My May Artist Trading Cards...

Brynwood Needleworks - May Artist Trading Cards To Mail

I completed my artist trading cards during the day yesterday for the Handmade Treasures swap group. The theme for this month is Flowers.  I chose the Lilac Fairy image from Cicely Barker as my main image, adding "The earth laughs in flowers" beneath it. I used a complimentary floral background behind the image, and added the flower button as the final touch.

Brynwood Needleworks - May ATC Closeup

All the envelopes are addressed and stamped, so they'll all go in the mail today and be on their way. 

Speaking of "on their way", this is my multiple last six hour day. Next week I'm back to my regular six hour Tuesday and three hour Friday evening. I can't wait. I really like the new gal I helped train on Wednesday, and next Tuesday, I have yet another woman to train. yippee!

We also have a former cook coming back to work for us. The job he left us to go to hasn't panned out, so he's back and wants more hours. double yippee! I think those of us who have been bustin' our butts to keep the operation going are finally getting relief...especially my boss.  Prayers answered.

I'm leaving in a little while to clock in for my shift, but am looking forward to a relaxing weekend with Handsome. I'll tell you all about it next week, so have a great holiday weekend, and I'll see you tomorrow or after the holiday. Hi Ho...Hi Ho...You know the rest!

He Just Knows...

Just like a life boat when I feel like I'm bobbing around in the ocean, he rescues me. He always knows just what I need. When I was at work yesterday, a lady walked in with this arrangement in her hands and said, "Flowers for Donna". My day was immediately brighter, and all the cares that were weighing on me disappeared. 

I kept them right near my register all day, and many customers commented on my beautiful flowers. My response was always the same. "They're from my husband. Forty years and he's still my guy." When asked if there was a special occasion, I simply replied that they were just to cheer me up. Boy, did they cheer me up.

I brought them home and put them in a place where I'll see them all day, every day. When they're no longer viable, I'll have this photograph to remind me just how loving and thoughtful he is.

Thanks for all the encouragement yesterday, too. I could feel it from each of you, and you know how grateful I am. You're the best of the best...and so is my Handsome. I'm one lucky girl.

Farmhouse Flowers...

So many flowers in full bloom at the farmhouse this month! On the north side of the farmhouse resides a gorgeous, lush white hydrangea. I think it's also called Bridal Wreath, but either way, it's incredible. It used to wrap around to the front of the porch, but in the rebuild, much of it was removed during excavation. I was heartsick, but hoped beyond hope what was left would survive. I wasn't disappointed.

Along the fence row, there are these sweet purple flowers nestled in with the Queen Anne's Lace, which is just beginning to open all around the yard! The raspberries are part of the prolific vines that "volunteered" all around the edges of the yard, thanks to the birds. I picked enough for Handsome and me to enjoy with cereal for a few mornings before the mosquitoes drove me off. I'll try for more another day. (I was sprayed with bug spray, too. They just laughed at that!)

On the corner of the retaining wall in front of the house are the daisies I planted to honor Mom Grace. They grow in front of the monument Dad brought up on one of his scuba diving forays. There are daylilies growing under the apple tree, as well as all along the front rock wall across the yard. 

Crown vetch also volunteered, and I can see I'm going to have to make a decision. Whether or not to let it take over as a ground cover that will choke out all the weeds (and any other plants I've put in the same area), or whether I should just pull it out completely and tame the garden it currently inhabits. I'm sure it seeded itself in when the interchange on the highway was built over a year ago. (You can usually see it in some of my front "weather vista" photos from time to time.) The state plants crown vetch as a retainer to keep the soil from eroding on the hillsides. Mixed blessing for us. 

Finally, outside the pantry window is a small patch of "wildness" that I've also neglected. These tiny Johnny jump-ups are coming up right through the grass!

Next time, I'll share the wild violets, bird's foot trefoil, clover, and some of the others. The lily of the valley has finished blooming for this year, as the bleeding hearts are fighting for space among other wild things. I need to clean out around it so they don't kill that beautiful specimen. The milkweed is blossoming, too, so I'll take photos of it soon to share with the others. I hope you enjoy this little garden tour.

Plans have morphed this week after some concerns for my sweetheart over the weekend. If I were to go camping with Di, I'd be seven hours from home. Handsome, Di and I discussed it, and Di and I decided that here is where I need to be right now. Handsome was grateful I made the decision. 

So, as I'd planned to be away from Wednesday through to the following Tuesday, I was added to the schedule to work today and tomorrow, my usual Tuesday. I let my boss know I'm sticking around, so I've also picked up Friday day hours, as well as an extra day next week. I can do that, as I'm only three miles from home when I go to work, and readily available should I need to quickly get back home.

We're going to make some calls before I leave today, and get Handsome in to see the doctor or his primary care provider this week. We have things to address as soon as we can get an appointment. Not to worry. He's okay in the meantime, but darn. If it's not one thing...

New Hollyhocks Photos...

I told you the hollyhocks would be magnificent this year once they all opened, and they aren't disappointing. I wanted to frame our front steps with the pretty pink ones that stand against the rail, but look at the rest of these pictures!

Didn't Kaleb do a great job in the kitchen garden? I asked him to leave the ground cover in front of the hostas because they get small purple flowers and smell wonderful. They're sort of a wild sage smell. I looked them up once, but have since forgotten exactly what they're called as I write this. 

One of the things I'm really excited about is that the pipe in front of the shutter on the left is going away soon. The power company said they're bury the line without charge. We just need to hire our electrician to hook up to the underground line they'll bring in. They'll even go under our sidewalk!

So the overhead lines are going away, and with it that ugly pipe over the shutter. The cable at the corner (to the left of the pipe) is buried in the ground, and goes all the way up to the roof where it's attached to our lightning rods. Over the 105 or so years they've been on the roof, only one or two have actually broken from strikes, which protected the house. There are still more up top, and they're intact. That assembly will, of course, remain.

This is what the flowers look like as you approach our back (friends and family) entrance. It's hard to see from here, but waaaay down in front, behind that bright pink plant is a new color!

What color would you call this? It's not really magenta. Sort of a true purple. Isn't it lovely? Mum would like some of these plants, so I may dig that one up along with a few others to take to her garden. I'll be warning her that they're bullies!

The birds love this garden, so I'm refilling the seed feeder nearly daily. On Sunday, a new visitor showed up. We had a rose-breasted grosbeak (male) stop for a snack, but I wasn't fast enough to get a photo to share. I'll keep trying. You do see the hummingbird, though, don't you? It's drinking on the right side of that red feeder. They also buzz around the hollyhocks and over to the honeysuckle, too, while all these blooms are inviting them.

And when I turn toward the Compass Barn, there are still clusters of hollyhocks on the other side of the walkway. I just asked Kaleb to remove those that provided hiding places for naughty cats near the birdbath. I don't want any sneak attacks. 

So there's a tour of all the hollyhocks in their finery. They smell wonderful, and they're a real feast for the eyes, too. I hope you're enjoying them almost as much as I am. 

 See you tomorrow!

It's Blooming Time Again...

The flowers are beginning to bloom again here at the farmhouse. English and French lavender...

and hollyhocks!

 Lots of hollyhocks.

I need to take a better photograph of these magnificent honeysuckle blooms. Now that the weather is hot, their fragrance permeates the air. The hummingbirds appreciate their nectar, and we appreciate their colorful, heady blooms. These are the honeysuckle that survived being transplanted away from the house. 

It probably wasn't my first choice for replanting them, as I just wanted to protect them from demo, but now that they're reestablished here, I'm happy with their placement. When my garden setup is complete, this location will place them at the entrance to the gate opening to all the flowers and vegetables. I suspect this will be a two year setup, but I'm looking forward to the process.

Today is Craft Day again in Portage. Adrienne asked that we not cancel, so we'll all gather together with our dear girl to create something beautiful with her. I'll share our project and group photos with you on Monday. I'm finished with my breakfast, grabbing a morning coffee, and heading out the door. I don't want to be late!

Here's What I'm Thinking...

Brynwood Needleworks - Table Mat - WIP

I'm not sure why these two images have such a color difference.  I took them within minutes of each other. The actual linen color is closer to the image on the right, than the one on the left.

I'm planning to add vintage lace along the border, and have chosen the backing fabric from one of the new fabrics from Brenda Riddle. What do you think? You like? Not on the right track? Hope you'll share a little feedback before I start hand sewing the crocheted edge. Thanks in advance.

I'm Calling It "Farmhouse Flowers"...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Farmhouse Flowers" Embroidery

I completed my embroidery project yesterday afternoon. I'm calling it "Farmhouse Flowers", and I can already imagine "Farmhouse Flowers - Part Two" in my head. (Imagine hollyhocks, orange lilies, chickory, daisies, and hydrangeas.) I had such an enjoyable time creating this piece, and will put it on display as soon as I press it to take out the wrinkles. 

 

If you know me, you'll see that I even "signed" it, although I didn't put my initials and date on it. You can click on the image to enlarge it, to see if you can find it. I think I'll do this with my embroideries in the future, rather than trying to hide my initials. (Hint: lower right side)

 

The person who crocheted this vintage edging apparently put their initials along the edge of the doily (in dark ink), so I'll add just a little more to the edge to hide that. It won't take much, so I'll do that this morning and be well and truly finished.

I'll Just Keep Stitching...

Brynwood Needleworks - Embroidery Progress

 I thought you might like to see how much more I accomplished yesterday on my embroidery project. I started stitching again around 11 am, and put my needle down around 10:30 pm. Of course, there were the requisite breathers for meals, tea, and such, but I spent most of the day doing only needlework. 

 

I'm not finished yet, so it's quite likely I'll continue today. I could go on for days on this one, as I'm so thoroughly enjoying this process. I wish I could brew up tea, invite all of you to the farmhouse, and chat while we stitch. Wouldn't that be lovely? I think it would be pure bliss. More tomorrow!

Hollyhock Hill Farm...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pink Hollyhocks

 

Handsome and I were outside yesterday. He said to me, "Maybe we should have named our place Hollyhock Farm, instead of Hickory Hill Farm. They're really taking over!" He's right!

Brynwood Needleworks - Creamy Yellow Hollyhocks

 

They've transplanted themselves all over our yard! They're now growing next to our front stairs, and even in the gravel on the other side of our front walkway.

Brynwood Needleworks - White and Pink Hollyhocks

These are growing right next to the back door. I'm looking straight on at them, and I'm 5'8" tall! I'm not planting geraniums this year because the hollyhocks have sprouted up where I usually put my red beauties. 

I'm looking forward to the next few days. We got much-needed rain overnight, so I'm expecting all those blossoms to pop open any minute. If you don't already follow Brynwood Needleworks on Facebook, you might want to join the group. I'll post updated hollyhock pictures there.

Oh. One more thing. No, we are not changing the name of Hickory Hill Farm. I admit, though. It was an interesting idea.

A Blooming Great Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Bleeding Hearts Sentiment

 I actually spent more time outdoors this past weekend, than I did in the studio.I'm sharing a few photographs to show you some of the beauty around our farmhouse.If you're especially quiet, you might even see a surprise visitor from time to time.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Phlox and Iris

  It's nearly impossible for me to kneel to weed the gardens as I should, but Handsome helpedme pull thistles and burdock that will overtake the flowers if they get the chance. I let some ofthem grow for the finches, but they're not allowed in my kitchen, terrace or fenceline gardens.

Brynwood Needleworks - Purple Iris and White Crystal Star Columbines

 The grass is completely out of control, but I'll have to set my sights on next summer toclean all of them out of my flower beds. I refuse to use Roundup or other poisons. Good old-fashioned hand weeding and mulch will be the only way I'll tackle them.

Brynwood Needleworks - One of Our Daily Visitors

 When I'm outdoors near the feeders, the hummingbirds will fly all around me (or Handsome)as they drop in for a sip at one of the three feeders we keep clean and filled for them. Of course,they have lots of sweet and colorful options growing all around our and our neighbors' properties.

Brynwood Needleworks - Fragrant Lavender

 

The hollyhocks are really encroaching on my daisies (not blooming yet) and lavender right now. I think I'll be moving the daisies and lavender into the terrace gardens when I know rain is in the forecast, so Mother Nature can help water them in for me. 

 

I'll be giving the hollyhocks a serious culling late summer, too. They need to be tamed. They've already crowded out my chives, and the delphiniums are at risk, too. I had no idea they would fairly take over my kitchen garden, as I've never re-seeded or planted new since the first ones went into the ground. Now "volunteers" are growing on the terrace around the base of the porch, and even in the gravel next to the
sidewalk! I'll definitely be clipping them before the go to seed this year.

Don't get me wrong. I love their huge leaves and colorful blooms, but I love those other plants, too, and these hollyhocks are bullies!

Brynwood Needleworks - Sweet Clover

The story is that our farmhouse was "planted" here in a bed of clover in 1918. When it's dry and we really need the rain, the clover fills into the grass to feed the bees, and remind us of the farm's history. I have clover growing in our terrace garden now, but I won't be removing it. The bees love it, and so do I.

I also don't weed out the plantain, dandelions, and a few other "weeds". I love the old ways when these plants provided medicinal purposes for folks long-gone. They're welcome here, along with any of their friends...well, with the possible exception of stinging nettles. That's the one plant that makes me break out in a rash. I know the nettle tea is supposed to be good for you, but I can't get past those hairy leaves. 

 

Dear neighbor, Andy came down and pulled them out of the fence garden for me last year when I told Shelly just how allergic I am to them. He's really the best! Sorry, nettles. You're not welcome here.

I'll share more photographs once the hollyhocks and daisies open up. After my morning coffee, I'll be in the studio filling orders. Time to play indoors again.

Fourteen Down. Ten To Go...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Everlasting" Box 6 Cardinal

 

I finished the Cardinal yesterday, and of course, I personalized it. I changed all the detail on the bird, as well as adding leaves, and berry sprigs.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - "Everlasting" Box 6 Cardinal Detail

I really like how this block turned out. Finishing this was number 13 of 24. I immediately stitched another block.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Everlasting" Box 5 Berry Flower

Number 14 was quite straightforward on the pattern. I added more embellishments to the stitching on this one, too. I added Colonial knots around the berries, and then did a chain stitch for the veining on the leaves.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - "Everlasting" Box 5 Berry Flower Detail

 

If I stay at it, I might just finish the rest of the blocks this weekend! They'll be fun, too. Houses, more flowers, and maybe another bird or two. 

 

HA! Closeup photos reveal all. I missed two French knot centers on the lower right berries. I'll fix that right away.

 

I'm also pulling, cutting, and freezing fresh rhubarb this weekend. I froze three pie-sized packages yesterday, and will do more today or tomorrow. I can't think of anything more "Spring" than rhubarb custard pie in the middle of winter! You can count on me to make one this weekend, too.

Happy Mothers Day on Sunday!

 

To all the moms, stepmoms, and special moms by heart

I hope Sunday will be all about you!

 

The Last Blooms Of Autumn...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Fall Blooms

I found a few hardy blooms left in our kitchen garden yesterday. The hollyhocks have already gone to seed, but each day, I'll see a beautiful blossom waving outside our kitchen windows. The lavender is still throwing out new flowers, and there are even new morning glories climbing the hollyhock stems. Even Mom's daisies offer up a couple of sweet goodbyes to summer.

The weather is turning cooler at night, and soon daytime temps will drop, but my kitchen garden will hang on as long as it can, sheltered on the southern exposure of our home. If the weather permits, I'll be cleaning up the weeds and moving a few plants before the ground freezes. I love this time of year.

The Bees Knees...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bees In The Mums

 

The weather is getting cooler at night, although it is a little warmer lately. It's a signal to many of Mother Nature's critters to prepare for winter. The bees around the farmhouse definitely got the memo. They needn't worry, though, because many of the flowers I planted last fall are in glorious bloom now!

Brynwood Needleworks - Large Mums

These mums began a year ago as small plants purchased at a local nursery. They didn't get too big that first autumn, but over the summer they exploded with a riot of blossoms and color. 

 

After our porch was finished, I moved the granite monument Dad had salvaged out of a very deep lake in Wisconsin to the corner of our retaining wall. I wanted it in a place of prominence here, like it had at our home in Florida. This piece is heavy, but it's traveled to each of our homes since Dad gifted it to me over twenty five years ago.

 

I then planted a small Lamb's Ear plant in front of it, and the two small mums behind it, to tuck it into the location. Well, just look at how the Lamb's Ear and those mums took off this summer! Every time I walked past the corner of the wall, I stopped to clear a little more mulch away from the base of each plant. I guess they took that as an invitation to grow wild, because they certainly did.

 

Now, I'm contemplating purchasing more of these to decorate more of the flower garden I'm trying to create on that upper area. As soon as I'm able, I'm going to be cleaning up and moving around a few more established plants I already have. This may take a few seasons, but however long it takes, these mums will be the obvious show stoppers. I'm pretty sure the bees agree.

This Week In The Studio...

Brynwood Needleworks - Custom Fabric - St. Bernard Dogs

First thing on my work agenda this week is to create a number of custom Covid masks for a friend who, along with her daughter, is a talented dog handler. They need masks for showing their dogs, so she sent some custom fabrics they ordered from Spoonflower to me.

My friend has shown "Saints" since she was a young girl, following in her mother's footsteps, and now a third generation is showing them (quite successfully).

Brynwood Needleworks - Custom Fabric - Dachshunds

 

They're also showing other breeds, so they sent this fabric to me as well. I'll add my own dog-themed fabric for linings. I'll get these done this week so I can send them back in time for their next shows.

I'm also going to be working on some new Strawberry Sachets, with new favorite flowers, so I can't wait to share those with you, too. It's going to be a delightfully busy week in the studio. I hope you'll follow along to see what I create.