DECEMBER BONNET GIRL IN PROGRESS

At last, I've had time in December to work on a Bonnet Girl, it's taken me 3 seasons for this to happen.  I'm very happy with how she is turning out...I think the snow we've had has inspired me.  Speaking of snow it will be punched with Valdani's M49-subtle elegance and then Wa La she'll be finished, framed and ready to join her sisters on my studio wall.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

WRAPPED AND READY

The mini gingerbread boys are READY to be packed into goody bags for friends and neighbors while downtown Cedarburg is WRAPPED in a blanket of fresh snow.  Merry Christmas to all and of course Keep on Punchin.
nancee

SNOW DAY!!!

We had about 9" of new snow over night and there's more to come.  I could not resist making a snow angel...but I've regained my senses now and am inside getting a jump start on baking gingerbread boys!
Keep on punchin.
nancee

TIS THE SEASON AGAIN

What is it about this time of year, when I'd like to savor the moment, I find myself rushing to finish this or that, making a list of my favorite cookie ingredients , not knowing when I'll have time to shop for theme let alone BAKE!.  I have a three page list of what needs to be done today before noon when I head out to my studio.  I'm tired clear into the future.  Some how it will all get done, if not today tomorrow!  In the mean time, I'll have another cup of coffee and check that cookie list twice.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

IS IT CHRISTMAS YET?

Wow, it's been a busy time since my last blog...the Holiday Art Fair over a very cold and snowy weekend, then bookclub in my studio on Tuesday.  It just happened to fall on Emily Dickinson's birthday so while we picked books for 2014 we ate birthday cake and read poems!  Now this little guy is wondering if IT'S CHRISTMAS YET?  He will be ready but I'm not sure I will. Keep on punchin.
nancee

J CREW GANG GOES UPTOWN

I've been working fast and furiously to get everything done for the HOLIDAY ART FAIR this weekend in downtown Cedarburg!  A green hand dyed velveteen was used to make the pillow  for the Gang.  Very fancy for these boys don't you think? Patterns are ready.   Today I must finish up some snow girl and candy cane pins and punch on my gingerboy buddies.  Plus I'm working on a new "Is it Christmas Yet?"  It may or may not make the show...  There's one more design on my drawing board that I plan to work on at the show...so stay tuned the muse is in my studio!  Keep on punchin.
nancee

HOLIDAY ART FAIR AND COUNTING...

GINGERBREAD BUDDIES are in the frame.  They are going to be made into a penny rug.  The JCrew Gang is finished and waiting to be photographed.  I have a couple of new ideas on my drawing board to finish before Friday...not sure it's possible but I'm working full speed ahead to try and finish.  Keep on      punchin.                                                                                                                                             .

    nancee
  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE J.CREW GANG

You know the Holiday Season is upon us when you turn on the TV to watch the Macy's Parade!  Thanksgiving is the one day of the year I go off the rails and eat a little turkey.  Now that day's over and I back on the Vegan track.  Believe me I had plenty of veggie dishes to accompany the bird!  The dessert was best (isn't it always), a wonderful  pumpkin cheese cake Vegan of course.  Now back to punching...here's the deal...I'd like to have the GANG framed but not enough time for the Holiday Art Fair Dec 6-8th (Fr-Sun).  The way I see it this one becomes a pillow, and the NEXT one gets framed.  Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving and were able to sit down together with your family at HALF TIME!  Keep on punchin.
nancee

TIS THE SEASON

Every chair in my cottage is draped with a punchneedle in progress...2 weeks and counting until the Holiday Art Fair!  Yikes, not to mention a little day called THANKSGIVING next week..  I love Thanksgiving because it kicks off ( for me) the best time of the year!  I'll be posting more photos as I work out the colors and finishing for the new designs.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

CORN CRIB AND ME

Newly added to the Farm property just behind the barn that houses the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts is this old corn crib.  I took this opportunity of a photo op a few days before it snowed!  You might wonder what I working on?  I'm punching some older pin patterns (candy canes, reindeer, snow men and snow girls) for the Holiday Art Fair December 6-8th.  Tomorrow I'll be at Holly & Ivy for a class.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

SECOND SATURDAY LUNCH & PUNCH

 We punched, we lunched, and then we punched some more!  It was a great class with Jim, Cheri, Carol & Mary Ann. A special thank you to Dasha driving in from Chicago, and Marilyn from Elgin, Illinois.  It was a good time and we got a lot of punchin done.  Hope to see you all back soon.  Don't forget I'll be up in Ripon on Thursday at Holly & Ivy teaching you guessed it punchneedle embroidery.  Check out Katie's web site for details.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

HALLOWEEN OPEN HOUSE

Mystery and Mayhem were afoot at the Open House.  There were lots of goodies to temp those who braved the rain.  I'll like to thank you all.  A special thank you to Jean Ann for her lovely blooming plant and to an unnamed FRIEND who sent the lovely flowers you see on the table.  Unnamed because I don't know Who it was...and there is the Mystery!  It's hard to believe it's been a year that my studio has been at the Farm House Galley.  I am so lucky to have this opportunity to be part of the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts and look forward to many more years to come.  The Holiday Art Fair is just around the corner so...Keep on punchin.
nancee

NORTH SHORE QUILTER'S GUILD SHOW

It was a fabulous show for me.  My snowy owl pins made their first public appearance!  I met up Katie from a wonderful shop in Ripon, Wisconsin and made plans to teach a class in December.  Jim Plunkett from Plunkett Racich Architects stopped by with his wife Gwen.  It's always so much fun to meet up with old friends.  Three guild gals took time out for a mini class and learned to punch.  Took the Jeep to the studio and unloaded it yesterday,  So everything is there wanting to be put in place.  Not a moment to tarry...tomorrow is HALLOWEEN  and my open house from 3-6.  There's chex mix to be made, caramel corn back by popular request,  chocolate chip bread, and the list goes on!  Keep on punchin.
nancee

AUTUMN SPLENDER-HALLOWEEN OPEN HOUSE-GIGGLES

Another crazy week awaits...The weekend starts out with the Northshore Quilters Guild "Autumn Splender" at Nicolett Highschool.  I'll be there with fall and Christmas goodies to sell including my new 6"x7" gripper frames!  Then on Wednesday October 31st (Halloween) there will be an open house in my studio celebrating my 1 year anniversary.  Time flies when you're busy cooking things up!  Keep on punchin.
nancee

GLITZY FISH

The Koi were stitched onto hand-dyed handmade velveteen pillows!  I'm proud to announce they will be part of  the upcoming Oriental Influence Exhibit at the Wisconsin Museum Of Quilts and Fiber Arts that opens Wednesday and runs through January 2nd.  It was fun to punch with metallic thread and am thinking about using some silver for snowflakes or stars in my designs...  Getting ready for next week end, another event is on my calendar.  This one sponsored by The Northshore Quilters.  It will be at Nicolett Highschool 
next Saturday & Sunday.  Look for me there.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

HERE COME THE KOI

This will be a very limited edition  2 total.  I punched the fish in Valdani Aged black, then the scales with Krenik's 002 gold thread with 1 strand of a pale yellow DMC through a #6 Bernadine needle.   This was a trick Bernadine suggested.  It helps the stiffer metallic thread glide threw the needle and keeps it in place.  One background will be Valdani Pale Petals and the other one Valdani Sea Foam.  I might sew them on to some hand dyed velvet???  Stay tuned.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

THEY WALKED, THEY SHOPPED, THEY ATE...

   Wow...what a weekend.  For the most part the weather was beautiful, a little wet on Saturday, but that       didn't stop the faithful from attending the Covered Bridge Studio Art Tour.  It was fun seeing old friends   and meeting new ones.  Thanks to Jean Ann for taking my picture and bringing a batch of fabulous cookies.   Jean, no need to have saved the saran wrap there was not a crumb left to cover!  My next project  is to work outside my comfort one and do something ORIENTAL for the upcoming exhibit at the Museum.  We will be exhibiting award winning quilts from Japan, one of only 3 places in the US to be able to exhibit this collection.  The other two are Lowel, Mass, and Paduka, Ky.  It's an honor to be ablr to display                this collection.  You all know what I'll be doing this week.  Keep on punchin.                                           

nancee                                                                                                                                                  

BUTTON EYED CROW

This button eyed crow sits on top of an orange feed sack pumpkin.  He has an eye out for the expected crowds coming next weekend.  It's Cedarburg Artists Guild's annual Covered Bridge Studio Art Tour.  It's a fall happening.  Artists from all over the county open their studios to the public Friday nite, Saturday, & Sunday.  There's a Shindig on Saturday nite at the Cultural Center where you can all the artists and participate in the silent auction, and the list goes on.   I've got lots to do to get my studio gussied up so ...Keep on punchin.
nancee

THE GREETER

Forget the Wall Mart greeter, the mummy greets you at Sandwich Antique Mart.  Stopped Sunday morning on my way to  the Folk Art Show.  It's a happening place.  I love everything there. Yesterday i unpacked the Jeep, no small task.  Today I'll start to rearrange the studio for the Covered Bridge Studio Art tour October 11th-13th.  It's a beautiful time here in Wisconsin.  Come one Come all, I'll  be ready with pins, pillows, framed pieces, and loads of patterns!  Keep on punchin.
nancee 

PUNCHIN TIME

Here I am in my studio gearing up for next weekends Country Folk Art show in St. Charles, Ill at the Kane County Fair Grounds.  It's a fab show and hope to see all my old friends there and also make some new ones.  I'll be bringing, pins, pillows, framed pieces, and ALL my patterns plus a new wooden gripper fame sized for my designs.  See ya all there.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

WHERE HAVE ALL THE SHEEP GONE...

...They  were all at the JEFFERSON COUNTY WOOL & SHEEP FEST.  I would like to say that I saw several sheep, but I did not.  The above photo is compliments of Dawn Wilson.  I never left our table.  Jim, Kay and I were kept busy introducing people to Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts and the art of punchneedle!  Next year I plan to go for 2 days and spend a good part of one shopping.  I caught a glimpse of some of the the most gorgeous hand dyed roving I've ever seen.  There were hand made spinning wheels, and drop spindles.  Hand spun yarns, tons of wool, and lots, and lots of sheep!  God knows I've got the Sheep Dogs, now all I need are a few sheep.  Plus I'd like to rent a goat to help with my overgrown, and neglected yard!   My next show is September 20,21,&22. THE COUNTRY FOLK ART SHOW at the Kane Country Fair Grounds in St. Charles, Ill.  Keep on punchin.
nancee  

GET A GRIP

The Gripper Frames have arrived.  They are beautifully made, hand rubbed and stained.  The interior dimension is 6"x7"...Perfect for all of my designs.  I have a limited quantity, so if you are interested please call me 262.313.8885.  I can take your order over the phone with a credit card.  I'm going to post a few on Etsy this morning.  The cost is $73.00 plus $5.00 shipping.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

RIDE BABY RIDE

I

I've been home the last couple of days (waiting for the plummer) and punching, punching, punching...here's the result.  RIDE BABY RIDE.  While the rider is traditional , the title honors  Harley Davidson's 110 anniversary that is revving up all over Southeastern Wisconsin!  Keep on punchin.
nancee   

COUNTIN SHEEP

 

Oh yeah, I'm counting sheep, and days until the Jefferson County Sheep and Wool festival.  Trying to decide how many black sheep pins I need to punch.  I' m going for a dirty sheep look using Valdani's P3,  and  P4       Nothing too pristine for these little lambikins.  Keep on punchin.                                                                                       

nancee                                                              

                                    

 

BAKING CAKES IN kAGALI

Here is a photo of my book club after discussing "Baking Cakes in Kagali"  We are wearing Kangas, the traditional garb.   It's a giant scarf, that can be worn over 101 ways.  Here are a few examples.  The Kangas were from one of the gals daughters collection!   I love to read a little every night.  It feels good to escape into another world at the end of every day.  Now there is punchin to be done.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

SUNFLOWERS & SHEEP

I've got about 6 pillows done of PLAIN JANE AND STAR (you can see Star peaking out from behind Plain Jane.  The Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival will be held September 6-8th on the Jefferson County Fair Grounds.  I'll be there with the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Art on the 6th.  I hear we are sharing a booth with the Creanm City Hookers.  What fun I can't wait.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

HOW MANY SHEEP...

How many sheep does it take to make a flock?  Not sure but I'm punchin up as many as I can for the Jefferson County Sheep and Wool Fest.  I'll be there on Friday September 6th in the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Art's Booth.  I understand we are sharing with the Cream City Hookers.  Should be a blast more about that later.  Must go I've got sheep to ten!.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

GUESS WHOOO...

That's right WHOOO...is on my frame.  I've wanted to do an owl in a tree ever since I did my HOOTERS pin that was just the face.  Finally a few years later, here's WHOOO....(I just like writing that name.  My sacred Sunday's have gone by the way side once again today.  Off to a birthday party.  The Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Art's barn opening turns 2 today.  As long as I'm there, I'll open the studio and be there until 4 p.m. or until the last piece of cake is consumed.  Keep on punchin.
nancee 

NUTTY BUDDY

Just tea dyed Nutty Buddy as soon as he's dry off to the Brass Needle for framing.  Sketching some new ideas for the upcoming fall shows...  WOOO will find their way to my drawing board???  Stay tuned.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

THAT OLD BLACK CAT MAGIC

I know we just turned the page on the calendar to August, but I'm thinking CATS, and PUMPKINS.  Here is the first, there's a squirrel in the works...Today is day 2 of the Architect Treasurers tour and it looks like the weather is going to perfect.  The studio was busy all day yesterday, and sometimes mobbed.  I was demoing punchneedle all day so I got a lot done.  It's a shorter day today 12-4, but I expect we'll see crowds.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

CHI TOWN GALS

Last week I had the privilege to meet a fun group of Quilters from Chicago.  They had come to Cedarburg  for the day to visit the Ye Old School House Quilt Shoppe, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Art and found me in the Farm House Gallery in my studio .  These gals have visited hundreds of shops in the Midwest... I feel like I've meet 6 soul mates.  We'll be keeping in touch through emails, blogs, etc.  Can't wait to meet up with them again and hear about their latest adventure.  Keep on punchin.
nancee

LAUGHING PUMPKINS

It's no laughing matter it was 57degrees outside and 63  inside when I got up this morning.  I'm in flannel PJ's and my winter terry cloth robe!  With that said, I love the cooler weather even if it is July.  It makes me feel like can actually accomplish most of my list.  Finishing it all will never happen, at least I'm getting a good start today.  Pita bread is in the oven, hummus is in the fridge.  Pumpkins and black cats are calling my name. Keep on punchin.
nancee 

GATHERING UP THE CROWS

     Now that I've got the last of the summer shows behind me, it's time to start thinking about the COUNTRY FOLK ART SHOW in September.  It's not that far away.  I need to punch up some more Button Eyed Crows.  Stay tuned for laughing Pumpkins too.  Keep on punchin.                                    nancee