Mini Pumpkin

This last week I played around with making mini pumpkins. Will finish the white pumpkin today. 

Would like to offer some more tips on making your pumpkin from my original pattern.

 Pattern can be purchased from this blog on the side bars. 

Shrink the pattern down for a mini pumpkin. I did alter a section of the top of the pumpkin piece to narrow it a bit. This made it easier to draw the top around the pumpkin stem. My original pattern called for a stick stem. We worked at a pumpkin lot for a few years and ended up with some real stems. So I added one to this mini pumpkin. 

Do not stuff the pumpkin real firm, while you are assembling, as you want to be able to create the vertical indent lines of your pumpkin. Stuff more after you create these lines. While creating these lines I took a few stitches right into the bottom wool piece of the pumpkin this helps to create the pumpkin shape as well.  

Color planning. 

To create this look I hooked the darker sections of the pumpkin in this way. The darkest color on the outside edges of each piece and another lighter color inside that. Then I chose my lightest color to go inside of the darker hooked loops of one side only. This acts as a highlight. As you assemble, the darker hooked loops, enhance the indentations of your pumpkin.  

If you would be interested in me making a pattern for these mini pumpkins please post and let me know. 

Have fun and feel free to ask any questions. 

JoEllen 

BeFRuiTFuL KReaTioNS

Rug Hooked Indian Corn

Never to early to start on your fall decor.

You can make my Indian Corns by using this pattern. 

 Etsy

Indian Corn Pattern

Patternmart

Indian Corn Pattern 

You will need to know how to Rug Hook. I started with a library book. Used an embroidery hoop and I purchased an inexpensive rug hook off of Ebay. I purchased my monks cloth (swedish weave cloth) from the local fabric shop. I do believe that I found the wool from 100% wool clothes at the local thrift shop. 

If you already know how to rug hook. Some tips you could use are hook very tight. Use a small hook as it is easier to put the hoop through your foundation cloth with a small hook due to how tight you hook. I suggest using Swedish Weave monks cloth in a brown color. You can find this online and in some of your local stores. 

Have fun with your choice of colors as you can see you can use any kind of wool. You can also use my pattern for the husks or I have seen some use cheese cloth that was coffee or walnut stain dyed. This is a fun look too. You can use any fabric you have on hand for the husks. I was thinking that some patterned fabric could add a fun look. 

Feel free to ask any questions.

JoEllen

Special order cat purse.

Finished Linda's special order cat purse. This purse is wider then the original. If you have the pattern to this already. You can widen the bottom section to as large as 3" or so for a wider purse. Also you can widen the strap pieces so it is easier to turn. 

Steaming Rugs

I do not always write in my patterns about steaming before assembling. 

Steaming plumps up your wool. It also helps to even the loops out. 

I would do this step for every rug hooked project. 

For really good instructions on how to do this I suggest this web site. 

Cindi Gays Steaming Rugs Instructions

Another step I do not always put in my patterns is taping your finished piece. Take strips of packing tape and lay it over the rug and then pull it up. Use as many pieces as you need to until the tapes starts to come up clean when pressed onto the loops. This cleans off the fibers that were created when your strips were cut. This really helps.

Mounting Rugs to Walls

Often you will find me posting in my blog so I remember some of the rug hooking sites I visit and idea's gleaned. This link has some great idea's for hanging your rug hooked art pieces. \click here

Hanging Rug

Tips For Hooked Pumpkin

While hooking this special order pumpkin I realized that I wanted to share a few tips on the process of making the pumpkin. 

Since you must hook snug and close together it is easier to use a smaller hook. I was using my primitive hook and it was a real work out to use it for this project. I pulled out my first hook a simple hook with a sponge covered handle. It was so much easier to hook close with this.

When assembling the pumpkin I find this needle a must. 

Here is a link for, one place you can find, these Jumbo darning needles. I have found the metal ones are a must as I break the plastic ones. Clover also makes a case for these to go in which I use to store mine.

Click here for a link to the Jumbo darning needle. 

 

 The larger the thickness of the stick stem the easier it will be to close the monks cloth around it. 

 If you can find the colored monks cloth I would suggest using brown or rust for these pumpkins. 

Click here for a sight that has photos of the color options available  

 

If you have a photo of a pumpkin you have made from my pattern and want me to share it here in my blog add a commit saying so and we will work out how to get me your photo.

Love the tips

Primitivespirits tutorial

I like to post things I want to remember in my blogs and hope that you find them helpful too. I like the T-pins idea.

Over Dyeing Floss

Here is another great tutorial I ran across on over dyeing floss. I can't wait to give this a try. 

Thanks Keri for such a great tutorial. 

Over Dyeing Floss From Keri the Calico Rabbit

I like to place in my blog so I can find the again easily and also share the great finds.

Witches Boot

Started my next Witches Boot design yesterday. What a fun design. Already found a couple of design flaws and corrected them. Love the colors of the Valdani 3 strand floss. Still undecided whether I like punching with the 3 strands. Thought I would try the smaller tip for the cameo ultra punch but had a hard time getting the threader into the hole so went back to the medium tip.

 

 I would really like to know if anyone has tried using the Perle Cotton size 12 for needle punch. In the description they mention that it can be used for needle punch. But there are so many different kinds of needle punches on the market. So think I will be investing is a few skeins to see if it will work for my purposes.

Onto the Next

The newest punch needle witches boot design is just begging to be drawn up today. One more draft to get the design just right and then I can transfer it to the weavers cloth. Can't wait to get punching on this with the new Valdani Floss. I will be creating these Witches Boot designs into patterns. Hope to do this over the summer months. Also hope to create my Jack O lanterns into a pattern as well. This will be soft sculpture. 

How to Bind a Hooked Rug from Ginger

Here is the link to a wonderful tutorial.

Gives great photos for using twill tape in binding your rug.

Thanks Ginger for this great tutorial.

Binding a rug

Valdani floss

Just got my shipment of Valdani floss. My first thought was wow those balls are small. The box that they came in is about 4" by 4" and there are 12 balls in it. The balls are maybe about 1". 

If you read the whole add it does say the dimensions of the box.

4.2 x 3.6 x 1.2 inches

There are 29 yards in these small 1" balls. 

I am telling you I LOVE the colors right off the bat.  

Hope to use these soon to test out this size of Three strand floss.

Think I will also try to pearl cotton size 12.

Has anyone tried the pearl cotton for needlepunch? 
I would love to hear about how it worked and with what needle you use. I use a cameo ultra punch. Usually use the medium tip. 

Valdani Floss

The colors of Valdani Floss have intrigued me for a long time. I usually use 6 strands of floss for my needle punch projects. The skeleton needle punch project I am working on has caused me some issues. The 6 strands of floss sometimes wants to hang up in my medium tip for the cameo punch needle I use. This frustration along with the long standing desire to try Valdani floss  prompted me to go ahead and order the 3 strand floss. I also like the idea that there are lots of yards on the ball cone. I love some of the creations I have seen from using this 3 strand floss. I have found that in rug hooking a #5 count will give me much greater detail then the normal primitive cut of #8 or #6 that I usually use. So I am expecting to have the same happen with needle punch. I am trying to find the perfect colors and floss for my witches boot series of needle punch patterns. I may try the 6 strand Valdani but will see how I like the 3 strand first. 

Often we wonder what people are talking about when they mention # cuts in rug hooking

Here is a chart that explains the cutter head sizes for rug hooking.
No. 2 cuts 6 strips 2/32" wide
No. 3 cuts 6 strips 3/32" wide
No. 4 cuts 4 strips 4/32" wide
No. 5 cuts 3 strips 5/32" wide
No. 6 cuts 3 strips 6/32" wide
No. 7 cuts 2 strips 7/32" wide
No. 8 cuts 2 strips 8/32" wide

Betty's Suggestions for fillers

 Betty always has great articles here is another one. 

This one suggests things to fill your 

 Your pinkeeps, your pillows, your dolls... your crafty goodies?

Thanks Betty

Fillers

Colorado

It looks like we may get our wish to be in Colorado for the summer months. We love to be on our property for the summer months. Watching all the wildlife and just soaking up the quiet. Plus the added bonus of seeing family!!!! Our new job here in Texas should allow us to take the summer off of working. Time for creating over the last year has been very limited due to all of our fun adventures working. Last summer we were working outside of Yellowstone park not far from West Yellowstone. So we played in the park on our two days off a week. Working in distribution for Christmas Trees in Arizona is how we spent the fall and Christmas seasons. This is a very busy season as it starts with the selling of pumpkins for Halloween.

The job we are at now might provide some time for creating once we get all settled in. It is a 24/7 job and we are trying to work out our schedule to cover the hours. We are gate keepers for one of the drill sights in Texas. I have mixed feelings about this but alas we need to work. I also have mixed feeling about selling Christmas trees. But again I need the work and I am glad for it.  

If you are in Colorado and would like to touch bases with me this summer contact me. 

I would be happy to teach dimensional rug hooking.

 Also would like to hook up with fellow rug hookers never Pueblo or Canyon City. Our property is not far from the little town of Westcliffe.

 !

Witch's Boot Designs

The photos above are of several of my witch's boot needle punch designs. 

I am working to get these into pattern form. 

I also have several other designs in the works for this series.

Lizzy Beth Bunny

 

Many people have asked that this be made into a pattern.

I hope to make this happen next month.

Bunny Lizzy Beth is a 14 ½” tall hand rug hooked free standing doll.

Here is a needle punch version of this sweet doll. She was a lot smaller. 

SOLD

Rug Hooked Cat Purse Pattern

Rug Hooked Cat Purse

Been working to get this pattern written so I can share with all the cat lovers who have a 

passion for rug hooking. This cat purse is approximately 9" wide by 7" high. These measurements do not include the cat tail handle. This is a paper pattern with lots of pertinent photos to help you create your own cat purse. Hints for how to create your own unique cat purse based on a cat of your choice. Detailed instructions are included for how to assemble your cat purse. 

Note this is a rug hooking project not latch hook. You need to know how to rug hook to create this.

 

Cost $14.95 free shipping USA

contact me for out of USA purchases.

If you would like me to make you a purse from a photo of your cat email me.

Rug Hooked Cat Purse Pattern

Today finds me finally working on the instructions for my Rug Hooked Cat Purse. 

I am including a lot of directions in how to make this purse your own. If you have never purchased one of my rug hooking patterns then you need to know that I include a lot of photos in my patterns. My motto is photos speak far louder then the written word. I am a visual person. Thus the photos. I am adding directions on planning your own personal cat purse. My cat is a black and grey tabby. Maybe yours is a Siamese. I am explaining how to achieve your own cat purse. Isn't that part of the fun of rug hooking taking something and making your own personal hooked piece from it. 

Not sure when the pattern will be on the market but I hope real soon. 

Look for it to be out soon.

 

How to Enlarge your Pattern

I like to use my own blog as a place for me to file how to things so I can find them. In doing this I also can share the wonderful things I find along the way. 

I often go to Cyndi Gays Rug Hooking site for help.

Today I learned how to use the paint program on my computer to enlarge patterns so they will print on my computer. Yes I will have to tape several pages together but I am thrilled that I can do this right here at home.

Here is the link to 

How to enlarge your pattern