Friday, September 30, 2016

~*Fun Punching and Hooking Techniques*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Here are a few recent finishes... with some fun techniques I tested for the first time...

These are both punched with a variety of yarns ~ both wool and acrylic ~ and some wool strips... using 3 different sizes of Amy Oxford Rug Punches... #8, #10, and #14... on quality Monk's Cloth.

Using the different needles made some loops higher than others.  The higher loops are done with the #8 around the mouths and noses.  The lowest loops are done with the #14 for the grooves of the pumpkins and the inset of the noses.  The #10 was used to complete the JOLs.  Believe it or not... the punching was LAST in the making of these quirky fellas.
The variety of needles was not the only interesting part!  I used an applique with hand stitches to create the teeth.  This was done first in the process.

Quills  (wool swirls) were made to create the swirls of the eyes.  This was my second step.  These are cut wool worms wound and stitched to the Monk's Cloth.

It was a different sort of system... working from the front sometimes... and then from the back too.  Punching, as you know, is done from the back to the front.

After they JOLs were created... they were attached to some boards.  I'm thinking they will be awesome, interesting, unique Halloween decor!

My head is whirling with ideas for these techniques and a few others that I have yet to try!  Oh the things I wanna make!!!  

If you are interested in purchasing these fellas as finished products... they are listed for your consideration in my Etsy Shoppe.  Thank you for looking!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty


Thursday, September 22, 2016

~*Simple FREEBIE DOODLE*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Happy 1st Day of Autumn!  Here is a simple doodle for your enjoyment... I hope it brings a smile to your face!

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Wool Harvest Rug Camp.  My Mom went with me... and we enjoyed every minute of it.  It was so wonderful to have her there.  It was also so awesome that she was able to meet my dear Oklahoma (and many other) friends.  AND... it was so very delighting that she learned Oxford Punch Needle too!  We had the pleasure of taking a class from my very dear buddy, Ginger Jackson!

At the camp, I was AMAZED by all the talent!  Of course, I didn't get any pictures... I don't know why!!!  But, I have images and ideas swirling in my head!  

I am working on a piece now, if I can pull it off, that will have some very different techniques.  It isn't really a 'mixed media'... but there are many different processes.  Here is the start...


Maybe you will see the doodle above and try out some of these techniques... swirls (or whatever they are called?), applique, and (not shown in this picture) needle-felting?  I would sure LOVE to see it if you do!  

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Thank you to those of you that purchased my patterns!  The ones that were 'for sale' before have all been retired.  I have added a few finished ditties to my Etsy Shoppe.  Swing by to take a look, if you get a chance.  Thank you for visiting my shoppe!

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House work is calling... but I think my projects are hollering loader... so, I'm off to be artsy!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty


Thursday, July 28, 2016

~*Tick Tock Tick Tock... Playful Kitty Freebie Start*~

Hello Dear Friends!!!

So often I do try to fit everything into my schedule... and then it just doesn't work.  So... even though there hasn't been time for me to finish this ditty or to work it into a nice PDF for you to download... I'm going to let you get started.  I'm positive that many of you will have it all finished up before I even get a chance!  So... here is my next FREEBIE GIFT!!!  Enjoy!!!

~*Playful Kitty*~  Freebie Cross Stitch Pattern




© primitivebettys 2016



Fibers and threads I've used... 

Fabric ~ Shroom Juice 32 CT from Dames of the Needle
Threads from The Gentle Art/Simply Shaker Sampler Threads as follows with legend...
B ~ Espresso Bean 7084
A ~ Picnic Basket 7060
E ~ Maple Syrup 0440
H ~ Brick Path 7086 (backstitches also)

I stitched 2 over 2.   65 x 84 stitches... finished size approximately 4 1/2 by 6 inches.

Please use fibers and threads of your choice.  I only ask that you not mass produce the image/design in any way... and that you give credit to me ~ Betty Dekat/primitivebettys ~ for the pattern.  Oh... and do NOT sell the design!

What do I plan to do with mine for a finish?  Well, I have hopes to finish it into a needlebook.  If/when I do this... it will be shared with you and hopefully 'how' it was done as well. 

Can you guess where the inspiration for this design came from?  Do you have a playful kitten that is constantly wanting to help you create... or that is a little sneak... always running off with your supplies?  

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty



Wednesday, July 13, 2016

~*Freebie and My Selling Blog*~

Hello Dear Friends!

First of all... *SMILE*

~*Slurpy Jack*~ is a FUN, FUN, FUN doodle to punch... and make another thread holder box!

I've made one...

 I've also made this one...


The doodle is FREE for you to use.  DO NOT SELL MY DOODLES OR FREE PATTERNS!  You may, however, sell items made from them in limited quantities.  

The finished boxes are listed on my SELLING BLOG.  This is a 'new thing' for me... and I'm just trying to work it out and avoid the 'kinks'.  

Yes, I had thought of putting the items for sale in my Etsy Shoppe or even on my Facebook Page... but trying this first.  Please bare with me.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Back to the doodle... use it as you wish... with your medium of choice.  Have fun with it!!!!  If you would like to know how I finish my boxes, download the FREE pattern ~*Summer Charms*~ from yesterday's post.  There are complete instructions added to it.


Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty


Tuesday, July 12, 2016

~*Extra Special News!*~

Hello Dear Friends!!!

After some serious soul searching and contemplating...

all Primitivebettys patterns from here on out will be FREE!!!  Yes, you heard right!!!  Why, you ask?  Well, to best describe my thoughts on this is just because... it feels right to me.  I hope you see it as my way of sharing kindness and joy.  Don't we all need more of that? 

To begin with... here is the link for you to download for my latest pattern release (Click on the title of the pattern.  You will need Adobe reader to view/print the pattern.)...



I have plans to create more PDF patterns... for needlepunch and cross stitch.  The links to the PDF will be shared here on my blog and also on my Facebook page... primitivebettys.

My previous pattern releases (all listed in my Etsy Shoppe)... are discounted 50% using the coupon code ~ HALFOFFPATTERNS.  Once the paper patterns are gone... or at the end of August ~ whichever comes first... they will be permanently retired.  (All patterns listed in my Etsy Shoppe are half off... including earlier PDF patterns.  They too will be retired at the end of August.)

I will be selling my finished wares only.  They will be listed soon in my Etsy Shoppe.

Wishing you all warm smiles... and many more to come!

Betty


Friday, July 8, 2016

~*I'm Back AGAIN... and New PDF Pattern Release*~

Hello Dear Friends!

Yes, I know... I promise I will return and be more active... and then it doesn't happen.  Life whirls by so amazingly fast!  You are sure to agree!

Over the last few months, I have changed jobs again.  I did really enjoy working at the grocery store... and loved my promotion.  However, retail hours were so very demanding.  Days would go by and I didn't see my husband or my son.  Then came the opportunity to return to my long~ago employer.  I jumped on it!  It is not a 'career' job by any way shape or form... but I don't want a career!  Personally, I know stress is horrible for me.  I don't have the tools within me to deal with extra stress.  It diminishes my health and happiness... and my creative nuances.  

So, I am back to warehouse work.  It is a job, it is a paycheck, it is an exercise routine... and it allows me a steady schedule with 4 full days off each week... where I am, once again, finally... CREATING! 

If you are a Facebook Fan... you may have seen these recent finishes...





It feels GREAT to be making things again!

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Now... more wonderful news!!!

I have a new PDF Pattern available!!!

~*Summer Charms*~ PDF Pattern 
Primitive Needlepunch Thread Holder Boxes

This pattern offers all 4 doodles... and complete instructions for the construction of the boxes (begins with a ready~made paper mache box)... the crochet trim, and the distressed, paint finish.

My Etsy Shoppe has the updated listing for the pattern purchase.  This pattern is only available for purchase from me... and only available through PDF.  If you do not have an Etsy account for purchase and want the pattern, please email me.  I can deliver it via email after Paypal payment has been received. 

(The pattern is only $5 US.  This is a small price for the amount of material available in the pattern.) 

Thank you for stopping by my blog!  I hope to see you again soon!

Wishing you warm smiles...

Betty


Thursday, March 17, 2016

~* I'm BACK! FREEBIE DOODLE! *~

Hello Dear Friends!

Let me get right to it!  Here is a FREEBIE for YOU!

~*Spring Friends*~

©primitivebettys 2016

*** This is a free doodle to use for your own crafting.  You may copy the image ~ enlarge or reduce ~ for your own personal use.  In other words, just don't MASS produce anything using the image.  For gifts and craft shows (even online)... items may be made using the doodle and sold.  Minor alterations to the doodle to personalize are acceptable.  Please give credit where due for the image... Betty Dekat/primitivebettys.  Please DO NOT copy and sell the doodle!  It is FREE! ***

Any medium of your choice it fine... needlepunch, rug hooking, applique, painted... HAVE FUN and ENJOY!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Yes!  I'm BACK!  WOW!  Time sure can go by fast!  I've missed you!  

Last September, I took a job at a nearby grocery store.  What was planned to be a simple part time job has become a new 'career' for me.  Since accepting the job, I have been promoted to Assistant Manager of my department.  It has been an adjustment... from a stay~at~home~Mom/Wife/Crafter to a working~full~time~Mom/Wife/Crafter.  As the days/weeks/months go by, I can feel it gradually coming together.  See?  I have a FREEBIE DOODLE FOR YOU!  *WINK*

It turns out that I needed a job... I needed to go back to work... I need to be around people!  My mind/body/soul have drastically changed... and changed for the better.  I truly love my job and my co~workers are GREAT!  Finding the balance to do everything I love has been difficult, but I'm getting there.  Time management and physical strength are getting better.  Things are positive... and only getting better!

Wishing you all warm smiles...

Betty