Lots going on

Four New FINISHED punch needles are now available in my Etsy shop.

Please keep in mind these are my models for my patterns so there is just one available for each punch, when there gone there gone.

Also please make sure when ordering that you are on the finished punches not the pattern listing.

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

Twiggs has Sold, Thank you

Also I have listed 3 new minis patterns.

They are no bigger than 3" and are punched using a 1 strand CTR needle and 1 strand of floss.

And last but not least. The copper hangers I use on the minis are also available.

Wishing you a wonderful day!

Enjoy, Kate

Scrappy

Finish: Made into a pillow. Using linen on the back and on the edges.

I purchased the linen from Joanne Fabrics it is dressmakers linen. The background of the punch matches the linen beautifully. The weavers cloth is the background of the punch, If you order it printed on cloth from my Etsy shop the copyright is printed on the inside of the punch needle so it does not show.

This pattern is perfect for scrap threads, you may choose to make the flowers all different colors. 

The top check is free standing as well as the bottom flower It gives it another dimension.

Now available in my Etsy shop: "SCRAPPY" The pattern with the bottom flower and the check measure 7" high and the width is 9 1/2". The model is punch using a CTR 3 strand needle. It is color coded using DMC & Gentle arts floss. I have also included a conversion for the Gentle Arts to DMC, although I do recommend the Gentle Arts colors for this punch they have a little variation in the floss and the colors are not so pronounced. 

Here is a link to my Etsy shop:

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

Have a wonderful day, Kate

Ivy & Lace

Time for a new pattern:

"Ivy & Lace"

This is larger punch measuring 10" by 10". Color coded using DMC only...it is a 2 & 3 strand punch.  It is punched on weavers cloth using a 3 strand CTR needle. 

The rounded curves between the punch and the lacing or scalloping around the outside edge is left unpunched for definition. You may choose to fill it in or not it's up to you.

I choose to do this pattern in my favorite summer colors.

Then mounted it and made a tote for my personal use. The punch pattern is for the punch only and does not include the purse pattern. Sorry, I just sew and design as I go.   

I added polka dots to the inside just for fun!

If you are interested in this pattern head on over to my Etsy shop at: 

briarcottage.

It is only available as a Printed pattern, because of the size. So no download is available. 

If you choose to not have the pattern pre printed on fabric. Please keep in mind that you will have to piece 4 pages together in order to make up this large of an image. I also include a color code for you to follow comprised of DMC floss only. 

Have a great week!  Enjoy,  Kate

All Done

Winter white Is finished,

Turned and ironed the weavers cloth to the back at the very edge of the punch and left about a 1/2 inch hem.  It is then backed with wool Turned the sides to about 1/2 inch, then blanket stitched the punch needle to the wool. Added the beaded pearls by stitching each one separately using a beading needle which is very long and ultra thin. Added my label to the back and it's all ready for next Christmas... I will however leave it out a bit for the winter. 

Enjoy, Kate

Finish Winter White

Today is a very busy day. 

Your orders are on there way, Thank you!

Winter white is backed with....Read more

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

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

Winding Down

Winding down.. I wanted to pop in and show you a little bit more of the progress on the wall hanging. It's getting there...Almost done!

I would say a little bit of green is needed and the hanger at the top. And I'll call it finished.

It has been a pleasure to work on. The freedom it has allowed me after strick line punching was a blast!

On the Punch frame today is another folk art piece...Inspiration from a Fraktur.

I would like to do the same as the wall hanging to finish this piece. but on a smaller scale. I had it in mind as I designed it. Below is a watercolor of the piece I quickly sketched & painted over Memorial day weekend.

So glad you're following along..Have a wonderful evening,

Kate

Inspiration

I came across a women called Jude Hill. She does things with fabric that is just amazing! 

I thought, well I have been trying, to figure out another way to finish the Punch needle models.

I like things framed, boxed, etc. but my favorite is the mat itself. I feel, no.... I think, fabric kind of needs fabric to ground it...I think?  So because of Jude it gave me the idea, it would be wonderful as a wall hanging...fabric within fabric...form within form.. I am playing with two of the punch models and adding it to a wall hanging...I have begun to embroider, quilt and just have a blast with it, freedom! It let's me break out of the box, create a free form,  relax and not be so boxed in. I hope you enjoy it as much as I am enjoying doing it. Thank you Jude for your wonderful inspiration. If you get a chance head on over to her blog.  http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/

 Let me know what you think. I would love your feedback good or bad!

Have a wonderful creative day,

Kate

Chilly Day Needlework

It's a chilly wet day in Pittsburgh. I have finished all my chores for the week house cleaning, laundry, mowing the lawn, etc. What do I do now, It's a no brainer needlework, YEA!  I think it's time to add finishing touches to some of my previous punches.

I'm thinking since I'm no longer doing festivals. I will begin selling some of my artwork & punch needle pieces on Etsy. I'm hoping they will be well received. I will post here and on my personal facebook page of the new listings. Follow along won't you!

Have a wonderful weekend, Stay dry and cozy,

Kate

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

Holly: Finish

This Pattern available in my Etsy Shop:

Holly

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

These round punches are perfect for a beautiful and unusual table scape addition .

For the Holidays, punch as many as you can and make that Holiday table a special one. You can even give them as a gift to all your dinner guests.

Think out of the box!

Kate