Keeper Of The Keys...

Brynwood Needleworks - Floral Key Fobs

I made more useful products today for my Etsy shop. This time I chose to put together nearly a dozen key fobs.

I created three different floral-themed key fobs, choosing twill roses; twill flowers with bees; and a woven boho-feel floral. All were sewn to cotton webbing before installing into the hardware.

Brynwood Needleworks - Quilty Key Fobs

 

I also made three different quilt-themed fobs. All three are woven ribbons sewn to cotton webbing. One has sewing tools; another with patchwork and cross stitch; and finally a square block.

I made more key fobs in other themes. You can find them in my newest Etsy listing HERE. Another fun day, "making" in the studio.

Tag will be back tomorrow to visit. He's been having fun this week!

Snap Happy Cord Keepers...

Brynwood Needleworks - Snap Happy Cord Keepers

  I decided to do a little "fun" creating yesterday afternoon.

I have a number of corded appliances in the studio, not to mention my machines and phone cords. I'm so tired of using those velcro ties on them. The ties stick to each other and they're clumsy - at least to me.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Snap Happy Cord Keepers

I decided I wanted to make alternatives - and the result is what I'm calling "Snap Happy Cord Keepers". hee hee

I made the ones I needed, and then I made four more sets to put into my Etsy shop, in case anyone else wants to give them a try.

Brynwood Needleworks - Snap Happy Cord Keepers

These are 6" long, so they will hold fatter cords, or in this case, they're long enough to secure the power cord to the handle of my little Clover mini iron. (Don't you love my paw print snaps?) 

You can see my listings in my Etsy shop HERE. I'm going to make a slightly shorter version, too. It's good to have options. I'll list those when they're finished.

Plum Sweet Hexies...

Brynwood Needleworks - Plum Sweet Mini Charms

I met up with the ladies at Paneras last night. I wanted to take my hexies project to work on but needed to prep more mini charms before I could head over to Port Charlotte.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hexies

I got out my Clover iron and pressing board, and then I grabbed more of my fusible Hexies (from Hugsnkisses.net) and my Plum Sweet mini charms (designed by Blackbird designs).

Brynwood Needleworks - Hexi Prep

By the end of our evening visit, I had another twenty or so completed hexies to add to the "in progress" pile. It's definitely an ongoing project.

Today, I'm going to work on something different...and I'll show you what I accomplish tomorrow. Whew! It feels so good to be "caught up"!
 

Tuesdays With Tag - I'm Almost FIVE...

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart

Hi, Everybody!

I'm gonna keep this post real short today.

Do you want to know somethin'?

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart

I'm CELEBRATIN'...ALL WEEK!

I'm Mom's boy, after all. She taught me the Art Of The Extended Birthday!

I'm gonna be FIVE on Sunday!

Mom said she's gonna let me come back and visit one more time this week. She wants to make this whole week extra special for me, and I wanna tell you all about it. I'm so excited that, if I had a long tail, I'd be waggin' it like crazy!

Did I tell you I'm gonna be FIVE?

I'll see you in a couple of days!

If you're happy and ya know it...FRAP around.

If you're happy and ya know it...FRAP around.

If you're happy and ya know it, your Corgi butt is gonna show it...

Come on! Sing it with me now...

See you soon!

A Case Of The Missing Tutorial...

Brynwood Needleworks - Flower Scissors Fob

   

This is a recent quick project I made. It's a scissors fob that looks like a flower, and is created like a tomato-style pincusion.  If I'd stuffed more cotton into it, it would have been rounder, but I like this first attempt.

Brynwood Needleworks - Flower Scissors Fob

I was so excited to be able to give you a link to the tutorial...but I can't find it! Man, do I feel stupid! The old verse came to mind..."Of all the things I've ever lost, I miss my mind the most." (sigh)

I'm going to keep looking. I promise. Once I find it, I'm going to make another one and share the link with you. They're definitely fun to make, and I want to share the love. 

Tag will be here tomorrow. He has a surprise to share!

Sunday Scripture - Easter...

Brynwood Needleworks via Admissionph.com

  Easter Blessings to you and yours.  

Easter Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chocolate Bunnies Table Runner

 

I made this table runner in 2014. (You can read the final post on the process HERE.) I enjoyed every second of making it. 

 

I hunted down the fabrics so I could make it in the same fabrics that were used in the designer's pattern; piece, appliqued, and then machine quilted it. Binding is always my favorite part, because it means it's completely finished.

This runner signals the spring season, and bunnies and eggs have also come to represent an aspect of Easter. While there are children hunting eggs and candies, all Christians take time to thank God for the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. Easter is a season of celebration. By His Grace, our sins are washed away, and we are saved. 

The pattern is "Chocolate Bunnies Table Topper" by Margot Languedoc of The Pattern Basket. I must make this again.

 

I Wish It Were Fabric...

Brynwood Needleworks - Paperwork

  Instead, I'm under a pile of paperwork for the next couple of days.  

It's a task I tend to put off until the last possible moment. Once I start, I breeze right through it and can get back to the fun stuff. I have tins with receipts to be sorted; papers to file; forms to fill out; and ultimately, an organized package to send off. I'd much rather be involved with paper piecing than paper work!

If I'm not back tomorrow, send help.

In The Mail...

Brynwood Needleworks - Piecemakers II Gold & Blue Versions

  I thought you'd like to see them before I put them into their shipping boxes.

Brynwood Needleworks - Piecemakers II Blue Interior

This is the interior of the blue version of my latest Piecemakers wallet.

Brynwood Needleworks - Piecemakers II Blue Straps and Key Fob

I even fussy-cut the key fobs.

Brynwood Needleworks - Piecemakers II Gold Straps and Key Fob

  So, this job is finished. # 38 and #39 on their way to their new home. That was fun!

Wallet Production Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wallet Production - #38 & #39 In Process

In addition to shipping, and a few other necessary tasks, I started order production on a commission for two clutch wallets. I spent the morning selecting fabric and cutting out all the components.

Brynwood Needleworks - Wallet Production

My client requested this line of fabric ("Piecemakers" by Kathy Schmitz) from my inventory, and she wanted it in two colorways...blue for one wallet, and the other in the gold/brown colorway.

Brynwood Needleworks - Wallet Completed - #38 - Piecemakers II

I take a lot of care in every piece I create, so it's not a matter of working fast with me. It's so much more important to create quality.

I especially take pride in matching fabric patterns across a piece...from wallet body to flap to the frame around the flap...I'm careful to make sure they all line up. Of course, lining up and matching the fabric before I cut anything always takes additional care and time. Then, I carefully sew the components together to create a piece I'm proud to say is my work.

Brynwood Needleworks - Wallet Completed - #38 Piecemakers II Interior

 

This is the completed interior for the gold/brown colorway. When I finished installing the security flap I giggled at how the pattern ended up exactly where I wanted it to be. I think it will tickle my client, too.

I'd usually be sewing with the Nifty Fifties ladies today, but I want to complete the blue colorway wallet in the studio instead. Once the blue wallet is finished, I'll make all the straps and both matching key fobs. It will be ready to ship out Thursday morning. No time to play today. Hi Ho, Hi Ho. It's off to work I go...

Tuesdays With Tag - Pickin' Pine Cones...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag with Pinecone

Hi, Everybody!

"Thorry, but I've got my mouthful again today. 

Tho, can you tell what it ith? Ith'th a pine cone."

Brynwood Needleworks - Pinecone Tag

"Oh, man. Here sthe comeths!"

('xcuth me...ppppppttttttt!!)

There! That's better! I had to spit that thing out so I could talk better.

Brynwood Needleworks - Pinecone Bella

This happens every time we go outside. Bella's done this since she was a tiny puppy. She loves fetchin' pine cones. Well, actually, she'll fetch dirt if ya toss a clump, but that's beside the point...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag, Bella and Handsome

Sometimes, Dad plays along, too. Bella always takes her pine cones back to him or Mom. Mom doesn't play because she's says the pine cones are too "prickery" and they hurt her hands. She can't imagine why we pick 'em up in our mouths. Don't tell her, but we do it just to bug her!

Anyway, Dad will chuck 'em every once in a while just to give Bella an "off-the-books" retrieve. (They're not really approved objects for 'trieven.) Don't tell Bella though. She runs just as hard for a pine cone as she does for a duck. She's even more nuts about fetchin' than I am!

Brynwood Needleworks - Cigar-hold Pinecone

I've gotta admit. She looks good even when she's bein' a dork.

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag Says, "Throw it!"

Hey, Mom! That one's mine! Wanna give it a toss? Yeah. I didn't think so.

I'll see you again in seven! 'til then...

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

(or a pine cone! hee hee)

Being "Frivol-ous"...

Brynwood Needleworks - Frivols Kit

This is a little something I just had to share. A few months ago, Brenda Riddle (of Little Acorns) posted about her Frivols kit on her blog. As I'm a big fan of Bren's, I immediately clicked on her link and ordered one for myself.

Brynwood Needleworks - Frivols Kit Fabric & Fiber Content

I should have shown it to you much earlier, but I say "better late, than never", right? Her kit arrived in a pretty tin and it was filled to the brim with samplings of Bren's "Windermere" line, DMC floss and more!

Brynwood Needleworks - Frivols Kit

Just look at those sweet fabrics! The colors are wonderful and the patterns are so darn sweet! Can't you just imagine them sewn up into a cuddly quilt?

Brynwood Needleworks - Frivols Kit - Brenda Riddle's Pattern

The kit does include Brenda's pattern on a card that fits perfectly into the tin. The design is called "Lakeland". Look at all those flying geese!

Brynwood Needleworks - Frivols Kit "Inspiration"

 

There's even an inspiration card tucked in with all this goodness, and I can't wait to tuck into this kit myself!

By the way...There are more Frivols kits available. I chose Bren's, but you might want them ALL. Here's a link so you can check them out. (I'm not compensated by Fat Quarter Shop for the link).

I'm making two commissioned wallets this week, so first things first. I might have to work on this at Nifty 50s on Wednesday! Tag will be here tomorrow, but I'll be showing you some finished pieces very soon.

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks - Eagle In Our Yard

In The Blink Of An Eye...

Brynwood Needleworks - via Shellie Gilliam "Kova"

 

About a year ago, I became FaceBook friends with Shellie. She's involved with animal rescues in the Clermont, Florida area and she'd just taken in a litter of tiny raccoons. Over the ensuing months, I watched as she shared daily photos of "the one she kept". She named him "Kova". 

 

I laughed (along with her other online friends) as she posted stories of his antics, and man, he sure kept her on her toes. Like Tag, she gave Kova a voice that endeared him to one and all. The image above was one she shared recently, saying that he was becoming a handsome, mature raccoon. 

Her most recent picture was of their outing to the beach last week. It's a photo of him playing in the surf...enjoying every second of his adventure. He and Shellie were unseparable. He slept with her, went on errands with her, and amused her every hour of the day and night. I knew little else of Shellie's life, except what I saw of her Kova posts...until yesterday.

Another friend shared a GoFundMe post about Shellie's family. On Wednesday, their family home - a 100 year old, stately two-story - burned to the ground. 

 

In addition to losing all the contents of their home, they suffered the devastating loss of one of their sons, Trevor. Trevor was a junior in high school and despite all efforts, by the time he was rescued from the blaze, it was too late to save him. Trevor's cat, "Cookie" and various other pets were also lost...and so was Kova.

When I read the words, and watched the news video, I wept. I wept for the friend I've never met in person. I've come to know her through her words, and the size of her immense heart was evident every day in the love she showed her pet raccoon. I looked at the photos of her with her sons and knew that her love knows no bounds.

As I write this post, I pray for her and her family as they come to terms with the loss of a son. May God cover them in His love and grace, carry and comfort them as they grieve. 

 

A fund has been set up for them. I'll be making a donation. Nothing will replace all they've lost, but perhaps it will help ease their burden a little. This is the link, which includes a photograph of Trevor.

 

This wasn't the post I had planned for today, but it didn't feel right for me to write about anything else. I apologize that it's not a happy post about the class I'll be teaching today. I'll be sharing more about that on Monday. 

 

Please take a moment to remember Shellie and her family today...and stop to embrace your loved ones. Life can change in the blink of an eye.