It Was A Good Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Happy Me

 

I got out yesterday for a much needed haircut. I always feel better after a good trim, and as I've been mostly housebound, a visit with my girlfriend (and hair stylist) Wendi, was just what the doctor ordered. I wanted to capture my good "do", so Handsome took my picture. That laughter was all for him.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Grab & Go Crossbody Bag

I also got in a little sewing time. I needed to fulfill an order for a Vintage Hibiscus Grab & Go Crossbody. I added a matching keychain, as the order is going to a good client. Time in the studio (sewing/creating) always makes me happy.

I'd say it was a very good day!

Event Crossbody Bags Finished...

Brynwood Event Crossbody Bags

This is just a sampling of my completed Event Crossbody Bags. I've finished twenty two of them for the craft event this month.

Brynwood Event Crossbody Bags

 

I've completed black/silver cork and maroon cork bags (not shown) as well. I think they'll all make a nice selection of colors and prints for my customers. I'm going to move on to the Brynwood Grab & Go bags next, but I may still make music and sports themed Event bags, if I have enough time after completing the others on my list.

Most of the Grab & Go bags are already cut and prepped. I'll see how many I can get done. I'm going to make these in fabric/cork combinations, as well as all cork versions...a little something for every taste. 

Handsome may need to have surgery. We'll find out today. If that's the case, I'll be at the hospital that day with needlework in hand. Working on my small Kathy Schmitz designs will be a good way to spend my "waiting" time.  For now, I'll pray he won't need surgery, and concentrate on my husband's health, as I create more stock for the show.

It's A Sewing Week...

Brynwood Cork Fabric Selection

 

It's going to be a busy week in the studio. I'm going to be sewing cork projects for my shop. These are the current cork fabrics I'll be using to make Kirby Crossbody Bags, Bryn Crossbody Wallets, Grab & Go Clutches and Crossbody Bags, luggage tags, and a few other smalls. (I have a natural/navy paisley print, too. Hmmm. Not sure how I missed that for the picture!)

If you've been thinking about a bag for yourself or as a gift, please let me know. I'm happy to work with you to create a custom piece to your taste. 

We're supposed to get some rain, ice and snow over the next day or so, so the best place for me to be is in the studio. I'll be showing you more on Wednesday. Tag will be back tomorrow. Gotta run!

Completed Crossbodies...

Custom "Labrador" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag

I completed two custom Grab & Go Crossbody Bags yesterday.

Custom "Labrador" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag Embroidery

 This one has a chocolate Labrador retriever embroidery.

Custom "Labrador" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag Interior

 The interior is my client (and friend's) favorite teal color. I hope she loves it!

Custom "Golden" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag

The second bag features a Golden retriever embroidery.

Custom "Golden" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag Embroidery

 It's also stitched out onto the lovely natural cork fabric.

Custom "Golden" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag Interior

  The lining is also a paw print fabric, but they resemble hearts, too. I love that.   These bags will mail out today, and then I'm starting on another commission. I can't wait to show you some of the progress on this one. It's really different.  

Grab & Go Goes Irish...

Grab & Go Celtic Crossbody Clutch Embroidery

Finished yesterday, and will be handed to its new owner today. I love how this one turned out. The claddagh embroidery on the front stitched out beautifully on the cork.

Front of Celtic Crossbody Clutch

I created this one in a vertical format, rather than the horizontal format I had used previously. I'll be adding new bags in this vertical format soon.

Back of Celtic Crossbody Clutch

 

The back is all natural cork. The interior is the same green fabric shown on the front of the bag. The shoulder strap is 48" long. 

This was definitely a fun project to make. I have another commission to do in this format - with a different embroidery, but I have four Brynwood Crossbody Wallets to make first. I'm on a roll now!

 

Under My Needle Today...

Brynwood's Celtic Knot Crossbody Clutch Fabrics

 

I'll be working on a commission today. I'm going to machine embroider that design onto the natural cork fabric. The green Celtic-designed fabric will be used to coordinate well with the cork.

The fabric selections will be used to create a Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch, but instead of a horizontal configuration, this one will be made vertically, so the bag is longer than wide for this design.

I love these fabrics, and can't wait to put the fabrics all together. I'll be having more fun in my studio, which is getting more organized by the day! It's beginning to look normal again.

Seashells In The Studio...

Fabrics For Brynwood Cork and Seashells Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch

 

I'm shipping out orders this morning, and then I'll be making this Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch for a client. She selected the seashell fabric on the left for the exterior - along with natural cork. I'll use my gray starfish for the interior. 

 

I'm looking forward to making this one, and I'm already working on plans for a few others. It's wonderful to be back in the studio. I have so many ideas swirling around that I'll have to start writing them down! 

What are you working on today?

That's More Like It...

Orchid Print Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutches

So much was accomplished this weekend, but the most fun (aside from Father's Day with Handsome) was that I got back into my studio and actually created three new Grab & Go Crossbody Clutches. Two are in my newest fabric - a lovely orchid-color, tropical print cork.

Orchid Print Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutches - Purple Cork Backs

The backs of each bag are a lovely purple color, and the crossbody strap (not shown) is natural cork, 48" long. I can adjust the length of the strap, if requested.

Orchid Print Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Bags - Starfish Linings

The bags are lined in a starfish print, linen fabric. I've listed them in my shop HERE, in case you're interested.

Black Cork Grab & Go Traveler's Crossbody Clutch

I also made this black cork Grab & Go Traveler's Crossbody Clutch. This one is already spoken for, and on its way to a new home.

Black Cork Grab & Go Traveler's Crossbody Clutch - Map Fabric Lining

I used the same lining that I use in my Wanderer Traveler's Wallet, and a wristlet addition was requested. It's one of my personal favorites. 

I'm very happy to be back in my studio, and I'm looking forward to adding more items -  handmade and supplies - to my shop in the next week. I hope you'll stop by to check out my latest offerings.

  

Weekend Finishes...

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Rose Sachet

I completed and shipped this Strawberry Rose Sachet on Saturday. It's filled with lavender buds, so it smells wonderful. Like my other sachets, it's large enough to fill the palm of my hand.

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Rose Sachet Embroidery

This is what the embroidery looked like before I turned it into the sachet...ribbon embroidery, tiny stitches and beads. I so love my time spent stitching.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch

I also created a Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch in blue/silver fleck cork. It was delivered to a happy client on Friday. 

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch Lining

My favorite lining for this color cork is this aqua blue coral print canvas. I may have to pair these two with the canvas on the exterior in a future project.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch Detail

I'm adding the "handcrafted" tag to the d-ring on these crossbodies, rather than using them as zipper pulls. I think I like this better. One of these days, I'll have custom "Brynwood" tags made to use instead.

This week will be spent packing boxes, putting together our tax docs to mail off to our CPA, and making lists (closing accounts, address changes, and stuff like that) as we move toward handing over the keys on our Florida home. Handsome and I bought lots of boxes yesterday, so there are plenty for me to fill now.

We took Sunday afternoon off to listen to friends perform at the Italian/American Festival in Venice. The weather was perfect, the music was fun, and we had a great time together. We'll both get back to work today.

Feeling Better In The Studio...

Brynwood Needleworks - 64 - Black Cork Batik Crossbody Wallet

Yesterday was the first day I've been able to concentrate enough to be back in the studio. It was blissful! I created wallet number 64. It may look familiar. I made one just like this for one of my friends, and her girlfriend wanted one just like it.

Brynwood Needleworks - 64 - Black Cork Batik Crossbody Wallet Interior

  

I used my favorite zipper in this one, which matches the hardware. I use metal-look (antique bronze) poly zippers. I also have them in nickel finish, which I'll use when appropriate, but this client wanted the same hardware as the last one I made like this. Done! I made them just a bit different so they're unique, but similar. I'll be delivering it today when I'm out to get my stitches removed.

It's only been a week since my surgery, but the plastic surgeon who did the procedure doesn't like to leave facial stitches in too long or they're more likely to leave scars. I'll be glad to have them out, too! Not only do they pull, but they're starting to itch.

Best part is that I won't need anymore pain meds, and that means back in the studio! I have another Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch, as well as another Crossbody Wallet to make this week. Now, I'm feeling well enough to actually make them. It's going to be a good week.

 

Grab & Go Crossbody Bag...

Brynwood Needleworks - Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch

Yesterday, I presented our realtor, Mary Westbook (Coldwell Banker agent extraordinaire!), with her own cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch.

I had shown her the regular G & G clutches, and she told me that she and her realtor friends wished they could find a simple crossbody for stashing their phones, keys and a few necessaries when showing houses. We discussed size requirements, and I got busy.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch Back

I knew she loved the Vintage Hibiscus Cork, and she preferred the brown cork I'd used for the back of some of the clutches I'd shown her. All they needed was a crossbody strap, and a little larger size.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch Lining

I used more of the starfish lining fabric, and made this bag 10" x 7" finished size, and added two tabs for attaching the longer strap.

Brynwood Needleworks - Cork Grab & Go Crossbody Clutch  Label

There's a Brynwood label front and center, too. I had the first one finished in plenty of time to give to Mary when she came to meet with us yesterday. She was thrilled. She said it was a perfect size and she loved the feel of the cork. When she left, she said she was off to share her new acquisition with her colleagues. (Of course, I put multiple business cards inside the bag so she could hand them out!)

I'm listing this bag in my shop now, so that it will be available to my readers, or anyone seeking a lightweight, cork solution to a wristlet.

Brynwood Needleworks - Peter Rabbit and Jeremy Fisher Tins

 

Before I leave you today, I need to make a correction. My longtime blog friend, Lesley in the UK, left a comment for me about my tin post. She was so diplomatic, asking whether or not I was sure that the froggy tin was from The Wind in the Willows. She suggested it might instead be Jeremy Fisher from the Peter Rabbit stories.

Of course, she was right!!! I also have a Peter Rabbit tin from the story. I don't know why I never associated the two. (face palm)

Thanks so much for leaving a note for me, Lesley...and for doing it in such a sweet, kind way. I'm happy to correct the record, my dear.