PANSIES

I love pansies... especially how hardy they are in our cool spring and cooler fall weather. One of my sweetest, and definitely smartest sheep dogs was named Pansey. With a black ear, and a black patch covering one eye, she had a pansy face. We had her for 13 years before she passed away last summer. I miss her everyday. So this year, I've dedicated my Pansy punchneedle pin designs to her. The pin patterns will be posted on my website http://www.cooperagedesigns.com/ soon! Happy Stitching!

nancee

TULIP TIME

The early tulips are in full bloom here at the Cooperage both inside and out. We had a tease of warm weather and then a cold wet spell. I retreated indoors and got busy stitching up a bunch more flowers. Stay tuned. For you cross stitchers out there, I will soon have stacy nashes patterns for sale on my web site!

nancee

APRIL SHOWERS

While the sun is shinning today, this punchneedle pattern was inspiried by a rainy day. I couldn't resist adding the blue scilla flowers. They were so prolific this spring. There's a basket of pansies outside calling my name. I think pansy pins are in my future. They could be in yours too! Besure to visit my web site http://www.cooperagedesigns.com/ for my newest designs.

nancee

SPRING SCILLA

It sounds like a hollywood feature creature. But au contraire, scilla is the most delicate little blue flower that spreads itself across my backyard. No matter how much damage the dogs inflick, every spring it magicly appears. This year I've used it as an inspiriation for my lastest punch needle pattern. One of my bunnies under a big umbrella flanked by two giant scillas! I'll post a photo before I send it to the printer.

nancee

THE WOOL STREET JOURNAL HAS ARRIVED!

I cannot tell you how much I love this magazine. It has been such an inspiration to me over the years. That's why I was over the moon last year when Bonnie Smith, the editor and chief asked me to create punchneedle patterns to share with her readers. The first free pattern is Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Plenty and it appears in the April 2010 issue of THE WOOL STREET JOURNAL. My copy arrived today. There is a wonderful story about The Cooperage, me, and my precious Old English Sheep dogs as well as lots of other great ideas! Get your copy today and start punching!!!

nancee

HAPPY EASTER

I found this rabbit on the Olde Green Cupboard's web site and had to post it on my blog! I might have to have him... Check out their site http://www.oldegreencupboard.com/ . It's a cool and cloudly day here in Southeastern Wisconsin. A perfect day for roasted lamb and potatoes. I'm gonig to make a recipe from Donna Hay's simple essentials fruit cookbook. The apricot turnovers are little individual pies made with puff pastry and canned apricots! Have a blessed day.

nancee