Travel Stitching Case...

On Saturday, I was catching up with some of the needleworkers I follow on Instagram and came across this case in one of the posts. Don't you know I had to do a little digging to learn more about it!

It seems I'd somehow missed a trend to create needlework kits from travel jewelry cases. These are not particularly large - as you can tell from the contents - but once they purchase the jewelry case, it's essentially gutted to customize the fabric and interior to suit the needleworker. I purposely kept this creator's info at the top in case you're on Instagram and would like to see more of her things.

Here's another, created by @tinkhickman. She uses hers for carrying tiny hexie supplies. A few spools of her favorite threads to coordinate with her fabric choices, needles, a seam ripper to use as snips, and she's ready to grab and go. I think one of these would be perfect for my goldwork pieces in progress.

I went upstairs and pulled out this makeup case I got as a free premium from Esteé Lauder too many years ago to count, and thought I could customize the interior to carry supplies for my wee spool critters (for now). It's larger than the jewelry cases, but that would be fine to hold the supplies for making them..

This is the interior, so I'll need to add supports for a top layer, which I'll have to build and cover. Or, I'll just add a new lining and dividers and keep it as one layer. I'll decide as I play around with it.

Of course, I did order two jewelry cases like the ones above that the other ladies used. I found them on Amazon HERE. (I'm not compensated for sharing this link.) The best part is that they're on sale, too! I'll play with those after I finish this one.

If you'd like to see more examples and you're on Instagram, just do a search on #travelstitchingcase. You'll find all different treatments and lots of inspiration.

I'll share the process with you as I create this. I'll start with fabrics, and show them to you next. I've got a full day today, so I'm going to close. Let me know what you think in the comments. 

You've Got A Friend In Me...

 

I finished my wee frog right on schedule. These are small, so they go quickly. In fact, I may just have a little giveaway this month.  Not this exact one, but I'd do another as a scissor fob or brooch, as requested by the winner. Do you think that would be fun?

You can see by comparison to my hand, that it's the perfect size for a companion for my koi fish in its pond.

Here's the finished froggy in the pond. I may do a tiny beaded dragonfly to park on one of those tall fronds on the upper right of the bowl in this picture. Another time perhaps. If you'd like to see the short video I did on Instagram, just click HERE. I'm happy that the koi has a friend, now. (I could really get carried away with this! Add a dragonfly, a turtle, and who-knows-what-else?)

Let me know if you think I should do a giveaway. The frog is so small, I'd happily send one to a winner, no matter where they live. 

I have a new project to start today, so I'm off to prepare it. The Explorer is due for an oil change today, so I'm planning to take it with me so I can work on it while I wait. I'll share that tomorrow. See you then!

Canning Goals...

It's not wise to compare yourself to others. Instead, be the best you you can be. 

I follow this channel (Gooseberry Bridge Farm) on Instagram, and she recently shared her canning efforts from this growing season. I was impressed!

I grew jalapeño peppers this summer, but they never got really big. I harvested the last of them a couple days ago, and canned four beautiful half-pint jars of Cowboy Candy for the pantry.

My goal is to have a bona fide garden next growing season, and to have most of the items in our pantry be jars that I've canned or preserved myself (or with a little help). I want to be buying less and less at the grocery store, and shopping from our own shelves instead. So, I wanted to share this image, and keep it as inspiration for me for next year...even as I continue to put up items over the winter. I'll be sure to show you, as I go along.

I'm resting today, but will try to put up a fresh post tomorrow. Don't fret if you don't see a new post. I'll just be taking it easy, but I'll be back asap.

How Can It Be?...

August Image

How can it already be August? It seems like Summer just began, and the gardens are already beginning to fade. The Baltimore Orioles have moved on; the hummingbirds are now emptying their feeders every few days; the raccoon babies (only three left with their mama) are getting bigger every time I see them; and my little garden is almost ready for harvest.

I love the cooler nights for sleeping, but our porch project is still waiting to start because the rain put our crew behind schedule. I'm hoping to be able to enjoy it before the snow flies.

Remember when you were a kid and it seemed like summer lasted forever? Lazy days spent at the city swimming pool, riding our bikes with our friends, playing Kick the Can after dark? The fireflies were in great abundance, and going to camp was something we looked forward to every year.

Don't get me wrong. I still have plenty of leisure time, but it seems that each day flies by, and before I even noticed, another August has begun...my sixty fourth. Fall is around the corner (in more ways than one). My favorite time of year. I'm not sure yet if it's my favorite time of life (in term of the whole life cycle thing.) I still have much to accomplish.

Ahhh. I'm a little nostalgic today, I guess. I think that I'll savor this day and be glad for it, as I am every day. I'm healthy, and so is Handsome. Our sons and their families are happy and thriving. We have so much for which to be grateful. I'm good with that, so rather than lament, I shall rejoice and say my thanks.

I have a lot planned for this month. Handsome has his last concerts of the season in August. I have a show to do, orders to sew, perhaps a trip out of state with The Black Dog (Bella, could you start already, please?), family Birthdays to celebrate, and more that I can share with you as the month progresses.

I'm so grateful you came to visit again today. Before you go, I have one more thing to tell you about.

 

I finally took the plunge, and installed the Instagram app on my phone, and in my desktop computer. You can find me @brynwoodneedleworks. I only have a few photographs uploaded so far, and I'm going to try very hard not to double post between my BrynwoodNeedleworks page on Facebook and my Instagram account (unless it's a new creation I have to crow about).

 

I'm still finding my way around, so any pointers you care to share would be greatly appreciated. Just leave your wisdom in the comments, or send an email to me. Oh, and feel free to follow me, too. That would really make me smile.

Time to go back to the studio for a half day. I'd like to spend the rest of my Friday with Handsome and the pups. You know how that old saying goes..."All work and no play..."