Sunday, February 17, 2013

Dragonfly's off the frame!

Yesterday I took my Dragonfly rug off the frame:


Here is a close up:


Now I have to decide how to finish the edges. I want to frame it so I'm not sure which technique to use. If any of my rug hooking friends have advice I'd love to hear it.

If you remember I won the pattern for this rug from Saundra at Woodlandjunction:


On Friday I received the pattern in the mail. I was expecting a paper pattern, imagine my surprise and delight when I opened the package and found this:

 
Mother Hen drawn on primitive linen all ready to go on my frame. How nice was that? Thank you Saundra.
 
You can find Mother Hen, other patterns and finished pieces for sale at Saundra's website. Click the link I listed above to visit her.
 
Tomorrow I'm starting Deanne Fitzpatrick's "Wild With Wool" class so I don't want to start Mother Hen yet. I discovered Deanne on YouTube, if you are intersted in rug hooking check out her website, she does some cool stuff. (click on her underlined name and it will take you to her website).
 
So while I'm figuring ot how to finish Dragonfly and waiting for Deanne's class I decided to try punch needle. I had bought a small kit in December but hadn't had much time to work on it:
 


Here is the "needle" you use:


The thread goes up through the tube in the bottom and is threaded through the needle's eye. In this project I'm usining 3 strands of embroidery floss.

It is different from rug hooking in that you work from the back of the piece. So the pattern is printed on the back of the fabric. Sorry I didn't think to take a picture of the back of the fabric.

Here it is in the hoop:


Here is a close up:


Like rug hooking I find it relaxing. Threading the needle gets to be annoying but other than that it is enjoyable.

I know that you can use a bigger punch needle to do rugs but think I'd better try to master using the hook before I try that.

If you want to learn more about punch needle you can find several video tutorials on YouTube.

Today is suppose to be the last spring-like day for a while so I think I'll go out and enjoy the warm sunshine.

Til next time, Ronda

12 comments:

  1. HOORAY - the dragonfly is pretty wonderful! And I love your new hen project - what a great surprise to have the actually starting piece! Here's to a happy "hooking" week...Tanya

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    1. Thanks Tanya. I'm very excited about my class, here's hoping I learn a lot of cool techniques.

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  2. I love your dragonfly! I've heard of punch needle work but don't know anyone near me that's done it. I'm glad you like it so far. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I had never seen Punch needle either, it isn't difficult to learn, I watched a couple of YouTube videos and was able to do it. That kit I bought at JoAnn's had everything but the needle in it, neither the kit or needle was inexpensive so I figured I'd give it a try.

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  3. Hi Ronda - Your dragonfly turned out pretty darn cute! doesn't it feel good to have a finished project? And it looks like you've gotten a great start on your punch needle - that can be just as addicting as hooking! LOL Congrats on winning Saundra's giveaway - that hen & chicks is such a fun design.

    BTW - I see you live in CA - I'll bet it's beautiful there! I grew up in Truckee and all my family (except me) now live in Sacramento - I've been in Utah for 35+ years.

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    1. Hi Gayle, I've been in Truckee, it's a beautiful place. I love the mountains.

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  4. I love your irregular border on the dragonfly. It looks amazing. You will enjoy Deanne's new workshop. She always makes them fun!

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  5. Hi I started Deanne's class yesterday and enjoy her style of teaching.

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  6. Great punch needle work. I actually never done it, but it looks like fun. Beautiful proejcts.

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    1. Hi Martha, thanks for stopping by. I'm new to both rug hooking and punch needle and am enjoying them both.

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  7. trying needle punch is on my list of things to try. Your projects are lovely!

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    1. Hi Susan, thanks for stopping by and your kind comments about my projects. I'm having fun.

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