Saturday, July 20, 2013

Pennies Pennies!

I've been working more on my pennies today! The buttonhole stitch is so relaxing and easy stitching...don't you agree?!

 

There will be 3 large pennies on each block. I've layed them out in groups to keep the colors mixed up a bit. I guessed at the amount of circles I'd need and would you believe I only had one extra set? I'll have to put that one on the label on the back and make good use of it!

I'll work real hard tomorrow to get the border ready so I'll have lots ready to stitch in the next few days! I'm ready to start with the freezer templates to cut out the flowers and leaves from cottons and wools. It's quite a fun time to choose just the right fabrics for each section!

I don't think I've mentioned it to you all, but I've added a few new things to the website. One thing I've added is my own collections of Valdani 3 Strand Floss. I enjoy the same colors used in different combinations for my designs.

This collection is called Hallbrook Designs Prisms. It's a grouping of some of the brighter colors I like to use in my designs. You might notice that the yellow is quite a bit brighter than you see in my work. I like to adjust this one by mixing strong instant coffee (about 2 tsp of instant coffee in about a half to three quarters of a cup of hot water.) Then I drop the ball of floss right in the coffee and let it soak about 10-20 minutes. When I take it out I squeeze out the coffee and let it dry very well. The coffee will be heavier in some spots than others and give the yellow a nice dirty hue! Nothing like dirty yellow when you are punching or stitching traditional primitive style! Haha! You can also choose to paint the coffee on after you've punched with it, but I prefer the method described above. Here's an example of how it turns out! These colors are so nice...I love 'em!

Here's the other collection from Hallbrook Designs called Basics. These are the more primitive colors that I use. I love these colors too! Cant do without the basics! With these two collections you can make about any of my Punchneedle designs. Go take a look if you are interested by clicking HERE.

Mmmm...Scrumpdillyumptious colors, don't you think!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Take care,

Missie

 

9 comments:

  1. I can't wait to see what you are making, looks like another wonderful quilt.

    Debbie

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  2. Mmmm,mmm. I won't say it. Lovely threads and pennies. I have used a cold damp tea bag before now to dull down something that was too glaring. It was a huge leap of faith as the quilt was already made but thankfully it worked. Good idea though to dip the whole thread into the coffee.

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  3. Love those pennies and thanks for the tip on tonig down threads!

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  4. Oh, I just love all of your pennies! What great colors and textures. Great idea for dirtying that floss, the collections are really nice. I can not wait to see more of this design - it looks awesome!!

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  5. I just love the look of all those pennies!
    But all the pattern pieces stresses me out...hope you can sort all that out!
    Thanks for linking up!

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  6. Buttonhole stitching is so relaxing. It is also a nice way to see your progress as you stitch. So much more rewarding than trying to hide it all away in a blind hem.

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  7. It looks like you're mixing cottons with the wools for some of your pennies? I never thought of doing that - great idea!

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  8. what's not to love about pennies~!?
    i do like to blanket stitch (any stitching through wool is pure pleasure) and have discovered some knotted variations of the stitch that i like to use sometimes.

    coffee dying your ball of thread sounds like a great idea to get that bright edge of color off for those more primitive pieces. i think that i would like the natural variegation that would occur with this method too.

    happy slow stitch sunday.
    :-)
    libbyQ

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  9. that is so neat that you have your own special thread colors. great idea about the coffee dye.

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