And The Winner Is...

Thank you to every single soul who entered my 200th Post Giveaway! I enjoyed reading your comments, seeing you generously sharing my giveaway on your own blogs and watching my following grow because of it. I'll continue to visit your blogs in an effort to get to know you better. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I'm not going to prolong anyone's agony. After all, Black Friday was enough for most of you to bear yesterday, so, without further ado...

The Winner Is:

Suzann from The Olive Cottage
Thanks for picking the winner, Handsome. I couldn't have done it!

I didn't reach 200 followers during the giveaway period, so I'll be holding off on that giveaway until later. Be sure to check back though, because I'm going to have a surprise One Day Giveaway for my followers only! It's my birthday next week and I want to celebrate with another small giveaway!

Congratulations to Suzann. Please email me with your shipping information so I can get your giveaway package on its way to you.

We Now Return You To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming...

Things got back to normal yesterday. No worries. No more snakes. Sorry if I freaked anyone out. I've got a few things to take your minds off the mild trauma of it all today. First, I've got a photograph of the two finished ornaments for my swap partner at Ravelry. Think she'll like them? (I hope so!)And then, I wanted to show you the sweet bookmarks I made from the beautiful handmade egg beads from my dear friend, Marion. I'm going to send her one of the finished ones (along with some other surprises) as a thank you for her generosity. Each bookmark has a 14" length of birds' egg blue velvet ribbon, one of Marion's beautiful blue beads on one end (along with Swarovski crystals), and a bird charm with crystals on the other. I got the idea from a recent cover of Somerset Life. I knew I'd just have to try it!And finally...and I've been thinking about this for a few days...I've noticed that my following has climbed to over 150 members. I'm going to add another giveaway gift if we get to 200 by the time the 200th Post Giveaway ends. Here's what I'll offer if we can celebrate a 200th Follower Giveaway:I'm offering another color-themed gift package...First a vintage washboard. It's about 18 1/2" tall and I'd love to see what the winner does with it. Also included is a hardcover book called Heirlooms From Loving Hands, by Sandy Lynam Clough. It's chock-full of her wonderful, painted images and inspirational words and ideas. You'll also receive a cool wine bottle gift box. I have one in my studio that I use to store knitting needles. I'd love to know how you decide to use it. And, finally, a velvet "Joy" ornament (I didn't make this one, but I loved it).

So, if you haven't already told your pals about the 200th Post Giveaway, or you haven't posted up a button on your blog yet, here's another incentive. I'm thankful for each and every one of you this year, and if we get to 200 followers here by Thanksgiving, this is how I'll show my gratitude.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing the Brynwood Needleworks Acorn Ornament pincushion tutorial with you!


Here's a button you can add to your blog to crow about the 200th Follower Giveaway. If we get to 200, one lucky follower will win all of the items in this photo! I'm crossing my fingers for y'all!

In the event we don't make it to 200, I promise I'll keep this gift set together until we do! Someone is going to win this - either next week, or very soon.

And Now For Something Completely Different...

Monty Python's Signature Ending

I usually sit down after dinner each evening to write my blog posts to you. That means the post you read each day was actually written the evening before and then scheduled to post at midnight. I usually write in the past tense, knowing that it will be the next day by the time you read it. (Cat out of the bag, now!)

I spent yesterday in the studio. (Of course, I did!) I finished my ornaments for the swap, and I even did a tutorial for a new one that I wanted to share with you today. One small glitch...

Handsome went to his usual Thursday evening band rehearsal and left me with Miss Kes here at home. Laptop on my lap, television tuned to the SyFy channel (yeah, yeah...) and I had just finished downloading the photos for my tutorial from my camera to the computer. Just at that moment, the telephone rang.

It was about 6:30 pm, and the caller was my brother-in-law, Bruce. He's such a silly guy. Whenever I answer the phone, I'm greeted with him singing a jingle from a recent commercial or the words to some silly tune where he's "fiddled" with the lyrics. I started to laugh and then caught my breath. I looked toward the tv and saw this:

Yeah, I know the photo is blurry. What did you expect?!!!!!

I told Bruce to call back in an hour because I had a rather "impressive" snake in our living room. Then I hung up, moved Kes to another room (for her own protection) and called 911 as I faced off the reptile. We both moved very slowly, it for the patio doors which lead to our pool, and me a respectable distance behind so I'd know where it was when the officer arrived. (What the heck was taking the lawman soooo long, anyway?)

After what seemed like about an hour (not really), an officer arrived and told me that he knew nothing about snakes, but was here to keep me company until their "Snake Charmer" officer arrived. By the time Officer #1 got here, Mr. Snakey Pants had already slithered into my huge spider plant. We stood there and talked a few minutes until the second officer walked in the front door.

The "Snake Charmer" tapped his extending wand until it was well - extended - and then started rooting around in my plant. Sure enough. There was Mr. Snakey Pants. (I had asked the officer if he wanted me to hold his flashlight or his "perp beater", which made him laugh. You've got to have a sense of humor in a situation like this, don't you?) He asked Officer #1 to shine his flashlight into the plant and he proceeded to "coax" the snake out of the plant. Thanks to leather gloves, he was able to slowly back the snake out.

My hero...

You can click on his photograph to go to a small Flickr album with more photos of my adventure. (Be sure to read my captions on the photographs, too.) I'll be back tomorrow with that tutorial and more finished projects. I think I'll make a cup of tea now.

Oh, by the way...In case you're interested: This snake was a corn snake. According to my field guide they get to be 3'6" long (this one was close). Yup, it says "CAUTION: Coils like rattler when cornered; will bite." Really? "Habitat: Woods, open areas, farms, old buildings and trash piles." I guess when you live surrounded by woods, open areas, and farms, you're just inviting a visitor like this guy! We live on three, mostly-wooded acres, and our home is near the back of the lot. The officer carried the snake down the driveway and released it out near the road. Mr. Snakey Pants won't be back, but I still slept with one eye open last night...just in case!

Thank you to all of you who are new to my blog. I do go and visit each of your blogs when you stop by, and try to leave a message for each of you at "your place". I'm having so much fun getting to know you! I hope you're enjoying your visits here, too. Don't forget to leave comments each day for another chance in my drawing.

Also, be sure to check out my left sidebar for other giveaways currently in progress. There are so many wonderful bloggers offering beautiful things right now. Of course, I hope I win as much as you do...but that's half the fun, isn't it?

The Tale of The Monster Mitten...

I try to show my human side in my musings with you - especially when it comes to my crafting. Be it sewing, needlework, or as in this case, knitting, it's important to me to "keep it real" with you in what I do and how I do it.

A couple of days ago, I went into that voluminous stash to choose something lovely for a pair of mittens to make for my Christmas list. I found a beautiful, ivory- colored alpaca silk dk yarn by Debbie Bliss. Pretty, soft and perfect for my purposes....and I had the requisite four balls. Good to go!

I need to tell you that I've made these mittens more than a few times, so it's not a new pattern for me. I needed two sets of knitting needles. Size 7 would be used for casting on the mitten and knitting up the ribbed cuff. Then, I would switch to size 9 needles for the body of the mitts.

Knit, knit, knit, knit, knit thumb, knit, knit, knit, knit to end. Sew up. Slip on. What, the....? I just started to laugh. How could I have screwed up to this extent? I always knit a gauge swatch, but hadn't this time because I'd done them before. But, I guess I should go back and cover that step now! Grab the size 9s because they were the critical size. Again...What, the...?

Now I knew my error. Size 7 needles - two of 'em - check! Size 9 needles - two of 'em - awww crap! I had one size 9 needle and one size 10 1/2! Well, heck yeah, that would knock the size of my mitten into the next species...like Sasquatch size! See? I'm figuring you should be able to hear the beaver slap to my forehead from where you're sitting reading this!

As it's already sewn together (perfectly matching seams, I might add) at this point...I placed it off to the side and knit up another mitten (in what should be the correct side with the correct needles). Ahhhhhhhh, that's better! See the Monster Mitten on the left and the normal mitten on the right. (FYI - I only embellish one mitten so the recipient can keep left and right straight once they start wearing them.)

So, at this point, you're curious, right? What did she do with the monster mitten? Rip it out? Toss it? Yeah, I know I could rip it out and use it to start a matching scarf, but inspiration hit me (much better than that beaver slap!). As I usually make a little bag of some sort to place my mittens (or socks) into, I already have the perfect pouch!

Well...what do you think? Genius? Yeah, I know. I think so, too! (insert an evil giggle here) Heck, I could even add a cute little felt head and a broomstick in the thumb to look like a little snowman, but then the recipient might think she'd received a one-armed, mutant, snow thingy. I think I'll just leave it like this with the cute, completed mittens inside - and maybe a little chocolate. Who doesn't like chocolate, anyway?

I can't tell you how much fun I'm having reading your comments and visiting all the blogs of my giveaway participants. I'm trying to get to everyone to leave a message for you. If you left an email for me in your message, I'm assuming you don't have a blog (yet). I don't want you to think you've got a stalker if I write to you, so I'll wait until the end of the contest to say thanks. If you want me to write to you at your edress, please let me know! I'm happy to oblige. I'd love to thank you for visiting, and get to know you better.

I hope you're enjoying exploring Brynwood Needleworks. There's a lot to see and hear while you're visiting. Feel free to comment on any little thing! Thanks again, my friends. I know you're all commenting on my generosity, but believe me - you all return it to me ten-fold and I'm grateful beyond measure for each and every one of you!

** If you're new around here, you can always click on my images to enlarge them.

My Poor Shrinking Violets...

In cleaning out one of the drawers in my studio this past week, I came across my very first piece of crewel embroidery. (I think I stitched it in 1973 or 74) Oh, my! Those poor shrinking violets! I've learned so much since then.

First of all, never, never use a piece of cardboard to mount your finished work! I promptly removed these sad-looking violets from the cardboard (which had been stitched onto it in the most shoddy fashion). Then I moved into the laundry room where I filled a basin with Vintage Textile Soak (which I told you about here) and cool water. I let the piece soak overnight and when I took it out in the morning, all the age had been cleaned off it. Now, you know that when I say age, I mean the years of dust and soil that had collected on it.

The frame in the photo is the original, plastic, yukky frame that came with the kit. I now know that, if I'm going to take the time to stitch it, it deserves a better frame. (This one does simply because of its history.) So I've carefully pressed the needlework (Always iron the back of your piece. It actually makes your stitches stand out on the front.), mounted it with stainless steel t-pins onto a piece of acid-free fome core and it is now installed into a more appropriate frame.

Even though it's still my "primitive" beginner piece, I think it looks much happier now. Don't you?

Thank you to everyone who has responded so lovingly to my 200th Post Giveaway. You gals are awesome! If you haven't yet responded to the original post, you still can (see how many chances you can earn by reading my original message here), and you can earn additional chances by leaving a comment on each post between now and Thanksgiving!

200th Post Giveaway (Ta Da!)...

I'm so delighted to unveil my 200th Post Giveaway today. I bent much thought and considerable time to choosing items I thought might especially appeal to a wide range of my readers. I understand that some of you do not craft, but we all enjoy nice things. With that in mind, I've selected what I think you'll personally love as much as I do. Without further ado...My 200th Post Giveaway gifts (drumroll, please):

Scroll down and I'll show you the different components of this gift.
(Remember, you can click on photos to see enlarged versions for details.)

First, you'll find an Earth Elements diffuser in a fragrance called Shell Walk. It's a light fragrance diffused from a lovely white container filled with wooden picks. Not only a lovely smell, but a nice addition to your decor. I have a couple around our home. I like that they're not an overpowering scent, offering just a hint of fragrance when you enter a room.
I'm also including a bottle of Eqyptian Cotton Linen Spray from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I always have a bottle in the studio to use when pressing projects. It provides moisture when steam is needed, but the way it makes linens, quilts and Handsome's shirts smell is heavenly. I'm sharing a trade secret with you by including this spray...I get compliments all the time on my gifts. My nieces and nephews all say, "This smells like Aunt Donna" when they open a gift from me, and when I took those latest quilts to the shop, the gals there wanted to know what I used to clean my pieces. Now you know!

You'll also notice an acorn ornament and a seashell.
What would a Brynwood giveaway be without an acorn, after all?

In keeping with what has turned out to be sort of a peach-colored theme, I decided to sew up a Moda "Patisserie" fabric Sweet Treats Bag especially for this giveaway. Perfect to store needlework, knitting or crochet supplies - or to hold anything else of your choosing.

When I asked Kes (yes, Kes. She was in the studio with me!) which button I should choose for the final embellishment, she said, "You choose, Mom. You always pick the best one." When I showed her that I'd chosen a Labrador button, she just looked at me, wagged and walked away. Can Labs smile? I could swear I saw one as she walked out of the studio!

I simply couldn't resist making a sweet, little baby shoe pincushion for you, too. It has a pretty rosebud pattern from the French Flea Market line from Moda (from years past). It's stuffed with 100% organic wool batting and added button and ribbon embellishments. I love making these baby shoe pincushions, and believe me when I say that you'll see more of these in the future.

You might think that would be all I'm offering, but wait! There's more...

Three 8" diameter plates with a special word on each one..."dream", "love" and "hope"...the kind of hope that comes with the Christmas season and its promises. Perfect to hang on the wall or to serve your special holiday treats.
If you're a crafter, I think you'll like these two booklets. One is for making pincushions, handbags and pillows (see the cover...lol), and the other is to teach you how to make quilted postcards. I have each of these in my library, too. They're full of inspiration! We're winding down, now, but I have included one more item in this whole gift assortment...a luscious, peach-colored silk box cushion.
I think one of the loveliest things about it is the shimmer in the fabric. I wish my pictures could adaquately convey how pretty it is. I've had it in my home for a while, but now I want to pass it on to the lucky winner of this giveaway. It measures 17" x 19" x 4" thick. A nice size for your decor.

Whew! Still a little bit more to read, but I'm nearly finished...I promise! Rules...we need rules. Let's see, where did I put those rules? Oh, here they are!

• If you follow my blog (officially), you'll receive 3 entries in the giveaway. If you're already a follower, that's an automatic three entries. Sign up now and you'll get your three.
• If you follow or become a follower of my Brynwood Boutique, you'll get another 3 entries. (Click here to go to the Boutique to sign up.)
  
• If you write about my giveaway and/or post a photo link in your sidebar to this post on your blog, you'll receive 3 more entries in the giveaway. Be sure to let me know that you've linked back here to get your four entries! Feel free to take this blog button to link back to this post:

• You will receive 1 entry for every time you leave a comment on this and my upcoming blog posts between now and November 26th (only 1 per day will count). Please tell me in today's comment what you like best about this giveaway. I'd love to know! Also...be sure you leave a way for me to reach you in your response. I'd hate to have you win and then not be able to contact you to give you all these swell prizes.
  

I will draw the winning name on Friday, November 27th (the day after Thanksgiving). The winner will receive everything shown above! How cool is that? I'll be crossing my fingers for each and every one of you!

Happy Birthday to my sister, Diana, today. Hope you have a great birthday and that you're feeling better, too!

Another Introduction...

Yesterday was a day spent at a grand opening for a new yarn shop (A Good Yarn) in Sarasota. The only photos I took were of a beaded shawl that I've been asked to teach in January. Instead, I spent most of my time visiting with Susan P., who owns the shop and my friends, Amy and Mary Virginia who now work in the shop. It was great to see all of them, along with another friends, Susan M. and Tammy, who I also hadn't seen in a while. I really enjoyed myself.

I'm going to save the photo of the shawl for another day, because today I want to introduce you to Dorothy and Baby June. June grew into a lovely woman. She was the sister of my "almost father-in-law", Darrell. She married and lived in central Wisconsin, where I first met her and spent time getting to know her. She had two sons who I knew very well. I think she had a daughter, too, but my memory isn't very clear on that detail. Sadly, she passed in the 1990s.

I'm not sure that I know any details about Dorothy's life, but I sure adore her smiling face and her ringlets.

You're welcome to use their images in your artwork, but the real reason they're here today is to let you know that today is my 200th Post!! More than being excited that I have written two hundred messages to you, I am honored that you have been here to read them.

The girls would also like to invite you back tomorrow to learn all about my 200th Post Giveaway. No R.S.V.P. needed, but comments are always welcome. See you tomorrow for the big unveiling!

I'd Like You To Meet Bobby...

I have a vintage photograph of a family member to share with you today. His name is Bobby. He's a sweet boy, to be sure. You're free to use his image for your art, and I'd love to see what you create if you use it. (If you click on his photograph, you'll get a larger image to download.)

Thank you for all the wonderful comments you've left on my blog the past few days about my quilts. I'm so glad you like them. Your feedback means so much to me.

I'll be writing my 200th Post in a couple of days. Can you even believe it? It's true that "time sure flies when you're having fun". You'll want to be sure to visit again to see what I'm offering for my 200th Post Giveaway! See you tomorrow.