Freebie and a Contest!

I finished another chicken punch needle, so that I can offer two patterns, but still need to finish it off and make up the patterns.
So, while you have to wait, here is an old drawing I did a few years ago, that you can use to start your christmas crafting.
It can be punched, hooked, stitched, appliqued, or whatever you would like to try.

Now onto the contest. This is for followers only, yes I am plugging myself, since I need at least 100 followers to be considered for a go cutter and giveaway;) I know I have a lot of visitors each month, so now is your chance to follow and be entered into the contest. The winner will receive a free copy of my new pattern set, Fraktur Roosters. The contest will run until Sunday at midnight and the winner will be announced Monday night. Leave a comment to let me know that you want to be entered.

Cats and Hexes

Since sitting is the only activity I seem to be able to do, hand stitching is the best project to keep my hands busy.
I should know better, stretch before and after activity;)

I made this piece a few months ago and decided to bind it for now. I wanted to do quilting on the border, but not sure.
Should I add quilting to the border or leave it alone? The piece was painted with acrylics after I stitched it. I wanted to try a different material, I think the background is a cotton mix. I prefer 100% cotton, it takes the paint better. With this, the paint sat on top of the fabric, so it is stiffer feeling.

The pattern is from a Red Brolly, free design. She has wonderful kitties in this series. Great ideas for gift giving to friends. She has a fun christmas kitty for the newest freebie.



I spent the last two days, sewing hexagons and think I will stop at this point. I just wanted a lap quilt and with the borders, it should be the perfect size. My plan is to use the homespun scraps from the flowers, to do little triangles around the edge. The problem is what to do with the top and bottom, they don't line up the same way as the sides, so I will have to think on how I will go around with the colors. After I add a border color, then I will use black for the edge and binding. Instead of quilting, I am thinking of putting ties in the middle of each flower.

I also decided that I want to do up a few extra chicken designs to go with my last piece. I will probably punch one and offer only a design with the other, but I will work on those this week, so you will get three patterns instead of one.

Sunday's Stroll

I decided I wanted to go for a hike, in Arcadia park area.
The park used to have a picnic area near the falls, that my family would go to when we were young, so it is a special place, full of memories for me. But, I wanted to do a little hike too, so we parked at the other end, so we could walk along the trails to the falls. Of course I didn't realized the distances on my little map, lol. The walk turned into a 7 mile hike down old dirt roads, rocky trails and wooded hills. All this on my broken toe and did I mention, I dropped a cutting board on the same foot, lol.

But, it was worth the sweat and a bit of pain. I got a good workout today and with rain coming this week, I can rest and sit on my butt for a few days;)

The sad thing is, the falls are down in the fall. We should have gone after the floods, I am sure it was cascading over the rocks in full force, then. It was still nice though and a great place to rest after the trek through the woods.



This is looking up at the main falls, I wonder where the fairies are hiding?



Bill wanted to get back on the main trail to head back, but I made him walk along the falls till I found the bridge. We have photos of my sisters and I at this bridge, so just had to get a picture of me on it. I may be walking funny and stiff as a board, but it was so worth it:)

Geese in Flight

Today was a fun day, we went paddling. The weather was beautiful and a bit gusty, but it kept the heat away, while we paddled.
The launch area was empty, so no crowds and no crazy boaters on the lake.
We did the whole lake, going in the coves to avoid the heavy winds, when we could, so it was a nice long paddle.

The hawks were out, circling overhead, then diving down to try and catch a fish. Since it was windy and wavy today, I couldn't get any shots of them, without risking my camera;) And because of that, it was hard to get a level shot.

The leaves are just starting to turn, so the mix of colors in the trees, was breath taking.



On the opposite side near the campgrounds, we came across two geese, on a rock. They didn't want us around, so they swam off and when bill paddled ahead and blocked their exit, they gave us quite a show.

"Take Off"



"The Getaway"



"And then we parted Ways"

New Punch Needle: Rooster Fraktur

I finally got inspired to make something when I saw an antique fraktur.
I loved the folk art lookof the rooster and adapted it into a new design for this piece.
I will also be making a pattern from this piece, so look for that and a few new ones that I promised to get out.
This piece will be for sale on ebay, saturday night. But, I am willing to take offers before then.

I lightened the piece up, but it has a nice antique finish to it, without losing the details of the design.
It is 6" x 5 1/2".

Halloween Pillows!

Sometimes I need a break and I do something simple, just for fun.
That is what I did for the last few days. I made some pillows and did some sewing on my hexagons.
The pillows are patterns from Primitive Blessings and fun to do up in all different sizes.
Pillows are a great way to decorate for the holidays and something quick, simple and inexpensive.
I used moda tea stained fabrics, from the light to the darker shade. I didn't antique them, this time.
I used DMC pearl #12 in the small balls and use a coupon, so the cost is just background fabric and floss.
If you have light colored floral fabrics, those are fun to use as backgrounds too.
The basket is a thrift store find. That is a great place to look for old baskets and boxes to hold your prim goodies.

Nature Walk

Today we went for anther walk, to another salt water pond, which is larger.
I wanted to get a longer fast walk in, for the exercise. We did the point which was nice, but as soon as we headed into the woods and swamp areas, we were attacked by hundreds of mosquitoes, so we got out of there. I didn't think with the recent rain and warm temps, that they would be hatching and looking for a meal. Next time, I will wear bug guard.

So, back to yesterdays wonderful walk. It was cooler, so no bugs, but there were lots of critters enjoying the day.

Coming back from the first point, I spotted theses guys, enjoying the sun.



Then we took the side path which is a long meandering path, through woods, fields and swamp.
Bill almost stepped on this little guy, good thing I was looking down.



Once we go through that path, we go to another point. There were a lot of swans in groups, but these two, preferred to be alone. Normally swans are territorial and stick to their own areas.



Coming back we were treated to a fawn, grazing in the woods.



Then around the bend is another small freshwater pond. Can you guess who is staring at me, from the reeds?



It's DinoTurtle, lol. This guy is huge and was out scouting for a meal. So it was a day full of wildlife and a few snakes and frogs who crossed our path. I think this day would make a wonderful story quilt.