Happy New Year...

* ~ * 2014 * ~ *
How can that be???
I hope you all had a lovely holiday... and that your New Year's celebrations will be joyful and safe

It is beyond freezing here on the Northern Prairie...
and I'm happy to stay in were it is cozy and warm!

It is time for my Early Work Mercantile Update...
Meet my friends...Flopsie's the Snow People...
just listed...
Now time for a glass of the bubbly...
Be Well ~ L

Hot off the frame...

...and ready for 2014

Primitive Medallions
The 2014 Edition
of the Annual LJFibers Rug Projects

Now in the 9th year of these special rugs...
Inspired by a well worn 19th Century rug...I think this just maybe my favorite!

Measuring 21" x 33"...a THREE part project....starting in January 2014

Click Here to visit the webpage for all the details

A great holiday gift for yourself...
or a special rug hooker on your list...
The kits will start shipping in January...
a sweet photo card with all the project details will
be mailed out for you to wrap up and place under the tree!

Thanks for stopping by...stay warm ~L

December...

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
It's update time at Early Work Mercantile...and I just finished stitching up some holiday goodies!

Hope you will consider giving the gift of handmade this holiday season ♥ ~L

Wishing you a...

Many Blessings to You and Yours...
May your holiday be filled with the warmth of family and friends...
Good food and cheer!
♥ ~L

November winds and a small peek...

Hello Dear Friends…
A gray and windy day here today…
Predictions that everything will be glistening white with snow by tonite…
Strangely, at this moment…I am content with the thought of winter.
This year more than ever I feel the need to respect the rhythms of nature…
And it is giving me a sense of peace in an all too chaotic time…

A heartfelt thank you, to all of you have sent well wishes for my Mom. These are bittersweet times.
We’ve been working on getting some home care services set for Mom & Dad…and that eases my mind a bit.
It has truly a been a balancing act for me…all the craziness of my son’s senior year…my parents…my business…and now the holidays?!?!

In the midst...I’ve finally decided on a design for the 2014 LJFibers Rug Project…
Primitive Medallions will be approximately 22" x 34"...it will be a 3 or 4 part project...
linen pattern and 1st wool kit will ship in January 2014!
Inspired by a 19th century rug entitled “Medallions”…
worn and muted tones…flowers and critters…
I’ve come up with a primitive rendition…here is a small peek…

I absolutely love how this is hooking up and will share more with you soon!
My goal is to have all the details for kits worked out and posted on the website in the next few weeks.
I know many of you would like to include the Annual Rug Project on your list to Santa…
♥ ~L

Softly falling...

The leaves are not very colorful this year...perhaps the unusual weather we have had...but they are finally falling...
and a chill is in the air...
Last night I finally got around to the basket of apples that were gifted to us...Fireside from our dear neighbors...and Cortlands from Nick's girlfriend's family...The combination cooks up to a delightful, sweet-tangy applesauce!
And the steam from the canner warmed the house!

Tomorrow is "Second Saturday ~Open Studio"
I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone is hooking or stitching!
I need a wool fix...Mom was in the hospital for the first part of the week...
tho' I did knit a bit on some socks while she was napping!
Orders were processed and packed at night when I would return home...It's been a long week...
I think I'll go play in the leaves ~ L

November 1st...

Hope you all had a BOO-filled Halloween!
In between the trick-or-treaters I was busy finishing up on this month's offerings at Early Work Mercantile
It's the start of our Log Cabin Christmas...

I hope you will take a look at all the handmade goodies...
and consider giving the gift of handmade this holiday season!

..."and would you know how oak trees grow,
the secret may be told,
you do but need to plant the seed,
one acorn in the mould"

...The Story of Mistletoe The story goes that Mistletoe was the sacred plant of Frigga, goddess of love and the mother of Balder, the god of the summer sun. Balder had a dream of death, which greatly alarmed his mother, for should he die, all life on earth would end. Balder could not be hurt by anything on earth or under the earth. But Balder had one enemy, Loki, god of evil and he knew of one plant that grew neither on the earth nor under the earth, but on apple and oak trees. It was lowly mistletoe. So Loki made an arrow tip of the mistletoe, gave to the blind god of winter, Hoder, who shot it, striking Balder dead. For three days each element of universe tried to bring Balder back to life. Frigga, the goddess and his mother finally restored him. It is said the tears she shed for her son turned into the pearly white berries on the mistletoe plant and in her joy Frigga kissed everyone who passed beneath the tree on which it grew. The story ends with a decree that who should ever stand under the humble mistletoe, no harm should befall them, only a kiss, a token of love...
~L

Inside and Out...

Yesterday was a flurry of activity around here... lots of out of town shoppers stopping by the studio to buy wool for their
Fall & Winter hooking and stitching projects
...Wool Nesting inside...
Outside...a major...different kind of nesting project was underway...
the new roof was finally happening!

I love the color and texture of the new shingles...

the new gutters will be installed this week...red of course!
We couldn't be happier with the company and crew!
THANK YOU to all the lovely ladies who braved the construction zone to stock up on wool!

Once things quieted down around here I had a chance to lay out my plan for one of the army blankets I wrote about in the last post.
I've been sorting thru things here in the studio and came across some leftovers from and old make-and-take class we had at the old shop years ago...

On Scrapbasket Saturdays we made pin keeps...

these left over sunflower parts will somehow find their way onto my army blanket!

It's a bright, but chilly Saturday...after packing up some orders and a bit of cleaning
I'm looking forward to some stitching with wool!
Wishing you a bright and cheery Saturday ~L

Just arrived in the studio~shop...

Warm...cozy...scrumptious WOOL!
Perfect for all your holiday projects!
You'll find it here on the website at woolyredrug.com

These chilly nights got me thinking about the old Army blankets I found a while back at my favorite local haunt
Hunt and Gather

I think it is time to starting stitching on them...
just need to settle on a design...
stay tuned...I'll post on my progress!
May your day be filled with delight ~L

First Frost...

a very chilly morning here...
last night I covered up the mums to protect them...

cut and bundled the last of the mint...I hang bunches around the house...we love the fresh, crisp scent

brought in the last of the herbs...to enjoy thru the long winter...

Rosemary...my favorite...she didn't do so well this year
but I love her near my handwork chair...
a beauty in my Mother-in-law's old pot

Lavender...the true lady of the garden...
with our weird weather this year...this one never made it into the ground
...she will grace the studio with her sweet scent

...the kitchen window...
parsley, bay, thyme, aloe and
the stunning jade...
Nick brought it home in kindergarten...
a sad little sprig in a paper cup...
he's a senior this year...
how they both have grown...

...back outside to my fairy house
complete with tiny webs...naturally ready for Halloween

Mister Pine...greets visitors and watches over us

Thank you for visiting on this Chilly Autumn Day...
wishing you and yours all a bountiful, beautiful day ~L

Getting things back on track....

Finally getting a chance to post a pic from the
Autumn Valley Hook-in
Sorry it is only a pic of my space before the doors opened
Once the hookers arrived I didn't get a chance to take anymore pics!

After unpacking and re-organizing part of the wool room in the studio...

Last week found me in the dye pots catching up on customer orders...

This week...great NEW wool will be arriving...
and I'm prepping for a few upcoming classes in the studio!
We are also anxiously awaiting our new roof and gutters...
Hopefully they will be here Friday...
keeping my fingers-crossed that the snowflakes that were falling this morning were just a teaser
and that the weather will be good for the roofers! Have a GREAT week ~L

16th Annual...

Autumn Valley Hook-in
Tomorrow...
Saturday, October 5, 2013
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
1616 West Olive Street
Stillwater, MN 55082
Loads of vendors...stop by and see me!
Demonstrations throughout the day
Door Prizes and Refreshments!
Bring your hooking and a bag lunch...a GREAT event...come join the FUN!
♥ ~ L

Blog Hop Winners...

...and a HUGE THANKS for everyone who stopped for a visit and to those who left comments!

It is always nice to hear from followers...and so great to meet so many NEW wool lovers.
I'm totally humbled by your kind words...
and hope you will visit often.

Today...I'm nearing the end of the rug I need to have ready for a deadline this week.
Then it is on to getting ready for the Autumn Valley Hook-in in Stillwater, MN next Saturday...

I promise once things settle down here...wink...I will post more about my process in rug hooking!
I was surprised to read all the comments of those who aren't familiar with it...or are just starting their rug hooking journey.

Now...for what you all have been waiting for...
Drum Roll...
Congratulations to
Patti at Winding Vine Wanderings
and Kathy in Ozarks at Kathyinozarks Pages
I've sent you both private emails and once I receive your mailing addresses your wooly bundle will be on the way!

Have a great day ~ L

September 25th...My Day...Crazy About WOOL

Good day and a Wooly Welcome
to my stop on the Crazy About Wool blog hop
hosted by Denise of Pieced Brain

If you are a new visitor to The Wooly Red Rug…
I hope you will spend some time poking around here on the blog
to learn more about my wool work…studio and website

Before we jump into the wooly craziness…

I want to wish my Mom a Happy 83rd Birthday!!!
She taught me the love of handwork…
…Mommie, I love you more than words can say!

When Denise asked me to be part of the blog hop I wasn’t sure what I was getting into…
But…Crazy About Wool pretty much describes the typical day in my studio!

On the “to-do” list this week is to kit up the second half of of the 2013 Rug Project…Pines to Prairie…
This is Part One…

participants have been working on this since March…
the Part Two kits will go out in the mail in early October
This is the finished 2013 rug…

if you’d like more information about the Annual Rug Projects
Click here or on the link above…below the header

I’m also finishing up on a rug for an article in an upcoming 2014 issue of
Rug Hooking Magazine
…just a peek…

So…now on to a wooly treat for you…
Like many of you Autumn is my favorite time of year…

living here on the Northern Prairie
Apple~Tyme is my absolute favorite season!

So…today I would like to share my Apple Pin Keep pattern with you!

Click this link to download or print the pattern

I hope you have enjoyed your visit today…
Before you hop on…
please leave a comment…
I’ll be drawing 2 Winners on Saturday September 29th
each will receive one of my hand-dyed wooly bundles!

if you are a follower or sign up to follow along here on the blog
please note that in your comment and you’ll receive an extra chance at winning!
Best of luck…and Thank YOU so much for taking the time to visit
♥ Laurie

Hop on and visit these blogs today…
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Chic n Fish
Maria do Carmo (Pieced Brain will be hosting!)
Selina Quilts
Sunshine Quilting
See my previous post for the full week's list of blogs participating in the hop!!!

Wool Lover's...Get Ready...

Hello Wool Lover’s…

I’m so happy you stopped by!

Here is the schedule for the upcoming Crazy About Wool Blog Hop
hosted by Denise at Pieced Brain

It starts in a couple weeks...on Monday September 23rd.
I’m excited to be part of this fun…wooly event!
Stop back here to visit on Wednesday, September 25th
(Happy 83rd Birthday Mom!)…
I’ll show what I'm working on...have a free downloadable pattern for you
and a Wooly Giveaway too!

Monday, September 23
CJ Stitching and Blooms
Negligent Style
Sweet P
Reluctant Quilter
Racie Baby
Patchouli Moon Studio
The Raspberry Rabbits

Tuesday, September 24
Marla's Crafts
Secretly Stitching
Marjorie's Busy Corner
Sew Many Yarns
Val Spiers Sews
Quilted Crow Girls Design

Wednesday, September 25
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Wooly Red Rug
Chic n Fish
Maria do Carmo (Pieced Brain will be hosting!)
Selina Quilts
Sunshine Quilting

Thursday, September 26
A Quilt and a Prayer
Kat and Cat Quilts
Rosebuds Cottage
By The Bay Needleart
Sugarlane Designs
Sheila's Quilt World
Pieced Brain

Friday, September 27
Hallbrook Designs
Karen's Quilts, Crows and Cardinals
Mummzy Stamps
Meadowbrook
Fryeber
Color Point Quilter

This is gonna be fun! ~L

Happy September...

A wee bit late...but worth the wait...after a few tech glitches finally got my page updated...http://earlywork-thewoolyredrug.blogspot.com/
A welcome turn in the weather...finally a break in the heat and humidity! So nice to feel the breeze thru the windows!
I really don't know where the summer has gone and am sure most of you feel the same.
Enjoy your weekend ~L

Harvesting Pumpkins...

...I'm stitching pumpkins...
lots and lots of wooly pumpkins

Early Work Mercantile's
Harvest Celebration is almost here...

Hope you will stop by our bountiful harvest ~L

Sneak Peek...

Hello Dear Friends...
Where do the days go?

I'm back to blogland with a quick peek of goodies being offered tonight at
Early Work Mercantile
A few little Cottage Garden treasures...

It's been a full month with many demands...not much time for handwork.
A new furnace...soon a new roof...
caring for my parents as Dad recovers from surgery...
A month of ups and downs...introspection and gratitude...
the loss of a dear friend...brings a richer closeness to my old gal pals...most of us have been friends since grade school
...I truly LOVE these women!

This photo is from our "50th Birthday" weekend...vintage prom dresses
...and lots of laughter!
True blessings in my life ~ L

Taken TOO Soon...

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/startribune/obituary.aspx?pid=165780384#fbLoggedOut

My dear, long~time friend Arlie is at peace...
after a battle with ALS...an evil, evil disease...
there are so many things I should or could say about this amazing woman...
but at the moment I just have no words...
perhaps another day ~L