Happy Valentine's Day...

I worked on heart brooches yesterday. These will all be gifts, but I'm going to make some for my Etsy shop, too. Each one will be different from the others. 

Today, I'm going to make Valentine cookies. Once I'm finished in the kitchen, I'll be doing a little more needle dancing. Of course, I'll be back in the kitchen to make a tasty dinner for my love. This is a perfect day to me. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you spend the day doing something you love with someone you love.

Be My Valentine Giveaway...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Be My Valentine" Giveaway Gifts

 
It's Giveaway Time Again!
 

 I was thinking that I hadn't done a giveaway in a while, so what better time than around Valentine's Day?

THREE lucky readers will be able to choose one of the above gifts!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings' "Candy Hearts" Pillow Kit

Giveaway Gift #1 is a complete kit to create your own Candy Hearts pillow. All the fabric you'll need to create your own pillow is included in the kit. You'll need to add your own threads and a pillow form. Retail value is approximately $35.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Giveaway Gift #2 - Sweethearts Pattern

 

You may remember I made a set of these last year in Lisa's Farmhouse Gatherings grey fabric assortment. This pattern came in the January Wool Box, so now I have two. This will be offered as a giveaway gift to some lucky winner. Retail value is $9.00.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Giveaway Gift #3 - A Quilter's Journal

 

The Quilter's Journal came in a previous Wool Box and I already have a copy, so this is Gift #3. It's a great way to write down your quilting notes, be inspired by the lovely photos, and tour Lisa's lovely lake house, too. There's plenty of room for recording your quilt projecs - or whatever you want. Retail Value $15.

 

DETAILS. DETAILS. DETAILS.

 • This giveaway will be open to US and Canada readers only(Sorry. Postage overseas is outlandish right now)
 • Entries Close on Saturday, February 20th at 11 pm**To enter, please tell me - in the comment section - what you love most about Valentine's Day**(Comments must appear on this post only, please.)
 • One entry per person, please. • Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator at 11 pm Saturday evening, and the winner will be announced on Monday, Feb. 22nd
 • First name drawn chooses one of the prizes; Second name draws their choice';Last name drawn gets remaining prize.  PS. I'm also going to add a special Valentine gift to each winner's package.
 Good Luck! 

Happy Valentine's Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - My Vintage Doilies and My Embroidery

  Happy Valentine's Day. May you spend the day with someone you love,  doing something you love. xoxo

Sweethearts...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Valentines

I played with a little fabric on Monday, too. I pulled out my collection of Primitive Gatherings' (plus the dot fabric - not PG) Farmhouse Gatherings line of flannel fabric, and Lisa's "Sweethearts" pattern. I used the smallest heart shape in the pattern, and then used most of my own words for the hearts.

Lisa's hearts had words like "Be Mine", "I (heart) You", "All Mine", "Hug Me", "My Love", "Kiss Me", and "XOXO". I used "Kiss Me" and "XOXO", and then changed out the rest with "As You Wish" and "True Love" (from our favorite movie, The Princess Bride), and the initials inscribed in both of our wedding rings, "AB & A, AML".

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Valentines

 

In keeping with the number nine that I told you about yesterday, I'll be adding one more heart to the display. I like Lisa's "My Love", so that will probably be the last one. 

I have a few more Valentine touches to bring out before the actual holiday, but this is what our dining room table vignette looks like today. As an aside: Don't you love that my Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter cactus is budding out again? Don't ask why. I have no idea. It will be nice to have more flowers for Valentine's Day, though. 

Brynwood Needleworks - Grace's "Dear Heart" Pillow

I have another sweet valentine pillow that I stitched for Mom (Grace). When she moved into a nursing home and her lifelong home was emptied, Deb gave it back to me. I treasure it, and am so grateful that I have it here. I wrote about receiving my gift back HERE after Mom's move. Her pillow is always displayed in my bedroom, but it will be displayed in the living room for Valentine's Day.

Sadly, she didn't live long enough to see my move back to Wisconsin, but I was blessed to speak with her the day she passed in 2014. I wrote about her last day HERE. I'm so glad I got to say one last "I love you, Mom".

Today would have been Mom's Birthday. I wish every day that we had her here with us, but I'll wish her a happy Heavenly Birthday. She knows how much I miss her, and I know she watches over me. I love you, Mom. 

Happy Valentine's Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Floral Valentine

 

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via Web

 

Playing With Cork...

Brynwood Cork Luggage Tags

 

I played with my cork yesterday, and decided to show you what I'm working on. Don't look for perfect stitching on these. I was playing, but not using my edge stitch foot on my machine. Obviously, it's a foot I should keep handy!

Each tag is made with cork on each side, and a heavy duty vinyl window stitched on the front. They'll also have a tiny, belt-like strap in matching cork.

Anyway...Now that I've created my templates, I'll definitely be making more in different cork prints and colors to list in my shop. I'm just waiting for buckles to arrive so I can make the straps to attach these to luggage, etc. I'll share photos of the completed tags early next week.

 

Valentine's Day At Our House

 

Handsome gave me a beautiful card and box of chocolates for Valentine's Day. Of course, he knows my favorite variety is Whitman's. Once empty, what better box is there for a needleworker, but one that says "sampler" on the outside? I just use my labelmaker so I know what each box holds after I put them up on the shelf. It's a gift that keeps on giving...the best kind!

 

Remember Her?

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Do you remember the song about "dancing like no one is watching"? I told a friend once (and now I'm telling you) that I loved taking my boom box (I know. I'm dating myself. It's okay.) and my dogs, Bannor, Bryn and Kyra, out into our 40 acre training field. I'd start up the music, call in the dogs, and we'd all dance and be silly together. I only did this when Handsome wasn't home for fear he'd have me committed. (Not really, but I wanted to be safe.)

I know that silly woman is always alive in me, ready to bust a move on a moment's notice. I like to be the crazy aunt or the funny grandma. I want to be remembered for the fun things I've done with them. One of my older nephews has frequently told me that some of his favorite childhood memories were times spent with me. His sister has said the same thing, and it warms my heart whenever I hear it. 

I'm working today, but I won't forget to let out my silly girl from time to time. She's someone I never want to lose or forget. She's someone I want my grandchildren to know. She's someone I love and like to share with others.

The important thing is that you don't hurt anyone by taking time to do something wonderfully silly for yourself. It renews your spirit. It lightens a regular day. It brings a smile to your face and joy to your soul. Go on. Promise yourself to find that inner child again - or if you know where she is, let her out this week. Celebrate you!

Happy Valentine's Day...

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  Wishing you love and happiness. Because, when all is said and done, Love is what remains.

Happy Valentine's Day, Handsome.

Tuesdays With Tag - Valentine Giveaway...

Hi, Everybody!

I've been in the studio with Mom the past couple of

days and we're hostin' a surprise Valentine Giveaway!

 

Would you like to be my Valentine?

Mom was shopping and look what she found!!!

I think they're wonderful. I mean, think about it...Corgis and Chocolate!

I'm not allowed to have any chocolate, but I'm happy to share with two of

our friends this year. That's my giveaway! Two people will each win a box

 of Corgi Chocolates from me this month...in time for Valentines' Day.

So, if you'd like to be my Valentine, please leave a comment

on this post only. I will choose two winners next Monday

night and announce their names next Tuesday. All you have

to do is leave me a little "love" note to enter the drawing.

(Nothin' too mushy, of course, but "sweet" is encouraged.)

Mom said she'd even add a little somethin' somethin' of her
own for the winners. Well, remember I'll pick names next
Tuesday and Mom will mail out both their gifts in time for
Valentine's Day! Leave a comment here before
11 pm next Monday night and visit again next week.
'til then...
"Wag Like Ya Mean It!"

Tuesdays With Tag - Valentine's Day Early...

Hi, Everybody!

Mom left early today to go to Sarasota. She had an appointment and then a  bunch

 of errands to run. But, ever since she got back home I've been givin' her THIS look. 

You all know why, but it took a message from Miss Laura, to really grab her 

attention and remind her that she forgot to put up MY post today!

(Boy, does she feel stoopid!)

So, she said that she'd make it up to me by puttin' up my post right away and

then she'll leave it up tomorrow, too! She'll be back on Thursday for her 

own Valentine's Day post. (I just know I'm gonna get extra treats for this!)

Last year, Mom did a Valentine's Day post featurin' natural valentines in nature. 

I liked it so much that I'm copyin' her idea. Stole it fair and square, I did!

If you didn't see last year's post, you'll get a kick out of this one for sure.

(All pictures from the Daily Mail UK here.)

 Are you surprised that my first natural valentine is a tree?

Of course, you're not!

 I can tell ya right now, I'd love to chase this valentine around!

I think I like horses. Mom has let me sniff a couple of our neighbors

down the street and they seem to like me, too. They're really big!

I always look up when the big birds fly over our house, but I think

these little birds are pretty colorful (even though I'm color blind).

Mom told me this is another bird. She said it's bigger than me, too!

Have you ever heard the song that John Lithgow Raffi sings?

"Baaabbeeee Baaalooooogaaa".

This one's blowin' a heart-shaped kiss for ya!

Look at the nose on this guy!

(We won't mention the ears, shall we?)

It's only right that I should close my post today with the best natural 

valentine in the world...MINE! Come on now. You know you love it!

Thanks for readin' my post today. I hope you get lots of nice treats and

hearts on Thursday. I know I'm gonna get some because Mom was lame

again and forgot to put up my post. I'll be back - on time - next week to

tell you what I've been busy doing. 'til then...

"Happy Valentine's Day"!!!

oh, yeah... and

"More Waggin' and Less Barkin'!"

Tuesdays With Tag - Heart Day...

Hi! It's me...Tag! 

Mom helped me find some pictures of hearts in nature. You know. Hearts that just happen without anyone making them. We went for a little walk to see if we could find any...

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She told me that these are strawberries and people eat them. I've never had a taste of one, but she says they're really good.

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 I like this one of a rock. I bet Kessie would try to eat it if she were still around to join us on our daily walks! (Yeah, and another trip to the vet for surgery, too!)

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 Even these leaves are curled into a heart shape!

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Mom showed me this picture of a little cow with a heart on its forehead, and then she had an "ah ha!" moment!

She said, "Hey, Tag (that's me!)! We don't have to look for any more hearts. Sometimes the happiest hearts are right before our very eyes. We just have to be open to seeing them."

I don't think I know what she means, but she giggled and said we had all the photos we'd need for today's post. I'm a good boy, so I'll believe her.

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody. 

'til next week...

"More Waggin' and Less Barkin'!"

Don't forget that Mom's 1000th Post Giveaway ends tonight! Hope you're all entered in the drawings. Mom says, "Good luck!"