Body Building...

I've begun work on the Monarch's body. I actually finished the segment in process above before I stopped for the day. Progress is slow when stitching primarily black on black. (Between you and me, it's hard to photograph, too!)

Saturday was difficult, but my niece and nephew celebrated their dad in a way that was touching and respectful. So many friends and family attended, and paid their respects to Mike and the life he lived. Thank you for the kind messages you left.

I'm looking at another busy week this week. I have a one year checkup for my knee replacement; work; one year follow-up on cardiac tests results pre-knee surgery; annual wellness check; craft day in Portage, followed by a wedding reception for Linda's son and his new bride. Sunday will definitely be a day of rest!

I'll do my best to get a bit of needle dancing in this week, and I'm also working on wool pincushion patterns and an ATC tutorial. Just thinking about all this makes me want to take a nap. Rest assured, I'll sleep well at night. Better get busy now. My doctor's appointment is an hour away. I don't want to be late!

Well, I got a last minute request to work today from one of my coworkers. I had PT in the morning, so I told her I'd only be able to help if I could start at noon. She worked from ten until noon, and I got there as soon as I could after my appointment. 

That meant no stitching all day, but I did manage a few hours while Handsome was at band rehearsal. I drew a few changes on the fabric to coordinate with the other upper wing. I'll be able to look at the other wing as I work this one. The markings don't have to match, but I try to get them close.

I'll be working my regular shift today, so I'll see what I can do after I get back home. I'll definitely be ready for a little needle dancing by then.

Three Done. One To Go...

It was a busy weekend at the farmhouse. I baked bread and rolls, we did some work in the yard, and I completed the third wing part for my butterfly.

I have PT this morning, but when I get home, I'll be starting the last wing part. I have a quieter week this week, so I'll have more stitching time. I'm hoping to finish the last wing part and then work on the body for my Monarch. 

I also decided to participate in the artist trading card swap for this month. The prompt is "key". I have my idea, so all I have to do is execute my vision. I'll do those this week, too, so I can mail them out.

Here's hoping we all have a creative and happy week. I'll be back tomorrow .

 

Working On Wing Part Three...

Even though my orange silk thread arrived, I need to work my way up to those areas first. I made great progress when I worked on my third wing part over the weekend, and am expecting to complete it soon.

I have PT mid-afternoon today, so I'm baking cinnamon rolls to take with me for the therapy department personnel. I'm hoping to do more needle dancing when I get back home.

I also work tomorrow, and I'll be doing more canning in a few days, so I'm looking forward to a fun-filled, productive week. Come along, and I'll happily share it all with you!

Another Color Block Done...

I finished another orange color block yesterday. The rest of this week is going to be busy, but I'll work on this as I'm able.

I have work today, two appointments tomorrow, classmate dinner on a Thursday this month, and then work again on Friday. Whew! Seems like a lot when I put it all out there. Almost "social butterfly" status! lol (Well, for this week, anyway.)

I'll still be sharing other fun things this week that might interest you, so I'll see you tomorrow!

 

Stitching Silk Threads...

Sorry I don't have more to share today. I actually stitched and frogged three times yesterday. I just wasn't happy with the way my work was looking, but I'm very happy now. 

I have PT mid-day today, but I'll get back to this afterward. I'm on a roll now.

Progress Has Been Made...

 

I was able to blissfully stitch the day away yesterday. You can see I made a little headway on my first wing, too! 

I'm quite happy with the way it looks, so I'll continue with the black, and will add the signature orange as well. Optimistic Me thinks I might even finish this wing today! Come back tomorrow if you want to see how much I did today.

All the wings have been wired now. Next, I'll tape the ends down so they stay out of my way and don't catch threads as I work. Once I add a few directional lines to keep me on target, it will be time to bring out my threads.

I had a restful weekend, and hope you did, too. I'm relaxed,  refreshed, and ready for the week ahead. I'm hoping to get a lot accomplished. 

I have a PT appointment, and Handsome and I have to pick up some "supplies" for Carly. She surprised us with a heat cycle on Friday. This will be her last one. She's five, and after discussion with Mike (our trainer friend) who has retired, our source for breeding/puppy sales is no longer available. So, once she's finished this heat, we'll have her spayed. No more doggie diapers in her future. 

It's kind of bittersweet for me. I would have loved to have a litter of her puppies. We've bred, raised and trained hunting retrievers for about forty five years. Although I'm sure we'll always have dogs, Carly signals the end of our breeding programs. We're definitely ending on a high note with this girl.

Time to get moving. I'll see you again tomorrow. I hope you make it a great week!

Wiring My Wings...

I completed the wire edges for the upper wings over the weekend. Next, I'll cover the wires for the lower wings and attach them to the fabric. The wires are kept long and taped to the side during the stitching of the wings because the wires will be attached to the butterfly body when all the stitching is done.

I'm sharing this closeup to show you how the covered wires are stitched to the ground fabric. 

The top of the buttonhole stitch faces the inside of the design. The actual wire sits just outside the drawn wing, and the buttonhole area sits right on the drawn line.

I then sew down through the buttonhole stitch using one strand of black thread. Once all four wing sections are attached, I'll be ready to start the next phase. I'll share all completed wired wings before I begin the stitching.

Covering Wires...

I'm sharing photos I took in Kentucky at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN). Owen is showing how to cover the wires using a buttonhole stitch.

The wires are anchored with tape, and and then using a tapestry needle and three strands of floss, the proscribed length of wire is covered with buttonhole stitch.

This photo shows how the stitches build along the wire, which is continued only until enough wire is covered to outline the corresponding wing part. I'll share that process next.

 

Fixin' To Start...

 

Well, I drew my design and transferred it onto my fabric. Now I'm ready to begin the process of creating the components for my regal stumpwork Monarch butterfly.

My question to you is, "Would you like me to chronicle each step, or show you stages where I make more progress?".

Understand, this isn't going to be a "quickie" project. Thread painting the wings (just as I do with my birds) takes me more than a minute. I'll also take breaks to work on other smaller projects along the way.

Please let me know how you'd like me to share this process...detailed or in stages of completion. I'm happy either way, but I don't ever want to bore you, so I'd appreciate the feedback.

Okay, You Win...

I've been saving images of Monarch butterflies (among other things) in my "inspiration" binder since Lexington. Yesterday, I pulled them out of the binder, and took the silk thread assortment out of my silk thread cabinet. Yes. I have a cabinet full of only silks. (It's actually a jewelry chest, and I'll share a post about that another time.)

I'll be setting up the components for this project over the weekend, and you'll get the first peek at my Monarch butterfly beginnings on Monday.

I'm excited to share my progress with you, but as the comments said, you may find me working on the goldfinches, too. I'm making no promises one way or the other. You'll have to stay tuned to find out. 

Happy Weekend!

 

Perhaps A Monarch Next?...

Butterflies of North America 

You may recall when I learned stumpwork from tutor, Owen Davies from The Royal School of Needlework. My project then was a Red Spotted Purple Butterfly. He chose to teach it because a contingency of tutors from the RSN had come to Kentucky for our classes, and that butterfly was Kentucky's state butterfly.

Before it was time for everyone to pack up and leave, Owen and a number of students went to a wonderful, local needlework shop together. While there, he helped me choose all the silk threads I would need to stitch a Monarch butterfly.

I've found myself thinking about Owen lately. He passed away a year after returning home to the UK from the states, so when I stitch my Monarch, it will be in his honor.

I'd been planning to start my fourth Seasonal Birds (goldfinches) next, but the idea of doing the butterfly won't leave me alone  I think I need to stitch it. 

What do you think? Goldfinches or a silk Monarch? Let me know in the comments.

 

Brynwood Nantucket Table Runner - Front

Time to share my completed table runner. I'm happy with how If turned out. It finished at 16" wide x 64" long.

Brynwood Nantucket Table Runner - Reverse

I was such a smarty pants that I thought I didn't need to read all the pattern instructions. I was wrong. By the time I figured it out, I had two completed blocks that were wrong. Note that there was no green or black anywhere on these blocks.

I started frogging my stitches, but ended up thinking I can cut and resew faster, so I set those blocks aside and recut the lighter colored fabrics. In no time I had all the blocks sewn for the front, and would have chosen a whole cloth backing...until MA (Magpie Mumblings) suggested I make the runner reversible.

I grabbed the blocks I'd set aside, made two more, and sewed them together for the back. Once I added the batting, I quilted the front, batting, and back together  I added the binding, and by 11pm Thursday night, I placed the last stitch in the binding to complete my table runner.

It appears schedules prohibit us getting together with the Birthday Girl, so I've boxed it up and will mail it off.

Today is Craft Day, so I'm in Portage this morning. I have no idea what we're making today, but I'll have photos to share on Monday. Gotta run. See you later!

Nantucket Table Runner Top...

Nantucket Table Runner Top

I completed the top for the table runner I'm making as a gift. There are two more blocks just like these that make up the entire top. Each block is 16" square, for a length of 64", which will be perfect for their large table.

I'll finish the putting it together today. I'm going to use black for the binding, but I'll decide what will be on the back side when I do the assembly.

I'm going to get it quilted today, too, so it will be ready to wrap and gift. I hope she likes it!

 

Table Runner Fabrics...

Nantucket Table Runner

I finally decided my direction for the birthday gift I'm making for our daughter-in-law. We traveled to Nantucket as a family years ago, and she was always taken with the island. She has whale decor all over their home, so as I hung out in my fabric room trying to choose fabrics, this whale fabric got my attention.

Once I pulled that fabric, the other fabrics fell in line as they were perfect coordinates. I also have a canvas in classic Nantucket Red, and I'm debating whether or not to make that the backing. I'm still mulling that over.

Cutting and sewing begins today, and I'll share photos tomorrow. I may make a second one for my shop, too  we shall see. 

I'll be adding more items to my shop this week, too. More fibers and books, and perhaps a kit or two. Be sure to check back the end of the week for new listings.

 

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...

Adding The Bling...

 

Brynwood Ladybug WIP

All I have left to do is apply the red chipping so it's sparkly. Once that's done I can cut all my brooches free and create the brooches. I'll do that this weekend. Next week, you'll see finished brooches!

Happy Easter Weekend!

Ladybug, Ladybug...

Earlier Ladybug Brooches

I actually didn't get much any needle dancing in yesterday. Handsome had a doctor's appointment for a wellness checkup, and I needed to get a few things for an Easter project, so we went out together. (One vehicle, remember?)

By the time we got home it was late afternoon, and I had orders to pack for tomorrow's mail.

So, I thought I'd remind you what the ladybug brooches look like. The one I'm making now will also have a magnetic back. I'm doing the same for the baptism brooches, specifically to avoid the pin backs on babies.

So, I'll plan to get some stitching in again today. After all, this ladybug isn't going to stitch itself!