Thursday, April 13, 2017

~ In the Making ... ~

~ Good Morning Friends & Folk ~ 

Lately,
I have been trying desperately to keep my mind occupied 
with my work, but I can't stop worrying about dear Joan & Arthur...
he was hospitalized recently with pneumonia, and test results have come back saying that the brain/lung cancer has now spread to his bones.
Please keep them in your continued thoughts for healing and peace ~

I am almost finished with this punch needle project
"Birds & Bees"


I decided to make it into a small mat,
 and I added two little appliqued honeybees made from scraps of fabric ~ 


they were done using the double-applique method;
where you take the pattern and lay it on doubled fabric {right sides together} 
trace around the template, then machine stitch or hand stitch completely around the design.
then you trim away excess fabric,  make a slit in on one side and turn right sides out.

Once that's finished, 
you simply whip-stitch the motif to your fabric backing ~
...I like the look, as it makes the applique piece stand out from the backing a little more.


I also stitched my finished punched portion to the backing fabric, in this case old ticking ~
ans wanted to border it with something, so I used wool strips leftover from a rug hooking project.
 

I pinned the strips into place along the edges of the punched portion, 
then whip stitched the strips on using my favorite thread: 
Gutermann Col. 3400 ~
 a nice linen-colored 100% cotton thread that blends well with all of my work.

I will add tiny black beads to the bees for eyes too ~


the punched portion was done using all Valdani threads from my Spring collection ~
and I chose to use two different colors for the background, 
~ punching one half of the design with one, and then the other half with the second color.


this gives it a nice antique-look to the background...
my inspiration fro the design came from an antique hooked rug.

Once the wool strips are in place,
 I'll back the mat and add a binding to it using cotton fabric.


This will be available as a Paper {mailed} pattern and as a PDF pattern
 in our Etsy shop soon :)

Blessings from the Farm
 ~ Lori

12 comments:

littlemancat said...

So sorry to hear of your friends illness and its spreading. A terrible,terrible disease!
And love the punch needle project! I want to learn how to punch needle - wish I lived closer to you for a workshop!
Mary

Anonymous said...

Wow, Lori! Your mind, as always, has been buzzing with new ideas and creative combinations. I love that you used old ticking for the backing!

Keeping Joan and Arthur close in my prayers on this Holy Thursday...

Pat said...

Please give Joan a hug for me when you see her.

denise said...

so to hear the bad news about joan and arthur. will keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

HomeSpunPrims said...

Sweet pattern, Lori! Love those little bees too!! Lori

HomeSpunPrims said...

Meant to say too, I'm so sorry for what Joan and Arthur are going thru right now. Prayers for them. Lori

elaine allerton said...

Lori,,, just love , love this sweet design,,
Love ur ideas !!
Love the colors u choose ,,
So so sorry about arthur and joan,, prayers and thoughts,, so very sad!
Keeping busy is a good thing,,,,
Got my patterns in the mail yesterday, so excited, to get them,
Now which ruf hooking to start first,
Will have fun,,,, thanks , lori,,,

cucki said...

sending prayers and love.
love you all x

Marcia said...

Sending prayers for your friends.
On a good note........your new project is so sweet. Love the addition of the bees.
The colors are gorgeous and the ticking is perfect!

NMK said...

My heart aches for Joan ....this is so heart breaking for everyone they know and love.

You latest creation is wonderful !!!!

woollabeast said...

Hi sweet lady, ohhh, such sorrowful news to hear...been keeping both Joan & Arthur in my (daily thoughts & nightly prayers)...no words, just ~♥~ hugs!

Busy hands keeps the sad thoughts at bay (if only for a bit) - love your "sweet =:=:=:=buzzing=:=:= hive" with the happy birds a'flutter & your fun "double applique bees" -- looks like your plans are for a lavender scented pillow in the end, maybe? ♥

Sending Woolly {{Warm} Hugs to you all! ~Diane

marly said...

So sorry to hear the bad news delivered to your dear friends.