Problem Solved & Pie...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tiny Pennies For "Cottage Garden"

When last I spoke about these tiny wool pennies for my "Cottage Garden" project, I received some helpful suggestions for cutting them out in the comments section. My dear friend, Sherry of Createology blog reminded me that I have a (sharp) Japanese punch from my foray into book binding. I attached the appropriate cutter and easily punched my first (and last) wooly circle. 

I mean, look at the size of that piece of wool! There are over 300 of those bloody circles drawn on the wool pieces. Once I saw how truly tiny they would be, my needleworker mentality took over. I'm not going to use them.

Nope. Nope. Nope. This needleworker will happily make 900 French or colonial knots instead of cutting these out, and then attaching them with 1 French knot - and I'll be needle dancing while I do it! I can use these large (already fused) pieces of wool for something else. I'll just draw the shape I need in red ink over the top of the circles. Problem solved!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Celebrating "National Pi Day"

 

You know yesterday was March 14th, right? 3/14 (3.14) is National Pi Day, so I set about making a fresh apple pie to celebrate. This time, I added a streusel topping instead of a top pie crust. The scent of cinnamon, vanilla and baked applies filled the farmhouse, and I had a very happy husband. 

 

If you haven't celebrated Pi Day yet, there's always time. You can do what I do for Birthdays. Just celebrate an Extended Pi Day! You're welcome. lol

You need to come back to catch up with Tag tomorrow. He's got a cute post planned. (Really! He told me all about it!) I'll be back on Wednesday.

The Next Step...

Brynwood Needleworks - Cutting "Cottage Garden" Pieces

I'm working on the next step of the process toward creating my own "Cottage Garden" quilt. (If you're just checking in, this is a design from Primitive Gatherings, which is an exclusive to the Wool Box. It will eventually be available to non-subscribers in the coming months.)

I pulled out one of my segmented organizers to separate the pieces, and I've already begun to cut them out. I work on this process for a few hours at a time, and pretty soon I'll be ready to set up the components on the ground fabric in anticipation of a little needle dancing. 

See the blocks of little circles in one of the top compartments? I'm going to see if I have a hole punch that might work. There are multiple sets of 30 circles in each of those blocks! Wish me luck that the punch works, because I'll really be "going around in circles" if I have to individually cut them.

I might just decide to play outside the studio this weekend, but when I'm in the house, you can figure I'll be sitting with scissors in hand. Good times.

Daylight Savings Time - Stock Image

PS - Don't forget to reset your clocks tonight!

 

First Steps...

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings Wool Box Kit

I'm still working on the Penny Gathering blocks that I've recently shared, but it's nice to have options. I'm so excited about this kit (which came in Wool Box #13), that it made sense to set this project up so I could go between Penny Gatherings and Cottage Garden (both designs by Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings).  FYI - This kit won't be available from PG for a while, as it's exclusive to the Wool Box subscribers for now.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Preparing My Cottage Garden Project

 

The first step in setting up a wool applique' project is tracing the pieces onto my Heat n Bond Feather Lite fusible; matching up that traced pieces with the wool (as specified in the pattern), and then fusing the pieces to the wool. The next step in this process is to cut out all the individual pieces.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Ready To Fuse and Cut

 

Once all the pieces are cut out, I'll prepare the ground fabric for laying out the design with the wools. I'll be sharing those steps, but the first three steps were completed yesterday, and I began cutting out the pieces. I still have small flowers to cut out...and all those little circles! I'm going to see if one of my paper punches would work for that step.

Today begins with another therapy appointment at the doctor's office, and I have a hair appointment this afternoon. I won't get much done today, but will update tomorrow.

 

A Sewcial Sisters Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Seaside Garden Table Mat Detail

It was a beautiful day for a drive up the Fox River Valley to go to Lisa's yesterday. 2020 took its toll on many, and isolating was especially difficult for those of us who thrive on interactions with like-minded friends. There are still some who are staying away, so our Sewcial Sisters group was small, but we enjoyed our time together.

 

The only thing I had to do on the Seaside Garden table mat was the blanket stitch outside edge, so that's what I worked on. I had it finished in time for Show & Tell. 

The sweet, little chick pincushion is a vintage piece that belongs to Lisa. She loaned it to me, along with two others, that I might try to stitch my own, using this as an inspiration. It's really tiny, measuring approximately 2" wide by 2" tall. If you have a copy of her Quilter's Journal (like the one I'm offering in the "Be My Valentine" Giveaway), this wee chick pincushion is shown on one of the pages.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Lori's Completed "Cottage Garden" quilt

 

Lori has been busy! Not only did she applique' and sew together all the blocks for the "Cottage Garden" quilt (which was part of the Holiday Wool Box), but she also hand quilted it!! I'm inspired to do this one. It's beautiful!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Lori's Completed "Old Friends" Table Mat

 

She also completed the "Old Friends" table mat that was another kit from the Holiday Wool Box. We were all pleasantly surprised to see how large it is. (Yes. I have this kit, too.)

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Kay's Completed "Live A Simple Life" Quilt

 

Kay completed Lisa's design, "Live A Simple Life" quilt. (So far, all the above photographs are Lisa's designs (Primitive Gatherings) and this kit is available on her website. This is an all flannel and wool quilt, and it's really something to behold in person.

 

I'm sure the Holiday Wool Box kits will eventually be available to purchase, but they aren't yet. Lisa usually holds off a few months as the wool boxes are exclusive to the subscriptions for a period of time.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Kathy D's Completed Christmas Quilt

Kathy D. made a wonderfully colorful Christmas quilt. Different designers contributed the block designs. I'm embarrassed that I can't remember the name of this quilt. Kathy's needlework, applique', piecing, and quilting skills are ribbon-worthy. (I'm sure when there are quilt shows again, I'll be sharing photographs of her with her ribbons!)

 

I came home late afternoon to two dogs who were anxious to get outside, and then get fed. It's always nice to feel needed. lol 

 

I think I'll spend today setting up a few more projects. I can stitch this evening as I listen to podcasts or videos. Doing the cutting and fusing now will give me lots of options to work on later.

 

We're on the downslope of this week already. I hope you have something fun planned for the rest of this week. I'm continuing to pray for my Texas friends. Our weather is slowly warming to a tolerable temperature. I hope the same happens for them.