Spring Pincushions...

Brynwood Bunny Trio Pincushion

I've listed some new pincushions in my shop...all with a spring theme!

Brynwood Bunny Trio Pincushion Detail

 Ceramic bunnies in a cabbage patch...

Birds In A Basket Pincushion

Two birds in a basket...

Birds In A Basket Pincushion Detail

 with a pretty pink rose, and

Bunny Egg Cup Pincushion

 and a bunny family in a flower garden,

Bunny Egg Cup Pincushion

 with a little purple button tucked in the ruffles.

All the pins are included with each one, too.

These can be found in my shop.

 

Introducing "Harris"...

 Ta Daaaa!

I finally finished my pattern project and I can now introduce

"Harris" The Tweed Rabbit 

to you. "Harris" is a very debonaire and useful pincushion.

After all those bunnies were made and sold for my blog BFF, Shell May

at the Raspberry Rabbits, requests started pouring into the Bunnyville for

a pattern. It took me a little while, but I finally created "Harris", took

step-by-step photographs and then wrote the pattern.

 Just like the whole hutch-full of bunnies I created before,

"Harris" has a pocket to hold your scissors, and a cute poofy tail.
(He stands 5" tall x 3" wide at the base, but is 7" tall with upright ears.)

So now, you can purchase a pattern, choose your favorite fabrics

and make your very own, little bunny pincushion!

Here's the link to my first Craftsy pattern!

Careful now! Just like real bunnies, you'll have them 

running all over your sewing room before you know it!

A special thanks to Shell for the kick-in-the-pants I needed to do this!

New In The Boutique...

 If you're new to Brynwood, perhaps you don't know yet that I was born in

Great Britain. I'm a U.S. citizen by virtue of my father's citizenship, and

actually a British citizen by virtue of my birthplace just southwest of London.

(England recognizes my dual citizenship. Isn't that cool?)

From time to time, I like to give a little nod to my roots, and this is one of

those times. I have created scissors fobs and attached them to some very

special embroidery scissors I found for you. The scissors are 6", made in 

Pakistan. They're high quality and nice and sharp for doing close work.

I've created two felted flags...One for "Stateside" and one for "Across the Pond".

Each flag measures approximately 3" x 2" and is hand assembled and stitched 

using pearl cotton thread. I then attached a split ring and lobster claw so they 

would stay securely attached to your scissors. You can also choose a charm to

embellish your scissors instead of a flag. Either way, you won't have to worry

about losing your scissors in the bottom of your sewing kit, or confusing your

embroidery scissors with those belonging to someone else if you in a class.

Scroll down to see your scissor fob choices...

US Flag - Felt

UK Flag - Felt

Phone Booth Charm

London Charm

Underground Charm

Big Ben Charm

 If you're interesting in purchasing your own, just go to the Boutique under 

the "Other Creations" link to order yours. Some of the charms are limited 

quantities and I won't be able to reorder them, so don't delay if you have a favorite!

You can always go to the Boutique by clicking on the link at the top of my blog.

Once you're there, I have links in the Boutique for different categories.

You can use the direct link below to find the scissors/fob sets.
(http://brynwoodneedleworksboutique.blogspot.com/p/other-creations.html)

Why not explore a little while you're there? You might find something you can't resist!

The Raspberry Rabbits Limited Litter

 One more thing before I leave today...
Remember when I shared a selection of beautiful wools and threads with you?
I promised to show you more later.

I have created a Limited Edition Raspberry Rabbits Litter for my blog buddy,
Shell May! Tag is busy working overtime this week over at The Raspberry Rabbits
for his sweet Aunty Shell, so when you're finished here, just hop over to visit!
Tag will tell you all about these little bunns...and you know how chatty he can be! 

What A Wonderful World...

The Lord works in mysterious ways. Yesterday, when I least expected it, a package arrived in the mail from one of my Wisconsin friends, Kathy. It came with a beautiful card, a handwritten note (don't you love those?) and a wool pincushion created by her own hands.

Kathy used to come into my Wisconsin needlework shop (Stitches) years ago, and like me, she misses having the shop in Fond du Lac. I miss it because of the daily contact I had with so many talented and lovely people - and the friendships that were nurtured over our handwork. She told me she misses it, too - especially at this time of year, when the needlework bug bites her to create something new in counted thread. Those were fine days, my friend.

About the time I was closing Stitches and moving to the next creative phase in my life, Kathy was opening a beautiful shop (which I frequented), selling hand-dyed wools, beautiful threads and patterns to make items just like this pincushion. She purchased many of my shop fixtures (counters, cash register, etc.) for her new venture.

The note began with her condolences on the loss of our good dogs, but it wasn't a sad message. Rather, it was full of kind thoughts and reminiscences of good times we shared. Her dogs loved chasing rabbits, hence, the bunny-themed pincushion for me. So sweet!

All of your comments this week have made me smile, and I think Kathy's gift was the icing on the love-fest cake that we all shared together. You know how I adore pincushions and this will be a treasured addition to my collection. I hope that I'll be able to see Kathy sometime soon, so that I can tell her in person just how well-timed and appreciated her gift is.

Thank you, Kathy and all of my friends. I thank God for you in my life.

I'm Thinking Pink This Week...

I hope you're thinking pink, too! October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and if you haven't had your mammogram yet this year, please consider scheduling one for October. If you don't want to do it for yourself, do it for your family and all those people who love you.

My appointment was yesterday. Like everyone, I make jokes about having to go, and I'm always a little apprehensive about the discomfort, but when all is said and done, I'm so glad I went. (And it's actually not so bad.) There really is no substitute for the peace of mind that comes from the doctor's phone call to tell you you're "all clear".

Because I got my screening in October, I also left the clinic with some "lovely parting gifts". The nurse gave me a tote (perfect for my current knitting-in-progress), a BCA elastic wristband, a BCA record keeping card to remind me when to go again next year, a pink nail file and a pink and white coffee mug. Quite a change from the usual "Wham, Bam, Thanks-for-getting-your-mammogram"!

I also got a sweet thank you message from Shell today, so now that she's received my gift, I can tell you that the Rabbit pincushion went to my new blog friend, Shell May at Tales From The Raspberry Rabbits. Please click on the name of her blog and see her reaction to it (along with some gorgeous white pumpkins). I love visiting her blog. Razzy and Sugar make me smile, and Shell's writings are so joyful. If you haven't read her musings before, I'd like to be the one to introduce you to her. She's positively delightful.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month - and Shell, Razzy and Sugar receiving their new resident pincushion - I've made a pink-themed mosaic for you to see. My BCA gifts are featured, along with a few other of my favorite pink items...my white and pink Longaberger Hope Basket, used to hold all my sewing labels; a pretty pink and white crocheted rose potholder (I have to learn how to make one of these!); and another look at that Rabbit pincushion. (You can click on the mosaic to go to larger photos in my Flickr album.)

Please make that appointment if you haven't yet. I don't want to lose one single friend to breast cancer, whether you're someone I've known and loved for a long time, or a regular or new reader to my blog. I don't want to lose a single one of you!

Whispering In The Studio...

"Well...Today's the big day!"

"I'm going to be taking a little trip, and
to tell the truth, I'm a little nervous about it.
I've been pretty happy here, you know."

"Don't worry. Donna told me where you're going to live.
I'm sure you're going to be very, very happy there!"

"Can you tell me where I'm going?"

"Sorry, Snookums. No can do. If I tell you, then it won't be a surprise.
I'm sure you'll know very soon...and then Donna will tell everyone.
Safe travels, Little Sister. Have a good life."

I had so much fun with these projects. Now, I'm shipping one of the pincushions off to one of my girlfriends in Blogland. I can hardly wait to see her reaction!! I'll keep you posted.

Today, A Rabbit Pincushion Tutorial For You...

I recently had a comment left in my blog by my new online friend, Michelle (Shell) May. She's Razzy and Sugar's Mama over at Tales From The Raspberry Rabbits blog. I love visiting and reading her posts. Razzy and Sugar are both so sweet and Shell is a wonderful writer.

She had seen one of my completed pincushions and said that I should have a rabbit pincushion. I agreed, so while I was in my studio today, I decided to re-purpose a rabbit planter into a new pincushion for my collection.

I've put together my process in a free online tutorial for you. Just go to my Flickr album titled "Rabbit Pincushion Tutorial" (catchy title, don't you think?) and I'll show you what I did. I made the album title a link in this post for you. If you'd like to make the same rabbit planter into your own pincushion, there are a number of them listed up on eBay.

Let me know what you think. I think Razzy and Sugar would be pleased.