Another Peek...

Done!

 

They'll receive them today, and then I'll share photos, along with other Christmas gifts. It's going to be a busy day. Younger son and family coming in the morning before they leave town for the holidays. Elder son and family for the afternoon before other family members come from out of town to spend the holidays with them.

Handsome and I will have a quiet Christmas together, before we pack up to head to Florida for a while. Music, Florida friends, and warm weather in our future...just like when we lived there. We're really looking forward to our own trip.

My sewing is done for this year, so I'll only be in the studio to play...or not. For now, it's time to relax with our kids. Happy Saturday, to all.

Tuesdays With Tag - A Winter's Nap...

Tag's New Ugg Bed

 Hi, Everybody!

See what I got for Christmas? Mom and Dad gave me a really wonderful new bed. It's an Ugg™ Bed, and it's almost as fuzzy and cuddly as me!

zzzzzzzzzzzz

It's been especially cold lately, so their timin' for this gift was just about right, if you ask me. When they brought it home, they hardly got out of the way before I jumped in to check it out!

Snore

Now, when Mom or Dad don't know where I am, all they have to do is check out the livin' room. They're pretty much guaranteed to find me in my very own new, favorite place to hang out.

Dreamweaver

If I get too warm (which isn't often), I might be stretched out next to it, but it's not long before I'm right back in it.

Mom said it reminds her of the song (with slightly different lyrics) from Rogers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella". (Of course, she's not calling me Cinderella!)

"In my own little corner, in my own little chair bed

I can be whatever I want to be."

My Hedgehog

I hope you don't think I'm rude. My hedgie can keep you company if you want. I feel another power nap comin' on. I can hardly wait until next week to show you what else I got. You're gonna laugh your pants off! Seriously.

Just so you know...Mom took these pictures over a four day period - not all on the same day - and there I am...in my bed every time!

Oh, and don't worry. Mom and Dad have stuff for Bella, too. We'll show you all that pretty soon, too.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

Making Ornaments...

Brynwood Needleworks - Ornament Supplies

 

Remember the sweet ornament I brought home from the Christmas party at Lisa Bongean's house? It got my creative juices flowing!

I went online and found some small vintage jello molds, tiny bottle brush trees and wreaths, and then added a few smalls of my own (including tiny hickory nuts from our yard!). 

I'm looking forward to spending a few hours in the studio, making up a few ornaments, over the weekend. I may even add a few to my shop when I'm done. I know a few will definitely go on our tree for a few days yet this year, and will then be added to our collection for coming holiday celebrations.

I can't be in the studio - or even at home - today. I'll tell you all about it as soon as I'm able.I'll be taking one of my portable projects to work on while I'm away. I hope to finish the Kathy Schmitz snowman I've been working on! I have to go, but I'll be back tomorrow. 

 

Stay warm and may your day be filled with creative pursuits!

A Wonderfully Nutty Gift...

Tennessee Pecans

 

I received a wonderful surprise before Christmas from my blog friend, Jody, in Tennessee. She mailed a package containing hollyhock seeds from her garden to ours; a delicious heirloom tomato; and a nice cache of these paperweight pecans from a farm local to her.

I placed them in a pretty red and white transferware bowl for the holidays, but decided it was time to shell them so I can add them to my next baking project. Of course, I had to taste one or two as I opened them up!

 

Shelled Tennessee Pecans

 

These can be opened up by hand, but I chose to save my thumbs and lightly use a regular nutcracker to make my job even easier. In the end, I had more than a pint of shelled nuts. I placed them into one of my beautiful blue vintage Mason jars to store until I'm ready to use them.

 

Thank you for your generous gifts, Jody! I hope you enjoy the package, filled with goodies, that I sent back to you last week. Thanks also, for the blessing of your friendship.

I'm spending time with Handsome this week before he heads back to Florida (and Bella). My studio projects and frankly, everything else, can wait until after he returns to his southern commitments. God first, family second and studio third. That means I'm enjoying every moment with him that I'm able. I'll get back to work after the 30th.

Merry Christmas!...

Web Image

I'm spending the day with family today, but I wanted to drop in and wish you a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

I also wanted to show you two new jams I made over the weekend. They're both meant to be poured over cream cheese or (my favorite) goat cheese, and served with your favorite crackers.

Cranberry Jalapeno Jam

Cranberry Jalapeno Jam is tart with just a hint of heat. I found the recipe by searching the internet. This one calls for apple cider vinegar, but I used white wine vinegar, making it just a bit less sweet.

Garlic-Onion Jelly

This recipe for Garlic-Onion Jelly is another winner from my online friend, Mary Marshall over at Cooking with Mary and Friends. It's not just another pretty jelly, either. It's so delicious.

Neither of these recipes takes a long time to prepare or process. (Just remember to use gloves when working with the jalapenos!)

These will be on our table today as we gather to celebrate the reason for the season. I hope today fills your heart and home with love and laughter...and that blessings abound for you and yours.

Jammies For The Boy...

 

Grammie's Jammies For Grandson - Fly Detail

We had another great evening last night, this time at our elder son's home. We were there to celebrate our grandson's Birthday. In addition to taking his Birthday gift, we took along his jammies for Christmas Eve. (We'll see them again on Christmas Day, so it was good we took them with us today.) Better yet, was that we were able to see him open the package and react to his gifts.

This is the first year I've sewn a fly into the pajama pants. (I wonder why I hadn't done this a few years ago!) Although I haven't sewn one before, the pattern was detailed and it was simple to do.

Grammie's Jammies - Pocket Detail

The pattern also called for side pockets, making these pj pants almost "loungers", instead of simple sleep pants. His reaction upon opening it couldn't have been nicer. He loved the soft fabric, and thought the print was great.

Grammie's Jammies

Then, he went upstairs and put them on to model them for me us. Every year, our grandkids' parents email or text the measurements to me. Again, the jammies were a perfect fit. I also add enough to the length so that the hems can be let down, leaving room for growth. 

It was such a relaxing night with family, and the holidays aren't over yet. We're looking forward to more time with them, and with friends, before Handsome has to head back to Florida. 

 

Today, one of our friends is coming to take our "official" 2017 Christmas/New Year card photos. We always enjoy that, and we've got some good ideas for location and theme. I'll let you know how it goes!

Good Tired...

Corgi Sleigh Team

 

The holiday celebrations have begun. The jammies are made and our girls are so tickled with theirs. I'll have photos of them after they wear them on Christmas Eve. We had a perfect day with them and their parents. 

We got back home late last night...took stock of the day and how much fun we had...and then turned out the lights. The best kind of day...ending "good tired". 

Today is our grandson's Birthday. We'll be celebrating with him and his folks later today...and again, our hearts will be full of gratitude for the special time we spend with our loved ones. It's truly the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year"!

Girls' Jammies...

For Granddaughter #1

I've finished our girls' jammies and nearly finished the ones I'm making for our grandson. I just need to insert elastic into the waistband casing, and hem the bottoms. So close! I'll finish them this morning and they'll be ready to wrap.

For Granddaughter #2

 

I cut these all out on Tuesday, and they were ready to sew yesterday. The first pair took a bit of time (following directions), but the second onsie was finished in less than an hour! They're already packed up and wrapped.

 

This year was a bit of a learning curve for our grandson's jammies. It's the first time I'm making pj pants with a fly. (In retrospect, I guess I should have done this sooner.) I cut out the pattern, prepped all the pieces and got right after it. I really enjoy learning new things, and this was no exception. I'll share pictures of his gift tomorrow. 

This evening will be our first Christmas celebration with family. Let the fun begin!

Back In The Studio...

Living Room Console

 

I'm back in the studio, making jammies for our grandchildren. Handsome is settling back in at the farm and decompressing from his trip north. (He's getting acclimated to our Wisconsin weather, too. Thankfully, it's been mild since he got here.)

 

I waited with the last decorating touch until he got home. Each year, we unpack his parents' vintage Santa mug and pitcher set. We keep it stored in the same turkey box that once held a Thanksgiving bird from his dad's employer (UPS). I purposely waited until he got home to set it out.

 

I added the inside compass and console on the north wall of the living room after he left for Florida, so he hadn't seen it until got back home. It seemed the perfect place to display our Santa set. We'll serve egg nog or hot, spiced apple cider in them when we visit with friends and family in the next week.

 

I'll be finishing the jammies for our kiddos today, and wrapping them to give to them in time for Christmas Eve. I will have a few other projects to finish before Christmas, but they'll be projects that won't cause any pressure on our end. We want to be sure to enjoy each others company while he's home, and the reason for the season. It really is about family for us.

 

For now, I'm setting up my serger and getting after it right away this morning. I'll share photos tomorrow.

Piggy Poll and Projects Update...

Time To Choose A Name

I'm adding a poll to my sidebar today. I got so many great name ideas, that I'm glad I don't have to choose one myself. I'll leave the poll up until Saturday, so everyone who wants to vote will have a chance.

NOTE: If you read my posts on your phone, you'll need to get on the web version to see the poll. 

I've kept track of everyone who left a name comment, so the person(s) whose name is chosen will get a gift from me. I'll let you know your prize via email, and will post if for everyone to see after Christmas.

Destiny On Break

For the first year, I've done absolutely nothing in the studio two weeks from Christmas. I've been so excited about Handsome coming home for the holidays, and I've had so much fun decorating and making treats, that I haven't been sewing. I just want to be honest with you. I'm not always an overachiever, and I don't always meet my goals. Not always.

The good thing is I'm not going to stress over this. I'm going to change up my plans. Of course, there will be Grammie's Jammies, but I'm going shopping with Handsome for the rest. I'll revisit my holiday sewing plans after the first of January, and plan to have everything done well before Christmas next year so that I just have to make Jammies at the end (our grandchildren grow by leaps and bounds from one month to the next!).

I know it's more important to spend time with family and friends than it is to stress making every gift. I'm not simply justifying my lack of sewing mojo either. This year, there will be gift baskets, filled with tasty treats from our garden and kitchen. So, I did make things, right? Right! 

Handsome arrives early this evening. Tag and I are heading to the airport to pick him up, and our Christmas begins as soon as I see his smile. Officially.

Christmas Collage...

Christmas At Hickory Hill Farm

 

I've been having so much fun decorating the farmhouse for Christmas this year! We gave away many of our decorations before moving south all those years ago. We kept our family tree ornaments and treasured pieces that belonged to Handsome's parents, or were our own from childhood.

Part of the joy was bringing all those pieces into our holiday decorating, but I've had fun finding new pieces to add to them. I've found a fabulous beaded tree and the Santa in the lower left corner of this collage in two different antique shops in Plymouth. 

The beaded tree is nearly thirty inches tall, and it sparkles like ice at night. The Santa is actually a planter, and it's surprisingly heavy.  It's also large, and I had to ask twice to see if the price was correct. Suffice it to say it was a steal! 

I have a few other pieces that I'll share soon. I'm doing a little up-cycling on them, but won't finish them until after my sewing is done. The "Lodge" print is the flannel fabric I'll be using for grandson's jammies this year. If it said "Farm", I'd be making throw pillows for the sofa with it! It's so soft and comfortable.

I'm not going to share photos of the jammies until after the kids get them for Christmas Eve, but I'll show you the other projects as I finish them. "...and miles to go before I sleep." Where are those elves, now?

Tuesdays With Tag - Decoratin' The Yard...

Tag and Electric Tag

 Hi, Everybody!

Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry, Merry, and all that stuff.

Look what Mom got for me! It's a lighted yard Corgi. I saw it and ran up onto the upper yard to check it out. I had to decide if I was gonna play with it, or p... 

"TAG!!!"

Ooops. Sorry, Mom. Well, you guys know what I meant. I decided to play with it, but aside from its electric personality, it doesn't show much signs of life.

Lighted Fluffy Corgi

There's a cool story to go with this guy. Mom saw that a bunch of her Facebook Corgi friends were gettin' these from Walmart, so she went online to see about gettin' one.

At the time she looked, there were only two left in our area (or whole state!). One was in Portage, WI - the city where Mom used to work - and where she has such good friends there considered family. She contacted her girlfriend, and guess what? They were headin' to Walmart that day and said they'd check!

They texted us to tell us that they got it, and within a couple of days the UPS driver dropped off our decoration! Mom and I put it up right away.

Doesn't it look great at night? We worried a little about it blowin' away, 'cuz it gets crazy windy around here, but Mom staked it down good and it hasn't even wiggled! Kinda looks like he's tryin' to put a present in Santa's sleigh!

Hickory Hill Farm Christmas Lights

We really like the icicle lights on the porch. We can see them all the way over on the next road! They're nice and bright...and give the farmhouse a nice, warm glow.

Hickory Hill Farm Christmas Lights

We've almost finished decoratin' the house, and it's a good thing, too. Dad flies home on Monday!!! I'm pretty excited about it. I'm tryin' to decide if I'm gonna jump all over him, or wait 'til he's sittin' down and give him a wet willy! I think I'll wait and decide at the last minute. (I might even do both!)

I've gotta run. I've got stuff to do between now and then, and I'm burnin' daylight right now. 

"Sleigh bells ring...Are ya listenin'? In the lane...snow is glistenin'. A beautiful sight, we're waggin' tonight. Walkin' in a winter wonderland." (Mom loves that song, and she even sings the harmonies. "Storm, storm, storm".) hee hee

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

Ready To Ship...

Brynwood Needleworks - Corgi On Tote and Wallet Set

  I had a productive weekend.  I'll be shipping off this "Corgi On Tote and Wallet Set" to my client today.

This tote is my own design. It has a long, open pocket and a zippered pocket on the outside. Inside, I've created the same pocket configuration, and added a D-ring and a long tab with a clasp at the end to hold keys. The complete set includes the tote and a wallet; wallet shoulder and wrist straps; and a key fob. 

This is the last set I'll create in 2017. I have one more commission to do, and then I'll be making Christmas gifts. I do have a listing for a set like this in my online shop, but I won't make it until after December 30th. Remember, I'm putting my shop on vacation on December 18th, so if you'd like to order a set for yourself (and be first on my list in the new year), you'll want to order before that date.

Today, I'm working with red cork. I'll be making a Grab & Go Clutch, with a matching Half Pint Case and Needle Case. When I'm finished with that set, I have a Wool Acorn Ornament to make for a party I'm attending tomorrow. We're having an ornament exchange, so I decided to make one of my own design (you can find the pattern in my "Free Patterns and Tutorials" link at the top of my blog in the menu bar).

It's going to be a busy day, so I'd better get started!

Short And Sweet...

2017 Christmas Projects List

   

I got 18 thread changes into my corgi embroidery (the first of two for a commission) yesterday, only to have to toss it. Some days it just doesn't go by the book.

I'm starting fresh today and will complete both of the two I need before lunch. Then, I'll start assembly of the wallet and tote that's calling for them.

Above, you'll see my Christmas projects list. One of the lap quilt tops is already finished, so I just need to quilt and bind that one. The second one is in assembled pieces, so I need to sew that one together first, and then quilt and bind it. Everything else is yet to be started. I'll choose fabrics and begin sewing in "the workshop" by Sunday morning, and my goal is to have everything sewn (as I said yesterday), by the time Handsome is home on the 18th.

I'll show photos every day, so you can see how I'm doing, and what I have left. I'll also check off my list as I go, so we can keep score together. If you need me, you'll know where to look! 

Better get started. See you tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Calling All Elves...

New Metal Brynwood Badge

 

I'm going to be working in the studio all day today. I have Christmas orders to fill, and plan to get everything shipped out by December 15th. I'll be putting my shop on vacation from December 17-January 1 so I can enjoy time with Handsome, our family, and friends while he's in Wisconsin.

I received new metal badges that I'll be using on my handbags and select accessories. They're antique brass to match my favorite hardware color, and my logo is laser etched onto the metal. I'm looking forward to using them, and they'll go on the projects I'm working on today.

 

I'm also going to share my Christmas sewing list with you tomorrow. Once I finish the orders, I'll start on those gifts. I also want to have all of that work completed before Handsome flies home. 

 

If you've been reading my posts for a while, you know that once my list is set, I manage to get my sewing done in record time...and that's when my husband was home while I worked. As long as I remember to air out and feed Tag, I can just keep at it until all the gifts are finished, wrapped and under the tree. I don't even have the deadline to ship them this year! 

Follow along as the elves and I (and my little fairy dog) ramp up Santa's Workshop for another year!

Christmas Decorating At The Farm...

Tree Ornaments

 

Saturday morning began with me unpacking Christmas decor that we've had stored since our move to Florida seventeen years ago. When we lived there, we chose a different direction for our decorating, choosing tropical blue hues, starfish and silver ribbons over our traditional northern colors.

 

I was so excited to start unpacking 36 years of Handsome's and my life together. We have a whole ornament trunk, filled to the brim with ornaments we've chosen and hung together. So many old favorites (including the glass ornament of Handsome, Kes, Fezzik and me in the center of this picture) that brought a smile to my face as I lovingly placed each one on this year's tree. I can't wait for him to walk in the door to see what will welcome him back to the farm for the holidays.

 

Dining Room Decorations

I set our beautiful Nativity set up on the table in front of our large dining room window. Remembering the Bible story of the Star in the East, our nativity is set up on the east wall of our home. 

Our tree is standing next to the front porch door, which we don't use in the winter. As it comes straight into the house from the porch, and the porch stairs lead to our front yard (with no driveway access), we just keep it closed until spring. It's a perfect place to place the Christmas tree, between the living and dining rooms.

Christmas Table Decorations

I placed a vintage crocheted tablecloth on our teak table, and then topped that with a table runner I made last year. My recently created Advent wreath, candles and our Christmas cactus sit on that.

 

Built-In China Cabinet

Our built-in china cabinet is on the wall across from the front window. It holds all our English transferware, flow blue and wedding china; my Toby jug collection; crystal and glassware that belonged to Handsome's parents so many years ago; and my collection of Royal Copenhagen collector plates (including yellow and black Labrador retrievers and Pembroke Welsh Corgi!). Once our kitchen is remodeled, the collector plates will go into the kitchen.

I chose to put all our family Christmas stockings here. (I realized I need to purchase two more for our girls!), and Handsome and my stockings (which we've both had since childhood) hang in the living room.

Our Tree

I so love how the tree turned out that I had to share a couple more pictures of it! The tree skirt was my first real quilted project. I took a class from a long-closed quilt shop in Fond du Lac in 1984. 

Mom (Grace) was working there at the time. I signed up for the class and I was the only student in that time slot. I had the full benefit of Mom's teaching skill, as she showed me how to cut, arrange and assemble the pieces to get me started. I think it was supposed to be a two-session class, but I finished it the same day and it went under our tree that first year Handsome and I were married.

It's been under every tree (no matter the decor) of our married life all these years. December marks the celebration of thirty three blessed years as husband and wife. 

 

More Ornaments

The barn ornament (right above my watermark) and the red snare drum (on the upper right side of the picture) are new additions this year. There's also a new Green Bay Packer glass helmet ornament that was a gift from our long-time Wisconsin realtor and good friend, Jim. That one can't be seen in this image, though. I think we'll also choose three new, special ornaments for each of our grandchildren to add to the tree this year.

We'll fill the farmhouse again with love and laughter as our friends and family gather together for our very first full Christmas here at the farm. It may be cold and snowy outside, but it will be warm and wonderful inside.