Take The Day Off...

I finished my table runner yesterday, but my last stitch was placed at 11 pm, so I decided to wait until daylight to take photos. I'll do that this morning, and promise to share them with 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. 

Resting...

 

I worked Tuesday and because I still have a cold, I pretty much sacked out when we got back home. Sorry I missed a post for yesterday. 

I spent part of the day at the computer, but my head really wasn't in it. I did prep a package to mail out one of the brooches that was purchased, but I mostly rested. 

Andy brought more hickory nutshells down from the fall harvest, so hickory syrup will definitely be in my future. That's for another day though.

While im sitting here conserving energy, all the birds that flew south for the winter are making their way back north. I want to be ready for them, so im planning to scrub all the feeders this week. The temps will reach into the sixties, so it's the perfect time to get ready for their return. 

Im also going to buy a couple new birdhouses for the bluebirds, and one or two wren houses. I think the Compass Barn could use one or two on the east wall. I want to have a nice welcome buffet for them when they arrive.

I'll be back at the computer today, too. I want to activate my sale by the weekend. Coffee and computer. See you later!

        

Heart Brooches...

 

Three New Brooches

I was feeling much better on Sunday. The sun was shining, even though it only got to about 29ºF , so it was lovely sitting in my favorite spot for a bit of needle dancing. 

Something Blue Bridal Brooch - Soft Blue

I completed the second Something Blue Bridal Brooch, so there are now two that will be available. I think I may do a third that will be completely beads with only the cross in the middle to see how that looks. I think that could be really elegant, too.

SOLD. Something Blue Bridal Brooch - Shimmer SOLD

These brooches will regularly be $65 each, plus $5 domestic postage (I'll pay the difference if it costs more.) I'll also ship outside the US, but buyer is responsible for postage and import fees, however during March, I'm offering them for $45 (plus postage as listed above). If you're interested, please send me a private message and I'll make arrangements to send a secure invoice through my Square account.

Now that I'm caught up with that, I'm going to turn my attention to new photographs for some of my current Etsy listings, and then I'll launch my 40% off March Madness Sale. Once that's up and running, it will be in effect until the end of the month. I'm hoping that most all of my current stock sells out so I can start April with new inventory, much of which I'll be creating during the month.

I will be working tomorrow, so I'm going to take it easy today. I've got a bit of computer time in my future to set up the sale. I might take an afternoon nap, too. See you tomorrow. Oh, and Happy March!

Nearly Finished...

Brynwood Exclusive Something Blue Bridal Brooch WIP

I almost finished this Bridal Brooch. I'll get this one done today, so I can do the third before cutting them out. 

I have plans to bake a special Valentine's treat for Handsome and his sweet tooth. It's a new-to-me recipe, but I think he'll we'll enjoy the result. I'll show you tomorrow.

I promised the recipe for English muffins today, but I wanted to show you hearts instead. I moving that post to Monday. 

Happy Friday the Thirteenth! 

(Did you know that the number 13 is actually GOOD luck? Yup! I'll tell you about that some time. Have a great day!)

                                                               

Purple Heart Brooch...

Purple Heart Brooch In Progress

I completed all the stitching for the Purple Heart Brooch yesterday. I can't cut that one out yet, because removing two from the ground fabric would destabilize my other two brooches I still need to stitch. I'll cut them all out when those blue ones are done.

It was really lovely to sit in my favorite sunny spot to stitch. Bella was sleeping at my feet, while Handsome ran errands with Bella's kid. 

I'll be working on the blue hearts today. I'll begin with the pearl purl outlines, and progress to the chippings, beads and crosses. These will be Bridal Brooches when they're finished, but the purple one is already spoken for.

I hope it's warming up with a little bonus sunshine where you live. I'm looking forward to the temperatures continuing to rise. I'm completely done with the deep freeze stuff! I know there's a cuppa with my name on it, so I'm off to start my day. See ya later, gator!

The "Good" Book...

Brynwood Cork Nature Journal

No. I don't mean that good book. The last post I shared was my "practice" class piece. While this one is my completed class assignment, I can see that I still have a lot to learn and perfect.

I used a piece of my favorite wildlife printed cork fabric as the cover. The binding is called a pamphlet binding and it should be accomplished with straight rows. What I learned is that it's hard to see the punched holes for stitching in cork, because the awl-sized holes tend to try to close up. Next time, I would mark the holes with a tiny ink mark on the inside before I start stitching. Lesson learned.

The inside pages are again made from copier paper, because I didn't want to use expensive paper for a technique I'm still learning. I made five signatures (that's the term for the folded pages that make up each sewn section), and the collection of bound signatures is called a codex.

I completed the book by adding a couple stickers inside the front page of my book, and then added a Brynwood leaf tag to the spine. The final touch was to add an acorn needle keeper as the closure. I glued one magnet inside the front cover, and then attached the acorn with another magnet to the fold-over flap. I may choose to amend how it's attached at some point, but I'm sticking with that for now.

Well, I completed my class so I can say, "I've done that." Perhaps my idea for adding needlework to covers of handmade books is something that will need to percolate further. I'm sure not ready to jump into that at this point. I think I'll stick with what I know for now. I'll be doing more needlework this week.

I'll also be working in my Etsy shop this week to take my February sale live. First I want to rephotograph some of the items in my shop. Right now there are multiple items per listing, and I want to change them to one item per listing. Of course, I want to put in a site-wide sale to move some of my stock to new homes. My plan is to take the sale live by Friday. I'll be sure to announce it as soon as it's ready.

My blog is still slow on this end. How is it for you? Slow? Loading as it should? I'm genuinely curious. I haven't figured out why this is the only site that loads turtle-slow for me, but I really hope it's not hanging up on your side, too.

I'm off on an early errand today and then I'll be busy here in the studio. Now, where did I put my morning cuppa? See you tomorrow!

Intentional...

Intentional - via WildflourFarm

This is how I choose to live out the rest of my days...with intention. Homekeeping, needle dancing, loving family, living a fulfilling life. 

I'm working at 4 today, but I'm making cinnamon rolls to share with my co-workers, Kim and Teresa (of course there will be more for Handsome, Andy and Shelly (dear next door neighbors), too. I'll have them frosted with plenty of time to put my feet up and have a cuppa tea before I have to leave. 

I'm making a plan for the fabric studio now, too. I'm going to move two fabric shelves into the machine room, and make it my goal to only keep what will fit on those two (maybe three) shelves. I would really love to have that room turned back into a bedroom by late summer, and if I concentrate and commit to releasing I think I can do it.  

Its going to be a lovely day, my friends. I may even do a little more stitching. I'll be back tomorrow with photos from today.

Cold Day Needle Dancing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Purple Heart Brooch In Progress

It's still cold and the wind picked up again, so the best place was indoors needle dancing! So, that's exactly what I did. I sat in front of my favorite sunny spot and listened to the wind beating against the farmhouse, but it was nice and warm inside.

The Something Blue Bridal Brooches are padded out and waiting their turn, but I wanted to work on the purple heart brooch first. I started using a different fiber around the beads but didn't like it, so I removed all that work and started over. I'm much happier with the bright silver now.

I'll work on this some more today, and I'm also going to make the dough for cinnamon rolls. I promised a tray for Teresa when I see her at work tomorrow night, and in return I'll get a dozen of her beautiful farm eggs. The yolks are almost orange, and they're soooo good. I'm sure I'm getting the better end of the deal, and I know she'll say the same about my cinnamon rolls. That means it's a perfect trade, right?

I'm going to start today with a nice, hot cuppa, and then I'll turn my attention to my needlework. I can already tell it's going to be a good day. Wishing the same for you!

When I'm Not Canning...

Brynwood Exclusive "Something Blue" Bridal Brooches (and a Regal Purple One, too)

I'll be making heart brooches. There are going to be "Something Blue" Bridal Brooches, a regal purple one for someone special, and a number of beautiful red Valentine Heart Brooches for February. I may just sell these directly through my blog and Facebook/Instagram this time, as I'm planning a big sale in my Etsy shop for February of my existing inventory. 

I'm working today, so wish me a warm store. It's still bitterly cold here, but I'll be bundled for the ride over, and last time I worked it was so comfortably warm that I took off my knit jacket. I'm hoping for the same today. Speaking of which, I'd better get cracking. I sure don't want to be late! See you tomorrow.

Finished Feather Hoops and A Guest...

Bluebird Feather Hoops

I finished finished the bluebird feathers yesterday and took pictures to share with you. I've done eight in all, and they'll be flying to new homes soon. The hoops each measure 3-1/2" in diameter.

Back of Bluebird Feather Hoops

Once they were completed, I backed each with muslin and rehooped them. Then, I gathered and secured them in the smaller part of the hoop to be sure they wouldn't loosen. I assembled the hoop and added ribbons and the bluebird verse from the Blackbird Designs selvage to each one.

Bluebird Feather Hoops Detail

Here's a closeup of one of the hoops to show you the verse, which I printed on vellum. I used enough thread to attach it that the recipient can have the option to either keep the verse in front or slide it around to the back. I'm quite happy with how they turned out!

Hickory Hill Farm Brown Creeper

Wednesday morning, I was making our bed when I heard a bird strike the window. One of the cats immediately jumped toward the pane hoping to "get it", but I quickly shooed her away from the window so I could see if the bird was okay.

What I saw was this little bird (I'd never seen one like it before), sitting on the window sill, obviously stunned and blinking. Once I made sure the cats were out of the room, I carefully opened the window, put my hands outside and picked up the wee thing. 

I stroked it and warmed it in my hand for at least ten minutes, letting it regain its senses, and it finally flew off. Then I went to my Facebook friends to see if anyone knew what kind of bird it was.

The response came quickly from one of my Portage friends. Linda P. told me it's called a Brown Creeper. They're small woodland songbirds native to Wisconsin. They have long tails that support them as the cling to the bark of trees in search of grubs and bugs that reside in the bark. Their long beaks help them reach in to extract tasty morsels for food.

While it was in my hand, I took photos from all angles to help me remember just what it looks like up close. You know that I'll be adding this one to my list of future bird embroideries! I'm telling you, holding it in my hand was like cradling a little miracle. I've never seen one before, but certainly will be looking for them in the future!

Four More Finished Feathers...

Well, technically, they're not finished until they're finished. I still have to put the backing muslin on them, cinch them into the hoop, attach the felt back, ribbons and verses. Then, they'll be finished.

It was dangerously cold outside yesterday, but sunny, so it was a perfect day to plop myself in front of my favorite window and stitch the day away.

Today, I'll be going back to work. We'll see how that goes. I'm feeling much better, and I'm not gasping for air when I walk around, so I think I'll be fine. Even so, I'm planning to come home, change into my sweats and share a meal with Handsome that my coworker Teresa prepared in the store before I bring it home. I don't want to work all day (my first day back), and then come home and make dinner, too!

It's good to have a plan. Don't you think? See you tomorrow. 

My Restful Weekend Project...

One gathering complete, and the other (with Son #2's family) won't be until mid-January. It's hard to wrangle everyone's schedule, but we'll figure it out!

So this weekend, I'm going to do a wee bit of stitching. I have something special in mind, because I have a few gifts left to make. This will be the perfect time to do that. Nothing like a little restful needlework to round out the holiday weekend. 

Monday is special for Handsome and me. It's our wedding anniversary, so I want to have this project finished well before then in case he has plans for us. I'm confident it will be done in plenty of time.

I hope you're all planning a relaxing weekend, too. I'm sure we're not the only ones who slept in a little later this morning. I'll see you again Monday.

Completed Retriever Quilt II...

Retriever Quilt II Front

No sunshine today for my photographs of the completed quilt. We managed to get a couple taken before it began to sprinkle. Nevertheless, it's done now, and Handsome is so cute. He actually thinks I'll let him use it before Christmas Day! lol

Retriever Quilt II Back

Surprise! In order to make a backing large enough for this quilt top, I had to really get creative. I had fat 1/8ths of some fabric, fat 1/4s of others, three yards of the black "tossed" retrievers, and this gorgeous black labrador panel. It became the centerpiece for the back and the rest came together around it. 

I guess Handsome could actually use it as the front if he so desired, except that there will be a label on this side before Christmas. The completed quilt finished at 83" long by 68" wide. That's a lot of warmth to cover my sweetheart. 

Retriever Quilt Notes

These are the pages of graph paper and note cards I used to get the measurements right. That last card is my calculation for how many 2-1/4" strips of fabric I'd need for the binding. I wrote down the names of all the dogs so I wouldn't miss anyone, and they're all stitched into the gold squares. You may be able to read them if you enlarge the photo.

Retriever Quilt I Front

Finally, here's the first retriever quilt - actually the first quilt - I ever made. I used fancy stitches to go around all the motifs, and mostly used the panel as it came with all the bordered retriever images. I made this when Handsome and I were first married. That was forty one years ago.

Retriever Quilt I Back

Over all these years, this quilt has covered many snuggles, laughs, tears, people and dogs. We've always joked that once you sat under it, it was impossible to stay awake. It was patched many times, and got a new binding a few years ago because the old one was so tattered. In memory of this quilt, I incorporated two strips of the same fabric into a border in the new quilt. 

I didn't put a label on this quilt when I made it, but I'm going to add one after Christmas, officially gifting it to our beautiful Bella who will practically do anything to lie on it. It's hers now, and Handsome will enjoy the new one - which I'm sure he'll be happy to share with her, too.

Thanks for following this process with me. It sure is fun knowing that you all care about the things I make, and our life here at Hickory Hill Farm. 

Merry Christmas Week to one and all!!!

Today's Post Will Be Delayed...

Retriever Quilt II

Only for a little while. I completed this quilt yesterday, but by the time I finished stitching the binding on, it was dark outside. I want to take a photo in daylight...outdoors...with Handsome holding it up, so you can see the whole quilt - front and back.

As soon as I can get him outside and we wrangle it around for a few photos, I'll be back and update today with a second post. Keep your eyes peeled. I'll be back again soon!

Quilt Top Reveal...

Completed Quilt Top

I completed my quilt top for Handsome last night. It's so large that it's difficult to see the entire top - even with him holding it up. Once it's quilted and bound, you'll be able to see the entire quilt on a bed, but I wanted you to get a glimpse today.

All the borders are on the quilt, and they're the same all the way around. I know it's hard to see that at the bottom and top, but the are the same. You can also see some darker or lighter areas because the quilt is backlit. Those anomalies don't show in daylight.

Each yellow block now bears the names of all of our dogs for the past forty four years. Yellow labradors' names are stitched in a buttery-colored thread. The Golden retrievers are in a rusty color (except one that I forgot to change out). The black labs have black thread, and he even said I should put Fezzik and Tag's names on so they're in a darker gold with one letter in white (like their fur colors). 

Finally, I added a heart with a paw print in the center of each of the name blocks...just because. I'll share closeups of those blocks once I get this big boy quilted, which I'll at least start today. 

I work again tonight. Yes. It's the weekend again! My plan is to finish this by the time the Sunday rolls around, if not before. Of course, I'll hand bind it once I've assembled the top, back and batting. I'm going to do my best to show you a completed quilt on Monday.

Stay Warm and Safe! 

Working On A Special Project...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jerry Gadamus Labrador Fabric Panels

This project is long overdue, but I'm going to do it now. If you've followed me for a while, I've sung this song before, but I really am doing it this time.

Handsome had asked me to make a new quilt for him to replace one that I made for him forty years ago. He loved the last one so much that I'm still patching it so he can keep using it.

It's not one of the highly embellished quilts like those I've done more recently. He wants fiberfill batting and minimal finish quilting just like that first one I made from a single, repeating, long panel from all those years ago. 

So I went looking for retriever fabric to stay with the same theme. When I saw the fabric that used the paintings we recognized and loved from years ago, I bought what I could find from the line. Unfortunately, a long repeated panel wasn't available. That means I'm going to have to piece it with other fabrics to create the size I want. He asked for a larger one this time. 

The last retriever quilt was about 76" long by 48" wide. This one will finish closer to 85" long by 60" wide. I began with a drawing of how I want it to look, and worked out measurements from my drawing. From there I started cutting and piecing. 

I'll be working today, so I won't likely won't complete the top tonight, but I'll get it done soon so I can share it with you. I'm really happy with what I've got so far. I think Handsome will like it, too. More soon!

Brooches...

Materials for Goldwork Brooches

I chose the materials to make a few goldwork brooches for my Christmas list. This is just one colorway. I'll have two different colors when I'm finished.

I'm going to be working on them today, and hope to complete them over the weekend. I'm planning to make at least three. This will be fun. You know how I love working on bright, shiny things! 

We're supposed to get a deep freeze this weekend, so I'll make sure I have plenty of food out for the birds and critters. I'm hoping the opossums find their way back to the barn for some protection this winter. The cabinet I created for the "barn" cats a couple years ago has a warming lamp inside that I think they'd enjoy. I'll have food and fresh water out there, just in case.

I work tonight, but I'll be inside with Handsome and the girls most of the weekend. There's supposed to be a cookie exchange at my niece's on Sunday, so I'll be baking tomorrow. Handsome still has a rotten cold, but I'm taking good care of him. Chicken soup was on last night's menu, and I'll make something warm and hearty again for him tonight. If you're in the "ice belt", I hope you stay safe and warm. 

One To Go...

Don't Mind The Resident Moocher

As requested, I'm sharing photographs of all three wall hangings together. Of course, I'll rearrange when I complete the autumn wall hanging in 2026, but this is how I've arranged these three for now.

Robins and Cardinals were hanging in my studio until I moved them into our bedroom. Now, I'll see them when I wake up in the morning, and last thing before bed.

Handsome thinks I should consider having custom shadowbox frames with UV glass made for them. I'm seriously considering it! What do you think?

"Song of Spring - Robins"

"Winter Song - Cardinals"

"Summer Serenade - Bluebirds"

Thanks to everyone for all the lovely and encouraging comments along the way. We'll start again next year, but for now, I'm going to take a break from songbirds and get busy on Christmas projects. I'll have something completely unrelated for next week! See you then.