Jul 16, 2012

Marvelous Monday Update 7/16/12

Well, it was good while it lasted!  The humidity has set in once again and temps are headed to the upper 90's with heat indexes of over 100.  Ugh.  I know it's July and this weather should be expected, but can't we count the June heat/humidity as time served??  We really need rain!

TREASURE HUNTING
While I was out and about, I stopped at one of the thrift stores and came across their fabric sale.... 50% off!  So, I came home with these:

Most pieces are a yard or close to it and cost 50cents.  A couple of larger pieces cost $1. I see some cute projects for these.

NEW CRAFT
Inspired by Pam's project last week, I tried my hand at punch needle. I had several kits with different styles of needles, so I pulled out one and drew a heart on the fabric based on a design from DMC.  Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty easy.

I used some floss I got from the Free-For-All Exchange at the retreat.  It was leftover from a kit.  I thought this was a great way to use the floss.

The interesting thing about punch needle is that you work the design on the wrong side of the fabric.  When you finish and turn it over, it looks like the above. The texture reminds me of latch hook... miniaturized!

STITCHY STUFF
I've been diligently working away on JG. Sixteen specialty stitches and I'll be done with another page. Woo Hoo! I think I'll stitch on it again this week and then move on to Fleurs.

Other WIP photos can be seen HERE.

Until next time,

35 comments:

Bette said...

The fabrics you found are really cute. How come I never find any deals like that? LOL!

Berly said...

I am sooooo done with this weather!! I told Rich the other day that I want to move to Canada! The punchneedle looks great! Let me know if you decide to get more in to it, I've got a bunch of kits that I will never get to!

Faith... said...

Love your punch needle!

Good find on the fabrics - they are cute.

Vickie said...

My husband bought me a punchneedle earlier this year. I will get to it, some time, some day. This weather stinks. We began baking again this weekend. Back to the 100+ temps with no rain! :(

Katie said...

I hate the heat. I'm ready for snow which I know I know you aren't haha.

The punch needle looks beautiful. I tried it and just didn't enjoy it at all. I agree with you about looking like a mini latch hook.

Your JG is beautiful. Good luck with it.

stitchesnscraps said...

Lovely stashing! What a cute way to use up leftover threads! Lovely progress on JG! Looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing. ;)

Melissa J.

cucki said...

Aww I lOve the punch needle so much...
Yummy fabric
Have fun xxx

CatsnCorgis said...

Glad to see another thrift store shopper. There are great bargains sometime. Love the fabrics...when you sew them, please post them on your blog. YourJG is so inspiring. It is coming along beautifully.

Sally S

Julie M said...

Cute fabrics, great punch needle and JG is awesome! I've been wanting to try punch needle but I have so many cross stitches that I need to get done first!

Jo said...

Your JG is wonderful, I'm sooo tempted by this now. Great fabric at such a bargain price, look forward to seeing what you do with it.

Anonymous said...

Great fabric finds Meari - you have a great eye and nose for bargoons!
Goodness I wish you all some rain - especially the farmers because they are growing our food.
We had some rain yesterday - so no need to water the garden.

Tara

htimcj said...

It is hot here in Idaho too. I am ready for fall :) Your stitching looks great!

Sue said...

Fabulous finds as always! I want to come to your neck of the woods and hit the thrift stores...LOLLLLL

Your punchneedle looks great! I have not attempted this just yet; but do have a small kit.

Japanese Garden looks fabulous!! Looks like you are on the home stretch with this one!

Hugs,
Sue

Unknown said...

Loving the fabrics and cannot wait to see some of your creations with them. As for the weather, I would love to swap some of this rain we are constantly having for some sunshine which has been very rare for the past few months.

mab3500 said...

Great fabric finds, I love those ladybugs.
I stitch in a rocker recliner too, putting my feet up helps circulation when my arm cramps a bit. JG is really coming along beautifully.

Nancy in IL said...

Rituals? Yes, I do believe so, Meari! :-) I think we all suffer from Ritualalgia. Say that 3 times fast!

As for needle punch, I do like seeing it but never tried it. Is it hard on the hands?

Congrats on the print fabric treasure find! You Scottish- Oriental, you! LOL!

JG is coming along and won't be long till the next page. WooHoo! It's truly gorgeous, honey!

Love,
Nancy (who was cheering you holding your own yesterday on you-know-where)

Nancy in IL said...

Oh, and not poking fun (you can not approve if you don't want) but you do have a nose for bargoons, as Tara stated. LOL!

Mylene said...

What a great finds, such lovely colors!
JG is looking beautiful!

Pam in IL said...

The thrift stores here never have any fabric or craft stuff. You seem to have good luck whenever you go to the thrift store!

Love your punch needle heart! It's so cute! Have you decided how you'll finish it? Pillow, ornie, or?

JG is looking great!

Anonymous said...

Japanese Garden is looking great! Congrats on the fabric finds. :)

Karin in CA

Shelleen said...

Great fabric finds. The punch needle is really cute and JG is showing more progress.

Anne said...

Sweet deal on those fabulous fabbies!! Cute lady bug fabric!!! Oooh punch needle! I like it! I would have to look up how to do it though. JG is spectacular!!! It's so beautiful!!

Anonymous said...

Meari, love your punchneedle! Hearts are my fab. Nice fabric find. You JG is looking great!

Teresa

Nancy M said...

I took a punch needle class at my one and only retreat. I bought a $20 needle and never used it again. I have a couple patterns too. You do use up a LOT of floss, so using ones you wouldn't use for other things would be great. More great finds too! I'm impressed you still have JG out!
I just watched our news, we've had 23 days this year over 90, last year we had 11 all summer!

Anonymous said...

Your fabric is very nice, I have found some in the thrift store but not as cheap.

I did try the punch needle as well but never finished the picture.

Your JG is coming along nicely.

Marl

Denise SA said...

Nice thrift store finds, I love bargains. JG is coming along well.

Veronica said...

Very nice find indeed. Those fabrics are lovely. I've never tried punch needle. The result sure looks interesting though. Love seeing your JG updates. It's so pretty.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Kay said...

I love the fabrics, very cute!! Your crafty updates are always fun to read and see, always the talented lady you are! I for one know I am ready for fall already, tired of the heat! Have a good week!

CJ said...

Hi Meari -

Your fabric find is such a treasure. JG is coming along nicely. I feel for you with the heat and humidity, we have the heat but no humidity--I guess I can be greatful for that. Our trip to Colorado was great the weather was super and no fires.

See ya!!

CJ

Jennifer M. said...

Very pretty punch project. It came out great. JG is really pretty. I hear ya about humidity. I live in Florida. We have LOTS of that year around. :)

Jen

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you got to work on JG, it's looking so good. Your punch needle project is really cute. Seeing your finds makes me think I'm going to have to start hitting our thrift stores again soon to see what I can find.

Sandy in NM

Carol said...

Oh, what great fabrics you came home with--and such a bargain!! I really need to start frequenting thrift stores more often :)

Your heart punch needle is darling--that is something I've always wanted to try, too. And your garden stitching is growing beautifully...I really admire your patience in stitching these intricate large pieces, Meari! Not sure if I could handle them :)

Katrien said...

beautiful fabrics!
Punch needle is fun :) It's been years since I've done any, the company I bought my stuff from went out off business, and haven't gotten around to get some things from another one.
JG looks wonderful!
You may have some of our rain ;-) It doesn't look/feel like summer here at all!

valerie said...

Great fabric finds Meari! They'll come in real handy. Love seeing your progress posts of Japanese Garden!

Vickie said...

Great Fabric find!!! Japanese Garden is looking great!! I hope by now that you have finished that page!! HEE HEE!!!!