A Needle Pulling Thread...

I'm working on a project that's going to become a class. 

Cotton fabric and pearl cotton coming together to teach basic embroidery stitches.

I have to remind myself to keep it simple. It will be beginner embroidery, after all.

More photos to follow (Monday, perhaps?) when I'm finished with the entire piece.

You know the old saying, "When one door closes, another door opens..."?

When our traditional Saturday morning Coffee Club get-togethers ended, 

Handsome asked if I'd like to start Saturday morning breakfast dates with him.

Well...YEAH! 

The first time, he took me to Paneras. Now we're planning more extended

dates to add a few other fun activities after breakfast! I miss the girls, but 

 happily admit, I appreciate my husband's wonderful offer to be with him.

Thanks for the great idea, Honey!

I hope you have something fun planned for your Saturday.

Later, 'gators!

Beds For Baby Birds...

I came across this on Facebook today and thought it was something I'd

like to do. I'm basically a Nature Girl and have a soft spot for strays and

orphans. I love making baby hats, and these are the same thing - upside-down!

This drive is hosted by WildCare, located in San Francisco, CA. Here is a

link to their homepage. They offer a link to patterns (here), as well as a link to 

the forms that have to be filled out to contribute nests (or cash) to their rescue.

WildCare image

 In addition to contributing to WildCare, I'm also looking into local rescues

to see if they would be interested in receiving knitted and crocheted nests, too.

Next Tuesday, I'll be asking the Paneras girls if they would like to make nests for

local orphaned baby birds. I haven't knitted anything seriously since I learned

 that I have arthritis in my thumbs, however, I'm willing to endure to do this.

WildCare image

I can just imagine the little dears tucked into warm beds as they are fed and rehabbed until they can be returned as healthy birds back into the wild. The instructions provide different sized nests, but all need to be made from  cotton, acrylic or washable wool so they can be cleaned as needed.  If you'd like to contribute a nest (or two or three), please let me know via a comment on this post. I'm going to prepare a few "birdy" mug mats and will
host a drawing between the participants. If you have a blog, please share your link and I will open a new participants page so that my readers can also visit your blogs. They need 1200 nests this year. I'm hoping that we might be able to donate 50 toward their goal. Deadline to sign up will be May 10, 2014, with the deadline for me to receive the nests as May 30th. I'd like to ship all the completed nests on  June 1st. I hope you'll consider participating to help WildCare meet their goal.

This is the first Saturday there won't be a Coffee Club.  I'm going to put on my old clothes and finish my redecorating project today. I want to make sure that this Sunday really is a day of rest! I hope all of you have something fun planned this weekend, too. I'll be back on Monday with lots of pictures!

One More Coffee Club Date and Studio Progress...

Empty Shelves and Good Friends. (l-r: Brenda, me, Kathy, Fay, Nora and Joni)

I have more photos of the progress in the studio below, but first I want

to mention that today is our last Coffee Club Saturday for the foreseeable

future. Today the shop will close its doors for good and Kathy and Nora

are going "on break". They've devoted a lot of time and energy into their

quilt shop venture and they're ready to spend some time doing fun things

with their families. We'll still see each other at guild, but no more Saturdays.

All of us in 2012. (l-r: Flo, Joni, Nora, Fay, Kathy, me and Brenda)

When I think about all the fun we've had together on these mornings, I know it's going to feel weird not getting up on Saturday to go down to the shop. We got to know each other better and we shared a lot of laughs and more than a few tears. We mourned the loss of loved ones and we've celebrated life. Now it's time to start a new chapter. I know we'll all keep in touch. Our visits will just be at different  times and in different places. Change is inevitable. We'll embrace it. We're all wishing Kathy and Nora wonderful new adventures. No "goodbyes".  Just good wishes.

 I know you're all waiting for a studio update, too, so here you go...

 We finished the floor before 5 o'clock yesterday. Trim pieces were installed 

behind these Koala furniture pieces, but not where shelves will be installed. I 

don't want to remove the baseboard from those areas, so we left them all in place. 

This picture is from the doorway into the room. My computer will be in the 

corner straight ahead and my serger table is right next to it. (Pardon the lamp. It's 

temporary and ugly. I just needed it for light until I decide how to light the space.)

 This is taken from the opposite corner from the door. Shelves will be installed on

 the wall behind me. The shelves with the partitions are part of my "tower of fabric"

 from the old studio. I placed it here for a preview. They'll be stacked and secured

 to the wall before I put all the folded fabric back. I can't wait to see it all in place!

 This door goes to the shared bathroom between the studio and the other

guest room. I'll be placing the cutting table under the window on the left.

 Shelves here for bolts of fabric. There will be a total of 129" of shelves on

this wall and the section of wall to the left of the window. There's one more

26" shelf unit that will be next to the bathroom door for a few more bolts.

I'm envisioning a riot of color on those walls, which is why I chose the soft

color for the wall itself. Which leaves only one more area to reveal to you.

The studio closet! I'm really proud of the way this entire floor turned out, but I  think

 the way I (perfectly) pieced the boards around the door hardware and into  the closet

 is my favorite part. I got better as I went along and was almost a pro by the  time I came

to the part that would be behind doors. It's a shame it will be hidden more often than not.

 Before I quit for the day, I moved all my drawer units into place, along with 

the large rolls of specialty fabric I have. Some of it is decorator fabric I have for

projects I've been thinking about, and then there are a few vintage bridal laces

I purchased for future garments. Now, they're in a place where I don't have

to worry about them falling on me like they did whenever I turned on a light

in the old studio. Clean, dry storage for my finer fabrics. I'm happier already.

 There are also drawers containing my wools, bindings, adhesives, ribbons, charm

packs, fabric set aside to finish more napkins or table runners and a lot of other good

 stuff. I also have my specialty papers (printables, etc.), rubber stamps and jewelry

  findings in the other drawers. There's a lot more here than meets the eye, but I know

 what is where and am happy to have it in the studio rather than in closets in other

 rooms or otherwise scattered around the house. Handsome is happy about this, too.

There's still a shelf above all these drawer units that I'll use for my baskets of batting.

 That should just about complete the available closet space until I sort and purge further.

I'm off to Coffee Club and then back home to get those shelves ready to install.

I know one thing is for sure...I'm finished working on my knees for the rest of

this project! My hands and knees are officially on break. Now it's only fun stuff.

Tomorrow is a new Sunday Scripture and I'll be back with lots of pictures Monday.

 Tag and Handsome can't wait until this is all done, so I better get back to it.

I've Got Plans...

Brynwood April Hibiscus

  I had so much fun with my class yesterday. Every one of my students "got it". By the end of the day, they all went home with a great start to their own projects.   If you've taught someone else a technique you love, whether or or not it's sewing, quilting, needlework or something else, you know that sense of satisfaction one gets when you see the light go on in your student's eyes. It really never gets old.   I'm looking forward to watching these students become even more proficient in hand applique'. Perhaps we'll even get together again for a more advanced class.
Monday will bring another class, but today I'll visit with my Coffee Club  girlfriends. We got the "memo" that the shop will officially close in two weeks. We try not to think about it and just enjoy what time we have left in the shop.   It's a really good thing that we'll see each other A.S. (After Shop) or we would  have a much worse time coping with this new phase in Kathy and Nora's lives.  While we wish them all the best (and of course, we do), we can't help but lament  the loss of another wonderful quilt shop in our area. So, I'm off to catch up with them and hear more about what they have planned for their retirements.
I hope all of you savor every moment of your weekend. The weather is getting nicer up North, and Florida is starting to lift a little higher out of the ocean as our beloved snowbirds pull up stakes and head back to their northern homes.
See ya later, friends. Gotta run and get this weekend started!

Rest and Play...

  The Flying Cloud was in serious need of washing. All those pine trees deposited a lot of wicked, sticky pollen this spring and I think all of it landed on our Airstream.
Handsome and I spent most of the day on ladders, scrubbing every square inch  of that beautiful exterior. I crawled on top to clean the white roof, which will help keep the interior cooler during the summer. All the trim was scrubbed, all the pollen and pine needles have been washed away and the awnings (2 new  ones since this photograph was taken) were pulled open and cleaned, too. Wow!  We worked our soon-to-be Happy Camper buns off!
Today, I'm going to visit the girls at Coffee Club. (We don't know how many  more of these Saturday morning sessions we have left at the shop.) While I'm away, Handsome is going to tackle cleaning the windows so that task will be finished by the time I get back home. My job will be to go through the interior and wash all the woodwork, polish the stainless interior and scrub the floors. (That ought to take all of about one hour!) Then, I'm going to put my feet up and relax for the rest of today. I know it sounds like a lot, but it really isn't.
Handsome has a concert tomorrow, so we'll play the rest of the weekend. I hope you have something fun planned, too. Have a joyful weekend, friends.

On A Wonderful Day Like Today...

 We're invited to the home of friends for dinner this evening, so I

made a "thank you" gift to take along for our hostess. I've been 

making them each time we go to a new home for the first time.

I can tell you that this gift idea has been really appreciated each time.

I chose this soft botanical fabric for one side of these two-sided napkins.

 Because our host is a musician friend, I chose music-themed fabric that

coordinates with the fabric on the front. I'm happy with the way they look.

These napkins took a total of two hours to make from fabric choice to

completion. Making a set of six takes less than an afternoon, and they

really make a nice impression as a gift. I've sent them to friends and

family, too, so I frequently choose colors I already know they love.

Now, all I have to do is decide what I'll wear this evening. hmmmmm.

I'll be joining the girls at our Coffee Club this morning.

Last week was wild, as we all helped with the Going Out Of Business

Sale rather than hanging around drinking coffee and visiting. There was

not time to catch up or commiserate. I'm guessing there will be more of

the same this weekend. Kathy and Nora have had a crazy, busy week.

I'll have one stop after I leave there and then a quick trip to Venice so I

can go to the Venice Guild Quilt Show. I'll spend a couple of hours there

before going home so Handsome and I can go to dinner with friends.

As I think about my schedule today, I can't help but appreciate the blessings

in my life. Doesn't this sound like a wonderful way to spend a Saturday?

(Yup. I think so, too.)

Celebrating Your LQS...

Image from Martingale Publishing

 Today is the second annual "Support Your Local Quilt Shop Day"!

Those wonderful women and men who supply us with all the fabrics, fibers 

and notions to indulge in our quilting obsessions deserve a little extra love 

from us. Some will have special events, but all will appreciate our visits.

Image from Martingale Publishing

 You'll find me at Sandy's Quilt Shop this morning. It's time to celebrate our

Coffee Club friend, Joni's, Birthday - and I'm sure we'll each find a way to

thank Kathy and Nora for all the hard work they do to keep their shop full of

inspiring and fresh fabrics for all of us who love to spend our time sewing.

So today, stop what you're doing, take an hour (or three) and head to 

your own LQS so you can tell them how much you appreciate all they do 

to support and promote the quilting arts. Let's all have a great day!

Productive Studio Time...

 I finally got back into the studio yesterday!

I had a list of things with deadlines, and

I managed to complete everything on my list.

Yay, me!

We'll be celebrating Joni's Birthday at Coffee Club

on Saturday and my hands are the last to touch her gift

from us. Joni loves ducks - specifically Rubber Ducky -

so choosing her fabric was easy for the girls. 

Nora, Kathy, Fay and Brenda assembled the whole quilt.

 My tasks were to bind the quilt, add the hanging sleeve and label.

 We included Flo's name on the quilt label for all the quilts made in

 2013. Because Joni's quilt is actually the last one in this cycle, her 

label has Flo's name on it, too. We'll miss Flo for a long time to come.

I can share this with you because Joni doesn't have a computer, tablet

or smart phone. She won't see it until we give it to her Saturday.

No surprises were ruined by sharing this finish with you!

 I also finished these cases to take to our Guild meeting last night.

I added velcro to these two cases and they're now finished "sleeves".

The velcro will keep the tablet from slipping out unexpectedly.

 I added flaps to these two, so they're finished cases. I wanted to

give the Guild members an idea of what I'm working on. Only

twenty to go! I have until the third week in February to finish the

rest of them. I know that Pat, who is in charge of the Boutique was

really happy to have them, and I know she'll like having more to sell.

Today, I'll be working on Mom's Birthday gift. I'm going to make one of

my sewing organizers for her that will match the armchair pincushion I

gave her for Christmas. She told me she liked the organizer idea last 

month, so I'm happy to surprise her with one. I know she'll love it.

I have a full day ahead, so I'd better get back to the studio.

See you tomorrow with a few more finishes.

Wishing you a creative day, my friends.

Wooly One Complete...

 

 I put the finishing touches on Block One of

the Wooly Critter Sampler yesterday morning.

I used overdyed wools for the little chickadee and flowers...

and Sulky #12 threads for the buttonhole stitching all around them.

Block One completed in the first week of January. 

Not bad, so far. We'll see if I can keep up.

I'm heading to Coffee Club with the girls this morning, so I'll be adding

my block to the design wall with the rest of this month's completed blocks.

Artwork for sale by "vintagize" on Etsy

Handsome is actually playing percussion up in Gibsonton today...

for a circus! He does this every year and really enjoys it.

He always says the same thing about it when he gets home, though.

If anyone is interested in this little snippet of knowledge,

(Who knows? You may be asked this on Jeopardy or something.)

Camels REALLY stink!

When Tag and I get back home from Harbour Heights today, 

I'll head back to the studio to continue work on my tablet cases.

Hope you all have a restful and creative weekend.

It's A Start...

 When I was at Coffee Club last Saturday, two of the girls had already finished

Block One of the Wooly Critters series. (Talk about real overachievers!) 

I got back home, pulled out my wools (which I shared with you here), and set

about creating my first block. Although the other gals are machine sewing their

pieces, I will be hand stitching all of my blocks. I finished setting it up yesterday

 afternoon and then stitched while I chatted with the girls at Paneras last night.

 I love the colors and the texture of the wool. I can tell this project is going

 to be fun to work on. Block One isn't finished yet, but will be soon.

I'll have to remember to pace myself. Only one block a month...or
maybe two if I get my other projects done as planned. Maybe.

Thank you to everyone who left Birthday messages for Handsome

here or on my Facebook page. He really liked reading your good wishes.

and

Thank you, also, for leaving condolences on my Uncle John's passing.

Our family appreciates your prayers as we grieve his loss. I'm meeting 

more family members because of my post, and I think he would like that.

First Finish Of The New Year...

 I was so happy to spend some time in the studio yesterday. I made a

new Sewing Organizer to use as a model for classes I'll be teaching.

 I chose Moda's Basic Grey "Figgy Pudding" fabrics from my stash. 

The outside fabric reminded me of colorful swim rings, so I decided

 to add some of my beach cabin tape from LillaLotta to the outside.

 The lining and binding is done in another Moda fabric in red and white polka

dots. (Thinking, "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny" polka dot bikini...but not yellow.)

 By dinnertime, I was finished sewing on the binding! I'll take it over 

to the shop so they can start signing up students for me to teach.

 If you're interested in making an organizer of your own, you can visit

my Craftsy shop (Brynwood Needleworks) to get your own pattern.

If you look for my listings by my name, search for Brynwood Donna.

(There's a quick link to my Craftsy shop in my left sidebar.)

Well, I'm happy to have spent a little time in the studio and finish my first

 project of the new year. Today, I'll be checking in with the Coffee Club.

Nothing like a few hours with the girls to kick off the weekend!