I Took The Day Off...

By the time I finished work on Tuesday, I was spent. Handsome took me out for dinner, and we had a relaxing night at home.

Handsome had an early appointment, so I was just getting ready to take Bella and Carly out when he got home. I made coffee and he went to get the girls. Carly was sick overnight, and we had an awful mess to clean up. Poor girl. She almost acted embarrassed. I guess she partied too much for her birthday.

After making coffee, I made rice for her and she went on special rations for the rest of the day. Handsome gave her a much-needed and appreciated bath. It took a while to clean her kennel and the room (we tossed the rug that was under the kennels), and I lamented the fact that we don't have an actual kennel building on this property. It was so much easier to just hose down messes! lol

After all that, we had our coffee, and all my motivation had vanished. We hovered over Carly the rest of the day, and the best I could muster was to clean off one of my work tables in the studio, and then make dinner for us. 

I was an "airhead" for the majority of the day, so there's nothing butterfly-related to share. Tomorrow will be different. I'll share the first step to creating my Monarch wings next time you visit. See you then!

 

Fixin' To Start...

 

Well, I drew my design and transferred it onto my fabric. Now I'm ready to begin the process of creating the components for my regal stumpwork Monarch butterfly.

My question to you is, "Would you like me to chronicle each step, or show you stages where I make more progress?".

Understand, this isn't going to be a "quickie" project. Thread painting the wings (just as I do with my birds) takes me more than a minute. I'll also take breaks to work on other smaller projects along the way.

Please let me know how you'd like me to share this process...detailed or in stages of completion. I'm happy either way, but I don't ever want to bore you, so I'd appreciate the feedback.

You're Important...

Gone too soon. I miss you, Krisann.

 

Happy Birthday, Carly!...

Liljegren's Suncoast Carly

Happy Sixth Birthday, Carly! Six sure looks great on you. You're a source of laughter and pride in our household, and we're so glad we get to share our corner of the world with you.  

Carly Puppy

From the moment we chose you, we knew you were something special, and every day you prove us right. 

We love you bunches, and will make today extra special for you, Carlita Puppita Mamacita (Mom's nickname for you)! 

Sunday Scripture...

Psalm 91:11

 

Okay, You Win...

I've been saving images of Monarch butterflies (among other things) in my "inspiration" binder since Lexington. Yesterday, I pulled them out of the binder, and took the silk thread assortment out of my silk thread cabinet. Yes. I have a cabinet full of only silks. (It's actually a jewelry chest, and I'll share a post about that another time.)

I'll be setting up the components for this project over the weekend, and you'll get the first peek at my Monarch butterfly beginnings on Monday.

I'm excited to share my progress with you, but as the comments said, you may find me working on the goldfinches, too. I'm making no promises one way or the other. You'll have to stay tuned to find out. 

Happy Weekend!

 

Perhaps A Monarch Next?...

Butterflies of North America 

You may recall when I learned stumpwork from tutor, Owen Davies from The Royal School of Needlework. My project then was a Red Spotted Purple Butterfly. He chose to teach it because a contingency of tutors from the RSN had come to Kentucky for our classes, and that butterfly was Kentucky's state butterfly.

Before it was time for everyone to pack up and leave, Owen and a number of students went to a wonderful, local needlework shop together. While there, he helped me choose all the silk threads I would need to stitch a Monarch butterfly.

I've found myself thinking about Owen lately. He passed away a year after returning home to the UK from the states, so when I stitch my Monarch, it will be in his honor.

I'd been planning to start my fourth Seasonal Birds (goldfinches) next, but the idea of doing the butterfly won't leave me alone  I think I need to stitch it. 

What do you think? Goldfinches or a silk Monarch? Let me know in the comments.

 

April Classmate Dinner...

Back row-Janet, Bruce, Deb B., Lisa, Donna and Cal. Front row-Deb N., Max, Dan and John

We had a nice-sized group this month. Couples who'd been on vacation returned, and as usual, the conversation was spirited and lively. A fun time was had by all.

We decided to change the day next month to accommodate schedules of our regulars, and give others who may be busy on Wednesdays the opportunity to join us. We'll see how that works out.

 

Tasty Beets...

I told you yesterday I canned beets  I bought them through Azure Standard, a source for organic and healthy products. I've been happy with everything I've received from them.

Once you set up an account, you can scroll through their selections, add to your shopping cart, and then you're advised of your last date to order to be included in the delivery. Your order isn't charged until that date, so you're free to go back and add or delete items from your shopping cart until that date. Prior to the cutoff date, you choose to either pick up at a location near you, or have the order shipped for an additional charge. My pickup is within 10 miles of home and close to the highway, so it's really convenient.

Monthly delivery trucks bring the orders to the drop off location, and you should be there within fifteen minutes or so (whatever the coordinator says) to get your order. I'm usually on my way back home with my order within ten minutes of the truck arriving.

They offer bulk quantities, as well as smaller packaging, fresh or frozen items, lots of pantry staples, household products, and health and beauty items. You might be surprised!

If you're interested in learning more about Azure Standard, or would like to place an order to try it out, you can use my link HERE. There are no signup or membership fees, and you're under no obligation to place orders every month. If you try it, I'd love to know what you think.

Busy Monday...

 

Cracker Toffee

I got a lot done yesterday. I baked a loaf of bread and a half dozen hamburger buns. I canned five pounds of organic beets I purchased from Azure Standard, and I made a tray of cracker toffee. 

I call the candy "cracker toffee" because the base is saltines. (I have also made this with a Graham cracker base, which is the same technique and equally tasty.) The second layer is a simple boiled mixture of butter and brown sugar poured and spread out over the crackers. Once that's been in a 400° oven for seven minutes, it's topped with chocolate chips. Once melted, the chocolate is spread over the toffee and topped with pecan pieces. It's not difficult, and no candy thermometer is needed.

Beets are out of the canner and were under cover overnight. I'll clean the sealed jars before going to work. I'd better get cracking!

April Craft Day...

L-r: Linda P, Me, Sara, Adrienne and Marie

Our monthly craft day was this past Saturday. We had a fun project using vintage doilies to make cute sheep. As always, each participant's personality showed through.

My Project

My piece is symbolic for Jesus as the shepherd in the story of the shepherd who left his flock to find the lone, lost sheep. 

Marie brought a crafting paper book with hymns on them. I was singing each of them in my head as I paged through to find the perfect one for my theme. It became the base of my piece. 

The butterfly symbolizes God/Jesus and the shepherd, so when I added the heart to my sheep, I used the material from one of the extra butterflies to create the heart. My final touch was the tag that says, "He left the many to save the one."

Once I completed mine, I knew it would be my Mother's Day gift to my mum. I had plans to stop at her and my stepdad's before I went home from Portage, so I asked her if she want her gift early, or if she wanted to wait. Of course, she wanted it early. 

She loved it, and before I left, she'd put it on the wall. She liked the symbolism, too, when I explained it to her. In fact, just as I had, she started singing the hymn (out loud) when she saw it. My gift this year was a home run!

It's another busy week. Bread day today, work tomorrow, classmate dinner (already) on Wednesday, lunch with Mom Grace's daughter (Sis Deb), and work again on Friday. 

In between, I'll be making this month's artist trading cards, and adding more items to my shop. Like I said, it's going to be a busy week. See you tomorrow.

Sunday Scripture...

Luke 18:27

 

Brynwood Nantucket Table Runner - Front

Time to share my completed table runner. I'm happy with how If turned out. It finished at 16" wide x 64" long.

Brynwood Nantucket Table Runner - Reverse

I was such a smarty pants that I thought I didn't need to read all the pattern instructions. I was wrong. By the time I figured it out, I had two completed blocks that were wrong. Note that there was no green or black anywhere on these blocks.

I started frogging my stitches, but ended up thinking I can cut and resew faster, so I set those blocks aside and recut the lighter colored fabrics. In no time I had all the blocks sewn for the front, and would have chosen a whole cloth backing...until MA (Magpie Mumblings) suggested I make the runner reversible.

I grabbed the blocks I'd set aside, made two more, and sewed them together for the back. Once I added the batting, I quilted the front, batting, and back together  I added the binding, and by 11pm Thursday night, I placed the last stitch in the binding to complete my table runner.

It appears schedules prohibit us getting together with the Birthday Girl, so I've boxed it up and will mail it off.

Today is Craft Day, so I'm in Portage this morning. I have no idea what we're making today, but I'll have photos to share on Monday. Gotta run. See you later!

Take The Day Off...

I finished my table runner yesterday, but my last stitch was placed at 11 pm, so I decided to wait until daylight to take photos. I'll do that this morning, and promise to share them with you tomorrow.

Nantucket Table Runner Top...

Nantucket Table Runner Top

I completed the top for the table runner I'm making as a gift. There are two more blocks just like these that make up the entire top. Each block is 16" square, for a length of 64", which will be perfect for their large table.

I'll finish the putting it together today. I'm going to use black for the binding, but I'll decide what will be on the back side when I do the assembly.

I'm going to get it quilted today, too, so it will be ready to wrap and gift. I hope she likes it!

 

Table Runner Fabrics...

Nantucket Table Runner

I finally decided my direction for the birthday gift I'm making for our daughter-in-law. We traveled to Nantucket as a family years ago, and she was always taken with the island. She has whale decor all over their home, so as I hung out in my fabric room trying to choose fabrics, this whale fabric got my attention.

Once I pulled that fabric, the other fabrics fell in line as they were perfect coordinates. I also have a canvas in classic Nantucket Red, and I'm debating whether or not to make that the backing. I'm still mulling that over.

Cutting and sewing begins today, and I'll share photos tomorrow. I may make a second one for my shop, too  we shall see. 

I'll be adding more items to my shop this week, too. More fibers and books, and perhaps a kit or two. Be sure to check back the end of the week for new listings.

 

Corgi Earrings...

Hidden Glen Designs

In addition to the great weekend with friends, I came home on Saturday with these gorgeous Corgi earrings created by Judy's friend, Paula. 

She made many sets like these (and some cute Corgi butt ones) because she thought the FastCAT event was only for Corgis. As I it was an all-breed event, she didn't take them with her to sell. She gave these to me as a gift, and wouldn't let me pay for them. 

She doesn't have an Etsy site yet, but we did discuss it because she had questions about setting up a shop. She showed me all the different, wonderful styles she creates, but right now she only sells at local vendor events. If she eventually opens an Etsy shop, I'll be sure to share a link with you.

I think I'll be contacting her soon to see if she'll make some Labradors for me to wear when Handsome and I compete our girls this summer. I can only imagine how cute they'll be!

I've pulled fabrics for our DIL's birthday gift. I'll share those tomorrow.

 

Friendship and Fast Fur...

Goodness, we had fun last weekend! I met up with Judy, her husband, their friends Bruce and Paula, and dogs, Elvira and Thumper. 

Judy was gracious enough to take the time to explain the process, and then we watched Elvira earn her 43rd ribbon, while Thumper earned number 7.

After every event, Judy's tradition is to slip the pups into something cute; clip her Bluetooth speaker to her belt, and play each dog's "theme music" as they pick up their awards.

Watching them earn their awards was great fun, but watching them collect them was just adorable.  

We gathered and put our lunch plan together before heading to Judy's friends' home for our barbecue meal. I left for home a respectable time later.

After Judy's dogs compete for more points Sunday morning, they'll be leaving for Tennessee. We exchanged hugs and goodbyes, and I left.

Once I was back home, I told Handsome all about FastCAT competitions. He was intrigued. So after getting a It more information from Judy, we went back down Sunday morning with Bella and Carly. 

We couldn't take one and leave the other home, so we entered Bella in the non-official fun run.  Her time to run 100 yards chasing a lure was just over 10 seconds each time. She reached 19 (plus) miles per hour, having never done it before.

Pretty impressive for an 11 year old, right? When she wasn't running, she was still amped up at the prospect. That's our girl.

Carly was pretty impressive, too. Once she understood the assignment. She ran the 100 yards in 9.2 and 9.5 seconds, and she got up to 22 mph doing it! By the time each of the girls accomplished their two runs, we were all a muddy mess. 

You know what that means. The back of my Explorer was a muddy mess, to say nothing of the girls. Baths were in order when we got home, and thank goodness I thought to put towels down to avoid having my car looking the same.

Handsome and I discussed how this could be perfect for us and the dogs. We're not quite fit enough for agility or hunting anymore, but this was right up our alley - plus, both girls loved it! We're definitely going to enter more in other events areas of the state.

I have an appointment this afternoon, so I'm going to enjoy my cuppa and get busy. I also decided what I'm going to do for a table runner  more on that tomorrow.

 

Sunday Scripture...

 

1 John 2:2

FastCAT Day...

Elvira

Today's the day! I'm driving about an hour south to watch this sweet girl run her competition. Just look at the joy in her face! I'll be meeting up with my friend, Judy from Tennessee, along with her two Corgis, Elvira and Thumper.

Judy texted me when they arrived at their Wisconsin destination, and informed me that she brought Tennessee  barbecue with them for lunch tomorrow and her host extended an invitation to me. Authentic Tennessee barbecue?! You don't have to ask me twice. I'm in!

I don't have a photo to share of Thumper today, but I'll definitely snap a few pics to share on Monday...plus more of Elvira. It seems like forever since I've seen Judy, so I'm really looking forward to our reunion. I'll be sure to get people photos, too.

Gotta go. I don't want to be late for the races! Have a great weekend.

 

Table Runner Time...

One of our daughters-in-law celebrates a birthday next week. She uses table runners all the time on their main dining table, and I've gifted her seasonal runners in the past to adorn it. So, I think it's time to make a new one for her. I'm leaning toward one of these.

I'm also going to be seeing a dear friend, Judy (from Tennessee) this weekend, as she's going to be in Wisconsin for a competition event. Her corgis run in FASTCAT, which is a timed running event. Each dog individually chases a lure and is the only one on the course. I'm not sure of all the rules, but I think they get two chances to achieve their best time. I'll tell you more about it after the weekend, and there will be photos!

I'll be a spectator for her two dogs, plus get the added  bonus of visiting with her. When I'm home, I'll be sewing. I may do one of these patterns, or I may decide to do a pieced runner. Either way, I'll quilt it when it's done (by mid-week) and finish it in time for our DIL's birthday. I'll definitely share what I decide with you.

Enjoy your weekend, friends. I'm sure looking forward to mine!

 

April ATC Assignment...

 

I hadn't intended to participate in the Treasures ATC Swap For a while, but when I saw the theme for April, I couldn't resist. You probably have a pretty good idea what I have in mind.

I'll be working on them this week, as I get a chance. Another classmate passed Easter weekend, so I have another funeral to attend tomorrow. 

Today is a catch up day for me. I have a number of things on my To Do list...ship orders; laundry; and tidy up my studio (again). If you're looking for me, I'll be at home. See you tomorrow.

Available For Purchase...

 

All Brynwood Baby Baptism/Confirmation/Quinceañera Brooches are now available for purchase. Click THIS LINK to purchase. You can make individual selections via link.