October Artist Trading Cards...

October ATCs - Theme: Indigenous

I completed this month's ATCs over the weekend, and they're in the mail today. The theme was "indigenous". Handsome actually came up with this idea and found the image. I really liked it, so I went with it. 

"Indigenous" Theme

I have an unpublished counted thread chart that's still on my To Do List to make available in my Etsy shop. It features a buffalo/bison charm, and I have a lot of them. I set aside enough for this project, so in addition to showing a map of Wisconsin and which tribes lived (or still live) where, I also included this charm.

My doctor's appointment went really well, with a new appointment scheduled for a year from the surgery date. I won't see him before spring unless "BoB" needs to be replaced sooner. I'm keeping my fingers crossed in that regard.

I was only at work for about two hours yesterday morning, so that was an easy shift for me. Especially since it was a quiet night at home after all the running was accomplished.

I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do today, but I know a few loads of laundry are on the list. Once I get that going, I'll figure out what's next. Hope you have a great day!

I Can See Clearly Now...

This season, we watched corn grow from seed to nearly nine feet tall in the planting field north of our farmhouse. Only a couple of these acres belong to us, but it's always planted by our northern farmer/neighbor.

For most of the summer, we couldn't see the horizon, nor the animals that traversed this field over the past few months. Last weekend, that all changed. In a matter of hours, this field was harvested for another season. I'm not sure whether or not they will till this stubble under for the winter, but we already know next year's crop will be nitrogen-rich beans. 

One of the things we respect most about our neighbor is the respectful way he treats the land (including ours). He rotates his crops for the benefit of the plants and the soil. Corn really sucks nitrogen out of the soil, so planting beans next year will renourish the soil for future crops. Not only do they plow the land, but they learn about the sustainable ways to improve without harsh chemicals or erosive practices. We really respect that.

So, this field will be resting again for the winter, and will be ready to again provide next season. So many thoughts and lessons to be learned, but I'll just leave it here for now. It's wonderful to see the horizon north of us again for a little while.

Brynwood's October ATC...

Brynwood Needleworks - October 2024 ATC

 

Well, it's already dark as I write this, so I won't go back and rephotograph this under artificial light, but...

I can see that I should have tidied up my background to remove the stray threads from my paisley board. sigh

 

I got to spend my entire day playing in the studio! This is the artist trading card design I came up with for the "Mixed Media" October challenge for my sister's group. If you're interesting in joining her Facebook group Handmade Treasures by Jan, you can click HERE to participate.

 

 

 

There are nine other participants this month, so I made one for each, plus one for my collection. The sun was shining, and I had so much fun making these. Each matching card features an acorn fairy image printed on silk fabric, part of an antique doily, and an acorn/oak leaf charm. The back of each one has a signature space so the recipient will know who created it, the ATC group, and how many were created (1/10, etc.) They'll all mail to their new homes today.

 

More ATCs...

Brynwood Needleworks -Jan and Dawn's ATCs

I received two more Artist Trading Cards in the mail yesterday. One was from my sister, Jan and the other from Dawn, who is also participating. These are both mixed media (our theme this month), using paper, findings and some fabric. I'm intrigued by the different techniques used.

I don't work again until Friday, so I'm going to start work on mine. I've been mulling over ideas, and think I now know my direction. I'll share my progress tomorrow. This should be fun!

Daikon Alley...

Brynwood Needleworks - Daikon Alley

 

Do you get the reference for my blog title today? If you're a Harry Potter fan, you may giggle at my corruption of the name of a place in the books and movies. (Diagon Alley) J.K.Rowling used such clever names in her stories. Anyway...

 

This is the view from our north lawn toward the north. Two acres of the field, past our lawn, belongs to us. The rest belongs to a farming neighbor. He leases our two acres from us. We love his farming practices. He's a great steward of the land, plans his annual schedule admirably, and uses the practice of crop rotation to minimize chemicals and other controls.

Brynwood Needleworks - This Winter's Crops

 

Last year he planted corn, followed by winter wheat. After taking off the wheat this year, he planted radishes and clover to prevent erosion and feed the soil over this upcoming winter. We were fascinated. We've lived around farmers over half of our married lives, but this is the first time we've seen a radish crop. 

 

After doing a little investigating, we learned that these are not red radishes. These are daikon radishes, which help aerate and feed the soil. In the spring he'll till them into the soil, so he invited us to take what we wanted, if we cared to try them.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Daikon

 

I walked over to the field the day before yesterday, and was surprised to find the radish heads sticking up out of the ground. I grabbed the greens, near the top of the radish, and it easily pulled out of the ground. This one was actually small, compared to the few up pulled after it.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Quite The Handful

 

Aren't they gorgeous? I asked my online friends how they prepare them, and learned that these can be served roasted, mixed into a salad (raw), used to make kimchi (a fermented concoction), and more. I actually ate one fresh out of the field (after I washed it under the garden hose), and it was delicious and spicy.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Dinner Side Dish

After bringing them into the farmhouse, I cleaned them, cut them into 3/4" rounds, tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roasted them as a side dish for our dinner. They have a completely different taste once roasted, and I see them as a completely acceptable substitute for potatoes. I'm going to have fun experimenting with different seasonings and methods. 

 

It will also be interesting to learn just how long I can harvest small bundles into the winter. Perhaps they won't be viable after the ground freezes. I don't know. I do know, that without being greedy, we will have a few more dinners using daikon before the cold weather arrives.

Brynwood Needleworks via Pinterest

Hard to believe it's October already, isn't it?

A Facebook Giveaway...

I'm having a little giveaway on my Brynwood Needleworks Facebook page to

celebrate reaching one hundred followers there. The page is a public group, but

you need to request "membership", which (of course) I accept when I see it.

I recently won the Almondina™ Biscuits assortment giveaway, and as I'm the 

 one who eats them here, I'm happy to share some of my good fortune with you.

I made a mug mat in my favorite pumpkin fabric for this October gift. There's
even a little pocket in the green dot fabric for tucking in a little treat or a note.

  Lastly, I'm adding one of Tag's caricature pins. It's detachable, so you can even wear it if you'd like. (I know Tag would love it!) I think it's just a little fun touch.   The Brynwood group allows for all the members to share what they're working  on, and I share creative things that I find related to sewing, quilting, knitting, and everything else that's beautiful, creative and inspirational...not just my work.
If you're on Facebook and haven't joined Brynwood's group, you can still get  in on the giveaway. Just click HERE and ask to join the group. Then, leave a comment on the giveaway post (there) and I'll choose a winner on Sunday.

It's That Time Again...

jaison cianelli image

 You're going to hear it all over Blogland, so I might as well chime in, too.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month   If you haven't been screened yet (had your mammogram) this year, don't delay any longer. In fact, many facilities offer special perks for getting one in October.    I remember one year, I came home with "BCA" gifts. I was given a tote bag,  coffee mug and a few other goodies. Just for getting a mammogram in October.  (It was October, 2009. You can see all those goodies and read about it here.) I got mine in June, but I never fail to get one every year. It's just smart. preventative care. I know. It's a little uncomfortable, but hey, we're awesome, we're women and we can do anything, right? Don't be a 'fraidy cat.   If you don't do it for yourself, do it for those you love (and who love you). Just do it! (Please)

Memory Lane Monday - October...

This time of year is always bittersweet for me. The weather starts to cool off in Florida, and my mind wanders to days spent in the field with our retrievers when we still lived in Wisconsin. I decided to share two particularly fun weekends with you.

For two years in a row, 1988 and 1989, Handsome and I packed up our Golden retriever, Liljegren's MacDuff (aka Duffer) and headed to Cainsville, Missouri for their First (and Second) Annual Pheasant Championship.

When we walked onto the grounds the first year, I carried the cased guns and Handsome held Duff's lead. As we headed to the registration area, I could hear comments from some of the folks saying, "Isn't that great that he gets that little lady to carry his guns for him?" Handsome and I chuckled because they didn't realize I was part of the two gun/one dog team. There were no other women shooting in the competition that year (or the next).

The rules were simple. Two guns, one dog, thirty minutes, six shells per gun. Points for every pheasant shot, points for birds delivered to hand, points for shells not used and points for minutes left under thirty.

The weather was nice. Not hot, but not chilly either. Perfect for a leisurely walk through the field with a talented - and wise - Golden. Duffer never failed.

I shot the first bird he put up, and from there our team brought in four birds, had shells left over and of course, Duff delivered every single bird to hand. We took Third Place our first year...and the spectators were duly impressed.

When we showed up the second year, they all remembered us. Duff was a year older and wise to the program. He almost didn't need us, except he can't shoot. (No thumbs! lol) In 1989, we finished "in the money" with a Second Place win, and let Duff hold the winnings for this photograph.

We had also purchased our first camper for this trip. We had remembered the tiny hotels in the area the first year and decided we'd bring our own accommodations. We paid $5.00 for each night of our stay - with full hook-ups. Ahh, yes. Those were the good old days!

I can't help but get a little tearful when I think back on those days in the field with our beloved retrievers. To watch their tails wag when they found scent and followed a bird trail; their delight at bringing back a shot bird...and that special look they gave us if we missed. It was almost as if they would say, "All that work, and you missed? Really?"

1997 - l-r: Bee, Samantha Rose, Kyra Morgan (in back) Bryn, Bannor and MacDuff.

I can remember the smells of Autumn; the colors of the trees; the rustle of the cover as we moved through it; the smell of fresh pheasant cooking in the pot for dinner. I miss Wisconsin the most this time of year...every year. And, I miss our hunting dogs - each and every one of them - Old Morgan, Bryn, MacDuff, Bee, Major, Samantha Rose, Bannor, Kyra, Morgan and Kes.

Thanks for joining me for another Memory Lane Monday. If you have a story to share, please write about it on your blog and then link back here. The link will stay open for one week.

October Blissfull Swap...

The theme for October's Blissfull ATC Swap was "Dark". From following my writings, you'll know that I'm a "glass-half-full" kinda gal, and I'm basically an optimistic person. I don't decorate for Halloween and really never have. No particular reason...just a fact. I love fall, and have decorated in fall themes in the past (when we lived up North), but tend to lean more toward clean and summery in Florida - no matter the season.

The reason I tell you this is because that theme "Dark" was a real challenge for both my partner and me this month! What to do? What to do?

My swap partner this month is Sharon Chapman of Wildflower House. She's been under the weather lately (got the flu from her flu shot!!!), and is being harassed by the local wildlife (bears and a cougar!), so if you have a chance, please visit her blog and tell her you hope she feels better soon. She's a wonderful needleworker and a real inspiration for anyone who enjoys working with threads and beads.She explained her interpretation to me in her letter, and I think it's genius! One year, she planted an entire garden in white flowers, and when the moonlight shone on it, the whole yard sparkled! This was how she translated her vision into an artist trading card. I think it's fabulous and am so happy and honored to own it! Needlework by Sharon's own, two, talented hands.
She even embellished the envelope she used to mail the card to me! Lord, I was happy just to receive the envelope! Really!!
This is what I did and why...
I found a great moonlight/Art Deco/ocean waves image and decided I'd work with it this month. I stippled all over my deep purple cotton fabric in a dark blue, metallic thread and then affixed my image - after I'd added color using fabric paints. Figuring that the stars sparkle even when it's dark outside, I decided that all the light in this card should come from the strength of the woman standing next to the glistening waves.
When I completed that "Dark" card, I really needed to lighten things up for my partner, so I then created a "Light and Airy" card as it's companion. I find great comfort in the thought that whenever there is darkness, there will always again be light.I took a lovely cotton fabric and stippled a silver metallic thread all over it. Then I added a cheerful image from one of my British cigarette cards, in the form of flowers. A crystal heart, a cluster of ribbon flowers, and a sterling silver fairy to tend to this Light garden and my ATC was complete! There you have it! "Dark" and "Light and Airy" for my friend, Sharon.
I also thought I'd show you one of my ATC storage boxes. I love this one because I can change out the front ATC to see a new one whenever I feel like it! I'm also able to store my available ATCs, pens and slip sheets there, too. It's lucite, and I've had it for years. I might have to go on a search for another soon, though. This one's getting full!

Sweeping Away The Cobwebs...

I have this little, vintage, Halloween-themed sewing card in my repertoire and thought I'd share it with you today.

Just as this little girl is sweeping away the cobwebs in the image, I've been sweeping out some of the cobwebs in my studio! I'm busy finishing quilts, working on my surprise project and placing the finishing touches on a long-neglected piece. I'm especially anxious to finish that one piece and share it with you...perhaps tomorrow!