Closeup Quilt Photos...

Brynwood Needleworks - Block One - Chickadee & Sunflowers

 

Fair warning: This post is going to be picture-heavy! By personal request, I'm going to share closeup images of each of the blocks in my Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt.  

These are all the blocks in the quilt, pattern by Brandywine Designs, plus my personal touches. Much of the embroidery is my own styling, as the pattern called for blanket stitch throughout. 

My applique' work is COMPLETE now, so I'll be sending it off to the quilter as soon as I can get into Primitive Gatherings to choose the backing fabric!

Enjoy the pictures!

(Thanks again, Laurie, for requesting more pictures!)

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Two - Turtle & Pansies

Brynwood Needleworks - Added Bumblebee

Brynwood Needleworks - Boullion Bar Bumblebee Detail

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Three - Butterfly & Roses

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Four - Bunny & Strawberry Basket

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Five - Duck & Flower Wagon

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Six - Owl & Tree Branch

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Seven - Dragonfly & Blossoms

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Eight - Sheep & Willow Tree

Brynwood Needleworks - Added Red Bird

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Nine - Crow & Pumpkin

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Ten - Squirrel & Oak Leaves

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Eleven - Blue Bird & Heart

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Twelve - Hedgehog & Vine

Brynwood Needleworks - Bottom Border

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Snail on Bottom Border

Brynwood Needleworks - Added Snail - Detail

Brynwood Needleworks - Signature In Bottom Border

Brynwood Needleworks - Date In Bottom Border

Six years from start to this point. I'll call it finished once the binding is sewn on, but all my applique' work is complete. I'm a happy quilter, and I hope you enjoyed my recap.

Busy Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Sampler Quilt Top

So tickled to be nearly ready for quilting on this top. My Wooly Critter Sampler quilt (Designed by Linda Hohag - Brandywine Designs) only needs a few small touches and it will be ready to head to the quilter.

I began this quilt in January 2014, although our Coffee Club at Sandy's Quilt Shop purchased our patterns in 2013. It's difficult to believe that this quilt has been six years in the making! I enjoyed every second of Linda's lovely designs, and would recommend this project to every quilter who loves applique'. This was my first wool applique' quilt, and I'm sure it's not going to be the last.

Brynwood Needleworks - Custom Order - Brynwood Union Jack Bella Tote

 

After spending most of Saturday in the garden (with the red neck to prove it!),  I had a custom Bella order to make. So, Sunday, I played in the studio and made this one. It's going to a new home today.

I'm going to see my Dad again today. Our visits these days are a blessing, and I look forward to them, even though it involves three hours of driving to get to his home and then back to the farmhouse. While I'm visiting with Dad, Tag will be preparing his blog post for tomorrow. Perhaps puppy updates? You'll have to come back to see.

Getting Close Now...

Brynwood Needleworks - Main Border Motifs - Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt

All the main quilt motifs are finished on my Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt borders. The only thing left (on the borders) is to attach them to the main quilt, and applique' the corner motifs that span the seams into the side borders.

Brynwood Needleworks - Main Border Motifs - Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt

 

I'm going to add a motif above the bluebirds on the top border; add a few leaves, my initials, and the year on either side of the basket motif on the bottom border. I'm really getting close now!

The next time you see these borders, they'll be attached to the main quilt - and finished. That will be in the next day or so.

Tag will be here tomorrow, and I'll be back with updates on Wednesday. I must say, I'm so glad I write a daily blog post. Otherwise, I'm quite sure I'd have trouble keeping my days straight. Every day seems to feel like a Saturday to me. sigh However, today is Monday...I hope you have a great week!

Keep Calm and Carry On.

It's Going Swimmingly, Thanks!...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Basket Details

I've really started to gain a head of steam on this project now. I actually set up my long ironing board -  at chair height level - and sit at it to stitch in the studio. I seem to have more control with the support that the longer surface offers. 

This is a closeup of the basket from the bottom border. I decided to treat the little leaves differently that the rest. I used buillon stitches for the veining on them. It gives a little more dimension that the chain stitches on the other leaves.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Half of the Wooly Critters Basket Motif

 

I completed all of the center basket motif, and one entire side of the foliage and blossoms. I'll do the other side today. I'll do the rest of the leaves (sigh) and corner blossoms on this border, too. Then, all I'll have left is one more side border. I'm really hoping to have them attached to the rest of the quilt over the weekend, so I can add the last corner vines and stitch them down, too.

  Tag will be back tomorrow. He's just like me. He's already celebrating!

Coping...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Sampler Quilt Pieces

 

I got all the pieces cut out for the rest of the borders for my quilt. I admit I didn't even start on this until late day. I can explain.

 

When I'm stressed, I respond by sleeping. I'm not afraid. I'm not worried. I'm just stressed. So, yesterday morning I got up, and had my morning coffee; did a few chores around the house. I spent some time talking with Handsome, and then went upstairs with the intention to shower, make those chocolate chip cookies, and then get in a little studio time.

 

I got to our bedroom, sat down on the bed, and before long, I was under the blankets. I didn't wake up again until nearly 6 pm. I slept the entire time. Not having dreams. Not tossing and turning. Just a deep, restful sleep that had eluded me the past few nights. I regenerated.

 

When I got up, I took the shower I meant to take earlier in the day, went downstairs and fed Tag, and then prepared dinner for Handsome and me. We watched a movie together, and then I went upstairs to finish prepping all these pieces.  

I'll make those cookies today, and then see about setting up the other three borders for my quilt. Seems there's no particular rush. I mean, we're not planning to go anywhere. The project will wait for me. In the meantime, I'm going to concentrate a bit more on much-needed self-care. I do not want to get sick. No siree!

How are you spending your days? Working, playing, or resting? Each option is good if it works for you. Whatever you do, try not to stress. I'll try to do better, too.

I've Got A Plan...

Brynwood Needleworks - Still Cutting Pieces

I've got a plan. Rather than cutting pieces as I go, and set up my borders piecemeal, I'm going to cut out all the pieces at once, and assemble all the borders. Then, I can just sit down and stitch.

So far, I've cut out all the rest of the berries, flowers, and forty of the leaves. Aren't they colorful?

Brynwood Needleworks - More To Cut

 

But, I still have more to go. I have at least twenty eight more leaves, and four more stems. I also have the flower pot motif on the center of the bottom border to trace, fuse and cut. Then, I can begin the fun part. 

I should have all the pieces cut out, and fused to the border fabrics today. I'm hoping to end my day with needle in hand...all that, after I make a batch of "chase away the clouds" chocolate chip cookies.

  Stay Safe and Healthy, Friends!

So Many Leaves...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Top Border Detail

 

Well, this has been taking longer than I expected. So many leaves! (I have a lot more to go, too!) I added a pair of hearts below and between the lovebirds, and I'm really happy with them.

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Top Border

 

I admit there were other things on my agenda last week. We decided to self-quarantine, so I deep cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms. It's critical that I keep myself and Handsome healthy as he recuperates. He cancelled his physical therapy appointments for the near future, so he's even more committed to his own rehab for now. 

 

I also got all our tax preparations done for our accountant (even though the deadline has been extended). I like having that job out of the way. There were a few other tasks that I needed to accomplish, too, so it took a little longer to finish this first border.

 

I'm going to set up the side borders next, as they'll have to be attached to the main quilt first. Then the top and bottom will be attached. Yep. More leaves! sigh I'll keep you posted.

 

Don't forget to enter my 11th Blog Anniversary Giveaway! Just click on the Giveaway button in my sidebar to go to the post and leave a comment. 

 

Still Stitching...

Brynwood Needleworks - Au ver a Soie (Soie d'Alger) Silk Threads

 

As I continue to embroider the wool appliques' for my Wooly Critter Sampler quilt, I'm also thinking about creating the vignette for my completed RSN Butterfly. Don't you think silk stumpwork flowers would be a perfect accessory for my Red Spotted Purple?

I ordered these from a brick and mortar shop via their website, and they arrived yesterday. I'd better keep after my quilt so that I can start this as soon as my critter quilt is finished! As my friend, Susan Greening Davis always says, "Still Stitching!"

In Case You're Wondering What's Next...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Pattern by Brandywine Design

 

Can you believe that I was almost a little sad to have completed my butterfly? I actually was a bit melancholy. But, on to the next UFO, and this one will be fun, too!

 

I have the dark border fabric chosen, and just need to pull the wools I'll be using all around that border. After I get back home from taking Handsome to physical therapy, I'm going to choose the colors I want to use, based on the colors I chose for the completed blocks. Then, I'll set up the parts and pieces in anticipation of stitching them all to the ground fabric. It'll be nice to sit at random moments and slow stitch the last parts of this quilt.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings Flannels for a Chenille Four-Patch Quilt

 

Sit & Sew with the Primitive Gatherings' ladies is March 17th this month. In January, I was telling them about my favorite quick quilt pattern called a Chenille Four-Patch quilt. It was actually the first "real" pieced quilt I ever made, and it's still my favorite. It's soft and snuggly and perfect for a quick power nap in the afternoon.

 

It just happened that the day I talked about it, Lisa B. had given each of us a Farmhouse Gatherings flannel pack that was custom cut for her shop. I think they're comparable to half size layer cake cuts. (6.5" x 10"). These fabrics are wonderfully soft, and would be just the thing I'd choose to make an updated nap quilt. Before I left town, I stopped at the shop and chose the backing fabric to coordinate with the fabrics we were given.

So, before I go to our March Sit & Sew I want to put together a new Farmhouse Gatherings Chenille Four-Patch. It won't take long at all to assemble, and I'll only do a criss-cross of straight line quilting to finish it. 

These are the projects I'd like to move to the "Complete" pile this month. At this rate, I may even be able to add another project, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. First things first.

NOTE: Thank you so much to everyone who left a comment on yesterday's post. I promise I'll reply to every one of you. You were all so wonderful to me about my butterfly. I'm truly humbled and grateful that you all cared to leave a note for me. Be sure to check back on yesterday's comments page by tonight to read my replies to your messages. xoxo

 

Border Fabric Chosen...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Project Threads and Borders

 

I had a great time yesterday at Primitive Gatherings, and as expected, the ladies were extremely helpful. Lisa (Bongean, owner and designer of Primitive Gatherings) suggested a few browns for the outer border and binding, and I loved her choice. (See the brown on the right side of the above image.) I purchased what I needed and brought it home with me.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Example of Lisa's Big Stitch Quilting

 

We also talked about colors for hand quilting the different sections of the quilt (when I finally get to that point). She suggested using the "big stitch" technique (and showed me a sample on one of her finished quilts).

I'll cut the border pieces and start working on the applique' pieces that will be stitched onto it. The borders will be added to the quilt after the appliques' are finished, so I'd better get busy!

I'll share more pictures from yesterday when I see you tomorrow. So many beautiful pieces to show you! These are really talented ladies! Let me know what you think about the brown border (and the idea to use the "big stitch" quilting technique). See you tomorrow!

 

I'm Getting There...

Wooly Critter Sampler Progress

I squared up and assembled my Wooly Critter Sampler blocks over the weekend. It was rainy on Saturday. Sunday, it was sunny with the wind really picking up, so it was a great weekend to be in the studio.

Note: Don't forget you can click on the images to enlarge them for a closer look.

One Border To Go (With Applique')

 

Now, I'm ready to choose the outer border when I go to Primitive Gatherings on Tuesday. I'm leaning toward a brownish color, but I'll know when I see it, and I'm sure my friend, Kathy will have some ideas, too. I'm liking the way it looks so far, and after all this time (somewhere around two-three years!), it's nice to see it assembled to this point.

I'll be doing some homekeeping today. Laundry and vacuuming are calling, and I may even see Shelly's grandson this afternoon, too. Fun times! Tag will be here tomorrow. See you again Wednesday.

 

A Pleasant Surprise...

Wooly Critters Pattern

Remember last week when I went with Kathy at Primitive Gatherings? The night before, I was in the studio trying to decide what I was going to take along to work on at the Sit & Sew.

My mind immediately went to my Wooly Critters project (which is taking forever!). I pulled out the plastic carryall I used to carry back and forth to Nifty Fifties. It holds this project and the Kathy Schmitz pieces I've been working on, too. I needed to figure out which Wooly blocks still needed to be set up if I was going to work on one.

My Completed Blocks

I started pulling them out...one through twelve. Wait. What? One, two, three, four, and all the way to twelve. I've finished all of them! Squeeeee! I guess with the cross country move, I just lost track of my progress.

Sashing Fabric Choice

I chose this checked flannel fabric ages ago just for this project. Of course, I have to square up and cut down the size of the background fabric on those blocks first. There's too much space around each design, but once I've done that, I can add the sashing, using this fabric.

 

If you look back at the first picture, once the blocks are all joined together, I'll just have to choose the fabric for the border...and sew the flowers all around. That's all I have left to do! Then I'll decide if I'm going to hand quilt this one, or send it off to my pal, Susan (in Georgia) to get machine quilted.

 

For now, I'm just jumping up and down to know that all these blocks are done. I guess I'd better think about stitching up the last of my Kathy Schmitz blocks soon. (I actually think I only have two or three of those left to do.)