First Of The Year Finish...

Brynwood Needleworks - More Decorated Cookies

 

I decorated these cookies before New Year's Eve, but hadn't shared them yet. Here they are. The sugar cookies were iced with a simple butter cream frosting with added almond extract. I love the smell and taste of it!

The other cookies are gingerbread. They make the house smell just like Christmas! I used a textured roller that I'd received as a gift from our younger son's family for my Birthday. They gave me the textured roller, the snowflake cookie cutter, and an assortment of decorating sugars and sprinkles. They knew I'd started cookie making again, so they had the perfect gifts for me! 

 

I used the textured roller for the gingerbread, so I just iced the cookies along the impressions. It couldn't have been simpler, and the effect is pretty cool, right?

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Festive Table Runner

We got together with #1 son and his family on Christmas Day (remember Tag's little excursion?), and we're going to spend Sunday with #2 son and his family. I knew I could pace myself in the studio, because I had an extra week after Christmas.

I started this table runner a year ago as a gift for this same daughter-in-law, so I decided it was past time I get it done! I finished assembly yesterday, and was comfortable enough to be able to quilt and hand bind it. It's a large runner for their large table. It measures 55" long by 20" wide. I backed it with the same oak leaf fabric on the front border, and I love it, and hope she does, too.

I hope all of you had a safe and happy new year celebration. I'm preparing our traditional Christmas meal on Sunday. I ordered a pork crown roast, and will make a fennel, sausage and wild rice stuffing for it. Roast potatoes and a vegetable will round out the meal. I'm planning a raspberry cake dessert, or perhaps cranberry cake. I'll decide today. For now, I think I'll go crochet a little more popcorn! After my morning coffee, of course! (Some things never change. giggle)

Studio Time...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Flora and Fauna" Zip Bags

I finally spent a few hours in the studio over the weekend. It was really nice to concentrate on a project, and then work until I completed it (them).

 

I created two "Flora and Fauna" cork zip bags for our granddaughters. I placed their handknit socks inside each one, along with a few other goodies. They'll be able to use them for anything they'd like. Makeup or art supplies. Who knows?

 

We'll see them on January 3rd, and I'll look forward to their reactions when they seem them. Both are nature girls, so I think the print on the cork fabric will be a winner. I backed each one in a different color cork (and lining print) so they'll be able to tell them apart.

 

Baking cookies again today. Simple pleasures. Homekeeping, and creating with love. There's really nothing better. 

More Cookies...

Brynwood Needleworks - Gingerbread Cookies

I made cookies again yesterday. I didn't count how many dozen I actually made (and Handsome is my taste-tester when I bake so sometimes cookies magically disappear lol), but I estimate I made about six dozen cookies (normal sized) and another dozen of the little gingerbread kids.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Black Lab and Corgi Cookies

I took my time, so even though I began around 10 am, I didn't finish what I managed to decorate around 9 pm.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Santas

All the cookies were decorated with royal icing, except the Santas. These were made with a cookie mold, so I wanted to maintain the detail. I used edible, silver luster dust, painted on with quickly evaporating vodka, and then royal icing berries and Santa's eyes, painted on. Lastly, I used an edible paint pen for the leaves.

Brynwood Needleworks - Christmas Bells (Still Need Icing)

I also made Christmas bells, but they'll be iced with regular cookie icing later today. I ran out of gas before I'd finished last night. 

I'm grateful that Handsome handled all the lifting (I have containers for 20# of flour and sugar, and a 5# lifting restriction until March. I couldn't do any other this without his help.) While I decorated, he came to the kitchen and did dishes for me, too. Even so, I was gassed by the time I was finished...and that was even taking breaks throughout the day. 

I'm making French bread and lasagna today. That way, I won't be doing any more work or cooking until after Christmas. I'll just put my feet up and relax the rest of the week. The best part, is that there are finished cookies that will be part of the gifts we share with loved ones over the holidays.

 

Making Popcorn...

Brynwood Needleworks - Crochet Popcorn!

 

You aren't going to believe what I was doing this weekend! Well, okay. I guess the pictures might be giving it away - or if you follow me on Facebook, you'll already know I'm kind of addicted to this. I'm crocheting popcorn!!

Brynwood Needleworks - Crochet Popcorn Detail

 

I happened upon this while grazing around in the crafting groups, so I went on the hunt for instructions. I found a pattern, and a video tutorial. While I have no issues reading knitting patterns, I admit I've been a visual learner from the start, where crochet is concerned. If you're like me, HERE is the link to the video tutorial I used. 

I've already ordered 8mm red, wood beads that I'll be using as spacers to create next year's crochet popcorn garlands.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Holding Crochet Popcorn

I'm holding a couple in my hand so you can get an idea of their size. I used worsted weight cotton yarn called Sugar 'n Cream in white. I purchased worsted weight wool, but I didn't feel that they held their shape as well, so I went back to the Sugar 'n Cream.

I think the best thing about this project (aside from the fact that they really do look like popcorn) is that it's something I can pickup up any time, and I can work on it from now until next year to add something really wonderful to our Christmas tree when I'm finished.

If you're a crochet afficionado, I hope you'll give it a try and let me know what you think. I can't wait to get the beads, and have enough popcorn to start making my first garland! You know I'll show you when I get to that stage!

I got a few other things done over the weekend, but this week Handsome and I will be preparing the last of our gifts. I'm going to be baking, and Handsome is making his last minute purchases and preparations, too. Are you ready yet, or do you still have more to do?

 

So Close...

Brynwood Needleworks - Almost Finished

 

It wasn't for lack of trying, but I didn't quite finish the pink socks. I'll get them done today, and then I'll have a pair of pretty pink socks to gift for Christmas.

 

I have an appointment with my surgeon this afternoon. I'm sure he'll be happy with my post-op progress. See you again tomorrow! I have cookie making on my agenda.