DAY FOUR GIVEAWAY...

We've made it to Day Four of my 16th Blog Anniversary Giveaway, and I have a new gift package to share with you for today. This one will work for needleworkers or quilters! Let's have a look, shall we?

This gift package includes a full jellyroll of Moda™ fabrics. These are full 40-42" width strips that are 2 1/2" wide and it includes strips from every fabric in the line. This sweet fabric line is called "Simplicity" from Three Sisters, and it's a beautiful collection of fabrics in shades of pink, green, soft aqua, and yellow.

In addition, I'm including a coordinating zippered pouch to hold the included threads or items of your choice. I slipped in three spools of Anchor™ perle cotton, and ten skeins of floss that coordinate with the fabric (in case your idea is to create something for some slow stitching). There's also an Elegance Ribbon™ card of specialty fibers, and finally, a Moda™ pattern booklet called "Moda Candy", containing 18 different patterns for wall hangings, table runners and more. 

Come back tomorrow for DAY FIVE...as I'll be sharing the gift items for the last day of my anniversary giveaways. 

As I mentioned before, I'm sharing the rules each day of the drawing to avoid any confusion.  Also, remember you can click on any of my blog images to enlarge them.

HERE ARE THE ENTRY RULES: (Not many actually)

1) Follow my blog and/or follow Brynwood Needleworks on Facebook or Instagram (let me know which)

2) You must enter a comment in the section below (this post only) to be in the drawing for these items.

3) You can live anywhere in the world, but you're responsible for any tariffs or VAT taxes imposed on your end.

4) Only one entry for each drawing, please. 

5) You may enter every giveaway offered, however again, only once per drawing.

6) Make sure you monitor the drawings next Monday for results. If you win, I'll need a mailing address. If I don't hear from winners by Tuesday, March 24th, I'll choose another name.

 

***I haven't mentioned this before, but all drawings will close at midnight Saturday, March 22nd, so if you're interested in entering, you'll need to leave your comments on the giveaway posts by then.***

 

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

More Goodness From Brenda Riddle Designs...

Brenda Riddle Fabric and Pattern Assortments

Aren't these colors sweet? They're all the fabric and pattern designs from my friend, Brenda Riddle of Brenda Riddle Designs. 

I've created quilts from her designs before. This is a post I wrote about some of the books and patterns of hers that I own. You can also click HERE to see a quilt I made for my sister, Diana. It came from Bren's book, Home Comforts.

Brenda Riddle's Grace Layer Cake Fabric Assortment

I don't think you'll be at all surprised that I recently purchased Bren's pattern for her fabric line Grace. I received more fabric from the Grace line this week. More gorgeous fabric for the collection. 

I'm going to create the quilt shown in the above pattern. I'm quite sure the historic name for the block design is Courthouse Steps, and I love Bren's take on it. I can't wait to make a quilt with these fabrics. 

Now that I've reviewed my posts of all the patterns and fabrics I own from my dear friend, I think I can safely say that, at least as far as quilting is concerned, this might just be the year of Brenda Riddle Designs quilts! Stick around this year, and I'll show you as they take shape.

Thinking About Crows...

Michelle Palmer Crows

I have a lovely tin, filled with the artwork of my friend, Michelle Palmer. I went through it yesterday to find something special to make into a few gifts. I found a Santa, and another with a sweet owl drawing which I'll reveal later, but I have to share the crows today.

I pulled a jelly roll of French General fabrics from the Maison de Garance line that I think will coordinate perfectly with the fabrics Michelle used for her drawings. I'm going to make a table runner for someone special as a Christmas gift. I'll do the layout today, and plan to share a finished top with you tomorrow. We'll see how this works out. See you tomorrow!

Gobsmacked and Grateful...

Brynwood Needleworks - Brenda Riddle's "Cottage Linen Closet" Fabric Line

 

Brenda Riddle is the creative force behind Acorn Quilt and Gift Company. We've followed each other's blogs and lives for a long time. We keep in touch through Instagram and Facebook, too, now.

 

Recently, she posted photographs of her newest, luscious fabric line called "Cottage Linen Closet", and I commented that I was "in love" with it. Soon after, she sent me a private message asking for my "new" (farmhouse) address, so I gave it to her.

 

Yesterday, a box arrive and when I opened it I was so excited. Bren sent me a fat quarter assortment of her new line, along with a lovely little tin I can use for needles, or just about anything. 

Brynwood Needleworks - "Cottage Linen Closet" Fat Quarter Assortment

 

Bren's notes about this line perfectly describe the individual prints and colors. You can visit her online journal HERE to read all about her inspiration for this line. She's truly a girl after my own heart.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - "It Is Well With My Soul" Tin

She also included this lovely little tin, which after the health issues I've had in the past twelve months, couldn't be more perfect. "It is well with my soul" is so true. 

 

I'm absolutely going to execute one of Bren's quilt patterns to use this fabric, but I'm also working on something special for her to thank her (and she'll get a tiny bit of this fabric back in the process).

 

Thank you, dear friend. Hugs to you and sweet Emmie. 

(Tag, Bella and Carly send their love, too.)

Much love from this grateful heart to yours.

In Case You're Wondering What's Next...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Pattern by Brandywine Design

 

Can you believe that I was almost a little sad to have completed my butterfly? I actually was a bit melancholy. But, on to the next UFO, and this one will be fun, too!

 

I have the dark border fabric chosen, and just need to pull the wools I'll be using all around that border. After I get back home from taking Handsome to physical therapy, I'm going to choose the colors I want to use, based on the colors I chose for the completed blocks. Then, I'll set up the parts and pieces in anticipation of stitching them all to the ground fabric. It'll be nice to sit at random moments and slow stitch the last parts of this quilt.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings Flannels for a Chenille Four-Patch Quilt

 

Sit & Sew with the Primitive Gatherings' ladies is March 17th this month. In January, I was telling them about my favorite quick quilt pattern called a Chenille Four-Patch quilt. It was actually the first "real" pieced quilt I ever made, and it's still my favorite. It's soft and snuggly and perfect for a quick power nap in the afternoon.

 

It just happened that the day I talked about it, Lisa B. had given each of us a Farmhouse Gatherings flannel pack that was custom cut for her shop. I think they're comparable to half size layer cake cuts. (6.5" x 10"). These fabrics are wonderfully soft, and would be just the thing I'd choose to make an updated nap quilt. Before I left town, I stopped at the shop and chose the backing fabric to coordinate with the fabrics we were given.

So, before I go to our March Sit & Sew I want to put together a new Farmhouse Gatherings Chenille Four-Patch. It won't take long at all to assemble, and I'll only do a criss-cross of straight line quilting to finish it. 

These are the projects I'd like to move to the "Complete" pile this month. At this rate, I may even be able to add another project, but I don't want to get ahead of myself. First things first.

NOTE: Thank you so much to everyone who left a comment on yesterday's post. I promise I'll reply to every one of you. You were all so wonderful to me about my butterfly. I'm truly humbled and grateful that you all cared to leave a note for me. Be sure to check back on yesterday's comments page by tonight to read my replies to your messages. xoxo

 

Another Quick Project Under My Needle...

Farmhouse Quilt

I've had this panel since my friend, Jacque A. and I spent the day shopping last fall. The panel has been in service all summer, blocking late day sun in the pantry, but I decided that I needed to actually do something with it beside hanging it the panel on a rod.

I was in the studio a couple of days ago, pulling fabrics I'll soon list in my online shop, and found the perfect pieces for a border on the front, and for backing to turn it into a completed hanging. I thought the black and white floral was just the right pattern for the borders, and I have a darker version of the  linen-look cotton seen on the farm panel.

The fabrics are sandwiched with batting, pinned, and waiting as I contemplate how I want to quilt it. I'll have it finished by the end of the week...binding and all.

Selvage From Farmhouse Quilt Panel

 

When I showed this on my Brynwood Needleworks Facebook page, a number of friends asked for the information on the panel, so I'm sharing it with you, too. It's from Deb Strain's "Homegrown" line from Moda Fabrics. Like I said, I purchased it last fall, so you may have to check Etsy or Ebay to find it. (HERE'S a shop I found on Etsy that has more than one panel available)

Today, I'll be helping Handsome paint the inside of his new drum room here at the farm. Our younger son, who is a talented carpenter, built it for him, and as soon as the painting is finished, we'll shop carpet and shelves. The temps are cooler now, so it's perfect painting weather.

We hope to have it move-in ready in another week or so, which is good, because his fall rehearsal schedule has already begun. It'll be nice for him to have a place to set up and practice, plus a climate controlled area for his instruments.

Once the painting is finished, I'll be back in the studio. I have orders to fill, and this small project for myself to finish. I love having busy days. Such a feeling of accomplishment at the end of a day, and I sleep like a log. Life is good.

 

Mini Charm Pack Pincushions...

Brynwood Mini Charm Pincushions

 

I played in the studio for a little while yesterday. I made pincushions from Moda™ mini charm packs. In the interest of full disclosure, this is an idea that was shared with us by Lisa Bongean at our once-a-month Sit & Sew group at Primitive Gatherings. It was such a great idea, that you know I had to share it with you, too.

Lisa showed us the one she made - and gave us each a mini charm pack of one of her fabric lines, at our last get together. I knew I was going to make some of my own when I got home. Here they are (along with a little tutorial so you can make your own)!

Assembling Mini Charm Pincushions

If you sew or quilt, I know you have at least one mini charm pack. They're 2 1/2" squares representing a designer's full assortment of any given line. To make these pincushions, you cut 3/4" strips from each piece. Of course, this means you'll still have 1 3/4" left to make more!!

For my first one, I cut a 3/4" strip off every single square in the assortment. Then, using a 1/4" seam, I joined them all together by color from light to dark (or dark to light). Once they're all joined, give them a press with a steam iron and trim to square them up, if needed.

Adding Twill Tape To Mini Charm Pincushion

The newer twill tapes that Moda™ uses to tie their jelly rolls have a design that looks like measuring tape, but mine are still binding my unused jelly rolls. I do have some that I've saved from the rolls I've already used, so I pulled them out for this project.

Center the twill tape along the length of your joined fabrics, and sew along each side of the tape. Once the twill tape is sewn to the fabrics, choose a nice backing fabric for your pincushion. Sew them front to back, right sides together, but leave at least 1" of one end open to add your filling of crushed walnut shells. 

Turn right-side-out and press, including the area you'll eventually sew shut. Fill with crushed walnut shells and hand sew the opening closed.

 

Finished Mini Charm Pincushion

It's that simple! If you use the entire assortment in your mini charm pack, your finished pincushion with be looooong! There were three prints in each color for this one. So, I decided to play a little longer.

 

Little Version of Mini Charm Pincushion

The next one I made was only one of each color (with the exception of the gold one on the left end). It's a mini mini charm pack pincushion! (Of course, you could make it "mini-er" by using fewer colors.)

Three Sizes of Mini Charm Pincushions

 

In no time at all, I'd made three different lengths. The longest one used three of each colorway, creating a pincushion that was just over 14" long. The middle one used two of each colorway and ended up about 10" long, and the last one with one of each colorway was about 5" long. I still have enough 3/4" pieces of some of the squares to make one or more, depending on how many colors I use.

 

Added bonus? Well, I'm so glad you asked! Because each strip of fabric sews up to 1/4" long, you can actually use your pincushion as a pretty close estimation of a ruler! Four strips equals 1". Cool, right? 

 

Well, what are you waiting for? Grab your mini charm packs and get sewing! If you make your own, please take a picture and post it on my "Brynwood Needleworks" Facebook page. (Just ask to join if you're not already in the group.) I'd love to see what you make!

 

Our Farmhouse - Master Bedroom...

Master Bed and Quilt Wall

I have more than a few quilts I love, and I've been trying to think of ways to display them here at the farmhouse. We have two beds (three, once the attic space is finished), so that takes care of two quilts. I also use them as table covers, but I recently came up with another idea.

During the winter, I noticed how cold our exterior walls were. I'm sure that, at some point, we'll reinsulate the house, but for now, I'm going to use quilts!
 

Master Bedroom Quilt Wall

 

This picture shows two of my very first quilts. The one on the bed is a chenille four-patch, that is the snuggliest and most comfy nap quilt. I love the colors, and that alone was what tempted me to purchase the kit. After carting the kit around for a couple of years, I finally assembled and quilted it in 2004. It's definitely one of my favorites.

 

The quilt I chose for the wall is made using the original Moda "Seaside Rose" fabric line. I made it in 2005. I love the colors in this quilt, and it goes perfectly with the paint colors, not only in the master bedroom, but throughout the entire farmhouse. It's also light and airy for summer, and it's a bonus that it will help insulate the room.

 

Of course, the use of a long rod hanging from two hooks gives me the option to switch out the quilt according to seasons, or just on a whim. The bed is much too big and heavy to move around, but changing out a quilt will give the room a new look whenever I want. I'm quite happy with this one, and will likely keep it like this for a long time.

 

 

I was working in the garden again yesterday. I have one more day of work left, and then I can show you finished pictures. I'm going to put down newsprint and then cover it with mulch, as recommended in my gardening books. Weeds won't come up through the newsprint, and the plants love whatever is in the newsprint as it deteriorates. Cool, right? I did get additional plants and can't wait to show you what it looks like now!! Soon, I promise.

Time Out For A Special Project...

Forest Friends Fabric Assortment

 I have a very special project to make for a certain granddaughter celebrating a Birthday next week.

Forest Friends Animals

 She loves nature and animals, but these days, foxes are her favorite.

Forest Friends Foxes

 No shopping necessary. I just went to my fabric studio and pulled what I need.

Forest Friends Fabric by Ingrid for Moda

   "Forest Friends" fabric assortment will fit the bill nicely. I'll be cutting today, to work on  something I know she wants. I have a week before I need to finish it. Plenty of time.  

Starting A "Happy Birthday Table Runner"...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jelly Rolls

I'm making a new table runner. This one is going to be a gift this month for someone near and dear to me. These are the jelly roll fabrics I've chosen to use. The floral one is Moda's "Clementine" from Me and My Sisters Designs. The geometrics are precut strips from Blank Quilting Company. They worked perfectly together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Strips of Color

I've already sewn strips together and arranged them in two rows of fifteen strips. They match and will be mirror image once I sew them together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Birthday Runner Fabric Strips

After all these strips are sewn together, I'll add more sections per the pattern directions. Then there are sections of applique' that I'll apply before quilting it.

I'll work on it in random moments so that it's finished in time to be my mid-month Birthday gift. I want it to be fun and colorful and perfect. (I did tell you it was for a loved one, right?)

Brynwood Needleworks - Shabby Fabrics "Happy Birthday Table Runner" Pattern

In case you're interested, this is the pattern I'm using. It's Shabby Fabrics' "Happy Birthday Table Runner".  (Click HERE to view and/or purchase. It's also available as a PDF file HERE.)

I love the table runner patterns from Jennifer Bosworth (She's the designer behind Shabby Fabrics)! Remember the "Patchwork Pumpkins Table Runner" I made HERE? It's still one of my favorites! (Link HERE for the pattern.)

I know I'll be making more of this Birthday table runner this year, too. I'd better finish this one first, though. I hope you have something creative planned for this week. I'd love to know what you're working on!

Disclaimer: I just want you to know that I receive no compensation, monetary or otherwise, for raving about Jennifer's fabulous patterns. I'm content to be an unpaid fan.
 

Plum Sweet Hexies...

Brynwood Needleworks - Plum Sweet Mini Charms

I met up with the ladies at Paneras last night. I wanted to take my hexies project to work on but needed to prep more mini charms before I could head over to Port Charlotte.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hexies

I got out my Clover iron and pressing board, and then I grabbed more of my fusible Hexies (from Hugsnkisses.net) and my Plum Sweet mini charms (designed by Blackbird designs).

Brynwood Needleworks - Hexi Prep

By the end of our evening visit, I had another twenty or so completed hexies to add to the "in progress" pile. It's definitely an ongoing project.

Today, I'm going to work on something different...and I'll show you what I accomplish tomorrow. Whew! It feels so good to be "caught up"!
 

Diagnosis...

"PNEUMONIA".

I firmly believe in the power of prayer. If you're so moved, I sure would appreciate if you could lift a few healing prayers for me. This is no fun.

Tag's not usually a cuddly boy, but he's all over me while I'm ill. He's taking really good care of me and won't leave my side. If his attentiveness is any indicator, I should be over this quickly.

On a lighter note, I want to show you an image that Aurifil threads posted on their FaceBook page. These are Moda's new "Homespun Silky Wovens". Aren't they swoony? (I know it's probably not a real word, but hey. It's my blog and I can exercise a little poetic license.)

I'm seriously wanting to add these to my inventory. I have to find some when I feel better (which I hope is very soon, now that the doctor has prescribed meds for me.)

Now that I've written this post, I'm going back to bed...perhaps to dream of something "fabric" and fun!

Quilt Top Accompli'...

Brynwood Needleworks - Garden Magic Quilt Top (pre-longarm)

I finished my quilt top on Sunday. It's a perfect size for our queen-size guest bed. I'll still need to sandwich the top, batting and backing together, and then I'll be able to mount it onto a frame and do the machine quilting. Last stage will be binding, and my goal is to have that step (and then the quilt) done very soon.

For anyone interested, this fabric line was called Garden Magic from Blackbird Designs for Moda. I really like the quaintness of it. Sweet flowers and patterns, along with a nice selection of colors, but not too girly that a guy would be offended. Oh, the fabrics are very soft, too!

Handsome is particularly smitten with this quilt-in-progress. He thinks the finished quilt will make a comfy cover-up for an occasional afternoon nap. I think he's right.

So, I'm feeling very accomplished for this week already. Let's see what reveals itself as the week progresses, shall we?