Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Merry Melinda



"Merry Melinda"
Melinda has returned in a new Christmas Punch Needle Pattern


She is balancing on a  bed of Holly


and the bells are a ringing


a close up of her delicate holly crown!

This pattern measures (9" tall by 5" wide)
3 strand punch
It is a mixer: using DMC for Details and Valdani for the background.

I do realize that it's not even October, please don't shoot the messenger! But for those of you that want to get started on some Christmas Projects for gifts, Melinda is a wonderful punch! She has just been posted in my Cottage shop on Etsy!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/briarcottage

Have a wonderful Day!
Kate





Wednesday, September 23, 2015

A new Page at Briar Cottage

I have been asked over and over again to teach punch needle. I have to tell you I am not a writer nor am I a teacher... but figured I would give it a try. The best I can do is give tips and tricks occasionally to help you along your new or old venture. 

Very first punch from a kit

I am an artist, I don't believe in rules I believe in the venture..Rules are a starting point, a beginning, a basic start. So I will include the basic rules and also try to include ways to make it more interesting, break the rules, try new ventures, experiment! 



Follow along with me, if you have any questions please place a comment on the post and I will try and give you an answer as soon as I can! If you would like to receive my posts you can follow along by subscribing to the email list on the side.

The tip and Learning will be on a new page...listed in the other links on the side bar. I haven't decided exactly how I will approach this venture. But I'm thinking for the moment I will link a picture from here to the new post on the Punch Needle Tips page until everyone gets used to it. If  you have a better way of doing it please let me know!




The First Post is a shopping list of needed supplies. See More click here


Happy Punching!
Kate

Birds Eye View



Bird's eye View
Punch Needle Pattern


Hawks view


My newest pattern! 
A reminder of Fall, but it could also be displayed any time of year.


This is a very fun Punch!

Worked with 3 strand floss and measures 7 1/2" Tall by 5 1/4" wide.
Comes color coded using Valdani and DMC floss.

Available as a jpg download or printed by snail mail, you may also opt to have it pre printed on a fat quarter of weavers cloth!

If you would like to purchase Bird's eye view or visit my Etsy Cottage shop.
here's the link:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/briarcottage

Have a wonderful Day, and as always Happy Punching!

Kate

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Candle Ring Finishing




Bittersweet Punch Needle Candle Ring


Place under a Jarred Candle or a lamp.





Finish the punch, clip weavers cloth on the outside with triangle shaped farley close to the finished edge and the inner edge with a straight line clip. This holds true for any sewing finishes it helps to flatten any project.


here is a close up of clips


Iron your clips to the inside of your work.


Using a piece of 100 % wool. 
Helps to wash the wool to felt it. you can do this by hand washing using hot then cold water intermittently. 
The hot then cold will felt the small fibers in the wool together.

Cut your piece of wool to about 1/8th inch from punch. There is no need to turn the wool under like a hem. Blanket stitch the wool and punch together around the edges to finish. Since the wool is felted it will not fray.
If you are using fabric, use the same clipping as above, turn in, iron, and hem just like the Weavers cloth. Then blanket stitch the two together.



closeup of 1/8 inch wool hem


Your piece is now finished and can be placed around any object your imagination can muster up!

If you have any questions please leave a comment and I try and answer them as soon as possible and to the best of my knowledge.

Thank you for visiting, I hope to add more learning ventures a little at a time, so stop back often or subscribe to my mailing list!

Have a Great Day!
Kate




Monday, September 14, 2015

Clucking along


Clucking Along

Good Monday morning to everyone. 
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Don't know why but this Monday
 I feel as if I'm just barely clucking along,
 but this little guy has a little more umph in his step than I do.

Enjoy, your day and as always
Happy Punching,
Kate

Friday, September 11, 2015

Magic


MAGIC

"Those who don't believe in Magic will never find it"

I'm not sure of how it looks elsewhere but today it's Fall in Pittsburgh, the fog in the morning, the chill in the air, and a small amount of leaves and apples falling from the trees...Wahoo I think its arrived! Definitely my favorite time of year, I get so excited! There is one thing missing the smell of burning wood coming from my neighbors fireplaces! Love it!

Ok, back to the Punch.
This is a three strand punch, it comes with a color coded. I wanted to point out that what looks pink around the edges is actually a soft orange, it's a wonderful color from
Valdani  #JP 6, it's 100% Colorfast, Hand dyed Thread. I use the number 12 it fits into any tight spots and is great for the detail that as you know I love.

The Pattern can be found in my cottage Etsy shop. BriarCottage

https://www.etsy.com/shop/briarcottage

Wishing all a wonderful day,
Kate

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

The Last Harvest



The fall season is coming upon us!

This year went so quickly, I think this is one of my favorite patterns this year...Just love the colors! The lady balancing the spades in front of the Harvest Moon. And the Jacobean style squash flowers and small pumpkins with a touch of William Morris. Some of my favorite things in life.
I'm hoping you also think its special.

The Last Harvest is now available in my Etsy Shop, color coding using Valdani 100% Colorfast, Hand dyed threads and Dmc Floss.
This is a three strand punch.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/briarcottage

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Kate

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Labor Day



Labor Day weekend!

Labor day always marks a new season for me,
 and like many others enters into my favorite time of year

 FALL!

The earth tone colors are magnificent! 
The smell of wood burning and the nature taking its last stand.
 I feel cosy and warm!
 Try and take the time to sit back a bit and wonder at all the happenings of the summer.


Creating is a private world
 the Happiness is not in the completion,
 it's in the Journey!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Weekend!
Kate