Monday, March 27

Spring punch needle fun~


'Duckling in Pink' Copyright 2017 Michelle L. Palmer 

This little gal is so glad the ice has melted from the pond!
Dipping her toe in... Splash!!


'Garden Lamb' Copyright 2017 Michelle L. Palmer

Peek-a-boo! I see you!
Wee little woolly love is having a fun time in the garden pots~


'Hollyhock' Botanical collection No. 7 of 20
Copyright 2017 Michelle L. Palmer

Hope your week is off to a great start, Friends!
Hope these Springtime friends bring a smile to your heart~

Saturday, March 25

Punch Needle Pattern Spring Bonnet Bunny


'Spring Bonnet Bunny' Copyright 2017 Michelle L. Palmer

My little bunny friend has joy in her heart and a hop in her step!

We have been getting a good amount of rain~
It is slowly washing our snow pack away!
Spring is truly coming...
The flower gardens will be warming up this week!

Daffodils were peeking through too early~
It was good to have a few feet of snow protecting them and
slowing them down a bit.
Now we're ready!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Friends!
Thank you for stopping by~

Tuesday, March 21

Punch needle bee hive~


'All-American Skep' Copyright  2017 Michelle L. Palmer

Happy Spring, Friends!
Our last storm left us with nearly three feet of snow~
A beautiful white blanket.
It is slowly melting... we are glad it is taking its time.
Quick melts cause dangerous flooding~
I think we are down to 12" over most of the lawn.
The drifts are still mighty!

We will soon enjoy a wispy blanket of white... Daisies!
Put down the shovel and pull up some weeds~


All-American Skep completes my bee hive collection!
For now.
I might add to them next Spring~
There are several more designs tucked away in my sketchbooks.

I will finish writing some smaller patterns this week.
A new botanical to add to that collection!

Hope your week is off to a great start, Friends!
The birds are chatting at the feeders,
"More suet, please! The Starlings have arrived!"

All the best to you~

Sunday, March 12

Punch Needle Garden Skeps~


No. 5 in my garden skep collection!
Only one more to go~


'Shabby Rose Garden Skep' No. 5 of 6
Copyright 2017 Michelle L. Palmer

The entire time I was punching this skep I was humming
'Who Will Buy' from Oliver!
They were 'sweet red roses' & these are salmon/pale pink.
The song is so pretty... Oliver's little face looking over the courtyard.

Inspired by the most beautiful salmon rosebush that my dad
had given my mom the summer before he lost his battle with cancer.
It always stayed petite...
Never went wild.
The most fragrant and perfectly shaped blossoms.
I often wonder if it is still in the hedgerow where she planted it.

One more pattern to write!
I already have the next collection started...
They will be smaller designs.
But fun!

Hope you have a wonderful week, Friends!
Praying all stay safe as the East is expecting a nor'easter...
March does know how to stir up storms!

Thursday, March 9

Pinkeeps & Pincushions...


Long and narrow...
Square...
Purse size and desk size...
A new collection of pinkeeps and pincushions are coming along!

I made a collection of these for my Annual Christmas Open House 1994!
Sold in country shops before that~
We celebrated nine Christmas open houses.
I wish I had digital files or short videos to post.
History is a treasure.
The shows came before we (personally) had the ease of digital cameras.
I will scan some of my photographs and share near Christmastime.
We met the most amazing people through art festivals, retreats,
Workshops, shows & art guilds etc. 
Our open house was a weekend for reunions!

I loved to design the invitations & handmade 500+ free gifts.
(Oh how they changed through the years!)
A new giveaway each year & when the gifts ran out I would have hand drawn,
printed, recipe cards to tuck inside their packages.




When I began art licensing, nearly 15 years ago, it was difficult for me to
keep up with all of the deadlines and handmade works for shows~
It was hard to say goodbye to our open house but new opportunities
kept my artwork fresh and new styles & products emerged.
Fabric collections, flags, greeting cards & calendars etc. added to handmade.

I am grateful to have a healthy balance between the two now.
The joy of having my original watercolor paintings and pen & ink works
licensed alongside handmade, one-of-a-kind treasures.

I hope to eventually offer rug hooking patterns to accompany my
punch needle patterns & embroidery designs.
Several new creative projects will be ready to share soon~

We have been researching shows and events from MA to VA!
Our daughter is an amazing artist & designer... she is ready to soar!
Never know where life will bring you~

Stay true to yourself & find your own unique style.
It will tell the story of your life~


Wednesday, March 8

Pen & Ink Hedgehog on vintage baby dress~


Good Morning, Friends!
I need your help~
Please send me a private message if you purchased this little vintage baby dress.
It was several years ago~


Hope your day is off to a great start!
Wishing your heart every sweet happiness~

Friday, March 3

Wedding in the meadow


Snippets from Meadow Wedding~
Sweet little Rosie Emm with her handsome groom and dear maidens.
Springtime brings the most beautiful blush-pink flowers to the meadow.
They gathered a basket of blossoms for bouquets and head wreaths~
Tucked a sprig in Jameston's coat & called upon the sparrows to sing!
(Copyright Meadow Wedding 1997 Michelle L. Palmer)

When I watch West Side Story my little friends end up planning
another wedding. My husbands sister sang One Hand, One Heart
for our vows... it will always be one of my favorites.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Friends!


Wednesday, March 1

Bee Skep Collection


'Lavender Blossom Skep' Copyright 2017 Michelle L. Palmer

No. 4 in my punch needle skep collection!
The bees look as if they are taking shelter from the sun or rain
'neath the lavender blossom!


Two more skep patterns to write~
Then I write more of the botanical patterns.

Some of the storms rolling in are severe~
Praying all stay safe.

Thank you for stopping by, Friends!