Friday, December 23, 2016

2016 Christmas at Briar Cottage


Have yourself A Merry little Christmas


Let your heart be light.


from now on our troubles


will be out of sight.


Have yourself a merry little Christmas


Make the Yuletide gay


From now on, our troubles will be miles away.


Here we are as in olden days


Happy golden days, of yore.


Faithful friends who are dear to us


Gather near to us, once more.


Through the years we all will be together


If the fates allow


So hang a shining star upon the highest bough


And have yourself a merry little Christmas now!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!


Monday, November 28, 2016

Christmas Time


"Christmas Time"

This will be the last pattern of the season....now offering this Christmas time bunny. He measures 6 1/4" wide by 8" high. He is color coded using Valdani & Moire wool for background work, and DMC for detail. Now available in my Etsy shop:

For many years I did an open house, in my little studio.  It was wonderful seeing all my friends and I so appreciated their patronage, The shop has been closed now for a couple years. This year I am looking forward to decorating and enjoying my family. To all my past and present followers and friends, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy healthy New Year!
See you after the Holidays!
Kate



Monday, November 14, 2016

Pixie at Play

"Pixie at Play"


Finished Pattern


Closeup of Punch


Black and white printed on weavers cloth
Available on the Printed listing.


Color printed on weavers cloth
Available on the Printed listing.


So much easier to punch a detailed pattern.


Please keep in mind these are not waterproof. 
The image will bleed if you get it wet.

I will have to experiment with the image, I believe if I iron it with a hot iron it may hen be waterproof..but it could change color...I will give it a try...we will see I'll let you know!


Patterns what you get:

Let me explain what a download or printed pattern includes:.
The cover with measurements, flosses used, DMC, Valdani, Wool Moire. 
These are the three threads I use. 
Generally The detail work is DMC and the background is Valdani or Wool Moire or both.
how many strands count....1,2,3,4,6 strand punch
Name of pattern & Number
And a finished color picture of the punch.
Inside you get:
 a black and white line drawing, forward image  
a black and white line drawing, reversed image
and a color code which works like a paint by number but it is punch by number.

OPTIONS:
jpg instant download listing, all the above
or 
Printed pattern listing, shipped snail mail
with the options of:
Printed Pattern only
Printed Pattern with plain weavers cloth, 18" x 22"
Printed Pattern with a BW image printed on Weavers cloth, 18" x 22"
Newer patterns only-Printed Pattern with a color image printed on Weavers cloth, 18" x 22"

A new offering in my Etsy shop Pixie at Play, Punch needle pattern.
Pixie at Play information:

 3 strand punch
measurements 7" x 7"
Color coded using: DMC for detail work, 
Valdani Perle cotton for background work, with a DMC alternative

Well that was a long one wasn't it?
Any questions leave a comment, I will answer the best I can.

Happy Punching,
Kate








Saturday, November 12, 2016

Spool Ornaments



Ok everyone heres an idea, For all you Rustic Moire wool thread users! 


The yellow one is the Rustic Moire spool. 
Cut the size of the wool with a titch over....
Embroider the wool...
secure by sewing the unfinished ends...
Embellish as you wish!


Punch needle wrapped Moire spool



Rustic Moire wool thread.

The theme for my tree this year is needlework. Lots to do!

Have fun, Kate

Monday, November 7, 2016

Olde world santa


As always good Monday morning to you!


I have so much to tell you. Many happenings at The Cottage. First of all, a new pattern has arrived in time for Christmas, "Olde World Santa", A prim offering for all you antiquers out there.  


He measures 8" high by 5 3/4" wide. It is a 3 strand punch. Color coded using DMC for the detail work and the New Rustic wool Moire for the background. Pattern # 145.



Now available in my Cottage Etsy shop.


Now my next News: This pattern is now available color printed on fabric. Wow! Imagine the color on the fabric as you punch, so much easier. It is a little bit more expensive, but please keep in mind color ink is expensive as you know if you have a color printer. It is available in the Printed Pattern option for this pattern.


There is another bonus to this: You're not a puncher? Really?
They are framable: Mount like you would any cloth stretched, then framed. WHA, LA !
How much fun is this. Don't stop there, Printed pillows, sew to any background and continue with embroidery to make a wall hanging etc. The possibilities are endless! More on this to come!


There is a new sketchbook page on my blog, link on the right hand side. 

I decided to give myself a personal challenge. I have the internet choose a word of the day. Then from that word I draw a quick sketch, no more than 15 minutes. Perks the imagination, but most of all it will get me back to quick sketching. Follow along if you like. Some may also turn into punch needle patterns or watercolor paintings, which I hope to offer on Etsy.

Ok...enough rambling, sorry I'm so excited,
Leave a comment and let me know what you think of the new ventures.

Have a wonderful day, and thank you!
Kate

Monday, October 17, 2016

Late Night Walk




"Late Night Walk"

Good Monday morning to you. I am hoping you had a wonderful weekend. I spend mine punching this Christmas Pattern and was also able to do the finish work on this decorative Christmas pillow. Let me first give you some details about the punch needle pattern now available in my Etsy shop.  
This is a three strand punch
Color coded using DMC for the detail, Valdani Perle Cotton for the border and for the first time I've used the new Rustic wool Moire thread for the background.

Moire threads are available at: http://www.the-teachers-pet.com
  
I just love the texture this thread added to the Piece. It worked very nicely with the 3 strand CTR needle. 
This Punch Measures 9" high by 7 1/2" wide.

Here is the link to my Etsy Shop if you are interested in purchasing the pattern:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/briarcottage




I finished the piece using wool for the front and back. Stitch the Punch to the wool using a blanket stitch around all edges. I decided on pennies to finish of the edge, black for the larger pennies were added first to the seam of the pillow a little more than halfway pinned in place, then I hand stitched through all layers front, black pennies and backing using a blanket stitch to form the pillow shell. Remember to leave an opening for stuffing. Remove all pins and stuff pillow. Close the stuffing opening also using a blanket stitch to match. I wanted a little touch of the burnt orange, so I decided to add french knots around the edge at each blanket stitch stem. I then added the smaller pennies in the green plaid to each of the black pennies overlapping the pillow edge. I must say the pillow finish took much longer than the punch itself. In all this took 2 days to punch and another 2 1/2 days to finish. The finished pillow measures: 16" by 16". 


Detail of Santa


Detail of Reindeer.


Detail of  Lower Border.

As always wishing you pleasure in punching!
Kate


Monday, October 3, 2016

Stickers








Hey, guess who's popped in for a visit to my Cottage Etsy Shop!

Yeap it's "Stickers"!

Already for Halloween with her or his witch or warlock hat!
Color Coded for you, using DMC for the detail work and DMC or Valdani for the main background. Coded for either, it's your choice both are included.

This is a three strand punch, measuring 9 1/2" high by 4" wide. 
Here's the link to my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/briarcottage

Have a wonderful day, stay warm!
Kate


Thursday, September 29, 2016

To the Moon




Thought I would break away from the Fall colors to Christmas colors.
This little snowman is singing a lullaby to the Moon, but the moon is already fast asleep.
He is now available for all you gift giving punchers in my Cottage Etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/briarcottage

Color Coded using DMC ONLY.
it is a 3 strand punch. 
Measurements 6" by 9".

Have a wonderful day, I'm off to Punch another Fall design.

Kate

Monday, September 26, 2016

Musing Melinda



Good Monday Morning everyone,

Fall is upon us...... Yippee, my favorite time of year. 
Burning a fire in the fireplace, hot drinks by my side, punching and stitching.
Who could ask for anything more, pure heaven!

Melinda has popped in again this time sporty a black dress & Pumpkins!
There's even pumpkins on her hat? Why not!

This is a 3 strand punch
 using DMC for detail and Valdani Perle Cotton for the main background.
It measures 8" by 7 1/4".

Grab a cup of Coffee.... stop on by and visit my Etsy Shop!

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

Happy Punching,
Kate

Monday, September 19, 2016

Trick or Treat is done!


Trick  or Treat

And a good Monday Morning to everyone. I hope you enjoyed your weekend. Mine was relaxing and  enjoyable. I did a little punching on another Halloween Punch, (a hint Melinda returns). Color coded and got everything set up for the Trick or Treat punch. Popped in on Facebook to see what everyone was up too, plus watched a few episodes of Dr Quinn, Medicine woman...which is like Little House on the Prairie, a welcome change from the world today. 

Back to the Punch....Trick or Treat is now available in my Cottage Etsy Shop. This is a larger punch than I normally do 8 1/2" by 6 1/2". so you have the choice of  3 strand or 6 strand it may be worked in either or both...whichever you prefer! Its very colorful using DMC about 12 separate colors with no line work! The house walls are Valdani but could be switched with a DMC neutral of your choice. Rambling on so enough said. Here's the link:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/briarcottage

Have a wonderful day,
Kate

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Trick or Treat


In the Hoop

There is definitely a crispness to the air as I wake in the morning....fall is on its way! Like many and I am no different Fall is my favorite time of year.
 I'm currently working on a new pattern with lots of color for Fall.
Just a peek I am hoping to have it coded and ready for my Cottage Etsy shop early next week. 
Enjoy the upcoming weekend, plenty of festivals and fun things to do.

Have fun!
Kate

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

12 Days of Christmas finishing




Good Tuesday Afternoon to everyone. I hope you had a wonderful Labor day weekend. I spend much of mine putting wool backings on the Twelve days of Christmas. Getting ready to finish the project. I have had many thoughts on how to finish them, should I make them into a tree skirt with pennies on the edge, or mount them in a frame for above my fireplace, Well I have decided to mount them on Linen in a row to extend down the 8' wall beside the Christmas tree. I may eventually add pennies to the edge. Yeap, I think I will love it! Oh I forgot to mention it would be wonderful as a countdown to Christmas, pin them onto the backing with a rusted straight pin at the top and add one every day till Christmas. (Like a advent calendar)!



The Ornament have found a touch of bling, 
I believe the beads will catch the christmas lights beautifully. 


I am also sketching and designing a few more fall punches.
I will post when I have them available in Cottage Etsy shop. 

Have a wonderful week!
Kate

Thursday, August 18, 2016

12 Days is Finished



I have spent this month in the air conditioning designing and punching the final punches for the Twelve days of Christmas. All twelve are available now in my Cottage Etsy shop. Each sold separately.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/briarcottage


12 days of Christmas Ornies
The Ornies are also all available, sold in sets of two.
I will be spending the next few weeks putting finishing touches on all my existing punches. I am ready to do some hand work again and get some of the finished punches up for sale. So stay tuned! Enjoy, and as always Happy Punching!
Kate