Punch needle sunflower~

~The Sunflower~

My latest punch needle project!

My first sketches have a large star in the center of the sunflower~

As I started adding details to the petals the star seemed too prim.

This seed area is more fitting.

You will see my beginning sketch below~

I think of my punch needle works as 'painting with strings'

Same amount of detail as a watercolor painting... only with fibers!

Blue and yellow~

My most favorite pairing!

Here you can see the large star I had sketched from the beginning...

After hanging laundry on the line I walked around the bird feeders

to see if there were any feathers~

A little bit of blue!

A kiss of sunshine!

First colors being added...

Had I kept the petals simple yellow/gold~ I would have been able

to use the initial sketch with the star center.

Perhaps I will try it next time!

So many color variations~

A true palette of beauty!

Injured Robin~

We met this morning~

She flew into one of my studio windows.

I sat with her until she could fly again.

Making sure she was able to take as much time

as she needed without the stray cats & hawks moving in.

 Her breathing calmed & she started looking around!

I encouraged her to build her Spring nest in the backyard~

Hope you're having a wonderful day, Sweet Friends!

Vintage Linens...

I was in an antique shop along the Erie Canal & found a little flower linen.

It was crinkled up and browned... 

There was a 2nd one!!!!

(My little prayer was for just one more... just one more!)

As I searched the entire booth, under every blanket~

Between every table cloth and linen!

There were five!

With arms filled with various vintage treasures,

my heart skipped a beat over these!

After their gentle soak in mild laundry detergent & a dash of Oxy Clean

they were even more beautiful!

As I was pressing them the ideas were swirling in my mind!!

Should I draw top views of frogs on them (lily pads?)

Should I draw five different flowers with their botanical names?

Should I draw butterflies on them?

Should I pattern them?

Some of my favorite quotes & fuzzy bees kept coming to my heart!

These are on their way home to Nevada!

A dear heart who LOVES BEES will give them the love they deserve~

Hope your September has been off to a great start!