Punch needle chickadees

Here is the punch needle embroidery that I am currently working on. In the first photo you see the front of the embroidery, however, the work is done from the back, which is actually on the top of the hoop.
This photo shows the working side of the embroidery along with the punch needle tool. There are 4 sizes of needles which fit into the tool. Here I am working with the smallest size. In general, the larger the project or design, the larger the needle and floss or yarn.

To make a punch needle embroidery, first a design is transfered onto weavers cloth and then following the design, the needle is punched through the cloth in neat rows. The basic technique is fun and easy to learn and as you can see...creates beautiful works of art!

Flying Rabbit Punch Needle

The thing I like best about punch needle embroidery is it's so easy to create and use your own designs. Then the finished designs can be made into many various items.

The technique is similar to rug hooking but on a much smaller scale. In my next post, I'll share some of the tools and a work in progress...

Birch Roosters Begin

This is the way it was. Kyla showed me a TV program that she had recorded on the DIY cable channel. The show was Woodsculpting and featured Chris Lubkemann, an extraordinary whittler/wood carver. He demonstrated how to whittle roosters from small branches. Here is the book he wrote and here is my first attempt. Not beautiful, but it does look like a rooster. I work with gray birch all the time, as you know, and in fact this rooster is made from, you guessed it, my  Xmas/Valentine's tree!!! Talk about recycle! There will be many more of these to come. The key is a sharp knife. And just a pocketknife will do. The roosters are usually painted in bright colors, and mounted on something, block of wood, etc. But for a first try, I think it looks like one. You can see the work of this carver at http://www.whittlingwithchris.com/

Valentine Tree

Here  you see the Valentine Tree with the hearts and read apples, strawberries and birds. This is a gray birch from the edge of the field. It was the Christmas tree until Feb 1. The ornaments are placed with a very long fishing rod. Apparently spring will come early this year, but from the looks of this picture, you wouldn't know it. Happy Valentine's Day!

Green Hearts for Valentine's Day

 What to do with your 2010 calendars? Here is something. Make green Valentines! This is the same pattern that Reba posted a while back. It's two half hearts woven together. Take your calendars and place the pattern over the print in such a way that the heart will show the picture.  Finding the red colors for the holiday was easy. The backsides are red wallpaper from the book of samples that I bought for crafts. These will all go on my gray birch EX-christmas tree, still standing with only red ornaments left over from the holiday. So this is really a green valentine's idea. See the pattern below. Have fun!

Watch Cap

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Watch Cap pattern, done in brioche stitch is a great winter cap.  For Christmas presents this year I paired one strand of handspun yarn with a complementary strand of mohair yarn and knitted with the two strands for the cap.  The result was colorful and very warm because of the mohair content.  This pattern and Elizabeth's "Very Warm Reversible Hat" are my two favorite hat patterns for winter.

Easy Knitted Hat

Jessica and I have been making hats with this loom. It is a very easy project for kids to do and it gets them into knitting. Jessica is taking orders in school to make hats for her classmates.

Paper Bag Basket

Hi, This is a great way to use up all those paper bags. It takes 4 large bags to make this basket. You can also use Iris leaves from your garden and weave a smaller basket.

To find directions on internet, go to http://http//makeprojects.com/Project/Woven-Map-Basket/75/1

Birthday

I made this puppet show and safari animals for my 4 year old great nephew's birthday. The doll high chair is for my great niece's 3rd birthday. I hope they will enjoy them. Jessica had fun helping me with the safari animals.

Thinking ahead...

I'm learning that when it comes to Etsy, I have to think ahead, so I've begun working on some Valentine's Day cards. Here is a preview of my first Valentine card print. I've added a little interest by slightly raising the printed portion of the card with foam tape.