Everything But The Acorn...

Our granddaughter's brooch is finished, save for adding Grandma's signature acorn to the back.

I used silver-finished kid leather for the backing, and a pin back to secure it to her gown or bouquet.

Grandpa and I will give this to her at the upcoming couples' shower. I'm also working on a large lap quilt for them. I'll be shooting for their shower date of September 25th. Once again, I'm going to be busy. sigh

We actually had a cool wedding gift planned, but found out that it's not going to work. The kid's bought a duplex as their starter home, which we think is smart and practical. So was our idea.

We wanted to gift them a quarter beef share, which necessitated a freezer for storage. We asked their dad to slyly find out if that would work. He contacted us yesterday to inform us that, not only is there no freezer (which could easily be rectified), but having no basement, there's no space in the house to accommodate one either.

So now we have to rethink our plan and come up with a new one. Any ideas from my wise and creative readers? Let me know.

 

Looks Like I Made It...

Well, I finished ahead of schedule...but barely. I got down to the very last spot only to find I was about three chippings short and out of brilliant check purl in that size and color.

I looked in the corgi cup I use for thread ends, and even checked the carpet for the rare snippet that bounced off my fabric when I was cutting them, and thankfully found what I needed. I know more is already on the way, but I would miss my goal. As it was, I finished ahead of time by a few hours.

Next, I'll release it from the ground fabric and finish it into a brooch for our granddaughter. All that will be left then is to create the insert and place it in a special box for her. I'm one happy grandma.

Could Today Be The Day?...

I sat at my Lowrey stand all day yesterday and made great progress. I panicked at one point, thinking I'd used the last of my .5 mm brilliant check, but I found more in my inventory. I'm sure I have enough to finish now, so perhaps today will be the day I secure the last piece. I'm certainly going to try. 

We're expecting rain today, so l plan to stitch until dinner time. I think a bit of laundry is on the agenda, too. Here's hoping I'll be ready to cut this brooch away from the ground fabric today (or very soon). 

I hope you have a great day, too! I'll be back tomorrow.

Piece By Piece...

I know it doesn't look like much, but the silver brilliant check is a smaller gauge than I usually use, and each chipping (cut piece) is tiiiiny! You can see them in my little bees wax pot in this picture. That silver strand next to my laying tool is what they look like uncut. It seriously took me a couple hours to get this far.

I'll work on it again when I get home from work today. (I'm liking these new hours, by the way.) I'm hoping to at least complete half of this heart by the time I stop later today.

Wish me luck!

 

A New Start...

I started the bridal brooch for our granddaughter yesterday. I chose all the components, set up the ground fabric in my special hoop - the one that belonged to Handsome's mom, and started work on it already.

This is how far I got before I stopped for the evening. I'll work on it more over the next few days, as I embroider toward the finish. 

Although I haven't heard a date yet, I'm sure there'll be a bridal shower pretty soon, and this is one of the gifts I'd like to give her. So I'll keep stitching until this is finished.

Heart Brooches...

 

Three New Brooches

I was feeling much better on Sunday. The sun was shining, even though it only got to about 29ºF , so it was lovely sitting in my favorite spot for a bit of needle dancing. 

Something Blue Bridal Brooch - Soft Blue

I completed the second Something Blue Bridal Brooch, so there are now two that will be available. I think I may do a third that will be completely beads with only the cross in the middle to see how that looks. I think that could be really elegant, too.

SOLD. Something Blue Bridal Brooch - Shimmer SOLD

These brooches will regularly be $65 each, plus $5 domestic postage (I'll pay the difference if it costs more.) I'll also ship outside the US, but buyer is responsible for postage and import fees, however during March, I'm offering them for $45 (plus postage as listed above). If you're interested, please send me a private message and I'll make arrangements to send a secure invoice through my Square account.

Now that I'm caught up with that, I'm going to turn my attention to new photographs for some of my current Etsy listings, and then I'll launch my 40% off March Madness Sale. Once that's up and running, it will be in effect until the end of the month. I'm hoping that most all of my current stock sells out so I can start April with new inventory, much of which I'll be creating during the month.

I will be working tomorrow, so I'm going to take it easy today. I've got a bit of computer time in my future to set up the sale. I might take an afternoon nap, too. See you tomorrow. Oh, and Happy March!

Needle Dancing Hearts...

Making Progress On My Heart Brooch

Goldwork always seems to take a little longer than I think it will. I spent the afternoon needle dancing with a different (softer) blue bead and silver bright check. Just what the doctor ordered. (I think I'm fighting off another cold, by the way, so I've doubled up on my Vitamin C and have added other immune building supplements to my daily regimen.) 

I'm going to take it easy today, but of course I'll work on this. I think homemade chicken soup will be on today's menu! Catch you tomorrow!

Two Down, One To Go...

Two Stitched Heart Brooches

I managed to complete the stitching on the second heart - a new Something Blue Bridal Brooch - over the weekend. I love how this one turned out! As with the Purple Heart Brooch, I can't cut it out until I complete the needlework on the third heart to maintain the integrity of the hooped ground fabric.

Beginning Third Heart Brooch

I began work on the third brooch yesterday. This one incorporated a lighter, matte-finish seed bead which will really contrast with the brilliant check chipping once I start adding it. I'm hoping to do that this week, and then turn them into brooches over the weekend.

The weather was beautiful Saturday and Sunday, and we had a blissful reprieve from the constant dump truck traffic. Nothing ran after dark on Saturday and it was quiet all Sunday. We'll see if that continues through today. That would be wonderful.

I'm woefully late in getting out my January ATCs to my sister's group, so I'll probably work on those today. It's going to be a busy week. The theme is "New Year" and I already know what I'll be doing. Now to set the time aside!

Tomorrow I work; Wednesday will be another classmate dinner gathering; Bella has a vet appointment on Thursday that coincides with an appointment Handsome has on the books, so I'll take her instead this time; and then work again Friday night. I plan to set aside as much time as I'm able to get the ATCs and brooches finished.

I know I said I'd have a big sale in my Etsy shop this month, but I think I'm going to change it to a March Madness Sale instead. As soon as I get these projects finished, I'll begin work on my shop sale. Being sick in January really set me back!

I hope you have a great week ahead. I'll be looking forward to catching up with you each day. Take care!

Nearly Finished...

Brynwood Exclusive Something Blue Bridal Brooch WIP

I almost finished this Bridal Brooch. I'll get this one done today, so I can do the third before cutting them out. 

I have plans to bake a special Valentine's treat for Handsome and his sweet tooth. It's a new-to-me recipe, but I think he'll we'll enjoy the result. I'll show you tomorrow.

I promised the recipe for English muffins today, but I wanted to show you hearts instead. I moving that post to Monday. 

Happy Friday the Thirteenth! 

(Did you know that the number 13 is actually GOOD luck? Yup! I'll tell you about that some time. Have a great day!)

                                                               

Purple Heart Brooch...

Purple Heart Brooch In Progress

I completed all the stitching for the Purple Heart Brooch yesterday. I can't cut that one out yet, because removing two from the ground fabric would destabilize my other two brooches I still need to stitch. I'll cut them all out when those blue ones are done.

It was really lovely to sit in my favorite sunny spot to stitch. Bella was sleeping at my feet, while Handsome ran errands with Bella's kid. 

I'll be working on the blue hearts today. I'll begin with the pearl purl outlines, and progress to the chippings, beads and crosses. These will be Bridal Brooches when they're finished, but the purple one is already spoken for.

I hope it's warming up with a little bonus sunshine where you live. I'm looking forward to the temperatures continuing to rise. I'm completely done with the deep freeze stuff! I know there's a cuppa with my name on it, so I'm off to start my day. See ya later, gator!

Cold Day Needle Dancing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Purple Heart Brooch In Progress

It's still cold and the wind picked up again, so the best place was indoors needle dancing! So, that's exactly what I did. I sat in front of my favorite sunny spot and listened to the wind beating against the farmhouse, but it was nice and warm inside.

The Something Blue Bridal Brooches are padded out and waiting their turn, but I wanted to work on the purple heart brooch first. I started using a different fiber around the beads but didn't like it, so I removed all that work and started over. I'm much happier with the bright silver now.

I'll work on this some more today, and I'm also going to make the dough for cinnamon rolls. I promised a tray for Teresa when I see her at work tomorrow night, and in return I'll get a dozen of her beautiful farm eggs. The yolks are almost orange, and they're soooo good. I'm sure I'm getting the better end of the deal, and I know she'll say the same about my cinnamon rolls. That means it's a perfect trade, right?

I'm going to start today with a nice, hot cuppa, and then I'll turn my attention to my needlework. I can already tell it's going to be a good day. Wishing the same for you!

When I'm Not Canning...

Brynwood Exclusive "Something Blue" Bridal Brooches (and a Regal Purple One, too)

I'll be making heart brooches. There are going to be "Something Blue" Bridal Brooches, a regal purple one for someone special, and a number of beautiful red Valentine Heart Brooches for February. I may just sell these directly through my blog and Facebook/Instagram this time, as I'm planning a big sale in my Etsy shop for February of my existing inventory. 

I'm working today, so wish me a warm store. It's still bitterly cold here, but I'll be bundled for the ride over, and last time I worked it was so comfortably warm that I took off my knit jacket. I'm hoping for the same today. Speaking of which, I'd better get cracking. I sure don't want to be late! See you tomorrow.

Madison's Bridal Brooch...

Madison's "Something Blue" Bridal Brooch

Completed, boxed, and packaged with the card insert commemorating this bride's special day. After creating the card insert and boxing the brooch, it's all packaged in a white chiffon drawstring bag for gifting. 

I finished the back with a piece of silver metallic kid leather, my signature (which you can't see because of the reflection), and my signature acorn.

I'll be presenting this brooch to Madison's Godmother, who will be gifting it to her on her wedding day (this weekend!). My work here is done. On to the next one...

And So It Begins...

This is how it begins. I draw my hearts on the cotton calico fabric. I draw it again on the back side of my wool. Once I cut it out, I place the wool heart over the drawn heart and I'll start the process of stitching it down.

Handsome and I ran a fun errand yesterday, so this process stalled until today. My plan is to have one heart complete by the weekend so I can have it for my client no later than Monday. The wedding is next weekend, so I need to finish it so she can gift it to the bride ahead of her walking down the aisle. That won't be a problem at all!

So, before I get back to the needlework frame, I'm going to have my coffee - well away from fabrics and fibers. Then, I'll begin my little needle dance with this project.

Happy Friday, friends!

Isn't She Lovely?...

I completed this Bridal Brooch, and received an order today for another for a wedding in early October!  My client wants me to make another just like this one, and I'm honored to be able to create one for her.

This one will be lovingly packaged to gift to Jenna on Monday when I have my physical therapy session, and I'll take a short video when I package it to add to my current Etsy listing.

I'll begin work on the second brooch this morning, but I'm going to pamper my knee, too. I'm finally going to work at the station this evening to see how I can tolerate being on my feet for four hours. I know I can do it, because I've been busy canning and baking, but I want to be able to properly function at work, so this will be a good chance to see how I do.

Twinkle, Twinkle...

I got right to work yesterday morning after my cuppa, and only took breaks to stretch my legs from time to time. I wanted to make sure my knee wouldn't lock up by moving around. This part of my project is about four hours' work, adding silver brilliant check purls after I placed all the blue seed beads.

I love how it's looking, and will have the needlework completed today. I may not do the finishing work until tomorrow, as our classmate luncheon is this afternoon, and I don't want to miss seeing my friends again. 

It feels so good to be out from under the medications I was taking, and even better to be sitting back at my needlework frame. My knee gets tender from the sitting, so those breaks are really necessary. I finished my day with the ice machine and Tylenol, but it was so worth it to be able to stitch for a while.

I'll be back tomorrow with our group photograph from dinner. Nothing like a little "friends therapy" to brighten the day. 

Time To Finish This...

Something Blue Bridal Heart Brooch - WIP

I found out yesterday that I'll only have to do once-a-week physical therapy until I'm finished. I'm scheduled out through mid-October, but I'm going to assume I'll be released before then. With that in mind, I'm going to need to complete this brooch for Jenna. 

She's getting married this time in 2026, but just in case I don't get to see her again (she transfers, or something along that line) before I have my second knee replaced, I want to make sure she has this gift for her special day. 

I won't see her again until next Monday, so I'd like to have it completed by then to be able to gift it to her. So, this is what I'll be working on the rest of this week. Finally!!

Guess What I've Started...

During the course of my physical therapy sessions with Jenna, I've learned that she's engaged and they're planning a wedding next year. With that in mind, can you guess what I've started working on for her? 

I know that I'll have it completed well before our last session together the end of September, but I wanted to pull colors and at least set up the project long before then, so I have plenty of time to pace myself. 

I didn't do much else yesterday. I did pull thirteen one-gallon bags of frozen San Marzano tomatoes and organized them on trays (still in the bags) to thaw. Once they're ready, I'll start the homemade Rotel™ and salsa. I decided it was best to save up my energy, because that's going to be a marathon canning session once I get started...most likely tomorrow.

In the meantime, I'm going to continue my needlework pursuits and see what I can get done today. I'll share more tomorrow.

The Newlyweds...

Saturday was so wonderful. Handsome and I were invited to witness my great-nephew, Ethan marry his sweetheart, Brianna. They've been together long enough to have three beautiful children together and recently purchased their first home. I know. I'm old-fashioned, but I've been pulling for these kids for a long time! Ethan is my sister, Diana's grandson. His mom is my niece, Stephanie.

I'm so proud of the young man he's become, and I told him so shortly before I took this photograph of them in their receiving line after the ceremony. These smiles were just for me, and I'm honored to share them with you. I have a few more to share, too...

The officiant moved out of position as he pronounced them man and wife, so the photographers could capture their first kiss as newlyweds. By the way, isn't her gown beautiful, and doesn't he look handsome?

 

 

Their first kiss. 

 

I want you to notice the next two photos in particular. If you look at Brianna's waist, you'll see that's where she pinned her "Something Blue" brooch I created for her. She made a point of showing me she had it on when we spoke in the receiving line.

 

Ethan smiled for my picture here. They had two professional photographers, so I know there will be many more much better pictures than these, but these smiles of Ethan's were for me, and they'll forever be special.

 

I've written about time spent with him in the past on my blog. If you want to see pictures of him growing up, just go to the "Search this blog" area over there in my sidebar -----> and type in "Ethan" to see how he's grown into this handsome husband and dad. You may get an understanding of how much he means to me.

 

I wasn't at their gift opening Sunday afternoon (they didn't have a big get-together. Just his and her immediate family), but I'm sure I'll hear from them when they open their gift from us.

Their family and friends were so happy to witness these two as they begin a long, happy life together. I can't wait to see where the future takes them. All I'm sure of is that they'll be together.

Completed Brooch...

My completed commission will be on its way to its new home today. Not shown is the acorn that was added to the back of the brooch. It's there now, and have created the insert card that will remain with the brooch. Soon I'll be adding a new category in my shop, "Brynwood Bridal" where you'll be able to purchase these brooches from the site.

Forgive me for keeping this brief today. I'm sticking close to Tag as he heals, and as my desktop is upstairs and Tag is downstairs, I don't want to be away for long. Handsome is watching him now as I write this.

I've begun a new frog over the weekend, and will soon be doing the rest that have yet to be mailed to the giveaway winners. I'll work on it today, but Tag has another vet appointment at 2 pm, and we're just praying that this is a soft-tissue injury that will heal with rest.

Tag will be back tomorrow to tell you all about it. You know the drill. I'll be back on Wednesday to share what else I've been up to this week. See you then!