Never Say Never

For years and years I have prided myself on making my own patterns and designs.  Recently I wanted to come up with a new rabbit pattern -- something smaller (by quite a bit) and something a bit more dimensional than I have been making. 

After drawing and dabbling I realized that I was getting out of my comfort zone and not creating anything I could live with.  And so an adventure began as I searched for a pattern that had already been created by someone far more inventive and skilled than I am.

After much searching I found a small (4-1/2") rabbit, seated and with dimension that thrilled me.  Thankfully I could purchase this pattern and have it within a few hours. 

This post is a thank you to Lisa at Skunk Hollow Country Store who provided this darling pattern.

   www.skunkhollowcountrystore.com . 

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." - Gilbert K. Chesterton

Departmentalizing

I've been spending some time in the "Engineering and Design" Department.  I'd like to make some free-standing punchneedle houses.

I've drawn two designs - front and back.  They will be around 7-1/2" tall x 3-3/4" wide.  Will this work?  I guess for that answer I'll have to move on over to the "Production Department". 

"Not all those who wander are lost." - J. R. R. Tolkein

What's Next?

 

While visiting New Mexico it was a joy to be able to see Native American art.  We were dazzled with silver jewelry, weavings, sand paintings and pottery to name a few offerings.  All of it was lovely, but I was especially entranced by the black and white pottery on display.  There are several Native American societies that create black and white pottery.  Two forms that I became familiar with are from the Zuni and Acoma Pueblos.  I loved the designs and the juxtaposition of the black and white. 

Once home I couldn't get the images of this form of pottery out of my mind.  While in New Mexico I had picked up a book called "Indian Designs".  This book is created for the artist - be it jewelry or weaving or pottery.  The book contains simple and basic designs which very much appealed to me.

 

So in the coming weeks I will be attempting to portray my own version of these ancient and mystical designs via Punchneedle.  In my mind's eye I see animals in their stylistic best, needlepunched and framed in simple black frames.  I've picked out the first set - three bird designs plus ecru and black embroidery floss.  Let's see what my thoughts become.

 

"If we wonder often, the gift of knowledge will come." - Arapaho