Acorn Brooch...

I finished stitching my acorn brooch last night. You'll notice the drawing for the oak leaf is larger than what I made. I decided the first one was a bit overpowering, so I sized it down.

I got all my planned baking done, too. Bread, hamburger and hot dog buns, and a batch of molasses cookies. The cookie recipe was new, and I must have over baked them (even though I used the time called for in the recipe.) Handsome likes crisp cookies, but these are hard. I prefer chewy, so these definitely missed the mark.

I didn't taste the cooled results until after I'd sent some up to Shelly. I sent her a message apologizing, and she sent back a reply that made me laugh. She (graciously) said she considered them "dunkers". I promised to send up replacements when I go back to my old recipe.

Today's my work day, so I won't be stitching, but I am going to finish the ladybug this week. 

One more thing...I've decided to run my shop sale one more month. No April Foolishness here. No code needed. Everything in my shop will still be 40% off, plus I'll add more items soon. 

I'd better get ready for work. See you tomorrow!

It Was A Stitching Weekend...

Five Finished Hearts

I completed the stitching on the heart brooches this weekend. As soon as I complete the acorn and ladybug, I'll turn them all into brooches. (I'm repeating myself, aren't I? Sorry.)

Acorn Brooch WIP

I almost finished the acorn, but this one required a lot of careful placement of each stitch on the bottom of the acorn to form a proper brick stitch. 

I had my eye appointment Friday morning. It's been four years since my last checkup and I got great news. I was diagnosed with mild cataracts last time, and they've stayed the same since then. I have no other issues, except I need a slightly stronger prescription. So it's no surprise that - even with my magnifier light - my eyes got a little tired yesterday. Otherwise, I would have finished this one, too. 

Closeup of Brick Stitch on Acorn

I'm planning to take my frames back to the clinic today to have them order and install my new prescription. Then, I'll be baking bread today. I'll stitch between rises. I'll definitely finish the acorn today. The ladybug will be last. Gotta run...

Happy Monday, friends. 

Sunday Scripture...

 

1 Samuel 1:19

Crystals Are Here...

 

My crystals arrived yesterday, so I'll finish this brooch today. It's going to be so sparkly! I wish I could capture how the light bounces around when it hits these crystals. 

I'm also going to work the ladybug and acorn over the weekend, and then I'll cut out and turn them all into brooches next week. It's going to be a fun weekend. 

Two More Baptism Brooches...

 

Brynwood Baptism (or Quinceañera) Brooches

I danced all day! (Needle dancing, that is.)  I loved the idea of a Quinceañera brooch, so I've created some that are extra sparkly to appeal to that potential customer.

I should have the crystals I ordered soon, so I can finish the last heart. I also drew a ladybug and acorn on this calico, so I'll do those over the weekend. 

I knew this week was going to whiz by, but gosh, has someone actually sped up time? Who can I complain to about this? Not that I am a complainer by nature, you understand. 

I have an eye appointment this morning, and a few hours of work tonight. What do you have planned this weekend?

Another Month, Another Gathering...

Front (l-r) Al, Bruce, John and Brad. Back: Mary, Donna, Deb B, Cal, Lisa and Dave

No married couples yesterday, but these old friends shared a lot of laughter over dinner. We were all saying what a blessing it is for all of us to be able to spend time together. 

We talked about classmates who'd passed in the last month, as well as a few that are pretty sick right now. It reminds us just how fortunate we all are to be in good health. 

There were discussions about upcoming vacations, as well as reports on recent destinations. A few of us homebodies listened intently, but then agreed "there's no place like home" for us. Even so, we can't Wait to hear about our friends once they're back home. We'll look forward to that next month. 

The next dinner date is set. We hugged and said our goodbyes, and all headed home. Until we see each other in April...

Too Comfy...

Work was fast-paced and fun yesterday. Handsome came to pick me up and we decided to have a light dinner there before  coming home  (No dinner dishes to wash. Yay!!)

My plan was to come home, change clothes, and have a hot cuppa before adding some new shapes to the fabric currently in my hoop. I got all the way to sitting down with a hot cuppa. It was just what I needed. Next thing I knew? You guessed it. I'd nodded off.

HSo rather than showing you what I didn't do, I'm sharing a photo of the inside of an interesting old tin I've had for ages. This is where I keep the containers filled with beads, goldwork fibers, and/or threads used in whatever is currently under my needle. Perhaps next time, I'll show you what my entire setup looks like when I'm working.

I have a hair appointment this morning, and a classmate dinner this afternoon, but I'll definitely find time in between to draw a few shapes onto my calico. 

The weather is supposed to be beautiful today, so I just may set up on the porch to get a little fresh air as I needle dance. I hope you have a great day!

Ain't That A Kick In The Pants?...

Brynwood Swarovski Crystal Brooch In Progress

This is an example of poor guesstimating. As you can see, I have half of this brooch to finish, and the last of my crystals are on my velvet bead board. I admit, my optimism had me convinced that I had plenty of crystals to do the whole brooch. Sadly, I was wrong - and I was on a roll, too! I didn't have nearly enough to finish. 

Internet to the rescue! Iimmediately went online and placed an order for what I need (and more). It should be here by the 29th at the latest. 

In the meantime, I'll set up a couple ladybugs, and maybe another heart to work on while I wait. 

I'm working today, but hope to show you which other brooches I'll have set up to work on later this week. See you tomorrow.

One To Go...

Brynwood Baby - WIP Baptism Brooches 

I checked my blog this morning to find the post I wrote for today had disappeared! So, here we go again.  

I completed stitching these two small hearts over the weekend. One is done in aurora borealis seed beads, and the other in ecru pearl seed beads. I'll begin the third one today in Swarovski crystal beads.

We have a dinner date with Grandson and his parents today, so we'll see how far I get before we have to leave.

It's going to be another busy week. Dinner with classmates, hair appointment, work, and an eye appointment. Handsome has things on his calendar, too, so we'll see how this "one vehicle program" works. I'll keep you posted!

The sun is shining. I'll be needle dancing. Life is good. I hope you have a great week!

Sunday Scripture...

 

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Friday Update...

Let's begin by saying, I located my lost item last night after dinner. I was able to sleep without that gnawing at my brain. 

I woke up refreshed and ready to dance. This is what I'm working on now. I'm creating a smaller version of my exclusive Something Blue Bridal Brooches for baptisms and confirmations. Of course, in hopes that it will become a treasured heirloom, it could certainly also become a bridal brooch, but not for "something blue".

These will be beaded or have more goldwork fibers, with a cross in the center. I'll be working more on these over the weekend. 

One more thing...unrelated. Handsome's truck died this week. I mean really died. We're currently debating whether or not we need a second vehicle, and if so, just what our next move will be. We don't want a brand new truck or car that will tell us how we're driving. We'll be discussing it more in the coming days. Just what we needed. This definitely wasn't on my 2026 bingo card (along with three + weeks being sick to start the new year). sigh

It's the weekend again! I hope you have sunshine skies and warm(er) breezes. 

Wasted Day...

Did you ever have one of those days that you completely trashed because you were trying to find something you misplaced? That was a major portion of my day. I did get a little bit done, but most of it was spent "looking", and no. I wasn't successful. Dang!

I also know myself well enough to know that this dog won't let go of the bone. I'll keep searching - to the exclusion of all else - until I find "it".

How was your day?

Canned Beef...

Six pounds of local ground beef became seven pints of shelf-stable canned beef. No need to take up freezer space or wait for thawing. It's ready and waiting for future barbecues, tacos, or whatever else I'd like to do with it. Believe me when I say it's always worth the effort  

I didn't get to stitch today, but I did set up a new project. I'll share photos tomorrow  

Thanks to a long-distance friend, I got a lead on a wonderful cache of now-discontinued Kreinik metallic kid leather. My order arrived yesterday. A nice surprise was that there were bonus pieces, over and above what I purchased.

Now, I have more than enough to use in future goldwork projects for personal use, as well as projects to sell.

I'm also waiting for new brilliant check purl colors (and other metallic threads) to use in those projects. I'm looking forward to more wee frogs, bridal brooches, perhaps koi fish, and thanks to a brilliant suggestion via a blog post comment, baptismal brooches. I also have ideas for a few other brand new designs.

I'm working on new patterns for my shop once the sale ends, because my plan is to revamp much of what you see there now. That's news for another day, though. I'll tell you all about that soon enough. 

Work went really well yesterday, and my shift was over almost before I knew it. I was pooped, so it was an early night for this girl. 

Today will be another busy one. Handsome has an appointment in town, but if you're looking for me, I'll be in the kitchen this morning after I pack up my current orders. I intend to get some needle dancing in this afternoon. Photos tomorrow! So, I'm pouring a cuppa and will see you then.

Officially Twenty Two Inches...

According to our friends who live a few miles north of us, we got 22" of snow from Winter Storm Elsa (along with a lot of wind and drifting).

As far as I'm concerned about this winter, I'm past ready to "let it go"!

Andy came down with his tractor with the big snow blower and managed to move most of the white stuff for us. Late afternoon, Handsome and I got out our tractor with a front bucket and rear blade and managed to move what was right in front of our garage door. Andy continues to be a blessing to us (for many more reasons than just this).

Thankfully, Handsome's band rehearsal was cancelled, following the lead of local schools and many businesses (including the station until mid-afternoon, when the owner had my boss go in to open back up. (Nuts, if you ask me!) 

I'm working today, and will get to see just what the "outside world" looks like from the station. I'm pretty sure I'll be quite happy to accomplish my shift and get back home. I'll let you know how things went tomorrow. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day and more importantly for our family, Happy Anniversary to Son #2 and his bride!

Donna

Today's Forecast...

 What's left to say? I'll be doing a bit of canning, perhaps some snow removal with Handsome, putting out more birdseed, and a lot of "staying inside!

Sunday Scripture...

James 5:13

 

Saturday Silliness...

They're just not sure. 🤭

  

Ready To Travel...

Go To Listings: https://brynwoodneedleworks.etsy.com/

The sheep and flowers are finished. They're listed and waiting to go to new homes. 

I've repriced nearly everything in my shop, so the discounts add even more savings than earlier this month. I'll be adding new items this weekend. A perfect task, considering it started snowing last night and is expected to continue from today through Monday. 

Happy Weekend, friends!

Becoming Jewelry...

This is what my entire hooped linen looks like before I remove it and cut out each individual oval. 

These will all come pendants. Hollyhocks and a single sheep. 

Clover and another sheep.

...and one more sheep. One sheep will be chosen by the friend who requested one. The others - sheep and flowers will go to my Etsy shop (sale).

I've gone back and reduced prices on some of my shop items, too. You might want to check out the new prices if you've had your eye on something. 

My Happiest Place...

No more work until Friday. If you're looking for me, I'll be right here. 

Mondays Are For Baking...

After they cooled, I frosted the cinnamon rolls. Most are going to friends. A few will stay here. Bread for the freezer, and some for our neighbors.

Today, I'll be working my regular shift, so I'd better get cracking. See you again tomorrow. 

Baaaa, Baaa, Baaaa...

At the request of an online friend, I'm making a few more sheepy pendants. One will be for her, and the others will go into my Etsy shop this week. 

I'll finish the third sheep, plus a couple floral pendants that are sold out (clover and hollyhocks), too. I'm looking forward to working in miniature again. Plus, I do love making these French knots!

I'll show you what else I did last weekend when you stop by tomorrow. You didn't think I sat around lamenting the time change, did you? (I kept busy instead.) Photos on Tuesday. 

Sunday Scripture...

 

Numbers 6: 24-26

March Madness Sale...

My March Madness Sale begins today! Everything in my Etsy shop will be 40% off until March 31st. I will be adding new items daily throughout the month. 

You'll find handcrafted cork fabric products, patterns, books, needlework supplies, and finished pieces. You can use my direct link to see my offerings:  (https://brynwoodneedleworks.etsy.com/) 

I hope you have a great weekend!
Donna ❤️

Working For The Weekend...

 

Foggy View From The Farmhouse

I was busy working on the sale all day. I woke up to a wet yard, as it had rained, but as the day progressed it got foggier and foggier outside. By evening, I could no longer see the street lights on the overpass, and only two lights at the end of the road (likely because the fog lifted near the corner).

I'll continue working on my listings today, and I'm planning to launch the sale on Saturday morning. I'm thinking the sale will go live then, and I'll continue to add new things throughout the month - all on sale. Should be fun!

Resting...

 

I worked Tuesday and because I still have a cold, I pretty much sacked out when we got back home. Sorry I missed a post for yesterday. 

I spent part of the day at the computer, but my head really wasn't in it. I did prep a package to mail out one of the brooches that was purchased, but I mostly rested. 

Andy brought more hickory nutshells down from the fall harvest, so hickory syrup will definitely be in my future. That's for another day though.

While im sitting here conserving energy, all the birds that flew south for the winter are making their way back north. I want to be ready for them, so im planning to scrub all the feeders this week. The temps will reach into the sixties, so it's the perfect time to get ready for their return. 

Im also going to buy a couple new birdhouses for the bluebirds, and one or two wren houses. I think the Compass Barn could use one or two on the east wall. I want to have a nice welcome buffet for them when they arrive.

I'll be back at the computer today, too. I want to activate my sale by the weekend. Coffee and computer. See you later!