Punkin Patch Craft Designs Adventures In Art

Whew! We've been busy!

2011-10-02T20:46:00.003-05:00

We just finished another fun and successful yearly showing at the Trinity Valley Quilt Show. Super exhausted but always excited to get back to work after all the inspiring things we see there. We had tons of new patterns, finished embroidery goodies, and loads of wool and came home with a much smaller heap...makes us pretty happy! Now it's time to design more new patterns, manage our online listings a bit better, and hopefully keep up with this blog!
Thanks for all your support, and don't forget to come see us at L.D. Bell High School the first Saturday in December.

PunkinPatch*****
Heather & David

Did you miss us?!?

2011-01-19T11:20:00.002-06:00

Did ya' miss us? I sure hope you did! I was on hiatus/sabbatical/mommy duty for the past few months. For the record, we welcomed a delicious baby boy named Dash to our nest in June and, to be perfectly honest, I couldn't even think about anything else until Christmas!

But we're back in the creative saddle with some exciting new goodies on the way!

I've been doing lots more work in wool....penny rugs, applique, etc.

The hubby has begun making prints from his hand-carved linocuts...some will be hand-tinted with ink or watercolor, and some will be framed/matted or greeting card format.

We're very excited about some new patterns and kits that we will be offerring this spring so check back soon!!!

We'll be here, so join us!!!!

2009-12-10T16:16:00.003-06:00

We're changing things up a bit and doing a spring show in 2010!
This one sounds fantastic and I can't wait to be there!

Craft Show Time!!!!

2009-11-13T16:53:00.002-06:00

Hello crafty folks!
I'm excited about the next 2 craft shows I'll be at. Come see us at either or both of these!! Finish your holiday decorating and gift shopping with some wonderful handmade goodies.

Paschal High School ~ Fort Worth (Berry & Forest Park)
November 21, 2009 9am-4pm

L. D. Bell High School ~ Hurst (Brown Trail)
December 5, 2009 9am-6pm

Thanks for your support!!

2009-09-21T12:05:00.003-05:00

Thank you to all our loyal customers and welcome to all our new friends! We had a great weekend at Trinity Valley Quilt show and it's because of y'all!
I will publish pictures from the show as soon as we recover :p
I'm including a little tidbit/freebie with this newsletter....hope you like it!!

Get your holiday patterns now!!

2009-08-05T12:33:00.009-05:00

It's time to start working on those Autumn and Christmas holiday goodies....get your patterns now!

Penny Rug

2009-06-01T11:36:00.003-05:00

Here's a small (8x10) penny rug I designed, hand-cut, and hand-stitched recently.
Just added it to my etsy shop.....punkinpatchcrafts.etsy.com

Suggestions?

2009-05-14T12:02:00.004-05:00

I found a hand-stitched vintage quilt square made with indigo blue fabrics and muslin the other day, and it just begs to be made into something new....but what?
I'm thinking about adding some wool appliqued flowers or something...maybe in true red? Dunno just yet. Here are a few pictures of what I'm starting with. I'll post pictures of the finished product (whenever that happens!)

Challenge yourself

2009-05-09T09:43:00.004-05:00

Those of you who know me personally, know that I am an education junkie. I think an important part of personal development and growth depends on challenging and stimulating our minds. I've voluntarily taken classes for about 18 years now, some craft related and others for a doctoral degree. See? When I say "junkie" I'm not kidding! We're talking "hardcore"! Last spring I suggested that all my readers consider taking some sort of class or workshop to expand their skills. For fun, I took a class in wool applique and fell completely in love with the possibilities! As excited as I am about learning new techniques, I'm also nervous about mastering them. This year I decided I would finally face what I felt to be a really challenging class....needle-turn applique. I seriously wondered if my skills were anywhere close to good enough to manage that one. This is much finer work than I'm comfortable with. Luckily, this class was offered by a dear friend (who doesn't mock a fledgling effort!) and she made everything seem so obvious and simple. Amazing. Well, except the part where the skinny little needle split my finger open and my jaw ached from gritting my teeth in concentration. Honestly, I worked myself up over nothing. Any technique can be learned. Practice makes perfect and whatnot. That's why I suggest finding a class that interests you during this less-hectic time of year. Challenge yourself. Get excited about something new. Add to your repertoire and surprise your friends and customers as holiday time rolls around again. I'm posting a picture of my first needle-turn applique project.......not perfect, but who is?
*Happy Crafting*

Oh yeah...if you're free Saturday...

2009-04-24T11:27:00.001-05:00

Spring Fever

2009-04-24T11:14:00.003-05:00

Happy Spring, ya'll!! Hope everyone is enjoying fine weather. I have spring fever, but not the traditional kind......no yard-work for me, thanks! I'm compelled to stay inside and sew! Don't know what's gotten into me, but there it is. I'm including a spring pattern freebie as a thank-you to my loyal customers and friends. Here's hoping inspiration strikes you all!

*Happy Crafting*

Support your local crafters on Etsy.com!

2009-04-23T14:45:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

2009-01-06T10:23:00.003-06:00

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season!

I am truly excited about the new year for several reasons:

I'm still settling into the new/old house and can see the decorating potential emerging from amongst all that Christmas decor.

I've been yearning for some quality time with my new sewing room and all the wool I've collected recently.

We are planning our first fall craft show and it's time to get busy!

I'd love to hear from y'all.....let me know what you'd like to see from PunkinPatch this year and what goodies you're planning to craft.

Fort Worth followers....

2008-12-20T11:57:00.003-06:00

First-
Everyone in and around Fort Worth needs to head to Cabbage Rose on Vickery. They're having the biggest, best sale! I left with a huge bag of fabric yesterday :) They have tons of autumn and halloween fabrics on clearance, including flannels. I have a whole new stash for next year!

Second-
You've seen my posts about our new home....
We're considering hosting a craft show/open house this October. Lots of our own art & craft combined with a select few additional artists. Any input would be appreciated as we plan this event! I can't wait to hear your ideas.....:)
Get in touch with me if you are interested in displaying your wares. More info will be forthcoming as decisions are made and details are nailed down.

New Inspiration

2008-12-14T12:20:00.003-06:00

I think most crafters know how difficult it can be to find new inspiration. Occasionally I'm overwhelmed by new ideas and maniacally try to fit loads of new things into the schedule, but this time of year you're more likely to find me grumbling about special orders and making things I know will sell rather than new and fun items. In an effort to stave off holiday boredom and overload I took a class from my very, very creative friend Naomi in wool applique. I have always loved the look of traditional penny rugs but now there are a plethora of new designs to inspire. I found that learning a new stitching method has provided all the impetus I needed to work happily through Christmas. I'm even excited about some new spring ideas.....
If your holiday is too busy to include a class or new project, let me suggest scheduling one early in the year. New skills and fresh ideas are so important. Here are a few things I've completed since the class:

Christmas Spirit

2008-11-29T12:34:00.003-06:00

I always boycott Christmas until we've gotten past Thanksgiving....I think we have a tendency to skip this very important family holiday before the madness.
That being said.....

Yay! It's officially the Christmas season!Here's a Christmas freebie for y'all, sorry we haven't posted one in a while. Happy holiday crafting!

To unpack or not to unpack......?

2008-11-25T11:41:00.002-06:00

Addendum to the last post about the new house....
Seems as though the cold water situation was not due to my lack of planning! Yay me! After quite a few handy fellas looked at it, an actual plumber needed to spend a few hours under the house rerouting some water lines and uncrossing hot/cold lines. It all seemed quite dire until he finished and presented us with a very small bill. We now have scalding hot water and I've never been so happy to take a shower!
Most everything else has been going smoothly. We ordered our gas stove and it will be delivered Wednesday.....just in time to cook Thanksgiving dinner :) We have so many boxes the house looks a bit like a maze, but I did get the couches cleared off so we can lounge as needed. My cat seems to be calming down somewhat. Those of you who know me also know my cat is a tad neurotic. There is still a load of "stuff" at David's that needs to be magically transported to the house in the near future.....anyone volunteering? Nearly every inch of the house needs some sort of weatherstripping/sealant/caulk and it's getting colder, so we'll have to address that pretty quickly. Otherwise, we're looking good.
I have to thank James and Fairlle for bringing a movie and their great company last night. We wanted to relax a little and they kindly provided much needed entertainment. I hope everyone who helped us move (ahem...broke their backs) knows how much they are appreciated. We know we have the best friends and family! Thank you so much!
Now.....to unpack before Thanksgiving so the pictures look perfect? Naw! Good food with people we love will be just fine. Who cares if we use paper plates and sit on the couch?!

The...ahem...not so seamless transition to the dream home

2008-11-21T16:13:00.006-06:00

After the excitement of finding the home of our dreams comes the inevitable backlash....moving in, finding quirks (good and bad), miscellaneous repairs, etc.

We closed on the house mid-week. Our work schedules didn't allow moving until the weekend, so we decided to "camp out" that first night....stake our claim, so to speak. Fun, right? No furniture, just a blanket and pillows, and very excited homeowners.

Our first night as "dream home" owners was spent not sleeping on a very hard floor, freezing and miserable. Together, but miserable. In a fit of organizational pique, I made sure all the utilities (gas, water, electric) were properly set up and operational before closing. I just neglected to have the gas furnaces lit. Ooops...It was 32 degrees that night. Forgot the hot water heater, too. Try an icy shower after freezing and sleeping on the floor all night :-/ Dang it, we have a claw-foot tub and no hot water!
Big sigh.
Dream home.
Oh, did I mention we only got one key? One lone key, and the real estate agent gave us the code for the lock-box and told us to get it ourselves! Still can't get the lock-box off the doorknob, but that's ok because the doorknob doesn't actually work! Thank goodness the deadbolt does. The back door doesn't even have a door knob to complain about.
Big sigh.
Dream home.
Then there's the mirror situation. We have three bathrooms and none of them have mirrors. The only spot to get ready for work seems to be in front of the mirrored door in the den.....it faces the front porch and an enormous picture window. Very pleased to face the neighbors in the morning. Not a closet rod in the place either.
Big sigh.
Dream home.
The second night in our dream house will be accompanied by every stick of furniture we own, approximately 1000 books, working heaters, comfy beds, HOT WATER, and.....
Big sighs....
of contentment and happiness :)

We did actually have fun eating peppermint oreos on the floor under a quilt, walking from room to room making plans for the future, being grateful for our very very good fortune. There will undoubtedly be more days that make us scratch our heads and wonder what possessed us to buy an 86 year old home, but it will always be
Our Dream Home!

Home of PunkinPatch

2008-10-28T14:17:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the new home of

PunkinPatch

CraftDesigns!

We are more than a lil proud to show off our new home! Finally we have enough room, personally and professionally....15 rooms should give us sufficient space to create :)

Forgive us if we interject personal updates (decor and home renovation stuff) amidst the craft, pattern, and show updates.
For all our friends, here's the rundown.......

1922 Craftsman/Arts and Crafts/Prairie style, two story home with glowing hardwood floors, two living rooms, two fireplaces, formal dining room, six bedrooms, three baths, a sunroom (aka David's watercolor studio), an adorable sleeping porch/balcony, a six foot cast iron claw-foot tub, the sunniest laundry room ever, and various and sundry period details that make me smile like a fool.

Everyone is welcome to smack us if we grin too terribly much.
And you're all invited to Thanksgiving dinner!

*Vive le potiron!*

The Art Monkey Gets Beaten Mercilessly (or Adventures with Quilting Ninjas)

2008-09-30T12:51:00.004-05:00

So, I'm minding my own business drawing sugar skulls so i can be cute and creepy at the same time, and my Irish taskmaster (taskmistress?) hits me with a whip across the back (and not one of those sexy whips, either. Long, awful barbed thing...) and tells me to write the Fall post quilting show blog. I tried to pretend senility, it failed. My next gambit was to convince her that I'm illiterate. Fail. I forgot she knows that i know how to type.
Blog. Blog blog blog blog *CRACK* owowowowow.......
The quilt show was soo much fun. I love the drive in unloading thing at Will Rodgers. It made set up easy. Of course I let the smart one do the actual display, so i was the work monkey and little more, completely ignored unless my back is required. So, unappreciated and abused, beaten and ridiculed, I decided to walk about and check out the quilty stuff.
Understand, this is my first exposure to this kind of show. The art is amazing, the discipline is awe inspiring, and I have to admit that I was honestly awestruck by the sheer ability of the quilters who displayed their works.
I have to give a huuuge shouted 'thank you' to the ladies of the guild, they made it fun and easy for the newbies like us. I was nice and polite at all times, to those of you who know me and was wondering about my behavior. There's a staggering amount of razor sharp things hanging in easy reach everywhere, and I'm more than sure that there's more than one husband surgically dissembled at home in the freezer.....
*CRACK* owowowowowowowow
We did sooo well, it was just perfect and I got my cheeks pinched by dozens of wonderful grannies and aunties, and my butt pinched at least twice. We made a small but excellent bank, and had a great time and we were thoroughly impressed. Needless to say, we have decided to find more quilting shows to display at. There's a good chance we got more wholesale customers, and people interested in carrying the punkin flag for us so we're really looking forward to a long term run and lotsa fun along the way.
Next show is L.D. Bell, first week of December. It's a craft show, so we expect Heather's stitchery to do as well as it always does, which is extremely well. Maybe I can talk her into stitching a few sugar skull if I can convince her to stop beating me long enough to finish this one..... owowowowow..... d.

Where to find us online

2008-09-21T19:50:00.001-05:00

We currently sell patterns and stitched goodies online. In the future we will be adding prints, paintings, and who knows what else!

Check us out:

etsy: punkinpatchcrafts.etsy.com

ebay seller id: bowheadgavin

patternmart designer id: Punkin Patch Craft Designs

Or email us with special requests at:
punkinpatch13@yahoo.com

Trinity Valley Quilt Show

2008-09-16T10:55:00.002-05:00

The Trinity Valley Quilt Show at Will Rogers Memorial Center
starts Friday Sept. 19th!

Come by and visit our booth (#56)
and check out all the new patterns.

Show times are:
*Friday 19th (10-5)
*Saturday 20th (10-5)
*Sunday 21st (11-4)

Thanks for your support :)

*PunkinPatchCraftDesigns*

What A Cozy Day...

2008-09-03T09:34:00.004-05:00

Interesting.
It's early September in Texas and the temperature is a perfectly delightful 72!
Woke up this morning to find it cool and cloudy which does wonders for my creativity.
All I wanna do today is sew and create......but alas, off to work I go.
HiHo HiHo.

Our first BIG show as PunkinPatchCraftDesigns is rapidly approaching and I'm starting to feel a little frantic. That's usually a good thing, since it takes a little panic to kick me into high gear.
I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed this week (hence the desire to stay home and sew!) but any minute I'm gonna turn into a creative machine! I just know it!

David has designed some incredibly beautiful fall patterns this year. I think I'll work on those today and post a picture or two as inspiration :)

Everyone should enjoy a little something cozy today to celebrate...FALL IS HERE!!!!

The Great Tape Escape of '08

2008-08-22T09:32:00.003-05:00

Just wanna say a heartfelt "thanks" to the friends who have helped us with our work transition in the past few weeks. So many tedious little tasks (taping and untaping, good grief!).....and they're only getting finished with your help. Another week or so and we'll be back to normal.

Except.......

I guess it's my turn. I have decided to offer laser tattoo removal at David's shop. It's all official, but will take a few weeks to get under way. I have to attend a training seminar, so I'll keep everyone up to date on the schedule as I can. I've already ordered my chair and miscellaneous stuff and I meet with my sponsoring surgeon Wednesday to order my laser. I will need to paint my new "office" so anyone with the painting bug is more than welcome to help ;) I will probably be up and running in October.

Again, thanks for your help and support. Know that we are sooooo grateful! I'll add updates as things progress.

Busy Business Beavers

2008-08-06T12:31:00.003-05:00

Well friends, this is shaping up to be a very busy summer/fall.
Our pattern and craft business is keeping us constantly creating and evolving, and now it seems we are to add another business to the family.
David will be the new owner of the shop (where he currently works) beginning October 1st. Not really a big change but a few new additions to the list of responsibilities. This is certainly a good change and we are excited as well as a tad nervous.
Looks like fall will be tumultuous for me too. I'm finally moving to the big city! Well, ok, to the edge of medium-sized Fort Worth anyway. I'm really stoked about this. Less "where did I see that?...oh shoot, left it here or there....did I pack art stuff?"...etc, more time with friends and family. Yay me!

Anyway, those of you who know, love, and support us....be patient if we miss a few phone calls or need advice (ad nauseum) and pat us lovingly as we streak by :)

Texas summer

2008-08-02T11:13:00.003-05:00

Good grief, it's hot as blazes here in Texas!
The forecast today is 107 with a heat index of 112.
I wilt just thinking about it :(
Anyone have a mountain cabin somewhere they'd be willing to loan out to some starving artists? I feel certain inspiration would flourish if I were ever so slightly cooler. Oh well, we knew it was coming.
My heat induced depression (well, incarceration really) has forced me to think ahead to the autumn season........
I'm thinking leaves, acorns, squirrels, crows, etc, etc. Makes me feel a bit cooler.
Fall will be here before we know it!!

*Happy Crafting*

Etsy.com

2008-07-16T17:38:00.001-05:00

I love etsy.com!!!!!
Check out our store at:
www.punkinpatchcrafts.etsy.com

or click on the following logo:

Craft Show Schedule

2008-07-15T20:24:00.007-05:00

Before the craft show season gets really rolling, here's a tentative schedule of the shows we are planning to attend:

*Trinity Valley Quilt Show
September 19-20-21
Amon Carter Exhibit Hall, Will Rogers Memorial Complex
Fort Worth, Texas

*HollyDay Bazaar
November 8
Granbury Convention Center
Granbury, Texas

*LD Bell High School
December 6
1601 Brown Trail
Hurst, Texas

There may be a little shuffling as the holiday months get here.
I'll try to update the calendar pretty often.
Come by and check out all the holiday merchandise. David is designing new artwork every day and I'm stitching and stitching and stitching :)
We'd love to see you at any (or all!) of these shows!

Happy Crafting!!!!

WooHoo! New kits are here!

2008-07-02T21:37:00.003-05:00

WooHoo! We now have stitchery kits for sale!

These are great for beginners, travelers, gifts, etc.
Each kit includes:
*one design on muslin (you choose the pattern!)
*spring tension hoop (the best!)
*hand sewing needles
*full skeins of embroidery floss in each color needed for your design
*simple instructions for basic embroidery stitches

After stitching the design included with the kit, you will have the basic tools to continue on your own. You'll be hooked (or stitched?)!!!!!!

Where you can find us online

2008-05-15T13:29:00.000-05:00

Logo or no?

2008-05-15T13:10:00.000-05:00

This is one of our merchandise tags. Original design and watercolor by David.
I think it has the potential to be our year-round logo. What do you think?

A bit about us...

2008-05-15T11:00:00.001-05:00

PunkinPatchCraftDesigns is the brainchild of two weirdos. Seriously.
Who could've imagined a craft and pattern company originating with a tattooer and an attorney?

My name is Heather, I'm the attorney. Disgruntled, unhappy attorney. I left the legal field to manage the family craft mall & bookstore temporarily while I decided what to do with my life. Six years later, I'm still at Artisans and feeling more creative (and happy) than ever!

David is the tattooer. He's been an artist since childhood but became a tattooer fourteen years ago to make a living. It's tough going for artists but at least tattooing is semi-artistic!

So.....an artist/tattooer starts hanging out with a lawyer/crafty gal.....discussions about the lack of patterns and mutual inspirations develop......voila! PunkinPatchCraftDesigns is born.
By the way, PunkinPatch isn't as cutesy as it sounds. Punkin is my childhood nickname (ok, slightly cutesy) and David considers himself quite the pirate (hehe, eye patch) soooo....
PunkinPatch!
We have a logo in development, I'll post it when it's perfecto.