GiNGeRBReaD MeN

I started getting out some of my Christmas decorations. These adorable gingerbreadmen are a new addition for me this year. I found them at a garage sale this past summer. I think I paid a whopping $1.50 for the entire set! The person was downsizing and getting rid of all her craft items/supplies. I really didn't need any of the supplies, but was happy to take these.

I've been hooking on my rug the past few days. I have everything but the background done. I still want to get a more muted blue for the flowers, but will need to decide on where to get the background wool. I'm thinking of an antique black background. I want lots of different variations in it. I'm thinking several different textures/plaids all overdyed the same black. I don't know of anyone who would carry 5 different textures. I've found a couple sellers that sell 3 textures, but I'm not sure if that's enough variation. Anyone have any suggestions for sellers? Something that has black, tan, and hints of possibly green? I'll end up using the wool to bind the edges, too. That way it's guaranteed to match the background.

It's been back to school/work for me after having last week off. I do have to say it's nice going back to a job I enjoy. I really enjoy working with the kids, and we have a great class this year. It's low pay, but the hours are good and it's close to home. =)

~*~ Laura ~*~

Not a Creature Was Stirring, Not Even a Mouse

I just finished a whole bunch of these mouse ornies! Photos don't do them justice, as they are much cuter in person. I might be listing some on Ebay soon, so I'll keep you posted. Now that this project is completed, it's back to the rug I've been working on.

For Thanksgiving, our family went to my parent's for dinner. Today, I stayed home from shopping. (with the exception of a trip to Ace Hardware) I didn't want to deal with crowds and getting up at the crack of dawn. I guess there wasn't anything that I saw on the ads that made me want to deal with the Black Friday chaos.

This past week has flown by too quickly. But, only 3 more weeks of school until I get 2 weeks off for Christmas. I now need to take down the fall decorations, and start putting up the Christmas ones. Guess that's my project for the remainder of the weekend.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

~*~ Laura ~*~

Turkey Time!

I just finished punching this turkey for Thanksgiving! I love this pattern, as it has SO many different shades of orange in it. The person I'm making this for wanted the date changed, so I used this year, instead of an older date. I just need to paint the hornbook and mail it off to her.

My next big project is going to be a bunch of mouse ornies from this pattern from Country Stitches. I always like to make one, and then see how I want to change the materials. Since I don't have any wool roving, I'm already thinking of using some of that fakey wool stuff. This will keep me busy this week.

I don't have work this week, as it's parent teacher conferences. Aides don't go to them, so I'm off. It means no $, but I'll like the extra time to get these projects completed. Plus, I have to start my Christmas shopping list. I'm really behind, as I was battling colds for the past several weeks. (gotta love working with germy kids!)

I had a neighbor drop off some wool fabric today. It was left over from her neighbor's garage sale, and they knew I'm into wool lately. I'm not sure if all of it is 80-100% wool, but it looks like a couple pieces are. I'll have to wash and dry it to see how it washes up. For free, it's worth a try!

~*~ Laura ~*~

My new Oxford Punch!

On Saturday, I went to a rug hooking class. The teacher invites back previous students to encourage new students and do a show and tell. While I was there, I started hooking more of my rug. I finished the flowers, and started the leaves. I'm not sure I like the blues that I picked out for the flowers. They are very pretty blues, but I think I might need something a little more toned down/primitive. I'll wait to see how the leaves look before I decide to change anything.

Friday night I went to the football game to see Matt in the marching band. James brought a couple friends so they could hang out at the game. It was cold, but we won and advanced to the next round. Andrew and Rachel went to a Svengoolie appearance. For those not familiar with Svengoole (a Chicago area celebrity), he plays horror films, and makes fun of them. Andrew brought a rubber chicken to be autographed. I think this made his entire year!

Now onto the really cool news ~ I got an Oxford punch needle. It's been sitting in the shop, just waiting for me to purchase it. I figure I know how to punch needle and now rug hook, so this is a combination of the two.



I don't want to use wool yarn, but strips of wool from rug hooking. This is my first attempt without reading any instructions. I just need to work on spacing, and make sure to punch all the way to the handle.

The gold was punched with a #8 cut (1/4" wide). I then wanted to see what a #6 cut looked like. The loops a a bit higher, but I like them higher. This will be fun to play with once I'm done with the couple projects that I'm working on. I just wish there were a few more hours in each day!

~*~ Laura ~*~

Goodies!

Last evening, I went in search of some candle rings for my dining room chandelier. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to locate them. Guess the stores don't carry them. So, not wanting to wait to order and ship some, I made my own. I found some berry branches at Hobby Lobby, twisted them into a ring, and placed them on the chandelier candles. Since the candles hang high, no one will see the twisted wire ~ only the berries hanging down. Best part ~ they were 40% off!



I started a Thanksgiving turkey punch needle for a special order. I loved punching this pattern last year. This one will be done with 3 strands, and I changed the date to this year.


Today, the mailman brought me my package of wool that I ordered from Ram in the Thicket! Yipee! http://raminthethicket.ecrater.com/ I found Susan's site while browing for rug hooking wool. Best part is that you can purchase a small amount, as in a 3x18 strip of wool. No need to buy 1/8, or 1/4 yard, when you only need a small amount. It's a great way to get a few shades closely matched. I can't wait to cut and start hooking with this! It's for my floral rug that I started.

Now to see if I can get my photos uploaded. I've tried several times, and blogger won't upload photos for me. Finally got the photos to upload!

*~* Laura ~*~

Happy Monday!

Only 1 more week until we get all the trick or treaters. I've been a scrooge this year, and haven't really decorated for fall. Just a couple door hangers on the front doors and a few bowl fillers. (like my Frankenstein faces above) I don't like to do corn stalks anymore, as it attracts mice, squirrels, and raccoons. We've even had outdoor pumpkins eaten by critters. We certainly don't need more of them around!

I finally got my camera working today. My SD card was stuck on "locked", so I was unable to take photos. Got a new card tonight, and I'm good to go. I realized that there was only 1 choice available for SD cards, as my camera won't accept the HD cards. (yep, I have an older Canon, but it works and I like it. I'll use it until it dies) This is my rug that I've been working on. I didn't get anything accomplished this past week, as cold season hit my household. But, now that we're feeling better, I ordered more wool for the flowers/leaves. Can't wait for it to arrive!

While I'm waiting for my new wool, I also have been re-working the bird rug. I didn't like the background, so I tore out several rows and re-hooked them. I'm still thinking of doing something different with the wing. It just doesn't stand out enough.
I have a pile of worms that I tore out. I would like to re-use them, but will need to iron them to flatten them out. Anyone have any good techniques for doing this?

~*~ Laura ~*~

Playing hookie

I'm playing hookie from work today. (ok, a personal day) Couldn't ask for more gorgeous weather! I need to spend some time this afternoon working on my rug. I started the flower this week. I LOVE the red flower. It's 2 barn red wools, but different plaids. (click on the photo, and you will enlarge it to see more detail) It really gives nice dimension to the piece.


Last night I looked out our patio doors and saw something crawling out of our neighbor's shed. I had to see what's there now. ( we've had foxes, skunks, and raccoons)


Still a raccoon. A really BIG raccoon. Might make a nice coon skin cap for my son. =)

I'm off to wash the car in the gorgeous weather!

~*~ Laura ~*~