Teeny Tiny Stitches...

...take time.

Photos From The Scrapbook...

Stitches' Grand Opening

Liam and I spent a little time going through boxes last weekend. We were looking for photographs of his mom (Jen), her mom (my sister, Lyn). In the process, I unearthed my scrapbook from when I owned my needlework shop in Fond du Lac, WI. I've been sharing photos this week in the Brynwood Facebook group (HERE).

I did write about the shop in one of my first Memory Lane Monday posts ages ago. HERE is what I wrote about it in February 2011.

Stitcher of the Month - August 1990

Each month, I featured one of my customers as "Stitcher of the Month". I had a table set up near the entrance to the shop, and that's where I would display some of their needlework along with the newspaper photograph of them. I loved that I was able to make each one feel special for "their" month. There were women and men who were featured over the years.

Laura and Me

 

This photograph is from 1992. I always bought space in our local newspaper to highlight special events, projects, and people. I wanted to do my part to keep the needlearts alive...not only in my world, but also in our area of the state.

Laura and I have spoken often of our love for the shop, and nostalgia for those days. Sadly, I closed after ten years. I turned my focus to designing as I became Brynwood Needleworks, and running both businesses and traveling was taking its toll. I closed the shop and that wonderful chapter of my life in 2000. A year later, Handsome and I moved to Florida.

I'll be sharing photos from the scrapbook all week on Facebook. If you're not in the group, feel free to join and enjoy the memories with me.

A Beautiful Reunion Tea...

Ladies of Stitches: l-r: Jan B., me, Laura I., Beverly R. and Pat Z.

Sunday couldn't have been lovelier or more fun. I hosted a tea with some of my favorite people from the days when I owned my needlework shop, Stitches. Handsome captured a photo of us, standing in front of my original shop sign, now mounted to the side wall of our compass barn.

My youngest sister, Jan was my first shop manager. Beverly (second from the right) was my second shop manager, and dear friend, Laura was my shop manager until the shop closed in the 1990s. Pat was a good customer, who became a better friend, and she's the one who actually worked with Laura, Beverly and our schedules to find a common date for us to all get together.

Laura, Beverly, Pat, and another shop friend who passed away, managed to get together once a year for their own stitching retreat. They've stayed in touch all these years. I'm so grateful to her for really making the day possible. Of course, Jan needed to be there as my first manager, too.

When Jan heard we were having a tea, she couldn't pass up wearing her fascinator on the weekend of the Royal Wedding in England. I loved it, and thought it looked perfect on her. I wish we'd all thought to wear a hat!

Our Tea Confections

Although it isn't shown here, there was, in fact, tea served. The lilacs started opening this weekend, and I managed to find enough blossoms to decorate the table. The aroma of lilacs filled the house.

Table Fare Detail

I went outside to the compass barn this morning and picked enough fresh rhubarb to make a "crisp". I added fresh strawberries, too. Nothing like "farm to table"!!

I served lemonade, garnished with fresh mint from my herb garden, and also put out pound cake slices that acted as a perfect platform for the ladies to test the jam and jellies I put out. There were able to taste test my Sweet Basil, Lavender, and Pomegranate Jellies, as well as Concord Grape Jam.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

 

The strawberries were delicious even before there were dipped in Giardelli Milk Chocolate (with a tablespoon of coconut oil melted with the chocolate). Adding the coconut oil (or shortening) keeps the chocolate from getting crumbly and brittle. (Eat your heart out, Shari's Berries!! lol) After dipping them, I placed them on parchment over our marble board. 

Brynwood Project Totes

As a gift, I gave each of the ladies one of the project totes I'd made. Pat's daughter, Danni was going to join us, but another commitment kept her away. She was missed, but got a tote that I sent home with her mum.

 

(If you see a color/design that you'd like for yourself, just shoot a message to me. I have enough materials to make duplicates of any of them.)

 

Youngest and Oldest Sisters

 

Time really flew. I wore one of my old Stitches t-shirts, and the ladies loved it. They all arrived right around 1 pm. Bev is down in the Madison area. Jan is in the Fox Valley (the other side of the lake to the West of the farm), Laura drove down from a northern port town on Lake Michigan, Pat lives in my hometown, so they all came from various parts of the state. One of us looked at the clock, thinking it was mid-afternoon, only to find it was nearly 6 pm! Time flew as we caught up, shared stories and reminisced about the shop.

 

We wrapped up our visit, with promises to get together again in June. We'll see if we can coordinate dates that work for everyone again, and next time, we'll all bring projects to work on.

 

Before I'd let Jan leave, I had to try on her fascinator. It doesn't really coordinate with a t-shirt and jeans, but I thought it was cute. I reluctantly gave it back to her, and now I'm going to look for one for myself. You never know when you'll be invited to the Queen's for tea and sweets! Perhaps next time, we'll all plan to wear hats. Wouldn't that be fun?

 

Almost There...

Brynwood Needleworks - Told In A Garden "Voice of the Shepherd"

 

Today, we'll be back in Wisconsin - the land of rolling hills, Holsteins and beautiful barns. Once again, Handsome will have brought us across 1500 beautiful miles of America.

I started stitching this piece before I owned Stitches - my needlework shop in Wisconsin - and I eventually mounted it, unfinished, onto these very same scroll rods to advertise that I had them (scroll frame sets, and the charts for this design) available to purchase in my shop. That would have been sometime around 1989 or 1990.

I think it's time I finish what I started. Don't you? As soon as we return to Fond du Lac, it will be my first stitching priority. While I'm in Wisconsin, I'll be sharing other projects with you that I brought along for the trip.

Tomorrow will be a day for special announcements, so you'll want to come back so you don't miss a single, juicy, morsel! See you then.

Victorian Cross Stitch Kits - Elizabeth Bradley...

Before I ever learned to quilt, I spent many happy hours working on
cross stitch. After I opened my needlework shop, Stitches in Wisconsin
I attended more than a few needlework markets and discovered these kits.

They are cross stitch executed in wools on printed canvas, and the
technique is called "Victorian Cross Stitch". The kits are designed by
Elizabeth Bradley from the UK. (She also sells through stockists in America.)

When I attended market, Elizabeth could be found stitching at a frame in her
booth while her gregarious husband, Nick greeted shopkeepers and took orders.
It was difficult to ignore all the beautiful wool pieces they brought with them.
I couldn't resist their quality and detail, so I chose many of the kits for my shop. 

When we moved to Florida, I decided to work on my first kit, "Daisy".

It took six diligent weeks to complete, to the exclusion of all else.

Although I haven't had it framed (which is my intent), I take it out from

time to time and admire the vibrant colors on the black ground wools.

Using the black, as with quilting, really pops the colors in the flowers.

"Lily"

In addition to the "Daisy" kit, I also selected a few other personal favorites.

The finished designed are 16" square on 20" square canvased and come complete

with printed pattern, printed canvas, wools and needles in a box showing the full 

color design on the cover...ready to stitch! Exquisite kits from start to finish.

"Hollyhock"

Of course, "Hollyhock" would have to be one of my choices!

"Sunflower Basket"

"Sunflower Basket", because it reminded me of Mom Grace, and

"Magnolia"

"Magnolia".

All the kits are perfect for taking on our travels, and this one reminds me 

of the heady, fragrant blossoms on the specimen tree in our front yard.

When pulling the link for Elizabeth's American website, I found that

there is now a "Geranium" kit, too. (sigh) I may have to add it to my 

collection. If you'd like to look at her designs, this is a link to kits like mine.

Oh, and here's the link so you can see the "Geranium" kit.

It's gorgeous, isn't it?

This is the last of my "auto pilot" posts. Thanks for being so patient with me.

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you a bit about my short hiaitus.

Just Like The Good Ol' Days...

Our garage looks like a shop this weekend. I'm selling a considerable amount of my knitting and crochet supplies to create more elbow room in my studio. It feels like the old days when I had my needlework shop, Stitches in Wisconsin. Perhaps not as polished as my shop used to be, but definitely as well-stocked!

I have cotton yarn, wools and many high quality blends, along with sock yarns and a few bulky weights, too.

I have crates, boxes and plastic containers full of books. Knitting and crochet patterns and lots of techniques within their covers. I'm moving out about 150 books. (Don't ask how this happens. I'm sick, I tell you! I have no idea!)

Lots and lots of books. If you're looking for a specific knitting or crochet book or leaflet, send me an email. I just might have it, and I'm happy to send out anything that you might want for actual shipping costs.

There are also sewing patterns that I've pulled to share for a song (25¢ each!) and Amy Butler patterns and fabrics.

I'm "open for business" again today, and I've been asked to do this again next weekend, which I will.  In addition, I'll be listing up many of the items on eBay to make the items I have after the sale is over available online.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the studio. You know, my fingers ache when I'm not working on something! I need to get back to my Farmer's Wife blocks! What are you doing this weekend?

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.

Ellie's Back From Rehab...

When I owned Stitches in Wisconsin, the girls and I used to take the same approach to anything mechanical that didn't work. If it happened to be a car, we all agreed that it was best to just leave it in the garage until it "felt better".

Sometimes, that only took overnight - especially in the winter - when the problem might have simply been that something froze up. You'd be amazed how something could thaw in the garage overnight and result in a car that worked fine the next day (but, usually not). Nevertheless, our philosophy was always good for a laugh.

Now that I'm more mature and wiser (no laughing, please), and I don't leave things of a mechanical nature to simply heal themselves. I'm more proactive these days.

I noticed that the last time I asked Miss Ellis (my nickname for my Babylock Ellisimo) to help me with a project, she seemed to be under the weather and falling a little behind on her tasks. I decided it was time to send her to Dr. Bob for a checkup.

She only went away to "rehab" for the weekend, but it was long enough for Dr. Bob to get to the bottom of her "issues"...also requiring that I put off a task that needed the attention only she can give.

I'll be picking her up from the clinic this morning. Dr. Bob has given her a completely clean bill of health and has written a note approving her return to full duty. I'm glad to hear she's completely recovered because she's got a lot to catch up on in the studio. I can't wait to show you what she and I have planned!

Memory Lane Monday - Stitches...

Welcome to Memory Lane Monday!

When I wrote my last Memory Lane Monday post, I hinted at what I planned to write about this month. All that changed last week, when I received an email that really touched my heart. I wrote back to the author and asked if I could share her message with you and she agreed. So, today most of my post will be written by Barb.

"Donna,

I don't have a blog & this is the first contact I've made of ANY kind in blogland. I thought maybe an e-mail would be ok. I have a story for Memory Lane Monday, should you choose to use it.

The memory is of a lovely shop we had for too short a time in a nearby town. Right from the sign over the door you were taken to a gentle whisper of time. The music in the shop was soft & restful and encouraged you to linger, and escape your day for awhile.The proprietress was friendly and welcoming even when you could see that maybe it wasn't her best day. She never showed it outright. She never looked down on a customer who couldn't maybe afford the very best of her wares, (need I say myself?) but, gave the same beautiful service to all. With your purchase she included a printed card punched with two tiny heart shapes - and a gold needle threaded through them. It made you feel appreciated no matter the size of your purchase. I still have several of them, unable to use them and to toss the cards.
This gracious lady went so far as to invite customers to what she called a "stitch in" (if I remember the name correctly), to her own home! She introduced us to her "handsome" husband and four-legged "children", and gave us a tour of her exquisite home. She then served us refreshments and conversation on top of it all! It was just a lovely time.
Yes Donna, the lady I speak of is you, as if you hadn't guessed. You and Stitches have crossed my mind so often. You are still both sorely missed. I knew you were selling your home and wondered where you ended up. It was a happy accident that I found your blog through another. I believe it was The Raspberry Rabbits.

I went back over your entire archives and see that, if anything you have only become more gracious over time. Anyone who has only met you through your writings and thinks you are very special, has no idea. Sorry if this is too long, but, I did want to thank you for lovely memories of a lovely shop and an even lovelier lady.

God Bless. Barb D."

Barb sent this current photo of herself for me to use today.

When I realized that Barb was referring to me, I started to cry. Her use of the word "proprietress" was my first clue, as that was the designation I used in all of my business references. It appeared on my storefront window, along with my business cards and advertising materials - including my needle cards, to which I affixed a single gold needle given as a thank you each time a customer made a purchase. Barb's reference to those needle cards was my second clue.

I opened Stitches in 1989, and spent a joyful eight years of my life meeting needleworkers who became good friends. Customers were greeted by red geraniums growing in my planters outside, and in the winter, we tried to keep the geranium theme alive inside. Classical music filled the shop, and there was always a cup of coffee, tea or hot cider and comfortable leather wing-back chairs to settle into. Customers were welcome to come and stitch anytime they felt the urge.

My memories are full of beautiful pieces completed by both novice and accomplished needleworkers. I loved teaching a new customer how to do counted cross stitch, and then see her glowing smile as she brought in the completed piece for me to see.
I also carried needlepoint, crewel embroidery and rug hooking (I still love those Claire Murray rugs and kits!) in my shop. There really is nothing quite like spending time in the company of women who share a passion for the needle arts.

The women who worked for - and with - me were friends I came to love. Beverly, Jan, Lori, Emily, Allison, Lisa and Grace to name a few. Laura (a grade school friend) became my shop manager and I love her more than a sister. We still keep in touch, for which I am very grateful. Grace was like a mother to me, and Lisa became my daughter-in-law. They loved our customers, and cared for the shop as though it were their own. No owner could ask for more.

To think that I had touched one customer's heart this way affects me deeply, and I can never adequately express all of my feelings. I am so grateful that Barb took the time to write to me and share her memories - memories that we both share.

Thank you, my friend. I look forward to reconnecting with you now that we've found each other again. God surely works in mysterious ways...and for that I'm forever grateful.

Thanks for joining me this Memory Lane Monday. I'll always put the date of the next Memory Lane Monday under the button in my sidebar. You're welcome to use the button on your blog, too.

Now it's your turn to share a tale or two. Please link back here (below) so that others can visit your blog, too.

I'll Just Keep Stitching Away...

I've been working on it. I've been threading needles, turning edges, and stitching away with nary a grumble. Everything I need right at my elbow...pincushion/thread catcher, spool holder, scissors, needles and my applique' square.
Tuesday night, I took it to the "instructor" who told me I "wasn't doing it right". According to her, I'm supposed to be "using more glue, not basting, and cleaning up my edges". Then, she told me that she "doesn't usually hand out Lesson Two, until Lesson One is finished." I stood right there in front of her until she coughed up Lesson Two. I haven't decided yet, whether or not I'll do Lesson Two, but it was a matter of principle. I don't appreciate instructors who hold lessons hostage.

I know I'll continue doing just what I'm doing. After all, she didn't tell me how I was supposed to do it until Tuesday night! I'm starting to get the hang of it this way. Notice, I didn't say I was particularly liking it. Not yet, anyway. For now, I'll just keep stitching away.
How do you like my latest little sewing helper? In a flash of inspiration (and after picking my spool of thread up off the floor for the umpteenth time), I remembered a receipt holder I had squirreled away from my days as Stitches' proprietress. I took it out of the cabinet and popped the two spools I've been using onto it. Now, all I have to do is grab the thread end and it just unreels. My spool stays right there on the table top. A $2.00 spool holder! Clever girl, right?

Itchin' To Stitch...

I finished these silk ribbon embroideries on the ground fabric
that will soon become two new Hearts Desire sachet hearts.
I'll list them in the Boutique tomorrow.

As I was stitching along, I realized that I'm using silks that
I've had since I closed Stitches in 1998. (Stitches was the name of my
needlework shop in Wisconsin, which I owned for nearly ten years.)
The fibers are twelve years old! Not vintage by any means, but
the chances of matching the colors are slim to none.

You know what that means, don't you?
Time to go shopping!

I found wonderful colors.
Solids...

...and all manner of beautiful hand-dyed silks.
I'm no longer limited to the few colors from my "silk stash".
I've wound them all onto their card labels (for reorder,
of course!) and I'm ready to create with these new silks.

New colors, new flowers, new hearts - small and large.
Next week, I'll add my first large heart cushion to the Boutique.

I'm just a little excited to get started, so I'll close for now.
My fingers are just itchin' to stitch.

I've added new ACEO cards, which are available for purchase. If you're interested in any of these cards, please just email me, as I haven't listed them up on Etsy yet. Here's the link to the album which shows the new cards. Thanks to Tammy of Simple Southern Happiness for encouraging me to list some of my ATCs for sale. (The difference between an ATC and an ACEO is that ACEOs can be sold, and ATCs cannot.)