Punch needle ~ Crow with the Velvet Hat

  

From one of my original watercolor paintings...

A new punch needle project!

"Crow with the Velvet Hat"

Copyright Michelle L. Palmer

I decided to set him in the same orientation as my original 

painting so that you could compare the shading & colors~

I think this little fella is just begging to be made from paper mache, too!

Black is never really black... 

Our iridescent friend is thrilled to have so many colors & values!

A peek at the finished side~

I chose to make the punch needle a bit larger so I could work details easier.

Time to start the background!

Wishing you a wonderful week, Sweet Friends!

Crow with the button jar!

I have misplaced a jar of tiny buttons.

They are in this studio somewhere~

If you happen to see a crow flying by with my button jar...

Hope your day is filled with creative, Sweet Friends!

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!

Punch needle, Pumpkin & Crow!

Cool August nights~

Corn fields changing colors...

Colorful leaves beginning to spot the lawns!

Fall colors are so delicious!

Started my 'Pumpkin & Crow' punch needle last night.

Now I want to make a pumpkin pie!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Sweet Friends!

Punch needle whale & dolphins~

"Down by the Sea" copyright Michelle L. Palmer

He is swimming with the dolphins today...

Sir Whale is finished & ready for framing!

"Flow Blue Skeps" copyright Michelle L. Palmer

Is just home from the frame shop...

Framed with museum glass (zero glare) to protect

the colors and keep it preserved.

Sherry's Bear & Frame Shop in Seneca Falls

Sharing Sir Whale's progress (backwards...)

I use all cotton floss...

Six strands & three strands.

His coat of many colors...

I sketch my design lightly in pencil and then add some contour lines

with three strands... then I start filling in and painting with strings!

'Sir Whale' was his name before I started adding color...

As I was stitching along I was humming, "Down by the Sea..."

Still hum it when I see it!

Hope you have a wonderful week, Sweet Friends!

Creative bits & pieces~

  

Wouldn't it be fun to pull up to an acorn stand?

I would purchase a cup or twelve...

Pumpkins are peeking through the fields of leaves!

This little love is ready to share his heart~

Acorn tea!

This little sparrow is preparing tea for her friends!

Started a new punch needle project... can you see him?

"Down by the sea..." that's the tune playing in my head while I work!

Hope you're having a creative summer, Sweet Friends!

Punch needle owl~ 'Starry Night'

"Starry Night Owl" is nearly finished!

Just need to add color to my three oak leaves~

Hope your day is filled with sunshine & happiness!

Punch needle owl~

Hope you have been having a wonderful summer so far, Friends!

We have had more rain than usual so the mosquitoes are fierce.

Instead of pulling weeds after work and itching bites

for the remainder of the evening

I have started to catch up on projects I had started.

My little owl friend has been very patient...

Waiting for wings and feathers~

Some projects get pushed aside for months & I lose interest.

This one was easy to pick up and start on again!

I think I heard our little friend sigh with relief (giggle)

Wishing you sunny days and wonderful memories~

Americana Owls~

We have had a cool and rainy start to our summer~

The weeds are dancing in the gardens & mosquitoes are viscous.

So I stitch!

Little breaks from painting...

I made a Sweet 16 collection of Americana owls~

When the last one had its beak I think they broke out in patriotic song!

Hand sewn bodies from tea stained muslin and dressed with

vintage fabrics and trims that I have been gathering for years.

They all have big hearts... some show it on the outside~

Stars & stripes... 

Ruffles and florals~

This little hat was fun!

Shabby little friends~

Rough edges to look like ruffled feathers...

The choir of owls... can you hear them singing?

Wishing you a wonderful day!