Punch Needle Embroidery

This is my newest venture. Last summer at the Maine Quilt show I purchased a kit to do punch needle embroidery. It has been sitting because I got stuck and did not know where to go. A couple of friends took a class a few week ago and they showed me 'how to'. I am hooked ...it was so much fun.. this is my 1st one and I used some left over binding to edge it and plan to frame it.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS!
Home is where you can hang your hat!

Home is where you can be yourself!

Home is where you make the rules!

Home is where you can make others feel accepted and loved!

Home is where you can Laugh, Love and Live!

Janome Sewing Desk

I had worked off an old desk and decided it was time to invest in this wonderful cabinet from Tony's in Biddeford. http://www.tonyssewingmachine.com/sewing-cabinets/
This fits my Janome 6500 and I had a perfect nitch for it. It also has a drop down leaf on the back that will make it double its size that I can use when doing a large quilt. I put wheels with locks on it so I can roll it out but also will keep it stationary when using. I put a 6 inch board across on the middle brace so I could store some things (not pictured as it was an after thought).

Black/White Sampler - Roses

How beautiful the flowers are this year. This is the old fashioned rose bush that is at least 75 years old. It gives off the most wonderful fragrance. I am reminded of the the scripture 'the Rose of Sharon' that speaks of the Lord.

This is a close up of the Rose which is so intricately made.This is one of my first peonies.
My appreciation of the beauty of a garden comes as a memory of my dad who worked a few years as a gardener. And of course, our family always had a vegetable garden and he spent many hours planting, weeding, hoeing etc. I remember picking beans and my mother canning in my younger years.

Have not done much quilting this week as my machine needs a minor adjustment. I also have worked off an old desk for years and it is time for me to purchase a table for my Janome. Tony's in Biddeford custom builds them, so will pick up mine on Monday. My studio needs a complete overhaul. I am a saver and I need to do some serious throwing.

I did add a red border to my black/white quilt (pictured in my last post). My husband thought it needed to be a little bigger, after following his suggestion I am pleased with the result.

God smiles when we praise and thank Him...

And then an amazing thing happens....

When we give God enjoyment,

our hearts are filled with JOY!

quote by Rick Warren

Black/White Sampler+ Tacoma

Wednesday was our last meeting for the year. We had potluck and this is the group in attendance. L-R First Row...Beth, President who has served us well this year and is always thinking of new challenges for us, Arlene our 90 year old who looks wonderful is a delight and has done a lot of hand quilting for the group over the years, Maggie, Treasurer who is a marvel with all her quilting, Carol who joined us this last year, her husband pastors the church we meet in. She has made some unique things. Back row ..Pauline who has won 'best of show' with one of her quilts and adds beautiful embroidery to her quilts, Judy, who retired and has joined us, always has something to show that she is working on. Donna, VP owns an ice cream shop but still finds time to do unique quilting, Bea, who bakes the best pies that the group has enjoyed has made some adorable quilts this year for her family, Bev, who is quiet but does beautiful work and Rayna who always has something in her hands, knitting etc. These are all gifted ladies in their own right. The nice part is that we are all at different levels skillfully, different personalities and we have melded together in a special way this year and we have learn so much from each other. Missing is Lori, Andrea and myself.

This was a Sampler project that Beth challenged us with. We got a pattern twice a month and chose our own colors. A sampler teaches you some of those techniques you avoid and so it becomes a learning process. I started out with black and white. People kept saying it needed color...I decided to just start adding red and yellow. I got so excited about the material I had found that I just kept going. It just has to be quilted now. It is our summer project to complete.It will be fun to see all the different ones at our first meeting in September.

The word fellowship has lost most of its biblical meaning "Fellowship" now usually refers to casual conversation, socializing, food and fun..Real fellowship is experiencing LIFE together.

Colorful Waves

In 2006 I took a workshop sponsored by Maine-ly Sewing in Nobleboro and Freddie Moran was the teacher. She has very unique philosophies about quilting and of course, we laughed a lot. Taken from her book "Collaborative Quilting" we did a quilt called Freddy Dot.com 70x70. It is done in circles and pictured on Page 85. But I wanted to do something outside my box. So of course I put my own twist on it. Recently, dealing with a physical challenge I found time to sneak in some quilting and finish the tops of some UFO's (unfinished objects). See Below-
I shopped for DOT material everywhere I went and each center is different. It is sometimes difficult to do repetition for me and the remaining 15-20 blocks I would do one each day until conquered. I used black for a sharp look for framing and also decided to give it some movement
Closeup.