Showing posts with label Father Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Father Christmas. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 30

Wool Hooked Rugs


"Dance of the Harvest Crows"  copyright 2019 Michelle L. Palmer

Hello, Friends!
Hope you have been enjoying beautiful Autumn days~
Praying for all affected by the California fires.
Hope they are contained and end quickly.
Prayers for safety.

I finally found my little book of passwords!
That is why I have been away~ I couldn't log on.
It is good to tidy the studio...
It is not good to reorganize the studio.
My mind is not good at remembering 'the better spot anymore'

Dance of the Harvest Crows is one of my most recent rugs.
I love to see crows perched on sunflower heads~
Dancing with delight at the meal they have before them!
I tucked apple trees in the corners.



"Orchard Santa" copyright 2019 Michelle L. Palmer

This jolly old fella looks to have his rain coat on!
Early American Belsnickel's had variety of coats~
He scooped up a basket of apples that had fallen from the tree
when he collected the hive from the orchard.
The skep will winter in the outer-barn where it will be
protected from harsh winter winds.


Just a few doors down, a vegetable stand had harvested the most
beautiful painted corn! Flint corn, Indian corn, Calico corn...
I was taking photographs of several different subjects
on the same sunny day~
The colorful corn had been set next to my hooked rug...
Aren't those blue, black, periwinkle, olive, taupe, umber,
plum, maroon and salmon kernels beautiful?
A pretty side by side.


We have two craft & fabric thrift shops in our area.
The stores are brimming with donated supplies. The proceeds are
used to support, care for and educate the local community.

Orchard Santa's background is a remnant from one of the shops.
It is a little bit thinner than wool milled specifically for rug hooking.
The results came as a complete surprise to me!



Here you can see the original patch of wool
next to a small hooked sample,#8 cut loops.
I wash all wool before adding it to my existing stash.
Making sure it is clean and clear of any unwanted clothes moths
or carpet beetles. I make a sample patch of the plaids and textures.

The wool looks different when it it is hooked in curvy lines!
Since this was a fabric remnant, we don't know how old it is.
I have searched the web for it~ I have not found a source.

The wool in the image below is currently available from Dorr Mill Store.
My friend Caryn shared the photograph with me.
It looks to be similar~



Autumn is golden~
Wishing your hearts joy!

Wednesday, November 28

Rug hooking patterns~



I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
The four of us were together for a quiet dinner. It was nice to hold still as
both Alaina and Will work retail/entertainment. A busy time for them.
Dean and I are so grateful for their love and laughter.

So hard to believe December is just a blink away!
I have been trying to finish "Jasper & Snickers," my donkey rug,
so that I can start on a prim Santa project!
I translated this prim friend from one of my paintings... he is such a tease.
Those eyes!
I'm not good at starting new rugs while one is still unfinished. 
Not a bad thing but I would LOVE to work on a seasonal piece
at the same time and not feel guilty~ (giggle)
I think it is because I don't want to confuse wool palettes
in my small project area.



I have added some new rug hooking patterns to my Etsy Shop
They are hand drawn onto primitive linen.
I do my best to keep lines straight on the grain.

'Buffalo Check Santa' with his bluebird of happiness!
Inspired by one of my punch needle designs, the smaller size has a starry sky.

'Buffalo Check Santa' with his bluebird of happiness~
The larger size has the same twig border and tree...

'White Birch Snowman' with his Cardinals~ based on my punch needle design.

'White Birch Snowman' with his Cardinals~ based on my punch needle design.


'Jasper and Snickers' are coming along! 
There are not enough 'play' hours to the day~
I never want to rush just to get something finished.
Snickers face is almost done! That is the most challenging part for me,
capturing the likeness and character. Once I finish his eye area and those ears...
I will be able to zip the soil in and crochet the edges!

Always thinking of hearts that are recovering from hurricanes,
flooding, fires, health emergencies and family loss~
You're never far from our hearts and prayers.

Wishing your hearts joy~


Monday, December 5

Punch Needle Blue Christmas Santa



My heart has experienced many blue Christmas seasons~
You still have hope, joy, love...
You still share gifts and good will...
There is a longing.
Someone is missing and nothing can fill that empty spot. 

When a cardinal visits~
all dressed in red, 
there is love.
A tender moment when someone we loves comes to mind. 

How I LOVE to design, paint, collect, punch, felt etc. etc. flow blue!
No matter how blue I may feel~ it warms my heart!

l hope your Holiday Season is brimming with joy~
Filled with peace~
Touched with love~

Prayers and love to all who have heavy hearts~
You're being thought of and loved.

Friday, November 18

Punch needle Santa's Redwork


'Saint Nicholas' Collection of four~ copyright 2016 Michelle L. Palmer

We had beautiful sunshine & 72 degrees today!
Less than one week until Thanksgiving~
Tomorrow it will be cooler...
Sunday we are expecting a snowstorm...


Planted spring bulbs with my daughter this morning.
So grateful for the beautiful day~
Finished getting the delicate tubers & rhizomes set in peat bins....
Cleared the last flower bed.
Winter can arrive~


The Santa portrait patterns are available in my Etsy shop.
You can use your favorite red or green... even blue!
All of my patterns include the DMC floss colors that I use.


I thought the four of them would make a nice hooked rug...
Four in line would make a neat table runner...
Added to a Christmas stocking...
Made into tree ornaments...
A pretty red pillow with a Santa circle~
Oh the fun!


A season filled with joy!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Sweet Friends!


Saturday, December 5

Father Christmas Prints in Etsy...

A few of my hand signed prints to share
in my Etsy shop... even have frames with them.

My grandma always told stories of an older man,
he had rosy cheeks and pleasant eyes...
Long heavy, itchy wool coat...


Sweet cherry colored lips that never stopped smiling!


Typically had a bag filled with gifts that he would
share with thankful neighbors...
At times he might even carry an evergreen for
miles~ sure to place it in clear sight for
when the children would come down for
breakfast in the morning... the first thing they'd see!
Oh the stories!

None so wonderful as when we she would read
from her Bible... of the bright star, the shepherds...
The Miracle of His birth~

Hope your weekend is wonderful!

Thursday, November 27

Happy Thanksgiving...

"Muffin Bun" Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope your day has been blessed with love,
great memories and yummy foods!

We enjoyed a quiet day together at home~
Shared a lot of laughs, cooked together and
watched the Macy's Day parade
for the first time in YEARS!

"Sugar Owl" Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

Sharing some of our Christmas collection!
These are on Ebay now...

"Santa Claus" Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Wishing all of you the best~