Friday Finishes

Here's my first finished rug hooking project. It's a small 8x8 rug. Once I blocked it, it really started to lay flat and get a nice finished appearance. (oops the photo is sideways!)

I've also been working on a table runner this week. I need to sew the backing and the hearts on. This project is for me. I think it would look nice on my living room coffee table, which is an antique cedar chest. It's a little late for Valentine's Day, but I could say I'm working ahead for next year!
I received a rug hooking pattern that I ordered. It's a smaller mat size, and simple enough for beginners. Plus, I think I have enough wool colors to complete it. The pattern is drawn on monks cloth, so I'll try hooking on that and compare it to burlap.

I will also be working on another table runner. I saw the pattern in the quilt shop when I was taking the rug hooking class. I need to get the pattern enlarged, so that the runner will fit on the dining room table. I'm thinking a black background with a lighter tan basket. I'll have to see what I have in my laundry basket of wool. I'm hoping I have enough thrift store black to do the background. I keep trying to buy wool skirts/pants when I see them at my local thrift store. After some trial and error, I'm getting pretty good at picking out which wools will felt up nicely. I just wish I could find more plaids at dirt cheap prices. They are tough to find.


This afternoon, I saw the 2 guys on the deck. Had to get at least one photo. They got really mad when we tried to chase them out of the deck. So..... off to Ace Hardware to get a trap. Tomorrow I'll spread peanut butter on the trap lever, and leave it out. I'm sure it will be easy to catch one. I just need to find a place to let it go ~ somewhere FAR away from here. I don't want them back and chewing through the screens again.

~*~ Laura ~*~

The war continues

This is one of the squirrels that's currently trying to build a nest on our screened deck. I caught him/her running away to a neighbor's tree. I tried stapling more screen material to the area, but the stupid squirrels chewed through the new screen and brought in more grass for their nest. I've caught 2 of them ~ I'm thinking male/female. I certainly don't want baby squirrels on the deck. Next step is to live trap them and take them for a drive. Now to round up a trap this weekend.....


Last Sunday was the Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquet. It was held at a local banquet hall (they clean up the mess!) The entertainment was a Native American storyteller. He brought in hides for the kids to sit on, and lots of artifacts. I was amazed at how quietly all the kids sat and listened. They really enjoyed listening to him. The totem poles were a painting project the boys did before the banquet. It's milk jugs painted and put on poles for display. Made for a nice photo op!
My youngest, James (2nd from the left) crossed over from Cub Scout to Boy Scouts. Why can't he just stay little??

I finished my rug, and will get a photo tomorrow (hopefully). I'm just a little behind on uploading photos and videos ~ and trying to figure out how to remove the squirrels!

~*~ Laura ~*~

It's war!

I've declared war! No, against my family, but a squirrel that is trying to build a nest on our screened deck. Last summer there were some tears in a couple screens, but in attempts to get great fox photos (remember the fox family last summer?), I didn't repair the screens. So, now that the weather is warmer, the squirrels are busy. Duck tape fixes everything, so out came the duck tape. And a little blue painters tape, too.

Here's where the squirrel was attempting to bring in grass to build the nest- at the top corner. We'll see if my duck tape will fix the problem.

A couple projects I've been working on. It's the Cub Scout blue and gold banquet on Sunday. I created a program/booklet with photos of the past year's activities. Makes a nice keepsake for the boys. I also was busy cutting paper for place cards.


I have my next rug hooking class tomorrow afternoon. It's for binding/finishing the rug. I couldn't find an exact match of yarn, so I opted for a yarn to match the heart. I'm not concerned on this rug, as it's more of a learning how to put it together project. I did order a pattern for my next rug. It's a small oval with a saltbox house on it. I liked the design, plus, I already have the colors of wool to complete it. I can't wait to get it in the mail!

Have a great weekend!

~*~ Laura ~*~

Ebay dilemma

I've been quiet this week, as I haven't worked on anything. I've picked up a few extra hours being a substitute bus aide at school, so I'm not home as much. I have been working on a program/souvenier booklet for the Cub Scout blue and gold banquet, which is next week.

I do have a couple listings on Ebay that are expiring today. Once in a while I browse through other punch pieces that are listed. I love seeing what others are creating and admire their work. But, a couple listings caught my eye, simply because they looked really similar to things I had done. Not just copying patterns, but variations, and one original. This seller hasn't quite spelled out that they punched the piece, but they have tons of items listed. I know it would be impossible to finish that many items, even if you craft for 8 hours a day. One listing has already disappeared or was a buy it now (I don't remember). One listing is still there. Do I send a note to the seller to give me credit for it? Anyone else see their items, too?

~*~ Laura ~*~

Last night I finished hooking my first rug! I tried to get my initials in the corner, but I think I needed to make them a little big larger. Guess I'll have to make another rug and try again! I do have a pattern in mind, but still need to order it. I can't find any monks cloth at the store other than the really large kind. Maybe I'll try my local cross stitch shop and see if they carry any.


I just listed this cupboard hanger on Ebay this afternoon. I like the black background better than the white one, but I might change my mind tomorrow and like the white one better.


James went to Eagle Cave last night with Cub Scouts. Just what boys love~ crawling around in dirt. :-)

~*~ Laura ~*~

The Great Chicago Bilzzard ~ 2011

It's all over the news ~ Snowmegaddon in Chicago. Although I'm about 50 miles NW of the city, we got hit. This is what I saw when I opened my front door this morning. Some reports say we got 18-20 inches of snow last night. Snow, along with thunder and lightening. And more snow. And this was after I was out snow blowing at about 8pm last night.



My youngest, James, tried to clear a path out the front door.




All the drifts in front of the garage door. Well over a 1/3 of the way up the door.

I'm now VERY tired from doing several hours of snow blowing. Not the easy kind where you just walk behind it, but pushing and pulling the snowblower since the snow was so deep. I had plans of doing some rug hooking, but that will have to wait, as my shoulder and hands are too tired.

Last night, I almost finished the punch needle piece. Just need to add a couple more rows of black around the border, then create a pinkeep from it. Hope to get that one on Ebay soon.

Hope you're all staying warm!

~*~ Laura ~*~