Compiling For Sale...

Kathy Schmitz Table Banners Set

I spent part of the day assembling sets from my vast collections of kits and patterns. This is a twelve pattern/fabric set of kits for sweet table mats. I've stitched all of these and they're ready to assemble into a seasonal quilt, so the ground fabric is missing from the kits, along with the small appliques (in color) for each one. If I were to do this set again, I'd plan to embroider or applique' the missing elements. 

I'm going through all my patterns, kits and fabrics, and pulling those things I know I'll never finish. I'll offer these for sale soon, and whatever isn't sold ahead of time will go with me to the Purge & Splurge event in June at Primitive Gatherings. I'm going to have some great deals!

Primitive Gatherings - Twilight Gatherings BOM 12 kits/Fabric

Case in point...These quilt blocks were all part of the Primitive Gatherings Wool Box subscription. I have all twelve kits, including wools for each block. I also purchased the flannel that is the ground fabric for each block, and another 4.75 yards to use for finishing.

When all twelve kits had been distributed through the Wool Boxes, anyone who wanted to complete the quilt to king size needed to purchase the kits and patterns for the large center block and vine-laden borders. I chose not to do that for a few reasons. Mainly, we no longer have a king size bed, and I decided not to spend the extra money for something that would have to hang on the wall when it was complete. I chose to stick with a finished size more conducive to either my farmhouse bed or the queen size one.

You can see the kit was dated 2018, and truthfully, I haven't gone back to it since stitching the first block (minus some wool circles) and setting up the second block. I've not determined that with light and dark dogs, as well as two cats who love to sleep on my bed, I'm going to offer this kit (at a nice discount) to someone who'd really enjoy making it.

I'm pulling and photographing more, and will plan to make everything available to my blog, Facebook and Instagram friends first. If you see anything you'd like, just shoot me an email and I can message you the prices, including shipping.

Today is craft day in Portage, so I really need to get rolling. Enjoy your weekend, and I'll tell you all about mine on Monday. Gotta run...

I Think I Will...

Brynwood Needleworks - Acorn Applique' Project

 

When I was still in Florida, I taught a basic hand applique' class at Crazy Quilters quilt shop in Venice, Florida. Of course, I designed something with acorns and oak leaves for the class project, and my piece is still unstitched. I came across it when I was sorting through some of my teaching materials.

I've decided to do the hand applique' stitching, add some embroidery, square it up to 6-1/2", and add it to my Farmer's Wife quilt. I'll be working on this in the next couple of days, in between homekeeping and caretaking. I'll share it again when it's completed.

It's Installed...

Brynwood Needleworks - Shorty Pattern File Cabinet

The first thing I accomplished yesterday was to bake five loaves of farmhouse sandwich bread. One went into the bread box, one to our nephew, and the rest to the freezer until they're needed.

The second thing I accomplished (with the help of said nephew) was to get my new short pattern file cabinet upstairs and into the fabric studio. It fit perfectly under my cutting table!

Brynwood Needleworks - First Drawer Wools

I'm putting all of my applique' wools (hand dyed and other) into the two top drawers, and the wool project kits will go into the bottom drawer. In the first drawer are all of my neutral-colored wools, along with all of the blue-colored wools.

Brynwood Needleworks - Second Drawer Wools

 

Drawer Two is filled with yellows, oranges, browns, reds, purples, and greens. Now, I can see what I have at a glance, and easily pull the colors I need for any given project. 

 

The best part of this whole deal was that the cabinet cost me a whopping...wait for it...twenty dollars!!! Isn't that awesome? It's in like-new condition, too!!

 

I'll finish filling it tomorrow, and then I'll be able to clear off the top of my cutting table so I can get back to work. I had an overall restful weekend, and now I'm ready to roll into the holiday week. Tag will be back tomorrow with a PSA (Public Service Announcement), and I'll see you again on Wednesday. 

 

Welcome to July. I hope we can all make it a great one.

 

Next Up and A Little Confusion...

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings - Wool Box #2 - Table Runner Project

 

This is the next project I'm going to make from Primitive Gatherings' Wool Box #2 collection. It's a sweet "Hello Spring" table runner. Although, measuring 9" x 20", I consider it more of a table mat than runner. 

 

I love the design, and the colors, so I'll have fun making this one, too. I'll set it up today, and then work on it as I'm able over the weekend. We'll see how far I get. 

 

Pretty soon, it will be time to get out into the yard and do my spring cleanup. The lilies around the base of the old apple tree, chives and my tulips next to the house are already peeking out of the ground! 

 

The fence across the yard is on my list, too. I want to paint it white, in hopes of finishing it before the bluebirds move into their houses. I don't want disturb them while they nest. That means I need to get my inside projects done soon, so I can play outside. 

 

What are you working on? What's on your list? I'm thinking I might do a once-a-month blog post of your projects...inside, outside, needlework, crafting, whatever you'd like. I'm thinking it would be fun to see what others are doing, and might spark a new creative bug for you. Would you find that interesting? What do you think?

 

***I've been a day ahead of myself all week, so my end-for-entries notice yesterday was a day early. One more day to get into the drawing!

Today is the last day to enter my 10th Blog Anniversary Giveaway! If you haven't entered yet, there's still time. I'll shut down the entries around 11:30 pm tonight, and I'll be announcing winners tomorrow! (Enter by clicking on the button at the top of my sidebar. Follow instructions from the linked post.) Good luck, everybody!

 

A Sweet, Wooly "Spring" Pillow...

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings "Spring Pillow" Design

I got my "Spring" pillow finished, so I sewed it together to share with you today. I've added a zipper to the back of mine, suspecting that there will be three more seasons throughout the year. That way, I can fold this one, tuck it away for safe keeping, and use the pillow form for the next.

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings "Spring Pillow" Design Detail

This was a nice, quick embroidery/applique' project, and I really enjoyed working it. The design was from the bi-monthly Wool Box subscription from Primitive Gatherings. This won't be available for purchase in the near future, but I'm sure Lisa will make it available after the end of the year.

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings "Spring Pillow" Design

 

I'm sure most of you already know this, but you don't have to follow any designer's exact layout or color scheme. You're always free to improvise to suit your decor, taste, or just because you want to make it your own.

 

I love everything about the original, but wasn't quite sold on the black lettering for myself. I went through my #5 pearl cottons, and decided that a medium lavender was more to my liking. I chose DMC #5 Color #3041 for my hand embroidered "Spring" lettering.

 

I think I'll be making the table mat from the Wool Box next. I'm waiting to hear back from my handbag client, so I can't work on those yet. I'll embroider while I wait.

 

***Today is the last day to enter my 10th Blog Anniversary Giveaway! If you haven't entered yet, there's still time. I'll shut down the entries around 11:30 pm tonight, and I'll be announcing winners tomorrow! (Enter by clicking on the button at the top of my sidebar. Follow instructions from the linked post.) Good luck, everybody!

Needle Dancing For A Friend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion Detail

 

My paperwork is done and was mailed out yesterday. Yay!! I have two commissions to make, plus three special pieces (including a new Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion like this one). 

A friend's husband recently passed away from ALS, and a fundraiser was created to cover his final expenses. She is a member of "Corgi Nation" on Facebook, as she, too, has one of these lowrider dogs. 

I wanted to contribute, so I offered two clutches with corgi embroideries, plus one of these pincushion/sachets. (It will be up to the winning bidder to choose the filling.) They are paying for the item, plus postage. I'm donating the full amount of all bids, less postage, to the fundraiser as my donation.

I'm going to get this piece embroidered today, and then assemble it, minus the filling, until I hear from the bidder. Then, all I'll have left to do is stuff it, stitch it closed, and mail it off. It will be a true labor of love, knowing that the proceeds are going to help a friend as she grieves the loss of her dear husband. It's one small thing I can do to help ease her stress. 

 

I'm very grateful that the bidders have paid more than what I would have charged in my shop. (The high bidder - with more time to auction end - has pledged $75 so far for the pincushion!) The clutches are also bid over retail value. 

So, today, I shall needle dance for my friend. Tomorrow, I'll be celebrating a Brynwood milestone. I'll tell you all about it, and about a special giveaway I'll be having to celebrate.

Snowy, Sheepy Display...

Brynwood Needleworks - Snow Days Bowl Fillers

 

I took a break from "the usual", and finished my little Snow Days Bowl Fillers. I used a red plaid wool for the backings (you can see it reflected in the mirror in the next photo), but I decided not to use the little snowball trim on the edges. I thought they actually detracted from the little snowmen.

(You may notice that the two pillows in back - closest to the mirror - are still flat. I ran out of my organic cotton stuffing and had to order more. I'll stuff those when it gets here.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Snow Days Bowl Fillers, Sheep Planter, and Winter Penny Table Mat

 

There was one thing I didn't share with you from my shopping trip to Searsport Rug Hooking when I was in Florida, but I'm finally sharing now. I didn't want to unpack it then from its travel box, but it's on display now. Don't you love my black sheep container? I thought it was the perfect vessel for my wooly fillers.

 

In case you'd like to have any of the items for yourself, you can purchase the kits for the Snow Days Bowl Fillers, and the Winter Penny Table Mat from Primitive Gatherings. (I made the names of the kits links for you.) If you want a Baa Baa Black Sheep container, you can purchase one online, too, from Searsport Rug Hooking.

I'm going to sit back and enjoy my little vignette, now that my projects are finished. We're expecting more snow before the weekend, too. I think my little snowmen will be right at home.

 

 

Disclaimer: I have, in no way, been compensated, monetarily or in-kind, for linking to the above items and shops.

A Lovely Day For Shopping...

Brynwood Needleworks - Shopping Goodies

 

I decided to take a little road trip on Saturday, down to the Englewood, Florida area (more specifically, Rotunda West). I've been watching Julie and her mom through the process of opening their Florida shop, as they closed down their Maine operations, and migrated south. So, I wasn't going to miss stopping in while in the south.

 

I had a few things on my "list" going in, and then found a few more must haves while there. I chose beautiful wools for my stacks at home, and a fabulous applique' work station - covered with a wool pressing mat. I'm looking forward to using it at home.

I purchased a few threads for immediate projects, and a beautiful handmade hook to take home. I added a hoop snugger to make turning wing nuts on my hoops and stands a little easier.

The precut wools on the work station are for a special project, which I'll share once I start working on it. These precuts (and more) are also available in the shop - purchased by weight.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Bonnie Sullivan's "Chrismutts" Wool Applique' Pattern

 

The last thing I purchased was this new Bonnie Sullivan pattern, called "Chrismutts" Bowl Fillers! One of them is a collie, but it looks like a corgi to me. At least, it will when I'm finished with it. I'm also going to make one look like Bella, too. I'll work on this one after I get back to the farm.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Donna and Susan Greening Davis

While shopping, I happened to look across the shop to see a familiar face. My counted thread designer/friend from decades ago, Susan Greening Davis, was shopping, too! I first met Susan when we were both attending and vending at needlework trade shows. Susan is "still stitching", and is a world-renowned instructor. I'm honored and blessed to call her "friend".

She's got a full teaching schedule - heading soon to Paris, France - but she has a home in sw Florida, and we just happened to get to Searsport the same day. Being the good blogger I am, I managed to get a photo of the two of us together, to share with you, before we parted ways. 

She mentioned that she'll be hosting a retreat on Mackinaw Island (Michigan's upper peninsula) next fall. I may have to sign up for that one! We'll see.

So I headed back to our home-away-from-home in the afternoon with a nice assortment of new goodies to take back to Wisconsin, and a smile in my heart, having seen an old friend. What a lovely day, indeed.

A Little Needle Dancing...

Brynwood Needleworks - My Version - Snow Days Bowl Fillers

 I'm still feeling under the weather, so I decided to pull out some of my needlework projects. Even when I don't feel well, I don't like to do nothing. I completed the stitching on two of my Snow Days Bowl Fillers.

Brynwood Needleworks - My Version - Snow Days Bowl Fillers

I like how the wooly bits make up the design, and then I can stitch as little or all that I care to. I've done more than simply stitch the wools to the printed ground fabrics. I'm also stitching the major design features of each little block.

Brynwood Needleworks - My Versions - Snow Days Bowl Fillers

I completed these two yesterday, and will work on the other four in the next day or so. When they're completed, I'll pack them away to finish at home. I have other projects with me, too, so I'll start on one of those after these are done. I hope I'll feel better by then, too.

 

This Is What's Next...

Acorn Pincushion Kit

I'm going to attempt this stumpwork kit before I head to Kentucky next month. I want to have a little working knowledge so I'm not completely (only partially) clueless for my week long class. Loving pincushions as I do, it seems appropriate that I should have (another) one with an acorn motif.

Acorn Pincushion Supplies

 

I'll also be working on setting up the borders for my Wooly Critters quilt. I need to choose the wool colors, and trace all the motifs for the final border. I'll set it all up first, and then stitch when I have time. 

 

I may as well keep working on applique', as I've toughened up my finger tips again. Believe me, it's a painful process! Now that they're calloused, it'll be easier to keep stitching. I'll pull wool colors today, and plan to stitch on the acorns in the evening.

"Flax Farm" Progress...

Stitching Sheep On "Flax Farm"

I neglected my stitching over the holiday weekend in favor of gardening and canning jelly. I made up for it yesterday, threading up my needle and spending the afternoon on wool applique'.  "Flax Farm" is coming along in fine form. It was overcast and cooler outside, eventually turning to rain, so it really was a perfect day to be stitching.

Newest Favorite Tools

I thought you might like to see my two new favorite tools for wool stitching, too. I began work on this at the last Sit & Sew with Lisa Bongean, and noticed she was using a pen I hadn't seen before. I asked her about it, and she graciously demonstrated it for me.

I also sit next to my girlfriend, Kathy, when we go each month. I noticed that she had a lint remover in her kit. I got mine out when I got home, and it works perfectly for keeping stray threads (and maybe a few dog hairs) off my work.

Clover Iron Away Chalk Pen

 

This is the pen Lisa was using. It's a Clover™ White Marking Pen. It leaves a nice line for stitching on dark fabrics, and is easily removed with a hot iron. I've quit using the Frixion™ pens because they were never designed for use on fabric, and I don't know their long-term effect on my work. I also know that the ink has a tendency to reappear in cold weather. This pen won't have that problem. Once the lines are gone, they're gone.

 

I drew the lines for the flax plants that I'll stitch as soon as I finish the sheep and hillsides on this half of the mat. I'll layout the other half of the mat and stitch it when this side is done. Do you like it so far?

 

Needle Dancing (Again)...

Fairy Steed Corgi and One Wooly Strawberry Pincushions

 

My giveaway winners chose their gifts, and I finished making all three yesterday. The Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion is heading to Lesley in the United Kingdom; a One Wooly Strawberry Pincushion is heading to Linny in Australia; and Danice chose a Wooly Strawberry Pincushion, too, which will ship to her in Alabama.

Thanks to Lesley and Linny for offering to receive theirs unfilled to save on shipping costs. I sincerely appreciate that gift from each of you. Danice chose lavender buds for her filling, and my studio was filled with its heavenly scent all afternoon.

All your gifts will post today, and I'll send each of you whatever tracking information I receive from the post office.

I've got a few cork projects next up (Thanks for your patience, Sherry!), and then I'm going to work on my Wooly Critters this weekend. I really need to add a small, comfy chair to the studio for days spent stitching. 

 

Happy Friday!

A Pleasant Surprise...

Wooly Critters Pattern

Remember last week when I went with Kathy at Primitive Gatherings? The night before, I was in the studio trying to decide what I was going to take along to work on at the Sit & Sew.

My mind immediately went to my Wooly Critters project (which is taking forever!). I pulled out the plastic carryall I used to carry back and forth to Nifty Fifties. It holds this project and the Kathy Schmitz pieces I've been working on, too. I needed to figure out which Wooly blocks still needed to be set up if I was going to work on one.

My Completed Blocks

I started pulling them out...one through twelve. Wait. What? One, two, three, four, and all the way to twelve. I've finished all of them! Squeeeee! I guess with the cross country move, I just lost track of my progress.

Sashing Fabric Choice

I chose this checked flannel fabric ages ago just for this project. Of course, I have to square up and cut down the size of the background fabric on those blocks first. There's too much space around each design, but once I've done that, I can add the sashing, using this fabric.

 

If you look back at the first picture, once the blocks are all joined together, I'll just have to choose the fabric for the border...and sew the flowers all around. That's all I have left to do! Then I'll decide if I'm going to hand quilt this one, or send it off to my pal, Susan (in Georgia) to get machine quilted.

 

For now, I'm just jumping up and down to know that all these blocks are done. I guess I'd better think about stitching up the last of my Kathy Schmitz blocks soon. (I actually think I only have two or three of those left to do.)

Sidetracked...

Clothesline Bag II - In Progress

 

I almost finished this one yesterday. The lining and straps are complete and the exterior is done. I just need to put them together and it will be finished.

 

I didn't spend as much time on it as I'd planned because I was watching the weather reports, and then corresponding or calling some of my Florida friends. We're closely tracking the path of Hurricane Irma and praying that it goes back out to sea to avoid harming anyone currently in its way.

I'll keep the television on weather networks today as I finish up this bag and list it in my shop. I have a diaper bag to make this week, too, for a baby shower on Sunday, so I need to finish the Clothesline Bag first.

I have a full appointment book this week, so I suspect this week is going to fly by. I'd better get busy.

The Clothesline Bag...

Detail of Clothes and Flowers

This is my latest finish. I began by creating the little articles of clothing to go on the line. The dress is 3" long, and the pantaloons are each 2.5" long. After I made them, I stitched them down to the pocket fabric, which is black linen with a Pellon SF101 black woven stabilizer to help keep its shape.

I did the applique' work on Monday, and I finished creating this handbag yesterday. I thought about adding tiny clothespins, but am leaving that option for my client.

Completed Clothesline Bag - Front

This is the completed bag, showing the entire front. My client requested black and bright colors. She did not want pastels.

I chose black linen, a sage dot fabric and Laurel Burch bright-colored fabrics for this piece. The completed bag measures approximately 12.5" at the bottom, 9.5" tall and 5" deep. The black linen portion on the front is actually a large pocket, lined in the same green dot.

Completed Clothesline Bag -Back

There is also a large pocket on the back (with a nickel piece on the bottom corner that reads "Made For Me"), and a zippered pocket with a "Handcrafted" zipper pull.

Completed Clothesline Bag -Rear Zipper Pocket and Tag

I used a sweet yellow dot fabric for the zipper pocket lining.

Completed Clothesline Bag - Interior

The interior is finished with a Laurel Burch multicolor cotton. I also included a slip pocket on the inside.

My client has already seen pictures of her completed handbag and said she can't wait to receive it. I'll treat it with Scotchgard™ today and send it off tomorrow after it's completely dry.

The Next Fabric Combination

 

I've already chosen the fabric for another bag in this same design. This is my color palette, and my plan is that others will be special order to the client's taste.

Today is a stitching day with my pal, Kathy D. We're starting a series from Kathy Schmitz, which I'll share with you tomorrow. I'm looking forward to just sitting and visiting with her for an afternoon.