"Two Ol' Broads" - And A Few Winners...

On Sunday, California and Florida didn't seem so far apart. My beautiful cousin Sheree, flew in for a week-long visit with her dad. On Sunday, she and I got to spend the afternoon together. I drove up to Sarasota (Lakewood Ranch) to my uncle's home and we sat and visited with him before she and I got in my car and headed over to Starbucks.
It seems as though my Uncle Flis hadn't aged a day since the last time I saw him (a loonggg time ago), but we girls agreed that we're not the spring chicks we used to be. I'm the eldest of all the "kids" and cousins, and Sheree is next in line behind me. She is that one person in my generation that I have known the longest...54 years! (Congratulations, Cuz! We're officially Two Feisty Ol' Broads!)

My folks and hers often took turns schlepping the kids and luggage and our Barbie dolls from one house to the other for weekends. We'd spend endless hours playing together with those dolls. We always cried and fussed when it was time to go home, and we'd hug and promise to see each other again soon. She and her sister Shelley, my sister Lyn and I were four best friends - and man, did we make the memories!

This past weekend, Sheree and I sat for nearly four hours at a comfortable table outside Starbucks, drank our coffee and caught up on each others' lives. We sat and conspired almost like in the days of our childhood - and I think we even solved some of the world's problems. I hadn't thought about how much I missed this incredible, strong and self-sufficient woman until we were sitting across a little bistro table from each other. Again, I found myself not wanting to say goodbye.

We did agree that we're going to make an effort to keep closer track of each other. Busy lives tend to get in the way - something we both understand - but we also know how important it is to stay in touch with loved ones. I'm looking forward to our next visit and hope I see her again very soon.

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE...

Announcing the winners of
Brynwood's 300th Post Celebration Giveaway

Winning Prize Package No. One
Jeanette from sweetjeanette blog

Winners of the Eggsact Egg Timers:
• Margaret B. from The French Bear
• Bonnie from Southern Style
• Kathy from Sweet Up-North Mornings
Winning a bottle of my favorite Egyptian Cotton Linen Spray:
Judy at Prim2Pink
and
Last, but certainly not least...
Paulette at Beedeebabee

You can click on each winner's name to visit their blog. Stop over and congratulate them if you'd like. I wish I could give a little something to each of you, but I'll be launching a new giveaway this week to celebrate my 300th Follower! Your name may be next! (It's going to be a multiple giveaway again, too.)

OK, girls...You know the drill, if you winners know that I have your address, you can do the happy dance and know that your package is on its way. Otherwise, please email your full name and address to me so that I can get your goodies to the post office and on their way to you.

She's Got The Cutest Little Baby Face...

Isn't this just the cutest, little Baby Face?

This is a Red Heart leaflet with a 1948 copyright date.

It was a gift from my aunt, who is a prolific knitter.
You can see from this photo that
baby patterns really are timeless.

I'm hoping to spend part of my day with my cousin, Sheree.
She's visiting from California for some quality time with
her dad in Sarasota - and to celebrate her
mom's birthday later this week up near Orlando.
Perhaps photos tomorrow. She's a little camera shy,
unlike this cousin who is really a ham for the shutter.
Reminder:
I'll be drawing the names of the winners for my drawings today.
You have until 6 pm to enter if you haven't yet!
You can just click here to go to the post to sign up.
Winners will be announced tomorrow.
EDITED: 7: 50 pm 2/28/09 - DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED.
Thanks to all who entered.

So, for now, this sweet baby is wishing all of you a sweet Sunday.

Short and Sweet...

I just wanted to let you know that I've listed up a couple more sweet little Rabbit Garden pincushions for your consideration. They are the result of my time spent cleaning, and then playing in the studio yesterday. You can check them out in the Boutique. I also got all my shipping finished yesterday, so if you made a purchase or are the recipient of one of my giveaway pincushions, they're on their way to you now!

I'm really enjoying reading all your comments on the most recent posts, as well as all the wonderful messages that have been left on the 300th Post Giveaway post.

Thank you so much to each and every one of you for deciding to follow Brynwood, and to those of you who also posted my celebration on your blogs. I'm slowly making my way to your blogs to visit (or emailing messages for you if you don't blog), so don't be surprised when I leave a comment and/or follow you, too. You guys and gals have some beautiful sites of your own, and you're all an inspiration to me. Thanks again.

One more day til I choose the winners! Hope you're able to sleep with all the excitement. (giggle)

Look At The Sparkle...

I just had to share some vintage sparkly buttons I recently purchased for a project, but that's not the real subject of my post today...
Last week, I told you my brother-in-law, 'Ser, used my motorcycle to ride with the other Wild Hogs. He was so sweet. At the end of the week, he left me a gift card to our local Harley dealership to get my bike cleaned and detailed. We picked it up today. Good thing I was wearing my sunglasses!Handsome and his brother used to recite what I think was an old advertising jingle (for car polish)...and it's so appropriate today as I share the photos of my "Daisy Deuce":

"Look at her shine
Look at her sparkle
My Harley's got that
Arkadol Barkle..."

Thanks, 'Ser!!! The bike looks great!

For all my new followers who didn't know that I own and ride my own Harley...I hope I didn't give you too big a shock today! My bike is a 2003 (Anniversary Edition) Softtail Deuce. Handsome has his own bike - a 2004 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softtail Classic. I'll show you photos of his bike another time. One shock a day is enough, right?

I promise to return tomorrow with a crafty post!





Don't forget, I'll be drawing names on February 28th! I'm getting pretty excited. I hope you are, too!

My Boogie Shoes...

I couldn't resist.
They were on sale, plus another 40% off!
(They were practically giving them away! Really!!)

Every girl should own at least one pair of Red Boogie Shoes!
and then,
you need the music to get you in the mood, too.
Hope this brightens your day!

Hello, Three Hundred...

Tuesday morning, I saw that Brynwood reached three hundred followers. I was so excited, I contacted #300 (Lou at Pretty Posies and Paper Trails) to congratulate her. As soon as I get her address from her, I'll be sending this little pincushion on its way. (I made it yesterday - just for Lou!) Right after I contacted Lou, someone moved away. Sorry to see you go, but Lou will still be getting her gift from me.

Then, later in the day, we got a new 300th follower (I have to come up with another term rather than "Follower"! After all, you're all leaders in my book!) Anyway, The Paper Princess (Ramona) of Create With Joy is now #300, so I made another pincushion, contacted her and she'll get a little pincushion, too!

When you get a chance, head over to Pretty Posies and Paper Trails to congratulate Lou, and then visit Create With Joy and say hello to The Paper Princess Ramona. Just as soon as my 300th Post Giveaway Celebration (February 28th) ends, I'll be all set to launch the 300th Follower Celebration. I'm planning multiple chances to win that one, too!

I hope you like my little Rabbit Garden Pincushion creations. I made them yesterday with this little celebration in mind. I also made another for the Boutique. You can see it here.

Congratulations, Lou and Ramona...and thanks to every single friend who made this new milestone possible. You...and you...and you...and you...

Oh, my! I also just realized that on March 15th, I'll be celebrating my First Blog Anniversary! Perhaps I'll go with an Alice in Wonderland Theme - March Hare, Queen of Hearts and all! Come on...I know you're almost as excited as I am just thinking about it!

There's still time to enter my 300th Post Giveaways! Just click on the button on my left sidebar to enter. Remember, you must be a public follower of my blog to enter.

Little Things Mean A Lot...

Monday's are usually Project Linus days for me, but lately I had been so busy with Christmas projects, surgery and recuperation, and house guests that I hadn't see the group for a couple of months. This morning, I packed up my knitting basket and headed to the church where we meet for a bit of knitting, visiting, and then lunch with my girlfriends.

There are quilters, crocheters and knitters in our group, and it sure is fun to see what the other gals are making. The blankets that they create are really beautiful, and each one represents a warm hug for an infant or premature baby. It's a really worthy cause, and I would steer anyone with a will to do something selfless for a little one in the direction of Project Linus.

Connie, the woman who formed our chapter, announced that over the past ten years, we have created over 13,000 blankets -adding over 1,000 in 2009! These women are truly prolific and selfless. I feel a little inadequate, having added only 6 blankets myself. So, I've decided that I need to make at least twelve blankets this year, and I'm off to a good start with this first one.

Before you ask, I'll show you my knitting basket. The other gals just loved it, so I thought you might want to see what it looks like. I've had it for years, and to tell the truth, I can't even remember where I purchased it. It has that pretty blue gingham lining with pockets inside. The flowers are crocheted raffia. It's just perfect for this small blanket project.

When I got back home, I played in the studio for a while. I made a tag to go with an order I was sending out and I thought you might like to see it. The "Queen" tag had a kraft envelope attached so that I could insert my business card. I then secured it to the outside of the gift bag that is now winging its way to Colorado.

Whether it's baby blankets for a wee bebe', or a handcrafted gift tag on a package...little things mean a lot, don't you agree?

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends...

Every once in a while, one of you surprises me with a sweet gift (and you let me blog about it. Some of you prefer that your acts of kindness stay between us, and I honor that even though I want to crow about you, too!).

Christina at iCandy hasn't forgotten that I love acorns, so she put together an envelope full of acorn goodness for me. (See the first photo today? That's it!) Click on the photo for a good look. There are little acorn charms, acorn caps that I'll be playing with soon, and the sweet card and tag. She's so thoughtful! Be sure to head over to her blog and say hello. Thanks, Christina! Love, love, love your gifts!!!
Along that same line, I need to say just how incredible my friends are. I don't just mean the ones I get to see and chat with on a regular basis, in person. (They really are awesome, by the way.) Today, I mean the girlfriends and guypals who are regular readers here at Brynwood.

I really can't believe that, because those of you with blogs helped spread the word about my giveaways, I've reached nearly three hundred followers in the past month! I get just a little weepy thinking about your generosity. I wanted to be sure to tell you how much I appreciate every single one of you who clicked that little "Follow" button to let me know you'd be stopping in to read what I have to say, see what I have created recently, or just say "hi". You're really the best of the best.

Of course, I'm going to have a 300th Follower Giveaway really soon, but I think I'll launch it after the current celebration ends. I'm sure y'all understand. I have a hard time keeping things straight otherwise! lol
Last week was pretty sweet. Those two good lookin' fellas spent the week with Handsome and me; my Beaded Shawl went to a new home; Pagewood Farm picked up my cowl pattern - with me retaining rights to publish and sell the pattern and my finished cowls; and then Saturday evening, I sold my Flower Cowl in the creme color! Whew!

I'll have another creme-colored cowl in the Boutique as soon as more of that color arrives in my favorite LYS this week. In the meantime, you might be interested in the black one, or the one I just created in a soft slate grey. They're in the Brynwood Boutique now if you'd like to purchase one (or both!) You can click on each photo to see more information about them.








Don't forget to check out the blog giveaways I have listed in my left sidebar. You can still enter all of them. Tell my friends at each one that Donna at Brynwood says, "hello".

There's still time to spread the good word about my 300th Post Giveaways. Thanks again to all of you who already mentioned my celebrations on your blog! My sincere appreciation if you've already sent folks my way. I'm sure having fun reading all the comments that have been left for me. I really do get by with a little help from my friends!

It's Official...

After correspondence with the manufacturer of this luscious yarn,
I have sold the design for my Flower Cowl to Pagewood Farm!

Pagewood Farm will have the rights to produce and sell
it to their wholesale and retail customers,
and
I have retained rights, so you will
still be able to purchase the pattern from me!
I'll also continue to sell my finished cowls
in my Boutique for non-knitters.
A win/win all around.
Thank you, Robin and Chuck!
A fabulous finish to a wonderful week.
Don't forget to spread the word...
There's still time to enter my 300th Post Giveaways!
and
Oh, Goodness! Brynwood is moving toward 300 followers!
There will be another celebration soon - and you know what that means...
another groovy giveaway!

Wild Hogs...

Have you ever seen this movie? It's a real hoot. Guys who get together,
take a motorcycle road trip and have a great time riding.

l-r: The Architect, Handsome and 'Ser

On Sunday, Handsome's brother, 'Ser (nickname) and their mutual friend, "The Architect" (obviously, also a nickname) arrived to spend the week riding Harleys and "telling fresh lies". I let 'Ser use my Deuce as I still have a lifting restriction for another week (the last limit of my recent surgery). "The Architect" rented a Road King, and Handsome used his own Heritage Softail (but, of course!).

The weather was less than our usual February temperate weather. In fact, it was downright cold for the guys, but they wore all the leathers we collectively own and they rode without complaint. Heck, at least it wasn't raining or snowing! There were a couple of local rides, and then they took one long ride with an overnight in Everglades City south of Naples, FL.
There was a lot of chanting "Wiiiiillllllldddd Hogs!", followed by the requisite snorting. Cracked me up - even after four days of it! And it sure beats the wild hog that visited here last spring! These guys didn't tear up the house or the yard.

Last night, we headed over to see Handsome performing with the NP Concert Band (I'll post new music videos soon), and had dinner out after the concert. We had a great time together and they were sufficiently wowed by Handsome's performance. (We're all so unashamedly biased!)

They left for the airport Friday morning. I miss them already!

Thanks to everyone who has visited Brynwood recently. I'm really enjoying reading all your comments, and promise that I'll visit each and every one of your blogs as soon as I'm able. If you've chosen to follow along, know that I strive to make this a welcoming, creative and joyful place for you to visit.

Thanks, also, for all your gracious comments about my finished Beaded Shawl and that luscious yarn I knitted into a cowl. I've listed up the finished Flower Cowl for sale in the Boutique (click here), and I have also made the cowl pattern available as a pdf file in my Etsy shop (click here).

I don't know the meaning of the word "bored". My time is filled with family, friends and creative endeavors, and every person I visit through this blog inspires and awes me with their talent. If you're not a "crafter", perhaps your creations are in the kitchen, or in other areas of your life. Never think that you are without creative talent. I'm convinced it just isn't so.

I'd love to hear what you've done lately...What is your special interest? What makes you happy? Crafting? Kids? Grandkids? Volunteering? Cooking? Gardening? (Oh, you've got me there! I have the blackest thumb you'll ever see! The only thing I can cultivate around here are succulents, because they thrive on neglect.) Sorry, I digress...I'd really like to know what "floats your boat". Thanks again for visiting. I love reading your comments and look forward to hearing from you.

Don't forget to enter my 300th Post drawing - and at the rate we're going, I'll be celebrating 300 Followers before too long! You're all just amazing!

Potpourri...

I told you I finished the shawl yesterday.
Here are photos of my finished work for you to see...
front and back.

I used "invisible thread", which is like sewing with
a fine fishing line, to attach all of the individual drops
to the beaded diamonds.

And my exciting news about this shawl is that it's sold! I wrapped it up today and it's on its way to a beautiful woman in the Dominican Republic. (Her husband has been visiting for the past few days and he wanted to give it to her as a late Valentine's gift.) He's been watching me finish it - wanting to purchase it - but he didn't know how to ask. When I said a couple nights ago that I was going to be selling it, he took note. I showed it to Handsome, his brother and this friend this morning and that's when he said, "You said you're going to sell it?" I replied that I was. Then he said, "Well, Donna, I'd really like to buy it for my wife." Can you imagine how honored I was? Really!

After finishing the shawl, I tackled a totally joyful project that I want to show you. It's a cowl made from the beautiful yarn I showed you last week. Here it is...
I really loved knitting this piece and have put it into the Boutique for sale! Here are a couple other views...

So, what do you think?

I really love the colors...and the whimsy of this piece.

Hmmmmm, now to decide what I want to do next! Isn't that always the fun part?
Don't forget about my 300th Post Giveaway.
I've added another gift package to the mix.
More giveaway goodness for a lucky someone.