Hooking

Good morning!

I started a hooked rug last year and haven’t had a chance to work on it. I’ve Decided  to spend a couple days adding to my my freestyle rug.

Since I follow restricted lines for my punch needle patterns, for this I decided to just let my imagination run. It feels really good for a change.

It will end up being a modern rug....but that’s ok!

My home is an eclectic mix...of my arts from present and past. A complete mush mash of furniture and trinkets collected over the years....most of my furnishings have come from flea markets, friends and the side of the road, Painted or refinished to my liking.

Over the years there has been a multitude of changes in my arts and my home. But antiques will always stay very close to my heart, especially early American..! I don’t own a piece but enjoy looking on Pinterest at everyone else’s treasures.....they are far beyond my budget.

I am a very private person, I spend most of my time alone in my art bubble. 

Please be patient with me as I am trying to open my home and my heart to the internet. I do feel I owe my followers this. Till next time, I’m off to hook.

Enjoy,

 life, the arts and above all yourself,

Kate

A New Year

Here we are in 2017!

This will be the first pattern of the new year....coming soon!

The Holidays were wonderful, I enjoyed my family and friends with a welcome break.

My hopes are that yours was a special season also!

I want to thank everyone that purchased patterns from me in 2016.  Your kind words likes and comments are overwhelming. The year was a wonderful success. Thank you!

There are many more patterns to come, I would like to work on changing of thread count and the size of needle in one piece..to be worked as if painting with a paint brush! This will give a much more advanced look and feel to the punches. 

Please don't hesitate to approach me with any questions or suggestions for the coming year! 

I do love hearing from you.

If you follow me on Facebook? This years side adventure is 1 year of stitches. (Embroidery) 

Don't worry punching and needle design is still my first love.

It's not to late to join in or you can follow along on Instagram #1yearofstitches.

Happy New Year to you all, 

Kate

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

Note Cards

The Light Within

Whimsey Tree

Garden Path

Good Sunday Morning to you all,

Just popped in to announce I am now selling Reproduction Note Cards of my Original Watercolors. Stop by my Etsy shop and check them out if you have the opportunity! https://www.etsy.com/shop/briarcottage

Have a Wonderful 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

My new fiber studio

I've just begun a new rug, 

A large 60" x 55" approx. abstract landscape. I usually hook in a traditional form. But hopefully this time I can break away and loosen up, and develop a freeform rug. Deanne Fitzpatrick's video's have been a huge inspiration.  If you haven't seen her work and videos do swing by Youtube and check them out!

I've converted an old easel, that was kicking around from my painting days. It was fairly simple to convert. Ordered gripper strips and Monday they arrived. The Hardest thing about this project was attaching the strips. I do suggest you wear gloves!

I spent Saturday morning dyeing the wool and roving, which is always fun. Seeing the colors emerge from the dye pot, and having a wide variety of colors to choose from, I'm like a kid in a candy store.

Last week I broke down my painting and Winkle world studio and reinvented the studio from paint to fiber. Its now a wonderful space with everything fiber at my fingertips. What fun!

Bit by bit I'll chip away at my rug, in between designing punch needle patterns. For all you Winkle collectors out there, I haven't quit all together but they will be limited. Merry Melinda is on the Punch frame and will be posted hopefully by the weekend. 

Have a wonderful day! 

Kate 

My little Nook

My little Nook for punch needle and Rug Hooking

Thought I would show where I do my punching..very comfortable! Hope it gives people some ideas. The light is an artist light with two kinds of bulbs for true color or daylight color..but I still try and pull my colors in daylight. The hookers frame is attached the table and the frame rotates...it makes punching easier. The little drawer and the cabinet hold the threads and essentials.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

GIVING   THANKS

For Friends and Family,

For Health and Happiness,

&

For Daughters who can Cook!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Kate

Published in Prim's

Published in Prim's

 Fall winter 2014 issue

I'm so excited the new issue has arrived at my doorstep. I can't tell you the feeling of seeing my Winkles in a National magazine., Published w0w!

 I want to thank Danielle Mohler, the editor of Prim's magazine, for inviting me to be a part of the magazine,

 such an honor. 

If you would like to purchase this wonderful publication head on over to 

http://stampington.com/prims

Thank you for your interest, Kate

The Beginning

Miscellaneous Monday...

A post on the beginning of Briar Cottage Studio!  THE BEGINNING--17 years and running.

  I was a housewife, & mother, plus I ran the office  click to READ MORE..... 

In the Studio--Working on Winkles Today! I need to make a new batch of Paper clay, it was a busy & productive weekend. 

At the Cottage-- Package is ready to be sent. Spindle man is finished and ready to be picked up. Debbie's pants are hemmed and ready! The new punch needle pocket is finished, ready for the WEB SHOW!

Times are posted for the WEB SHOW (on the right). April 8th, at 8:00 pm (EST). 

Join me if you can!

Have a wonderful day,

Kate

This & That

(I haven't come up with a name yet, any suggestions?)

How about: Politically Incorrect, Lewis. Let me go smoke my Pipe!

He is getting there.....Sir Caterpillar and the little snowman looking thing will eventually be the hookah pipe. I am working on 5 sculptures at one time, It works out well, Tidbits are added while the other one's are drying.

This is a pic of the spindle man base painted he is finished and ready to go! Am I repeating myself, I will post finished pics after the customer picks it  up.

In the Studio: More work on the sculptures. I was having so much fun with them yesterday, I didn't get anything else done. A must is the package for the event, it must go out tomorrow!

In the Cottage: The sun is shinning, which is amazing in Pittsburgh, looks like Spring is springing. A friend needs some sewing done, hemming pants. I will get to that today! Plus the sewing of the door pocket. Tonight!

Wishing all, a wonderful day,

Kate

Looking Forward to Spring

We did get the snow....and the ice

I was able to clear a little snow yesterday, and the sun is shining which is unusual in Pittsburgh.

My car doors are iced shut.... and my poor car, needs dug out. The temperature is not suppose to get warmer, so it looks like I'll be staying home for awhile. What a shame, another day Needle Punching. Ohhhhhh.... my!  I think I will work on Home sweet Home pattern.

Yesterday I was able to finish a punch needle, Jacobean Floral I will post it soon. I heard from a good friend of mine called yesterday, she would like another large Spindle person, she had purchased one in the past and would like a pair. So I will prime the spindle this morning and let it settle for painting, keep you posted!

Stay warm,

Kate

Okeedokee!

I took the time last night to pull out just a few of my old sketch books, I would like to take a look at them today, maybe get some ideas for stitchery patterns. 

Pip found the new window seat, rug hooking, and a new view to the world beyond the backyard.

The Cottage is looking a little bare. We had some sun yesterday and the snow is almost gone. But don't fret they are calling for more this afternoon, 4 to 6 inches. Oh my! I do miss my little shop, and the pleasure of seeing my friends pop in.

I found a new blog yesterday morning, very early in the morning, I must add. Such an inspiration!

(Not forgotten farm).

 I must try and open up to you all a little bit more. I am not one to share my feelings, but I will try, promise!

Happy creating,

Kate

Thank you

To everyone that came out this weekend and made the open house a huge success,

 Thank you!

I appreciate your patronage so much, but most of all it's wonderful to see everyone again. 

Wishing everyone a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS

&

A HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR! 

Spring has Sprung

Every spring, Fall and winter, I change things around the cottage. Not for the Holidays but for the seasons. A lighter airy feel in the spring and summer. So I took yesterday off and switched things out, In the process you always find items that need cleaned, areas that need some TLC, etc. So of course it takes more than one day. I also got a little side tracked. I was recently at the local Thrift store and came across a dresser  I think from the late 1800's. My kids will say, Mom don't you have enough furniture or I thought you were cleaning out. But non the less here it is, now the same old dilemma, do I leave it wood or paint it? We'll as an artist my first thought goes to paint it! A couple years ago, everything in my home was painted , so I am trying to bring some wood back. I will live with it for a week or so till the answer comes! The other question arrives do you keep it or sell it? Hum mm!

Christmas is around the corner

 

 

I've decked the halls with boughs of holly.
Now it’s time for fun and folly!

 

 

Join me for my annual

HOLIDAY HOUSE
 

 

Friday, December 7th, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

and

Saturday, December 8th, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

 

 

All are welcome, the more the merrier. 

 Big changes at the Cottage.   Browse six rooms,  there's something for everyone.

Wishing all a Very Merry Christmas, 

Kate

Harvest Happenings

HARVEST  HAPPENINGS

A Fall Gathering

at the Main House

 

Join me on

Friday, September 21, 2012  from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

&

Saturday,  September 22, 2012 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

 

Unique and unusual!

Art, Fall Decorations, Wearables, Furniture, Winkles, Jewelry, Gift items and more.

 

Friends are always welcome.

Thank you,  Kate

 

Come & Gone

Come & Gone,  in more ways than one! Spring has come and gone and I have to apologize, there was no Spring Open House. I am in a transitional mode. As you know the Cottage has Come & Gone, Yes I miss it also! But life is all about changes, and there has been many. I want to Thank Everyone for your support the past 14 years, because of you my dreams and my love for art have become a reality..... If you don't mind, how about a jaunt down memory lane at The Cottage.....................

THE COTTAGE