I'm Feeling A Little Cross-Eyed...

Brynwood Needleworks -  New Patterns

 

I spent the entire day in my studio yesterday...at my computer. I began by editing my photos from making the chicken pincushions and my new Shop Hop Crossbody Bag. Then, I began the long and intense process (at least for me) of writing the patterns to create them.

If I missed a step in my sewing images, I went back to the machine and recreated it for the pattern. I spent an entire eight hours going back and forth, and then asking Handsome to proof my copy for me. Thankfully, I only had one typo, and a paragraph written when I was near the end, that made absolutely no sense. It's all fixed now, and these are ready to market in the next few days.

I have one more pattern to write, but I'm going to need to make another model, photographing as I go, before I can begin to work up the pattern. It's supposed to rain today, so I may be able to get it done.

Tonight is Handsome's first summer concert. He's going to be playing the drum set on a number of pieces. For that reason, I'm hoping the rain holds off until well into this evening. If it rains, they perform in a building at the fairgrounds. If the weather is nice, they perform in a band shell under the stars. I'm sure you know my preference, so let's cross our fingers.

My Brynwood email server will be undergoing some changes between last Thursday and the 18th of this month. It's a long, boring story, so I'm not going to share it, but if you've sent an email my way and I haven't replied to it, please know that I'm having some technical difficulties, and will do my best to locate and respond to my personal emails. 

My studio rooms look like a bomb went off in them, so cleanup may be my first order of business...or I may just go back to bed for a while. I'll decide after my morning coffee.

Meanwhile, In The Studio...

Brynwood Needleworks - Shop Hop Convertible Tote

While I'm trying to get my "updated, new and improved" webmail server back online, I've been busy in the studio. I've been working on projects for the Wisconsin Shop Hop, and more specifically, Primitive Gatherings.

Much of the fabric I'm using is exclusive to Lisa's shop, and she put out a call for participants (from our Sit & Sew group). The deadline really sneaked up on me, so it was a busy two days.

The first thing I made is a modification of the Bella Tote I've been making primarily in cork. For this bag, I mixed it up a bit. I used cork fabric on the lower part of the tote, and all of the shop hop fabrics on the upper and interior portions.

Brynwood Needleworks - Shop Hop Convertible Tote Open

I also made it so that it looks more like a purse when it's snapped, and it becomes a market tote when the sides are unsnapped.

Because I'm creating the patterns for the pieces I'm making, I wanted to keep the hardware simple, so that anyone could easily find the supplies needed to create it.

Brynwood Needleworks - Shop Hop Convertible Tote Interior Fabric

Don't you love the interior fabric? It's the UW-Wisconsin red and white, and this fabric has all kinds of words to signify something Wisconsin.

Brynwood Needleworks - Shop Hop Crossbody Bag

The second piece I've created is a great little crossbody bag. I'm going to be making these for my shop, and they'll have a great price point. I'll make a few in the Wisconsin Shop Hop fabrics, but the rest will be in cork fabric. This is my own pattern, and I'm hoping to be able to teach others how to make it, too.

These bags are great to carry your larger cell phones, along with the things you usually want to keep with you. I purposely made the front pocket large enough for my iPhone, and it's plenty roomy for that.

Brynwood Needleworks - Shop Hop Crossbody Bag - Back

 

The back of this bag is grey cork fabric. I really love the color, and it's perfect for this line of fabrics. 

 

I met my deadline, and all the pieces were delivered yesterday. In fact, they were headed straight for the photographer's. I'll write the patterns over the weekend, and convey them to the shop on Monday. Another job done. Now, if only my computer upgrade issues could be resolved so easily. Maybe today will be the day?

Here A Chick, There A Chick...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chicken Pincushions

 

Working on a special project these days. My first installment is these two little chickies. You'll begin to see the theme over the next week. I'll just leave it at that for now. 

I spent time outside, too, yesterday. I purchased a new contraption that became a feeding station for the hummingbirds - away from the porch. I want to make sure they're completely comfortable going to another location before the porch demolition begins. They watched me install it, move the feeders, and were already feeding there by late afternoon. I'll get photos for you when I can. That apple tree is a busy, busy place!

Bluebirds are building a nest in one of the houses, orioles (Baltimore and orchard) are going through nearly a jar of grape jelly every other day(!!!), and I'm refilling the other feeders almost as often. I don't mind one bit. They make me smile. Seems I have birds inside and out these days! 

I'm a little scattered lately. Nice weather is tugging at me to go outdoors, and projects require me to be inside. I have to focus, otherwise I just freeze up and do nothing...and you know that's not me. I think today, I'll begin with my coffee on the porch, and then head back to the studio to work on a project. I'll see how that works, and I'll let you know tomorrow. Fingers crossed.