Tuesday, March 15, 2016

~ Tuesday Morning Musings ~

Good Morning Friends & Folk!

another damp day on tap…
seems as though the thunderstorm that came through last night has passed, 
but it brought in cooler temps.
we even lit the wood stoves again to ward off the chill here in this old farmhouse ~

Iggy has no problem keeping warm
up here in my sewing room
wearing his little fur-pajamas
and snugged into my stitching chair:





thanks for warming up my stitching chair Ig!



snug as a bug


I've set my rug hooking aside for a little while ~
 I have only two weeks to finish up new punch-needle designs that I'll be releasing at the
March 31 - April 3 2016

I'm working on 4 new 'motto' designs…
this one says
"Keep Goode Company"
{like the drawing you see in my header above}




Using beautiful Valdani #8 varigated pearl cotton threads …
in shades of cream, blues & the background will be filled in with black/brown ~




I'm using my sweet little Dimensions punch needle to punch these…
I LOVE this little workhorse of a needle!




it helps to switch out between this punch needle and my Cameo {Ultra} punch needle.
If you punch often, you should consider using different styles to keep your hands from getting fatigued.
{I know it helps these farm-wife hands of mine!}





do you see that I have **doubled-up my Valdani in my needle?
meaning, I have pulled one end of the thread 
from the middle of the ball, and pulled another end from the outer surface of the ball…
why?
I don't know.
just works for me I guess…seems to make my loops look more like tiny french knots :)
{**You cannot double-thread a smaller needle with this size #8 pearl cotton…it will not work!}

This Dimensions punch needle has a medium needle-tip that accommodates either all 6 strands of DMC {or other} Cotton floss, OR #8 pearl cotton, doubled or not.




and of course I'm using our handy little 
Farmhouse Ball Jar to hold my ball of pearl cotton…
{without it, I'd be chasing a cat who is chasing a ball of pearl cotton around the dining room table again}


I am excited to tell you that we are creating a new video-series for my 
that will allow you to see how I create my needle work ~ 
Beginner Basics to more Advanced Applications
… from drawing your design onto the foundation cloth 
to showing you different techniques to finally completing the project!

these videos will include:
cross stitch
punch needle
rug hooking
wool applique
humble embroidery
So you will be able to watch the videos at your leisure 
~ time & again for reference :)





Look for the announcement of the release of the videos in the next few weeks :)

I'll be sharing more photos of my finished 'motto' designs in the next few days…
they are simple small & quick,
but fun & folky too
~::~





here are the links to the items above, located in our Etsy shop:



Hoping you all have a wonderfully creative day my friends,
try something new!!


~ Blessings from the Farm ~
 Lori

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I see Punch Needle in my future…thank you for creating those YouTube workshops, especially as I cannot come to your farm in person (at least, any time soon). I'm looking forward to learning this as it will be "something new" for me! In knitting, we use the center pull ball for a kind of Scandinavian knitting, called Twined Knitting, which twists naturally as you knit from each strand. Anywho, have a beautiful day…and tell Iggy I said hello!

Vicki Jo said...

I am so happy you are doing a punch needle video! I bought a needle and some supplies and have not had the chance to take a class anywhere or figure out how to use it. I will look forward to watching your video! Thank you!

Tina McFadden said...

Oh Lori, I'm so glad that you will be doing more videos.....I absolutely love watching and re-watching them.
I have a question....can you use the cameo punch needle for the 2 strands of the #8 valdani or do you have to use the new dimension punch needle that you are using now?
I love all your designs....looking forward to the new ones!!!
Tina

Silent Stitches said...

Yay! Looking forward to the punch needle videos! :-)

Rain here too... perfect weather for catching up on some unfinished projects.

Stay safe & warm. Have a great day everyone! ~C
PS Hugs to sweet Iggy.

Janet said...

Really looking forward to all the videos....loved the ones you've already done. Cool and rainy here(eastern Ontario, Canada)/today too ...but at least our snow has gone..:)

Janet said...

Really looking forward to all the videos....loved the ones you've already done. Cool and rainy here(eastern Ontario, Canada)/today too ...but at least our snow has gone..:)

elaine allerton said...

Lori,,, looking forward to the videos,,,, enjoyed the 2 I saw of stitching the birdie,,, I had not done that for years,,, and punching would be wonderful! Love ur kitty,,, and ur sewing rokm,, how cozy,,,
Thanks for posting,,,,

Angela Tucker said...

Good morning, Lori. Beautiful!! I haven't done any punching in a while, knitting and crochet have taken over my life, but this makes me want to grab a project and get started!! Should I call in sick for work? Probably not, I'd sound too happy on the phone. LOL

You have such an eye for color and I cannot wait for the videos! Have an amazing day.