Available For Purchase...

 

All Brynwood Baby Baptism/Confirmation/Quinceañera Brooches are now available for purchase. Click THIS LINK to purchase. You can make individual selections via link. 

Oh, My Heart...

Completed Brooches

 

....and my ladybug, and my acorn! I'm so happy with how they all turned out. These are all magnetic, so pinning these brooches to a garment won't be necessary. 

Reverse of Brooches

Of course, all of these have a second magnet included, but I wanted you to see that each one has a Brynwood signature acorn, as well as my name and year created. 

I also shared a short video on Instagram, so click HERE to watch it and catch all the sparkle. I'll be creating an link today to purchase these directly from my blog because they're separate from my sale items. 

What's next, you ask? Your guess is as good as mine! See you tomorrow...

It Was A Stitching Weekend...

Five Finished Hearts

I completed the stitching on the heart brooches this weekend. As soon as I complete the acorn and ladybug, I'll turn them all into brooches. (I'm repeating myself, aren't I? Sorry.)

Acorn Brooch WIP

I almost finished the acorn, but this one required a lot of careful placement of each stitch on the bottom of the acorn to form a proper brick stitch. 

I had my eye appointment Friday morning. It's been four years since my last checkup and I got great news. I was diagnosed with mild cataracts last time, and they've stayed the same since then. I have no other issues, except I need a slightly stronger prescription. So it's no surprise that - even with my magnifier light - my eyes got a little tired yesterday. Otherwise, I would have finished this one, too. 

Closeup of Brick Stitch on Acorn

I'm planning to take my frames back to the clinic today to have them order and install my new prescription. Then, I'll be baking bread today. I'll stitch between rises. I'll definitely finish the acorn today. The ladybug will be last. Gotta run...

Happy Monday, friends. 

Ain't That A Kick In The Pants?...

Brynwood Swarovski Crystal Brooch In Progress

This is an example of poor guesstimating. As you can see, I have half of this brooch to finish, and the last of my crystals are on my velvet bead board. I admit, my optimism had me convinced that I had plenty of crystals to do the whole brooch. Sadly, I was wrong - and I was on a roll, too! I didn't have nearly enough to finish. 

Internet to the rescue! Iimmediately went online and placed an order for what I need (and more). It should be here by the 29th at the latest. 

In the meantime, I'll set up a couple ladybugs, and maybe another heart to work on while I wait. 

I'm working today, but hope to show you which other brooches I'll have set up to work on later this week. See you tomorrow.

One To Go...

Brynwood Baby - WIP Baptism Brooches 

I checked my blog this morning to find the post I wrote for today had disappeared! So, here we go again.  

I completed stitching these two small hearts over the weekend. One is done in aurora borealis seed beads, and the other in ecru pearl seed beads. I'll begin the third one today in Swarovski crystal beads.

We have a dinner date with Grandson and his parents today, so we'll see how far I get before we have to leave.

It's going to be another busy week. Dinner with classmates, hair appointment, work, and an eye appointment. Handsome has things on his calendar, too, so we'll see how this "one vehicle program" works. I'll keep you posted!

The sun is shining. I'll be needle dancing. Life is good. I hope you have a great week!

Friday Update...

Let's begin by saying, I located my lost item last night after dinner. I was able to sleep without that gnawing at my brain. 

I woke up refreshed and ready to dance. This is what I'm working on now. I'm creating a smaller version of my exclusive Something Blue Bridal Brooches for baptisms and confirmations. Of course, in hopes that it will become a treasured heirloom, it could certainly also become a bridal brooch, but not for "something blue".

These will be beaded or have more goldwork fibers, with a cross in the center. I'll be working more on these over the weekend. 

One more thing...unrelated. Handsome's truck died this week. I mean really died. We're currently debating whether or not we need a second vehicle, and if so, just what our next move will be. We don't want a brand new truck or car that will tell us how we're driving. We'll be discussing it more in the coming days. Just what we needed. This definitely wasn't on my 2026 bingo card (along with three + weeks being sick to start the new year). sigh

It's the weekend again! I hope you have sunshine skies and warm(er) breezes. 

Two of Three...

Creating Baptismal Brooches

I completed stitching two of the baby brooches over the weekend. I'll be working on the third today. I'm still deciding what I want it to look like.

I'm thinking I'll do a few lady bugs and a red heart before I cut out the completed baby brooches. I really don't like wasting calico, which happens once I cut out the pieces, so adding more in the hoop first is always my preference.

Stitching these small hearts really makes me smile. Actually, creating something new always makes me smile.

I guess I'll enjoy a morning cuppa and then settle in at the hoop. See you tomorrow.

 

Brynwood Bridal...

My Brynwood Bridal department is already open in my Etsy shop, with new additions posting this week. Brynwood Baby will open soon, featuring some very special handcrafted items for baby boys and girls. I can't wait to share those treasures with you! I'll let you know when new items post via my Instagram and Facebook pages, but of course, you'll always get the news here, too.

I was so close to finishing the ladybugs yesterday, but just need one more day to get them assembled. Once complete, I'll list those in my shop, too. Assuming the Internet doesn't take a dive today (with all the predicted doom and gloom), I'll be back tomorrow to show you what they look like with their wee antennae!

A Note About Today's Solar Eclipse...

The only caution I'll share for whenever this eclipse is scheduled for your area is this: Some pets may react to the event like they would fireworks. Please make sure your pets are safe and secure so they don't bolt out of fear. We're planning to go about our business as usual here at the farmhouse, and we're going to keep all four girls (Bella, Carly, Claudette and Crystal) indoors with us until this has passed. Better safe than sorry. We can chat about the events of the day later this week. Hoping this is all one, big nothing burger!

Lined Baby Kimono...

I completed the Baby Kimono for Wendi's granddaughter yesterday. 

I thought you'd like to see what it looks like now that the lining is installed.

I love the way it turned out!

It's completed hand stitched into the kimono, and it's the softest flannel.

I knit the kimono using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn. It's a blend of 55% merino wool, 33% microfibre and 12% cashmere. The lining is something soft against baby's skin in case she's sensitive to the wools.

Also, for that reason, I stitched the Brynwood Baby label near the bottom 

front lining of the kimono. It's visible, but won't irritate baby's neck.

I attached two (removable) cards at the neckline. This one has the content written on the back of it.

This was the card I designed when we still lived in Florida. I still have a couple left, but they had the Florida address on them. I'll need to get these redone with current information. I did these when I thought I might concentrate on making Christening gowns, bonnets, booties, and kimonos for my shop. Then I discovered bag making. 

I haven't completely put that idea aside. I do love making things for babies. I always have. But for now, at least, I'll keep making bags and accessories from cork. I still think I'll update these cards, though. Just in case...

Brynwood Baby...

I think I've told you before how much I enjoy making things for babies.

They're so small and sweet, and I can't help but smile when I finish a piece

meant just for a little one. This is just such an example...a cotton baby kimono.

  This one already has a home. I used soft Rowan Luxury Cotton DK yarn. It will 

wash nicely, and provide a soft, breathable cover for a sweet, new child. I knitted 

this one in the 6-month size so it can be worn for a while. Babies grow so quickly!

I have enough of this gorgeous yarn to make another for my Etsy shop. I think

I'll knit it while we're traveling and list it up when we get back home. Do you

think that I should knit another in a newborn or 6-month size? I can't decide.

Wait until you see what's next (tomorrow)! Another baby gift!

"Butterfly Baby" Quilt...

It's finished! Butterfly Baby quilt has been added to The Boutique and is ready to go to someone's home. The finished quilt measures 31" x 36" and is made of high-quality, Moda cotton with Warm and Natural batting. It's just the right size to be baby's first quilt.

I really love the colors. They're bright and stimulating, and work for either a little boy or little girl.
I also made a small storage bag to match, which will be perfect as ready-made gift packaging. Later, it can be a place to keep baby's toys or supplies, because the quilt is bound to become a favorite "blankie".

You can read more about the quilt by visiting my Brynwood Boutique. Just click here for the listing. It can be found under the "Brynwood Baby" link at the top of the Boutique.
Yesterday was overcast and rainy, but we need the water, so I don't complain. I just spend more time in the studio making things to share with you. I'll be back tomorrow to show you what else I've been working on.

A few of you have asked me to do a tutorial on basic ribbon embroidery, so I'll be working on that in the next week or so to share with everyone. Please don't ever feel like you're imposing to ask me for a special post. I'm happy to write about special topics that interest you whenever I'm able. Although I don't always respond to every comment you leave for me, please know that I read every single one and appreciate hearing from you. Thanks a million!