Laundry Soap...

Stone Gable Laundry Soap Recipe

It's time to make more laundry soap. I no longer buy store brand laundry soap. I've been making this for years, and we love it. I don't make it in a garbage bag, but use my huge stainless steel bowl instead. 

This soap works really well, and covers many loads. I may have shared this recipe before, but I think it's worth sharing again. (Sorry the edges are cut off this image. It's the only one I have from her blog, and she no longer has the recipe on her site.) On her original post, she showed a photo of her glass apothecary jar with a bee image. She got it free from The Graphics Fairy website, which carries thousands of copyright free images. I've used their images before and they have something for just about every need.

I'll be at work today (thanks to Alka seltzer cold gel tabs). I'll see you again tomorrow. 

The Winner, A Giveaway, And A General Update...

And now, for a celebration of my own!!!

It happened when I wasn't even watching!
The next thing I knew, Brynwood had 400 friends.
Of course, it's time to celebrate with another drawing.

I'm humbled and honored that you like what I write here.
Enough to put me into your blog roll or in your reader so
you can keep up with my projects, activities and thoughts.

You mean the world to me, really!!!...and you make me
want to be a better person. I try to make Brynwood an
interesting place to visit with new things to share.
I always try to put my best foot forward for you, and
really treasure the friendships I've made here.
I look forward to getting to know all of you even better.

I'd like to say "thank you" to
Karen at Graphics Fairy
for this fabulous vintage image of two ballerinas.
I'm going to offer FOUR giveaway gifts using this image.
"What are they?", you say.
Uh, remember the part where I told you
I was taken unawares?
I have no idea what I'll do with this image yet.
I might make a gift tag. I might make a cushion.
I promise that, as the drawing progresses, I'll share
each of the gifts with you as I make them up next week.
Here's how you enter the drawing...
Only comments on this post will count for the drawing.
• One entry if you leave a comment
• One more entry if you are a follower, or become one.
• One more entry if you blog about my giveaway,
post my button, and link back to this post.
PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY.

The giveaway will end at midnight Saturday, July 10, 2010.
I'll announce the winners on Sunday, July 11, 2010.

Feel free to use any giveaway image above in your blog.
Good luck, y'all!
Announcing the winner of my
Strawberry Rose
from the
"Where Bloggers Create II" event.
#57
Rebecca from A Gathering of Thoughts
Congratulations, Rebecca!
Please email your address to me so that I can send out your strawberry.
I finished piecing the French General quilt top yesterday.
I added two more borders from what I showed yesterday,
and today, I'll take it out to be assembled.
I'll add the binding when it comes back.
My Bloggerette Sorority Sister, Marsha,
from Marsha's Musings and Sassy Mini Dolls
is having a giveaway, too!
Deadline to enter is July 14th.
Click on the giveaway photo to enter.
UPDATE: Midnight July 14th
The Giveaway Drawing Is Closed.
Thanks for entering!

Saturday In The Studio...

Saturday in the studio was quite productive.
I still have a few gifts on my To Do list,
but I can cross these off my list now.

I made two pillows using this image - one for a blog friend and
one for a dear friend who will be celebrating her birthday this month.
(She also gifted me all the
gor-jus vintage laces that I used on the pillows.)

My favorite fabric, muslin ruffles, vintage laces and buttons and
the picture from My Vintage Studio. Thanks so much,
sweet Sharon, for sharing this image with your online friends.
I absolutely love it and will be using it again soon!

Then, I made this pillow as a
belated birthday gift for someone very special.

This image was courtesy of Karen at The Graphics Fairy.
Thank you, Karen, for your generosity to all of us in Blogland.
Another favorite creamy fabric, lace and vintage buttons.
I made the little rustic rosettes, and then sewed the button on top.
Each pillow measures approx. 13" x 10".
(You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.)

I've been asked a few times about my creamy, dreamy fabric.
No, I didn't cut up a quilt, and I didn't quilt it myself.
It's a home dec fabric, and it really is one
of my favorites to use for pillow projects.

Don't overlook the home dec section when you're
looking at fabric. It's usually a little heavier, but there is
always a great selection of pattern, color and texture
that you can use for pillows, totes, aprons and purses.

So, do you love them...my pillows?
Do you think I should make a few
more like these for my Boutique?
I'd love to know what you think.

Peel Me A Grape, Honey...

Some days, a girl just has to take it easy. I'm still basking in the glow of my finished Christmas projects...all on their way to their new homes. Yesterday was spent in Sarasota running errands and when I returned home, I was outside for a little while.

Then, there was the wonderful Christmas band concert last night. Handsome played the drum kit for a holiday big band number and the patrons loved it. (I could tell from the cheering when his part was announced after the number.) We had a late dinner with some of our musician friends afterward and then came home.

Today, I'll be working in our office for a while, and then I'm going to start decorating the house for the holidays. I'll take photos to share with you. Til then, enjoy my image of Ophelia (courtesy of The Graphics Fairy)...and think of my lovely, lazy day. I will!