Well, I made my Sunday trip to the local flea market.  I mostly walk around and look at everything and buy nothing. But today I scored a few thing.

The frames I can always use.  I was thinking perhaps the faucet handle might work as a base. The horse is some heavy metal. The woman thought it was lead, but a magnet sticks to it. I have no idea what I’ll do with it, but I had to take it home. He has a cute face and maybe I can draw him. The clincher was the chair back. Hopefully that will become a rocker for a new punch needle creation.

I  just got a pattern from Lori at Homespun Prims. I ordered my Valdani and I’m just waiting for that to arrive.  Click here to visit Lori’s site.

Hello. Thanks you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy my post and photos and please feel free to make a comment.

Here it is, January 6. My Christmas tree and decorations are all stored away for another year and the house is back to normal (or as normal is it ever gets.)  As I was packing things up I wanted to share a photo with you. I bought this little bobble-headed Santa at the Beaumont gift shop the first year I moved to the city from Yooper Land.  The box is dated 1969 which means it is 46 years old and I have been living here for 46 years.  How can that be? I get a little sentimental and reminiscent at Christmas. Many years and many memories all brought to the surface with my sweet little bobble head…

In the world of punch needle, my mind wanders in many directions. I have rediscovered Magdalena. She did so many beautiful rugs and I’d like to recreate every one. I have been working on Dog and Two Crows.  Also, I’ve been poring over my book on frakturs. So many pieces to punch. Let us see how many months into 2016 we travel before I have finishes to share.

I have one more finish to share. This one is truly finished. I did this little cupboard tuck from a pattern by Teresa Kogut of Creative Whims. Teresa does some lovely patterns.  This one is called Springtime Bunnies.  I filled it with balsam needles.

So, what are you doing to celebrate this new year ahead of us?

It is Monday morning four days before Christmas and I hear the gentle patter of rain outside. Today is the shortest day of the year and tomorrow we begin to see daylight longer.

I have been working on a prim reproduction from Magdalena Briner. I do love her work. This one is called Dog and Two Crows. I haven’t decided yet if I will add any walnut crystal aging to my version. I used a few bright yellows that I’m not certain I’m happy with. Also I don’t know if I’ll add a hanging sleeve to the back or put it on a hornbook. (Cold weather might play into that decision since any wood cutting is done in the garage.)

Let me take this time to wish you all blessings of the season as we celebrate Christmas and look forward to another new beginning in 2016.

Magdalena Briner Eby (1832-1915) was from Perry County, PA.  Her primitive rugs are considered a signature example of American folk art. If pressed, I don’t think I could choose a favorite.

Hooked rugs were done with long strips of wool and hooked on stiff fabric such as burlap. I always say that hooking and punching are like cousins and the designs work well in either one.  The photos above are the beginning of my latest project. It is my freehand interpretation of  Magdalena’s Dog and Crows and I will try to keep the colors as close to hers as I can.  I’ve learned that there were certain things  repeated in rugs she created. For example, the cherry in the bird’s beak can be found in different rugs.

So, a little history and a sneak preview. Thanks for stopping by.

I’m heading today to “Christmas on the Homestead” in Holly Mi. Looking out the window I see fog, which I hope burns off before I leave. I checked the mileage and this shop is only 5 miles from Fenton, so I think I’ll visit “Stitch n Things,” a shop featured in the Punch Needle Primitive Stitcher mag. Stay tuned for details.

We awoke to frost covering the landscape, but the sun is bright and green grass is still the prominent view.  However, we won’t allow that to stifle our Christmas anticipation.  I’m rather certain snow is in our future here in Michigan.

Today will be busy with last minute preparation for the Holiday Magic Marketplace at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.  The Marketplace will be open from 4pm until 9pm. This is in conjunction with the tree lighting ceremony which takes place directly across the street in the plaza by Royal Oak library. The market will have free hot dogs and hot chocolate and Santa will make a visit in a fire truck.  I hope you can join the festivities and visit me at my Yooper Trails table. I will have a selection of punch needle including Christmas items.  The market address is 316 E. 11 Mile, Royal Oak. 48067.

Some Santas on brooms and frames. The pillow is a Prairie Schooler pattern is is a special gift from my sister

Little pillow tucks and a top hat Santa

Santa on a broom and top hat and in a metal frame share space with a Prairie Schooler cross stitch pillow. They all sit upon my Triangles By Design quilt which took me three years to complete.

I was fortunate to be featured in the Detroit Free Press Homestyle magazine last Friday. The column by Jocelyn Brown is called Handmade. Click here to read the article. It was nice to have needle punch enjoy some exposure.

I will be offering an update on my blog Saturday night at 8pm under the “Shop Yooper Trails” tab.

Wow, it seems like forever since I’ve posted something. Thanksgiving is eight days away and Christmas is waiting in the wings. With the great weather we have enjoyed it feels much earlier in the year.

I celebrated my birthday last weekend visiting primitive country shows in Illinois with my sister, Carole. (Click on Carole’s name for a Picture Trail tour of her lovely country home.)  We were at Country Spirit in Arcola, Gathering on the Prairie and the Homesteaders in Arthur and Rural Life in Tuscola. Add a couple country stores to that and we pretty well filled Friday and Saturday.  Two of the shows were so large they were located in separate buildings.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time and I did come home with a few goodies.

Back home on Sunday and busy ever since with final details for the Holiday Marketplace at RO High School, which takes place on Saturday, Nov 21 from 10 am til 4 pm. The high school is on Crooks Road north of Thirteen Mile Road. My booth is #38 in the gym and sits at the end of a row.  This is their 32 annual show. It is always well attended and includes 160 vendors.

Here are a few new items I will have available. I hope you have a chance to stop by and visit.

The days fly by. Our Sunday paper came with mini catalogs from a few stores displaying the Christmas toys and items we adults just can’t live without. As an adult I have commented more than once how early the merchants begin their siege of advertisements. But Sunday I remembered how anxious we were as kids to get the Sears and Roebuck and the Montgomery Ward catalogs. Those pages were really dog-eared by the time Christmas arrived. So, perhaps my impatience has been slightly tempered by that recall.

I am finally posting my completed Turkey on Pumpkin from the pattern so generously provided by Cathy Sowers.  As you see, I was able to solve the problem of the tipping doorknob with the addition of a large washer.

I am doing a show on November 21 at the Royal Oak High School Holiday Marketplace, so I’ve been working on some Christmas items. I’m adding a photo of a few things in progress. (Don’t we spend a lot of time in progress?) Stay tuned for updates. I don’t think I will use the child’s dust pan for the angel ornie. First, I see too much red and second, I think I can find something better to display. I had a few tree light reflectors left that will be adorned with Christmas trees.

The cow bell is not exactly Christmas related, but I did get that finished. This is my second cow bell. The first one is hiding somewhere in my house. It amazes me how much time I spend on the grand search for the latest thing that has escaped.

I wanted to try my hand at a Belsnickel Santa. My version could well be mistaken for a Santa gnome, but here he is. I had fun with him. I punched the arms separately and did not stuff them. It is always a challenge to invert pieces that small, but it is getting a bit easier. Again, patience is the most important part of the process. I increased the depth of his beard to #7. He has a tiny pink mouth slightly hidden by his massive beard.

Finally, what in the world has Vegas to do with all this? Well, confession time…there lies my second passion. Bruce and I do love to visit the desert city. I have decided that no punch needle items will make the trip. It would pass the time on the 4 hour plane ride, but that needle might be misconstrued as a weapon. I still have my fingers crossed that my Punch Needle Primitive Stitcher magazine will arrive before we leave today. Expected mail delivery is later than our plane departure, however our awesome mailman said he will ‘special deliver’ it if he sees it.

Until later, I hope you are enjoying great autumn days. Thanks for your visit.