Happy Easter!

Today was spent, cleaning and cooking and a bit of thumb mutilation with a chopping knife, lol.
I think I over did it and just got tired and wasn't paying attention, but it was a side slice, so no real damage.


We have a bunch of daffodils that started growing under the briar bushes, so today I went out and took what was on it, so I could enjoy them. They are a beautiful pale yellow.

And since I had the windows open to air out the house, the kitties enjoyed sitting in the windows. The problem is, they always want the window that the other one has. Here Moki is giving Izzy the look, and she is keeping her head under the window to keep him from pouncing on her. She decided it wasn't worth the stress and left, and he jumped into her spot;) I hope every one has a wonderful and Blessed Easter.

For tonight's link, Kyra's blog has wonderful postings about african american quilting and Harriet Powers patterns. Tonight she has a free pattern for her visitors.

Easter Bunny Penny Rug

Last week I was one of the lucky winners of Valerie's giveaway. Valerie of Wooden Acorn offered 3 designs to 3 winners and not only did she send me the design, but another one I had liked and some sewing goodies to use for my pieces. I am amazed at her generosity, and the extra goodies. If you love primitive and working with wool, visit Valerie's Etsy Store, she has lots of wonderful patterns that I have my eyes on.

 And of course I had to make the chick piece, right away, perfect for spring. I made it into a little wall hanging and added a few of my own touches. I made hay for the basket, by unwinding jute strands, then weaving them into the empty spaces. I love the house piece, as well, that is something I can make a few of, as gifts.

The pattern is by Buttermilk Basin Designs. I realized I forgot to decorate the other butterfly, but I was not pleased with the lines I made on the first one, so I will change that and add dots.

Rabbit Egg Punch Needle!

I made another item that was gifted to me by a friend; Sharon of Moosecraft.
The design is by Goos Nest and called Antique Chalk Rabbit. The original had a black rabbit, but I went with DMC linen thread, color 4145. I really like how it comes out in animal pieces.

It was quilt the piece to punch, so took me longer, but well worth it. After I punched it, I used walnut ink to age it and finished it off with a light green rope twine.

Down by the old mill stream

We had two nice days, and rain coming for the rest of the weekend, so I thought I better get my lazy butt out and get some walking in. I am so out of shape, my legs are sore and tight, need to use those muscles more.

We went to a park nearby that was once the home to the first cotton factory in East Greenwich. This is the next town up from me.
There is a small pond at the entrance, that is normally frequented by fishermen, but because of the recent floods, there is not much left of the pond. The water is being funneled into one end, where is is cascading down the rocks and into the smaller stream. I love the sound of rushing water pummeling down the rocks to the stream below, I could sit there for hours.



In the 1800's, this area was teeming with activity. The park now contains the ruins of the 19th century textile mill, its mill pond, dam headrace, spillways, and steam boiler building. I wonder what life was like in those days, as I walk the paths.



The remains of the dwellings, several outbuildings, a well, a privy, and bridge abutments can be seen as you walk the paths.



The families of the village once grew flowers around their houses. Patches of lillies of the valley, day lilies, and periwinkle can be seen around the areas of the foundations. A day of peace and contemplation about the families who once lived and worked here.

Happy Easter

I am working on this and that, as usual, so nothing new to show today.
I received a photo from Loretta Moore and thought I would share it with you.
She made a hooked pillow from my free bunny pattern, as a baby gift.
What a beautiful piece and such vibrant and rich colors. Would love to steal some of her wool stash;)

Bunny Quilt Finished

I finally got around to finishing my bunny. I wasn't sure what to do with the background, so I went with primitive stitchery.
As you can see, I use fabric markers and pencils to draw things as I go. The blue chalk pencils, do not fade with water, so I guess I need soap. The purple marker fades after you draw it on, so I used that for the flowers, by marking each petal, as I went. Markers are so much easier to draw with too. After I finished, I sprayed it with water, then walnut spray. Then I stuck it in the dryer on a rack and that sets the stain.

I also need to antique my clothespins. I love using them to hang small quilts with.
The Stitching was done with lana wool thread, I love that for primitive stitchery.
The bunny is a design from Twigs and Sprigs. If you would like to make your own wall hanging, she has instant downloads, which are nice if you want to make something right away.

What I am working on

I wanted to finish a rabbit, I started last year, but decided I have to think about the layout and what to add before I can.
So, I decided to start a new one. This is smaller and will go nicely on my wall rack.
I used the bunny design from Twigs N Sprigs and made it into a wall hanging.

I used my husband's old jeans, but wish I had gone with dark on the pants and light on the cuffs.
I changed the sign to a basket again, but this time I added flowers. Now I have to decide if I want to leave it plain or add a saying.
I was thinking it would be a fun piece to practice free motion and do little flowers for the quilting.



And for your amusement, here is Dora, doing what she loves best, flying;)
This is what it will be like, now that the weather is warming up. Nothing like a bug covered window to keep her amused. Tonight it was a lone moth.

Easter Bunny Punch Needle

I am at it again, I can't help myself. I love to punch and create wonderful designs.
This wonderful design is from A Twigs N Sprigs pattern. I just love her designs and love working on them.

You should check out the links on her site, I noticed today that she has some gatherings that you and your friends or shops can participate in, that sounds like fun. She has lots of free designs, but don't forget to support our fellow crafters, when you can, by buying their patterns, as well. Her designs will work for any type of crafting that you enjoy.

I changed my piece up a little. He had a sign, so I decided that besides the beautiful flower, he has a basket of carrots for his Easter Love. I really had fun punching him, he is just so cute. The piece will be up for sale on ebay, later tonight.

To answer the question: Is punching like rug hooking?
Punch needle is worked with a tool, sort of like a fat pen, that you thread your floss through. You work through the back of your material and punch to the front side, where you will see the loops, when you are finished. With rug hooking, you have a hook, similar to a crochet style and you pull your loops up from the front side. You usually use wool strips with rug hooking, but there are those who use yarn and other materials.

Patterns on Linen for Sale

I had a request to make a rug hooking pattern on linen for a customer and decided to make an extra one, for those of you who prefer patterns that way. I am offering the second one for 55.00, which includes shipping and insurance. So, if you loved the dog and cat pattern that I made in punch, you will love to make this one for your home. I plan on making one myself. All lines are drawn on the straight of the grain and the missing elements such as eyes will be in the pattern, before it gets sent out;) If you are interested you can email me. I will take paypal or a postal money order. You can email me if you have questions about payment.
No international orders on this one, sorry.



While I was getting linen, I remembered I had another pattern that is looking to be hooked. This one is a pattern from 2006 and it hasn't found the right person to hook it yet. I have made this design in a small mat, but this one is the only one I have done like this and with a welcome. It is a fun piece and a great project to make for the fall. If you are interested, it will be 47.00, which includes shipping and insurance. This offer for US sales only.

This is the version I did.



This is the pattern you will receive. All lines are drawn on the straight of the grain.

Experiments in Staining

I have been working on a couple of my own new pieces, as well as Lynette's new designs.
This piece was one I found from an old sampler and wanted to try the dog and cat in my own version of a punch.
I just loved the funky shapes and the stick legs.

First is a picture of the piece, after I finished it, as is.



I then used the Walnut ink and it came out ok, but the flower was too bright. So, I decided to use the Java ink, which is black.
The thing about black is that it is made from various colors and I didn't think to shake the bottle first, ugh. This is what happened, the colors ran into the colors that made up the black, so it looks like the colors ran. Sometimes mistakes happen, but that is how we learn, or at least remember to shake before spraying;)



For those of who asked and did not see the original post, I use Walnut ink made by Tsukinek. You can look up the product online and see where they sell it retail. That is the best way to find out if you can buy it in your area. I usually use the walnut ink on my punch needle pieces and the Java ink on extreme prim pieces. I will be including instructions on my methods with the new patterns that come out.

Don't forget to check out the free pattern and contest, it is still going on!

New Bunny punch and Sampler

This piece was inspired by an old cross stitch sampler. It looked like a rabbit or an odd deer, but the shape made me think rabbit and I redid it into my own pattern. I used the original rabbit head and designed around that. I really love how it came out. It has a primitive old world look to it.



This weekend we had an ornie retreat, so I decided to make the design into a cross stitch as well. I still have to work at making my designs into cross stitches, but not bad for a newbie;) I am offering both of them on ebay this week, though if the bids do not start by the end of the week, I may have to take them down. I put way too much work into them, to let them go at a last minute low bid. I am sure you fellow crafters can understand that.

New Kitty Punch Needle

I finally decided on a mounting for my newest piece, Kitty Pull Toy. The board was a little bigger than the piece, so it left just enough room to add a small stitchery. I love how this piece turned out, has the old toy look to it and of course my favorite subject.

The sampler is another, create as I go. That animal is a dog, was supposed to be a cat, but looked like a monkey, lol. So, I took out the long tail and added a face and now it is a dog. Yes, I could look at a pattern and make an actual stitched cat, but what is the fun in that;)

It will be up for sale, tonight or if I don't make it, tomorrow, so if you are interested you can find it on my ebay.
Since ebay is no longer taking money orders and checks, I will put some items up on my blog for those of you, who have wanted to buy some of the pieces. If you see something you like and catch me before I list, make me a reasonable offer and it could be yours. I do not do special orders and I do not make the same item twice, so if you like something, let me know and I may be able to make a similar item for sale. I take requests and then when an item is finished, I give those who are interested, first option to buy.

I am also working on a braided rug. It is a long snake right now. Since it will be a long runner, I am braiding first, then I will stitch when I get the size I want. For the chair pads and smaller items, I braid a bit and sew as I go, to break up the monotony.

100th Post! Freebie and New Chairpads

I decided in honor of my 100th post, to offer my new bunny pattern that I made up. You can see the finished piece if you scroll down. I thought it was better to give away one item that everyone can enjoy, instead of one person winning a prize. You can punch it, hook it or make a penny out of it. Whatever medium that you like to do, you can use it for. You can also sell the item you make, as long as you do not mass produce it.



I have been sick with the horrible cold going around. Luckily I saw it coming and took cillin in time, so I avoided the bronchitis my husband got, but it does knock you down a bit. Since I have been sitting on my butt resting, I had to have something easy to do, lol. I cannot just sit;) So, I decided it was time to make some chair pads.

I have lots of scrap wool and this is a great way to use it up. I made three pads for the chairs at the table and the two against the wall, I will leave hooked pieces on. I have one braided rug, I did years ago and I have to admit, that has held up the longest. I think I might make one braided runner for my hallways. The first one I did was rag style and it was too bumpy and thin to work as a rug. My border collie needs rugs he can run across, so one braid and the long runner I am hooking, should help his slipping problem.