Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Hooker Hall of Fame~

 
 
Each year at the Kingwood Center hook-in, Katie chooses several hookers to be inducted in the the "Hooker Hall of Fame"
This year's inductees were Maddie . . .

 
Karen . . . 


I am so sorry but my mind has gone blank on inductee #3 . . .


and yours truly :)


Many wonderful rugs were displayed.  Sit back and enjoy the show.
 
This one is deceiving.  It was HUGE.


Hooked from her grandfather's photograph. 
I love the sepia tones.


 
 


Check out the detail.

Hooked with chenille.

 


 

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


Sunday, June 28, 2015

Kingwood Center Hook In ~



Katie Allman puts on the most wonderful hook in at Kingwood Center every June.  It is such a beautiful place to wander about, though the weather didn't allow for too much wandering.  Thankfully the rain can't stop the hookers :)  There were about 150 hookers in two buildings. 
 
 
This year's theme was Red, White and Blue.  We all received a wool firecracker . . .
 
 
. . . and were entertained throughout the day by Miss Liberty (aka Sue, one of the funniest hookers you will ever meet). 
 

 
Lots of good vendors.  (Sorry, I didn't get pictures of all of them).
 
Kris Miller, Spruce Ridge Studios, always has a beautiful booth.
 
 
Daisy, a pattern I purchased from Kris last year but have not yet hooked.  


I believe this vendor was Basket Treasures from Indianapolis.  Most of their goods were displayed in vintage suitcases and antiques.  What a couple of characters.


Linda Powell also had a fun display . . .


. . . and LeAnn's booth had such beautiful alpaca yarns.


Hooker friend Melissa and I shared a space.  Here are some of my goodies.


Close up of the antique paisley pendants I made.  Aren't the elephant and fish necklaces fun?

 
Melissa makes beautiful wool cuff bracelets adorned with bits of antique lace and buttons, sari ribbon, beads, etc.  Each is one of a kind.  
 

Some of the patriotic rugs displayed.  I believe the flag/soldier rug was voted to be the best patriotic rug.  Very touching.





It is so nice to spend time with like-minded individuals who all share the same love of hooking.  I had a number of people tell me they read and enjoy my blog and that just made my day.
 
I have more to share but will save that for another day.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren





Thursday, June 25, 2015

Remember that Old Saying?

 
 
The hurrier I go, the behinder I get?  That fits me to a "T".  I probably blog/complain about this at least a couple times a year . . . sigh.  In my next life, I will do better :)

I am vending at the Kingwood Garden hook in this weekend.  I thought I didn't have much to do to get ready.  WRONG.  I am still trying to get things made. 
 
My yard . . . ugh.  Between the lack of time, lack of ambition and the BUGS, I am way behind.
 
Blog reading?  One day I hope to catch up.
 
The hooked mat I can't show you?  Not making any progress . . . sigh again.  I also was hoping to hook another mat that I can't show you either.  Nope . . . not even on linen. 
 
Work . . . I am sure I will never get caught up.

BFF Wink was here for a visit this weekend.  We go waaaaay back.  We actually met in Spain in 1972.  She was a graduate student at Bowling Green State University and I was an undergrad participating in a summer abroad program.  We only get to see each other once or twice a year so it is always a treat to spend some time with her.  I caught the antique pox from her many decades ago so of course we  had to head to a couple antique shops.  I added a pug to my small but growing collection of Arnold Print works fabric pugs.  This one is straw stuffed and "much loved", meaning he has a few small holes :)  He is the guy on the second from bottom step.


He is a plump little fella.


For the longest time I have wanted a yarn winder but have resisted purchasing one because I really don't have room for one.  (Yes, my house is that full.)  Well, wouldn't you know, Wink was taking one to an antique shop to sell on consignment, so we made a trade.  I got the winder and I will hook her an Easter rug.  I'd say I got the better end of that deal.  Now to find a place for it.

 
Here is Wink all harnessed in getting ready to take her first flight in a small airplane.  As they are taking off she was a bit white-knuckled and mentioned that she is afraid of heights.  Once in the air she was fine.  It is a very different feeling than flying in a commercial jet.

 
Wink and her handsome pilot :)

 
And how is your life going?  Hopefully more smoothly than mine.
 
Thanks so much for stopping by and listening to me whine.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Simple Patriotic Project ~



Raid your kids/grandkids sports stuff.  Walk through a park where there are ballfields.  Check out yard sales (I found one for $.05 a couple weeks ago).  If the balls are dirty, just wash with some dish soap and let dry.  Barn red, antique white, dark blue acrylic paints, an antiquing medium and some spray sealer are all that is needed.
 
A few years ago I made one.  I tried to get my lines all straight and paint real stars.  Not this time and it was so much faster and so much more fun.


Close up of a star.  You can see how primitively they are done but still look great.

 
After painting, antique as desired.  Let dry thoroughly and give it a few light coats of the spray sealer.
 
Hope your weekend is off to a great start.  It's that time of year again near the shores of Lake Erie ~ Canadian soldier time.  Oh, how I despise these creatures, though they are supposed to be a good sign.  The more that hatch from the lake, the healthier the lake.
 

My clematis - exceptionally gorgeous this year.

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




Wednesday, June 17, 2015

It's Here ~



Not the 4th of July, but the arrival of Rebekah L. Smith's book.  Oh my.  It was worth the wait.
 
 
The book is chock full of eye candy.  Many full size patterns are included.  Supplies needed, stitches, hints, tips, how-to, instructions.  It is all there ~ and more.
Here are just a couple patterns.  (Please excuse the glare.)



I love this idea for storing bits of wool.

 
If you are new to wool applique or a seasoned veteran, this book is a must have.  You can sit for hours just drooling over her work.  This is one book you won't be sorry you bought.  (Available on Amazon.)
 
Thanks so much for stopping by. 
Pug hugs :)
Lauren