Keep Calm...

Brynwood Needleworks - Some of my British Cottages and Tins

I'm in my studio, contemplating how so many of our friends and family are concerned by the daily news. Being in the farmhouse and my studio is a happy, safe place for me. I'm happy when I'm creating, and knowing that Handsome is here in the house with me is very comforting. But I realize that not all people have creative outlets, and this may be a stressful time for them. 

Brynwood Needleworks - David Winter Cottages and British Tins

I have a corner in my studio with a few of my David Winter cottages, including two clocks (I have more, still packed away). Even though they're showing nearly the same time, both of my clocks are currently stopped and in need of new batteries. The one on top is my favorite because it's a mill house, and my dear, departed grandpa actually built and maintained a working mill on his property years ago.

The small cottage in front is called the Crofter's Cottage, and was a gift to me from Handsome and the boys shortly after we were married.

While I have other British tins, these three are favorites. Under the Mill House clock is a Cadbury Chocolate Fingers (cookies) tin. Really, who wouldn't love those? The tall tin was filled with delicious British biscuits, and I actually chose to share this corner with you today because of the Union Jack tin on the far right.

Brynwood Needleworks - My Cottage Corner

Yes, my friends. "Keep Calm and Carry On" was the wording on a motivational poster in Great Britain from 1939, when the British government was preparing for World War II. It was meant as a morale booster for the British people.

As in 1939, these words are as relevant today. We've all been asked to stay home, and away from other people. Many have heeded those words, while some have not. Our compliance is not required, but it might be a good idea.

The Missing Match Meme

There are online movies, classes (including FREE Master Cooking Classes HERE!), free book downloads, and even free daily Facebook watch parties through zoos (like the Cincinnati Zoo) and museums. If you don't bake, knit, sew, crochet, paper craft, or engage in "crafty" pursuits, there are more options than just staying in bed or being afraid. Stretch your brain. Exercise (eek!). Clean house (double eek!). 

You're not doing it just to protect yourself. You're also helping to stop the spread of the virus. You're protecting your elders, who may not have the immune system to ward off something worse. You're protecting loved ones who have compromised immune systems from chronic illnesses like Crohn's or COPD. 

I'm not being an alarmist. God is watching over and protecting all of us who believe...and even those who don't. Handsome is still healing from his surgery. He's cancelled his physical therapy sessions and will stay home with me until early April. Then he'll resume his formal PT. In the meantime, we have a list of his at-home exercises, and we'll work on helping him progress in his recuperation. We've decided to err on the side of caution. There's really no reason to do otherwise.

In the meantime, I talk with family; I keep in touch with friends through private messages, emails, and even Facebook. I've quit watching television news because it raises my blood pressure, and I've turned to music or movies while I'm in the studio.

We're all going to be fine. Just remember to breathe, and above all, Keep Calm and Carry On. We can do this. I pray for you and you're in my daily thoughts. This, too, shall pass, and I pray that when we come out on the other side, we'll all be a little kinder to, and considerate of each other.

I'd love to know how you're coping. Leave a comment, if you're so inclined - or send me an email. I promise I'll reply!

A Perfect Pair, I Think...

Would you care for a cuppa tea?

I had so much fun putting the finishing touches on our Cloud seating area.

Of course, the first quilt I ever made - and my favorite nap quilt - was lovingly

draped across the back of the sofa. It's a chenille four-patch pattern and so comfy!

I made one more trip to the studio to create a companion pillow cover for the lovely

British flag cover. That one was created for me by my friend, Troy Rash at Junk

Exchange. He teamed canvas with ivory and bleached muslin to make it.

Sit down and make yourself comfortable.

 I used the same fabrics for my American flag that Troy used in his British version.

My original plan was to sew fifty ivory buttons where the stars should be, but I

asked Handsome what he thought of the idea. He said it wouldn't be a good place

to rest your head, so I went to Plan B...machine sew fifty primitive stars instead.

Yes, dear. There are fifty of them. We each counted THREE times, just to be sure!

I purposely didn't want them to be perfectly lined up, the same size or even the

same shape. I wanted them to be as interesting and varied as the states they

represent. I didn't have a problem doing that! Some are wonky, some are tiny,

but there is one for each and every state in our great Union. Edges are frayed,

nothing is perfect, but they're all pulled together in one place and honored here.

Before I head off to start stocking the Cloud, you might want to go over and

check out Troy's Etsy shop (here). He creates some of the most wonderful,

beautiful things. He also has regular booths at Canton (TX), where you can

meet him in person and save shipping costs by taking your purchases with

you. When I see pictures of his space and items for sale, I nearly faint!

Direct link to Junk Exchange Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/junkexchange?ref=em

If you'd like your own shabby British Flag pillow cover like mine, just send Troy a convo at Etsy. He'll create a custom cover and give you the 15% discount, too!  Thanks, Troy!

A Ha'penny Will Do...

 Part of a Christmas rhyme I learned and recited as a kid went like this:

"Christmastime is coming,

the goose is getting fat.

Please put a penny 

in the old man's hat.

If you haven't got a penny,

a ha'penny will do.

If you haven't got a ha'penny,

God Bless you!"

The "ha'penny" (pronounced "hay penny") is short for the British half

penny. Aunty Margaret told me that when Great Britain went to the 

decimal system in 1969, they stopped striking many of the traditional 

coins, including the half pennies and the "lucky" sixpence.

When I was married in 1984, I had saved a sixpence to tuck into my shoe as

British brides have traditionally done for generations but it was minted before '84.

Yup. There's a rhyme for that, too. You've heard most of it before:

"Something old, something new,

Something borrowed, something blue...

and a lucky sixpence for your shoe."

 I recently came across an artist who creates pendants from coins. I inquired

whether she might have a sixpence from the year I was born, as well as a

 British half penny from the year Handsome was born. Because they stopped

minting these coins prior to our marriage, there is no sixpence for that year.  

I was tickled to find out that she did have both of our birth years in her stock.

 My pendants arrived yesterday and I couldn't be happier with them! Now, I 

have a choice. If I'm in the mood to wear silver, I'll wear the sixpence. The 

half penny has a coppery tone, so I can wear that with my gold jewelry. 

I've already taken the sixpence off the leather necklace and created something

different for it. I'll share that with you another time. For now, not only do I 

have my lucky sixpence, but I also have a ha'penny...and that will certainly do!

Why, Yes, I am...

 "Made in Britain", that is. Hence, my attraction to my newest tapes.

These arrived from straight across the pond, and I love all of them!

 I have no idea how I'm going to use them yet, but I needed them just the same.

 I ordered these from bigfish on Etsy, and I couldn't help but

smile when the package arrived. Her return address is "Owl End Way"

in Lower Boddington, UK. Isn't that the coolest street name? I love it!

 You can just click on her shop name to check out all her items.

I'll be busy working on my next project. Have a creative Thursday, friends.

Red, White and Blue-ness...

 I'm nearly finished with the set-up for the applique' block I'm working on,

but my mind is already moving on to another project. This has been in the 

works for a while. I thought I might show you a peek at what's on deck.

 All the components are right here...everything I need to do this project.

I'm planning to debut it on Monday the 25th, so I hope you're curious

enough to come back to see what this all becomes when I'm finished.

 Today is the last day to enter my giveaway.

I'll choose the winners tonight and announce them tomorrow.

Click here if you haven't entered yet,

and for those of you who have...

Good Luck!!!

It won't be long now.

A Sweet Royal Post...

 If you're British (have British roots, or are related to someone who does), perhaps

you've heard of a candy treat called Dolly Mixture. The easiest way for me to describe

this assortment to you is to say that it's comprised of candies that taste like a

combination of marshmallow and circus peanuts, but a little harder. Then, lightly

sprinkled in the mixture are too few, elusive, tasty little gum drops...which I adore.

Don't let this fool you. The gumdrop to "other" ratio isn't even 10:1! grrr

My Aunty Margaret (Uncle Dick's wife) was getting ready for a recent trip to 

England to celebrate her mum's 100th Birthday, and asked me if I'd like her to 

bring back anything for me. I told her that I love Jelly Babies and the gumdrops

 that come in Dolly Mixture assortments. She immediately knew what I meant

  because she loves the marshmallow-y bits and gives the gumdrops

 (which she doesn't like) to Uncle Dick, who loves them as much as I do.

I asked her not to spend too much of her precious trip in search of packages

containing only gumdrops like those, but she is tenacious and before she came

home from England, she popped a package in the mail to me. When it arrived,

I couldn't wait to open it!

 As soon as I saw the Royal Mail postmark, and Aunty's handwriting, I knew...

 I opened the package to find multiple packages of the familiar Jelly Babies,

and a new confection! Jelly Tots! While they aren't shaped the same, the

taste is close enough to satisfy this girl's British sweet tooth. (I am choosy, too!)

 I decided to make a little vignette for you to help show a whole bowlful of

Jelly Tots. I didn't check the packages yet, but I'm sure the Queen would approve.

Thank you, Aunty! 

You found them for me and I truly appreciate it. 

She and I spoke after they arrived, and we discussed that some time in the future,

she, her daughter and I might just make that trip together. I can pay her back then.

(Just in case you'd like to try a package of your own,

here's a link to them from my favorite Stateside supplier.)

Let The Games Begin...

AP Image

Like many people all around the world, Handsome and I spent the evening watching the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. I thought it was the most incredible ceremony I have ever witnessed for any Olympics.

I started weeping when the children's choir sang "Jerusalem" and pride in my British birthplace continued to swell with each passing moment. (I admit I didn't much care for the "kids-jumping-on-hospital-beds segment. I guess I didn't get it.)

I was entranced through the pastoral segments and sat open-mouthed trying to take in as much as I could through the "Industrial Revolution" section. I gasped out loud when the rings began moving into position and whooped when they formed the Olympic emblem.

BBC Image

Then, watching all of the different countries entering Olympic Stadium and seeing the pride on the faces of all of the athletes moved me as it does every four years. I thought it was neat that a young person walked with each delegation, carrying a copper bowl that was a gift to their country from the British people. Little did I know the stunning use to which each bowl would be employed.

AP Image

I love Queen Elizabeth II, but I found myself worrying about how exhausted she must be with all this celebrating...to say nothing of her jumping out of a helicopter to start the games! (I'm kidding. I know it wasn't really her!) Nevertheless, I did think she was a good sport with a wicked sense of humor to agree to such a stunt.

My only disappointment was that Sir Paul McCartney didn't stop his performance when he finished singing "And In The End...". My own humble opinion, but I thought singing "Hey, Jude" after all the colossal fireworks display was a let down. It was really my only complaint. (Sorry.)

At a time when politics and conflict are set aside, I found myself caught up in the excitement of the Games. And last night, I found myself more British than American. The Olympics are going to be fun to watch - and the British people are making for perfect hosts. Let the games begin!!

Just a quick reminder that Memory Lane Monday is coming in a couple of days! July 30th will be my next segment. Remember, that you're always welcome to join in the fun by posting your own favorite recollection on your blog and then linking back to mine. I'm working on my episode now, so I hope you'll come back to read all about it.

Have a great weekend!

My Newest Completed iPad Case...

A padded, safe spot for my iPad to sleep.

 Yes. I finished my iPad case yesterday!

The front with the flap open, showing the velcro closure.

 To honor my British birthplace and Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee...

The back, featuring Lillalotta's "Keep Calm" wide twill ribbon.

 I chose a Union Jack and "streets of London" theme.

Nice, soft and coordinated inside.

I lined my case with soft blue flannel.

Of course, I had to add a strip of fabrics mirroring the exterior of the case...

and my Brynwood label.

One folded "Keep Calm" label will hold my stylus. I'm using my Union Jack pencil for the photo.

 It's the perfect size for my first generation iPad.

I'm also finishing a second one better sized to the second generation iPad.

That one will be available for sale soon.

(If you're interested in one, please email me for more information.)

Now that I have this project finished, I'm on to one of my UFOs.

More on that tomorrow.

Protecting The iPad...

I love this image!

While Mum and Dad Burt were in England, they sent us this adorable postcard.

The reason I'm sharing this card today is because 

it's the inspiration for a project I'm making this week...

Do you remember this cool, quilted iPad case I made before Christmas in 2010?

Handsome decided that he wants it for his iPad, so I need a new one for mine.

I'm going to make my case with a British theme in honor of the Queen's Jubilee.

I'm going to be using this great twill tape.

I ordered the tape from my favorite source, Lillalotta on Etsy.

Anna created this new tape recently and I knew I needed to get some of it.

I'll be back with photos when I finish my new case.

I hope you have something creative planned for this week.

It's too hot to play outside...might as well play inside!

Rule Britannia...

It's never difficult to find British-themed fabric or memorabilia, but because it's Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee this summer, vendors are pulling out all the stops! Mum is in England all this month with Dad Burt and she's promised to find a few more goodies to bring home for her British daughter, too! I'm so excited to see what she might find.

Something corgi related would probably be easy to find, as the corgi is the Queen's favorite breed. Or perhaps she'll find sweets in Jubilee-themed tins? I've asked her not to spend too much time looking, and not to spend too much money on me either. After all, it is their vacation and they should savor every minute doing things they enjoy. Even so, I'm looking forward to some little surprise.

I found this Benartex fabric on Etsy from spiceberrycottage and didn't hesitate to purchase a little of four different fabrics. I have three yards total and these will be the foundation of an upcoming project.

I've had my eye on Michelle's "Victory Garden" pattern at Busy Bee Quilt Designs for some time, so I purchased it the same day I bought the Benartex fabrics. I know this will be on my list after I finish my current WIPs.  I'll probably choose more traditional red, white and navy fabrics rather than the fabrics on the cover of Michelle's pattern, but I do love her finished quilts, too.

Created by Troy at Junk Exchange

This is another British item I've been coveting for a long, long time. My blog friend, Troy at Junk Exchange blog makes these. Troy always amazes me with his ability to create beautiful and useful things. If you haven't visited his and Rod's blog, here's the link.

So, there you have it. More ideas. More projects in my future. British inspiration. I hope you have something wonderful planned for your week, whether it's in your creative space or spent with loved ones. It's all good!

Memory Lane Monday - My First Day of School...

Welcome to another Memory Lane Monday. Although school has already been in session for nearly a month, I didn't think you'd mind if I wrote a "First Day of School" post. (I found my old photo in my desktop computer once I got back home.)

Many of you know that I was born in Great Britain to a British mother and American (Air Force) father. When I was about two, we moved to Wisconsin (my father was from Stevens Point - the home of the beer!), so we were there for a few years so that he could finish college to become a teacher.

His first teaching job was in Elkhorn, Wisconsin - and he and I started our first day of school together at the same school. Mum told me the "rules" about becoming a kindergartner ('mind your teacher', 'pay attention in class', 'have fun' and 'be a good girl for Mummy'), but I was only given one rule by my father ('Remember, now, don't call me "Daddy" when we're in school. You should call me "Mr. Newby" like the rest of the students.') Yup. My maiden name was "Newby", pronounced just like the popular term for someone new to something these days - a "newbie". Turns my head every time I hear it used. 

So, then. Mum kissed me goodbye and off to school I went. (Mum told me that she cried and cried when I told her that she didn't need to walk me to the door. "It's ok, Mummy. I'm a big girl. I can do it myself. I guess I've been this way all my life!) I was a good girl, paid attention to my teacher, made a few friends, never called my father "Daddy" in school, and sailed through kindergarten with flying colors.

Between my kindergarten year and my first day of first grade, my father took a job in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and my parents purchased their first home. We moved from Elkhorn to a rental until we moved into our new home, but we were all settled in time for first grade. 

All through kindergarten, Mum had been trying to help me get rid of a serious lisp, but despite her best efforts, I carried it with me right into first grade. For years, she's repeated the story of me coming home from my first day of first grade only to run up to her and say, "Mummy. I'm in firsssst grade now, and I don't lisssp anymore." She said she wanted to strangle me. (She had been trying to help me get rid of that lisp for more than a year, after all. lol)  Glad we got past that!

Do you have a story you'd like to share for Memory Lane Mondays? Just write your story on your blog and link back here. You'll have until a week from now (October 2nd - Gosh! It's nearly October already?) to add your memory.