Just In Time...

As I was pulling fabric for the Grammie's Jammies this year, I got the niggly feeling that I'd already used the plaid flannel for Grandson before. Sooooo, I went back through last year's photographs and blog posts to find that I had, in fact, made last year what I'd planned for this year. Great. Now what?

I went through my soft cottons and found this fabric for our "sporto" guy. Although they have two Golden retrievers now, their last dog was a gorgeous big, black Labrador retriever named Duncan. He was our grandson's "goodest boy", and we all miss him - even though the Goldens have also stolen our hearts. I think he'll like this fabric for his pjs this year, and I'll find a red or black long sleeved t-shirt to go with the bottoms. Crisis (and a duplicate gift) averted. 

 

Then I got to thinking about the girls. I had planned to make nighties, thinking that I'd made pj pants for them last year. Wrong again. The photos from last year revealed that I had already made nighties last year. I don't want to duplicate, so I'll make these pajama pants from the fabrics I already chose. 

 

I'll likely choose a pretty white top to go with the floral, and green or russet to go with the gnomes. I'm planning to be out shopping for them either Sunday or Monday, and I just take a fabric swatch with me to find the perfect colors.

I'm glad I take photos of the finished gifts each year. That way I can be sure to avoid what I almost did this year! Now that I've settled on the fabrics and patterns, I'll start cutting today. We did get snow yesterday, but thanks to Andy, I'll be able to get out to work tonight. In the meantime, I'll be making jammies. Woo hoo!

 

Fabric Choices...

 

This is the flannel print I've chosen for Grandson's jammies. I love the plaid and may even make a pair for his Grandpa, too!

This flannel print is for one of the granddaughters (likely the younger one - who is now 17). Too childish, or do you think she'll like them?

 

 

I can't make up my mind here. I love both prints. Probably for Granddaughter #1. What do you think? Either one? Neither? (If it's the plaid, they'll be pj pants. If it's the floral, likely a nightgown.) It's okay. Be honest. I can take it, and I still have time to go in a different direction.

 

 

Shipping Day...

First on my agenda today is to ship out orders. I'll get that finished, and then I have to re-clean my studio. It's a wreck since preparing for the Touchmark show. Before I can do any holiday sewing, I need to reclaim my work space. 

Now that I've reorganized the attic, I'll be able to move a few things upstairs until after Christmas and New Years. After I've done my mailings, I'll be working on my December ATCs for the swap. I'd like to finish those by tomorrow to mail.

Once the ATCs are on their way, I'll be turning my attention to Grammie's Jammies and a special project I'm working on for Handsome. I'll be busy with those things for the next week or so. I really don't want to be right up against Christmas, so this schedule should help avoid that (and leave a little buffer if I need it). Here we go again!

Grandson's Jammies...

 

More soft, cozy jammies. This time flannel for grandson. Handsome thinks they're outstanding. Good thing I purchased plenty to make a pair for him, too! (mum's the word)

I purchased a black, knit Henley for him to wear with these, in case he's cold or needs to be covered (dorm room). It's actually easier and less expensive than if I make it for him. I've done that it the past, but it's more frugal to purchase the tops for him now. Plus that style shirt can be worn during the day with jeans, too. It's not just suitable for pajamas.

I haven't decided whether today will be for painting cabinets or baking. I'll make a call up to our carpenter's house to see if the heat is on in his workshop so I can wield a brush. If he's not going to be home, I'll bake.

Happy Christmas Eve Weekend!

 

Sneak Peek...

 

While I can't share photos of finished Grammie's Jammies yet, I can give you a peek at two of the three fabrics I'm using. These are the sweetest, softest cottons to become the most lovely jammies. I think the young ladies will like them. What do you think?

Grandson's jammies are complete, so I'll photograph that fabric some time today to share with you, too. His are soft, warm flannel. I'm thinking I'll be making some for Handsome with the perfect-sized remainder.

More sewing today. Coffee, then a deep breath as I'll keep my head down today to finish them up. Lazy elves. lol

I managed to stitch a bit over the weekend and this is where I am so far. In the top image, I'd begun to add pine boughs to my embroidery. I took that photograph while there was plenty of daylight. In the lower image, I'd decided against my choice of colors for the boughs, so I took them out, and am currently in the process of adding more leaves.

Once I complete the leaves, I'll go back and add boughs (and sparkle). I'm going to choose a more subtle, blue spruce-type color for the pine accents. I'll work on it again today, and show you where I get to when I'm back on Wednesday (with better photographs). As usual, the short guy will be back tomorrow.

Goodness! I just realized Christmas is only two weeks away, and I'm going to need to make some Grammie's Jammies. I'll get started on that in a day or so, too. It seems Santa's Workshop got a bit waylaid this month. Time to get back on track. People are counting on me! No time to waste.

Grammie's Jammies 2022...

 

Now that Christmas has passed, I can share photographs of the jammies I made for our grandkids this year. I cheated and purchased the tops, but these are the bottoms I made for them.

First up are the bottoms I made for Grandson. The fabric is The Print Shop by Sweetwater for Moda. This specific print is #5740.

 

 

 

I hate to purchase new buttons when I have enough vintage and older buttons to open my own button shop. (That's how I ended up opening a needlework shop in 1989!) These are the buttons I chose for his bottoms. I used Simplicity Pattern #D0834, because it's a slim cut pattern (which our guy sure is), and it has the two-button fly detail, plus the waistband button which I like better than fully elastic slip-ons.

 

 

These are the girls jammies. #1 Granddaughter's are on the right, and #2 Granddaughter's are on the left. I think I've told you in the past that I prewash all the jammie fabrics prior to cutting and sewing. The fabric is washed in warm water and tumble dried high heat so that I do the worst to the fabric before I sew everything together. They'll never get that wash and dry treatment again, but this way I know that the fabric won't shrink any more than it already has.

 

These are fabrics I've loved and hoarded saved for more than a few years. Fabric on the left is a Faye Burgos design for Marcus Brothers Textiles. There is no other information on the selvage. 

Fabric on the right is Azalea Trail by Nancy Odom for P & B Textiles ©2002. Yikes. I guess I just revealed how long I've had that line!  I had all the coordinating fabrics for that line, too. I'll have to look through my dark colors to see what else is left. I may have to make something else with it!

 

I used buttons on this pair that picked up the peachy color in the print. The photograph (unfortunately) doesn't show that it's a lovely pearly button.

 

 

More vintage buttons for this fabric, which I think begged for something old rather than new. The lady's pants are from Simplicity Pattern #D8518/0838. They also have a two-button fly (plus one), and partial elastic around the back which makes them extra comfortable.

 

I'm hoping each of them send Grandma a photo wearing them, so I can add it to my sewing scrapbook. I hope they enjoy wearing them at least until next Christmas, when I'll sew new ones to add to their collections. 

Coming In February...

 

 

Some of the new fabrics for 2023 Brynwood creations arrived today. These will become wallets, organizers, handbags. travelers and totes. New items will be completed in January, with some appearing in my online shop. The rest will be featured in my booth in February at the Wisconsin Quilt Show.

Grammie's Jammies are completed, and waiting to be gifted to our grandchildren. I'll share photos of them on Monday, when they'll be in the hands of their recipients. We start celebrating today. Decorations going up, and goodies baking in the kitchen.

Safe Travels and Holiday Blessings to all my Brynwood family. I'm so grateful for all of you!

Just A Peek...

Because I don't know if there are nosy pantses out there who may be trolling my posts to see what they might be getting, this is the only photo I'll share of the Jammies until after they have their gifts. I love working with this fabric, and the others I've chosen for the grands this year.

Son #2, his family and our granddaughter's boyfriends will be here Friday, barring unsafe travel conditions. If they come, the girls will get their jammies then. Son #1 and his family will be here on Monday evening. Grandson will get his jammies when we see him. 

 

I'm finishing up sewing today, and tomorrow will be spent in the kitchen. I'm making more cutout cookies and we'll be decorating the house for Christmas. I've hesitated to do that, knowing I'll end up putting most of it away alone once Handsome heads south. Now that we know when we'll see the kids, I'm much more enthused about it.

On another note, I'm planning some new things in the new year. I'll be making new designs for my online shop, as well as the booth I'll have in February at the quilt show here in Wisconsin. I'm also going to be offering a few online classes, and sharing techniques through Facebook or Zoom (I'm still working out the details on that).

I'm also going to have a Boxing Day Sale that will run all next week. I'll share more about that on Monday, Dec. 26th, so if you've got your eye on something in my shop - or you don't get something you really want for Christmas - be sure to come back to check out the sale.

If you're in the path of this oncoming storm, please stay warm. Don't head out until you know it's safe to do so. I'll see you back here tomorrow.

The Elves Are Busy...

 

 

We're bracing for a terrible snowstorm and cold spell this weekend. It may begin today. I made sure the barn girls have lots of insulation and their warm pads to keep them safe. I'll check on them multiple times today to see that they're comfortable. You know I'll fret about them until this passes. I've said we have a "negotiated" two cat limit here (Handsome's not a feline fan), but I'll find a way to bring them in if they're too cold.

 

I'm just completing a last stitching project, and I'm sewing Grammie's Jammies now. I'd love to be able to sit with a cuppa tea to visit with you, but no time to chat today, dears. I'll be back tomorrow to share what I complete today.

 

Grammie's Jammies Reveal...

Grammie's Jammies 2021

I can reveal the pajamas I created this year, now that the packages have been opened. Grandson got a onesie, too, but I wasn't sure about size for him, so we ordered a onsie that could be returned if they didn't fit. I promised a photo for us when he wears them, but he giggled when he opened them. I guess I hadn't considered that College Boy lives with three other young gents in his dorm, and perhaps he might (or might not) wear them after vacation. 

The ladies loved theirs. Soft fleece in whimsical prints. They were a definite hit...which you might be able to tell from the photograph they sent to me. I was told they were a perfect fit, and I'm happy about that. I feared the corgis would be too big, and that the deer would be too long (I added 3" to the length, and they fell at the ankle bone, so I'm glad they weren't any shorter!). I'm pretty sure I could make them again next year in another print and they'd love them just as much. 

I won't be sewing for a bit now. Destiny and Jane will be going to the spa for a much needed, post-holiday tune-up. I'm going to bake this week, and I always have knitting and needlework to occupy my hands and creative muse. 

Did you have a nice holiday? Did you travel or stay home? What do you have planned for this week, and for New Year's Eve? Do you go out to celebrate, or do you stay home like Handsome and I always have?  It will be a quiet night here, sharing a nice meal and seeing in 2022. That's how we best love bringing in a new year. More on that later. Tag will be back tomorrow for his last post of 2021. Hard to believe, isn't it?

It's Christmas Eve...

Brynwood Needleworks - They're Finished!

I'll be wrapping these this morning, and we'll deliver them this afternoon...just in time for Christmas Eve. I'm only sharing a peek, but I'm sure you can tell, they're fuzzy and whimsical. I them to you in full photographs next week.

Handsome and I will have a nice lunch as we make our way home from our gift deliveries, and then we'll tuck ourselves in for the evening. Lights twinkling, holiday programming on the television, dogs snoozing at our feet, and a quiet dinner together. 

Merry Christmas Eve, my friends. 

Almost Finished Sewing For This Season...

My Last Christmas Projects

 

These are the fabrics for my last sewn Christmas projects this year. I'll get them done and wrapped today, and then we can deliver them tomorrow. This project is making me smile. Of course, there had to be Corgis! (Just ask Tag.) 

I'll share more photographs after these are finished and delivered on Friday, but this is all I'm giving away for now. Gotta run. You know the rest...

Oh, and if you're traveling or spending time with family starting tomorrow, I'll keep posting and we can catch up together after Christmas. Please stay safe, don't eat too much, and savor every second of time spent with family and/or friends. It really is the best.

In Full Swing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Grammie's Jammies For "G"

 

I'm working with organic cotton flannel these days. Grammie's Jammies this year are going to be so comfy and warm! Sharing just a peek, because...well, you know.

Family here today for an early celebration, so we had the slow cooker working overnight. We awoke to the fragrances of delicious food. I have to run out to do a little shopping, but will be back before noon, when our loved ones will arrive. I'm going to be making more cutout cookies as soon as I get home.

Tomorrow, a bit more sewing to finish up, so I can just enjoy the rest of the Christmas festivities. I still don't know what I'm giving Handsome this year. It seems the older we get, the more we just enjoy the time we're blessed to spend together. I'm going to really have to put on my thinking cap this year!

One Little Peek...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jammies Detail

 

I haven't been on the computer much the past two days. The elves and I are busy! I'm sharing just a peek at one of the projects I finished yesterday. 

 

We're celebrating Christmas with our sons and their families on Saturday, so you know where I'll be today...finishing the unfinished. My deadline got moved up by a few days! Handsome and I will rest on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day instead.

Sooooo...no rest for the weary. I'm heading back into the studio to finish the last two gifts. Then, Handsome and I will work on the menu for Saturday, and finish up our last-minute decorating. 

 

Are you finished and ready to celebrate the holidays? Or, are you like me this year...running right up against a deadline? I'm going to caffeinate (is that a word?) first, and then I'll be in the studio.

Good Tired...

Corgi Sleigh Team

 

The holiday celebrations have begun. The jammies are made and our girls are so tickled with theirs. I'll have photos of them after they wear them on Christmas Eve. We had a perfect day with them and their parents. 

We got back home late last night...took stock of the day and how much fun we had...and then turned out the lights. The best kind of day...ending "good tired". 

Today is our grandson's Birthday. We'll be celebrating with him and his folks later today...and again, our hearts will be full of gratitude for the special time we spend with our loved ones. It's truly the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year"!

Girls' Jammies...

For Granddaughter #1

I've finished our girls' jammies and nearly finished the ones I'm making for our grandson. I just need to insert elastic into the waistband casing, and hem the bottoms. So close! I'll finish them this morning and they'll be ready to wrap.

For Granddaughter #2

 

I cut these all out on Tuesday, and they were ready to sew yesterday. The first pair took a bit of time (following directions), but the second onsie was finished in less than an hour! They're already packed up and wrapped.

 

This year was a bit of a learning curve for our grandson's jammies. It's the first time I'm making pj pants with a fly. (In retrospect, I guess I should have done this sooner.) I cut out the pattern, prepped all the pieces and got right after it. I really enjoy learning new things, and this was no exception. I'll share pictures of his gift tomorrow. 

This evening will be our first Christmas celebration with family. Let the fun begin!

Back In The Studio...

Living Room Console

 

I'm back in the studio, making jammies for our grandchildren. Handsome is settling back in at the farm and decompressing from his trip north. (He's getting acclimated to our Wisconsin weather, too. Thankfully, it's been mild since he got here.)

 

I waited with the last decorating touch until he got home. Each year, we unpack his parents' vintage Santa mug and pitcher set. We keep it stored in the same turkey box that once held a Thanksgiving bird from his dad's employer (UPS). I purposely waited until he got home to set it out.

 

I added the inside compass and console on the north wall of the living room after he left for Florida, so he hadn't seen it until got back home. It seemed the perfect place to display our Santa set. We'll serve egg nog or hot, spiced apple cider in them when we visit with friends and family in the next week.

 

I'll be finishing the jammies for our kiddos today, and wrapping them to give to them in time for Christmas Eve. I will have a few other projects to finish before Christmas, but they'll be projects that won't cause any pressure on our end. We want to be sure to enjoy each others company while he's home, and the reason for the season. It really is about family for us.

 

For now, I'm setting up my serger and getting after it right away this morning. I'll share photos tomorrow.

Fleece Navidad...

Fleece

 

No. Your eyes aren't fooling you. This image is not out of focus. These two fabrics are fleece, and they're the designs I've chosen for our granddaughters' Grammie's Jammies this year.

Do you see the corgis? There are light-colored ones and dark-colored ones, too! I know a certain not-so-little redhead who will love this soft, cuddly print.

Both are washed and dried, and ready to be cut out. I'll be sewing today. I'm really looking forward to making these, and I'll share grandson's pajama fabric tomorrow.

My Exchange Ornament

This is the ornament I received in the exchange on Tuesday. Isn't it sweet? The base is a tiny, tin Jello mold topped with felt. I love the tiny bottle brush trees and the Santa head. I may have to make a few of these myself!

We got our first serious snow yesterday. Tag had a ball, running around in the snow, while I shoveled to clear our back entry and approach to the garage. Of course, as the sun went down, the wind picked up, and all my hard work started swirling around the yard. I'll be shoveling again later. I'm going to sew first.

Happiness...

Happiness At The Farm

 

This rug greets everyone who enters our "friends and family' entrance. I saw it when I was on a recent shopping errand. Tag likes lying here where he can see out the back door and window. (It's his other favorite place in the farmhouse - second only to the sofa!)

You know I've been busy with kitchen pursuits lately, but orders are calling me back to the studio. I'll finish my cookie decorating for Sunday today, and as soon as I'm finished with that, I'll begin work on those orders.

I'm also making my Christmas sewing list today. Grammie's Jammies are always on the list, but I have a few new things to make, too. It will be December tomorrow, and I'll open the holiday workshop for this season. I'd better put out my call for elves!

Happiness is definitely Homemade.