*~Halloween Needle Punch Offerings~*

It may not feel like Autumn yet, but my little craft room is filling with the most wonderful colors. Oranges, brilliant golds, barn reds, and withering green...are becoming pumpkins, ghosts, witches, moons, and black cats. Jenn and I have been really busy trying to finish up some of our goodies and we are offering a few of the finished ones at our Lemon Poppy Seed Shoppe and some on eBay.









I also wanted to let you know that the Primitive Rug Hookers group on eBay is having a launch "Under a Harvest Moon" and Kelley of With Hook and Needle made our banner for us! Thank You Kelley!
So come join us during the month of August by visiting the PRHG Group over at eBay to see all the wonderful offerings by some very talented folks!



Happy Trails......Ginger

Flowers* Cats* Pennies* Finished Needle Punch

I love to do needle punch but I am forever wondering what to do with the projects once they are ready to be made into something.

Oh I have frames, lil' cabinets, wool for backing, old cups, wooden boxes, and such but I still struggle with what to use!





This week on eBay I am offering this pillow....I needle punched the piece actually to go on a little cabinet but I measured it out wrong and it was too little so it became a pillow instead. I am delighted with how the background turned out. It reminds me of rich warm dirt. Here in Oklahoma we have lots of red dirt!





The cats were just free~hand drawn on weavers cloth and I added the penny border. I tried to make it as scrappy as I could. It turned out to look quite old and that was what I was hoping for. The flosses in this piece were over~dyed with the rit dye and did not require any extra primming up after.




I found a wood box in my stash that this one just fits perfectly on. The needle punch looks like it would have been made long ago.


If you like the primitive look do try the tan rit dye on your flosses before punching and see if you like how your next Primitive Needle Punch Project turns out!

You can find these listed on eBay.....nyafarmgirl

Happy Trails....Ginger

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Day 1

FOR TODAY ~ July 28th, 2008

Outside my window ...the evening sun is slowly sinking it's head in the cloudy western skies as yet another hot day begins to cool down. The hummingbirds race from feeders enjoying a drink of cool sugary water.


I am thankful for...caring and understanding sisters, my lil' grandson as he brings so much sunshine to my life, and a family that loves each other.

From the kitchen...comes the heavenly smell of freshly baked cake.

I am wearing...brown shorts and a turquoise cotton shirt and am barefoot.

I am creating...halloween and autumn needle punch projects that will become pillows, dolls, and pinkeeps.

I am going...outside to give the garden and the flowers a good watering after a very warm day.

I am reading...the book of Psalms a chapter at a time and trying to finish up a murder mystery " Mrs. Jeffries holds the Trump" by Emily Brightwell.

I am hoping for...some relief for my sister "Sherry" that has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

I am hearing...the sounds of a dozer and trackhoe as they have been running most of the day trying to finish up a new pond that is being built.

Around the house...the dishes are done once again, Sloan's toys are put away until tomorrow, and a bowl full of okra sent from Momma needs to be cut up and put away.

One of my favorite things...the time spent with my Dad while raking and baling hay!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...work at the shop, keep Sloan during the day, keep a doctor's appt., finish up some needle work projects, and have a family gathering for my Dad's 67th Birthday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing


Hands at rest from a day of play...


Be sure to visit Peggy the creator of the Simple Woman Daybook and take a look into the lives of other simple women.

~*Frame or Hoop*~ for Punch Needle

Gripper Frames





Lip~Locking Hoops

Recently someone asked what do I prefer a frame or a hoop for my needle punch projects. Hands down....I love to use the gripper frames. They will keep my weavers cloth drum tight and I'm not having to pull and tug and retighten like I do when using the hoops.

Now don't think that the hoops won't work for you because they will. You just have to make sure that you keep them drum tight and your punch needle projects will look just the same.

There has been times when I started a project on my frame and the frame simply wasn't large enough for the project I was working on so to finish off the project I placed it in a hoop and finished it right up. Oh ~ what a difference between the two...so guess what???? I bought a larger frame. I have several sizes of frames....6 x 6, 12 x 12, and 14 x 16. Most of the time I have several projects going at once. I have to tell you I use the 12 x 12 the most!

You can also buy the frame on a stand and some of mine did come like that but I like working without the stand. These frames are also great for wool rug hooking!


A word of caution if you use the gripper frame it is SHARP!!! Those gripper strips will stab you if your not careful. Now alot of people use stretchy covers over them to protect their arms. You can use the wide stretch headbands for the smaller one or simply just sew 2 of the headbands together for your larger frames.


This is my 12 x 12 frame and and you can see I have several projects going on just inside this one frame. This is the working side of the project. You can also see those prickly gripper teeth sticking through my weavers cloth.




On this side you can see the front of the projects and just how the loops are coming along.
I have to say that I'm just a little bit addicted to needle punch so the frames are the choice for me. Either way you choose to punch is fine just have fun!

Happy Trails....Ginger

~*Kreativ Blogger Award*~

I have received an award thanks to my good friend Betty of primitivebettys
What a nice surprise! You'll find that Betty is a very talented and giving person. When you find a moment be sure to stop by her blog and you'll find her creating all kinds of things that are absolutely darling! She can make the tiniest stitches....

Okay here are the rules that came along with the award and since this is my first try at this here goes...

1. The winner may put the logo on her blog.
2. Put a link to the person you got the award from.
3. Nominate 5 blogs
4. Put links to the blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.


JoEllen of Befruitfulkreations

Kim of Simple~Needs

Cyndi of Wooly Lott Rugs

Terri of Thistle House Primitives

Lea of FarmHouse Blessings

Now when you find a spare moment stop by and visit these gals that I have listed. They will surely brighten your day when you stop in and see what they have been up to.

Thank You Betty for this special award!

Happy Trails....Ginger

A Perfect Spot for a Swimmin' Hole

Danny is always busy thinking of ways to make our property a little better. Our daughter has commented often...."Dad's hobby is work" and it's true! Thing is he usually has someone around here roped into helping him.

He has decided that we need more ponds on a couple of the places we have cattle on so he got in touch with the National Resource Conservation Service and they help farmers with agricultral needs. So began one of the ponds....

Yesterday when we got home from work I was out watering the garden and he wanted me to come along in the truck and have a little look~see at the pond. Now I don't like rollercoaster rides and believe me he thinks he can drive a truck anywhere. About the time we got to the tree line the man that is doing the dozer work showed up...His dozer had broke down and was returning with some parts. He said the dam was good to drive over so I said "You go first!" As Danny is making his way to the dam we start to slide down the bank in the truck...Of course at this point I'm hollering LET ME OUT NOW...he just laughs and puts it in 4 wheel drive and climbs right back up and onto the dam. Soon as that truck stopped I was out in a heartbeat.

So today I decided to take a walk over and show you our new swimmin' hole or better yet Fishin' hole...of course the cows can come have a drink!



Once you take few steps past the tree line the rollercoaster ride begins...


Now to just climb another hill....Don't you just love Oklahoma's famous red dirt!



The big tree over by the trackhoe and dozer will be just perfect for a rope for those brave enough to take a swing!


Right about here is where Danny got to have a lil' fun sliding down the bank.


I'm standing on top of the dam and it is a long ways to the bottom! Within a few days the pond should be finished and then we will have to wait for lots of rain to fill it up.


Now I got to go climb another hill and head for the house!


Our neighbor that lives across the way has one of those kite planes and has been overhead seeing our progress.
We have had a busy day today. We went to the cafe for breakfast which I haven't done in years and then the little town we live close to had an estate auction. It was fun just watching folks as they bid on goodies and yes I bought a few items.
Once we returned home I hurried and mowed the yard and made my way to the garden and look what I found. I have never planted cantelope...I'm more of a watermelon person but Danny likes it so I planted some and now they are popping up all over.


This one was the first ripe one and I just had to weigh it. I think it's big it weighed 7 pounds and 4 ounces.


Well it didn't take long....Danny taste tested it and gave the thumbs up!
Next year I'll have to give watermelons a try.

Happy Trails...Ginger

~*The Winner is....*~

My eyes are growing weary...it's been a long day so hopefully no one minds I decided to let Danny pick the name out of the hat this evening so here goes!

The winner of the $50 cash giveaway is .....
Terri of www.thistlehouseprimitives.blogspot.com


There was a total of 24 entries...2 which were sent by email.

Congratulations Terri!

To all of you who didn't win be sure to check back in a few weeks I have another give away planned!

Happy Trails to You....Ginger

~* Separating Floss for 3 Strand Needle Punch the Fast and Easy Way! *~

Do you needle punch using 3 strands of floss and dislike the time it takes to separate the threads? Plus, if you cut the thread in small lengths you are forever threading your needle.
Well...I have tried many different methods for undoing an entire skein of floss. I have separated out one strand at a time and draped it over the furniture as I went. Recently while at the office I was needle punching up some things that required 3 strands of floss and I was tying the strands to a filing cabinet and separating it across the room holding 3 strands in each hand but what a twist it created at the end.
My Dad just happened to come by and I knew more than likely he had his fishing stuff in his truck so I asked if he had a swivel. EUREKA!

Below is what I find the quickest and easiest method for separating an entire skein of floss.
You will need a swivel, scissors, floss, and something to put your floss on once it's separated. I like wood spools.
If you want to try this but are not sure how it will go don't start with an entire skein just pull out what you think you will be comfortable with and give it a try!


You only need one swivel and it doesn't have to have a clip on the end but this is what I had at home. Believe me I left that fishing swivel at work...never know when it will come in handy again!


Now tie a piece of floss or string on one end of the swivel...make it long enough to go over your door knob.


Now start pulling out the floss...just make sure you don't have any knots.


It is now all pulled out.


Now tie one end of the floss onto the other end of the swivel.


Just hook the string side over the door knob and begin making your way across the room with the other end of the floss.



Once you have made your way across the room divide the floss into two sections of 3 strands.


Slowly pull it apart a little ways.


Now you need to have it pulled tight.


You will slowly work the floss apart as you are making your way to the door knob. I just use my body to keep the thread on each side as a walk along. Don't go to fast the swivel needs time to work.


Tighten again as you make your way across the room. I'm getting closer...sorry about the blurry photo. I was taking a picture with one hand while I was doing this...


Okay I'm within about 3 feet of the door and the twist is getting a little tight.


So I just reach over and take the swivel off the door knob and let it dangle below. The twist is working itself out.


Now that it is all separated I lay the swivel on the table.


Next grab your scissors.


Just cut the floss off the swivel.


You don't waste too much!

Actually I save snips of strings and stuff them in some of my goodies...waste not ~ want not!

Now I just wind the floss onto little wooden spools.



Now I have a full skein of floss separated into 3 strands ready to go!

Thanks to Dad for stopping by with his fishing stuff. I bet he never knew it would come in handy for needle punch!

Happy Trails....Ginger