Punch Needle Projects

Do you save scraps, and scraps of scraps, until they are so small you can't work with them? That's usually what I do... with wool, paper, and wood. I hate to throw anything away if it can be used in a project later.

After making these early style wall boxes and shelves

I had several small pieces of pine left over. And since I don't make very large punch needle pieces, I figured these scraps would make great bases for some new punch needle designs.

So, I am painting the wood bases with Waverly Inspirations Chalk Paint (by Plaid) and doing the punch needle embroidery using gorgeous Valdani Threads.

I think I'll do several hearts... hearts with scalloped borders, hearts in hands, etc.

I'll be back to share more in-progress photos.

See you soon!

Take care and God bless,
Lana

A Heart, a Lollipop, a Whale's Tail, and a Tombstone!

I've been working on more early inspired wall boxes and shelves...

I have so many colors I'd like to try and so many styles, I don't know where to go from here!

I have these finished and listed on my little shop blog.
You can read all the details here.


Do you have a favorite early, primitive shelf or wall box style? I'm interested in learning about more of them if you'd like to share a link or comment.

Thanks for stopping by...
Blessings,
Lana

2016: The Year of Folk Art

When I sent my last update, the subject was 2016: The Year of Folk Art. At least I think it will be for me. I plan on digging through all my reference books and incorporating 18th and 19th century, early American designs into the mediums that I enjoy doing... needlework, painting, jewelry-making, even woodworking!

Honeysuckle Lane design in-progress using Valdani Threads and National Nonwovens Bamboo Felt

My first designs of 2016 are Folk Art Cuff Bracelets and a Primitive Heart Love Token Shelf. I've got my sketch book handy so when I think of something, I can get it on paper before I forget it! Sometimes a hand-carved design on an antique chest or circles on a penny rug become the inspiration for an applique design... like what you see on the cuffs.

Patterns will be offered at a later date. I'm trying to get collections organized before I actually start making them available.

If you enjoy seeing early American folk art or antiques and primitives incorporated into decor, I recommend the Time Life books series: American Country. Here's a set on Etsy... I bought mine several years back a few at a time, mostly from eBay sellers. By no means do they cover everything, but there's such a variety of information in these books... I love my set!

Do you collect folk art? What's your favorite piece?

Blessings,
Lana

Early American Inspired Wall Boxes

With my husband being the perfectionist woodworker that he is, I never could talk him into making some primitive wall boxes and shelves for me. He would if I really, really wanted him to but he really isn't into painting wood and then distressing it... at all! You can see some of his past work here, here, and here. He does beautiful work!

On the other hand, I think that I am drawn to the early, distressed, or well-loved style because I can very seldom make something look perfect, so I make that work for me! So for the last few days, I have made a few trips out to Roger's workshop and put together a few shelves myself. I think the first day Roger wasn't sure about turning me loose with all his tools... but the second day he only came to check on me two or three times.

I'd used the band saw and oscillating sander before, but this was my first time with the drill press and table saw. Once he showed me how to safely use them, I got to work!

I found a few designs of antiques I liked and sketched them on kraft paper. Then basically I sketched on the wood, cut the design, sketched a few adjustments, and cut a little more (which I'm sure drove Roger nuts!), hammered in the nails (Roger suggested a nail gun but I wanted nails hammered into the wood), then sanded (some with the power sander but mostly by hand)... then painted, sanded, stained, and waxed with my homemade beeswax paste.

The first one was listed here and has already been sold. I have more ready to paint, and although I have ideas of the colors to use, I'd like to hear your suggestions, too!

The designs from left to right are:
primitive heart love token shelf
whale's tail wall box
tombstone spoon rack
lollipop candle box

Thanks for visiting!

Take care and God bless,
Lana

Hand-Crafted Heirloom Baby Bed - Ready and Waiting...

We are less than 3 weeks away from welcoming our little grand-daughter to the world and the baby bed is finished! That's Milo making sure everything looks ok. ;)

Some time back I shared a few photos of it unfinished. It will eventually convert to a toddler bed and then a full size bed, when needed.
The bed is ready and waiting... and so are we! :)

Take care and God bless,
Lana