Silent Night...

The snow is falling...
a beautiful blanket of white...
Blessings to all ~ L

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart...

...December 23rd...my Friend...my Love...my Husband
I LOVE You More Each Day ~L

Finishing Touches...

Hope you are all having a lovely Sunday...and that my East Coast friends are safe and warm! We had a gentle snow overnite...just a beautiful blanket of white to freshen things up!
I've been a busy little elf...finishing a few gifts...a knit hat...some wool appliqued scarves! Now I need to move into the kitchen...cookies...candy and jellies need to get started!

I just finished binding this chairpad for my neighbor Anna. I took a photo of her couch and simplified the floral design to hook this mat for her rocker. I'll be delivering it later this afternoon and am excited to see how it looks there.
Merrie, Merrie ~L

Saturday...All Ready...

Why is it that the camera always needs to be charged???

I snapped this pic before everyone arrived to hook.

Mary Logue came to read from and sign copies of her new poetry collection "Handwork"...she brought some of her fabulous rugs...and when I picked up the camera...you got it...that little flashing devil...it needed to be charged! I now realize I could have used my cell phone...it's relatively new and I forgot it's got a camera...oh well it was a lovely day!

Many Thanks to those you ventured on over in the cold...it was very warm and cozy!
~L

Merrie December ~

More soon ~L

Thanksgiving Blessings

Wishing All A Very Happy Thanksgiving ~L

Cozying Up with a GREAT book...

My friend...poet...mystery writer...rug hooker...Mary Logue will be at the studio/shop on Saturday, December 12th at Noon to sign copies of her NEW poetry collection...Hand Work and read to us while we hook! I'm hoping she'll bring some of her fabulous rugs for you to see up close. If you are in the Minneapolis area, I invite you to stop by for some warm cider and a wonderful afternoon!

The Wooly Red Rug
4750 Grand Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55419
612-824-1131

Over So Soon...

I received a question about new hookers struggling with pulling loops...here is my 2 cents!

One of the things I’ve learned in all my years of teaching is...
It’s NOT the hook...it’s the technique!

Many beginner’s and a lot of long time hooker’s too, struggle with splitting wool, catching foundation threads, and pulling poorly formed loops.

While it’s commonly know that when pulling up loops you lift each loop in the direction of the starting tail or previous loop to avoid pulling out your work. I don’t see or hear anyone talk much about the action of the hook. What I do see is a lot of hookers stabbing the hook shallowly through a hole and barely catching the side of wool strip...shredding and twisting it as it comes to the surface.

Here is my opinion...
Put the hook ALL THE WAY through the hole, so that the WHOLE SHAFT is under the foundation, and with most inexpensive ball or pencil style hooks the wooden handle hits the top of the foundation. Slightly tilt the hook to catch the wool strip and pull the hook up through the hole at somewhat of an angle. I call it a scooping motion.
You are using the shaft of the hook to form a nice plump loop...the hook end is really just there to keep the loop from falling of the end.

Of course, more expensive wide shaft hooks make this easier, but used improperly can still trouble and discourage someone who is just beginning and at a much greater cost!

Our foremothers used a bent nail and worn cloth...and they made treasures!

Happy Hooking ~ Laurie

Getting more press...

...it's been just a whirlwind of activity around here the past several months!
Today the October issue of The Wool Street Journal arrived! My studio is the feature in Wool Street Anywhere, USA!
I hope you'll check it out...I so pleased to share some wonderful rugs and a few of the many hooker friends who gather here...and a "freebie" pattern, too!

We had a great turn out at the 12th annual Autumn Valley Hook-in on October 3rd in Stillwater. I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to take any pictures. I've spent the last few weeks trying to restock the shelves...keeping up with classes and working on some commissioned pieces that have come my way since the EAL Directory went out.


"A Sampler" this year's project rug is now complete and I'll be working on cutting the wool kits for Part 4...I should have them in the mail by the end of the week!
I'll also be back in the dyepots...a new shipment of yarn arrived from the mill and I need to get BUSY!

Hoping that the wintery weather we've been having here in MN will turn to FALL. Feel a wee bit cheated this year. The summer drought and the early snowfall have robbed us of the glorious fall colors...Hope it's better in your neck of the woods...
Wishing you glorious colors everyday! ~L

Quick Hello...then back to work!

Happy Autumn Everyone!
I just had to take a few moments to greet you all!
It's a bright and blustery day today and it feels good after an unusually hot September! Saturday is our annual Fall Hook-In in Stillwater...much to get ready!
Fall classes are in full swing at the studio...busy times at my Son's school, too...it's time for me to get the kits cut and mailed out for the final part of this year's rug project...and the deadline for my article in RHM is the 9th...Whew...I sure could use a few more hours this week!

This little beauty is on it's way to Massachusetts...I'm pleased with the way it turned out and hope the sweet woman who ordered it is too! I'm hoping to have patterns of this new design drawn up in time for Saturday!

Wishing you all a Happy week! ~L

Ribbon Winners...

Well it's been too long since I've had a chance to spend time here! School started yesterday...yippee...all you Mom's know what I mean! And now I'm trying to get back to a regular routine...classes start in the studio next week...the Autumn Hook-in is the First Saturday in October...and a few other things to finalize before the middle of October! Busy...but Good!

The Holiday issue of Early American Life arrived today at the studio! Look for my Christmas Goose mat on page 59. I'm really pleased with it...just wish I could have been a mouse in the corner during the photo shoot!

It's FAIR time here in Minnesota. Several friends have entered their rugs and I'm happy to share some of the excitement here!


Rose Mae won a Blue Ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair for her Square Dance rug! The pattern is a Going Gray design...and it's the second piece Rose Mae has hooked. Her first was a small chair pad. She joined our Saturday group last January on a very cold day. This picture was taken at our June meeting and she's finishing the binding! I'm so very proud of you Rose Mae...and can't wait to see the butterfly rug we've been working on the design for!

Joyce entered several rugs in the Steele County Fair and won several ribbons...I hope she'll send me photos so I can update it here...but here is her version of Edyth O'Neill's Ohio Coverlet in progress earlier this year...

She won Champion and 1st Place! Her Bev Conway rug won Grand Champion and Iggy, designed by Maria Barton took 2nd place...send me some pics Joyce!
Here's an update...



To ALL the ribbon winners out there...Congrats...and keep on hooking! ~L

And the WINNER is...

...Cathy G. ~ Orange Sink!!!
I'll be contacting you Cathy for mailing info...Congrats!!!

THANK YOU to everyone who took time to leave a comment, recipe and or link on their blog! I really aprreciate your interest and wish you all could have won. But...with all the great recipes shared here...I guess we all kind of won!

I hope you will all come back now and then to see whats happening here...I hope to have another giveaway soon!
~Laurie

Just a Little Give Away...

In celebration of my 50 something post...and my upcoming favorite season...Apple-Tyme...I’m giving away one of my Apple Pin Keeps on a Replica Antique Vice...sorry the picture doesn’t due it justice...they really are quite cute!

So if you are an apple lover too...or wool lover or just reading here and interested in a chance to win...please leave a comment...if you have a favorite apple recipe you want to share...all the better...I’m sure EVERYONE will enjoy that too!

Spread the word if you will...I may just add some goodies to sweeten the deal ♥

You’ll get ONE entry for leaving a comment...
ONE for sharing a recipe...
and ONE for linking this give away to your blog...

Please be sure to leave contact info so I can contact you if you win!

My baby turns 13 this weekend...I’ll let him to the draw next Wednesday the 19th...

Hope you’ll take part...and best of luck!
~Laurie

Goosey arrived home today!

Oh how I wish I could have travelled with her! She was off to some historic place for the photo shoot for EAL's Holiday Directory...but she's not talkin'...and there wasn't any info in the box...just the placards and hangtags with this years logo. So I guess I'll be as surprised as you when the directory comes out this fall!

I just noticed I've passed my 50th post here...could that be? I totally missed it...anyway I'll be posting a GIVEAWAY later this week to celebrate...so please stop back and sign up!
~Laurie

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!

♥ Family Time...

Heading off for some family fun in Duluth...
It will be good to beat this heatwave we've been having by spending some time on Lake Superior...
Be back soon...
Hope you have a GREAT weekend! ~Laurie

♥ A Sampler...Update

Just finshed hooking Part Three...love how this year's rug project is coming along!
Now to cut all the kits and get them in the mail in July! If you are interested in joining in on the project...there are only 4 left...once they're gone...they're gone!
I will however have the linen pattern available in January 2010!


After house chores today...I'm hoping to have sometime to pick up my rooster rug that has been patiently waiting...gonna have to change the date in the corner! I REALLY want this finished and down in the kitchen...something cushy under my toes while I do the never ending dishes!


I'm also itching to start on a NEW design I drew up a few weeks ago. Flower Power will be a new pattern offered in 2010. ooooh 2010....doesn't that sound strange????
More on this one soon...

For those of you curious about the "stars" in the previous post...I can't say too much or show the entire mat yet...hopefully in a few weeks, I'll be able to! Thanks for your interest...hope you all have a GREAT weekend...hug your Father if you can!
~L

Happy Flag Day...

Seeing "stars" lately...
Lots of things that all need to be done...NOW...so being here has taken a back seat.
Hopefully...some lazy days of summer are just around the corner...
~L

♥ A NEW Look...

I finally got around to updating the ad that I run in several magazines. I’d been running the same one for the past 8 years...and altho’ I liked it...and it “worked”...it was definitely time for a change! The June issues of Rug Hooking Magazine arrived at the studio a few days ago and I’m thrilled with seeing it in print! The August issues of Create & Decorate arrived today...and I think it looks good there too! The July issues of The Wool Street Journal should be arriving in a few weeks...
I hope you’ll look for “my happy place” when you are browsing thru these GREAT magazines!

I’ve been working on several special projects...some for donations for silent auctions...


some for future opportunities....


The next few days I’ll be trying to get caught up with orders...lots of dyeing to do!
The weather as been just beautiful the past few weeks...perfect for dyeing...tho’ we are desperately in need of rain...I’m not complaining...70’s are just fine with me!


Only a few more days til summer vacation starts...I won’t miss the phrase...is your homework done?!?!?! And it will be fun having Nick hang out at the studio...he’s growing up SO fast!

Hope you are enjoying your “almost” summer days ~ L

Spring Events...

are now behind me! These pics are of my space from this past weekend at Shepherd's Harvest Wool Festival.

Held each year on Mother's Day weekend at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Lake Elmo, Minnesota

This was the 12th annual...and always such a fun event!

I think I've finally gotten the studio/shop back together...it's amazing that I can cram all that stuff into my Subaru!!! So tomorrow it's time to fire up the dyepots and restock the shelves! I need to get the new class shecdule finalized and up on the website, too...then...hopefully I can relax a bit and get back to posting here more regularly...and to the garden, too!

Wooly hugs, L

♥ Ooddles of luscious NEW wool...

and a few old favorites arrived at the studio late last week!
I’ve ripped and washed up some fat quarters to take to the Hopkins Spring Hook-In on Saturday.

This is a very short post as I’m CRAZY busy drawing patterns, cutting kits...and well basically bouncing from one urgent project to the next! I always get into a panic right before a big event...they are loads of fun...after you are there and all set up...LOL!

I’ll try to remember my camera...and snap some pics to share with you...and I promise to get back to more regular blogging when the Spring shows are over!!!

Wooly hugs, L

Prim Beauties...NO FOOLIN’

Hi Everyone,
I haven't been on the computer much lately...and need to get back here to catch up with everyone!
I've been keeping busy...trying to get a jump on the Spring events I'm vending at...and also some custom dye orders. These are for an amazing rug a client is doing...









And...I've been playing with gradation dyeing over textures...for what I'm calling "Prim Beauties" Transitional colors...gold to rust...aqua to deep violet...on and on...

There are 8 shades in each prim swatch bundle. Fat 32nd’s that measure approximately 3.5” x 16”. All dyed over textures...plaids, checks and tweeds...Richly mottled to add to just the right primitive touch!
These aren’t on the website yet, as I plan to debut them at the Hopkins Spring Hook-In on Saturday the 25th....BUT...if you are interested...email me and I can give you more details!

I have had the dye pots fired up almost every day for the past several weeks...such fun!!!
We had some glorious weather a few weeks ago and it put me in a GREEN mood...

Okay...this is what is waiting at the studio for me today...more buckets of wool waiting their turn...
Hope you all have a lovely day...I promise to get back to catch up with you soon...L