Late Day Post...

 

Well, this is disappointing, friends. I began work on this right after taking care of the critters this morning, hoping to have two complete bears to post by noon. I'm writing this after 4 pm on a Friday afternoon, with only this much to show for my work.

There's no way my hand will let me push a doll needle through this teddy's arms to attach them to her body, and I had to stop before I stitched her second eye. 

I put an analgesic cream on my hand before I began, and took one of my Rx pain meds to help me soldier through. I'm shaking my head right now. Once the Rx med kicked in I got queasy and had to counter it with a snack. Now I'm icing my hand to cool the burn. These sweet bears are going to have to go on the back burner until I my hand feels better.

Normally, I like to only share my "joyful and creative life", but I know we're all friends here. I want to be truthful as to why I can't accomplish something I really want to finish. Rather than put up a beautiful image with a deep thought or a funny post that's totally unrelated, I'm giving you the reality of my current situation. Even picking up a cup of tea to take a sip can't be done unless I use both hands. 

 

I'm not feeling sorry for myself, and I'm not asking you to either. Tomorrow will be a better day, but today...not so much. I guess it's time to roll into the weekend. I'll have a lot more fun to share with you tomorrow and Monday. For now, I hope you have a great weekend!

Obstacles or Excuses?...

Fair Warning: Get out the tiny violins or the Charlie Brown Teacher "Waaaaaa Waaaaa" voice. You can take your pick.

My day began filled with good intentions. You know what they say about good intentions, right?  Well, back to my story. I went through my usual morning routine on days when Handsome is away. 

• Get up, morning personal prep, get dressed - check
  
• Air out the dogs - check
• Feed the dogs - check
• Feed the cats - check
• Make my morning cuppa - check
• Catch up on the morning news - check
• Head to the studio to cut out the teddy bears - check
• Run half hour south to pick up Bella's new "attitude adjustment" meds and chat with the vet - check
• Drive back home - check
• Situate the dogs to avoid conflict - check
• Go back to the studio to work on the teddies - ssssscreacchhhhh!
• Hand is hurting burning too much to sew and assemble the teddies 
• Take doctor recommended ibuprofen
  
• Go back downstairs and make another cuppa
• Doze off in the chair
• etc. You get my drift 

I made an appointment a few weeks ago with the ortho/hand doctor. The first appointment they could schedule was for early APRIL. I asked to be put on their cancellation list, and got a call the following week to tell me they had an opening for March 20th. I jumped on it, so that's the soonest I can get in. Now I wait so he can tell me what the heck is going on with my hand. The pain level vacillates between a dull ache to sharp, burning pain. I'm looking forward to learning what's going on with it and then finding out what my options are for eliminating the discomfort. When it strikes, any pressure/use whatsoever hurts like the dickens, so I sit down and ride it out. I pushed through it to finish my products for the quilt show booth, but I don't have that to worry about now, so I try to alleviate the pain by resting it, applying heat or ice, and trying not to bump it against anything. Between my knee, and now my hand, I told Handsome that if I were a horse, the vet would likely put me out of my misery. Gettin' old mature sure ain't for sissies.  

I'm supposed to be on my way to Sewcial Sisters in Larsen today, but Bella is on two new medicines that she needs administered three times a day, and...my hand. I decided to stay home instead. I'm going to try to finish the teddy bears and watch Bella to make sure she can tolerate these new "mood enhancers". They're only until the vet and her staff of experts can figure out what's wrong with her and our course of action. In the meantime, we're trying these meds to see if they'll curb her aggression. Praying they do. We need to help her and take care of whatever is the root cause. 

On another matter, I'll be dropping new items into my Etsy shop over the weekend. I'll also have Square links for direct purchase that I'll post here and in the Brynwood Needleworks Facebook group. I'll also be discounting a few special things, so you may want to check in from time to time. 

I'll see you again tomorrow with a progress report. Heck of a way to start the new month. Sorry. sigh

 

Inspiration...

 

I finished the day yesterday having completed a lot of tasks. None of them were in the studio. I was chastizing myself for not assembling the teddy bears, but just before bed, I was struck with an idea. I headed into my studio, sorted through my needlework linens and pulled two colors.

Do you see where this is headed? These teddies will have colored linen bodies to coordinate with their embroideries. I will get them assembled today, and I'll be able to share them with you tomorrow. Nice way to end the day month, don't you think?

Hello, March!

Teddy Tummies...

 

I received this photograph yesterday from my great-niece's mama. She added a note that said, "This is her favorite toy."  It had me grinning the rest of the day. Just look at her sweet face. I'm so happy she loves it.

It just so happens I was stitching on new teddy tummies when I received the message. I completed these by dinnertime. They're similar, but not exactly the same, as they're going to be new teddy bears for my twin great-nieces when they're finished. It's only appropriate that they not be matchy-matchy, as the young ladies are fraternal twins, so they're not exactly the same either. 

I'll cut out the fabrics for the bears today, and work on them after I get home from my hair appointment. I'll finish them soon. I may add more embroidery to the teddies, too, as the girls are five years older than "W" in the above photo. Theirs will be more "dresser dolls" than teddies they'll cart around with them, so they can be more intricate.

Tag will be back tomorrow, so I'll have extra time to complete these to share with you. He hasn't gone  shopping again since his last post, so who knows what he'll talk about with you. I'm as curious as you are! 

Stitching Tummies...

 

I took supplies with me on Thursday to stitch bear tummies while I was with the Sewcial Sisters. I do these freehand, so I never really know how it's look in the end.

 

I made the trellis, but my flowers are completely covering the details. I'm going to leave this, but add vines and a few more details. The second one will be in purples or lavenders. I won't make the teddies until after all my show sewing is done, but I'll likely stitch in the evening after I've been at the machines all day. Doing this restores me and makes me happy. 

What makes you smile? What brings delight to your day? I'd love to know, so share away, please. I'll definitely respond. Happy Weekend!

Meet Bryn Rose...

Bryn Rose Bear

She's finished and she has a name. "Bryn Rose" is my first finished, embroidered teddy bear. In the next month, I'll create a companion for her - a boy bear. For now, I'm just going to enjoy seeing this sweet girl sitting in my studio. 

My niece left the hospital yesterday, and is taking a one month leave from work to continue healing. We're very grateful for your prayers, and know they made a difference. We're going to continue prayers until she's fully healed.

Our dear friend and neighbor, Shelly, is the second person for whom I requested prayers. She has a long road to healing, but we're all optimistic. She's still in the hospital as her doctors and physical therapists work up a plan to rehabilitate from her stroke. Of course, Handsome and I will do whatever we can to help her and Andy once she's back home. I'm humbly asking for your continued prayers for her. 

I've named our current resident opossum, Otis Redding. He's been here all weekend, sleeping in Crystal's shelter. She has other places to sleep and stay warm, so it's no big deal. We're happy to help support him through the rest of this winter.

So, I think you're up to date on all the important news here at the farmhouse. Tag is supposed to post tomorrow, but he's moving to Wednesday. I have a special tribute, and it needs to be published tomorrow. I asked Tag and he doesn't mind. We hope you don't mind either.

See you tomorrow!

Bearly There and Fresh Bread...

Tummy Flowers

 

I realized yesterday morning that I had a little more left to do than I originally thought. I finished all the flowers on the bear's tummy, and then checked my pattern one more time. I was looking to see how the designer suggested attaching the legs to the body. (Remember, I've never assembled a real teddy bear before and wondered if there were some special tips. There weren't.)

The instructions for the bear aren't very detailed. I think Miss Barrett might have geared her pattern to those who've made such things prior to tackling her design, so I've mostly drawn on my garment-making skills to create this little bear.

Anyway, when I reviewed the pattern, I noticed that her design also had floral elements around the buttons that will attach the limbs to the body, so I set to add color to those areas. I finished both "shoulders", and only have the "hips" to do. That will happen today, and then I can assemble all the parts to create my finished bear.

I also mixed up a batch of bread (four loaves) when I got up yesterday, so I was taking fresh bread out of the oven by 3 pm. I went back and forth between the kitchen and the studio every thirty minutes until the bread was baked. The house smelled great!

Then, late day, Handsome went to the freezer in the basement to grab something we were going to thaw out for dinner, only to find that, although the freezer light came on when he opened the door, some of the food was starting to thaw. We were unable to locate an appliance repairman at that time, so we spent the next hour emptying the still-frozen meat into coolers, and the softer items into the freezer on our refrigerator.

We'll find a repairman first thing today and hopefully, get to the bottom of this issue. Just what I didn't want to deal with this year. The freezer is only three years old. We shouldn't be having problems with it for another ten years or so. Guess they just don't make them like they used to. sigh

I'm planning to share a finished bear tomorrow. I'm so anxious to see her put together, and Handsome thinks I should do a boy bear next.

Looking Like A Bear!...

Bear Parts Ready For Embroidery

 I went to Sit & Stitch at Primitive Gatherings yesterday. Gosh, it was great to see Kathy D and my PG girlfriends. I took my bear parts to embroider, and had so much fun.

Beginning To Embroider

By lunch time, I had front and back legs embroidered. After lunch, I completed the face and head embroidery. All I have left to do is the flowers and leaves embroideries on the tummy.

Goodness, She's Looking Sweet

So this is a photograph of my progress by the end of our play date. My Barrett Bear has a little wonky smile (which I love), eyes, and finished legs.

Front and Back Paws

 Paw details.

She Has A Face

Now she can watch me as I complete the rest of her embroidery. Once that's complete, I'll be able to assemble my first real, jointed bear. I'm pretty excited about my progress. What do you think?

I'll share more pictures tomorrow of The Gatherings at Primitive Gatherings. Kathy D completed embroidery on a lovely piece that will become a table mat (I think). I'll show that to you, plus pictures of the interior of The Gatherings building. It's really an awesome facility.

Memory Lane Monday - Uncle Johnny...

I'd like you to meet my Uncle Johnny. He's the younger of my mum's two younger brothers and he lives in England. I love this picture of him with their family dog, Lizzie. The photo was taken in 1953, which is the year before I was born. He's always reminded me of the singer, Paul Anka here.

My sweet uncle gave me this teddy bear when I was born, and I still have it. In fact, I wrote a blog post about "Coco" here in May, 2009. I've loved and cared for this bear all these years and it's still a treasure to me...

as is my uncle. He and my Aunt Anette have been to the United States to visit, but now that we all live in different parts of the country (and world), we don't see each other very often.

I love that we're able to talk with each other on Skype from time to time, and we're "friends" on Facebook. Don't you just love the miles that can be bridged with "technology"? It makes the world seem smaller and loved ones closer. I'm so glad that I'm still able to converse with this loving man and that we can share the stories of our lives with each other.

Thanks for joining me for another Memory Lane Monday. I hope you'll share a tale from your past on your own blog and then link back here. Don't worry if you haven't written it yet. You'll have a whole week to link back (below).

Wishing you a wonderful week!

It All Started With An Acorn...

Imagine my glee as I opened a package from
Debbie at Mosaic Magpie
to find all these wonderful gifts! Debbie had told me that she had a little
surprise for me, and that she also wanted to make an ATC for me...only
her second one ever...but, I never expected everything else she added!
Shell...Can you see all the sweet bunnies Debbie sent my way?

Look! Here's the sweetest little acorn cookie cutter!
Debbie also included laces, those bunny embroideries, a charm
and more ephemera that I just can't wait to use!

Debbie, dear. I love your ATC! It's so cute and clever and PERFECT!
I'm sure you're gonna be hooked on making and sharing your artwork.
I know I'm thrilled to have a piece from you, and the acorn and "extras"
are all over-the-top generous! I so appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Your artist trading card will be on its way Monday!
You are truly a blessing and I'm very grateful for you and your gifts.

All those wonderful goodies - and then another package arrived
from Canada. I'd had an alert that this was on its way, but I
really had nooooo idea! I was just giddy with anticipation.

As Mum taught me, I opened the card first and read the message...
it was from Margaret B of The French Bear!
I had sent her a gift of one of my knitted Bead Fringe Scarves and
she said she was going to send a little somethingone my way.

I have to admit, I was curious and just wanted to tear open the

beautiful wrapping...but I carefully undid the ribbons and bows to reveal......Friends, I'd like to introduce you to "Nutmeg".
This sweet thang has jointed legs, soft white pads
and
The. Sweetest. Face.
MUAH!
And, when I straightened up her tie, I found a tiny
acorn charm hanging around her neck!
Margaret, I promise that Nutmeg will hold court in a place of
honor in the studio. I love her and will care for her forever.
A thoughtful and beautiful gift from the hands of my Canadian friend.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And to think, these wonderful gifts all started with an acorn - The mighty oaks, the talented and strong women who I call friends. Not just those in today's post, but all the friends I've made here in Blogland. My heart is full because of you.

PS. I finished the quilt top last night!! I'll take photos to share with you this week. Once I put the backing together, I'll be taking it to Harbor Heights to machine quilt everything together! woo hoo!