October 31, 2015

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via crosscards.co.uk
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October 30, 2015

Toe Dancing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks
Remember last week when I told you how I was concerned about starting the second sock of my Harry Potter-themed yarn? I said my Type A was going to hate be mildly peeved if I couldn't make them match.
Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks
After I completed the first sock, I started on the second. It was off by about five rows, so I took my knitting off the needles and held the yarn where it needed to start in order to carry on the same pattern into the second sock.

I pulled enough extra yarn for my long-tail cast-on and started again. I cast sixty stitches onto my needle, divided them between three double points and then started knitting again. This time, the pattern for the second sock was spot on!
Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks
All I have left to knit is the foot shaping and into the toe. I think my Saturday will be filled with Hedwig yarn, and end with another pair of completed Christmas socks. How will you spend your Saturday?
 Oh, and don't forget to set your clocks back before you go to bed tonight!
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October 29, 2015

Hello, Darcy...

Brynwood Needleworks - Janome 3160 QDC
I promised to show you my newest machine today, so may I introduce "Darcy"? I've chosen this brand new Janome 3160 QDC sewing machine for a number of reasons.
Brynwood Needleworks - Janome 3160 QDC
This little lady will be carried to sew-ins, Nifty 50s gatherings, retreats, and when we travel in the Flying Cloud. She only weighs twelve pounds, but she's big on features.

She has sixty stitches, including 6 one-step buttonholes; needle-up/down features, one-hand needle threader; auto thread cutter; a free-arm; and many other features found in full size machines.
Brynwood Needleworks - Janome 3160 QDC
Additionally, she has an included sewing table, so that I have more space when working on quilt blocks, or other items where having the extra area will come in handy.

Did I say she only weighs twelve pounds? That was a huge motivator for a number of reasons.

Now, in case you're wondering how I came up with her name...My initials are "DC"(too), and my nickname around here is "Deece", but I wasn't going to have a "Deece, Jr.", so I had to come up with something different. "Darcy" came to mind, and I kept coming back to it. It seemed to suit her, so "Darcy" she shall be.
Brynwood Needleworks - Coffee Pouch
What to make for our maiden project? As luck would have it, I got a phone call yesterday morning. I had made a few zippered pouches as Christmas gifts a few years ago.

I was told that this gift had been used every day since as a makeup carrier, was much-loved, and that the zipper had finally broken. Would I please make another?
Brynwood Needleworks - Coffee Pouch Interior
Well, when I'm asked a sweet request like that, how can I possibly refuse? (No way!) I pulled out my fabrics (she asked to stay in the same theme as last time, even though it was for makeup), and Darcy and I went to work.
I'll mail this out today, with a tiny love note tucked inside (see the label?). Darcy and I are going to get along just fine!
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October 28, 2015

Workin' For The Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Studio work
Tag and I went down to Harbour Heights yesterday morning to say "hi" to the ladies at Nifty 50s. 
 
The boy was a big hit, hearing lots of "He's so cute"s, and getting lots of attention. I didn't go to sew, as I'm picking up my new portable sewing machine today, but I'll definitely be sewing next time we gather! (I'll tell you all about my new machine tomorrow!)
Brynwood Needleworks - Setting up an embroidery commission
I was ready to come home and start stitching out the embroidery for my client, but found a revision in my email inbox first. Soooo, back to the computer.

Working in the studio is a little awkward these days. I have the room set up with my machine table against the fabric shelves for showings, but I have to completely rearrange to this position to be able to use the embroidery feature(s) on Destiny. Otherwise, her embroidery arm would ram into whatever is in the way when she's working (which is a really bad thing).

By the time I finished setting up for the embroidery, it was dinner time, and time to shut down for the night. I'll get back to it today. I'll work on my To Do list, too....workin' for the weekend.
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October 27, 2015

Hand Embroidered Bliss...

Brynwood Needleworks via deshilachado.com
 I'm finishing a machine embroidery today, but you know how my
heart adores hand embroidered pieces...especially in a nature theme.
Brynwood Needleworks via Helen Richman-Blue Bird Embroidery Co-Fox
So while Destiny and I are stitching away in the studio, I thought
I'd share a few of my recent favorite images worked by talented hands.
Brynwood Needleworks via Inspirations Magazine - Needleartist unknown
This one looks good enough to eat! 
Brynwood Needleworks via  Jenny McWhinney - Apple Bunny
While this one is beyond sweet!
Brynwood Needleworks via Jenny McWhinney - Autumn Squirrel
Of course, no flora and fauna collection would be complete for me
without a tiny, embroidered squirrel to bring a smile to my face.
Brynwood Needleworks via Windflower Embroidery
And, where there are squirrels, you'll find acorns!
All are "swoon-worthy" to me.
I'm going to keep working, now. 
I'll be back tomorrow with an update.
Happy Hump Day!
hee hee
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October 26, 2015

Tuesdays With Tag - Speechless...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag at the MJ Ranch
Hi, Everybody!
You'd better grab a cuppa tea or mug of coffee today. I've got lots of pictures to show ya. We went to see Bella Butt last weekend.
Brynwood Needleworks - Bella, Handsome and Mike at MJ Ranch
Mom made sure she got a picture of Dad with Uncle Mike and The Black Dog.
Brynwood Needleworks - Bella waiting for her mark
Bella's gettin' big, and she knows that the Ranch is where she works. There was no playin' around with me. She was all business.
Brynwood Needleworks - Bella's training pond
This is one of the places Bella showed off worked while we were at the ranch. The next couple of pictures will show you what I'm talkin' about.
Brynwood Needleworks - Bella waiting to be sent
Bella watched as two "birds" (retrievin' dummies) were launched into the pond. She's gotta just sit there until Dad gives her the command to go.
Brynwood Needleworks - Bella ignores the decoy
She dove into the pond, swimmin' right past the decoy that's there to give her a diversion. Right. She didn't look twice at it. Heck! I don't think she even looked once!
Brynwood Needleworks - Bella to the mark
Still goin'.
Brynwood Needleworks - Bella is WAY out there!
I think she had to swim about ten miles to get the retrieve. See the arrow? That's where she is.
Brynwood Needleworks - Bella on her way back in
Well, that certainly didn't look like much of a challenge for her!
Brynwood Needleworks - Bella delivers, and then looks for the next mark
She brought the dummy ashore, the trotted over to sit at Dad's side so he could take it from her. You can see that she's already looking at that other mark. Dad took the dummy from her and then lined her up to send her.
Brynwood Needleworks - On her way out
Dad and Uncle Mike look on as she heads out again.
Brynwood Needleworks - She's on it!
Her retrieve is in that strip of swampy grass.
Brynwood Needleworks - Almost back
Of course, she found it and brought it back to Dad!
I hate to admit it, but I ("The Swimmin'est Corgi In South Florida") couldn't have done that. Even I'm impressed!
Brynwood Needleworks - She's got great style
Not only that, but they moved to a different area on the grounds and she did another double (retrieve) after that! In this picture Dad is sending her on a land retrieve past a whole flock of decoys. She went straight out and back. She didn't care at all about those plastic birds! 

And when she got back, Dad sent her into the pond (in the background of this picture) to make another water pickup. Mom has proof that Dad was so tickled...he kissed Bella on the lips! hee hee He was really tickled with how much she's learned in such a short time.
Brynwood Needleworks - Liljegren's Suncoast Bella
We had a really great time with Bella. I asked when she's gonna come home. Mom said not for a couple more weeks. Are you kiddin' me? I hope she comes home sooner than that. I'm missin' our play times...a lot!

That's all for this week. I know there were a lot of pictures, but sometimes it takes a bunch of pictures to say a thousand words! Do you feel like you were there with us? It was a mighty fun day. Time for me to go now, and dream about the next time I see Bella Beauty - hopefully to bring her back with us!

I'll see you again in seven! 'til then...
"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

October 25, 2015

Planning Ahead...

Brynwood Needleworks - New Totes
It doesn't count as work when you love what you do.

Handsome and I spent our Saturday together, so Sunday, without a Packer game,
I headed to the studio after a nice leisurely morning of coffee and a late breakfast.
Brynwood Needleworks - Planning New Totes
It's time to replenish totes for my Etsy shop, so I pulled fabrics and the 
rest of the supplies I was going to need. I always enjoy doing this part.
Brynwood Needleworks - Planning New Totes
I pulled all these tapes, fabrics and zippers, along with threads. I did set up one
more that isn't shown. My friend, Ellen, celebrates her Birthday tomorrow and I
want to make a tote as her gift. I chose fabrics for a new "Baa Baa Black Sheep"
Brynwood Needleworks - Her Royal Highness Project Tote
By the time I cut all the exterior and lining fabrics, wristlets and set up the zippers,
It was mid-afternoon. I sewed until dinner and then completed a couple more after.
Brynwood Needleworks - Butterflies Project Tote
All of these have linings that coordinate with the exterior linens and tape themes.
Brynwood Needleworks - Mighty Oaks Project Tote
I love this one. I had a custom tape made from my acorn/oak leaf logo element,
and I've used the wording in many of my advertising materials since Brynwood was
born. The linen is hand dyed, and the lining is acorn fabric. It's truly one-of-a-kind.
Brynwood Needleworks - Quilter's Project Tote
The last tote I finished last night would make a great tool tote for a quilter. The
interior is a cotton fabric, printed with quilting terms and the names of quilt blocks. 

I'll be listing these up this morning, and finishing the others, too.
By lunchtime, I'll have Ellen's gift wrapped to give to her at Panera's tomorrow.

I'll be working on that list from last week next.
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October 24, 2015

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via ibibleverses.com
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