A Quilty Finish...

 

A Completed Birthday Quilt

 

I sent this quilt off to be longarmed by the guys at Primitive Gatherings a few weeks ago when my machines flat refused to lend me a hand. Don't tell Jane and Destiny, but I'm glad I did. I asked for an all-over Baptist fan pattern, and they sure delivered! I love the way it looks on the design I executed in French General fabrics. 

As I write this, I've put the final stitches into the binding, and it's ready to be gifted - an "extended" Birthday gift for a loved one. I'll be presenting it today. Yesterday, I was telling my friend, Kathy D. that I was doing the binding so I could give it to the recipient today. Nothing like last minute. Her reply was, "Isn't the the way binding always happens?" She's right. It seems we're always sewing on the binding at the last minute. 

Well, I'm happy this one is finished and I'm looking forward to the reactions. Thanksgiving was quiet, but busy. I was baking, not just for dinner, but also for lunch today. We'll have company for a few hours, so I wanted to make something special. Quiche and cranberry cake are on the menu. 

I'm starting the day much earlier than usual for me, as I'm meeting one of my nieces for an early breakfast. Then off to Wendi's so she can cut my hair. I'll be home just in time to greet our lunch guests. My plan is to take a nap after they leave. 

No Black Friday shopping for me, but I will be working on getting my Etsy shop reopened over the weekend, with some sale pricing for those looking for gift ideas. I'll also list up some items here on Monday with direct purchase links. I guess I'd better be off about my day. I'll be back tomorrow. If you're braving the stores today, stay safe out there!

My Thanksgiving Turkey...

Brynwood Needleworks - Thanksgiving Tag

We all hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I can't say ours was uneventful. Tag gave me a bit of a scare, but he reminded me it's his story to tell. I'll just let you know that he's okay, and he's making all of you wait until Tuesday to tell you - in his own inimitable way - what happened. 

I can say that our celebration was subdued. I shared a midday meal with Andy and Shelly, and took a homemade turtle cheesecake to them for dessert. We ate and visited for an hour or so, and then I came back to the farmhouse and took a nap. 

Sorry I can't tell you more, but Tag would be a real pain if I don't let him tell you all about it. Handsome will be home Sunday, so that's where my attention is right now. He left Florida early this morning, so I'll be keeping in touch with him as he makes his solo trip home. Bella will be beside herself to see him...and so will Tag and I.

You know I don't do Black Friday, so I'll likely spend most of my day in the studio. I'll be back tomorrow to show you what I've been working on. If you're going out, please be safe. 

My Edible Acorns...

The last time I went to Williams-Sonoma, I found something that would provide a perfect Brynwood touch to our Thanksgiving dinner. You know, a girl could get in trouble in that store, so I only make the occasional trip there when I'm in Sarasota. My last trip yielded this fabulous muffin pan. I knew right away that there would be acorn-shaped corn muffins on our Thanksgiving table this year.
A nice little surprise was that cooking the muffins in this tin made the outside of each little muffin slightly crispy. Oh! This would be a perfect pan for brownies, too!

I'm not going to show you photographs of our entire dinner - even though I took pictures of everything. I just had to share these muffins with you because they're so...me!

On a completely different note - Don't be looking for me at any of the Black Friday sales. I don't get up at silly hours for anyone but Kes (when she wakes me to let her outside. Remember she is an old girl!). One of the joyful side benefits of a handcrafted Christmas is that we can produce gifts from the comfort of our homes. Of course, we have to spend a little time planning ahead - or working into the wee hours as our deadlines approach - but isn't that half the fun?

No crowds, no traffic jams, no "out of stock" signs or "rain checks", no frustrated shoppers and impatient sales clerks. Bliss in the studio. That's what I love. The day after Thanksgiving spent at home. It's what we crafters bring to the party! Gifts from loving hands. Huge doses of heart-to-heart that were hours, days, weeks or even months in the making. Special because we made them.

Hope your day is spent doing something you love...even if it involves rising early to get to the mall. I'll be back tomorrow with the winner of my 200th Post Giveaway. Now, that might be something to inspire you to get up early!