.  Actually the stitching was done a couple weeks ago, but never got around to posting.  It's a pattern by Lori Rippey, 1776 Patriotic Eagle.  You can find the pattern here.  When I cross stitch, I prefer stitching samplers, but knew this would be a perfect Christmas gift.  I don't think I have ever done so much frogging.  (I had to ask why it's called frogging.  It's because you rip it, rip it, rip it.)  I was often one thread or one X off.  Thankfully I would check often so didn't have to frog large areas, but had to do it often.  The design being so symmetrical did not allow for error. 

Speaking of frogs, this little guy has been hanging out in my little pond for a few days.  A first for me.  I hope he sticks around.  Hard to see, but he has a green smile.

I've been so busy getting consignment orders of my jewelry completed, that until a few days ago did not realize that the Woolkeepers' hook in was this next weekend.  I knew the dates, but it just didn't quite register.  Now I'm frantically trying to get things made/finished up.  September and October are crazy busy months.  

I am close to finishing the rug I started at my Millersburg retreat early in August.  I've used 99% worms and small bits of wool (just cut wool for the basket) and I have not made a dent in the worm farm.  I do believe they multiply while we sleep.  Ignore the extra line.  I was going to reduce the size of the top to match the size of the bottom, but then the diamonds would have been too wonky.

I'll leave you with this gorgeous sunset.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Last but not Least ~

Donna Hrkman is an award-winning artist and writer who teaches rug hooking classes and workshops around the U.S.  She has illustrated catalogs and books, designed her own line of primitive stencils, and was a fabric designer.  She is known for her hooked portraits and intricate hooked designs.

Donna's rug are amazing to see in person.  This is one of my all-time favorite rugs.  It has been displayed at Sauder in years past.

Some other rugs that have also been at Sauder over the years.

My favorite rug this year at Sauder was another masterpiece by Donna.

Isn't this rug incredible?  It gives me chills.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Happy National Dog Day ~

I stole this from Jennie's blog.  It just warms my heart.

And what is better than a Pugs & Kisses pic?

Happy National Dog Day from Ernestine.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

More Sauder ~ but not Rugs

There was much more than rugs this year at Sauder.  There were 3D hooked items, furniture, and needle felted items.  Lots and lots of fun stuff :)  

 

I have one more rug to share in my next post.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren