Busy Hands, Happy Heart...

 When I packed a few projects for this trip, I added this crewel kit that I'd purchased a
while ago when I met Shell May (of Raspberry Rabbits fame) in Williamsburg.
It's just a small piece when stitched, but it's perfect to work on while traveling.

 I don't want to make a mistake with the kit name (like I did with my last

project), so I'm showing you a photograph of the cover sheet. It's "Newbury

Small" by Tristan Brooks Designs. It's a beautiful, little Jacobean wool piece.

I hooped the fabrics (linen with a muslin backer) into my treasured, antique

hoop which once belonged to my mother-in-law, Evelyn. I was stitching in

no time at all. I actually made more progress before I quit for the day, but I

wanted to be able to show you some of the work I'd done on it before I lost

the good natural light that we bloggers crave when photographing for our posts.

Today, I'll be spending the day with my aunt and one of my "sisters by choice".

Tag will be with me while Handsome does a little instrument shopping. I'll also

see one of my beautiful nieces and her son for dinner, which will be the perfect

end to a fine day. I'm going to take this kit along to work on because it lends

itself well to tea, time with friends and loved ones and can be stitched without

much intense concentration or effort. I haven't done crewel embroidery in years,

but it reminds me of many hours spent with Mom Grace (who I'll see soon).

Happy times with happy pursuits and loved ones.

I'm very blessed.

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! 

My Buttons Are Poppin'...

I'm so excited for my friend, Shell May, that I just have to crow about her latest accomplishment! Shell's business and blog are called The Raspberry Rabbits. Many of you have visited her in the past, but just in case you have yet to meet her, allow me to introduce you!

This is Shell's beautiful face. She's a self-described textile folk artist and an all around talented woman. She's about as "big as a minute", but her heart is as huge as the whole outdoors. I'm honored to call her my friend.

She runs her business from her home, so her staff is small but dedicated. They write guest posts on her blog from time to time. I know you can understand how a person could share their blog with their pets...er... staff (you visit Taggart and me, after all!), so you'll surely find Sir Harrington and Lady Hannah sweet and amusing.

Why am I so excited to talk about Shell, Harrington and Hannah today? Well, Shell and her staff have just published their first book called "Briarside Lane". I have my very own copy and it's fabulous!

Shell shares her Folk Art Fusion method and then features a series of fabulous designs so that you can perfect her technique in your own home.  I love every single design, and I'm having a bit of trouble trying to decide which one to make first!

Here's a link to The Raspberry Rabbits blog, and a direct link to purchase your own copy of her new book, Briarside Lane.  You might as well look around her shop while you're there. She has all kinds of great things!

Congratulations, "Shelby Marie". 

I'm so happy for you!

A Corgi Ornament...

I received a Christmas package from my blog bestie, Shell at The Raspberry Rabbits. It came as a surprise, and when I opened the package I actually started to cry!

Staring up at me was this gorgeous, glass corgi to hang on my tree, and then reside year-round in the studio.

I mean...Look at this face!!

Shell included one of her annual handcrafted cards (I smile when I get those bunnies each year!), and to keep my corgi ornament safe, she also sent along a soft, felted wool acorn ornament.

How good was I this past year to have received these special gifts from my beautiful friend? I know my corgi friends are all going to want one, but this one is mine and I'll treasure it forever.

Thank you, dear Shell. You really hit the mark on the head when you chose my gifts this year. Sending long distance hugs filled with gratitude for you!

New Birthday Books...

Two new packages arrived...For Me!!! I didn't just tear them open. I took photos of the wrapping and everything, but to tell the truth, my pictures left a lot to be desired, so I'm going to spare you those images.

The first package came from my beautiful friend, Shell in North Carolina. I was so surprised! I hadn't expected a package from the Raspberry Rabbits. What could this be?

I started by opening the envelope (that's what I was taught to do...always, envelope first!) to find the coolest card (I just saw this card on her blog this week when she showed us some of her haul on a grand day out with our mutual friend, Sharon. I was jealous that I missed the outing!).

Her card explained the gifts I would find inside the package, and I couldn't wait to see what she'd chosen for me. Two new books to inspire me, get the creative juices flowing and offer some new ideas. I haven't put the books down since I opened them!

One book is titled, Living The Creative Life by Rice Freeman-Zachary. It's filled with the artwork of various artists and how they embark on their creative processes. The images are really tantalizing!

The second book is titled, Taking Flight (to give your Creative spirit wings) by Kelly Roberts. I will be telling you more about this book another time, but let me just say that the stories (I've read a few already), images and techniques have already given me ideas for future projects.

Shell has been a great cheerleader for me, and more than once, she's been my sounding board when I have an idea I need to bounce off her. I, then, am not surprised in the least to find that she'd know just the perfect gifts to send to me for my Birthday. Did I say what a good friend I have in her? She's just the best!

Thank you, Shell for remembering my Birthday and taking the time to choose such wonderful books to add to my creative library. I have a feeling they won't be spending any time on my shelf for a long while. I'll be devouring the contents of their pages.

The second package was from my mum. As her first-born, I have a special bond with her. There have been times when I just felt that I needed to talk with her, picked up the phone to dial her number and there she was before I even punched the numbers in! Other times, she or I have long-distance sympathy pains only to find, days later, that one or the other of us was sick, sad or otherwise in pain. It's really uncanny.

Mum also knows how much I love books, and she found two that really struck a chord with me. The first is called "Grandmas Are Special People" illustrated by Susan Winget. There are sweet sentiments, verses and stunning illustrations, but I think the most beautiful part of this book is the inscription from my Mum. I smiled as my eyes welled with tears.

Now, if anyone is bewildered by the second book, you haven't been around Brynwood very long. Mum chose "Corgiville Christmas" by Tasha Tudor. Yup. It's a children's book, but it's filled with all those adorable little Tasha Tudor Corgis and I have just the granddaughter who will love sitting on Grandma's lap to turn the pages with me!

There was one more item in my gift box from Mum. She gave me a warm hug in the form of a British cardigan that she bought last time she visited relatives in England. It fits me perfectly, and with our current "chilly" snap, it's going to get immediate use! I promise that I'll ask Handsome to take a picture of me wearing it so you can see it.

Thank you, Mumsy. Everything you chose for me is just perfect. I'll think of you whenever I wear my new cardi...and if I need a pep talk in the middle of the night, I'll just read the inscriptions you wrote in the front of my two new books. I love you...from your #1.

Gosh...I think Handsome is going to be right. "Spoiled Brat" is starting to fit, don't you think? He told me that I'm supposed to stay out of...now where was that? Great! I guess I don't have to worry about snooping around for the gift he's already chosen...and hidden for me. Dang! I can't remember where he told me I shouldn't go. Guess I'll just hang out in the studio 'til tomorrow and I should be alright.

Man, I love, love, love my life! I'm still such a lucky girl, living a truly blessed life. Thank you for being a part of it.

PS. Happy Birthday, Larry. I love you and know that you're watching over me.

Fezzik Friday - 44 Weeks...

Hi, everybody!

Hope you're ready for another Fezzik Friday.

You may notice I'm spending this week lying low.

First, Mom told me that Miss Shell
lost her beloved Sugie this week.

Miss Shell, I hope you feel better soon. I'll miss hearing
Mom read your stories about your sweet girl bunny.
Mom and I wish we lived closer so that
we could come over and help you feel better.

We're all very sad to hear this news and Mom, Kessie and I
send love and hugs to Miss Shell and Harrington.

On Tuesday, Mom told me that she made an appointment with my doctor for a little operation next week. Something about the "family jewels" and jokes about my voice changing. I don't think that's funny! I've been awfully proud of my Big Boy voice, and I don't want to end up with a little, yippy voice...ever. Woe is me. (Or is it, "woe is I?")

My surgery is scheduled for next Thursday, and will be a bit more extensive than a run-of-the-mill neutering. Mom said we can thank my greedy, disreputable, selfish breeder who knew she was breeding boys that don't drop their little boy hardware. Mom said that my doctor is going to have to look a little harder to find them so they can be removed.

Mom said she's having this done because she loves me and doesn't want me to get sick when I get older...and because she loves corgis, she doesn't want me contributing a breed flaw to the gene pool. We're being responsible pet and owner.

All that being said, it's still a major surgery , so it means I'll have to stay overnight at the clinic. I won't be home in time to write my own post next week, so I hope you'll come back and read Mom's post-op report. I promise I'll be back as soon as I can to let you know how I'm feeling. Wish me luck! 'til then,

"More wagging, less barking."
Fezzik Inconceivable

PS. Mom asked me to add this little reminder for everyone, too:

MONDAY, April 25th is our next Memory Lane Monday. We hope you'll have a story to link to the party. Mom will have her post up around 10 pm on Sunday to make it easier for you to link up and join in the fun.

You Can Join The Birthday Party, Too...

Somebunny special is having a Birthday this weekend!
To celebrate, my friend, Jillayne of A Fine Seam
and
I
are hosting a special online, virtual Birthday party!

There is nothing quite like the friendships that are developed in our blogging community. I have found women with whom I know I will share lifelong friendships, whether or not we ever meet in person. Then, there are the women whom I have already met in person.

Our birthday celebrity is just one of those people. I instantly connected with her online, and then was blessed to meet her in person last fall.

She's the petite, sweet, bunny-loving, talented
Shell May of The Raspberry Rabbits!

If you already know her, then you love her and will want to wish her the Best Birthday ever. Her birthday is Sunday, March 27th, and we hope you'll all want to add your special wishes to the party.

Jillayne and I are hosting a link-up party so that everyone can send Birthday wishes to Shell. To participate, Jillayne and I have only asked that you use a rabbit image in your post. It can be ceramic, needlework, sewn, painted, photographed, anything...you can choose. The bunny will be your virtual Birthday gift to Shell. (Of course, you're welcome to send actual gifts to her - and if that is your desire, contact me privately and I'll make arrangements to get your gifts to her.) You'll be able to add your Birthday wishes blog post to this party until midnight Sunday.

She reads my blog every day, so the cat's out of the bag now. As I've already exposed Jillayne's and my plot, this will be the location for the linky party.

Shell, my dear friend. I wish you a wonderful Birthday, filled with all the wonderful things you love. I wish I could knock on your door this weekend to surprise you in person, but know that I'll see you again soon enough.

Love and Best Wishes from me, Kes and Fezzik. I hope you have fun visiting all the linked blogs to see all the affection and virtual gifts awaiting you.


Hugs and smooches,

PS. This post will remain up all weekend so that other bloggers can join the party. I'll be back with a new post on Monday.

PLEASE READ MY REMINDERS RIGHT BELOW THIS POST...MONDAY IS MEMORY LANE MONDAY so you can post and join the Memory Lane Party.

Reflected Rabbits For You To Stitch...

I haven't created a new cross stitch design for a long while, or even stitched one for that matter! However, last week I was inspired to sit down with needle, thread and linen in hand to stitch something for a mug mat I wanted to make for my bunny girlfriend, Shell May.

Shell loves Valdani 3-strand cottons, and after using them, I now know what all the fuss is about. Valdani threads are fabulous! They have a wonderful hand (the way they feel and ease of stitching), and the color variety is extensive.
So, look closely and you'll be able to see the little, sitting bunnies that I designed into a border. (See their floppy ears and big rabbit feet?) You can stitch them singly, in pairs, or any combination. (I can just see Shell stitching away to make Reflected Rabbit borders on her pillowcases.)
This is the finished mat. She's already received it, but I promised to share the chart for my design. If you need to get a ball of Valdani, hop over to Shell's site. She sells them. (hmmm. "Shell sells floss thread by the seashore." Well, she doesn't live near the ocean, but there's a honking pond/lake in her neighborhood. Does that count?}

You can go to my Free Patterns/Tutorials link at the top of my blog to download the pattern with a photo. (Here's a link to the page. Just look at the Box.net widget - Below the acorn, located right under "Free Brynwood Pattern Downloads" title - and select the "Reflected Rabbits" folder. Once you click on that folder you'll be asked if you want to download the two pages. If you do, then go ahead and click "yes". Easy Peasy!)

Thanks, Shell for being my muse. I know this has me motivated to do more stitching, and perhaps a few new designs. I didn't realize how much I was missing it.

If you're inspired to stitch this design, I'd love to see what you do with it! It would even make a perfect, little bookmark for yourself or as a gift for a bunny-loving friend like mine!

Happy Stitching!

More Surprises...

My dear friend, Shell May of The Raspberry Rabbits sent a birthday and Christmas gift to me this year!

She recently participated in a craft show in her area. While there, she found a beautiful, little felted squirrel ornament that called out to her. He's even holding a tiny acorn between his paws. I think he's just so sweet!
On another of her shopping forays, Shell found these two wonderful acorn ornaments. I was surprised at how heavy they were. The caps are created using beads and I think the bases are mercury glass. One is silver and the other is gold. I just love them!

Whenever I write about a gift I received, Shell often comments by just leaving a note that says, "S.P.O.I.L.E.D.". Yeah. Well, guess what, girlfriend? This time, the brat's been spoiled by YOU!

Thanks so much for choosing such lovely gifts for me. Not only am I spoiled by your gifts, but I can't begin to tell you how I value you and your friendship. Like you, I sure wish we lived closer to each other. Sending a grateful hug from Florida to North Carolina, my friend.

Strawberry Roses...

I'll be listing up three of my medium-sized Strawberry Roses in the Boutique today. They're each embroidered with my own ribbon roses, buds and flourishes and are filled with lavender and organic wool.

I only have one of each of the colors shown, and I can't promise I'll be making any more before Christmas. If you've followed my blog since last year, you'll remember that it gets a little intense in the studio leading up to the holidays, because I make almost all my gifts. You'll understand why I may not get back to creating more of these. As much as I love making them, I just can't make any promises.
Each strawberry measures about four inches long, so they're not little. They'll be perfect sitting in a little dish, in your lingerie drawer, or you can even use them as pincushions!

You can find these three in The Boutique later this afternoon.
Handsome performed with the North Port Concert Band last night, and this proud wife recorded the entire evening's program. It's going to take me a while to sort through everything, but I hope to share a clip or two with you very soon.

Alas, because I was hired to record the entire concert, my head was in another mode yesterday and I didn't photograph any silver goodness for the October Silver Sunday. I'll photograph my entry later today and link over to Gypsy Fish Journal tomorrow. Sorry to be late to the party, Beth!
One last thing today...In case you didn't see Shell's comment to my post yesterday, I thought I'd share it with you. I loved her interpretation of Fezzik's reaction to the bunny...

"He isn't a hunter at all, but a friend to the bunnies and the creatures of the wild. He will protect them from harm and they will have many good conversations. He growled to warn the bunny of a human. There was peace and love in the world and they all lived happily ever after. You know I love a happy ending. :)
xx, shell"

I love her whole outlook. She's really a "glass-half-full" kind of gal. Fezzy really liked Auntie Shell's story, too! Thanks, my friend.