~ A Giveaway ~

Hello Friends And Folk!

And a very happy Wednesday evening to you all ~

In celebration of my recent successful eye surgery, 

{{ because I can now enjoy rug hooking again without the wool dust bothering my eyes  }}

AND 

because today is #givingtuesday...

I am giving away this sweet little {well, not so little - 6" x 6" } hooked ornament that I made...

~ I’m calling it the Little Blue Farmhouse ~

 Hooked with scraps of blue wools, brown wool, cream, gold and dirty moss and mustard wools

using 1/4” wide wool strips {otherwise known as a #8 cut} and hooked through silky natural linen.

I hooked it in my usual wonky-way...high and low loops, crooked lines and different directions 

~  it looks like it was an old portion of a hooked rug that someone may have tried to save...

I added a charcoal and soot checkered wool to cover the back, and then added a hand-twisted rusty wire hanger for you to place on your tree, peg rack or cupboard doorknob...

here it is with just the tree lights on:

SO ~
 to be able to enter your chance to win my little blue farmhouse hooked wool ornie ~
... kindly leave a message here on this blog post only...
and tell me all about your favorite Christmas memory!
~ if you'd like to you can share this post with your friends too :)

on Monday December 3rd at around 6:00 p.m. I will use Random.com
to pick a corresponding number-to-name from the comments left...
*****please include your name too so I can contact you!

Best of luck to you all, and I hope you enjoy my giveaway!

Blessings from the Farm 

~ Lori

~ Cyber Monday Sale ~

 Hello Friends & Folk!

It is time for our annual

Cyber Monday Sale

in our Etsy Shop ~

www.Notforgottenfarm.Etsy.com

at checkout, please use this code:

cyber2018

 to receive 10% off your  TOTAL PURCHASE with us ~

**PLEASE NOTE**

We LOVE our customers...yes we do!

BUT ~ 

if you DO NOT USE the special code at the time of your check out of your purchase

 in our Etsy shop, between 12:00 midnight tonight and 12:00 midnight tomorrow night,

we are NOT and WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for subtracting 10% from your purchase total 

after you have completed your check out...

~ we strive to be helpful, 

but those that forget to use our special checkout code for this year's Cyber Monday,

will not be able to redeem it once your purchase has been made...

why you ask?

simply....we are a two person team ~

we only offer a special discount at certain times throughout the year ~

my husband and myself run our entire 'company' ~

With our own hands, we make our products {here in the good old USA}

we print our paper patterns EVERYday ~

and we SHIP twice weekly only...

it is entirely up to you to make sure that you take advantage of our specials when we offer them to you ~ please do not message/email/PM us to say that you have forgotten to use the code...

please be kind and realize that we do our best to make you happy ~

and that it is truly up to you to take full advantage of our special offers.

We thank you KINDLY ~

and are humbled by the support you continue to give to us

by purchasing our patterns, supplies and goods.

 

Blessings from the Farm

 ~ Peter & Lori

~ Happy Thanksgiving ~

Dear Friends & Folk ~

 We will be enjoying our Thanksgiving with family tomorrow,

so our wish is a day early to you...

May Peace and Plenty fill your Homes and Hearts ~

Blessings from the Farm 

~ Lori

~ Monday Musings ~

Hello Friends & Folk!

Happy Monday to you all ~  

a sunny & bright day here at the farm...

~ our farm friends are enjoying the rise in temperatures

and our sweet Bobby {Baaaah-bee} loves to lay in the dirt in the warm sun

but...just look at his fleece!!

 

I am flitting between mediums once again...

painting, rug hooking, embroidery & 'other' things

in preparation for our upcoming Holiday Open House ~

aside from our shop stocked with patterns and supplies for rug hooking, punch needle, 

rug punch, embroidery, wool applique and cross stitch, and finished goodes from my hands,

we will have a variety of wonderful things from some of my talented friends 

who will be 'with us' in spirit by sending along some of their wares for your shopping pleasure... 

with offerings from:

Primitive Pig Folk Art ~ Meg Kroll

My Winter Cottage ~ Terri Leamer

The Bee & The Bear ~ Katie Kriner

A Wing and a Prayer ~ Dolls by Becky Carney

Kathy Barrick Designs/French Sentiments

Gable House Goods ~ Candles from Misi Axel

also

on Sat. Dec 1st & Sun. Dec. 2nd, 

we will be hosting a Trunk Show here in the Studio with

Becky Noland of Lucy Beam !! 

Becky will be here with her models and patterns and her project bags/tote bags!

AND DON'T FORGET::: 

the Studio will be OPEN all three days of our event,

for you to come in and bring along your work in progress ~ sit & relax in our new studio,

work on your last minute handmade gifts, or start something new just for you! We will have sweets & treats all three days too ~

but, the special-ist-most-special guests we will have visit us on Saturday December 1st 

will be none other than ~

❄ ❅ ❆  Santa & Mrs. Claus ❆ ❅ ❄

So, you'd better be good!!!!!

{Pinocchio & Daisy are already on their best behavior}

For those who can't come or won't be able to come out for our 3 day event,

we will once again be offering a Cyber Monday Discount code for our Etsy shoppers...

so make out your wish lists now! ;)

I will post the code here on this blog, on FB and Instagram too, 

as Cyber Monday draws nearer ...

Well my friends,

I must get back to my work ~

thank you again for visiting my blog, and hope to see you soon!

🎄

Blessings from the Farm

 ~ Lori

~ More Thread-tails ~

 Good Sunday Morning

Friends & Folk!

oh boy is it a chilly one here in Old Virginia ~

heavy frost last night, woke to sparkling grass and glistening leaves...so pretty.

It's morning like these, especially a Sunday morning like this ~

that keeps me thankful for wool socks and woodstoves.

keeping my hands warm, however,

is never a problem for me...they are always moving in one sort or another!

either tapping keyboards, stirring pots, petting the soft fur and feather of our farm friends

or most-likely, holding a needle and thread...

working on my embroidery has been the easiest thing for me to do while my eyes are healing.

stitching like this is not as crucially important to the finished piece as counted cross stitch,

but still challenging to me nonetheless ~ with the way I layer my stitches and add details.

take my lastest for example ~

this little "Cinderklaus" and how I stitched him...

many ask me what stitch I use for my embroideries, and my answer is this:

I use a split stitch for outlining  AND filling-in my motifs.

yes it looks like chain stitch, but I assure you it is not...

I also use a very short satin stitch, for facial features

and layer them in different directions for depth and dimension.

...here is an example of chain stitch:

chain is worked by bringing the needle through the previous stitch

 from the top or surface of your work ~ forming a chain and the 'chain' links are more 'open';

 

CHAIN STITCH

 and here is split stitch:

split stitch is worked by bringing the needle UP through the previous stitch 

from under your work, splitting the threads of the previous stitch

 and forming a tighter 'chain' if you will...

SPLIT STITCH

in this photo below,

you can see what I mean about the layering of the short satin stitch for facial features ~

the face is embroidered in different directions, usually vertical from the forehead up, and then horizontally, from the cheeks down...then I will use a different color thread and stitch over my previous stitches to form cheeks, the bridge of a nose or brow-line.

once the face is stitched, then I will add eyebrows/facial hair, etc.

looking a little more closely, 

you'll see that I ddn't actually stitch the eyes or mouth for that matter!

I simply use a pencil to draw shadows and added dimension ~ 

it is a unique-technique that I developed over time, and one that I use in all of my embroideries.

 

of course, having help is always welcomed...

thank you sweet Iggy for modeling for me

 ❤

 

 

I hope this helps you understand my way of doing this,

if you ever need help, let me know ~ 

I'm happy to help and love to teach!

don't forget that I also am the creator/administrator for the

Humble Work - hand embroidery group on Facebook ~

a great group where you can learn, share and go for inspiration on embroidery...

 

here is the link to request to join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/humbleworkhandembroidery/

 

 

Blessings from the Farm 

~ Lori

~ It's almost that time again! ~

 Hello Friends! 

our farm shop & studio will be

 C L O S E D 

until November 3oth, when we will reopen for our annual 

~ Holiday Open House ~ 

3 days of shopping in a row! 

10:00 - 4:00 Friday November 30th

 Saturday December 1st 

and Sunday December 2nd 

with Special Guests Santa & Mrs. Claus on Saturday December 1st!!

 ~ we will have hot cocoa and cookies, sweets & treats ~ 

come and get your patterns & supplies for your Winter handwork: 

• rug hooking, applique, embroidery, punch needle & cross stitch

 • shop for seasonal finished goods and candles 

ALSO ~ our Studio will be OPEN each day,

 if you'd like to come on in and bring your work in progress, 

...just relax a bit and/or finish those handmade projects you will be giving as gifts! 

Hope to See you then!!

Blessings from the Farm

 ~ Lori

~ yes, we are closed again ~

Seriously...
I know I know,
... we haven’t had our little Shop and Studio open in
F o r e v e r.

Between shows, classes and surgeries,
And now preparing for thanksgiving and our holiday open house,
We will not be open again until our open house, which is
Friday November 30th, Saturday December 1st and Sunday December 2nd
Open each day from 10:00 🕙 - 4:00 🕓 each day ~
🎄 I’ll be posting more about it as the time draws nearer 🎄
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

Blessings from the Farm ~

 Lori

~ New Ornament Patterns are LIsted & my Basic Punch Needle Instructions ~

Howdy Friends & Folk!

I have listed my new little Punch Needle Folk Ornaments

 in our Etsy shop for your amusement!

 

clockwise: Kitten in a Mitten, Jolly in the Holly, Mouse in a House &

Fox in a Sock.

 

these are available as Printed/Mailed and PDF/Download.

 

I am also including this here for those who have never seen it :

 

*** Notforgotten Farm’s
BASIC PUNCH NEEDLE INSTRUCTIONS -

Please read through these instructions and tips before you begin your project -

these are just my basic guidelines for how I punch, other designers may/may not punch the same way :) 

Trace your design onto your Weavers Cloth using pencil -
I prefer pencil to pen, as it is erasable and will not bleed or mark my threads like pen ink. 

Place your traced design onto your gripper frame or in your lip lock hoop and make sure the weavers cloth is very tight...it is important to have the cloth drum tight to make punching easier for you. 

Refer often to the color photo on the cover of your pattern for placement, while you read the directions on the pattern page for that specific pattern design. 

I use a MEDIUM tip punch needle exclusively - the Cameo Ultra Punch Needle is my favorite, and I keep it set on the lowest or #1 setting unless otherwise specified on pattern.

I use all 6 strands of DMC floss when called for, I DO NOT SEPARATE my DMC thread!

When I use DMC thread, I unwrap the skein and then wind the thread onto small wooden spools for easier manageability - since I don’t separate these, there is no need for me to cut a certain length, I just punch from the spool what I need :) 

I use size #8 Valdani pearl cotton which I double,
by taking one end from the outer wrap on the ball and one end from the center of the ball, to which I will then thread my needle with both ends. 

Punch your needle down to the COLLAR of your handle, to ensure proper loop height, then lift up and lightly drag your needle-tip across the fabric surface. Now punch down your next loop approximately the width of your needle away from your previous loop and continue to do this, making uniform punches.

**DO NOT LIFT YOUR NEEDLE OUT OF THE WEAVERS CLOTH TOO HIGH

**DO NOT DRAG YOUR NEEDLE TOO FAR AWAY FROM YOUR PREVIOUS LOOP 

Punch all small details first, then punch your background. Punch in any direction you feel comfortable, but most right handers punch from right to left. Punching in different directions lends movement to your work, especially backgrounds and when using variegated threads. 

Clip your ends low on your working surface as you go,
... so as not to accidentally push a thread tail to the front of your project. 

Once you have filled in your project completely, turn it over to check for any spaces on the front and go back and fill in if necessary...then remove your project from frame/hoop, and trim away any excess tails, snags or pulled loops from the front of your project. 

If you wish to press your work with an iron, do so very gently as to not crush your loops. I like to place a damp tea towel on top of my finished project {face up} and gently steam it with a hot iron. 

There are many ways to finish off your punched project: 

I like to make small pillows that I stuff with wool/fabric scraps, or a mixture of lavender and organic sawdust.
Place your preferred backing fabric face up on your work surface, then place your finished punched project on top of that FACE DOWN. I like to stitch right up to the last punched row {if this is a square pillow you’re making}
I hand or machine stitch all the way around the project, trim away the excess weavers/backing to within 1/4”. I will then cut a small slit in the backing fabric in the center, and then turn i=t right sides around. Then I stuff and cover the slit with a small patch of fabric, either coordinating or to match the backing fabric used. 

Framing your punch needle is a nice way too, and you can usually find inexpensive frames at thrift shops and big box stores - don’t forget that you can paint the frame to your liking too! A little sandpaper and paint can really liven up a not-so-pretty frame into something wonderful :) 

I love to make ornament too - here’s how I do this:
After punching is complete, I will trim away the weavers cloth to about 1 inch from the last punched row, according to the shape of the project...then, using the very outline shape of the template for the pattern, I will trace that onto cereal cardboard. I use glue sticks to glue the cardboard to the back of my punched project, making sure that the edges of the cardboard match up with the last punched row of my project all the way around. Next I snip the weavers cloth {the 1/4” around} and turn back the edges of the weavers to the cardboard...use the glue stick again to keep edges glued down. Turn your project over, REMEMBER it’s ok if you see some of the weavers cloth on the edges from the front! we’ll cover that up using a Sepia colored Pigma Pen with a Brush Tip!

Now take your backing fabric {I prefer cotton fabric in Reproduction prints} and lay it face down on your work surface...then lay your punched project on cardboard face up on that - using pencil or chalk, trace the outline of your project’s shape onto the cloth and cut out just outside the drawn line. Use your glue stick on the cardboard back of your punched project to glue your backing fabric on...
Use your cotton thread, pearl cotton or sewing thread and a very sharp needle to whip-stitch all the way around your project, stitching THROUGH the front, cardboard and backing fabric {like you’re stitching together a little sandwich}. Once finished whipping, poke a hole at the top of your project using a large eye needle and I like to use rusty wire as a hanger - you can bend the end of the wire closest to the project to keep it from coming out, and then you can curl the top of the wire into a swirly-shaped loop :) 

Individual results will ALWAYS vary from person to person...
Remember, Practice Makes Perfect 
{or at least Primitively Perfect!}

be happy, get punchy!!!!!!

~ Lori ~

*** there is a permanent page link of this over there on your right, under my 'links' list so you can refer to this whenever you need to if you so choose ~

Blessings from the Farm

 ~ Lori

~ Holly Olde Santa ~

 Just Listed in our Etsy Shop ~

' Holly Olde Santa '

3 choices available for you...

 • Hand Drawn on Serged Linen

• Paper/Mailed Pattern

• PDF/Download

 I will be listing my little punch needle ornies today too, 

available as Paper patterns, and PDF as well :)

but after I VOTE!!

Blessings from the Farm 

 ~ Lori

~ Monday monday ~

Good Morning
~ Friends & Folk ~

an absolutely perfectly dreary and damp November day
 here at our beloved farm this morning ~
I say perfect,
 because my favorite days always seem to have
some kind of 'off' weather involved....yes sunny warm days are wonderful,
but
 there is just something about a day like this that makes me feel cozy
...wanting to light candles, bake something good and stitch the day away.

• • • • • • • 

My thanks to all of you who send me kind emails,
messages and the like concerning my eye ~
 it is so much brighter and I can see much clearer now!

when I close my left "new" eye, things look so bright color-wise...
still a bit of a blur, but I am almost at the end of my daily drops
and am sure that the blur will totally go away once I've finished them.

My "old" eye {the one on the right }
~ still has the cataract and lens surgery to come...later this month.
...when I close my 'new' eye and look only through the 'old' eye,
 it has such a yellow cast due to the cataract!
I cannot believe the difference and am eager
to get that one removed and the new lens implanted.

• • • • • • • •

I am slowly getting back to my stitching, punching and hooking.
{and computer work}
I have been working on this embroidery and am loving the way it is coming together ~

the linen is hand dyed, from Dixie Samplar Hand Dyed Linens 

and I believe the color is Olive Branch ~ it looks like a 32 count to me, 

but without cross stitching on it I'm not sure.

I pulled it from my baskets and thought it would make a loverly color 

for a background to a Winter Embroidery Sampler of sorts ~

you can see I'm slowly adding one of my signature 'Ladyes' to it,

and yes, she is much bigger that the house to her left ~

 she may become an old style fraktur angel

but I'm still pondering on that ~

I just love the old works where there was no real perspective or rule of sizing for motifs.

primitive, naieve, untrained, unschooled; whichever you'd like to call it,

in my opinion ~ perfectly 

humble.

still working at my kitchen table when the morning light is good ~ 

but I will move to my stitching chair in the keeping room this afternoon 

~ where my bright lamp and south-facing window is.

I'm stitching this with doubled Valdani pearl cotton size #8

in colors from my Designer Collections with them...

using mostly split-stitch as that is my very favorite stitch to make and very forgiving too ~

**KINDLY TAKE NOTE**
We will NOT be holding our
1st Monday Needle Night this evening ~ 
but hoping to get things back to schedule for that in December 🎄

Oh! and remember to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook too ~
I post quite often throughout the day on those sights ~

Blessings from the Farm 

~ Lori

~ Taking it SLOW ~

 Good Morning Friends & Folk!

and a happy windy, chilly & sunny November day to you all ~

today we were supposed to hold our Tea & Embroidery Class here in the Studio, with myself and teacher Nancy Bauer co-teaching...I will be rescheduling this class for those who preregistered initially, and for those who couldn't come on that day. 

Look for the new class date soon on my

Class & Events Schedule Page, and to see other events added too!

while my eye is much better and healing well from the surgery, 

per Dr.'s orders ~ I am being very careful not to overwork it...

but

I have been cheating a bit and working on my punch needle ornies ~

only for 20 mins or so here and there during the day.

the 'Kitten in a Mitten' {l} and the 'Jolly in the Holly' {r} are finish-finished.

...the guy in the middle is 'Fox in a Sock' {humor me please} ;)

and I was working on him at the Heavens to Betsy Hook In last weekend...

he's completely punched, but I have to finish him into an ornament yet.

this morning, 

I started a few loops on 'Mouse in a House' ~ {I said humor me, lol}.

the bright sunlight was coming into our breakfast nook

so I took advantage of it.

 

I will finish this one surely and slowly, as I want to get their patterns up in our Etsy shop

along with our new 'Holly Olde Santa' rug hooking pattern 

~ for you to work on before the holidays come and go!

 Have a peaceful and creative day my sweet friends!

Blessings from the Farm

 ~ Lori

~ CLOSED AGAIN ~

 Hello friends and folk!

and Happy November to you all ~

just a very short post to say that our Farm Shop & Studio will once again be 

CLOSED this coming Saturday November 3rd

~ due to my recent eye surgery...

we were scheduled to hold our Tea & Embroidery Class 

teacher Nancy Bauer and myself teaching,

but

Dr's orders say it is best not to, so we will be rescheduling the class.

 We also will be cancelling this months'

First Monday Needle Night on the 5th.

 thanks all, for your understanding ~ and continued well-wishes :)

Blessings from the Farm

 ~ Lori