Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via Web Image

Ready For Date Night Saturday...

Brynwood Needleworks - Carnations

I spent yesterday adding fabric listings to my Etsy and Brynwood shops. I decided to share fabrics I know I won't use in my quilt, sewing or handbag/wallet projects...especially since I'll be using some of my own Brynwood fabrics very soon. I could use the extra elbow room in the studio! (I'll be adding more in the coming days, too.)

 

Handsome and I are going to North Port Night for the Charlotte Stone Crabs game tonight. It's been ages since we've gone to a baseball game, and we're both really looking forward to it. Nothing like hot dogs, beer and baseball with your sweetheart. It's going to be fun.

You Are The New Day...

Brynwood Needleworks via Quotefancy

  I accomplished nothing originally planned for yesterday. Life happens. Things change. We prioritize. We do what we need to do to make it possible to do the things we love to do. The heart comes first. Always.
Today is a new day...a new beginning. The opportunity to complete the unfinished; start something new; keep balance and harmony. It's the opportunity to squeeze every drop out of this sweet life...the chance to do something memorable and important.  

Embrace this new day.

Three Quarters Finished...

Brynwood Needleworks - K. Schmitz' "Peter Cottontail"

 

Yesterday was Nifty 50s, so I decided to get back to my handwork. I took my kit and supplies for Kathy Schmitz' kit, Peter Cottontail from the "Sweet Stitches" set I've been working on and got busy.

I traced out the design, attached the background fabric to my scroll rods and got right to stitching (while I gabbed with the ladies, of course!).

Brynwood Needleworks - K. Schmitz' "Peter Cottontail"

 

I made quite a bit of progress before I left Harbour Heights. I took this photo when I set it aside for the rest of the afternoon, and then Handsome and I met an old friend for dinner. 

Brynwood Needleworks - K. Schmitz' "Peter Cottontail"

As soon as we got home, I put on my jammies, grabbed a bottle of water and (Tag and) I retired to our favorite spot so I could continue stitching.

If you look at the pattern in the first photo, you can see that all I have left to complete Peter Cottontail are his pant legs and feet (paws?). I'll do those over my morning coffee today and he'll be ready to set aside until I finish the final three designs.

The rest of the day will be spent making another (#41) The Wanderer Travelers Clutch, as I was blessed to sell the first one I showed you in yesterday's post. I'm so thankful for my wonderful clients. 

I wish you have a great day today. I pray everyday that all my friends, near and far, can be as happy and content as I am.

xo

Number Forty - In Cork...

Brynwood Needleworks - #40 The Wanderer Traveler's Wallet and Accessories

I created my fortieth wallet yesterday. This one is the first of a special line I'm

creating. This is my Traveler's wallet, made in a decadent and delicious cork fabric.

Brynwood Needleworks - #40 The Wanderer Exterior

Cork is durable and feels wonderful in your hands. I've chosen a secure, flip lock 

closure for this wallet, and I couldn't be more pleased with the way it turned out.

Brynwood Needleworks - #40 The Wanderer Details

The wristlet is made in the same fabric as the interior - a map design that coordinates

perfectly with the colors in the cork. The key fob is cork with the interior map fabric

centered on the cork. It also has a snap clasp so it can be easily attached to the wallet.

I especially like the compass that I've machine embroidered on the wallet flap.

It's a nice reminder that wherever you may roam, home always awaits your return.

Brynwood Needleworks - #40 The Wanderer Interior

I thought you might like to see the interior fabric, too. This fabric is wonderful!

Brynwood Needleworks - #40 The Wanderer Back Exterior

  My Brynwood signature is embroidered on the back of the wallet for a finishing touch.  Visit my shop HERE if you'd like to learn more.    UPDATE: Sold 4/27/16 - Thank you!   As soon as one of my new components arrive, I'll be making an  exclusive Brynwood Needleworks wallet. I can't wait to share it!    

Tuesdays With Tag - Family First...

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart

Hi, Everybody!

I planned a really cool video for you this week, but apparently, good production crews are hard to come by these days. I mean, Mom was supposed to have all our raw "footage" edited by today, but she couldn't rub two minutes together to get it done in time for my weekly post. 

Brynwood Needleworks - Grandson and The Black Dog

She has promised that it will be ready in time for next week (and lots of treats as an apology to me), so in the meantime, I have a cute picture of herself with our grandson. Both of them love hangin' out in the water, so we were actually lucky to get a shot of them mostly sittin' on the edge.

Brynwood Needleworks - Daughter-in-Law Cuddles

Mom often describes our elder daughter-in-law as elegant...even in a baseball cap! In fact, all I have to do is lie down next to her, and I'm a rather urbane fella myself.

We had a great time with our family over the weekend. Mom took lots of pictures - and that video - so we can remember the good times we had. I promise, I'm gonna nag her silly to make sure she has our video finished by next Tuesday's visit. I know you understand how it is when family comes to visit. Family always comes first.

Always.

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

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

Goodnight Sweetheart...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Goodnight Sweetheart" Quilt Detail

The "kids" left on Saturday, after an all-too-short side trip to see us. We managed to squeak every single second out of our visit, and I can truly say that we shared the best of "quality time" together. We have wonderful memories to hold us over until this summer, when we see them again.

Before they arrived, I'd cut out the fabric for this project. I pieced the fabrics on Saturday evening, and completed the quilt on Sunday.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Goodnight Sweetheart" Quilt Detail

Little blue owls and flowers are front and center in this baby quilt, which I think will be a perfect blankie for a little boy.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Goodnight Sweetheart" Quilt Back and Label

I've added this to my online shop HERE, and it's ready and waiting for a new home. I'll be making a baby quilt for a sweet, little girl very soon.
 

Tag can't wait to visit with you tomorrow. He and Bella have been busy!

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via Texas Girl's Favorites on FaceBook

A Day At the Circus Museum...

Brynwood Needleworks - Ringling Museum and Mansion

The weather was perfect, as we headed to Sarasota for a day at the Ringling Circus Museum and John & Mable Ringling Mansion (Ca'd'Zan). Located on Sarasota Bay, the entire complex was kissed with cooling breezes on a southwest Florida spring day.

Brynwood Needleworks - Waterside at the Ringling Mansion

After touring the mansion, Handsome, Son #1, Daughter-in-Love and Grandson posed on the waterside staircase for me.

Brynwood Needleworks - Wall Detail

John Ringing is a man after my own heart. This panel was repeated the length of an open wall that enclosed an outdoor patio. sigh

Brynwood Needleworks - Needlepoint Chair in Mansion

Inside the mansion were a pair of these needlepointed chairs. Oh, my. The colors, the detail, the workmanship...

Brynwood Needleworks - Detail of Needlepoint Chair in Mansion

the squirrels!!! Change out the gold wood treatment, and I'd put these in our living room in a heartbeat! I quite simply, loved them!

Brynwood Needleworks - Circus Performance Costume

When we were in the various circus museum buildings, filled with all the memorabilia, I took many, many photographs of costumes. They were incredible, whether they were for people or for the performing animals.

I took so many photos, there's no way to share all of them with you here. Perhaps I'll put them into a Flickr album so that you can see more of them, but I'll save that for another time.

Brynwood Needleworks - Sweethearts in the Banyan Trees

 

If you're ever in the area, The Ringling Museum and mansion are a side trip well worth the time and money. I can tell you that we had a great time with family, and would recommend it to everyone.

Grandma's Happy...

Brynwood Needleworks - Three Generations

 

I gave our grandson an autographed football that Handsome gave me years ago. It's autographed by Green Bay Packers Paul Hornung and Jeff Thomason to me. It belongs with our grandson.

Three generations of sports fans under the same roof (even if for a short time). My heart is full.

Sewing Aside For A Few Days...

Web Image

  I spent the day "spiffing up the joint", as Handsome calls it.   We're looking forward to having the "kids" here for a few days, and we're all ready for their arrival today. It's going to be great to see our son, his dear wife and our grandson. I told Handsome, I plan to find out if our nearly fifteen year old boy still likes Grandma Hugs. I know I've saved up more than a few for him!
I'll be posting links to some fun projects and videos for the next couple of days. I wouldn't want you to think you're not on my mind, after all. Of course, there will be pictures coming, too!

Love Letters And A Favorite Helper...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushion - Love Letters

I was busy yesterday, fulfilling orders and getting things ready to deliver. Late day, I received a new order, so I started it right away, and then completed it after I got back home from my guild meeting. (I did have extra parts cut out when I made the latest order, which gave me a jump start.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushion - Love Letters Detail

The fabric has roses and love letters in the fabric design. My client asked for a pocket, so I added it to this one. The lace was sewn to the pocket fabric and then it was added to the front of the pincushion. It's already packed and will go in today's mail to its new home.

Brynwood Needleworks - Mini Thread Caddy Deluxe

My friend, Jacque, noticed my thread caddy in the background of one of my recent post photos and asked for details about it. I thought you might be curious about it, too, so here are a few photos and my source.

It's called a Mini Thread Caddy Deluxe, and it's made by Barnetts Laptop Hoops on Etsy. You can see that it has a bolt, perfectly sized to hold a spool of thread; two pegs on the left side to hold thimbles; a built-in thread cutter; a depression to hold a container of Thread Heaven™; two openings next to the thimble pegs to hold glue pens or marking pencils (I keep my tubes of needles in one); and a magnet to secure needles in use.

Brynwood Needleworks - Back of Mini Thread Caddy Deluxe

There's also a magnet on the back to hold a pair of embroidery scissors...just about everything you need to hold supplies for applique' or any form of hand sewing or hand quilting at the ready.

HERE is a link to Barnetts' Etsy shop. This particular model costs $29.99, plus shipping. There's also a different model, which doesn't include the thread cutter attachment, and another with a drawer. Either way, they're extremely handy and well made. There are more detailed photos in their listings, too.

Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for this review. I just love it and thought you might, too.

Happy Wednesday. The week is downhill sailing from here! We have family arriving tomorrow, so it's going to get exciting around here for a few days. (I can't wait!)

Tuesdays With Tag - Family's Comin'...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella and Me

 Hi, Everybody!

I can't stay long today. It's gonna be an excitin' week around here.

Older son, our daughter-in-law and our grandson are comin' to visit!

Mom's been busy gettin' ready, and we're workin' on a new routine to show our grandson. Dad said we're gonna do a new video for you that we'll debut next week. I can tell you that we've I've been workin' hard on this one! I think you're gonna be impressed. (You'd better be!)

I'd love to stay and hang out, but I have to get back to work. I can hardly wait to see our family. We have so much fun together. Bella hasn't met them yet, but I know they're all gonna love each other.

If you're wonderin' about the photo...Mom was takin' pictures of the studio for a guest blog post she's gonna write. Of course, Bella and I will make an appearance! She'll tell you all about it as soon as she knows when it's goin' "live".

We gotta go. Lots to accomplish before the "gang" gets here!

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

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

Some Of My Favorite Things...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushions In Progress

After I completed the Birthday Table Runner (which arrived in time for the celebrating!), I got right to work on this commission. 

I was hired to complete six matching pincushions, and with the exception of the shiny embellishments, they're identical.

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushions In Progress

 

Each cushion will have vintage lace and a ribbon bow to hold embroidery scissors, and all are embellished with ruched ribbon and a jeweled piece.

I completed two before going to Handsome's Sunday concert and I'll finish the rest today. They'll be  ready (with time to spare) for delivery to my client Tuesday evening. 

Have I told you how much I enjoy doing handwork? (Of course, I have!) Surrounded by needle, thread, vintage gleanings and glistenings, is where I love to be. I have just such a day ahead of me.