Tuesday, November 11, 2014

More retail therapy and...

Punch needle!

About ten years ago I came across some examples of punch needle embroidery in a needle shop in Ligonier, PA while I was there teaching decorative painting at a retreat.  I immediately fell in love with it, probably because it resembles traditional rug hooking but in miniature.  Of course I had to buy a kit but never did anything with it because by the time I arrived back home, the quickie instructions that were graciously given to me by the shop owner were long forgotten.

And so it sat...until this morning when I decided to drag it all out and give it a go.

Back then, You Tube wasn't developed to be the virtual on line classroom that it is today.  Last night I spent about an hour watching "how to punch needle" videos by some of the best in the business and do you know what?  

It's as easy as it looks!  All you need are the right tools.

I had some weaver's cloth in my stash, lots of Valdani thread to choose from, a Morgan hoop that was gifted to me by a friend years ago and of course a Cameo punch needle.

So this morning, I sketched a design, transferred it to the weaver's cloth and started punching!


I didn't get as far as I would have liked because we had friends drop over but you can rest assured that I'll be back at it tonight!  I'll keep you posted on my progress.


I'm still working on my redesigned Down in the Garden stitcheries by Leanne Beasley but as you can see, I have been a little distracted.



However, the exciting part is that I've finally found the P-E-R-F-E-C-T fabric to use to do the patchwork part of the quilt.

Twenty-one glorious fabrics from Kim Diehl's A Vintage Farmhouse line of fabrics!


  
The colors are virtually identical to the floss colors that I am using in my stitched blocks.  I've been having a heck of a time trying to decide which fabrics to use to complete the quilt.  Nothing seemed appropriate.  It's almost as though these fabrics "found" me...and just when I needed them!  


Happy stitching!

 

13 comments:

http://thankfullga447 said...

I love your blog and you live in Nova Scotia - how beautiful. Notforgotten Farm has a great blog and she does lots of projects with the kit you are doing. I love your stitching with flowers and I love your wooden stove.

julieQ said...

Kaaren, your new fabrics just sing!!!Enjoy them!!

Wendy said...

I've done a few needlepunch projects and really love the effect. Kim's new fabrics are my favourite.

Janet O. said...

What a cute little needlepunch sheep that will be.
I love that line of Kim's. That is what I have been working with on the project from her class last month. It is perfect for your stitchery. Can't wait to see that come together! : )

Pam in IL said...

Oh how I love it when the p-e-r-f-e-c-t fabric is found! Those fabrics are absolutely scrumptious too! I can't wait to see the finished piece.

margaret said...

never done needle punching so wll be interesting to watch your progress, embroidery looking beautiful and so good to have found such a wonderful fabric match with the threads

ria vogelzang said...

WOW! Love those sweet flowers and that little sheep!
And look at your gorgeous fabrics... such a great choice!
Enjoy them!
Love from the Netherlands, Ria.

Barb said...

Pretty fabrics! love that pink.
I haven't needle punched in so long. I love the look. Sweet flowers.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Can't wait to see your punch needle reveal.

Yes, the perfect colors did find you. Isn't it wonderful the way that all works out?

paulette said...

Perfect!!!! I love it when you go shopping!!

Lesley said...

Yummy fabric and great stitching! Cute little design for the needle punch too!

Janet said...

Oh My God, those fabrics look perfect to me. How do you get your pattern drawn on so neatly? I can't wait to see the punchneedle. Everytime I see it at the Int. Quilt Show in Houston I think about getting a project. As always I look forward to your next blog.

Monica said...

What a wonderful set of fabrics for DitG! It's going to be really warm and nice. I bet it's a relief to have that settled!