Closeup Quilt Photos...

Brynwood Needleworks - Block One - Chickadee & Sunflowers

 

Fair warning: This post is going to be picture-heavy! By personal request, I'm going to share closeup images of each of the blocks in my Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt.  

These are all the blocks in the quilt, pattern by Brandywine Designs, plus my personal touches. Much of the embroidery is my own styling, as the pattern called for blanket stitch throughout. 

My applique' work is COMPLETE now, so I'll be sending it off to the quilter as soon as I can get into Primitive Gatherings to choose the backing fabric!

Enjoy the pictures!

(Thanks again, Laurie, for requesting more pictures!)

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Two - Turtle & Pansies

Brynwood Needleworks - Added Bumblebee

Brynwood Needleworks - Boullion Bar Bumblebee Detail

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Three - Butterfly & Roses

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Four - Bunny & Strawberry Basket

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Five - Duck & Flower Wagon

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Six - Owl & Tree Branch

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Seven - Dragonfly & Blossoms

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Eight - Sheep & Willow Tree

Brynwood Needleworks - Added Red Bird

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Nine - Crow & Pumpkin

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Ten - Squirrel & Oak Leaves

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Eleven - Blue Bird & Heart

Brynwood Needleworks - Block Twelve - Hedgehog & Vine

Brynwood Needleworks - Bottom Border

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Snail on Bottom Border

Brynwood Needleworks - Added Snail - Detail

Brynwood Needleworks - Signature In Bottom Border

Brynwood Needleworks - Date In Bottom Border

Six years from start to this point. I'll call it finished once the binding is sewn on, but all my applique' work is complete. I'm a happy quilter, and I hope you enjoyed my recap.

Busy Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Sampler Quilt Top

So tickled to be nearly ready for quilting on this top. My Wooly Critter Sampler quilt (Designed by Linda Hohag - Brandywine Designs) only needs a few small touches and it will be ready to head to the quilter.

I began this quilt in January 2014, although our Coffee Club at Sandy's Quilt Shop purchased our patterns in 2013. It's difficult to believe that this quilt has been six years in the making! I enjoyed every second of Linda's lovely designs, and would recommend this project to every quilter who loves applique'. This was my first wool applique' quilt, and I'm sure it's not going to be the last.

Brynwood Needleworks - Custom Order - Brynwood Union Jack Bella Tote

 

After spending most of Saturday in the garden (with the red neck to prove it!),  I had a custom Bella order to make. So, Sunday, I played in the studio and made this one. It's going to a new home today.

I'm going to see my Dad again today. Our visits these days are a blessing, and I look forward to them, even though it involves three hours of driving to get to his home and then back to the farmhouse. While I'm visiting with Dad, Tag will be preparing his blog post for tomorrow. Perhaps puppy updates? You'll have to come back to see.

It's A Great Day...

Brywood Needleworks - Daisies Postcard Image

 

I completed my Wooly Critter Quilt top!! The wind was up late yesterday without the "windblown" look, so I couldn't get an outdoor photograph of it. I'll do that today, weather permitting, and share it with you on Monday.

 

I'm making a commissioned handbag today, and more hickory syrup, too! It's a great day, and a nice week ahead. Have a great weekend!

Red Bird To The Rescue...

Brynwood Needleworks - Red Birds

I hadn't planned to show any photographs of my unfinished quilt until the top was done, but I thought you might appreciate a "let's keep it real" post.

I decided that I needed to add some more needlework detail to the green leaves in the block shown above. It's the block that has the sheep and red bird with a basket. This is the post that shows the whole "finished" block (HERE). I thought the leaves were just too simple, so I added bouillon knots in opposite colored threads, down the centers of each leaf.

Brynwood Needleworks - The Unfortunate Discovery

 

Imagine my dismay when I saw that there was a hole in the sashing above the sheepy block! It isn't a cut, and I guess this is what happens when you set a project aside for too long. I don't know how it happened, I just know it was there. Now, what to do?

 

Look back at the first photograph to find my solution. I decided that another red bird would be a perfect coverup for the damage. So, as soon as I completed the leaves, I pulled more red wool and made another little bird. 

 

Of course, doing the hand embroidery which is now in the middle of a large-ish quilt isn't exactly convenient, but I'm making it work. I'll complete that today, along with the other applique' work I've yet to do, and then I'll share the finish.

 

I just wanted you to see that, if we get creative, we can always come up with an elegant fix for a problem. I think this one is actually going to be a happy addition to my quilt!

Getting Close Now...

Brynwood Needleworks - Main Border Motifs - Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt

All the main quilt motifs are finished on my Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt borders. The only thing left (on the borders) is to attach them to the main quilt, and applique' the corner motifs that span the seams into the side borders.

Brynwood Needleworks - Main Border Motifs - Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt

 

I'm going to add a motif above the bluebirds on the top border; add a few leaves, my initials, and the year on either side of the basket motif on the bottom border. I'm really getting close now!

The next time you see these borders, they'll be attached to the main quilt - and finished. That will be in the next day or so.

Tag will be here tomorrow, and I'll be back with updates on Wednesday. I must say, I'm so glad I write a daily blog post. Otherwise, I'm quite sure I'd have trouble keeping my days straight. Every day seems to feel like a Saturday to me. sigh However, today is Monday...I hope you have a great week!

Keep Calm and Carry On.

Moving Right Along...

Brynwood Needleworks - Border Progress

 

I completed half of the second side border vine. I'll do the lower half today, and then set up the bottom border. I've decided to add something special to the bottom border, but I'm going to wait to share until I can show it to you.

Brynwood Needleworks - My Shadow

 

Of course, my shadow showed up late day to visit. By the time this photo was taken, he was here to let me know the clock was coming up on dinner time. I promised him that I'd feed him as soon as I was finished with pictures, so he watched to make sure I kept my word.

 

I even managed to make five loaves of bread, stitching in between my proofing intervals. So, I have more of my border done, and four loaves for the freezer. (Handsome keeps one in the kitchen for immediate use.) I'm going to take it a little easier today by concentrating on stitching...not baking. I hope you have a nice weekend, friends.

 

 Keep Calm and Carry On.

 

Finally!...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critter Sampler Quilt - Second Side Border

 

I bet you were beginning to wonder if I would ever get back to this project, right? I finally took out my supplies and started working on the second side border for my Wooly Critter sampler quilt. I've already completed more than I photographed here, but I loved the way the light played on my project as the sun shone in my studio window.

I'll be back to it today, and am hoping to have a good start on the bottom border by the end of the weekend. It's great to be slow stitching again. It takes my mind off things, as I concentrate on making my borders pretty with different embroidery stitches. I'll have progress photos to share tomorrow, and then, again, on Monday. 

Happy Friday! Happy Weekend!

It's Going Swimmingly, Thanks!...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Basket Details

I've really started to gain a head of steam on this project now. I actually set up my long ironing board -  at chair height level - and sit at it to stitch in the studio. I seem to have more control with the support that the longer surface offers. 

This is a closeup of the basket from the bottom border. I decided to treat the little leaves differently that the rest. I used buillon stitches for the veining on them. It gives a little more dimension that the chain stitches on the other leaves.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Half of the Wooly Critters Basket Motif

 

I completed all of the center basket motif, and one entire side of the foliage and blossoms. I'll do the other side today. I'll do the rest of the leaves (sigh) and corner blossoms on this border, too. Then, all I'll have left is one more side border. I'm really hoping to have them attached to the rest of the quilt over the weekend, so I can add the last corner vines and stitch them down, too.

  Tag will be back tomorrow. He's just like me. He's already celebrating!

Restful Contemplation...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Stitching

 

So many things going on right now. I don't need to mention them to you. I'm sure you have a list of your own. If nothing else, being home is a time for thoughtful contemplation and finishing projects that were set aside. 

 

It's a time for long distance talks with loved ones, and for opening up to new possibilities. Even as the world is forced to build barriers, there are instances where walls tumble down. I sit and think on these things as I continue to embroider my border panels. Did I mention that there are so. many. leaves.? sigh

I'm going to keep working and contemplating. I hope you've found a project to keep your hands and mind occupied as we move into a new week. I'll be right here if you're looking for me. You can count on Tag to be back tomorrow.

REMINDER: If you haven't entered my 11th Blog Anniversary Giveaway yet, click on the 11th Anniversary button in my sidebar. Entries close at 11 pm tomorrow night, and winner(s) will be announced on Wednesday!

 

Making Great Progress...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Border Details

Not only did I work on setting up the borders today, I also began stitching on them! These are three of the four flowers located in the center of each side border. In addition to the blanket stitches, I also added Colonial knots and bullion stitches to the centers. I love how they're turning out

Brynwood Needleworks - Setting Up Wooly Critter Borders

The three borders that remained to be fused are complete, except for a single vine at each corner. I can't add those until the seams are all joined to the main quilt. Once that's done, I can fuse those final parts and stitch them, too.

Brynwood Needleworks -  Bottom Border Center

This is the center motif on the bottom border. After I finish one of the side borders (detail in the second photo), I'm going to go to the bottom border and embroider all of this.

Nothing quite calms my nerves like needle dancing, so this is how I intend to spend my weekend. I'm hoping to be able to add the borders to my quilt very soon.

Coping...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wooly Critters Sampler Quilt Pieces

 

I got all the pieces cut out for the rest of the borders for my quilt. I admit I didn't even start on this until late day. I can explain.

 

When I'm stressed, I respond by sleeping. I'm not afraid. I'm not worried. I'm just stressed. So, yesterday morning I got up, and had my morning coffee; did a few chores around the house. I spent some time talking with Handsome, and then went upstairs with the intention to shower, make those chocolate chip cookies, and then get in a little studio time.

 

I got to our bedroom, sat down on the bed, and before long, I was under the blankets. I didn't wake up again until nearly 6 pm. I slept the entire time. Not having dreams. Not tossing and turning. Just a deep, restful sleep that had eluded me the past few nights. I regenerated.

 

When I got up, I took the shower I meant to take earlier in the day, went downstairs and fed Tag, and then prepared dinner for Handsome and me. We watched a movie together, and then I went upstairs to finish prepping all these pieces.  

I'll make those cookies today, and then see about setting up the other three borders for my quilt. Seems there's no particular rush. I mean, we're not planning to go anywhere. The project will wait for me. In the meantime, I'm going to concentrate a bit more on much-needed self-care. I do not want to get sick. No siree!

How are you spending your days? Working, playing, or resting? Each option is good if it works for you. Whatever you do, try not to stress. I'll try to do better, too.

I've Got A Plan...

Brynwood Needleworks - Still Cutting Pieces

I've got a plan. Rather than cutting pieces as I go, and set up my borders piecemeal, I'm going to cut out all the pieces at once, and assemble all the borders. Then, I can just sit down and stitch.

So far, I've cut out all the rest of the berries, flowers, and forty of the leaves. Aren't they colorful?

Brynwood Needleworks - More To Cut

 

But, I still have more to go. I have at least twenty eight more leaves, and four more stems. I also have the flower pot motif on the center of the bottom border to trace, fuse and cut. Then, I can begin the fun part. 

I should have all the pieces cut out, and fused to the border fabrics today. I'm hoping to end my day with needle in hand...all that, after I make a batch of "chase away the clouds" chocolate chip cookies.

  Stay Safe and Healthy, Friends!