17# of Mean ~

Little Miss Molly ~ what can I say?  This sweet face is deceiving.  

She is momma's girl.  She likes people, except for the mail carriers!  Our regular carrier tries so hard to make up to her.  He calls her his little princess.  Other dogs are the problem.  She hates them all.  It doesn't matter their size . . . she thinks she is a big dog.  She wants to kill and one day when we were outside she went after a German shepherd.  Not good.

It has been almost three years since I adopted her.  She is 11-12 ish.  Poor dear has a serious medical condition known as pug myelopathy, but that's a post for another day 😢

I have gotten a bit hooked on Fierce Lion.  I hope to have his body hooked soon and will share him at that time.  I did finish one small hooked mat.  A Christmas gift so I can't show it, but here is a peek of one of the corners.

I'm off to the final hook in of the year (though I do have a retreat coming up in November) tomorrow.  Wish me good sales!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Caroline Twigg Class~

This is either the 4th or 5th class I have had with Caroline Twigg of Eagles Nest Woolens.  She is just lots of fun!  I thought I had taken a few more pictures, but I guess I did not.  Typical me.  A few of the class projects.

I chose to hook Fierce Lion.  I am loving him!  Just a funky guy.  These are comments I got from a couple of my friends.  "Interesting."  "Really different."  I get the impression they are not impressed 😁  His butt is just too cute.

This is the third class I have had this year and none of the rugs are nearing completion.  Plus I am about half done with a hooked Christmas gift that I am unable to share.  I think I need to get hooking!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Third Time is the Charm ~

Thanks to all for the suggestions for Pumpkin Man's stem.  It was suggested to be darker ~ and twisty.  I am much happier and can live with this.  (Of course color still is not great 😢)

I have been on a wait list for months for a class this Thursday and Friday with Caroline Twigg.  I did not anticipate getting in but yesterday got word there was a last minute cancellation.  Thankfully another hooker from northern Ohio is going, so I can hitch a ride with her (though DSO must take me to meet her VERY early in the morning).  My Molly sitter was available, too, so I guess it was meant to be.  Of course I always wait until the last minute before a class to pack, but usually decide on a pattern more than three days ahead.  I went to my pattern stash and nothing said "pick me!" and no time to decide on one and put it on linen.  I will choose one of Caroline's patterns when I get there, but it does make it hard knowing what wools to take along.

I had a follow up appointment with the orthopedic doctor this morning.  He said for someone "my age" I am healing well.  That was good to hear but another three weeks in this darn boot.  He did say I could carefully ease in to driving, so next week I will give it a try.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Help!

I liked Kimm's suggestion of a twisty pumpkin stem, so this is what I ended up with.  I like it a bit better, but???   Still not sure.

Here is what he would (sort of) look like stem-less.

Thoughts are much appreciated 😁

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Pumpkin Man ~

I am getting so frustrated with my lousy picture taking ability!  I took this one to show that I had to add fabric all around in order for it to fit on my frame.  On the right side the linen was fraying quite a bit.  Fray check to the rescue.

Marly was wondering about the wool used for the ruffles.  It is this cool wool that is perfect for hooking a chicken.

Pumpkin Man's colors look so much better in person!  I am not sure yet what I am doing with the stem on his head.  I thought about either making it smaller or eliminating it all together.  Any thoughts?

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

Halloween & Fall Hooked Pieces ~

When I first started hooking, I hooked totally alone and it was in the very early stages of me being online.  I drew all my own patterns and they were very small.  Here area few of my early pieces.

These next mats, I am just not able to get a good color.  The greens just aren't showing up properly no matter what light I put them in.

Jack's Crow, a pattern by Winter Cottage Studio.  Probably my favorite Halloween rug.

Pattern by Spruce Ridge Studios.

Fun pumpkin rug from a class at the 2011 ATHA Biennial (in Lancaster, PA) with Maria Barton of Star Rug company.

A free pattern given to students in a class I took a number of years ago.  I made it in to a pocket . . . and forgot to add some flowers.

A fall mat I received in a blog swap many years ago!

Purchased on eBay many years ago, I think I show this every year.  I absolutely LOVE it 💖

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren

At Long Last ~

I finally have had hook in hand!!!  Actually feels so good 😁  I started hooking Pumpkin Man, a pattern by DG.  I asked on Facebook if anyone had any idea who DG was, and she/he remains a mystery. 

The margins on the pattern . . . what can I say?  On either side they are only about an inch.  A little more on the top and bottom.  Now any hooker will know it is impossible to hook it on a frame with so little a margin.  

Had I thought ahead, I would have transferred the pattern to another piece of linen and then used the reverse side of this piece to draw something else.  You know what they say about hindsight!  Even adding muslin to the pattern to allow me to use it on my frame, I will have to make the pattern a bit smaller so I will have enough linen to turn back before binding.  Live and learn, but the pattern was a bargain at only $5.

Pumpkin Man's body is hooked.

Not yet sure what I am going to do with his face, so I plan to work on some background next.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren