Sale Week...

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Traveler Set - Nocturne Traveler and Bryn Convertible Crossbody Wallet

 

You know I don't shop on Black Friday, and my Birthday is next week, so it's time to celebrate! I'm going to have a sale in my shop.

From Friday, November 29th through next Saturday, December 7th, use Coupon Code - BIRTHDAY15 to save 15% on anything in my shop ($35 minimum purchase). Many of the listings also offer Free Shipping. You can combine fabric purchases to reach the discount, and all my newest bags and wallets are available for your Christmas shopping.

I'm going to be working on a few orders today, but I'm definitely staying home. It's snowing again, and I have things to do indoors. I'll be outside with the dogs, as needed, but I'll also be making sure the birds and our opossums have plenty of food to nourish them, too.

So, it's official (thanks to you, Sherry E.). My Birthday celebrating has begun. I think I may have a giveaway this week, too! You'll have to come back to see...

Celebrating Home...

Brynwood Needleworks - Vintage Tablecloth Turned Into Quilt

 

I finally finished the tablecloth I started last year. I shared HERE how I started with a vintage tablecloth and turned it into a table quilt. My friend, Kathy D. helped me set it up on her longarm machine, and after two days at her house, I had a completed quilted tablecloth. All I had left to do was trim and bind the edge.

 

I was so gassed from the quilting part, that I set it aside...until Wednesday afternoon.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Dining Room Table

I cut the fabric for the binding to match the backing, and after I was finished making the binding, I attached it to the quilt. A mere three hours later, I declared it done! Handsome helped me put it on the table, and I added the pumpkin table runner, which fit the quilt design perfectly.

Yesterday, family sat around the table and enjoyed a meal prepared without our oven. After everyone went home, and the kitchen was cleaned up, I made a cup of tea and walked into the dining room to look at the tablecloth again before turning out the lights...pretty happy that I hadn't delayed another year before completing it.

If you quilt - or even if you don't - this is a great way to update a vintage tablecloth. I have a few Christmas ones that I'd love to do the same way. I think I may get out my small one (with Christmas drums all around it), and quilt it on one of my own machines. But I don't think I'll plan to finish it before Christmas. It's nearly December, and that means it will be time to begin Christmas gifts!

That's for another day. Today, I'll be staying home...celebrating my happy life, and counting my blessings. See you tomorrow!

 

Happy Thanksgiving...

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Thanksgiving Blessings

  From our home to yours...

We've Got This...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Kenmore Range

 

Well, I'm not sure if I told you about how this range came to be at the farmhouse. I guess now is as good a time as any. Two years ago, Handsome and I were looking for a gas range, but, as we weren't sure how we ultimately want to upgrade the kitchen, we didn't want to get something brand new. 

 

Of course, we went to the "Marketplace" (surprised?) and I found a five-burner range within 20 miles of us. It was a dirty mess, but the price was right, and I was willing to exercise some serious elbow grease, so we bought it. They even delivered it to us!

 

It took me about four days of concerted effort, and I ordered new oven shelves. We also had it converted from natural gas to lp, so it could utilize the fuel that already came into the farmhouse. When all was said and done, we had this great gas range/oven to serve us for meal preparation, canning, and breadmaking. We've always had electric ovens, and this being gas was new to me. I couldn't have loved it more. 

All that came to an unceremonious end late last week. While my range top still lit and performed, I realized that the oven would no longer light. It took until yesterday for a repairman to come. No one local works on Kenmore products, so I was given the number of a company out of Madison, WI that has local service reps.

Rich got her around 5 pm yesterday, took the lower part of the oven apart, and then told us that the igniter was the culprit. There were also wiring issues that would cause this issue to recur. We were ready to go ahead with the repairs, until he gave us the total cost. It was going to cost much more than half the cost of a new range! Considering this range is somewhere between ten to twelve years old, Rich gave us a number of reasons why it would be better to buy new. (He doesn't sell appliances, by the way, so he has no vested interest.) He also said that this model utilizes a more expensive igniter than the usual $30-$40 ones. (Of course!)

So, we'll be cooking our turkey in the trusty Nesco™ roaster, with the sides being prepared in our countertop convection oven, or on our still-functioning stovetop. I may start cooking some of the sides and desserts today to make life easier tomorrow.

 

Don't feel bad for us. Handsome and I did a whole Thanksgiving meal together over 35 years ago without a range at all. The small turkey was roasted on a mini grill, and all we had for the rest of our food preparation was an electric frying pan, a toaster oven, and a slow cooker. We did just fine, and our meal was delicious. We certainly are better prepared and fitted-out all these years later. Plus, we'll get to shop for a brand new gas range. We've got this! 

I won't be writing a full post tomorrow...just posting my annual Thanksgiving wishes. If you're traveling, please be safe. I'll be counting you among my blessings as we say grace with our family. 

Happy Thanksgiving Eve to you and yours.

Tuesdays With Tag - Lucky Dogs...

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart 11/2019

 Hi, Everybody!

This week I'm comin' to you from the second floor of the farmhouse. I have a few favorite places upstairs, but this spot is on the top of my list. The bed in the master bedroom. aaaaahhhh

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella 11/2019

Of course, it also happens to be one of The Black Dog's favorite places to hang out, too. Difference is, I need help to end up here. She just jumps up on her own. Yeah, well.

Brynwood Needleworks - Bed Hogs

Once she's up here, I have to share space with her own, stinky self. Lucky for me, we prefer different sides of the bed. I'm not crazy about cuddlin' up with her on a regular basis. Once in a while is okay, but I wouldn't want to make a habit of it, you know.

Brynwood Needleworks - Just Wonderin'

 

What are you doin' for Thanksgivin'? We're gonna have family here for the day, which we all really love. Mom and Dad make lots of good stuff to eat (and sometimes a tasty morsel or two fall on the floor for us to find!); everybody hangs out in the livin' room to watch football; and sometimes their dogs (our buddies) come along, too. Then, it really gets silly around here. Of course, at the end of the day, we'll be back here to snore the night away.

 

If you're travelin', please stay safe. I want to make sure you come back again next week! If you're stayin' home, I hope you have somethin' good to eat, and someone to share your meal with. Boo and I are sendin' Thanksgivin' smooches your way!

 

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

"Live Like Someone Left The Gate Open".

 

It Was A Great Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Weekend Booth Setup

 

My youngest sister helped me work in the booth yesterday, and I really regret I didn't get a photo with her beautiful self with me! She took this one, so we had a record of how the booth looked before we got any customers.

We were busy all day, and sales were better than last year! I even had customers who purchased last year, come back for more. I think that's the best validation for what I do. We drove back to the farmhouse last night "happy, happy".  

I like how our small booth looked, but think when I go back next year, there will be fewer tables and more vertical displays. I've got some great ideas from other bagmakers and how they set up their booths, and I'll take that to heart next year. I'm also thinking about adding another venue around the same time.

I took Posey, thinking she might want to move to a new home, but (happily) she came back home with me. As it was, she brought a lot of people into my booth, giving me the opportunity to spread the word about cork - and add a few sales at the same time.

I've found two of my designs that aren't selling as much as they used to, so I think I'm going to mark them down for closeout, to make room for new designs in the coming months. I'll be discounting  them in my Etsy shop in the next day or so. You'll have to check my shop to see which ones I'll closeout (I'll put it in the title), if you're interested in a good (and even better price point) idea for gift-giving. 

Handsome is having cataract surgery this morning, so I'll be working on my Etsy shop while I wait. New things will be photographed and listed after we get back home. I think I'll take it easy - no sewing - for the next few days. Instead, I'll be planning for a family Thanksgiving, and be grateful for all the blessings in my life...including you!

Tag will be back tomorrow. Who knows what he's got planned for this week, but I'm sure he'll be his usual irreverent self! Come back to check. See you again on Wednesday!

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via In Due Time

 

Packing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Packing For The Show

 

All my product is made - check

All the product is labeled and priced - check

Pack product (need more containers!) - check

Display pieces cleaned and packed - check

Made a list of retail supplies to take - check

Sales aprons embroidered - check

Square point-of-sale updated and charged - check 

Cell phone charged (in case venue wi-fi goes down) - check

 

I'm still checking my list and making sure I have everything I'll need for Sunday. I don't want to be nearly an hour away only to realize I forgot something I need. I'll have help in my booth, for which I'm deeply grateful.

 

Down to the wire now. Off to bed early tonight. We'll be on our way to Kewaskum (WI) early in the morning. Show hours at the Middle School are from 9 am - 3 pm, and we need to be set up and smiling when all the shoppers enter the hall, and there will be eighty two vendors vying for their attention. 

 

I'll be back on Monday to share photos, and to tell you how we did. We're looking forward to a great day, and to having a lot of fun. Wish me luck!

More For The Booth...

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Bella Totes - Traveler and Paisley

By the end of the day, I had completed four Bella Totes for my booth this weekend. I decided I should have a Traveler Tote to coordinate with the Bryn Traveler Wallets I'll have available. The interior of that one is the same map fabric as the exterior. The Paisley Tote has navy cork on the outside, and a blue and white floral fabric on the inside.

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Bella Totes - Jacobean and Orchid

 

These two totes have a neutral canvas interior, natural cork exterior on one, and brown cork on the other. If I find myself with extra time, I may make another with a black exterior. I don't feel like it's needed, though. What do you think? Do I need more cork colors?

 

I'm going to go back and finish that last Ensemble Bag that I mucked up on Tuesday, and then make at least one Nocturne Bag so prospective clients can see that I offer them. Otherwise, I'm pretty much set with my show inventory. Keep in mind this isn't a huge show, and I've got existing inventory that helps a lot.

 

So far, I have Bryn Crossbody Clutch Wallets, Bryn Wallets, Grab & Go Clutches, Kirby Crossbody Bags, Bella Totes, Shop Hop Crossbody Bags, Event Bags, Ensemble Bags, Retreat Kit Bags, and a Nocturne Travel Bag (to make today). Whew! I'm tired just thinking about all that work! (Not really. lol) 

Time for my morning brew. Miles to go before I sleep. Thanks for stopping by! See you tomorrow.

 

New Ensemble Bags...

Brynwood Needleworks - Azteca and Denim Ensemble Bags

I was on track to complete three Ensemble Bags yesterday, but ended my workday with only two. I did a perfect job of installing the interior zipper pocket and slip pocket on the lining for the third, only to realize as I went to put the exterior and lining together, that I'd rotated the lining by one seam (there are four).

You can see that the design of these bags involves higher sides and lower front. There's a seam in the center front and back, as well as a seam on each side. Rather than installing the interior compartments on the center of the back lining seam, I perfectly installed it on one of the side seams. sigh

Rather than stop and cut all the new lining pieces, I opted to forge ahead on the other two bags, and these are the results. I'm calling the one on the left "Azteca", although Handsome said he thinks the fabric design resembles an owl. The one on the right is "Denim". Both have cork side pockets, interior slip and zippered compartments, an adjustable strap, and a magnetic closure.

I'm not listing them in my shop yet, as I'm taking them with me to the show this weekend. I'll definitely make more of these designs after the weekend. 

Today, I'll be making Bella Totes. I want to have a nice assortment for the show, so I'm planning to make at least four in different cork color combinations. I'm really having fun with this process, and so far, am on schedule. My plan is to be finished sewing by end-of-day Thursday so I can spend the rest of the week setting up my inventory in my Square hardware, marking prices on each bag, and completing my booth setup. I hope you won't mind me sharing my progress as I work toward Sunday. For now, it's time to get back to work! See you tomorrow...

Tuesdays With Tag - Runaround Boo...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chasin' Boo

 Hi, Everybody!

Sorry you aren't gonna get a full-frontal of my handsome face today, but I've been chasin' Bella since the doctor gave her the "all-clear". She still comes up limpin' after our sessions, but that's not keepin' her down.

Truth is, she'll probably need a surgery in the future to fuse her ankle, but the doctor said that she can't make it worse, and you can't keep a runnin' fool down. We can hold off until it really affects her gait, and then he'll do the operation. She's been so restricted for so long (almost twelve weeks), that he said it's gonna do her good to run free for a while. So, for now....we run!

Brynwood Needleworks - She's Back On The Run

The day we got home from the specialist vet last week, we pulled in our yard, turned off the truck, and Dad set her free. She ran around the whole yard...around the barns, up the hill, into the north field...she just ran and ran. I chased after her, but Mom and Dad stood in the yard cryin' happy tears. She was doin' what she does best. It was a truly wonderful day at the farm.

Brynwood Needleworks - Opossum Prints

Yesterday was another happy day. While the Black Dog and I were runnin' around the yard and doin' our mornin' business, Mom was shovelin' the little bit of snow off the walk. She got close to the new porch, and look what she saw!

There, plain as day, were the beautiful, little, star-shaped prints in the snow that only belong to one critter we know...the opossum! 

Brynwood Needleworks - Headin' For The Feeders

Mom said she hopes it's Fuzzy Butt comin' back to sleep in the Compass Barn for the winter. These tracks went from around the house all the way to the bird feeders. Mom put a fruit and nut mix out there for the cardinals and blue jays, but the 'possums love it, too. She's been hopin' they'd come back again this winter, so she always added just a little more to the lowest feeders.

Before the end of the day, she went out and reloaded the ground feeders, just for the furry critters. I bet she didn't sleep at all last night. She probably sat by the windows lookin' for them. She's funny that way. I, on the other hand, always sleep like a log. 

Talkin' of sleepin' like a log...I think it's time for my early mornin' nap. I'll take my mid-mornin' nap after brunch, and then see about gettin' outside to stretch my legs. Eat, sleep, run, I say. I bet Boo will be up for it, too!

 

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

"Live Like Someone Left The Gate Open".

 

Delightfully Busy...

Brynwood Needleworks - Top For BW Acorn Pincushion

 

It's so lovely that, while I'm getting ready for the show this next weekend, I'm also receiving orders in my shop. It gives me a nice break from one project to work on another.

 

All the wool applique' embroidery is complete for this next pincushion, so I'll do the assembly this morning. I'll be able to ship it out to its new home today, or in tomorrow's post.

 

You know what I'm working on today. I also worked on a bit of my display components for the show, and I'm looking forward to sharing the final booth setup with you in a mere week. eek!

 

I'd love to sit with my morning coffee and chat a bit more with you, but you know I have a million little things drawing me away. Tag will be back tomorrow, and you'll see me again on Wednesday with all the latest news. See you then!

 

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via Facebook

 

Family Always Comes First...

Brynwood Needleworks - Kaffe Fasset Fabric Interior - Bryn Clutch Wallet

 

I've completed a nice stock of wallets for the show next weekend, so it's time for me to work on the larger handbags and totes. Before I do, though, I just had to share this interior I chose for a wallet I created in natural and gold fleck cork. I really love the wild pop of color the future owner will see every time they open it!

Brynwood Needleworks - Ensemble and Nocturne Bags

While I won't be using the exact same fabric, I will be making some of these bags for my booth. These are the ones I'll be cutting out and sewing over this weekend. 

I'm starting today (early!!) with a trip to the vet so Bella can get her vaccinations. Handsome has appointments this afternoon - and a bum knee - so I'll be driving to make life a little easier for him. If I don't get much else done, I'll get my parts and pieces cut out and ready to assemble. I have all weekend to sew, and you know, family always comes first. See you tomorrow!

A Couple More...

Brynwood Needleworks - Nature Girl and Sunflower Wallets

I didn't get back into the studio until late afternoon, but I managed to finish two more wallets before I hung it up for the night. I'm calling these the "Nature Girl" and "Sunflower" Bryn wallets.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Wallet Inventory

 

I'm stacking up all my wallets until I've completed all the assemblies. Then, I'll close up all the side pieces (which I usually do with rivets) all at one time. It's easier to bring out the press and rivet parts at once, rather than risk bumping a jarful of rivets to do them one at a time.

I have three more wallets to do for this batch...two Traveler wallets and one all-cork. Then, I'll go on to the handbags. I have a few more wallets I could do, but I'll see if I still have time after I get the bags done. We'll see. So far, I'm doing well for time. I don't want to be sewing the night before the show, so I'm keeping to my schedule now.

Bella has a vet appointment this morning, so I won't get to the studio until this afternoon. My goal is to finish those three wallets by the end of my work day. I'll share photos tomorrow. It would be a great way to end this week. 

Okay - Just A Peek...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bryn Wallets

 

I haven't decided whether or not any of these will be crossbody wallets, or regular clutch wallets. I've got these six (plus one not photographed) finished, except for securing the side compartments. I'll do that step once all the wallets are complete. I just couldn't wait to share theis batch with you!

All of them have cork in their construction, and will be going into my booth in Kewaskum on the 24th, along with all the other goodies I'm busy creating. 

I'll be working on another batch of wallets today, and then I'll be moving on to handbags tomorrow. Of course, coffee first. I plan to be in the studio all day - except when I wander out for sustenance. Great way to spend Hump Day, don't you think?

Tuesdays With Tag - Reminiscin'...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag 2018

Hi, Everybody!
Are you there? Is it coooold where you are?

I remember last November like it was only a year ago. (I know. It was only a year ago!)
The sun was shinin', the leaves were takin' their time fallin' off the trees and the grass was crunchy.

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag November 2018

 

 But, at least there was grass!

It's been mostly snowin' since Halloween this year! 

 

We had a little warmer weather over the weekend. The snow even melted, but it started snowin' again Sunday night, and it brought cold winds with it! This isn't funny! The Black Dog and I are only goin' outside when we absolutely have to. 

 

Mom and Dad take turns goin' out with us, because they have to bundle up like Eskimos to keep from freezin'. We don't waste any time doin' our business, and then we zip right back to the house. We're aren't stoopid!

We're gonna keep this short this week. Mom is up to her ears in the studio; Dad is busy with his music and stuff; and Boo and I are just gonna stay in the house on our warm beds until this weather breaks. Mom says it's supposed to get warmer on the weekend, so we'll be countin' the days.

We hope you're warm, too. If you don't live somewhere that it's already warm, put on your long johns and hang in there. It should get back to nice weather in about six months! (Just kiddin')

 

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

"Live Like Someone Left The Gate Open".

 

Elizabeth's Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Elizabeth's Pillow

The celebration was yesterday, so I can share my completed gift. I made a pillow for the nursery, featuring a machine embroidered monogram, and my great-great niece's name and birth date on the front. I have this beautiful fabric that features nursery rhyme characters used for the borders and back.

Brynwood Needleworks - Elizabeth With Mommy and Daddy

Baby Elizabeth is wearing the Christening gown/coat that I made for her daddy's celebration when he was just a wee boy. I'm so glad that they are carrying on the tradition of using it for their family baptisms.

Brynwood Needleworks - Elizabeth With Pastor Bob

 

This is Pastor Bob, who performed the beautiful ceremony. The entire service was a congregation-wide embrace of Elizabeth entering into their flock, and into the fellowship of God. It was really a perfect way to welcome this new baby into their midst. I especially love this photograph, both for the genuine affection in Pastor Bob's face, and also for the expression on Elizabeth's. 

 

I'm so glad I was able to attend as another witness to the day this child was dedicated by her parents into the loving arms of their church. May she grow in His grace, protected by her parents, her family, her church, and her faith.

 

Sunday Scripture...

Psalm 91.11

  Elizabeth Diana Quinn Born 8/30/19 Christened 11/10/19