Playing In The Studio...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Alice's Teacup" Pincushions

 

Handsome and I put up our outdoor Christmas lights yesterday, and then I went to the studio to work on a commission. When I'm finished, there will be five of these Alice's Teacup Pincushions for my client. The dormouse is sitting on her teaspoon, and the cushion is filled with organic wool. I made the silk ribbon roses to embellish the area above the handles.

 

Today, we have an appointment in the morning, and after we get back home, I'll be working on three more bag orders. I won't be taking on any new commissions now, so I can get my Christmas gift sewing done, too. I'll be back to business as usual after Christmas. Of course, my shop will remain open, and the ready-mades will go out as ordered.

I'll share more decorating photos later in the week, as we "deck out" the farmhouse. Are you already decorated, or are you behind waiting like I am?

Number 35 - Alice's Rabbit...

Brynwood Needleworks - 35 Alice's Rabbit

I finished another commission yesterday.

This is my thirty-fifth wallet!

I'm calling it "Alice's Rabbit" to honor the recipient...

a self-proclaimed "Crazy Bunny Lady".

The front of the wallet features the Mad Tea Party, and I'm using a new magnetic closure. I think it's a really classy-looking clasp and I hope the new owner loves it, too.

Brynwood Needleworks - 35 Alice's Rabbit (Interior)

The inside flap is an image of Alice sleeping, with the Jabberwocky, a

little piglet and a rabbit looking on. Stars line the interior of the wallet.

Brynwood Needleworks - 35 Alice's Rabbit (Back Pocket Feature)

I've added a new feature to this wallet. It has a back pocket with a

security tab, which provides a bit of extra storage for the user.
I think I'll be incorporating this feature in my future wallets. 

Of course, there are matching wristlet and shoulder straps, 

plus a "Mad Tea-Party" key fob to go with the set.

Brynwood Needleworks - 35 Alice's Rabbit (Zipper Pull)

I completed this wallet with a handcrafted (not by me) zipper pull that features Alice and the Mad Hare. Of course, you can see that the Cheshire Cat made his appearance in the design, too.

 

The only thing left for me to do is apply the Scotchgard to protect the fabric from surface dirt. Once dry (later this morning), I'll wrap it up and send it on its way to its new owner. 

Then, I'll be starting my guild challenge piece (due at our next meeting on November 17th). I'd better get cracking!

A Wallet Down The Rabbit Hole...

Brynwood Needleworks - Alice

It's hard to believe November is already under way. I am going to be busy in the studio this month in an effort to beat the holiday rush this year.

This week will be a week of finishes. I've already put the final touches on the Hedwig socks; final work will be done on the commissioned machine embroidery today; also, I'll make another requested "Baa Baa" project tote in gray linen; and then, an Alice wallet for another client. 

 

My plan is to have these items finished by Wednesday, and then I'll be sprinkling in more pieces before the end of the week. 

 

November will surely be exciting, and I promise I'll be sharing everything along the way. I hope to share some of my processes with you, too. Stay tuned. I might even toss in a giveaway!

Tag will be back tomorrow. I'll be back on Wednesday!

February Blissfull ATC Swap - Alice in Wonderland...

What a perfect theme for our February Blissfull ATC Swap Group. It was "Alice in Wonderland". My partner was Celia of Adventures of the Striped Stocking. I knew right away what I wanted to do!

I grabbed some of my favorite Alice in Wonderland fabric and cut and stitched and glued until it looked just the way I wanted it to. I added a tiny bottle filled with sparkling beads, and attached it to a ribbon which I glued into the seam of the card. Then added a tiny note that said, "Drink me". My final touch was an old clock button I had in my box.

I put together an assortment of goodies for Celia, including a Moda charm pack (5" squares), snippets of Alice fabric, threads, tags, ribbon and pages of decals. I sure hope that she likes them!

Celia and I were exactly on the same wavelength!!! I'm telling you, it was uncanny. Look what she created for me! Nearly the same images, but she added type from the book, which I really love! And if you look at the edge trim from the front, it reminds you a little bit of rickrack, but...

look what I found when I turned her card over! Beautiful red hearts. Just like Alice's Queen of Hearts! It's clever and pretty!

When Celia's package arrived, I was surprised to see that it was a rather large padded envelope. Look what was inside. She included beaded trims, large pieces of two coordinated (and totally fabulous) fabrics and a pin wrapped in lace.

Thank you for such wonderful surprises to accompany my beautiful new atc, Celia. I love everything you sent to me! It was a grand swap, indeed.

Thanks also to Wendy at Blissfull ATC Swap blog. Her tireless work to organize our swaps does not go unnoticed. If you'd like to see the other cards, just click here to go to the list of links.

 I'm off to the quilt shop this morning, but today, I'm going with my friend, Tammy. After our coffee group, she and I will be heading to an art show in Sarasota. I think we're going to have a grand day, don't you? I'll try to get some pictures to share with you next week.

A reminder...If you haven't entered my 1000th Post Giveaway yet, be sure to click here to go to that post and drop your name in the proverbial hat. Gotta run!

Cherish Friends...

I received a package in the mail on Tuesday from Twyla and Lindsey of Two Crazy Crafters. I had entered their giveaway during the Mad Tea Party blog event. (Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist was the gracious hostess of the Mad Tea Party.) They were offering a beautiful tag made by Twyla's daughter, Lindsey...and I won!
They have a beautiful, vintage-flavored blog, and share their love of Barbie Dolls, vintage treasures and Twyla and Lindsey's handwork. I've become friends with them over the past year, and Twyla and I have exchanged gifts with each other over that time. When they notified me that I'd won their drawing, I expected an envelope which would contain the fabulous, magical Alice tag, but this was a box! Ohhhhhh, I love surprises!
Here is Lindsey's beautiful tag, which already has a spot of honor on my inspiration board in the studio. Lindsey works at a scrapbook store and regularly shares her talent for paper assembly on their blog. Thank you, Lindsey for such a lovely Alice keepsake! It's really a treasure!
I was so surprised to find a crocheted pincushion that Twyla made for me! Girlfriend, you know I love pincushions, and this one is perfect for the studio! It's on top of the pattern cabinet, along with the pincushions made by Dawn (The Feathered Nest) and Shell (The Raspberry Rabbits). I'm going to be using it, for sure, but for now, I'm going to look at it and remember the friend who created it for me.

Finally, the girls tucked the acorn tile (at the top of this post) into the box. Do these gals know me, or do these girls know me? I've hung the tile up in the studio and smile every time I look at the words that appear on it (Cherish Friends). I really do cherish all my friends. Thank you, Twyla and Lindsey.

P.S. This is a link to a few of the wedding photos taken of my cousin, Nate and his bride, Chelsea in Wisconsin last weekend. I'm so glad I was there!

Karly Jo Photography has a blog (My Picture Life) with lots of beautiful images of other photo shoots, but the photographer caught the essence of this couple perfectly!

I know that the albums she creates for them and their folks will be a real reminder of a perfect wedding on a beautiful day.

Spending The Day With Alice...

If you've dropped by today to tour my studio,

please click here.

Yesterday, I spent the day in my studio working on a couple of
special orders. The first project was an Alice In Wonderland cushion.
I'll be shipping it out to its new home today.

I also had an order for an Alice Needle Keep, but the recipient
doesn't care for The Mad Hatter, so she requested a different fabric.
I was happy to oblige, and this is the fabric I chose for her piece.
Alice is on the front and the Queen of Hearts is featured on the back.

I'll ship this out today, as well.

I also want to share the sweetest ATC I received in the mail on Monday.
Sandy of Vintage Sandy hand stitched this sweet fabric art piece for me.
Hers is in the mail today and winging its way to Ohio. I hope she likes it!

Today, I'll be completing my "Rush" project to debut on Friday
for the Bloggerette's Sorority. This event is hosted by
Karen at Some Days Are Diamonds. There's still time to sign up, but
you'd better hurry. I'm pretty excited to show you my creation, but I
have to wait until the rest of my Sorority sisters join in the fun.

I hope you have a creative day...I'm off to the studio!
Marie at Lost Bird Studio is celebrating her 100th post
with a generous giveaway. Click on the photo to enter.
Deadline is June 27th!

My First Blog Birthday Celebration Winners...

Well, the big day is finally here! I really wish I could have given a little something to everyone who entered, but rest assured, I'll have another cool giveaway soon! So, without further delay, I'd like to announce all the winners of my Alice in Wonderland-themed First Blog Birthday Celebration...

The winner of Alice's Necklace is
Jann from A Vintage Heart
The THREE Winners of Alice's Teacup Pincushions are:
Theresa from Faerie Moon Creations
Cath U from Cathron Country
and
Lisa from Tarnished and Tattered

There are SIX Winners of Alice's Bookmarks.
Here are the winners:
Andi's English Attic
Shirley from Shirleystitches
Dee Dee from Dee Dee's Craftspot*
Brenda from Ladybug Dreams
Snap from Tales From Twisty Lane
and
Marcie from The Rustic Victorian*
Last, but certainly not least,
There are FOUR Winners of Alice's Needle Keeps.
They are:
Rose from Bella Rosa
Missy from Crafting With Cat Hair
Kim from Starshine Chic
and
Nelly from Bella Nella's

Congratulations to all the winners. Now, I need each of you to contact me with your full name and address. Please put "WINNER'S ADDRESS" in the subject line so I don't miss your message. If I put an asterisk (*) after your name, I already have your address and will have your gift on its way to you this week.

If I don't hear back from you by Friday, I'll draw a new name and you'll miss out on your prize.

Please click on each winner's link to visit their beautiful blogs and congratulate them!

I've posted my first entry on Button Floozies! You can read it here.

It's True. I'm A Floozie...

I was accepted as a contributor to Button Floozies blog yesterday! I'm pretty excited to be associated with this group of bloggers who all share my interest in these small items that are so fascinating in their diversity and beauty. I'm working on my first entry, and promise to let you know when I add a post there.

If you love buttons as I do, you'll enjoy visiting the Floozies, and seeing our latest creations. Handsome says I look like Scrooge McDuck in his counting house when I sit down and sort through my buttons. Now, he can just call me a "Button Floozie"!

You can click on the Floozie header photo or the blog name above to visit all of the Floozies with whom I'll be sharing button-lovin' space.

Today is the last day for you to sign up for my
Alice in Wonderland First Blog Birthday Celebration Giveaway!
You must go to THIS POST to enter.
It won't count if you leave a comment on today's post.
You have until 9 pm et today to enter.
Good luck to everyone! I wish I had a little something for each of you!

Thank you to everyone who sent good wishes for Kes. The vet liked the new x-rays today, as they showed less intrusion from the tumor than the x-rays from the weekend. She's going to show the films to a few specialists and we'll probably start with a little needle biopsy to confirm whether its benign or not. After we have that answer, we'll decide how to proceed.

Mad Hatters and Dormice...

All the Alice in Wonderland gifts are finished and waiting to go to new homes. Teacups with dormice, Mad Hatter's Tea Party needle keeps, bookmarks, and that beautiful necklace, which I can't wait to share with the lucky winners.

You still have until 9 pm on March 31st to enter.
Don't be late! The party will be ending soon!
**You have to go to THIS POST to enter**
I'll announce the celebration winners in my April 1st post.

Ginger at Bearbits is having a giveaway and it also ends on the 31st.
Click on Blossom bear to visit her blog to enter.

If you go to my giveaway page, you can find out who the winners were for all the recent giveaways I linked to for you.

Thanks to everyone for the compliments on my new sweater. I really appreciate all your kind words.

Handsome and I are taking Kes to her vet appointment today. I'll let you know what we find out tomorrow. We're saying our prayers around here...and Kessie is getting lots of loving attention these days.

It's My First Blog Birthday...

Today is Brynwood blog's FIRST Birthday! I started writing to you on March 15, 2009, and I have written a total of 326 posts! I never knew when I started, how much joy and how many new friendships this endeavor would bring my way.

The celebration is about to begin and I'm so excited! I've been waiting for you! This party is by invitation for my followers, but they can invite their friends, too. So if you're a guest who isn't a follower yet, you'll want to sign up right away. It's ok. There's still time! It's going to be a grand time!I've set the table with tea and cookies, but you'll also find among the party hats and refreshments, all kinds of goodies that I'll be sharing with some lucky followers when I draw names at the end of March.

Because it's March, and because Alice has visited Brynwood before, I couldn't think of a better theme than Alice in Wonderland. Many of my gifts feature Alice, The March Hare, The Dormouse and The Mad Hatter himself! So, the first thing I want you to do is grab your party hats. Hmmmm, should I wear this one?

or do you think this one is more "me"?

(I know...you're all gonna tell me how much
I look like my mum again, aren't you?)

Now, to show you the gifts I'll be sharing for this celebration...

My dear friend, Lenore, makes the most beautiful jewelry. I'm going to share one of her handcrafted crystal heart necklaces with you in Alice's favorite blue and white...just like her dress and pinafore! One lucky winner will receive this necklace from me.

With the exception of this necklace (and the b/w Alice charms I used for the bookmarks) all other prizes have been handcrafted by moi - Mrs. Brynwood Birthday Girl, myself!

THREE lucky followers will win one of Alice's Teacup Pincushions!

Each teacup pincushion is embellished with French silk ribbon roses and velvet leaves, with a tiny clock button on a creamy fabric. There is tea-dyed crocheted lace around the edge of each cup, and look! Under the edge of the cup...sitting on a tiny demitasse spoon is a little mouse. The dormouse is brown, and I could only find white mice. So, I painted them brown for the pincushions, but I had to put a mouse on Alice's Teacup Pincushion! After all, The Dormouse slept in a teacup at the Hatter's party!

I know how much y'all like to read, so I've made Alice in Wonderland velvet ribbon bookmarks, too. Each one is different with a different "Alice" charm on each end of the ribbon. SIX lucky followers will win one each!

It seems that my Brynwood Needle Keeps were a big hit last time I had them in a giveaway, so I've made FOUR Brynwood Needle Keeps with an Alice in Wonderland theme. I used Alice fabric outside and inside each one, and I added my signature acorn charm to the inside.

I'm even going to add a Queen of Hearts stickpin

inside each pin keep for each of the winners!

So, let's get this party started!

You can only win if you publicly follow Brynwood Needleworks.
After all, you've had to listen to me carry on throughout this first year.
There should be some special chance at compensation for you, right?

The Fine Print:
If you're already a Brynwood follower (or want to become a follower now):

• Leave a comment on this post only for one entry in the drawings. I'd love to know you're favorite thing(s) in the giveaway.
• Leave another comment (here only, too) if you post my giveaway on your blog - or put my celebration button on your sidebar.

That's it.

This drawing will close on March 31st at 9 pm ET.
I'll choose the winners using Random.org,
using the well-known Random Number Generator.
I will announce the winners on April 1st...
and I promise there won't be any April Fools!

You may use any photographs in this post for your blog -
and feel free to take the Celebration button, too for your sidebar.
Don't forget to link it back to this post!

If you don't have a blog, be sure to leave an email address or another way for me to reach you if you win. I'll draw another name from The Mad Hatter's hat if I don't know how to find you.

By my count, there will be a total of FOURTEEN sweet winners in this giveaway celebration. Good luck to all of you. I appreciate each and every one of you every day of my life. Oh, and please do take a cookie before you leave!

3/31/10 - 9:08 pm. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED! THE GIVEAWAY DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED.

You know you can click on any of the photos to enlarge them, right?

By the way - You might want to see what else I've been doing by visiting the Boutique. I have a few Alice-themed goodies over there for sale, too!