Spring Celebrations

Snake and Apples punch needle piece, 2026. Designed and sold by MShaw. Unfortunately this is no longer available as she seems to be out of business. Phooey. I think it's 6"xabout 3". I punched it with an Ultra-Punch needle, using 3 strands of DMC floss, and some Weeks Dye Works floss. I used a small needle and set the height to one. I'm guessing I bought the pattern 25 years ago and just got around to punching it now.

I'm getting ready to teach a punchneedle embroidery class next weekend, so thought I'd better do a piece with my small-sized Ultra-Punch needle because I haven't used that size in the last few years.  In casting about for something small and quick to complete, I re-discovered this MShaw pattern that I'd bought long ago I'd totally forgotten.  (As I said in the caption, about 25 years ago!)  I loved it back then and love it still.  She always had wonderful, whimsical, fun patterns; I haven't been able to find out if anyone bought the rights, and it looks like she's retired.  Occasionally I've seen one on Etsy or Ebay, but I don't think I've seen this one recently.  It was so much fun and I love the results.  Immensely enjoyable.

And the other day, a good friend gave me the bouquet below, which sent me into a stunned state at how gorgeous spring flowers are:
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Peonies are the most amazing flowers.  I could stare at them all day long.  They are next to one of my favorite books, an entire book of biography, photographs, and discussion of the work of May Morris's fabulous skills as a designer-embroiderer.  That Morris, yes, the daughter of William.  I wish I had 1/10th of her creativity.