My Mother's Garden...

My mum is in England visiting relatives until next Friday. While she's away and we're in Wisconsin, she graciously offered her home to us. I wake up every morning and go out to water her garden for her. It's like having her right here...almost.

I get to see the results of all her hard work this spring. The prettiest roses and lilies, the spent blossoms of her irises, fountains of phlox and a climbing clematis (and those are only a few). She also cares for her little feathered friends. She has three bird feeders in her yard and more than a few bird houses. My favorite is the bright orange gourd with sunflowers painted on it.

She has the sweetest tomatoes that are just now ripening enough to eat. A sweet kiss in the morning from my mother's garden. Second only to the mornings as a child when I awoke hearing her sweet voice.

Giveaway Update:
Sharon chose Giveaway Set #1 (The Grace Fragrance Set). Claudia chose Giveaway Set #3 (The Birds Nest Button Jar and owl pincushion). Marydon will receive Giveaway Set #2 (The Lazy Daisy Tea Towel and Ribbon Embroidery Pincushion Set). Congratulations, Gals! Your gift sets will be mailing out on Tuesday.

And The Winners Are...

Before I announce the winners of my 100th Post Giveaway, I'd like to say just a few things.

I am so grateful to all of you who daily visit my blog and to those who leave comments for me. I can assure you that I read each and every note you leave. They mean so much to me, and they are how I gauge your interest in what I chose to write. I had great fun watching my "followers" numbers increase over the past week, and I hope you'll continue to stop by, read and visit with me as you're able, and recommend me to your friends.

Handsome helped me with the drawing last night. I was as anxious as all the rest of you to see who would win. Here are the results...

#1 - Sharon
from Wildflower House by Sharon Chapman

Sharon will have first pick from the three giveaway sets
#2 - Claudia
from Mockingbird Hill Cottage
Claudia will be able to choose second from the giveaway sets
#3 - Marydon
from Feedsack Fantasy/Blushing Rose Boutique
Marydon will receive the remaining giveaway set

Sharon, please contact me with your choice of the three sets. Claudia, if you could contact me with your first and second choice. You will receive your first choice if Sharon hasn't already chosen it. Otherwise, you'll receive your second choice. All three winners are asked to email me with your full name and address so I'll know where to ship your gifts. Click on the "click here to email me" envelope in my left sidebar. Do not leave this information in a comment to protect your private information please.

Congratulations to each of you - and thank you again to all of you. You mean the world to me!

If you loved the items offered in my giveaway, you can find the scissors fobs in my Etsy store now, and I will be offering the Longaberger Basket Birds Nest Button Jars for purchase very soon. I'll write a post to let you know when they're available.

The artwork behind the bowl I used for the drawing is a watercolor done by my daughter-in-law, Jessica. This piece was a lovely gift to me this week. If you like her art, you can contact her through her Keller Fine Art blog (I've made her blog title a link for you). She has a link there to galleries that carry her pieces. Thank you again, Jess. I really, really love this piece...and you, too!

Giveaway Update:
Sharon chose Giveaway Set #1 (The Grace Fragrance Set). Claudia chose Giveaway Set #3 (The Birds Nest Button Jar and owl pincushion). Marydon will receive Giveaway Set #2 (The Lazy Daisy Tea Towel and Ribbon Embroidery Pincushion Set). Congratulations, Gals! Your gift sets will be mailing out on Tuesday.

Inspiring Blog Award...

What a nice surprise to see a message from Dee Dee at Dee Dee's Craft Spot to tell me that she had chosen Brynwood Needleworks - and me - to receive an Inspiring Blog Award!

I really endeavor to uplift and inspire each of you - my friends, family and new readers - every time you visit me. There are so many wonderful bloggers online and you have so many choices for expending your time and attention that I feel so blessed when you choose to share some of it with me.

You can, then, understand why the recognition I receive from other bloggers is so special to me. Those with whom I share this desire to write about our lives and creativity, daily inspire me to give my best. When they acknowledge my efforts, I'm doubly humbled.

In keeping with the spirit of the award...I'd like to choose six of my favorite and most inspiring blogs.

• Keller Fine Art - This is my daughter-in-law's blog. She eloquently writes about her art, her children, her husband (our younger son), and her life in Wisconsin. Her watercolors are simply put - amazing. And her creativity doesn't end there. Please visit her blog and let her know I sent you!
• White Linen-Lavender Field - It's my pleasure to recommend my friend, Linda's beautiful blog. A fellow Wisconsinite (now living in Arizona) - and former customer of my shop, Stitches, Linda will lead you through her blog with beautiful images, thoughtful prose and creative projects. I know you'll enjoy visiting her corner of Blogland.
• Cupid's Charm - A fellow Florida resident, Joy creates the most wonderful jewelry pieces and has one of the loveliest place to visit. I recently ordered one of her pieces and am anxious to see and wear it.
• Mamie Jane's - Jane has made Mamie Jane's a really fun place to visit! I love looking at the images of her latest creations and her repurposed treasures. I especially love her salt and pepper shakers re-created into the sweetest snowmen! Please tell her I said "hi" when you stop in to visit.
• Feedsack Fantasy/Blushing Rose Boutique - I've mentioned Marydon's blog before. I really enjoy reading about her latest finds, her vintage offerings and her family. A fun read any day of the week in my book.
• My Paisley Apron - Katie shares her life, her love and her family with her readers. She is a young wife and mother who spends her free time creating wonderful things. Stop in to see what she's working on now!

There you have it, my friends. My six favorite, inspiring blogs. I hope you'll enjoy visiting them as much as I do. I can't wait to read what you think of my choices after you visit them!

For the blogs I've mentioned, please feel free to take either of the two buttons below (one vibrant and one more pastel) for your blog, and in turn, pass on the love to your favorites. Thanks again, Dee Dee for thinking of me. I really and truly appreciate it.

More fun photos tomorrow! Only two more days to write your comments to enter my 100th Post drawings. I'll draw names on Friday and post the winners names on Saturday! Good luck everyone!

I Love Barns...

We're in Wisconsin!!! Thanks to my Wisconsin blogger friend, Christine E., (and a few others) who apparently put in a good word with the man upstairs, the weather was absolutely perfect to greet two weary Florida travelers. The first time we got out of the car in Wisconsin, even Kes was jumping around like a little puppersnapper! I had a great time with my camera after I put my crochet hook away. Let me explain.

I'm sure I haven't shared this tidbit with you before, but simply put, I love barns! I have this almost primal reaction when I see them, and upon entering them, they inspire an emotion in me that I can't really put into words. When I try to explain it to someone, I almost choke up. That's how strongly I feel about them. Their shape, their color, the light coming in through the boards, the memories of animals long gone...everything. Yup, even the smell - empty or not.

Everything about barns has captured my soul since I was a child. In fact, my brothers and sisters all felt that at some point in my life I would find one, renovate it and then move in. I never even noticed that, on childhood family trips, I would always point out farm buildings and barns. I now know all these years later, that I was transfixed by these buildings. Maybe in a previous life, if one believes in those things...

So, on this trip, as we rolled through Wisconsin (at 60-70 miles an hour), Handsome drove and I snapped photographs. I took pictures of barns, farms and wind generators. I was - as we say around our house - in hog heaven.

I've made today's mosaic a link to all the photographs I took that I deemed worthy to keep. You can understand that oncoming semis blocking a particularly lovely building and blurry photos would not make the cut. I'd love to know if you feel the same way I do about barns. Perhaps you can explain it better than I can.

I'm having so much fun reading all your comments in my 100th Giveaway and subsequent posts! Thank you all for showing me so much affection. You're all my inspiration and I'm looking forward to Friday when I can share the love. If you're new, you can leave comments in each post since the 100th Post Giveaway and subsequent posts for entries into my Friday drawings. If you become a "follower", you'll get TWO extra entries. If you have a blog and link to me, you'll get a Bonus entry! Thanks again!

Life Is A Highway...

Well, our life isn't really a highway, but it feels that way the past couple of days. Handsome and I are thoroughly enjoying our road trip together. Our days are spent chatting and laughing as we traverse the miles to our boys and their families.

As we checked into the hotel in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois last night I was reminded of two things...
1. I love sleeping in my own bed in my own room, and
2. I promised you a short post today

I won't be sleeping in my bed anytime soon, but I love thoughts of home. I own this vintage postcard from the New Home Sewing Machine Company. It's one of my favorite cards and thought you might like it, too.

Click on the postcard for a larger image to save to your computer. Please enjoy it, and if you use it, feel free to email photos of your finished project to me. I'd love to see what you come up with and share it with the rest of our talented group.

Don't forget the drawing for my 100th Post Giveaway is Friday, and when you leave a comment on my posts, you receive an entry in the drawing. Feel free to take my Giveaway Button for your blog to link to my Giveaway and you'll receive 2 extra entries!

Fuel Stops, Rest Stops and Busy Hands...

They say "Idle hands are the devil's playground." Well, I can tell you there was no idleness around here Sunday! Handsome and I set our sights on parts North when we left home around 6 o'clock in the morning.

We packed our vehicle, and I made sure that my Blackberry and my knitting bag (in this case, renamed my crochet bag) were situated near me in the front seat. As soon as we were on our way, out came my hook and yarn and I started making granny squares. The Blackberry is handy so that I can read your comments when you leave them here. Thank you for making me smile every time I read them!

When we stopped at the first rest stop in Georgia, I had to take a couple of photos to share with you. The sign post was nearly unreadable, I understand, but don't you think it's weathered look gave it a fabulous patina? I think the flowering bushes were crepe myrtle. They had the sweetest smell and the color was vibrant. Just a simple way to rejuvenate ones senses while stretching the legs.

Handsome snagged my camera and got an "action" shot of me "hooking away", and I continued to add completed squares as we covered the miles. I did manage to sneak in a little nap, so I did take a bit of a break. Even so, when we got to our hotel room I counted my squares. Can you believe I've done thirty of them already? I was surprised. I still need to choose the color for the last round, but I'm going to do all these first and then do that last round on them later.

We had clear sailing most of the way, and fairly breezed into Georgia a mere 6 hours after leaving home. Other than a traffic jam (for apparently no good reason) just south of Atlanta, our day was uneventful.

The traffic jam really took a lot out of us, so we decided not to push for Chattanooga. We stopped just north of Atlanta in Kennesaw where we checked into a La Quinta. This hotel chain is perfect for us because they not only tolerate dogs - they welcome them. We were in a newly renovated room and Kes was happy to be there.

We brought our overnighters in, fed Kes, and then my boyfriend and I held hands as we walked to a local BBQ restaurant called Smokey Bones. It was the perfect end of the day for two weary travelers.

As we walked back to the hotel, I found scads of acorns along the sidewalk. I only picked up a few to show you (Handsome questioned my sanity, so I had to explain this "blog thing" again)...but my prize was the beautiful blue jay feather I found. I'm taking the jay feather home and will do something with it in my next art project.

We find that these road trips take a little longer these days. We used to do the drive to Wisconsin in two days - even when we each drove the trip alone. Now, even when we spell each other, it usually takes three days. No need to hurry, we say. "Enjoy the journey" is now our travel motto.

I'll update you later with my granny square count. I'm not sure what I'm going to make with them yet. Perhaps a lovely cotton cardigan. Perhaps a cozy afghan. Let me know if you have any other ideas for me. Handsome said he thought I'd made a "boatload" of coasters, but not in those exact words! He's such a funny guy.

Comments equals entries...100th Post drawing Friday, August 14, 2009!!! I promise tomorrow's post won't be so long!

Pretty, Vintage Hankies All In A Row...

I had been reading a post over at Marydon's blog, Feedsack Fantasy and Blushing Rose Boutique, when she told her readers about a product called Vintage Textile Soak. Well, I'm a sucker for a great endorsement, and Marydon sold me on the stuff, so I went right to the source and ordered some. (You can link to Marydon's blog here to read her recommendation for Vintage Textile Soak.)

It arrived and of course, I had to try it right away! (Even the packaging was beautiful!) I used the Soak to launder my vintage hankies (and a few other things) - Marydon was right, girlfriends! You should see how it works on your fine unmentionables! (Are you seeing that I'm excited about this stuff from the exclamation points?)

So now that they're all cleaned and pressed, I'd like to share my vintage hankies with you. These hankies belonged to my Handsome's mom, grandmother and aunt. These women all did the needlework that appears on them. I'm proud to have been related to a long line of needleworkers. I used a few to embellish Shaker sewing boxes for my daughters-in-law. I carry these hankies to weddings and special occasions, because (of course) you'd never use them for anything but wiping away a happy tear or drying a child's eyes.

You can see that these beauties were embellished in shadow stitching, crewelwork, whitework and the teeniest, tiniest, most perfect stitches. I know I'll add to this collection some day, but these will always be my favorites.

Remember, comments = entries in my 100th Post Giveaway! Click here for details.

A Violet Valentine For You...

Celebrating my 100th Post - and the outpouring of support for me - has made me more than grateful these days!

I have a small collection of vintage postcards and sewing cards. I'll be sharing them with you in the coming days. Feel free to click on the image for a larger version that you can download and use however you'd like.

Just my small way of saying "Thank you" to all of you...and to let you know with this first card that I am so honored that you've chosen to spend a little time each day with me. Hugs of gratitude to each and every one of you!

The 100th Post Giveaway will continue until next Friday, so you can click here and write a comment there for an entry in the drawing. You can write a comment for new posts each day for additional entries, and if you become a "follower" (in my left sidebar), you'll get two more entries. Finally, if you have a blog and link to my giveaway (click here for the link url), then you'll receive yet another entry!

Good luck to all of you. I hope you like my little gift to you today. If you use if in a project, please let me know. I'd love to share it with the whole gang for you!

Oh, I almost forgot! If we get to 100 followers by the time I do the drawings next Friday, I'll add another giveaway gift! I promise it will be something wonderful.

Today Is My 100th Post!...

Today is the day! I can scarcely believe that I've posted one hundred messages to you since I first started my blog in March. Time sure flies! In celebration of this auspicious day, I have selected items from previous posts to offer as giveaway gifts to three of my Brynwood Needleworks readers.

Do you want to see the gifts first, or do you want me to tell you how you can enter to win one? OK, I'll show you what I've selected to give away first! (I know, you're doing a little happy dance, aren't you?) Drumroll, please. (Handsome is sitting here with his favorite snare drum, just to help me announce my gifts!)

Giveaway Gift One
This gift includes items from the fragrance line that I wrote about here.

Philosophy produces their "Grace" line in two or three different fragrances (Pure Grace, Amazing Grace, etc.), and the one I love is Pure Grace. When I wrote about it in my original post, I said that in addition to smelling so fresh and light, I also liked the messages that the company prints on some of their containers. In this set, you will find Pure Grace Perfumed Buffing Wash (to which I've added a white tulle bow and one of my handmade birds nests); a tube of Perfumed Body Butter (who doesn't LOVE butter?); and a roll of twill tape with the word "Blessings" repeated over and over its 4 ft. length. I love what's written on the bottle of buffing wash:

" pure grace is the sweet breath of God, the soft green grass that lies still against a child's back, the whispers of the words i love you, the quiet and the solitude, the prayer that is always answered with "i will guide you home" rather than yes or no, the heart that makes forgiveness its soul passion, the spirit that drapes itself in humility, the mind that exercises free will while surrendering to divine outcome, the person who takes their hands off the wheel, closes their eyes and says "you drive and I'll enjoy the ride".

All of these items will arrive in a beautiful box decorated with birds, eggs and butterflies.

Giveaway Gift Two

I wrote about the Brynwood Lazy Daisy Tea Towel here and more recently, the Silk Ribbon Shaker Pincushion appeared here. Both of these items, handcrafted by me, are part of this giveaway gift. In addition, I'm including a pair of snips with large-holed handles to make them easy to use, and attached to that is one of my handcrafted Scissors Fobs that I wrote about here. I sell the fobs in my Etsy store. This one has pretty crystals and a pewter spool of thread to "pretty up" the scissors. Also included is a small purse-size tube of Aveda hand cream. Everything is packaged in a tiny hat box - a smaller version of the one that I used to pack up my granddaughter's birthday crown.

Giveaway Gift Three

My third gift set features the Birds Nest Button Jar that I wrote about here. I started by making the birds nest and added a silky ribbon to the jar lid (so that you can still remove the lid without removing the embellishments). I then attached it to a Longaberger Basket-patterned jar. I've even included some buttons in the jar to add to your own collection! You can read the original post for the rest of the details. To this I've added one of my duplicate vintage pincushions. This one is a sweet owl...a bit "loved", but so sweet. Both will arrive nestled in a beautiful box decorated with birds, eggs and butterflies.

You can click on any of the photos to enlarge them so you can see more of the details.

Now, be truthful...Wouldn't you love to own one of these giveaway gift sets? I hope so! So, let me tell you how to get your name in the drawing.

• If you're a "follower" of my blog - your name and/or image appears in my "followers" list - you automatically have TWO entries in the giveaway. If you're not already a follower, you can become a follower now and you will receive your TWO entries.
• If you write a comment IN THIS POST ONLY, your name will be entered an additional ONE time. Multiple posts here will not earn you multiple entries, though. I'd love to hear which gift you like the best and why.
• If you write a comment IN MY UPCOMING POSTS, your name will be entered an additional one time per day. REMINDER: Be sure to sign your posts so that I know who to credit with an entry!!!
  
• If you have a blog and post a link to my giveaway, you will earn another ONE entry in the giveaway. (Please be sure to let me know you've done this, so I can give you credit!)
  

I will draw the winning names NEXT FRIDAY, August 14th.

• The First Name I draw will have First pick from the gifts.
• The Second Name drawn will have Second pick from the gifts.
• Of course, the Third Name will be the recipient of the final gift available.

I hope you're as excited about this as I am!

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has stopped in to read my musings. You motivate me to be my best so that I can share the best of me with you. God blesses my life daily with my wonderful Handsome husband and our family. You honor me when you stop in to read what I've written to share just with you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Beauty In The Garden...

A perfect pink hibiscus to share with you today...Sister Pink.
She's the size of my hand and she called me to come and take her picture.

Of course, I couldn't resist.

I lingered long enough to photograph her sisters, too,
and they all posed so well for me.
They asked to be included today,
so here is Sister Butter Yellow...

And pretty Sister Red

And I can't forget White Magnolia.
She's related to the Hibiscus Sisters only because they share the same yard.
Isn't she lovely, too?
They get along so well, playing in the breeze together.
They never argue for the attention of the bees, and
they never fight for more rain or sunshine.
They only show their best side and enrich our yard just by being in it.
If only the world could be like this.

Tomorrow is the big day!

Picking Up Hitchikers...

In Florida, if you turn your back for about, oh, three hours, nature will take over. As I'm not a gardener (as I've told you before), I'm the last one to volunteer for yard work. Actually, Handsome likes working in the yard. From time to time, I do help (I like pruning wild bushes and trees), but when it gets really hot, he's pretty much on his own out there. (You can find me in the studio.) Besides, he likes getting up early and I prefer to start my days later in the day. He gets the benefit of the slightly cooler weather that way.

This morning Handsome decided that the side yard needed weeding. He pulled all the unwanted growth out of the beds next to the house that are home to our hawthorne bushes. Those bushes have the sweetest-smelling, little, white flowers in the spring. When they're in bloom, not only does the yard smell heavenly, but if you open the windows in the evening, their gentle fragrance wafts into the house, too.

So anyway, today he headed out and started pulling weeds. When he was finished, the yard looked fab-u-lous, but Handsome had picked up a plethora of hitchikers. Someone's gonna pay with at least an hour of picking those darn things off his clothes! (Can you see how they're so thick that his shirt tails are even stuck to his shirt?) I don't know...It just doesn't seem fair to follow up hours of yard work with hours of "picking".

It was his suggestion that I grab the camera and make him and the hitchikers the subject of my post today. My cute gardener and his unwanted pests. You gotta love this guy...I sure do!

Friday is my 100th Post!!! Come back to register for my Giveaway. I've got some great things chosen just for you!
PS. In honor of my 100th post, I've changed my blog header. What do you think?

Today I'm Blogging For Bliss...

Welcome to today's Blogging For Bliss Party. Our hostess today is Kari Ramstrom over at Artsy Mama. She planned her party to coincide with the release of Tara Frey's inspirational book called "Blogging For Bliss". I know I speak for all of us in Blogland when I congratulate Tara on the publication of her book. Yea, Tara! It's an entertaining and informative read, whether you're a seasoned blogger, new to blogging, or perhaps contemplating a blogging adventure for yourself.

Once you've read about Brynwood, you can click here to visit Artsy Mama. Just go down the right side bar for a guest list; click on the guests' names and explore their blogs. I'm sure this is going to be fun!

In keeping with the spirit of the party, I've decided to share with you my blogging inspirations and what you can expect to find here (if you aren't already one of my readers. If you are - Thanks so much!).

I never was much for writing in diaries or journals. It seems I only put pen to paper when I was feeling bad or when my life would hit a rough patch (many, many years ago). When I decided to write a blog last March, I knew that it would be a place where I could count my blessings...seeing my glass as always half full and not half empty. You see, I'm basically an optimist. Blogging helps me to focus in on all the joys of my life. It's interesting to know how easy and simple it is to find your blessings, when it is blessings you seek. I never want my readers to be bored or worse yet, to be burdened by my writings.

In addition, I have a creative life - loving needlework and crafting in all forms. The hardest thing for me was to pare down my interests to fit within the confines of my studio. Alas, I have failed, in that my books spill into the hallway, and I have a few plastic storage tubs in other rooms of the house. But I try every day...I really do.

I am inspired daily by the love of my friends and family...those people in whose care my heart is safe. I am inspired by nature and the beauty to be found on a walk in the woods, or by looking closely in concrete jungles. I have found that nature always finds a way. You can find grass growing through cracks in cement or places where it should not be able to find a foothold. But there it is, right in front of you.

As nature always finds a way, so does art. I could no more spend my days without a creative outlet than I could without food. It nourishes my mind, my heart and my soul. When I give a gift from my hands, I give a small part of myself to the recipient. And just when you think there's nothing new under the sun...there it is, right there in front of you. Art in all its glory.

The purpose of my blog is to share myself with you. To help you find inspiration, creativity and joy in your daily life. To learn more about you and for you learn more about me. To share the parts of my life that give me purpose.

My favorite quote is: "The way to use life is to do something that outlasts it." I find that the heirloom-quality needlework and sewing I do - and then share with others - is some small way to accomplish that. I hope that in sharing myself and my days with you, the memory of me and how I live my life with survive long after I'm gone (hopefully, many years from now).

I also hope that my writing and photographs inspire my readers to try something new, or to share their gifts with someone they know. You can never really be sure how you can touch someone else's life until you try.

Thank you for visiting me again. Have fun at the party...and do something creative today! You'll be glad you did.

Don't forget to come back Friday for my 100th Post Giveaway!!! See you then!

Sunday In The Studio...

I spent the afternoon in the studio completing a few projects that have been patiently waiting for me. The first project I finished was the long-overdue ribbon embroidered pincushion.

I told you late last week about rediscovering it in the studio. I believe it's waited long enough to be finished, so today was the day. I stitched this design using silk ribbons and I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. After securing the edges and stuffing the back with wool batting, I secured it in the authentic Shaker wooden base. Then I chose pretty green perle cotons and made the cord to attach to the edge. I hope you like it as much as I do!

When the pincushion was complete, I went on to my next project. I found a beautiful bronze wire when I was at the Craft Show...perfect for making birds nests! (I warned you they're addictive!) I also have some beautiful Swarovski pearls accent beads that I'm using for "eggs". So, I immediately got to making a new nest. From there, I just let my muse carry me and the result is this Birds Nest Button Jar! The jar is a Longaberger basket jar with a basket pattern molded right into the glass. I hung the nest from a hook and then added a pearly dangle with a peridot-colored faceted bead. I entwined a pretty bronze/gold ribbon with more of my wire and secured it to the ring that screws onto the jar. Lastly, I added coordinating buttons inside the jar. So tell me, what do you think? Don't you just love it?

Now, you may also be wondering how I'm doing with those dresses for my granddaughters. Are they finished yet? (You betcha!) Are they cute? (yuppers) So, then you ask, "Where are the photographs?" Patience, my dears. My daughter-in-law (their momma) reads my blog and I want to keep this a secret until the girls get to open their gifts. So in order to keep them a surprise, you'll just have to wait until the weekend to see photos. I apologize, but I promise I'll share pictures with you! Really. This way Miss Stealth Sneakypants won't see them ahead of time! (giggle)

Please be sure to visit here tomorrow for the "Blogging For Bliss Party", as we all celebrate the release of Tara Frey's new book by the same name!
Only Four Days until my 100th Post Giveaway!

Saturday Road Trip...

Saturday morning at 8 o'clock, my friends, Netta and Monica hopped into my Explorer and the three of us headed to Orlando to the CHA Craft Show. A quick three hours later, we had parked the car and walked across the lot to the Orange County Convention Center. I say "quick" because we hadn't been together for a while and were catching up during the drive.

Before we knew it, we were entering the show with our eyes open wide before all the displays. I've done trade shows and needleworker events before - both as a vendor and as a buyer - but that first sight of a show in full swing is always awe-inspiring.

We were quickly engulfed in a sea of humanity, all scurrying about for Make & Take workshops, vendor lectures, giveaways and demonstrations. We decided that it might be best for us to split up for a couple of hours and then meet at a designated time near the entry to grab a bite to eat. After our tasty repast, and comparison of shopping bag contents, we again set off for the vendor booths.

Many of the vendors were focused on products for knitting, scrapbooking and stamping, and I managed to find a few unique items that would suit my purposes. A booth run by Bello Modo (The Beautiful Way) from Olympia, Washington had these beautiful wire lace ribbons. They are tubular, so you can slip beads or other embellishments into them. They can be pulled lengthwise or widthwise and they retain their new shape to add a beautiful sparkle and a lacy effect to just about anything. You can see they come in many different colors, and they make up into beautiful jewelry!

Right on the counter next to the ribbon display was this beautiful necklace using first, a pendant with charms, then adding pearls inserted into the ribbon, alternating with spacers and dangles outside the ribbon. It was finished with a length of silver chain and a clasp at each end of the ribbon. I was intrigued enough to purchase about 6 different 1 yard lengths in a half inch width. I can't wait to play with it.

We left the show with bags full of information, free patterns, make & take projects - and feet a little sore. We stopped in Sarasota for a bite to eat and then headed home with our booty.

As I write this on Saturday night, I know that tonight my dreams will be filled with the sights and sounds of market, along with ideas cooking in my head just waiting for the right time to come forward in the studio. Tomorrow is going to be fun! Sweet Dreams.

FIVE DAYS and counting until the 100th Post Giveaway!! I'm so excited about what I'll be offering. It's taking all my willpower not to spill all the details now!

Look What I Found...

I was tidying up (ok, I was cleaning and purging) in the studio yesterday, and look what I found! I had started this project a long, long time ago - when we still lived in Wisconsin. When we moved, this was put in the box with some of my other needlework projects, and then just went into the bottom drawer of my pattern file when I moved into my current studio.

As I opened that bottom drawer yesterday, these ribbon embroideries caught my eye. The embroideries are completely finished and all I have to do is assemble them as pincushions into the shaker bases that I have for them. I can't believe I'd forgot all about them! Especially knowing how much I love pincushions.

If you've never tried silk ribbon embroidery, it's really a fun and although there are specific stitches for creating the different flowers, the stitcher has a lot of leeway in the finished design. You can embellish nearly anything with the embroideries. Very pretty - and definitely very vintage.

I think they've waited long enough for me to finish them. I bet you can't wait to see them all put together.

By the way, can you believe it's August 1st already? Only 6 more days until my 100th Post Giveaway!!!

Organization In The Studio...

I'm going to try really hard not to get carried away with this mosaic feature, but I couldn't resist. Doesn't it enhance the clean look of a post? Well, speaking of clean (I know, nice segue right?), I just wanted to show you some of the ways that I try to control clutter in my studio.

First, I want what I use to be beautiful and different. I have way too much plastic behind those cupboard doors, so I'm more conscientious about what's out in the open. Things I love to look at, along with things that are functional. My oak thread cabinet is one of those things that is both.

You can see from the mosaic that there are four drawers in the cabinet. The top drawer is full of needles in packages, and miscellany that looks like a kitchen junk drawer. You know, the one where you can find everything, but you don't want to show your friends how messy it looks?
The other drawers hold my silk threads, perle cotons and DMC© and Anchor© cotton flosses. We're not going to chat about my Type A personality, but to answer any questions...Yes, my flosses are in numeric order. 'Nuf said about that.

Then yesterday, I remembered that I have this beautiful jewelry chest sitting practically empty in the back of my closet and it occurred to me that it would be perfect for my little glass bead bottles filled with my special beads and newest charms and cabachons. So, of course I got right after it and removed one of those ugly (but highly functional) plastic organizers from my work area.

Don't you love the vintage, stripey, hydrangea beauty of it? I have it sitting on top of my work table now - at least for the time being - so that I can enjoy looking at it. What was I thinking when I sentenced it to the back of my closet? I must have been confused. I admit, some days are just like that.

Oh, before I run, I want to remind you that there are only SEVEN more days until my 100th Post Giveaway signup and giveaway gifts are announced. Hope you'll check back so you can enter the giveaway, too!