SNoW! ***

We got some snow Thursday. It looks so pretty sticking to the trees. I had to stop by a nature preserve to snap a few photos on the way home from picking up my new glasses.

I have some wool set, and ready to dye this weekend. I would like to start on my new rug. The backing has just been sitting there, waiting for me to start on it.

~*~ Laura ~*~

Valentine punch needle

I just finished the punch needle and listed it on Ebay as an auction. I ended up painting a hornbook, and adding a string of button and a tag aged with walnut ink. 

I'm in a crafting wasteland. Just can't seem to get excited about what I'm working on. Guess I need to switch gears and find something to get me going. 

Hope you had a good weekend!

~*~ Laura ~*~

Valentine finish

 

I finished this punch needle designed by Robin at Bird in the Hand Primitives. She sent me the graphic, and I punched using her colors. Don't know how I'll finish it yet, whether to mount it on a hormbook, or maybe make it into a cupboard hanger. Now I can go back and continue working on a spring punch needle pattern that I'm designing. 

Over Christmas break, I found a gorgeous Pendelton wool skirt at a thrift store. It's even nicer in person with a gorgeous blue. It would be pretty to use as is, or overdye. It was too good to pass up!

Although I haven't been blogging, I've been on the computer job hunting. I've been actively looking since the spring. It's tough going out there. I've had a couple interviews, but no offers. I know there's something out there, unless I win the Lotto (oops - I would need to play to win) or the rapture takes place. But for now, I'll continue taking some online tutorials to continue improving my computer skills. 

~*~ Laura ~*~

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 ~*~