Surprises At The Farm...

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Gifts from Andy and Shelly

I hope all of you had a restful and happy Christmas celebration. Our festivities began last Wednesday with one of our sons and his family, and will conclude today with a visit from my best friend and later, our other son and his family.

We had dinner with Andy and Shelly on Thursday evening. The meal they prepared was delicious - and we always enjoy their company. We got a tour of their home, and we exchanged gifts. We were so tickled with the gifts they chose for us.

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Gifts from Andy and Shelly

They asked Shelly's mom (who used to live in our farmhouse), about the nutcracker she used to shell those hickory nuts. They knew that I got blisters using a conventional nutcracker to shell the nuts I'd taken back to Florida, and wanted to give me some relief.

Janet said the nutcracker she uses is still available at True Value Hardware, so off Andy went and got one for me! I literally jumped out of my chair to hug him when I opened the box! They also gave me a big bag of nuts in the shell so I could practice!

In addition, there were more gifts from the farm. They gave us two more bags of shelled hickory nuts, a painted saw blade (I love the bluebirds and barn scene), and a large jar of honey from the hives just above our farm.

We gave Shelly one of the cork Grab and Go Clutches that I made, and also gifts they can share - a fuel card for Andy to help defray the cost of plowing our yard out this winter, and a gift certificate for a local restaurant where they can share a nice meal on us. We were so humbled by their generosity - they are both so giving - and we look forward to reciprocating in the coming years.

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Gifts From Our Neighbor

Yesterday, there was a knock at the door and one of our neighbors here on Hickory Road came up to welcome us to the neighborhood. Mary Jane wrote the sweetest note in the card she gave us.

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Gifts From Our Neighbor, Mary Jane

 

It was tucked into a beautiful basket filled with her homemade treats for us - and a fragrant bottle of hand cream for me. She must have a fly on the wall here. I've been going through hand cream like crazy in this drier air! 

 

We're looking forward to getting to know Mary Jane and our other neighbors better when the weather gets warmer. Once the farmhouse is finished, we'll invite all of them to join us here for a party to celebrate. We think 2017 is going to be a great year. 

 

Happy Boxing Day, everyone!

 

All Hearts Come Home For Christmas...

Brynwood Needleworks via Internet - Christmas Kiss

 

We celebrated Christmas with our younger son and his family yesterday. It was a wonderful day, spent with our beautiful granddaughters and their parents. We laughed, opened gifts, played games and shared stories. (The girls loved their Grammie's Jammies, by the way.)

I took lots of photographs, but haven't had time to edit them yet. Perhaps I'll share them later. For now, the images and memories in Grandpa's and my mind will warm our hearts. 

 

To see their faces was worth every mile, every snowflake, every driving north wind. We'll have more time with friends and family between now and Boxing Day, and we will savor every second. It's true. All hearts come home for Christmas.

I'm Finished Holiday Sewing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Cross Body Bag Front

I won't say a lot today. I completed my projects for Christmas this year. The rest of our gifts will be baked or ordered to be delivered. I found a few great gifts for family members that will be arriving in time for Christmas and I decided to make a few treats rather than do more sewing.

I'm picking Handsome up at the airport this afternoon. He played his last holiday concert yesterday, so we'll be together with family for Christmas before we return to Florida.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cross Body Bag Interior

I like this cross body bag. It's my own design, and I'll likely make a few for my shop after I get back to my southern studio.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cross Body Bag

I made it with a nice, long strap; an exterior contrast pocket (the back of the bag is natural cork); and an interior zip pocket.

Brynwood Needleworks - Sloth Grab and Go Clutch

I also made two more Grab and Go Clutches as gifts. This one is sloths, and if you read my blog last year, you'll know who this will go to. (Sloth Crazy Granddaughter #2)

Brynwood Needleworks - Sloth Grab and Go Clutch Back

The reverse is natural cork,

Brynwood Needleworks - Sloth Grab and Go Clutch Interior

and the interior picks up the color of the geckos on the sloth fabric.

Brynwood Needleworks - Wizards Grab and Go Clutch

My last project was a wizard-themed clutch for Granddaughter #1.

Brynwood Needleworks - Wizards Grab and Go Clutch Back

These are perfect for their cell phones and a few extras...or school supplies!

Brynwood Needleworks - Wizards Grab and Go Clutch Interior

A few spells listed inside, just in case she can't remember them. You never know when they might come in handy.

I hope all of you are planning a nice week. I know we'll have a warm week, even if it is cold outside.

 

I Can't Stop Making Them...

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab and Go Cork Clutches

No words really necessary, except to say that I continue to make Grab and Go Cork Clutches!

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab and Go Cork Clutches

Three new ones for the gifty pile for Christmas. Today, I'll be making another style clutch that will also be Christmas gifts this year.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab and Go Cork Clutches Interiors

 

I'm having fun with lining choices, too. I'm using a travel-theme fabric as well as a new cheery, cherry lightweight canvas. The elves are making merry these days!

Farmhouse Pincushion...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Pincushion

I received a wonderful surprise yesterday from my dear friend, Kathy D. We were able to get together for lunch and a little "retail therapy". Whenever we see each other, she has a gift for me...and knowing that, I made one of the cork clutches (I showed you in yesterday's post) especially for her.

She came out to see our farmhouse and, as always,  had a lovely gift bag in her hand for me. We came inside and I gave her the 25¢ tour. (It's not a 50¢ tour until we're finished with the renovations.) After we sat down, I gave her the Grab and Go Clutch I'd made for her - and opened my gift to reveal a new pincushion she'd made for me.

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Pincushion Detail

 

Kathy knows I love and collect pincushions, so she's made some really beautiful ones for me using wools and applique. This is the first with counted thread. What makes it especially wonderful is a personalized detail she added. She told me the date from the original pattern was supposed to be "1798" (I think), but she changed it to "1918"...the year our farmhouse was built! 

 

Each stitch is perfection, the sleigh carrying a pine tree, the lovely, big farmhouse, and (oh, yes) the snowflakes. It really couldn't be a more thoughtful gift from the hands of my talented and generous friend. 

I'll treasure this gift, Kathy. A most fitting memento of our first winter and Christmas in our Wisconsin farmhouse. Thank you, dear, from the bottom of my grateful heart. xo

 

Grab And Go Cork Clutches...

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab And Go Cork Clutches - Front and Back

 

I worked on another Christmas gift project yesterday. I'm making simple cork clutches in various colors of cork fabric. Theses are two I made in natural cork. The labeled side is actually the back of the clutch, and the fronts are plain.

 

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab and Go Cork Clutches Interior and Detail

 

The interior is a gold print fabric. These zippers are really neat. They look like metal, but they're plastic. I always seem to catch my nails on metal zippers, so I'm no fan, but these plastic ones are my favorite. The hardware is antique brass.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab and Go Cork Clutches

 

The next ones I make are going to have fabric combinations on the exterior, too, but there will be more that are all cork - but in different colors. I'll show you those when I finish them.

 

These are my own pattern, and they work up quickly. They measure 8.5" wide by 6" tall, with plenty of space for an iPhone 6 Plus (or smaller phones, of course) along with any other essentials. The wrist strap is attached with a clasp, so it can be removed, too. 

 

I think they'll be just right to "grab and go", and they'll make nice gifts for a few special people on my list. (I'll be adding some to my shop when I reopen in the new year, too!)

 

Grammie's Jammies 2016...

Brynwood Needleworks - Grammie's Jammies 2016

I finished Grammie's Jammies for this year. The first are for our grandson. I purchased the black, waffle weave Henley top. I didn't bring any knit fabrics with me, and frankly, it was easier to just get a top that I knew he'd like and wear.

He's 15 now, so I can't make Spider-Man or Minions for him anymore. Instead, I chose music-themed fabric. This particular fabric is "All Amped Up" by Dan Morris. ©2015 RJR Fabrics. It came from my stash.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grammie's Jammies 2016

I guess I made them in order of age this year without even realizing it. These are the jammies I made for Granddaughter #1. These fabrics came from my "semi-permanent" stash. I've had them almost since moving to Florida! They're "Charms", designed by Nancy Halvorson for Benartex.

I bought these when I worked at a (now-closed) local quilt shop when we moved to North Port in 2002. I bought at least two fabrics in every colorway. I'm not sure I ever actually took home a paycheck while I worked there.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grammie's Jammies 2016

 

Last, but certainly not least, are the jammies I made for Granddaughter #2. I purchased these fabrics this year. The fabrics are from Riley Blake Designs, called "Wonderland" by Melissa Mortenson. I love the rabbits and the pants are a coordinating floral.

 

I still have things to make, but these projects are complete - and this year, I'll get to see them open their packages. It's a gift for them...and a gift for me! On to the next project...

 

For Christmas Eve...

Brynwood Needleworks - 2016 Grammie's Jammies Fabric Choices

 

I've been busy sorting through fabrics and making my choices for many of my 2016 Christmas projects. These are the fabrics I chose for this year's Grammie's Jammies.

The golden floral coordinates on the left are for one of our granddaughters, and the bunnies/floral coordinates are for the other. The black fabric with musical notes and motifs is for our soon-to-be, 15 year old grandson. Choosing fabrics for him is getting more difficult. But I have a cute story to tell you about that.

When we were together with him and his parents in October, I told him that he'd be hearing from me soon, so that I could get his annual "stats" (measurements) to ensure his jammies would fit him. I teased him and said, "Do you want Power Rangers this year?", knowing full well that he'd long ago outgrown "kiddie" prints. He smiled the smile that always melts my heart and said, "Whatever you choose, I'll love, Grandma." sigh 

I've been making a new pair of pajamas for each of our grandchildren every year since they were born. When we send our packages north, we mark which ones are to be opened Christmas Eve, so they have their jammies to wear to bed that night. Now that they're 15, 12 and 8, it warms my heart to know that they've come to look forward to them. The very best part is when they love them so much that they don't want to change into regular clothes on Christmas Day. Then I know I've scored a home run.

 

Making A List..

Brynwood Needleworks - Fabrics

I started working on my Christmas list over the weekend. Handsome is feeling much better (thanks to the wonders of modern medicines) so I organized the studio to prepare for my Christmas sewing. I chose fabrics for a gift for our "Potter Crazy" elder granddaughter, and decided on a design for her gift(s).

Brynwood Needleworks - Fabrics

 

Granddaughter #2 loves sloths. I pulled fabrics for one of her gifts, too. I guess I'll share my list with you. It's subject to change, but it gives me a starting place.

• 3 Sets of Grammies Jammies
• 5 Children's Nap Quilts 
• 2 Brynwood Clutch Wallets
• 4 Project Totes
• 2 Cross Body Handbags
• Homemade Cookies/Candies

As I said, I may add or subtract from this list as I work my way through it, but this is a beginning. I'll also be purchasing a few items from others, and we always do something special for our sons.

I guess I'd better get busy today. If you need me, you know where I'll be. Tag will catch up with you tomorrow.