Cluck Ewe ~

I made my annual trek to Sauder Village today.  It is rug week.  Classes, workshops, gallery talks and so much more.  One of these years I am going to go for more than a day.  The rug show is nothing like you've ever seen.  SO MUCH talent in one room. Hundreds of rugs.  It is absolutely amazing to experience. 

Crooked River Rug Hookers had a rug challenge for the show.  "All Things Chicken" could be whatever you wanted it to be . . . just so somehow it was chicken related.  There were no restrictions as to size, materials used, etc.  Sadly though many initially showed enthusiasm, only seven of us participated.  I think because of our limited number of hooked pieces, we were relegated to an area facing a wall where the lighting wasn't very good.  Kudos to CRRH member Rita for organizing this.

Here is my little rug.  I half expected it to be pulled from the show for offending someone.  I mean, we must be so politically correct 😬  It was a paper pattern I found on Facebook many years ago by a designer called Thought Blossoms.

I have many rugs to share in the coming days.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

Am I Just Cheap?

I wear a St. Peregrine medal 24/7.  The jump ring that came with it was really flimsy and the medal would occasionally fall off the chain.  (I actually lost one that way and DSO gifted me another . . . only to months later find the original.)  Anyway, I digress.  So, I finally decided to head to the local jeweler to have them replace the jump ring.  (I have jump rings, but the diameter is too large to fit on the medal.)  I asked what the charge would be and I was told "minimal" and they would also look at the clasp.  Well, I pick it up and the charge is $15.00 plus tax.  I don't call that minimal!!!  When I questioned her, she replied that she doesn't know of anyone who would have done it for less.  (Plus they never looked at the clasp!)  If that is a minimum charge, be upfront and tell the customer, but I was told the cost would be minimal.  I was NOT a happy camper and will never return to that store.  Lesson learned . . . ask what minimal really is.

I am still trying to get a few things finished for vending next week.  It is not a hook in so I hope I am not making things in vain.  I price my things less than the $100 - $125 a square foot, but I don't have much luck in selling things.  Here are a few of the finishes so far.

I did not do the patchwork back on the hand torn pumpkins like I have in the past.  I just used the same wool to bind them.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Nurse Ratched Update ~

I keep forgetting to give you a quick little update on DSO's surgery.  Day 5 post op seemed to be the turnaround day.  A few days after that he figured out how he was able to pick up dog poop 😁 and tie his shoes.  MAJOR events that lessened my nursing duties.  Whew!  I really wasn't cut out to be a nurse.  All was well at his first post op appointment and he is driving and doing most of what he did pre surgery ~ without the pain.  Thanks for all your prayers and for all the emails checking to see how he was doing.

I am hooking, but nary a loop has been pulled on The Poser since class in June.  I am trying to get a few things made to sell at an upcoming vending opportunity.  Here they are in various stages of completion.

I thought I would primitively applique a few pumpkins and attach to old coverlet pieces.  This is my first attempt. They will just be finished as a mat to throw on the table.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

One Man's Trash ~

 ~ is another woman's treasure 😁  The house at the other end of the block is being emptied, and this morning while walking Molly, I happened to see this bicycle in the dumpster that was sitting in the driveway.  I took Molly home and went back to retrieve the treasure.  Thankfully I was able to lift it out (it was like a half dumpster so only a few feet tall) and wheel it home, flat tires and all.  Won't it look great in the yard?

A few more pics from around the yard.  This one was taken a couple weeks ago while the lilies were in bloom.

And a few pics from today ~

My teeny tiny pond.  The little fish I bought died and so did my water plant.  Maybe I'll have better luck next year.

My son's old workboots.  First time in many years I planted them.  I used to plant hen and chicks in them, but the squirrels dug them out every time so I had given up.    

A sweet gift from a sweet friend.

I grew up on a small farm but have never planted my own veggies.  This year I decided to get 6 tomato plants.  I was so excited when I started seeing little green tomatoes and even more excited to see this.

Well . . . every darn tomato is hard and green on the inside.  Maybe they are not getting enough sun because I have to keep them inside the fence so the deer leave them alone?  Overwatering?  Underwatering?  I'm crying uncle.  My farming days are over!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

A Walk Around the Yard ~

Really not much to blog about, so here are some pictures I took today in the yard.  It was overcast so some of the pictures are quite blah.  With all the rain we have had this summer (yippee) the gardens have gone crazy.  Now we desperately need some rain.  Today was the first day I spent watering perennials.

My sweet mom had purchased this metal wheelbarrow for me many years ago at a yard sale.  

A little sunflower that has gone crazy.  

I can't say enough good things about the Bubblegum petunia.  It has grown like crazy and it was just from two 5" pots.  I will definitely look for it again next year.

A sunflower started from seed.

I have no idea what this giant flower is.  (I don't have a plant identifier ap.  I really need one!)  It is about 7'-8' tall.  From a friend.

It has the coolest flower.

One of the few annuals I actually have planted in the ground.  Other than in pots, wagon, wheelbarrow, etc., I avoid annuals.

Once again the little sunflower plant and black eyed Susans.  If you need any Susans, I have plenty to spare . . . 😁

Thanks so much for joining me on the tour.

Pug hugs 😊

Lauren

The Power of Plaid ~

This pumpkin* was hooked with handtorn strips.

Only one wool was used.  I must say I love the way it came out!

*DISCLAIMER:  I am not anxious for fall to get here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Millersburg Rugs ~

So many wonderful rugs were being worked on at the Millersburg retreat.  I took more pictures than normal, but still missed some of the rugs.

Show and tell . . . completed rugs that were brought and shared.

Stubbs' Runner ~ so long I had to take two pictures.

I have this reproduction pattern.  One day I need to think about hooking it 😁

This rug was completed at the retreat.  Beautiful colors!

And another retreat finish.

Some of the rugs being worked on ~

So much talent!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren