Ask Mavis: Rug Hooking, Transporting Cupcakes, Bathroom Remodels and More

It’s that time again. You ask, and I pretend to know things and answer your burning questions. It really is so much fun to open my inbox and see the wide variety of questions you guys have. Reminds me that my readers are so diverse and pretty dang awesome. So keep those questions coming and I’ll keep racking my brain for answers.

Mavis, would you consider posting “Operation Christmas Child”? Asking people to fill a shoebox with small gifts boys or girls ages 2-14 years old. Information available on samaritanspurse.org/occ In our office one of the ladies collects the boxes and they are taken to her church. It is fun collecting all the items. I have listed ideas: Soccer ball w/pump, stuffed animals, trucks etc. doll, musical instrument, outfit, shoes, jump ropes, yo-yo’s, pens, pencils & sharpeners, crayons, markers notebooks, solar calculators, coloring & picture books, toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, outfits, hair ribbons, T-shirts, socks, hots, sunglasses, chair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights w/batteries, craft items, finger puppets, friendship bracelets. etc. Also, you can track your shoebox from all over the world!!! Neat idea for Christmas.

~Mary

Thank you so much for sharing this. Operation Christmas Child is such an amazing program! Here’s my request to all of my able readers to put together a box. We will be filling a few boxes ourselves and I’d love for you guys to participate, too, if you can!

I would like to know where I could purchase berry boxes to transport 150 cupcakes.

~Sue

I’ve never purchased them before. I’ve always just asked at Costco or the produce department of the grocery store. They go through tons of them and they are always willing to let them go for free. I’m not sure if that’s the case in all parts of the country though.

I enjoy your blog and have always wanted to tell you how I admire your hooking craft. I have enjoyed doing all other forms of handiwork, but never this. My question is how much hand strength does it take? I am not so strong or dexterous as I used to be. Also, is it an expensive hobby? Love Lucy and thank you for doing the blog in your super busy life.

~ Rhonda from Ft.Wayne, Indiana

Yes. Rug hooking is a pretty expensive hobby. The wool I use for my hooked rugs runs about $22 a yard plus shipping. I buy it online from Rebecca Erb’s Wool Studio. Occasionally I use the wool as is, but most of the time I dye the wool myself using Cushing’s dyes for so I can can get a unique one of a kind color. You would also need a rug hook, recipe book, and linen to hook your patterns on. Most people use a rug hooking frame as well.

As far as hand strength goes… there is some but I’m not sure if it’s any different than hand quilting. I hope that helps.

Hello Mavis, Love love love reading your blog. My question was a little different – not pertaining to gardening. What stain do you use for the fence/deck ? Last year my husband applied the water based stain (because they told us it is good for the environment) and it’s peeling off like crazy! We put in a lot of effort – power washing, sanding the whole thing 🙁 Please help!

~Meghan

We used Behr Natural Transparent Weatherproofing Wood Finish in Natural from The Home Depot. The Home Depot typically puts their stain on sale around Memorial Day {at a savings of $20 per 5 gallon bucket} so if you can hold off you’ll be able to save some extra money.