I just returned from a wonderful trip to the upper peninsula of Michigan with my son, Michael. True to form, the UP gave us a wide range of weather while we were there. One minute we were bombarded with snow on our windshield. Then we would drive around one or two curves and be greeted by sunshine and glorious fall color.

I have decided if someone were to roll out the red carpet for me I want it to look like the one below..

We had supper at Fitzgerald’s in Eagle River just in time to catch the sunset over Lake Superior. A bit too chilly for a fire and roasted potatoes, but we couldn’t go home without a visit to one of our favorite spots. Here is MIchael framed by the sunset.

I carried Cathy’s turkey with me on our 600 mile trip, but must admit I never touched a punch needle while we were gone. So, now I’m back and I have managed to finish the punching. I’ve got Tom’s backing sewed on and turned the piece right-side out. (Very carefully turned. I held my breath when I reached the top hat.)  I’m posting a few pictures of my progress. I haven’t decided how I will mount the bird. I tried the doorknob, but it seems to want to wobble. Turkeys should gobble, not wobble. I have a short little wooden candle holder, but I’m leaning towards using my Tinker Toys to form a base. Once I decide I’ll sew the pumpkin shut on the bottom. Any thoughts?

And finally, Tressie, the Queen sends her best wishes

It has been such fun having my sister visit this week. We didn’t let the grass grow under our feet. We visited family, logged up a few miles finding antique stores from Blissfield to Berkley. I guess it was my turn for great finds…

We did a bit of decorating…

and even got some punching done.

Not bad for three days!

I am all set to begin my newest project. Cathy Sowers offered this pattern for anyone to work I have picked my colors and have my pattern on the frame. Is anyone interested in punching along?

The academic in me had to research the scientific name for today. Did you know that an equinox is when the “plane of the equator passes across the center of the sun?”  (So sayeth Wikipedia) Now, before your eyes glaze over, let’s move on.

Today on the first day of fall, here is another piece of interesting information. A federal  judge ruled yesterday that the ‘Happy Birthday” song is no longer under copyright, so we can sing freely. I’m sure this eases your mind immensely.

I have a few Halloween pieces to show you today. These silhouette patterns come from Rebecca Lindquist.  Here is a little trick I discovered. I always add a backing to my pieces before attaching them a hornbook or whatever. In this case, I used some old raggedy book covers that have three coats of black paint and two sprays of fixative.  I used to machine-sew the backing 90% around the perimeter of the PN piece and then invert the piece and hand-sew the remainder. It occurred to me that nobody will ever see the back when it is attached to something else so now I machine-sew the entire perimeter and then snip a small slit in the center of the backing and invert the piece.

My challenge then was how to attach a hanger on the book cover.  I decided upon a button and waxed jewelry string. The piece sits close to the wall and the waxed string has enough stiffness to allow you to hook it onto a nail.

Here is a sneak peek at my Turkey Trot. This is my own drawing.  I see from my unforgiving camera that I have some white spots to fill before I call him complete.

Thanks for visiting. Wishing you a fall lasting far into December. We like sweatshirts, but we’re not quite ready for parkas and mittens!

Well, fall is coming. Every time a season changes I declare the new season to be my favorite. I must say however, that autumn is my true favorite. I have memories of the kids returning to school, brisk Saturdays on the soccer field, and noisy beautiful smelling fallen leaves.

It is that time of year when you start out the day in a sweatshirt and soon realize just how hot you are.  I am just beginning to add a bit of autumn color to the house, so I thought I’d share a few pictures.  The pumpkin wall hanging I did many years ago and hangs below a shelf I made (My one-time attempt at woodworking).  Wytch One, the needlepunch from Rebecca Lindquist’s pattern, sits on a spice box with some fabric pumpkins and my pie crow.  Both are in my kitchen.

We had two huge antique fairs in the area Saturday. One was in Saline, MI and the other in Utica, MI. Since they were in  opposite directions and 60 miles apart, I had to pick one. Utica won the toss. It was a nice show, but all I brought home with me was a cow bell and a whisk broom. More raw material for my punching projects.

Thinking of apple cider and orchard donuts…….

The weather was beautiful in northern Michigan over the past week. While enjoying the evening coolness our neighbor  supplied us with a Swedish fire. I had never heard of this before. He took a log about 18 inches high and 10 inches in diameter and with a chain saw cut four slices creating 8 wedges. The cuts went down about 15 inches leaving the bottom intact. You use about 1/4 cup of gas to pour down the center and (carefully) light it. It provided an amazing fire that burned for three hours.

I haven’t done a post for awhile. This one has nothing to do with needle punch. It is more along the meandering trail. We just returned from a trip to Mohawk, in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, where we spent time at our family home. Below is a picture I snapped while we were there. I’ll be curious to see who recognizes what it is.

Here are a few of my own creations. I like to have fun and add a touch of nostalgia to my finishes.

Thanks for visiting on this lovely August Monday. What are you working on right now?

I found a beautifully illustrated book by Evelyn Lawrence and Kathy Wright filled with pictures of hooked rugs done by Magdalena Briner Eby  (1832-1915) from Perry County, Pennsylvania. While Magdalena worked with wool and rug hooking, primitive design and punch needle also make a perfect pair.