Winter Night Punch Needle pattern for sale

I just finished creating the pattern for this Santa punch needle ~ called Winter Night. I'm offering it for sale here on my blog for $8.00 with free shipping to the US. The pattern includes a color photo, floss suggestions, and full size paper pattern . You supply the weavers cloth and floss. It's not too early to start on next year's projects!

Santa arrived!

St. Nicholas has arrived! Kind of. Last night I finished my punch needle Santa, so it' like he arrived ~ just in time for New Years. I re-punched the sky using a Valdani floss in black/grey. It could also be done with some DMC floss. I'm going to have to create the pattern/instructions, then the pattern will be for sale. I'll also need to get a better photo of the finished piece. Seems like the snow is getting a washed out look, but it does have sections of silver and white. I think I'll go out an take more photos, and avoid cleaning my house.  :)

Happy New Year!!

~*~ Laura ~*~

Dark Sky

The snow is finished. It's white and bits of light silver - all DMC. The background is a Valdani 3 strand thread. Now that I've gotten this far, I'm thinking the sky is a bit too dark. I wanted more of a mottled/color variation for it. The dark blue is getting lost in the black. So.... back to the drawing board. I do have a couple balls of a different Valdani to try. More of a black and grey, which will give a mottled effect.

While debating on the color scheme for the sky, I transferred the rug pattern to linen this morning.

This is the color scheme Maggie Bonanomi has in her book. I want to do something different, but don't know exactly what. Part of me just wants to start with some wool that I have and just play around and see what happens. Another part of me wants to color plan ahead of time. But, how many hookers color plan, and still change sections as they go along? I'll see what I end up doing. :)  

~*~ Laura ~*~

Snowman and Santa

I finally got around to binding my snowman rug. I used strips of background wool over cording for this finish. This rug was done on monks cloth, and it was difficult to go back to working on monks cloth for me. Seems like I kept breaking a few of the threads as I was binding. But, it's soft to work with and cheaper than linen. It was something to start with, and learn what my backing preferences are.

I started punching more of my Santa. Yes, it's now after Christmas, but we had school/work up until Friday. That didn't leave a lot of time to get projects done.

My arm was getting really scratched up from the gripper strips on my frame. I tried using a dish towel, but kept having to move the towel to cover my arm. Then the edges kept scratching my other arm. I don't have any extra stretchy headbands that other suggested to use as a cover. I just tried  a pair of terry ice skate blade soakers that I had. I put some extra strips of muslin over the other 2 edges, and it worked! It holds and no more scratchy edges!

I had to get another photo of this punch piece. Seems like each day that I get out my camera, it's too cloudy, and the camera turns the colors to brighter red - which it is not. I need to add a sawtooth hanger to the back of this one and hang it up in my hallway.

I now have the next week and a half to relax and get some projects done around the house. I'm still job hunting, and seriously considering creating and selling some punch needle patterns. (the quilt, and the Santa, and then a Valentine one still in the design stages). I think that will keep me busy.

The kids are busy with their new things. My youngest has been saving his money, and had enough after Christmas to get a laptop. (it's like a gift to me, as I get my computer back) The others have been busy spending their Christmas money. It's nice they can go out and drive themselves.

Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas!

~*~ Laura ~*~

Merry Christmas! 

Luke 2:11-14

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Winner!

I just used a random number generator, and here's the results:

Congratulations to Kellie from Indiana. You've won the pattern. Please send me your address in an email so that I can get your pattern in the mail to you.




True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:3                                                                                                                              

I started a new punch needle project. It's a Santa. I have to get a bit further to get some photos. I know it's a little late for this Christmas, but..... better late than never.

~*~ Laura ~*~

~*~ Giveaway ~*~

It's time for my first giveaway!!!! I will be giving away a free punch needle pattern of my 1858 quilt pattern on weavers cloth. (not the finished piece, but the pattern) To have a chance to win this, simply comment on my blog. Please feel free to post this giveaway on your blog. I will draw the winning name on December 11, Tuesday night. Good luck to all!


~*~ Laura ~*~

Punch needle quilt

I finished punching! I used an 1853 quilt block to create this pattern. I added a scalloped border. I'm not sure if I'll separate the blocks in the center or not. I'll have to play around with some paper to see how I like it. I now need to find a board to paint/stain to finish the piece. I have an idea, just need to find the right finish.

Please take my survey on the left side of the blog. If I offer this as a pattern, how do you normally purchase patterns? Is it on weavers cloth already printer, on paper where you use your own weavers cloth, or an e pattern for immediate use. Thanks!

~*~ Laura ~*~

Sneak Peak

 I started the binding - finally - on my snowman rug. I'm going to use my left over wool worms, and use the wool fabric around cording. I started it after Thanksgiving while traveling downstate. Our high school football team made it to the state championships, so the marching band went for half time. That meant my son got to go. I went to watch him march. It's a much bigger stadium at a Big 10 school than our small local high school stadium. It's a great view to be up high. I got to see the band formations clearly. the 1 C-G was perfect!

 Their half time show was great! From the first note, it was loud and clear. We had twice the amount of band members (maybe more) than the opposing high school.

 We lost the game, but it was well played by both sides. We were glad we had the afternoon timeslot, as we got a little bit of sun. It sure was cold!

 

This week I took down the fall berry rings on my chandelier. I don't have any Christmas ones, so I quickly made some plain white pip berry rings. I had a long string of pip berries sitting in storage, so I untwisted them and tied 3 bunches into a ring for each candle. 

I've been busily punching a new pattern I made. It's a larger 7x7 piece. This is a sneak peak. I started punching in my Morgan hoop stand, but then switched to my smaller K's Creation rug hooking frame. The gripper strips really hold the weavers cloth drum tight. I just need to get some cheap stretchy headbands to cover the edges. I don't like getting scratched from the points that stick out. Ouch!

It's hard to get into the Christmas mood, as it was a balmy 62 degrees this afternoon. My daughter took out her flip flops because she thought it was so warm. I know snow will come soon enough, but I'll just block it out of my mind for a while!

~*~ Laura ~*~