Just found out...

that one of my Wool Lover Journals has been nominated to this weeks Etsy Storque! The polls are open until Sunday...won't you please hop in over and cast your vote?!?!
http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=61
Many Thanks ~Laurie

Just arrived...

Aren't they lovely! I'm working on getting these on the website tonite! I washed up several fat quarters of each on Thursday nite...YUM YUM! Yesterday and today (and I'm afraid for the next few days) were spent rearranging the studio to make room for all the bolts!!! It's turned into a MAJOR re-do of my back work area...it's amazing how much clutter has accumulated in 6 years!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend! ~L

Tootin” My Own Horn...and hoping I don’t blow it...

First, I must admit I’ve always been a bit “different”. When all my girl friends were reading the fashion mags and those with the news of the latest teen idol...(see I don’t even remember the titles)...I was reading Early American Life. When everyone in the neighborhood was out playing softball or kickball...(does anyone play that anymore?)...I preferred to be stitching or hooking!

For many years I’ve wanted to enter my work into EAL's Directory of Traditional Crafts competition. But, between running the business and keeping the home fires burning, well, I’ve just never had what I thought were appropriate pieces at the time of the deadlines.

In May a customer came in to the studio and wanted a kit for my Twinkle Tree pattern. We chose a color plan a bit more primitive than the original I had hooked in 2001. While I was cutting the wool for her kit...I decided to hook this design again, with a scrappy background and bits of vintage paisley. This was one of those projects that was meant to be...you know the kind that just seem to come together effortlessly...and quickly!

Early in June I was poking around on the net...browsing on EAL’s website I saw the “call for entry” for the Holiday Directory was still open...the deadline was June 15th. I could DO this! I needed another mat...holiday theme....hmmm. I called my friend Bernadette. She’s an amazing photographer, and just happened to owe me for mending a beautiful kimono years ago when our kids were in grade school. If I got the rugs hooked...would she do her magic with the photos???

Well...today the call came...

”Your work was selected as being of the highest quality. We would be pleased to feature a photo of your work, Christmas Goose Rug, in the Christmas 2009 issue of the magazine.”

So off to the PO I ran! I still don’t have all the info...and I’m floating with excitement...but I’m sure to have updates on this...

For now I’m not going to post a full pic of Goosey...this was an in progress pic I posted early in June.

Thanks for letting me toot! ~L

Roosters Update

Had a little hooking time last evening...

I SO want this rug done...but have had little time to work on it. I've been working on the border simply because I cut wool for it to take on our mini vacation to Duluth...of course no hooking time there! I did get a few loops pulled at 3rd Thursday group...and a few more last night! This is an old pattern from Edyth O'Neill, measuring 26" x 39"...perfect for in front of the kitchen sink. My goal is to have it done by the time the walls are painted...ya...it's good to have goals!

It's unseasonably cool here and incredibly dry. I don't remember a year so dry.
The cooler temps are refreshing and although I'm sure there is plenty of Summer heat and humidity left...makes me long for crisp Autumn days! I've been working on the Fall class schedule...lots of fun things planned...and there are many updates to do on the website this weekend...but I've gotta admit...I'd rather be hooking!

Hope you are enjoying whatever you are doing this weekend! ~L

Friday...Already?

Where has the week gone?
So much wool, So little time...seems to be a good phrase to sum up my week!
All the wool kits for the 3rd part of A Sampler are cut and in the mail...or waiting to go...or be picked up! And 100's of yards of NEW wool are due to arrive at the studio any day...life IS good!

Last evening, at 3rd Thursday hooking group, a few new gals joined us. What a delightful time! Sorry, didn't have my camera, so I can't share any pics, but everyone is working on great rugs!

I've been "tweaking" things at the studio...again...

I brought out the old doll cradle...perfect to hold sample mats!


This was my Mom's...then my sister's and mine! Lots of memories here!

It's unseasonably cool here today...not complaining...perfect dyeing weather...and that is what I'll be doing today!

Wishing you all a HAPPY Friday and a GREAT weekend! ~L

2nd Saturday Hooking...

...is tomorrow!
Looking forward to seeing all the hookers who gather each month at the studio/shop...for laughs...and the love of wool!

I'll try to get some pics to share with you here! ~L

♥ Independence...

Wishing you all a happy, safe and fun-filled Independence Day
~Laurie

Kim at Palmer Falls Primitives is having an amazing 4th of July giveaway! Be sure to hop over and check it out!