February 28, 2017

Farmhouse Update - Studio Floors...

Brynwood Needleworks - South Studio - Before

It didn't take long when we first saw the farmhouse for me to choose one of the two rooms that would become my studio(s). This is the room that faces south and west, so there's a lot of sunlight all through the day.

Brynwood Needleworks - South Studio  - In Progress

Then the painting commenced, and an already cheerful, sunny room brightened up considerably. The carpet was removed and exposed the adhesive that was applied a long time ago to hold the floor covering. We were assured by our flooring man that it would come up, and gosh, was he right.

Brynwood Needleworks - South Studio - Refinished Floor
 
I received this picture from our son on Monday. The floors are being refinished now, and the upstairs rooms already have their first coat of sealer. We decided not to re-stain the maple floor boards, opting to leave them their gorgeous natural color and protect them with a high traffic sealer instead.
 
I'll be back at the farm in just over a month now, and I'm so anxious to see everything in person again. Moving in is going to be pure joy! Do you love the new floors as much as we do?
 
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February 27, 2017

Tuesdays With Tag - It's Gettin' Real...

Brynwood Needleworks - Movin'

 Hi, Everybody!
There's some interestin' stuff going on these days. It's getting real around here.

Brynwood Needleworks - We're Movin'

Mom's been busy in the kitchen all weekend, but not in a good way if you ask me. I saw her pullin' out boxes and puttin' lots of stuff into them. When she wasn't lookin', I went to see what she'd been up to.

Brynwood Needleworks - We're Movin'

I almost jumped outta my skin! The cupboard was bare! I mean, it was just like the "old woman with the dog". Not even a bone...even though Mom never actually gives us bones. I guess it's really happenin'. We're movin'!

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella

Poor Boo came into the kitchen and she didn't even know what to do. She headed to our water dish to have a swallow or two, and then asked me what was goin' on around here.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cuddle Bugs

I told her not to worry. All we needed to know was that when the boxes and furniture head out, all we've gotta do is stick close to Mom and Dad. They would never leave without us. Ever.

I heard Mom say that we're movin' up to the farm, so I told Boo. She felt much better. She loves runnin' around at the farm. She said she's pretty sure it's gonna be a great summer. I think she's right.

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

February 26, 2017

Weekend Finishes...

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Rose Sachet

I completed and shipped this Strawberry Rose Sachet on Saturday. It's filled with lavender buds, so it smells wonderful. Like my other sachets, it's large enough to fill the palm of my hand.

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Rose Sachet Embroidery

This is what the embroidery looked like before I turned it into the sachet...ribbon embroidery, tiny stitches and beads. I so love my time spent stitching.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch

I also created a Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch in blue/silver fleck cork. It was delivered to a happy client on Friday. 

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch Lining

My favorite lining for this color cork is this aqua blue coral print canvas. I may have to pair these two with the canvas on the exterior in a future project.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch Detail

I'm adding the "handcrafted" tag to the d-ring on these crossbodies, rather than using them as zipper pulls. I think I like this better. One of these days, I'll have custom "Brynwood" tags made to use instead.

This week will be spent packing boxes, putting together our tax docs to mail off to our CPA, and making lists (closing accounts, address changes, and stuff like that) as we move toward handing over the keys on our Florida home. Handsome and I bought lots of boxes yesterday, so there are plenty for me to fill now.

We took Sunday afternoon off to listen to friends perform at the Italian/American Festival in Venice. The weather was perfect, the music was fun, and we had a great time together. We'll both get back to work today.

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February 25, 2017

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via http://borninmay26.tumblr.com/post/63753599948

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February 24, 2017

Farmhouse Find...

Brynwood Needleworks - Dressing Table and Chair

After Friday lunch with my girlfriend, Stacy, we stopped at a favorite antique hangout on our way home. As we were getting ready to leave, I stopped and looked to my left. Under lampshades, hatboxes and other vintage treasures, a piece was calling to me. After asking questions and further inspection, I decided it should come to live with me.

Brynwood Needleworks - Dressing Table and Chair
 
In our current home in Florida, our master bathroom has a dressing table built in between the two sinks. There's nothing like it at the farm, but now I have a better piece to use instead.
 
The lamp with the blue shade is sitting on top of the small triangle seat that goes with the dressing table. I intend to use it as a plant stand, because I have a gorgeous bentwood chair from Mom that she refinished and caned. I'll use that instead, as I have every day since I received it.
 
There are three drawers on each side of the table, and another in the center section. The mirror is pristine, is medallion-shaped, and has a lovely detail around the edge. I know that chalk paint and that distressed look is all the rage right now, but while I like the painted look, I'm not crazy about the "distressed" part. I'll paint it to match our bed at the farm once I get it north.
 
It's still in the shop because the owner has to move all the things sitting on and around it, and then move it out of its corner. I made arrangements with her to go back in two weeks to pick it up. (She's out all next week because her mom is having surgery.) By then, it will be almost time to move it to Wisconsin. 
 
You're only seeing sneak peeks of it in these pictures, but I just know it's going to fit right in. What do you think?

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February 23, 2017

Pieces of Home...

Brynwood Needleworks- Heron Lamp, Leaf Plate and Gecko Bowl

When you move your household from one house to another, you carefully pack up the items that make your house a home. You know, those treasures that bring back so many sweet memories of time spent with loved ones.

When I see this lamp, I remember the evening Handsome gave it to me. One of our sons was here with us at the time. This lamp reminds me of the heron that ate his fill of fish from the pond behind our home; and equally of the herons that used to live in the marsh below our Wisconsin home.

The large leaf behind the lamp is actually a large platter. I've mostly used it as decor, although it would be just as perfect serving hors d'oeuvres to friends and family. It was a Christmas gift from that same son and his family. Another treasure.

The bowl with the little gecko peeking over the rim was a memento from a trip to Myakka State Park. We lived very close to the park when we first moved to Florida. Some of the largest alligators in the state live within the boundaries of the park. I find them fascinating and terrifying at the same time. I'd rather think about the sweet, little lizards who live in and around our home and almost everywhere else in this part of the state. This bowl does that.

Brynwood Needleworks- Collected Sharks' Teeth, Seashells and Beach Sign

I handpicked every single shark tooth out of the shell driveway in our yard (before we paved over it after I dumped my bike on it). A short walk to the mailbox always took me twenty minutes because I'd spend the walk stooped over the drive in search of the teeth. My searches were always more fruitful after a rain that would expose more of them.

While you might think I harvested the seashells from the local beaches, I actually scored those at a local Michaels. The treasures are actually the containers that hold them. The larger one held wedding flowers at each table setting when our eldest nephew married. The arrangement was given to us after the reception. The smaller one was a gift from a different occasion, and is special, too.

Brynwood Needleworks- Antique Kimono Embroidery

Hanging in the hall outside my studio is this stunning piece of needlework. This belonged to my mother-in-law, Evelyn. I've written about her many times before, but I shared her photograph HERE.

Handsome tells me that this was part of a larger piece...a kimono. It was cut into pieces and sold by the owner to raise money for his family. My sweet mother-in-law purchased this panel and had it framed.

Brynwood Needleworks- Antique Kimono Embroidery - Butterfly Detail

Silk threads were carefully stitched onto a silk ground fabric, and each stitch is impossibly tiny and precise.

Brynwood Needleworks- Antique Kimono Embroidery - Flower Detail
 
I know that this piece, too, will have a special place at the farm. It has hung here in a location where I see it every single day. It will be no different when we move.
 
I guess I'd better quit doing this, or it's going to take me forever to pack! I just couldn't resist sharing these while they're still in place here. There are a few rooms that I want to keep relatively intact until closer to our move out date. It helps maintain a little quiet place amid the chaos of stacked boxes and change on the horizon.
 
Meanwhile, the rest of our treasures are slowly being tenderly packed for the move. I'd better keep after it, too. The time will be here in nearly the blink of an eye. While we'll be donating and tossing items that won't be moving with us, I'll make sure that all the pieces of home safely make the trip to the farmhouse.

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February 22, 2017

Birthday Girl...

Brynwood Needleworks - Liljegren's Suncoast Bella
 
We didn't forget! Yesterday was Bella's second Birthday!
We decided to commemorate it with a photo session.

Brynwood Needleworks - Birthday Bella

 Bella was pretty silly when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her.
She sure looks happy in this picture!
Tag was running around and being silly while we made a big deal about her.

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella's Official Second Birthday Portrait

It's really hard to believe that our girl is already two years old.
We're so glad that she's a member of our family. We love her to bits.
I guess this means she isn't a puppy anymore.

Happy Birthday, Bella!

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February 21, 2017

Packing Up The Studio...

Brynwood Needleworks- Packing The Studio

You've seen lots of pictures of my studio many times in the past. This weekend I began packing it up for our move to the farm. I've already boxed up many (many) bolts of fabric, and tackled the flat folds that used to rise up to the ceiling on my stacked cubby shelves.

I have to get more of the boxes I use for bolts of fabrics before I can take down the rest of them. I found one size that's perfect for them. They stand up and I can put a full shelf into each box. They're heavy, but we won't be lifting them. (That's what hunky moving guys are for!)

Brynwood Needleworks- Packing The Studio

I've also detached my Stitches sign from the wall so it can go north. I'm hoping it will fit on one of the studio walls, but if it doesn't, I'll install it on the north wall of our machine shed. I'll be able to see if from the studio window if I put it there.

The crates in the foreground are filled with fabrics that are for sale in my shop. I'll be adding more items in the coming days, but I'm in the process of listing more today.

Brynwood Needleworks- Packing The Studio

I haven't taken down my quilt show ribbons yet. I like seeing them up above the door, but it won't be long before they, too, will be packed up. I still have my shipping supplies out, and I have orders to fill, which I'll be finishing this week.

I'm juggling lots of balls in the air right now, but I'm making lists and that helps keep me on task. Once my custom orders are filled, I'll finish packing up the studio so the room can be emptied. The walls (where the shelves were installed) will be repaired and painted before the new owners come in for final inspection.

Brynwood Needleworks- Packing

In the meantime, I'm trying to keep all the boxes organized so that it's not too chaotic for Handsome and the dogs as we continue to live here leading up to our closing date.

Brynwood Needleworks- Packing
 
Yes. I guess I haven't said it out loud yet. We've accepted an offer on our Florida home, and are moving toward closing. We'll be in Wisconsin in time to see the lilacs, tulips and narcissus bloom.
 
We're hiring a moving company, contacting service providers, completing inspections and all the other things that one needs to do to prepare for a cross country move. We'll still be coming back to Florida for the music season, but for now, we're concentrating on the farmhouse and family. It's all pretty exciting around here these days.
 
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February 20, 2017

Tuesdays With Tag - I Will Survive...

Brynwood Needleworks - Groomin' Tag

 Hi, Everybody!

It's that time again. Time for me to get spiffed up. Mom said I was startin' to look homeless!

Brynwood Needleworks - "Help"

Help! I really don't like groomin' days. Mom beats me with a loopy brush (that's actually for combin' horses!), so she can get all the loose hair off me. Then she grabs a wire brush, which I'm not too fond of, either. Next she grabs a comb, which pulls. I really hate that!

I don't know why she cares about my coat, except she said she's tired of vacuumin' up all the dog hair in the house. I'd like to blame Bella, but most of the fur she's been pickin' up isn't black. It's all gorgeous tumbleweeds of fabulously blonde fur. Busted!

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag's Floofy Butt

She brushes my floofy butt, and then she goes back to the front of me and starts all over again. She said I've been blowin' my spring coat, so she's pretty driven to get as much off me as she can. Me? I don't know what the big deal is.

Brynwood Needleworks - Quite The Handful

Look. She said this is just from one pass. Ooops! No wonder she's brushin' so much. I guess I'm good at growin' fur!

Once she gets most of the loose stuff, I know what's comin' next...and I don't like it one bit. She gets out the toe trimmer and Dremel tool to do my toenails. She practically cut off all my toes, and I think she even cut off part of my feet! Then she sanded 'em all down to nothin' but nubs. I don't even know how I can walk any more! I think I need to call the ASPCA (the American Society for Preventin' Corgi Abuse)!

Brynwood Needleworks - Groomin' Tag

I guess I'll just stand here and tolerate this torture. Lucky me. Maybe she'll get this out of her system for another few months (and give me treats!). Just in case, I'm gonna try not to look spikey. I don't want to do anything to get her goin' again!
I have to admit, I'm lookin' pretty hunky about now, though.

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

February 19, 2017

Farmhouse Renovation - Dining Room Buffet...

Brynwood Needleworks - Buffet (Before)

There are so many wonderful built-in and unique features in our Wisconsin farmhouse. One of my favorite things is our dining room buffet.

When we decided on the color scheme for updating the house, I knew that I wanted white woodwork to visually open up the spaces. That included this buffet.

Brynwood Needleworks - Buffet (After)

I got new photos last week, and was so excited when I saw the buffet. I knew it was going to look good, but I'm thrilled with the makeover! Can't you just imagine all my blue and white china in it? (squeee!)

This week, all our hardwood floors are going to be sanded and refinished. I wish I were there to see the transformation, but I can wait until we move north in April.

The electrician will be back in to hang and install light fixtures after the floors are finished, so you won't see another photo of this space until after our furniture is in the room. Are you as excited to see the total makeover as I am? 

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February 18, 2017

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via Little Birdie Blessings (Thanks, Abby!)
 
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February 17, 2017

My Latest Find...

Brynwood Needleworks - Acorn Egg Cup
 
When visiting my online friend, Susan Pilotto's, FaceBook page recently, I saw something that caught my eye in the background of one of her photographs. (I'd share, but didn't ask for permission prior to writing this post.)

She has a beautiful new piece that she's working on, and in the background was a pincushion that started its life as an egg cup. Hers is a beautiful blue and white china cup (which I'll find someday, too), but as I searched for one online, I came across this one!

What would make a more perfect egg cup pincushion for me than one with acorns, oak leaves and bittersweet all around it? I didn't think twice. I immediately purchased it, and it arrived in yesterday's post. 
 
I'm going to find the perfect shade of hand dyed wool to make my own pincushion insert for it. It may take a while, and I may wait until after I get back to the farm to work on it, but it's going to be a fun project.  I'm just tickled to have it for my new studio!

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