A Play Project...

A few months ago, I attended a product preview event at Crazy Quilters in Venice, Florida. Everyone who attended received a goodie bag. Inside mine (among other things) was a small kit with instructions to make tissue holders.

I came across the kit again when I was tidying up the studio, so I decided to sit right down and make it up. This first picture was the result, and it took all of 15 minutes to make - cutting, quilting and sewing!

My friend, Jacque A. over at The Doodles of My Mind blog loves making these, and now I understand the attraction. They're quick little projects that make a great add-on gift. I will definitely be making more in the future.

Lori's Quilting Tutorial...

  What do I do when plans change and I don't get to play in the studio? Well, that's easy... I go online at random moments and read about things I can do next  time I get a chance to play in the studio (or fold and play with fabric)!
This is a tutorial that was pointed out to me by my friend, Jacque at The Doodles of My Mind. She knew I was going to love this one!
If you'd like to check out Lori Kennedy's fabulous Oak Leaf and Acorn tute, CLICK HERE.  The link will take you to her blog, The Inbox Jaunt for her photo-filled lesson.
I'm going to be adding her site to my blog reading list! Thanks, Jacque!!!  (Smooches to your Tag E. Butt, too.)

Embracing The Season...

I made this Patchwork Pumpkins Table Runner (from Shabby Fabrics) last year,

and I couldn't wait to put it back on our table this season. I love it that much!

Last week, my friend Beula (from the Paneras group) gifted me with some of her

wonderful treasures. She loved the little "Memories of Wisconsin" wool book I made

and decided that I should have some of her trinkets to use in future wool books.

 Beula is in her 90's and a vital, creative woman in her own right, so you can

imagine my surprise and delight that she should choose me to receive some of her

treasures. I was speechless to find that she also had given me two Russian amber 

and silver bracelets, a matching amber necklace, six little worry dolls from  

Guatemala, an agatized coral pendant, and even a genuine Indian arrowhead!

(You'll definitely see some of these items again when I make my next wool book.)

I wanted to give her something to show my appreciation, so I made another fall

pumpkin mug mat just for her. Then, I added a trio of acorn candles and a few

other little items selected with her in mind. I gave them to her at Paneras last night.

When I got home, I found that I'd received an envelope in the mail from my

friend, Jacque of The Doodles of My Mind blog. Remember, Jacque's pup

is a sweet, old chocolate Labrador named Tag E. Butt. We love him a lot!

I opened the envelope to find special selvages for my Selvage Quilt project. I

was so excited to see them! First, Deb Strain is one of my fave fabric designers.

And, look at the color registers on the edge...ACORNS!!!   Thank you, Jacque! You knew I would love them and you were so right. I think I'll have to do one set of blocks that will be devoted solely to acorns, with your selvages as the focal point. I know I'll have to leave more than the skinny 1/4" extra pattern, too. I may leave them as wide as you've cut them!   Goodness, Fall is my favorite time of year (north or south), and these are a few of the things that helped me get in the spirit yesterday. I'm blessed, indeed.
What are you doing to enjoy Autumn?  How are you decorating? What are you making? I'd love to know!

Strawberry Pincushion Swap...

Gorgeous gifts from Jacque A.

 I don't remember whether or not I told you that I was participating in

a Strawberry Pincushion Swap this month, but I did. The swap was

organized by Erin at Why Not Sew? Quilts blog (click here to visit).

I thought that I would send out my swap package to my partner and that I

would be receiving a package from the same person, however, the person

who sent my package to me was someone completely different. Surprise!

When a package arrived for me from Madison, Wisconsin, I was trying

to figure out what would possibly be inside. I read the enclosed letter

and realized that this was my swap package. Then, I began opening 

the red and white polka dot-wrapped gifts inside from Jacque A. Oh, my!

She stitched a Corgi ornament for me!

 Jacque's blog is "The Doodles of My Mind" (click here to visit).

Before she created my gifts, she visited Brynwood to learn a little

bit about me. For my friends, "Do you think she hit the mark?"

(Of course she did!!!) 

She told me that she realized we had a few things in common:

• We both like Crabapple Hill Studio designs. I made the

"Over The River" quilt, and she's working on "Snow Days".

• She and I have both had Herding Breed dogs - me, corgis

and she, collies. AND, we've both had Labrador retrievers.

• My current dog's name is Taggart (aka "Tag") and her

current dog's name is Tag (aka TagEButt)!!! Sweet!!!

I have another one for her, too...

• She lives in Madison, Wisconsin. I grew up in Wisconsin,

and at one point, I commuted to work in Madison, WI.

Small world, right?

Look at the sweet, little bone button!!

 She included a hand stitched corgi ornament, and it's adorable! She used linen

thread on linen fabric, a tiny bone button, and then finished it with polka dots.

My strawberry gifts from Jacque

 She also sewed up two large wool strawberries, and they're truly wonderful.

There are three acorn-sized strawberries, embellished with lace and 

buttons, and then another hand stitched creation...a strawberry pillow!

For the strawberry pillow, Jacque again used linen thread to stitch her

design onto linen fabric. She attached a sweet little matching strawberry to

one corner of it. Swoon! I've placed all her lovely strawberries in one of my

creamware dishes, and now it sits on my cutting table where I'll always see it.

The perfect place to show off my new corgi ornament!

 I've hung the corgi ornament on the wall with my organizer. This is where

I keep many of the wonderful gifts that my blog friends have gifted me.

Happy, happy, happy!

 I think this is the perfect place for it, don't you?

I was really overwhelmed by her generosity and true creativity.  I think 

she really read me well. In fact, when I realized that all of these gifts 

were from her, and not the person who will receive my gift, I decided 

that I wanted to create a few things with Miss Jacque in mind. I'm 

planning to send a personalized gift to thank her for what she sent.

(Don't tell her, ok? We'll just keep this secret between us for now.)

My latest Strawberry Rose as a pincushion

 My swap partner's name is Jessica and she lives in North Carolina.

Are you surprised that this is what I created and sent to her?

...with my acorn magnet and silver thimble

 Of course, it has my "Brynwood" label (acorns and thimble not included).

Silk roses

I'm really happy with the way it turned out, and Jessica might even

get it in the mail tomorrow. I sure hope she likes it. In the meantime,

I'm going to start working on a few surprises for Jacque. I want to

sufficiently thank her for her beautiful strawberry (and corgi) gifts.

Thank you, Jacque. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE every single, gorgeous

piece you sent to me. They'll be treasured for for years to come.