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