Winner, Winner...

 I'm not going to dawdle today. 

I know you want to know who won 

the giveaway, so I'll get right to it.

 The Random Number Generator has made its choice,

and the winner is...

 Carol D. of Beads and Birds blog.

Carol has been a follower of my blog for a long, long time and she's  also a member of my Brynwood Needleworks FaceBook group.
Congratulations, Carol! I'm looking forward to creating a wool Memory Book for you! I'll send you an email so we can start the planning process.

Thanks to all for entering - and thanks always for stopping by to visit my little corner of Blogland. I appreciate each and every one of you. (muaaaahhh!)

Studio Time...

I completed another clutch wallet last weekend 

(and another project I can't show to you quite yet).

This one has a quilting theme that I really like, and although I'm keeping this one

for myself, I'll be listing the fabric choice in The Boutique for special orders.

I like the images and messages in the fabric.

  I can certainly relate to them!
Of course, each wallet is unique, so the fabric may not lay out exactly like this. It will have its own unique message in each completed wallet even if it's not the same.

If you haven't been around to visit lately, you'll want to go to THIS POST to enter my Sixth Blog Anniversary Giveaway. Comments here won't count. (There's also a link in my left sidebar, right under my "Celebrations" announcements.)

Brynwood Boutique Update...

Although I haven't been in the studio lately, I was able to add my current, completed    clutch wallets to The Boutique. I have a selection ready for immediate shipment, as  well as samples of wallets shown that would ship within a couple of days of your order.    I will also create custom orders at your request. Do you have a special interest,  theme or color preference? All you have to do is contact me through my email link  in the right sidebar of the Boutique to start the process. After previewing options, we can have just what you want on its way to you in a matter of days!

Just CLICK HERE to go directly to the "Brynwood Clutch Wallet" section. In future, simply type "Brynwoodneedleworks.com" into your browser.    SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER! This offer will expire on March 17th.

 For every wallet you purchase from the Boutique between now and March 17th, I will refund $10 after checkout via PayPal.

I also have other handcrafted treasures available in The Boutique. Have fun checking out all the "departments" by clicking on the links in the top menu bar. Thanks for reading all the way to the end of my shameless little commercial plug. See you again tomorrow!

I've Been Sewin'...

I can't take credit for the piecing on this one. Kathy and Nora gave it to me when they closed the shop. I told them I liked it (see the    acorn?) so they gave it to me - and it's mine to finish and use (or gift).    I chose a nice floral print for the back that has all the colors that  show on the front, and my plan is to custom quilt everything to finish  it as a small table quilt. Fall is definitely in the air at Brynwood!

I did piece this quilt. It's going to be one of the two doll quilts I'll donate
to the guild. The doll quilts go to children at Christmastime through our
 local Toys for Tots program. We're each asked to donate two quilts, so I
still have a second one to piece and then I'll be quilting both of them.

I'm also making quilts to add to my Brynwood Boutique or Etsy shop.
This one will be a child's quilt, but I'm also going to add lap quilts
and doll quilts which will be available for the holidays, too.
They'll be going up soon, but you'll see them first right here.

It's so nice to be back in my creative groove. I'm much happier
making new things than just sitting around thinking about it!

Have a nice Columbus Day. I'll be back in the studio!

The Captain and Chenille...

 This post has absolutely nothing to do with music or the military,

but I couldn't resist using "The Captain" in my title. I know...lame. 

I just couldn't help myself.  This is about "chenille", though.

I thought I'd show you my assortment of chenille bedspread scraps.

I collected these over a period of time, and I've been saving them for

future projects. I have no idea what I'm going to do with them yet. I didn't

cut up old bedspreads myself, but they are salvaged parts, and I do have

a few "cutters" myself. I just have a hard time taking a scissors to them.

 Some pieces are larger, and some are smaller, but all of them are pretty.

You can see all the colors - and the patterns are just as varied.

 These pinks remind me of snuggly baby girls. They're so soft and sweet.

I made this jacket for our younger granddaughter two years ago from

some of my scraps. It was just adorable on her. Perhaps I should make

a few more for the Brynwood Boutique? I love working on children's 

clothing, and chenille seems to make for really sweet outfits.

I might just have to add more girly chenille jackets to my "To Do" List

after I finish all the projects I already have lined up. I could be fun!

How do you feel about chenille?

New Pincushions...

I really had fun making these pincushions for my Saturday morning coffee group friends. (There were actually five, but I took this picture before the last one was finished.)

I used beautiful, glass containers that are reminiscent of mercury glass pieces. After the poufs were gathered, stuffed with a silk-blend fiberfill and glued to the tops of the candleholders, I set about creating the embellishments.

All of them are matching. I first sewed a blue crystal button onto the pouf. Then I cut a length of silk ribbon and ruched it around the button - gathering, sewing and securing as I went. My final touch was the little pewter thimble charm that hangs beneath the button and ruffles. Finished, they measure approximately 4.5" high by 3" across.

I signed the bottom of each piece and presented one to each of my quilting friends when we met for coffee last Saturday. We meet each week at the quilt shop (two of the members of the group own the shop), and Nora immediately loaded hers up with pins that we sitting next to her machine! I think that each one will see a lot of use, and will add a pretty touch to the sewing tables of my friends.

Oh, and a little good news: I have two extra pincushions that are available for sale! If you're interested in purchasing one for yourself or as a gift, just head over to the Boutique. (Click here to go directly to the listing.)

I had this list on my sidebar leading up to last weekend.

My Christmas Sewing "To Do List"...

• Set of placemats and napkins (DONE)
• 3 pairs of Grammies Jammies(DONE)
• a lap quilt (DONE)
• a stuffed animal (DONE)
• a couple of totes (DONE)
• two garment bags (ONE DONE. Don't like. Redo. Arrgh!)
• mug mats (DONE)
• 5 Pincushions (DONE)
• my Blissfull ATC swap card for Dec. (DONE)
• ...a small wall quilt and a few other items that I'll complete after the 15th and before the 20th. whew!

All the items marked (DONE) were completed by December 17th and were either shipped in plenty of time to arrive by Christmas or hand-delivered.

You can see that I still have to re-work complete the garment bags (for Handsome), as well as making that small wall quilt and the gifts for my friends in the Tuesday night Paneras group. Nothing like waiting 'til the last minute! I'll be working on those projects due tomorrow night today.

OK, Shell...Are we going to make a New Years' Resolution to have all of our gift projects finished by - oh, say - November 15th in 2012? That's my resolution and I'm saying it out loud now in front of you, God and all my blog friends!

I'm working to finish everything left on my list by Thursday. I want to roll into the weekend able to put my feet up and celebrate Christmas with decorations and a few special meals with friends.

A little reminder: Monday, December 26th is my next Memory Lane Monday. Perhaps you'd like to take a little time to reflect on Christmases past to share on your blogs that day. All you need to do is come back here during a lull in the after-Christmas excitement to link back to my MLM post. I'd love if you'd join the party.

I've sent the elves home to help Santa for the rest of this week. I assured them that I can finish up the last gifts on my own. Cross your fingers for me, ok?

A Peek and A Treat...

I'm in the process of creating some new things for The Boutique, and I think you're going to like them...especially if you like corgis! I'll have lots of handcrafted stock just in time for holiday giving.

Fezzik was my original inspiration, but Taggart jumped right on the band wagon! He pops into the studio at random moments during the day to find out what I'm up to...and to remind me to stop to play with him. I'm always happy to do that!

My new line is called "For The Love of a Corgi" and you're looking at my new logo for the line. I'm planning everything from fabric creations to t-shirts.

I have a new link in my menu bar at the Brynwood Needleworks Boutique and will start posting new items in the upcoming weeks. I've also been working on a new look over there, so I hope you'll check back and let me know what you think.

I recently came across these little acorn treats. They're so clever and you just know that I'm going to be making a batch (or three!)

Maddie of Six In The Suburbs came up with these Chocolate and Peanut Butter Acorns and shared the "recipe" on her blog. You can click here to read her post. Mini nutter butter cookies and Hershey's kisses. Sounds like the start of something beautiful to me!

The girls at Six In The Suburbs have a great place to visit for all sorts of inspiration. I'm sure you'll find other goodness once you stop in to visit!

Well, I'm going to run for now. The Corgi and those tasty chocolate kisses are calling me!

I've Been Busy...

 I've been adding new items to the Brynwood Boutique!

You'll find custom homespun kitchen towels, mug mats and more!

The newest items are available in the "More Goodness From My Machine"

link located in the linkbar menu right under the Boutique header.
(Click here to go to the Brynwood Boutique)

You'll also find completing your purchases will be easier, too.

I now have links directly from Brynwood to Paypal, so you

don't need to checkout through Etsy
unless you're shopping in my Etsy shop.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to browse my offerings.

You might just find something that would be perfect as a gift -

or perhaps with Halloween just around the corner - a treat for yourself!

Spring Is Bustin' Out All Over...

...Well, at least in The Boutique and my Etsy Shop!

I'm inviting you to go to my Boutique here to read more about my "Pre-Vacation/Spring Sale". You can also learn when I'll be putting The Boutique and my Etsy shop in "Vacation" mode. I've added a coupon code there to take advantage of my sale. You'll need to have that just in case you find something you can't resist.
I'm going to be doing a little work around the house today, and then I'm going to settle into the studio to work on my Blissfull ATC group swap card for this month. The theme is "steampunk", and I think it's going to be my hardest challenge of all the themes so far. I finally designed what I want to create, so now it's time to make it a reality. I promise I'll share it when I'm finished (along with my inspiration), 'cuz I really want to know what you think. Perhaps I can show it to you tomorrow.

A Celebration Sale...

I've been featured in LauraGlassArtQuilts' Etsy Treasury today! I'm so honored to be chosen. Thank you, Laura, for adding my creations to your treasury. You can click here to see all of the wonderful items she's featured.

November 4 - 18, 2010

on Everything* in
my Etsy Shop

(The Brynwood Boutique links to Etsy, so all items
can be found in either place and are ALL on sale.)

To receive your 20% discount, simply make your purchase and pay for it through PayPal. I will refund 20% (not including shipping costs) back to your PayPal account as soon as I see that you've completed your purchase. *Special Orders will receive FREE shipping, but not the 20% off.

If you have your heart set on something I'm offering, you might want to take advantage of this sale now. Treat yourself or choose something as a gift for a friend. Christmas is right around the corner.

Click here to start shopping

PS. Thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes to Kes, either here or on my FB page. Every time a new comment came in, I chirped Happy Birthday to Kes, and she got all excited! Each time, I saw the puppy come out in her. Thank you for giving that extra little gift to me. xoxo

New In The Boutique...

Moving into the Boutique today is the Bloggerette Sorority pillow I created for the challenge in June. I thought that one of the other sisters might want to have this cushion for her home, or as a gift for someone special. To me, this pillow symbolizes the sisterhood we all share.

I listed it in the Boutique today, so if you're interested, just click here for all the details.
I have the most generous friends in Blogland! Click here to see what my friend, Rett at The Gazebo House, did for me today! She posted a wonderful tutorial on applique' for me. Her purse is fabulous! Thank you, Rett for the tutorial! I'm going to be trying this for sure!

I'm back in the studio today. Can't wait to share what's next. See you tomorrow!

"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!