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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Baskets and Breadboards


Are you a little curious about the history on punch needle embroidery? Well, punch needle embroidery is an old needle art dating back to the early centuries and was used in its day to mark clothing. The technique was worked using hollow bones of birds' wings as needles in its early days. Punch needle pieces are generally quite small in size and are indeed works of art!

It is so fun and so easy, I tell ya, you just have to try it yourself. I started doing punch needle when I was about 19 or 20 years old. There was a co-worker at the credit union where I worked that was a distributor of "pretty punch". It was through Shauna that I tried this fun little art and enjoyed it thoroughly (along with my cross stitch). I purchased spools of wool thread which was used in pretty punch years ago, but there are so many beautiful hand dyed threads we use today which make it so much "funner". Not to mention some wonderful designers, like Brenda Gervais of Country Stitches - With Thy Needle & Thread, who make this art form more enjoyable with her beautiful designs.




"Heart and Hand"
by With Thy Needle & Thread



Next up is the adorable "Peter Cottontail" hopping down the bunny trail with his little basket and lovely robin egg. Such a sweet finish, this one made me so happy. I am wishing and hoping for the arrival of spring, I am sure it will be here before long. I am in need of some sunshine soon.








"Speckled Eggs"
by With Thy Needle & Thread

Last night I stayed up and made Mexican Lasagna so I could just pop it in the oven for dinner today. It's spicylicious!!!! Did you know mexican food is my favorite?

And for dessert we had birthday love cakes! Complete with hearts and cherry icing. Yum! You see today is my dad's birthday, he would have been a mere 75 years young. It's hard to believe he has been gone for over 11 years now. I sure miss him, he was such a special man. I loved him dearly and think of him every day.

What's next ya say? Well I guess it will be "Signs of Spring".......stay tuned to see how sweet this one will turn out.


Thanks for visiting, I love your comments, they are so uplifting and very much appreciated. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and here's to a fabulous new week and month!!


37 comments:

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

I am also doing Speckled Eggs By Brenda. Your Needlepunch is great !! Love the mexican lasagna!!!

Robin said...

Jolene, your punch finishes are just beautiful! I love Mexican food too and hope you'll share your lasagna recipe with us. What a wonderful idea to have a rememberance birthday celebration for your dad. I'm sure he knows. Hugs!

BeckySC said...

Just BEEutiful, Jolene :) WOW!!

DonnaTN said...

Your punch needle stuff is great! It is something I would like to try one of these days. Your meal looks yummy too!

Catherine said...

Love, love, love your pieces!!! Adorable!! Can't wait to see what colors you pick for the next one! And that recipe - yes, you must share!

Berit said...

I love how your robin & eggs piece matches your blog theme! Such pretty pastels; I'm ALSO longing for spring! :D

Carolyn NC said...

These finishes are fantastic!

Annie Bee said...

Love how you finished off your punch needle pieces. Those cupcakes look delicious.

Gabi said...

Lovely finishes. Your cupcakes and lasagne are looking very yummy.
Looking forward to see the new design finished.

Jane said...

I'm loving seeing your punchneedle finishes! They're both so appealing and that speckled egg basket looks cute!!!!

Nic said...

Lovely work!

Carol said...

I am in love with your little bunny punch needle finish, Jolene. And what a perfect little door hanger you made finished it off as--just lovely :)

Faye said...

These all look fantasti!!!

Siobhán said...

Oh my gosh, Jolene, wow! You've outdone yourself. Both punch needle pieces are gorgeous. Your finishing is fabulous, too!

That lasagna looks SO good. Mexican food is my favorite, too. Yumm yumm. Big hugs on your dad's birthday. I know how hard the birthdays & anniversaries are when you can't celebrate with your loved one.

Margaret said...

What beautiful punch needle finishes! I totally agree -- Brenda Gervais is the one who really tempts me with her punch needle pieces. Thank goodness she's translating at least some of her pieces into xs! That Mexican Lasagne looks yummy! And the birthday cupcakes -- so sweet. I know how you feel -- I miss my mom a lot too.

Deb said...

Give your dad a Happy Belated Birthday from me!!! You have convinced me that I need to try needlepunch. I just love your finish! Brenda does have some wonderful designs and I think I did buy one or two, but just haven't tried them yet. I love the hornbook that you mounted your piece on. Can you tell me where you got it?

staci said...

OMGosh Jolene! I am SALIVATING with envy over those FABULOUS finishes!!! WOW, they are sooo awesome!!!

Unknown said...

Jolene, congrats on two fabulous finishes - they are both beautiful. Can't wait to see the next one.

SugarandSpice said...

I had no idea it had been that long...or that it was grandpa's birthday.

BrendaS said...

OMG -- I LOVE your punch needle finishes. They are just beautiful!

I especially like Peter Cottontail.

Can't wait to see your next one!

BrendaS

Missy Ann said...

Wow! Beautifully stitched & finished. :D Love Easter... bunnies for all!

doris said...

Peter Cottontail turned out great, and I really like Heart and Hand.

We do a Mexican lasagna type of thing around here. We call it a green enchilada casserole. I'll bet it's similar. We're wild for Mexican food. In fact, I'm the queen of chile rellenos ... mmmmmm.

Loraine said...

Your punch needle is gorgeous! I love the Easter basket. So cleaver! You finished it perfectly.
Love the cupcakes as well.
When do you want to get together? I need spring soon too!

Andrea said...

Love your punch needle finishes Jolene! I'm a big fan of punchneedle, not sure why I haven't done more of it :-)
Your lasagna looks yummy, I made something similar to that last night. Please share your recipe if you get the chance!
The cupcakes are so cute, you're so sweet to remember your father like that.
xoxo

Michelle said...

Your punchneedle projects are really sweet..

Ummmm... care to share the recipe for that Mexican lasagne? Yum!

Myra said...

Oh, my, gosh! Peter Cottontail is just adorable beyond belief. Great finish!

Sharlotte said...

Seeing your basket finished is making me want to get my Speckled Eggs done soon. Almost there, just need to fill in the background! I love the other piece as well!

paru's_circle said...

crafts and a great cook too!!! thanks for coming by my blog.. the rooster is for dd.. i guess she'll probably frame it eventually.

Leeanne My Nifty Needle said...

I am in LOVE with your Peter Contontail! And the way you finished him....awesome! I have to try this craft!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for dropping by my blog and being so kind as to leave a comment. I was thrilled to see that.

Even more wonderful was coming over here to visit you. Your punchneedle work is absolutely gorgeous. I had a little 'play' with punch needle many many years ago but lack of ideas and designs available had me tuck it away in a safe place until "one day". (smile)

Your work is inspiring. I especially love the Heart and Hand. It's always been one of my favourite symbols.

Thanks again.

Katrina said...

The punchneedle pieces are so pretty. Love them.

Very sweet that you still celebrate your father's birthday :-).

Kellie said...

Hi Jolene,
All of your punchneedle finishes are gorgeous!! I love the designs and how you have finished them. That Mexican lasagna looks delicious!! Do you share your recipes? This is one that I would like to try. Looking forward to seeing your next work of art...Signs of Spring. I am going to get brave and haul out my punchneedle stash and give it a try soon. It has been sitting in a box patiently waiting since Christmas. :)
Have a great rest of the week.

Pumpkin said...

Jolene! These pieces are to DIE for!!!! Just incredible. I didn't know that punch needle has been around for that long ;o)

If you keep making bunnies, I'm going to have to come for a visit...

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

How in the world did I miss this post???? Your finishes are wonderful! I absolutely LOVE the heart in hand finish! They're both wonderful but that is my favorite! Your lasagna and love cakes look yummy! I am sure you still miss your dad. (((hugs))))

TammyK said...

Love your finishes, especially Peter Cottontail :o) Mexican food has to be my favorite too. Which do you like to do more - cross stitch or punch needle embroidery?

Michelle said...

Your finished punchneedle pieces are lovely!

Brigitte said...

Oh Jolene, both your punchneedle finishes are so beautiful. I particularly fell in love with the little bunny basket. It's to die for.