Prototype Complete!...

 I finished my Ltd. Ed Corgi Brooch last night after work. It is now, officially a brooch.

I'm very happy with the details and color choices, so the next one will go even faster. Plus, I'll be able to fine tune the colors if someone should purchase one in different colors.  The brooch measures approximately 2" tall x 1 1/4" wide (at the base). Which I think might be a perfect size to affix to a lapel or on a jacket. The pin is backed with cork fabric.

Of course, I signed and attached my signature acorn to the back. The second one I make will be the fundraiser piece. I'm going to share this on Facebook to whet the appetites of the Corgi owners we refer to as "Corgi Nation". They're wonderful when raising funds to support CorgiAid, and I think they'll kinda like this little brooch.

I'll probably do an Etsy listing, too, that would be created after purchase, in case the colors need to be changed for the different Corgi colorations. The listing will go live some time tomorrow. We had storms yesterday, but I'm hoping it clears off today so I can take a short video to add to the listing.

I'm filling in for another coworker today from 11-4, so I'd better get cracking. I don't want to be late!

Then, I Danced...

I was able to sit at my needlework stand yesterday, and I completed the goldwork for my Lt. Ed. Corgi Brooch. I'm so tickled with how the first one turned out! 

The body of the Corgi is a bright check purl color called "cider" and the white ruff is a thread in an opal color. It really sparkles in the light, and once the brooch is complete, I'll do a little outdoor video to show you just how much the light bounces around on the purls.

I'm hoping to release the work from the ground fabric and turn it into a brooch when I get home from work late this afternoon. I really can't wait to see it finished now. 

I got a chance to get a little stitching in yesterday. My choice, by far, over standing on my feet making hickory syrup for a few hours before going to work for six hours. 

In the time I had to lose myself in this project, I managed to add the chipping to my Corgi's face. I still have to do the white on his paws, but I really wanted to finish the facial features before turning my attention back to the white couching. I'm glad I did. I love the look of the cider-colored brilliant check thread, with a bit of gold accenting the ear and the forehead area (referred to as a "stop" on dogs).

I'll work on this again on Saturday, and hope to complete it over the weekend. I do work on Sunday, filling in for another clerk who needed the time off. She'll be working a day for me next week.

Well? Do you like how he's looking so far? I think he'll make a beautiful brooch, and I'm looking forward to seeing this one to completion. Then, I'll make another for a CorgiAid fund raiser in honor of Tag. I hope to raise some money to help other Corgis in need.

We have a milestone occasion this weekend, and I can't wait to tell you about it...tomorrow. Happy Friday!!

Weekend Stitching...

My weekend began on Friday, stitching this pendant for a customer. I'll make another soon for my shop to replace this sold one. The new owner already has and is wearing this one.

I added the bee charm to the bottle I created on Saturday, so I took a few photos, including showing it lit up with my fairy lights. The little charm is on the neck of the bottle and has crystal wings for a bit of sparkle. 

I'm not sure why the lights cause a blue cast (in spite of my trying to edit that out), because it doesn't read that way at all "in person". It just has a soft white glow, which is much preferred to this blue cast!

At any rate, now it's completely finished and I can enjoy lighting it up for a while at night to enjoy.

After our Saturday craft session, I came home and contemplated how I wanted to make my Corgi brooch sparkle. This is where I stopped at the end of my session. I moved the nose bead down a bit, added a beautiful opal thread - couched in a brick pattern - and will do the feet next. 

After the feet are done, I'll start adding the chipping for the rest of his body. As always, I keep the first one, which is good. I'm my own worst critic, so I see where I could have done better on the white "ruff". I know I'll perfect the second one, knowing ahead of time how I'll put it together, having already done it here.

Yesterday was spent canning. I'll share photos of that tomorrow. I'm working today, so I'd better get organized so I get there with time to spare. See you tomorrow!

My Latest Project...

I haven't worked on it since last week, but this is my latest work in progress. My idea is to recreate the corgi on my "For The Love Of A Corgi" logo. I would have loved to work on it yesterday, but weather changes are wreaking havoc with my hands, so I just did other things.

I'm hoping to sit down to this again today. As it's "in progress" and a new concept, I may change things as I go (like the nose placement perhaps a teeny bit lower, and wait until the face is done to add the mouth), so we'll just see where this ends up.

I'm missing Tag a lot these days, so maybe working on this project will help me feel better. Couldn't hurt, right? 

And Now It Begins...

I'm beginning to stitch on my Corgi brooch. First, I'll secured the felt base parts and next I'll proceed to add the actual goldwork components. 

I also framed the wedding monogram this morning. I use beautiful round frames that hold the hoops I use to do the needlework. I have one that's always a working frame, but once the pieces are done, I rehoop my work into a new one for my recipients.

I trimmed the excess fabric around the hoop and then take a running stitch around the edge of the fabric to gather around the back of the hoop and secure all the edges. Then, I cut a piece of felt into a circle and stitch that to the back of the piece. There is no glue involved at all. 

After I remounted the hoop into the frame, I added the backing plate. The final touch was to add a "Brynwood Bridal" label, and then I was finished! As promised before, I'll share photos on Saturday with you.

I also made a batch of cinnamon rolls (now that I've discovered just how simple they are to make). I put lots of cream cheese frosting on them, and add a container of frosting to go with the rolls I shared. They. Are. So. Good! I know I'll be sharing more with friends in the future.

I'll do more needlework today, so I'll make sure I take photos to show you how much I manage to accomplish. See you tomorrow!

Choosing Colors...

When I got home from work yesterday, I pulled a selection of colors that I think may work for my goldwork Corgi brooch. As with the wedding monogram, things are flexible until I declare it finished, so I'm sure I'll preview colors and ideas as I go. There will also be black for the eye, and red for the heart, of course!

I'm planning to prepare the calico and transfer my design today. Then, I'll begin with the padding before any stitching. We'll see how much needlework I actually accomplish though. The weather has been changing the past couple days, and it's cold again, which wreaks havoc on my hands. They're pretty sore right now. I'll take a couple Tylenol and see if that improves. If so, I'll do a lot more needle dancing than I feel like at this moment. I'll do my best, as I'm very anxious to begin this piece.

What are you working on right now? Are you doing something crafty? Reading a good book? (I must get some audio books for my stitching time!) I'd love to know what you're working on (and book recommendations would be fun, too!)

Time for a cuppa and then off to the studio! I hope you have a truly blessed day. See you tomorrow.

My Concept...

This is the template for my latest idea. I'm going to take the Corgi from my For The Love of a Corgi logo and label to create a coordinating goldwork brooch to offer for sale. As with all FTLOAC items, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to CorgiAid.

As I was contemplating the design for the brooch, I first went with the idea of a corgi profile. Then it hit me. Why not at least attempt to recreate the logo dog for my goldwork piece? So, this will be my next project. (Fingers crossed it works) I'm at work all day today, but will definitely be putting needle to fabric on Wednesday!

My day of baking was fun. In addition to bread and hamburger buns, I also made my first batch of cinnamon rolls, which was shared with Andy and Shelly. Feedback from Shelly and Handsome was that they were success. I'll be making those again, too!

Well, I'd better pull myself together. I'll be at work by 9:45 and put in a full (for me) day. I'll be back tomorrow to visit. I hope you have a great day!

Newest Labels and a Plan...

I know I told you that I've been working on a few ideas to honor Tag. Yesterday, the labels arrived for packaging my ideas. Anything that bears this label will have a portion of the proceeds donated to CorgiAid to benefit Corgis and Corgi mixes.  I love how the labels turned out!

Beginning next week, you'll be able to find more items in my Etsy shop under the "For The Love of a Corgi" section. The first item that went into that section is the Sheep Pendant Necklace. (There's still one available, by the way.)

I'm also creating a Limited Edition Goldwork Corgi Brooch, a Beverage Coozie or two, Tag Labels, Labrador Girls Labels, and taking orders for the Corgi totes and wallets I showed you a couple weeks ago. I'll add to the collection as inspiration strikes.

I posted a video on Instagram to highlight my new labels, so if you're interested in seeing it, you can click HERE.