Treasures...

 

I have a treasure shelf in my studio that's filled with things made by dear, creative friends or some of my own work. Some were from blog friends who no longer post, or some who do infrequently, but with whom I'm still in regular touch. 

 

Especially when I'm not able to create, looking at these treasures reignites my creative fire, or just makes me happy.
 

 

My friend, Dawn Edmondson of The Feathered Nest blog and SewManyRoses on Etsy created the sparkling snowman on the pink box (upper left). My friend, Mary Wadsworth created the oak leaf tree (along with a Kes ornament and B for Brynwood ornament) almost as soon as I began blogging. I love all of them. The David Winter piece, called the Crofter's Cottage, was a gift from our (then) boys when I collected many of the pieces. I only have about four left that hold a special place in my heart, and this is one of them. The Harris Tweed Rabbit pincushion  - available as a pattern - and the embroidered teddy bear are both my own creations. I still have the boy bear on my To Do list.

 

I have a Longaberger jar that I turned into a pincushion, filled with wooden acorns that were a gift from my talented designer friend, Bren Riddle of Brenda Riddle Designs. Bircornus done in cross stitch by my New Zealand friend, Marrianne who I met through Ravelry and still have nearly daily contact with. The top one of the stack is my own piece.

Then there's the needle felted Corgi from my friend Marion (who still has Tag's brother, Trip) , a polar bear I just had to have, and the snowman I did during one of our monthly craft days. The white teddy bear was made by Margaret B from Canada. It's fully jointed and weighted, and I love it.

The bottom shelf has the acorn egg cup with the wonderful squirrel and acorns that was a special commission I requested of my friend, Susan Pilotto of Mouse Droppings blog. She's also on Facebook and Instagram, so you can see her current works. She also made the wee mouse on the other end of the shelf sitting on a tuffet created on a wooden spool. I've previously shared a gorgeous, big heart trio with my monogram and another mouse that she also made for me. That one hangs on the wall above my computer. They all make me smile.

The items in between those two pieces are all acorns in one form or another...pincushions I've made, gifted felted acorn-topped pins, and a tin with an acorn cross stitch piece that my faithful blog friend, Marilyn gave me last fall. Each and every piece holds a special place in my heart, and is displayed in this most prominent place where I can enjoy them daily. 

These are not the only gifts I've received over the years, and they're all displayed somewhere in our home. Most are in my studio, but they're definitely not confined to those rooms. There are the gifts from my friend, Jody, who always manages to find the perfect pieces for me to use in the kitchen. Dear Sherry has painted wonderful pieces for me that are on display. I have a really fun sewing mouse that is laden with sewing ephemera, created by my blog friend, Ann many years ago. I wrote about her HERE. That mouse sits right next to my computer. I always try to share these gifts in posts, but I don't always include the gifter's name, in case they'd rather remain anonymous.

There are so many blessings that surround me. When I'm busy with work and have no time or energy to play, these are just some of the pieces that remind me why I've continued to blog, create and share my life with you these past fourteen years. 

 

I'm so blessed, and truly one lucky girl. Thank you to all who fill my life with joy - your comments always make me smile, and your gifts are memories I'll always hold dear.

Still In The Studio...

Brynwood Needleworks - Favorite Needlework Pieces

 Yes. I'm still in the studio. I'm cleaning, purging and moving things around.

Brynwood Studio Wall

  This is the wall above my computer. I've placed favorite pieces of needlework and art on it.  

From left to right: 

• Eileen Bennett of The Sampler House is a dear friend of mine - even though I haven't spoken with her in years. This is her Acorn Sampler, which I stitched in 1991.

• This is a favorite watercolor, painted by our younger daughter-in-law, Jessica. She's an amazing artist, and her watercolors are whimsical and sweet. This one features a chair with fairy wings, and pots of beautiful geraniums.

• In 1994, my dear friend, Laura I, stitched a piece as a gift for me. Yes. There are acorns on it. I treasure this intricate piece, made just for me.

• Below the small sampler is a beautiful, little mouse with hearts. This was made by Susan Pilotto of Mouse Droppings. (Cute name, right?) She makes the most amazing pieces, and I'm fortunate to own three of her works.

• "Today I choose Joy" was a recent gift from my old friend, Wendi. She chose it specifically with me and our farmhouse decor in mind. I love it right here, where I'll see it every day.

• Below that is a Charland Design that I stitched. It's a strawberry sampler, with so many beautiful stitches. It's called "Strawberry Fields".

• A beautiful, medieval needleworker card is framed for my wall.

• The sampler on the far right is my first sampler design. I called it "Examplar One", and created it as a teaching sampler for my shop. It was also the catalyst for my Brynwood Needleworks' design business in 1991.

So, this is about the only picture I can share of the studio right now. I promise to get this cleanup done this week so I can take more pics...and get back to the important business of creating!

Meet "Chip"...

Susan Pilotto Commission For Brynwood Needleworks

You've seen her creations before on my blog. I'm a huge fan of Susan Pilotto of Mouse Droppings blog, and was thrilled when I received two of her pieces in years past.

Susan Pilotto's Image of My Valentine Mouse

I have written about my one of my other acquisition HERE, and I have the beauty in the above picture, too. I can't get enough of them.

When I purchased the acorn eggcup last year, I just knew that it would be a perfect base for another of her sweet creations. I learned that Susan was going to start taking commissions, so we corresponded, and agreed to make a squirrel to sit atop my egg cup.

Created by Susan Pilotto/Mouse Droppings

Other than sending her the acorn eggcup, we had no other collaboration in completing this piece. I didn't even see it before I paid her, or prior to her shipping it to me. (I could scarcely contain myself during the wait, but knew I'd love it.)

Chip The Squirrel

It arrived yesterday, and I was well surprised when I opened my package. It was everything (and more) than I could have imagined or hoped for. I almost cried!

Chip The Squirrel

 

He's perfect from every angle, and Susan chose the most beautiful, muted colors of wool to make him, Isn't he gorgeous?

Once I saw him, I knew he'd have to have a name. Coming up with one didn't take me any time at all. I first considered the porcelain egg cup, and then concentrated on my new, little squirrel. 

Please meet "Chip".

He'll be hanging out with me in my studio from now on...along with the other two pieces. I'm sure they'll have regular, little tea parties to celebrate living together with me.

Susan is going to set up a commission schedule. If you're interested, you can visit her blog HERE. If you decide you need one of her commissions, please let her know that Brynwood Needleworks sent you! (I am in no way compensated for this endorsement, either.)

 

PS. The ink-drawn mini runner under Chip was created by my talented friend, Michelle Palmer...another of my favorite artists!

Painted Shelf...

Gifts From Friends

I thought I finished painting the shelf yesterday. When I was editing these pictures, I still saw a pink tinge in some of the images. Man, that dark brick stain is aggressive!

I've hung the shelf and placed my treasures on it already, so when I'll take it down to tackle that tinge is anyone's guess. I didn't see it when it was hanging up, so it's not top priority for now. I have other things to do.

The top shelf holds the artwork of my blog friend, Mary Wadsworth (the oak leaf tree on the left); a Jim Shore Labrador retriever; an antique acorn table cigarette lighter; a felted polar bear and owl from PeakVintage on Etsy; and a felted corgi from my dear friend, Marion (she owns Tag's brother, Trip).

More Treasures

The tiny bear (sitting on a chair) was made by my longtime Wisconsin girlfriend, Linda; the strawberry pincushion in back next to the chair, and the strawberries on the far right were created by my friend, Jacque. I wrote about them HERE. She also did the corgi cushion hanging in the middle of the next picture.

I placed my antique silver pincushions from England (the swan and shoes) and a dog (behind the swan); and a little basket pincushion, holding custom-made acorn and oak leaf charms (sorry, I couldn't find the Etsy shop for those).

I made the pincushion on the lower shelf (and offer smaller versions in my Etsy shop); the acorn straight pins were a gift from Jacque, too. Susan Pilotto of Mouse Droppings created my gorgeous, little mouse pincushion; and my Canadian friend, Margaret B. of The French Bear made my gorgeous white bear. The wooden acorn is an antique thimble holder.

Hearts

Some of my favorite heart shapes, and the corgi (which was hand stitched by Jacque) hang from the pegs at the bottom of the shelf. There's a pair of acorns hanging behind the corgi, too. (There's that pink tinge. grrrrr)

More Treasures

The brown velvet acorns were also created by Margaret B., and I love them! My friend, Shelly R. of Bungalow Bling created the cone. Isn't it pretty?

I love that little gap at the top of the shelf, too. I chose not to fill it with caulk, preferring the imperfection of it.

Studio Shelf

I originally had my hanging organizer located here, but I decided to move that and put the shelf here instead. I think it's better in this space, and I have another use for the organizer that was here before.

I think you'd agree that I did pretty well for a $15 find and a little leftover paint, wouldn't you?

Lilac Love...

There are no lilacs growing in Florida. They need a hard freeze to thrive, and that almost never happens in subtropical climates like ours. We have bouganvilleas, magnolias and hibuscus bushes that are so stunning they'll take your breath away, but alas, you'll find no lilacs. 

Being raised in Wisconsin, I never saw any of these southern beauties until Handsome and I came here on vacation. But as lovely as all of our southern flowers are, none of them compare to the fleeting fragrance and soft lavender-blue or lavendar-pink color of lilacs in late spring...and I miss that scent every single year.

When I visit all my internet friends and see lilacs, I'm filled with a true longing. Sometimes, I'll see photographs of huge ironstone pitchers filled with freshly-cut stems. Other times, I might find a snap taken on a sun-dappled afternoon in the backyard. There are bushes upon bushes of cascading blooms and I can almost smell them!

Recently, my talented blog friend, Michelle Palmer decided to share watercolor versions of her own lilacs, and created a number of framed stems. I just knew that one of them would have to come and live in the studio! (Click here to visit her watercolor Etsy shop.)

It now resides in a favorite spot where I can see it every day that I'm at my machine. There's only one thing missing - that heady fragrance. Now, I'm in search of a "bottled lilac" that most closely mimics the real thing.

Do you have any leads you could share with me? If you have a favorite source for "lifelike" lilac fragrance - either a room spray or body mist or drawer liner? I'm desperate here, girlfriends! Any help is greatly appreciated.

A Few Favorites...

 That's what I'm doing...

You know, like the duck who looks calm and restful floating on the pond.

If you look underwater, though, her little legs are paddling like crazy. 

I'm in the studio, hard at work on a commissioned project. I can't tell you

the details. It's not mine to share. Once the project is finished, you'll know

all about it, but I can't even show you a little peek and risk giving it away.

 So, while I'm sewing away, I'll just share a couple of images from my studio.

My favorite little, red notebook and Union Jack pencil are always close

at hand. I never know when an idea will strike that I need to write down!

You've met my little mouse before. He's "Downright Cheerful" from the amazing 

hands of Susan Pilotto at Mouse Droppings. The backdrop is the Moda™ 

fabric line I'll be using when I do the Love Letters quilt later this year. 

These are just some of the fabrics and little studio touches that 

bring me many happy hours when I'm busy creating. I hope you enjoy

them, too, as I get back to my project. I'm really having fun with this so

don't worry that I'm tolling away at some thankless job. Not the case at all.

Enjoy your Friday. The weekend is only hours away!