Love Letters And A Favorite Helper...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushion - Love Letters

I was busy yesterday, fulfilling orders and getting things ready to deliver. Late day, I received a new order, so I started it right away, and then completed it after I got back home from my guild meeting. (I did have extra parts cut out when I made the latest order, which gave me a jump start.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushion - Love Letters Detail

The fabric has roses and love letters in the fabric design. My client asked for a pocket, so I added it to this one. The lace was sewn to the pocket fabric and then it was added to the front of the pincushion. It's already packed and will go in today's mail to its new home.

Brynwood Needleworks - Mini Thread Caddy Deluxe

My friend, Jacque, noticed my thread caddy in the background of one of my recent post photos and asked for details about it. I thought you might be curious about it, too, so here are a few photos and my source.

It's called a Mini Thread Caddy Deluxe, and it's made by Barnetts Laptop Hoops on Etsy. You can see that it has a bolt, perfectly sized to hold a spool of thread; two pegs on the left side to hold thimbles; a built-in thread cutter; a depression to hold a container of Thread Heaven™; two openings next to the thimble pegs to hold glue pens or marking pencils (I keep my tubes of needles in one); and a magnet to secure needles in use.

Brynwood Needleworks - Back of Mini Thread Caddy Deluxe

There's also a magnet on the back to hold a pair of embroidery scissors...just about everything you need to hold supplies for applique' or any form of hand sewing or hand quilting at the ready.

HERE is a link to Barnetts' Etsy shop. This particular model costs $29.99, plus shipping. There's also a different model, which doesn't include the thread cutter attachment, and another with a drawer. Either way, they're extremely handy and well made. There are more detailed photos in their listings, too.

Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for this review. I just love it and thought you might, too.

Happy Wednesday. The week is downhill sailing from here! We have family arriving tomorrow, so it's going to get exciting around here for a few days. (I can't wait!)

A Few Favorites...

 That's what I'm doing...

You know, like the duck who looks calm and restful floating on the pond.

If you look underwater, though, her little legs are paddling like crazy. 

I'm in the studio, hard at work on a commissioned project. I can't tell you

the details. It's not mine to share. Once the project is finished, you'll know

all about it, but I can't even show you a little peek and risk giving it away.

 So, while I'm sewing away, I'll just share a couple of images from my studio.

My favorite little, red notebook and Union Jack pencil are always close

at hand. I never know when an idea will strike that I need to write down!

You've met my little mouse before. He's "Downright Cheerful" from the amazing 

hands of Susan Pilotto at Mouse Droppings. The backdrop is the Moda™ 

fabric line I'll be using when I do the Love Letters quilt later this year. 

These are just some of the fabrics and little studio touches that 

bring me many happy hours when I'm busy creating. I hope you enjoy

them, too, as I get back to my project. I'm really having fun with this so

don't worry that I'm tolling away at some thankless job. Not the case at all.

Enjoy your Friday. The weekend is only hours away!

Love Letters...

Do you save your love letters? I've saved sweet thoughts and messages from Handsome since before we were married. I even have a special photo or two in there. They're more reminders of why I love this man.

I came across this beautiful fabric envelope while shopping a while ago and wanted to share it with my talented friends. Perhaps some of you seamstresses or needleworkers would like to try your hand at making one of your own.

This one is slightly larger than a business-size envelope (taller and less wide), and features a beaded flap with the word "Love Letters", surrounded by bead embellishments and silk ribbon embroidery. It opens to reveal a pocket inside to collect your special memories. A silk ribbon ties into a bow to keep the contents safe.

I think I'd like to make my own in the future. Don't you think one would make a beautiful gift for a bride-to-be or a newlywed?

My Next Big Project...

I managed to get in a little fabric shopping recently (yeah, like that doesn't happen often!), and I came across this beautiful collection of fabrics from Moda. With the exception of the yellow fabric on the bottom, it's all from a collection called "Love Letters". While there are more colorways and more floral patterns in this line, these are the fabrics that spoke to me. The yellow fabric is also Moda, but I've had that for a long time and pulled it to use with this project.

The yellow paper on the bottom of the pile is a color chip for the paint I'm going to put on the walls of our master bedroom. Who could turn down a color called "Melted Butter"?

I'm going to make the fabric into a king size quilt for our room and I can't wait to get started! I'm still trying to choose between a wedding ring, lover's knot or pinwheel pattern, but I'll be making up my mind very soon and then I'll commence with the cutting.

OK, so I have to paint first, but that won't take long. The color currently on the walls has been there since we purchased our home seven years ago, and it's a blah mauve-y type color that I've slowly come to really dislike. I'm looking forward to waking up with a sunshine yellow on the walls to start my day instead.

Then, just when I thought all my fabric decisions had been made, I found a brand new line from Moda called "Clementine". Most of the line is very 70's inspired and I love every single pattern, but I thought it might be fun to have a few accents (perhaps pillows) made out of these two fabrics in particular. What do you think? Yummy?

I think the new look will definitely fit in with our happy, bright Florida lifestyle. Bet you can't wait to see the room all finished, right? Me, either.

Trust me, I'll be back with photos as soon as I can.