"Song of Spring" Is Finished...

Brynwood Needleworks - Song of Spring Quilt

I completed my "Song of Spring" quilt around 9:30 last night. All the quilting was completed during the day; and the binding was attached and hand sewn. Then I added a sleeve and label to the back. It's officially finished!

Brynwood Needleworks - Song of Spring Quilt - Finished

This is the entire finished piece, measuring approximately 20" x 19". When it comes back from the quilt show, it will hang up in the farmhouse.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Quilt Label

 

I created the label in Adobe Photoshop Elements™, and then printed it out onto fabric. I added a fabric border and hand sewed it to the back of the quilt.

Today, I'm taking it to Kathy D.'s house. I'll be in Florida on the days we have to turn our quilts in for the show, which will be held on May 4-5, so Kathy graciously offered to turn mine in for me. We have to turn them in next weekend, ahead of the show. As she's leaving for a trip on Monday, and I leave before she gets back home, we agreed that I would drop mine off with her before she leaves.

I'm going to relax the rest of the weekend, spending time with family. I'll be getting ready for my trip next week, but I'll tell you more about that later.

Happy Easter Weekend, friend! Thanks for stopping by today.

Revealed...

Brynwood Needleworks - Completed Embroidery and Fabric Choices

 

I completed the robin's nest embroidery on Saturday, which led to my starting on the next phase of my project. I can tell you now that I'm creating a quilted wall hanging to enter in an upcoming quilt show.

Handsome has been watching my progress, and he's named it for me..."Song of Spring". As I want the embroidery to be the most prominent feature, I chose fabrics that were more muted.

I've already created the half-square triangles that will be my block border. I'm using the grey plaid and rust-colored print fabric for straight sashing to frame the embroidery. I won't cut my embroidered panel until I do all the math, but I know that, as I'm entering it in the "Miniature Quilt" category, it needs to be under 26" square. That won't be a problem at all.

I'll probably have the top completed when I post again on Wednesday. Tag's up tomorrow. He's such a hoot. He makes me laugh every day. I'm as interested to see what he has to say as you are. Time to sew! See you later.

Harumph...

Brynwood Needleworks - Robin Babies Detail

 

When I sat down at 9:30 yesterday morning, I was confident that I'd finish my embroidery by the end of the day. I was wrong. 

I stopped stitching around 5:30 pm, and I'd managed to complete one baby bird, and the legs/feet on the adult. I have Number #2 baby about three-quarters finished, and a start on Baby #3. 

When I post about this on Monday, I'll show you my completed piece, and what's happening next on this project. Of course, I'll be sitting at the hoop today until I'm done with the babies, and then I'll work on the rest over the weekend. I can't wait to show you what this will become!

I'm glad it's going to warm back up again. Yesterday was nasty cold. I bundled up whenever Tag needed to go out - as well as doing my "feeder-filling" tasks. The birds are sticking close to the feeders, and actually fly right in to the apple tree when they see me coming! I haven't seen the 'possums or cat in a couple of days (and I have food for them in the compass barn, just in case), so I hope they're safe and warm, too. 

Well, I'm going to get back to it. Yards of floss to go before I sleep. lol Have a great weekend, my friend. 

 

Hello, Lady...

Brynwood Needleworks - Ladybug Addition

 

When I sat down to start working on my embroidery yesterday, I was thinking about what that third, little bird should be looking at. I knew I wanted it to be something other than the leaf. Should it be flying - like a bee, dragonfly, or fly? Then, it hit me!

A little ladybug, looking right back, would be perfect! That tiny pop of red and black was just what my piece needed. Well, that and a little touch of whimsy. So, that's where I began the day's stitching. I made a ladybug!

My eight and a half hours yesterday were spent finishing all the the leg and foot of my adult robin; then, I created the nest; and the ladybug, of course. I also started work on the babies. 

As an aside...The weather was crummy, too. It snowed about 3" the night before, and I woke up to a howling wind at about 6 am. I got up, went through my morning rituals, got dressed and let the Corgi out. Then we headed straight to town to pick up more birdseed (which I should have done in the nicer weather the day before). I wanted to be sure the birds had food.

I filled all the bird feeders, and set out the dehydrated grubs for the robins before I went back inside. I made a cuppa tea, and then I got back to stitching. While I stitched, occasionally sipping my tea, I looked up to see a bluebird looking back at me from his perch on one of my shepherd's crooks in the garden! I'm glad I put the grubs out. They eat them, too!! (I also cleaned out the bluebird houses a few weeks ago, so their accommodations are ready and waiting for them!) I smiled as I went back to my needlework.

I'll finish embroidering the babies (and the foot on the adult) today, and tomorrow I'll show you my completed needlework piece. I'll also tell you what I'm going to do with it! Be sure to come back tomorrow, when all will be revealed. 

Sharing The Big Picture...

Brynwood Needleworks - Robin Embroidery Progress 4.10.19

 

I thought you might like to see my full embroidery image today. I worked on it for more than eight hours yesterday, and made quite a bit of progress. From the looks of things, I'm guessing I have another full two days before it's finished and ready for the next step(s).

 

Of course, my next post will let you see how much I manage to complete. I'm going to make a pot of coffee and get right back to it. I'll see you again tomorrow.

 

PS. We got the snow that was predicted. ugh I left out plenty of food for the birds, opossums, and a feral black cat I've nicknamed "Will". lol Enough of winter already. I'm more than ready for spring!

Working My Way Down My Design...

Brynwood Needleworks - Robin With Worms Detail

Amid bread making classes and sock knitting, my primary project is this embroidery piece. It will be the centerpiece of a project I'm working on. I need to have the entire project finished before the end of April. My deadline is April 22nd.

I'm pretty proud of the way my worms turned out. They were created using bullion stitches, and I'm happy that they accomplished what I was going for.

I've also padded out part of the wing using a piece of wool in a matching grey color, to add dimension beyond that created by the needlework.

Brynwood Needleworks - Robin With Worms In Progress

   

We're supposed to be getting snow again (sigh), so I'm planning to stitch all day today. I filled bird feeders, folded laundry and cleaned up the kitchen, so I can sit guilt-free all day near my kitchen window. 

 

I can see the birds from here as I form each tiny stitch. In fact, I saw my first goldfinch of the season while stitching yesterday! Fuzzy Butt came to visit last night, too. Looks like he/she tangled with something recently, as there's a healing forehead gash. It didn't slow down the feeder feasting, though, so that's good.

I hope the snow doesn't stay long. My chives, mint, tulips and lilies are already peeking out of the ground. I don't know about you, but I really enjoyed our last two warm days, and I'm officially ready for spring. I'll be thinking about that while I needle dance the day away.