Buggers!...

I had PT this morning and needed it in a big way. I woke up in pain, so I finally took an anti-inflammatory and Handsome drove me to my appointment. I'm feeling much better, but that my excuse for this late post - and I'm sticking with it.

I'm sharing a photo of how I decided to preserve and protect my goldwork birds. Handsome purchased this shadowbox frame ages ago for another purpose, but I came across it still unused, so I appropriated it. 

I attached dark-colored, round-head pins and then hung the birds from those. I used similar pins to secure the bottom of each ornament to keep them from twisting. I'm quite chuffed with how it turned out, and the frame now hangs in the hall outside my studio where I can see it every day.

This afternoon is another classmate dinner, but I didn't want to leave again without writing today's post. I'll be on time tomorrow, for sure! See you then.

 

Heart Brooches...

 

Three New Brooches

I was feeling much better on Sunday. The sun was shining, even though it only got to about 29ºF , so it was lovely sitting in my favorite spot for a bit of needle dancing. 

Something Blue Bridal Brooch - Soft Blue

I completed the second Something Blue Bridal Brooch, so there are now two that will be available. I think I may do a third that will be completely beads with only the cross in the middle to see how that looks. I think that could be really elegant, too.

SOLD. Something Blue Bridal Brooch - Shimmer SOLD

These brooches will regularly be $65 each, plus $5 domestic postage (I'll pay the difference if it costs more.) I'll also ship outside the US, but buyer is responsible for postage and import fees, however during March, I'm offering them for $45 (plus postage as listed above). If you're interested, please send me a private message and I'll make arrangements to send a secure invoice through my Square account.

Now that I'm caught up with that, I'm going to turn my attention to new photographs for some of my current Etsy listings, and then I'll launch my 40% off March Madness Sale. Once that's up and running, it will be in effect until the end of the month. I'm hoping that most all of my current stock sells out so I can start April with new inventory, much of which I'll be creating during the month.

I will be working tomorrow, so I'm going to take it easy today. I've got a bit of computer time in my future to set up the sale. I might take an afternoon nap, too. See you tomorrow. Oh, and Happy March!

Two Down, One To Go...

Two Stitched Heart Brooches

I managed to complete the stitching on the second heart - a new Something Blue Bridal Brooch - over the weekend. I love how this one turned out! As with the Purple Heart Brooch, I can't cut it out until I complete the needlework on the third heart to maintain the integrity of the hooped ground fabric.

Beginning Third Heart Brooch

I began work on the third brooch yesterday. This one incorporated a lighter, matte-finish seed bead which will really contrast with the brilliant check chipping once I start adding it. I'm hoping to do that this week, and then turn them into brooches over the weekend.

The weather was beautiful Saturday and Sunday, and we had a blissful reprieve from the constant dump truck traffic. Nothing ran after dark on Saturday and it was quiet all Sunday. We'll see if that continues through today. That would be wonderful.

I'm woefully late in getting out my January ATCs to my sister's group, so I'll probably work on those today. It's going to be a busy week. The theme is "New Year" and I already know what I'll be doing. Now to set the time aside!

Tomorrow I work; Wednesday will be another classmate dinner gathering; Bella has a vet appointment on Thursday that coincides with an appointment Handsome has on the books, so I'll take her instead this time; and then work again Friday night. I plan to set aside as much time as I'm able to get the ATCs and brooches finished.

I know I said I'd have a big sale in my Etsy shop this month, but I think I'm going to change it to a March Madness Sale instead. As soon as I get these projects finished, I'll begin work on my shop sale. Being sick in January really set me back!

I hope you have a great week ahead. I'll be looking forward to catching up with you each day. Take care!

Purple Heart Brooch...

Purple Heart Brooch In Progress

I completed all the stitching for the Purple Heart Brooch yesterday. I can't cut that one out yet, because removing two from the ground fabric would destabilize my other two brooches I still need to stitch. I'll cut them all out when those blue ones are done.

It was really lovely to sit in my favorite sunny spot to stitch. Bella was sleeping at my feet, while Handsome ran errands with Bella's kid. 

I'll be working on the blue hearts today. I'll begin with the pearl purl outlines, and progress to the chippings, beads and crosses. These will be Bridal Brooches when they're finished, but the purple one is already spoken for.

I hope it's warming up with a little bonus sunshine where you live. I'm looking forward to the temperatures continuing to rise. I'm completely done with the deep freeze stuff! I know there's a cuppa with my name on it, so I'm off to start my day. See ya later, gator!

Brooches...

Materials for Goldwork Brooches

I chose the materials to make a few goldwork brooches for my Christmas list. This is just one colorway. I'll have two different colors when I'm finished.

I'm going to be working on them today, and hope to complete them over the weekend. I'm planning to make at least three. This will be fun. You know how I love working on bright, shiny things! 

We're supposed to get a deep freeze this weekend, so I'll make sure I have plenty of food out for the birds and critters. I'm hoping the opossums find their way back to the barn for some protection this winter. The cabinet I created for the "barn" cats a couple years ago has a warming lamp inside that I think they'd enjoy. I'll have food and fresh water out there, just in case.

I work tonight, but I'll be inside with Handsome and the girls most of the weekend. There's supposed to be a cookie exchange at my niece's on Sunday, so I'll be baking tomorrow. Handsome still has a rotten cold, but I'm taking good care of him. Chicken soup was on last night's menu, and I'll make something warm and hearty again for him tonight. If you're in the "ice belt", I hope you stay safe and warm.