Working For The Weekend...

 

Foggy View From The Farmhouse

I was busy working on the sale all day. I woke up to a wet yard, as it had rained, but as the day progressed it got foggier and foggier outside. By evening, I could no longer see the street lights on the overpass, and only two lights at the end of the road (likely because the fog lifted near the corner).

I'll continue working on my listings today, and I'm planning to launch the sale on Saturday morning. I'm thinking the sale will go live then, and I'll continue to add new things throughout the month - all on sale. Should be fun!

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!

I'm Having So Much Fun...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fabric Offerings

I was on my feet all day yesterday (again). I've listed up a lot more fabrics, and will likely do the same thing today. I'll begin my day by sending out yesterday's orders, and then prepare more fabric to list...after coffee.

I'm actually having a great time doing this. I'm finding quilt kits (I forgot) I want to sew, more fabrics to release, and a few other things I forgot I had. I can hardly wait to see what reveals itself today! See you later.

Something New This Way Comes...

Brynwood Needleworks - Working On A New Website

 

Bags are unpacked, and the contents are put away. On our driving trips, Handsome and I get to talk about many things. So today, I decided to put one of our discussion topics into action.

I've been watching other Etsy sellers discuss the new fee structures, including new added fees on shipping costs. I understand that Etsy wants to cut down on low item prices with outrageous shipping fees, but it's ultimately cutting into my bottom line - and every time I put actual shipping costs on my listings, I get a message from Etsy saying they're too high. Any lower, and I'd be losing money on my items and shipping costs. It's a real conundrum.

 

Then, they also took away our stand-alone PayPal accounts, to make sure all income goes through their site. Another slice of the pie. sigh

Yesterday morning, I decided to do some research into setting up my own website. I already use the Square app, stand, and processing terminal when I do in-person sales, so that's where I went to look into creating an online shop. As Square is secure and accepts all forms of payment, it seemed like the natural place to look.

I've started playing with the platform, and will continue to work on it in the coming days. Once it's ready to launch, I'll remove the items in this shop from the Etsy shop - mostly my bags, wallets, and other handcrafted creations, however I will continue to sell my fabric, kits, etc. through Etsy.

I also want to get back to bag making in the near future. I need to restock wallets, totes and other new bag styles I'm adding to my lines. Destiny has to go in for service, but thankfully, most of what I do with regard to my cork projects is done with my Jane machine. Destiny can take a break.

Today, I'll be continuing to build my online shop, and then I may get some sewing preparations done. That way, when I'm ready to sew, all the pieces and parts will be ready to roll. 

Can you believe it's already the end of another week? I really can't believe how the time flies around here. Happy Weekend! Spend it well.

New Year, New Looks...

New Etsy Banner For 2019

 

I'm working on a few new headers and elements for 2019. This one is for my online (Etsy) shop (which is currently on vacation mode). I've chosen the cork bag and some of my pincushions (in progress) to showcase what one might expect to find in my online shop, too.

 

You can see the new header I've installed here on my blog. I figured the hotshot Corgi should actually have his own photo up top this year, along with our compass barn. I think my new blog header better speaks to our life in Wisconsin, with all the wonderful activities I enjoy here at the farmhouse.

I'm also researching other online sites, now that my Craftsy shop is closed. I'm looking for a new self-host option for selling my PDF pattern files, including the ones available right through my blog. I'm going to move those, too.

2019 is a good time to change things up a bit. I'm hoping you like what you see, and that you'll tell me if there's something special you'd like me to share with you this year. Just let me know, okay?

Finished Today...

Main Panel - Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

This is the second Birthday gift that I've been working on. When Kathy and I were shopping, she found the Harry Potter quilt panel that was the perfect starting place for what I had in mind.

After I got it home, I knew I wanted to add machine embroideries to enhance the design. I found some beauties, too.

Embroidered Golden Snitch

The panel has a quidditch match in progress in the upper left corner. I added a golden snitch, stitched out in gold and white metallic threads. I purchased this design from BitzandBobbins HERE on Etsy.

Embroidered Dobby

Dobby wasn't on the panel, but he's a character I really love. He's so sweet, and he's devoted to Harry. I purchased his embroidery HERE from Thanks4TheAdventure on Etsy.

Embroidered Sorting Hat

Of course, the Sorting Hat was an important part of attending Hogwarts. I purchased this design from Thanks4TheAdventure, too. HERE'S the link.

Embroidered Patronus (Daylight)

My personal favorite is this "Always" Patronus. If you're familiar with the Harry Potter stories, you know that the Patronus is conjured by the wizards (and talented Muggles, like Hermione). Each Patronus is unique to their wizard.

The doe belonged to Harry's mother (and Professor Snape, who loved her all his life - "Always"). It's really quite lovely. Of course, Grandpa and I love our grandchildren always, too.

This embroidery came from DesignedByGeeks on Etsy. You can find it Here. It stitched out beautifully, thanks to their digitizing and my Babylock Destiny.

Embroidered Patronus -  Glow In The Dark Thread (Dark)

My idea for this embroidery was to stitch it out in glow-in-the-dark threads. Kathy happened to have the color I needed, so just like the Patronus in the movies, this embroidered version will be visible in the dark.

Harry Potter Quilt

So, all the embroideries were stitched onto the panel, and then added the borders. The black and white panels on the top and bottom are Harry Potter with the Griffendor crests in a repeat pattern. The quilt's final measurement is 66" long x 45" wide.

Back of Harry Potter Quilt

 

I chose an allover pattern for the back that features Harry, Ron, and Hermione interspersed with the words "Dumbledore's Army" (from Jo-Ann Fabrics). The fabric down the center was from Spoonflower (Marauder's Map).

 

I'll add the binding this morning and then it will be finished today - ready for our granddaughter. We'll be giving the gifts to both our girls this weekend. Just in time...

 

Already Decorating (In My Head)...

Brynwood Needleworks - Cindy Austin "Brown & White Cow"

Right now, our farm kitchen is a blank slate. We have a pantry (not a "butler's pantry" as farmers never had butlers!) with a farm sink and all the cabinets a heart could desire. The adjacent room used to have a stove and refrigerator when the previous owners lived here, but those appliances are long gone and we have an empty room to turn into our kitchen.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cindy Austin "Cow Painting"

I've had stainless steel appliances in our Florida home for years, but stainless seems out of place for our farm. I'm opting instead for white appliances. Handsome and I have also settled on repeating the butcher block countertops, as they're really our favorite counter surface.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cindy Austin "Moonalisa"

The rest of our kitchen ideas will be revealed in good time, but one item keeps coming back to the front of my mind. We're in the Dairy State, surrounded by dairy farmers. I can see cows on the landscape, almost without leaving home. 

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Cindy Austin "Gwendolyn"

 

I love Cindy Austin's animal paintings, and this one - "Gwendolyn" - has captured my heart. I'll be ordering this canvas to hang in our farm. I'm thinking "kitchen" right now, but either way, Gwendolyn is going to live on one of the walls in our farmhouse.

You can find Cindy's artwork in her Etsy shop (pinkgloves2) HERE. She paints more than cows, and I love everything she does.

Keeper Of The Keys...

Brynwood Needleworks - Floral Key Fobs

I made more useful products today for my Etsy shop. This time I chose to put together nearly a dozen key fobs.

I created three different floral-themed key fobs, choosing twill roses; twill flowers with bees; and a woven boho-feel floral. All were sewn to cotton webbing before installing into the hardware.

Brynwood Needleworks - Quilty Key Fobs

 

I also made three different quilt-themed fobs. All three are woven ribbons sewn to cotton webbing. One has sewing tools; another with patchwork and cross stitch; and finally a square block.

I made more key fobs in other themes. You can find them in my newest Etsy listing HERE. Another fun day, "making" in the studio.

Tag will be back tomorrow to visit. He's been having fun this week!

Thirty Three...Thirty Four...

Brynwood Needleworks - 33 Orange Kaffe

I've already completed two wallets this week.

I chose colorful Kaffe Fasset fabrics for these.

Brynwood Needleworks - 33 Orange Kaffe

I selected a orange, purple and pink colorway for #33.

Brynwood Needleworks - 34 Blue Kaffe

  Then, I selected a blue colorway for #34.

Brynwood Needleworks - 34 Blue Kaffe 

One of the new features in all my wallets (created since September 1st) is that I've added a special RFID, signal-blocking film that protects the new chip credit cards from identity theft when in your wallet. So, in addition to carrying a wallet that speaks to your style, you can rest assured that your contents are secure, too.

All my latest creations are waiting for you in my Etsy shop: Brynwood Needleworks. I'll be back in the studio. I'd better keep my nose to the grindstone if I want to get through my whole list!

Tuesdays With Tag - It's About Time...

Brynwood Needleworks - The Pool Boy

Hi, Everybody!

Guess what? It's finally cool enough outside that Mom has the door open to the pool for a little while each day! You know what that means, right? I get to hang out by my pool!

Brynwood Needleworks - Rear View of the Corgi

Mom likes it 'cuz she can see me from her studio window. She said it makes her happy to see me hangin' out on the deck.

A guy's gotta work on soakin' in the rays, don't you think? It's just the right temperature so I don't sit around pantin'. It's just perfect, if you ask me...and it's about time, too!

Brynwood Needleworks - Kelly's Corgis

Mom wanted me to show you her newest studio trinkets. They're from Miss Kelly at CorgiKeepsakes on Etsy. (Her shop name is a link, in case you wanna check her out.)

She doesn't make only Corgis, either! She makes all kinds of cute doggish things, but Mom especially loves her Corgis. (She's thinkin' about askin' Miss Kelly to do one of The Black Dog, too. pfffttt)

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag on the left; Kelly's Little Tag on the right

Brynwood Needleworks - Kelly's Little Tag on the left; Tag on the right.

Know what so special about the ones on the left and right? They have my markin's from pictures Mom sent to her! Don't hate me 'cuz I've got cute pants! (The girls can't keep their hands off 'em!) She even nailed the black pad on my back left paw! She's really good at this.

Anyway, Mom loves 'em and so do I.

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag, The Pool Boy

Mom said (after lookin' at these pictures) that we need to power wash the deck pavers again. They get this way when it's rainy and then hot. It's an easy fix, but she needs to run the powerwasher to clean 'em up again. Easy peasy.

Bella is doin' fine at Uncle Mike's. Dad went to see her over the weekend. I don't care if she's at school or not. I'm startin' to miss her silly butt. She's about halfway through her studies right now, but the next time Dad goes to visit her, Mom and I are definitely goin', too!

Well, I hope you'll excuse me again this week. The weather is just too nice to sit here at the computer. I'm gonna catch a few more rays, in case it decides to rain again.

I'll see you again in seven! 'til then...

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

More Playing With Pincushions...

My pincushions have really been moving out of the studio, so I took time yesterday to fashion new ones for restock.

I created five new ones, but couldn't finish them yesterday. I ran out of my filling and won't get more until today. (L-R: America, Lovebird Roses, Seahorse, Colorful Pups, and Love Letters)

I did manage to completely finish two of them, though. The first one is "America". I finished the ruching before dinner. I've really been wanting to do a patriotic design and this is what I chose.

Here's a closeup of "America". I picked a vintage jewelry finding and oatmeal-colored ribbon as embellishments.

My second completed pincushion is called "Seahorse" (because of the button I chose). I used Moda's "Seaside Rose" by Three Sisters on this one. The seahorse button was perfect as the accent, and the turquoise ribbon and vintage lace complete this pretty and practical gem.

I want daylight photos of these before I list them up in my Etsy shop, so they'll be photographed today. After I get more filling this morning, I'll sew up the other three and list them up, too.

As my dear friend, Sherry of Createology says, "Creative Bliss" - it's the best description for all my days this week. I'm such a lucky girl.

A Couple More Finished...

When I finish new pincushions (or other projects), I usually post them to my Brynwood Needleworks Facebook page before I write a blog post about them. Such was the case with my latest pincushions.

"With Love" Pincushion

This one is called "With Love" and is so feminine with the soft rose colors and vintage lace. I used a vintage jewelry finding for the sparkle embellishment, and then hand stitched the ruched ribbon as my last step.

Ruching always reminds me of icing on a cake. I think it's even more apparent when I use a white or pink ribbon. This is one of my favorite things to do...simply ruche and stitch and then, do some more.

I shared this one as my last post on Saturday evening after I finished it, and it sold Sunday morning. I have more of this fabric, so I'll make another and list it up in my Etsy shop when it's ready.

Pincushion - Pure Blue

I actually finished this one first on Saturday. I used Sweetwater's "Pure" fabrics on it, along with  vintage, white lace, and blue ribbon.

I used another vintage jewelry embellishment on it. There were beautiful aurora borealis beads in it. Lots of sparkle!

This one can be found in my Etsy shop. I'll be adding more this week, so if you want to see them before they're posted here, head over to my Brynwood Needleworks Facebook page.

Handsome and I spent the day with the dogs yesterday. We had another open house, which meant "vacating the premises". Our agent said multiple couples came to look around, and that's always a good thing.

Tag will be back tomorrow. It's hard to believe it's already been a week since you last heard from him. Where is the time going?