Last Saturday's Online Class...

Clara Warschauer Goldwork Cross Class

This was the Zoom class I took last Saturday. Clara Warschauer (@clarastitching) was the instructor, and she taught this in collaboration with Ecclesiastical Sewing (ES) in Minnesota, USA. Kits could be purchased from Clara, and other materials are available from ES. 

This is a lovely piece, which measures approximately 3" square, and will make a nice tree ornament, box embellishment, or framed piece for someone special. I intend to stitch it in another colorway as a Christmas gift. I'll be using champagne-colored silk dupioni rather than the red, as I think the colors I want to use will look better on that color.

I am making my list of Christmas projects now, and will begin creating them this week. Sunday is a cookie exchange at my niece's, so I'll also be making at least six dozen cookies and a dish to pass for that. Handsome will need some cookies, too, so I'm planning extras for him.

I've decided to make the delicious koulourakia cookies that my friend, Kathy in Florida always made to share with the Panera's group during the holidays. They're especially tasty because of the bergamot flavoring that goes into them, plus they're not overly sweet, so I think they can be enjoyed by all.

Today, I'm working again my usual 10 am - 4 pm, but I'm going in an hour early. My boss needs to take another day at home, so Teresa will come in early to cashier, and when I get there, she can go home and let her dogs out before coming back to work her usual kitchen shift with me out front on the till.

The projects begin tomorrow, so I'll probably go to bed at a reasonable hour tonight so I'm fresh to start creating. We're supposed to get another snow dump starting after work, so I'll be happy in the studio. I've got lots of food out for the birds and critters, so I'm making sure they're taken care of, too.

If you're in the snow belt, stay safe and warm. I'll be back tomorrow with my list. You'll be able to see what the elves and I will be up to for the next couple weeks!

Madison's Bridal Brooch...

Madison's "Something Blue" Bridal Brooch

Completed, boxed, and packaged with the card insert commemorating this bride's special day. After creating the card insert and boxing the brooch, it's all packaged in a white chiffon drawstring bag for gifting. 

I finished the back with a piece of silver metallic kid leather, my signature (which you can't see because of the reflection), and my signature acorn.

I'll be presenting this brooch to Madison's Godmother, who will be gifting it to her on her wedding day (this weekend!). My work here is done. On to the next one...

And So It Begins...

This is how it begins. I draw my hearts on the cotton calico fabric. I draw it again on the back side of my wool. Once I cut it out, I place the wool heart over the drawn heart and I'll start the process of stitching it down.

Handsome and I ran a fun errand yesterday, so this process stalled until today. My plan is to have one heart complete by the weekend so I can have it for my client no later than Monday. The wedding is next weekend, so I need to finish it so she can gift it to the bride ahead of her walking down the aisle. That won't be a problem at all!

So, before I get back to the needlework frame, I'm going to have my coffee - well away from fabrics and fibers. Then, I'll begin my little needle dance with this project.

Happy Friday, friends!

Twinkle, Twinkle...

I got right to work yesterday morning after my cuppa, and only took breaks to stretch my legs from time to time. I wanted to make sure my knee wouldn't lock up by moving around. This part of my project is about four hours' work, adding silver brilliant check purls after I placed all the blue seed beads.

I love how it's looking, and will have the needlework completed today. I may not do the finishing work until tomorrow, as our classmate luncheon is this afternoon, and I don't want to miss seeing my friends again. 

It feels so good to be out from under the medications I was taking, and even better to be sitting back at my needlework frame. My knee gets tender from the sitting, so those breaks are really necessary. I finished my day with the ice machine and Tylenol, but it was so worth it to be able to stitch for a while.

I'll be back tomorrow with our group photograph from dinner. Nothing like a little "friends therapy" to brighten the day. 

Time To Finish This...

Something Blue Bridal Heart Brooch - WIP

I found out yesterday that I'll only have to do once-a-week physical therapy until I'm finished. I'm scheduled out through mid-October, but I'm going to assume I'll be released before then. With that in mind, I'm going to need to complete this brooch for Jenna. 

She's getting married this time in 2026, but just in case I don't get to see her again (she transfers, or something along that line) before I have my second knee replaced, I want to make sure she has this gift for her special day. 

I won't see her again until next Monday, so I'd like to have it completed by then to be able to gift it to her. So, this is what I'll be working on the rest of this week. Finally!!

Marian Monogram Class...

I'm going to be taking another of Clara Warschauer's goldwork classes (Clara Stitching). I'm enrolled in her Marian Monogram course scheduled for Saturday, March 1st. This is a class collaboration with Ecclesiastical Sewing in Minnesota to create a bible cover. The course is free, and kits are available for the goldwork from Clara, while the bible fabrics can be purchased from Ecclesiastical Sewing. The bible cover pattern is free from them, too.

One of the new techniques I'll be learning is using thread for padding the monogram. I already have Clara's supply kit, and plan on using my own dupioni silk for my ground fabric. I'm really looking forward to learning more from Clara in this online course.

If you're interested in learning more, you can go to Clara's webpage HERE. Once there, read her information and follow her links to get to Ecclesiastical Sewing. I'd love for you to join us!

Goldwork Mockingbird - Nearly Completed...

Wednesday went even better than I planned. It started with packaging up almost twenty pounds of fabric to send to my dear friend in Arizona, along with tidying up the studio a bit. I "hoped to work on my goldwork mockingbird" to make a little progress afterward. Imagine my joy when I actually finished all the needlework!

 

I think I may have even captured a little of the sparkle on it in this shot! My plan today is to release it from the ground fabric, add feet, and then turn it into an ornament like the blue tit I did previously. It won't have a nest hanging below it, but I will have another completed class piece from Clara Stitching.

I'm hoping to show you the completed piece tomorrow, and then I'll hang it in my studio with all my other embroidered birds - the quilts and the goldwork ornament. It might be time to think about my next bird quilt, too. Hmmmmm. Bluebirds? Orioles?

Finally! Back To This Project...

After taking some time off to spend with Handsome, working ten hours on Sunday, and another six yesterday, I'm finally off "work" until Friday evening. That means I can do some needle dancing and homekeeping - my two favorite things - beside spending time with my husband, of course.

I managed to get this far on the frogs before I had to work on Sunday, and you can see I only got half the legs done on the frog in the 3 o'clock position. I'm couching down the gold super pearl purl, and will finish that one first. I'm also going to determine the placement for the crown on one of the frogs before I go further on that one. 

After I've done that much, I'll couch in the details around the eyes and body before getting down to the sparkly bits. Isn't it fun that each one seems to have its own personality? That will become more apparent as I fill in each their unique colors. 

I admit, the last few work days have me a bit tired, but needlework always restores me. I know this will be a great day. I hope for the same for you!

Today's The Day...

My needles and threads will no longer be denied. There shall be needle dancing today. You already know I'll be working on my goldwork frogs. Everything else is on hold until I accomplish at least a few hours of stitching. 

It's going to be a great day!

Froggy Dreams...

When I can't - or don't have time to - stitch, I dream about stitching. I pulled out all my lovely supplies again, and my wee frog hopped out of the fish bowl to join me. If you look closely, you may notice something different.

Here. Maybe this will help. I have some tiny crowns that I can stitch to my frogs to create wee Prince Charmings (the "before" version). This one is only perched on Mr. Frog's head, but I have two different methods to affix them to the frogs.

If you're one of the four remaining ladies waiting for your frog and you'd like me to add a crown to yours, please let me know in the comments. I'll likely affix them either with gold threads (which would be visible), or just the tiniest amount of permanent, clear glue. I have two finishes; antiqued gold, or gold. As I said, just let me know if you'd like one.

I work again today, but I'll definitely be reading the notes to see if there are preferences. If you'd rather send an email, just click on the sidebar link and send a note. If you don't want one, you won't have to do anything. I'll make it in your chosen colors as agreed. I'll be stitching again in no time.

Last Four Giveaway Frogs On Deck...

I've started the last four giveaway frogs that will go to Clara, Marilyn, Terry and Jody! It won't be too long and they will be on their way to each of you! Three will become fobs and one will be a brooch, per their requests. Three will be green, and one will be "stitcher's choice".

These are going to be fun to create for each of you.  I love trying to choose unique color combinations for each one. I hope you'll all enjoy watching them progress! 

I'm back to my regular work schedule now, so I'm looking forward to stitching, canning, and getting our garden under way. I'm going to be updating my Etsy shop this week, too! Working more than that takes away from the homekeeping things I love so much. This is going to be a great week, and I hope you'll follow along.

More Cider and New Colors...

Sorry for today's late post. Last night at work was exhausting, but I'm not going to talk about that today. Brush it off and move on. 

The mail came today with new colors for my goldwork supplies. These are all new bright check purls. I ordered more in the color I used for my corgi brooch (cider), as well as some new greens for frogs. 

I'll be setting up the last four frogs today, and begin working on them so I can get them mailed out soon.

I'm working again tomorrow - yes, Mother's Day - so the kids who work at the store can be with their moms - so I want to make the most of today. Next week, I'll be back to my regular schedule of Tuesdays during the day, and short Friday nights. I'm going to do my best to stick with that so that I can do the homekeeping things I love so much during the summer...canning, gardening, and being here with Handsome. (I saw the light last night.)

I hope you have a lovely Mother's Day tomorrow - whether or not you're a mom, or still have yours with you. Simply take it easy and enjoy the day. Let someone pamper you for a change. You deserve it. I love you and value your friendship, and hope to see you back here on Monday to see what kind of progress I made on my frogs.

Prototype Complete!...

 I finished my Ltd. Ed Corgi Brooch last night after work. It is now, officially a brooch.

I'm very happy with the details and color choices, so the next one will go even faster. Plus, I'll be able to fine tune the colors if someone should purchase one in different colors.  The brooch measures approximately 2" tall x 1 1/4" wide (at the base). Which I think might be a perfect size to affix to a lapel or on a jacket. The pin is backed with cork fabric.

Of course, I signed and attached my signature acorn to the back. The second one I make will be the fundraiser piece. I'm going to share this on Facebook to whet the appetites of the Corgi owners we refer to as "Corgi Nation". They're wonderful when raising funds to support CorgiAid, and I think they'll kinda like this little brooch.

I'll probably do an Etsy listing, too, that would be created after purchase, in case the colors need to be changed for the different Corgi colorations. The listing will go live some time tomorrow. We had storms yesterday, but I'm hoping it clears off today so I can take a short video to add to the listing.

I'm filling in for another coworker today from 11-4, so I'd better get cracking. I don't want to be late!

Then, I Danced...

I was able to sit at my needlework stand yesterday, and I completed the goldwork for my Lt. Ed. Corgi Brooch. I'm so tickled with how the first one turned out! 

The body of the Corgi is a bright check purl color called "cider" and the white ruff is a thread in an opal color. It really sparkles in the light, and once the brooch is complete, I'll do a little outdoor video to show you just how much the light bounces around on the purls.

I'm hoping to release the work from the ground fabric and turn it into a brooch when I get home from work late this afternoon. I really can't wait to see it finished now. 

I got a chance to get a little stitching in yesterday. My choice, by far, over standing on my feet making hickory syrup for a few hours before going to work for six hours. 

In the time I had to lose myself in this project, I managed to add the chipping to my Corgi's face. I still have to do the white on his paws, but I really wanted to finish the facial features before turning my attention back to the white couching. I'm glad I did. I love the look of the cider-colored brilliant check thread, with a bit of gold accenting the ear and the forehead area (referred to as a "stop" on dogs).

I'll work on this again on Saturday, and hope to complete it over the weekend. I do work on Sunday, filling in for another clerk who needed the time off. She'll be working a day for me next week.

Well? Do you like how he's looking so far? I think he'll make a beautiful brooch, and I'm looking forward to seeing this one to completion. Then, I'll make another for a CorgiAid fund raiser in honor of Tag. I hope to raise some money to help other Corgis in need.

We have a milestone occasion this weekend, and I can't wait to tell you about it...tomorrow. Happy Friday!!

My Latest Project...

I haven't worked on it since last week, but this is my latest work in progress. My idea is to recreate the corgi on my "For The Love Of A Corgi" logo. I would have loved to work on it yesterday, but weather changes are wreaking havoc with my hands, so I just did other things.

I'm hoping to sit down to this again today. As it's "in progress" and a new concept, I may change things as I go (like the nose placement perhaps a teeny bit lower, and wait until the face is done to add the mouth), so we'll just see where this ends up.

I'm missing Tag a lot these days, so maybe working on this project will help me feel better. Couldn't hurt, right? 

And Now It Begins...

I'm beginning to stitch on my Corgi brooch. First, I'll secured the felt base parts and next I'll proceed to add the actual goldwork components. 

I also framed the wedding monogram this morning. I use beautiful round frames that hold the hoops I use to do the needlework. I have one that's always a working frame, but once the pieces are done, I rehoop my work into a new one for my recipients.

I trimmed the excess fabric around the hoop and then take a running stitch around the edge of the fabric to gather around the back of the hoop and secure all the edges. Then, I cut a piece of felt into a circle and stitch that to the back of the piece. There is no glue involved at all. 

After I remounted the hoop into the frame, I added the backing plate. The final touch was to add a "Brynwood Bridal" label, and then I was finished! As promised before, I'll share photos on Saturday with you.

I also made a batch of cinnamon rolls (now that I've discovered just how simple they are to make). I put lots of cream cheese frosting on them, and add a container of frosting to go with the rolls I shared. They. Are. So. Good! I know I'll be sharing more with friends in the future.

I'll do more needlework today, so I'll make sure I take photos to show you how much I manage to accomplish. See you tomorrow!

Fly Away...

The bottom ladybug was my first attempt, and I used check purls for the spots. I keep the first of every goldwork piece I make "for the archives". After the first one, I used tiny 32mm sequins and check purls to attach them. 

Those two are already listed in my Etsy shop HERE and HERE, and are ready to fly to new homes. (I created a separate listing for each brooch.)

Each Ladybug Brooch measures approximately 1-1/4" long by 1" wide by 1/4" thick. As they are smaller, I decided to use a pair of tiny magnets for wearing them. One magnet is adhered under the cork backing, and the other on the outside back.

Now that they're completed and listed in my shop, I'll be setting up my next project. This one has a deadline as it's a wedding gift for my great-nephew and his bride to be. They're getting married this month, so I'll be stitching this one start to finish.

After I finish the wedding gift, I'll be making the last four frogs to go to the Final Four giveaway winners. My plan is for all of them to be completed and mailed by the end of this month. 

I'm at work today, so the stitching will begin tomorrow. My best intentions are always to stitch in the evening when I get back home, but that hasn't worked out lately, so I won't make promises I can't keep. 

Oh, and I'm so happy that the day was uneventful yesterday. Where we live, it seemed to get darker for a while in the afternoon, but the birds never got quiet. I think they were so happy with the clear blue skies and 60º temperatures that they just couldn't help themselves. I kept working on my goldwork pieces and hoped for the best. Mind you, I'm certainly not complaining! Uneventful is good. See you tomorrow!

Another Bug...

Another ladybug that will be turned into a brooch as soon as #3 is completed. I don't know where my head was yesterday when I said Handsome had a rehearsal. He only has them on Monday nights, but weather and a couple work days added to my schedule, for some reason my week is all turned around. Sigh.

I did stitch all day, but an unexpected chaotic event helped me decide to stand down for the night. You see, I was relaxed and stitching away...sort of in Zen mode. I had a cup of tea at my side, as I sat next to our window bench in the dining room. While I use my lighted magnifier, I like working with natural light, too, and this is my favorite spot for stitching.

I hadn't noticed that Claudette had decided to lie down on the bench, also enjoying her view out the window, but I'd soon know she was there. 

Handsome came over to check out my ladybug progress and told me that he'd seen some recently expired Japanese beetles on the floor near me. He complimented my work and left the room. I thanked him, but didn't give it another thought. Then, without warning, he appeared behind me with the hand vac to suck up the dead beetles...neither of us aware that Claudette was behind me...until...

As he came around the corner with that vac turned on, she made a beeline away from the sound...across my lap, knocking over my cuppa, and scratching my leg in her haste to exit the room and escape the vacuum monster. I darn-near had a heart attack. I'm sure it was like watching a cartoon!

First order of business was to make sure that there was no tea on my needlework. I let out a big sigh when I realized it was safe. Then to assess any other damage. There was tea all over the quilt I used to cover the cushion on the window bench. Tea had splashed all over my plastic storage containers for beads, etc. so I had to mop up all tha, plus the floor.

I had to move everything off the bench and then Handsome took the quilt downstairs to the washer, while I grabbed paper towels to clean up the floor and my containers. It wasn't until everything was "back to normal" that I realized how much adrenaline I expended during the whole event. I suddenly just needed to sit down and collect myself. I also declared that this must have been some kind of cosmic message to stop stitching for the rest of the day, so that's what I did.

I work tonight, but I'm going to get a good run at Ladybug #3 before I have to leave at 7:00 for a few hours. I've relearned a valuable lesson, too, by the way. NO BEVERAGES or food around my needlework anymore. It's something I had never done for years until lately, but this was a caution (without damage) to quit it, so I'll make sure my work isn't at risk again in the future.

Hoping to finish #3 today as I picked up another work shift tomorrow. I've learned that by the time I get home, I might be too gassed to stitch. Otherwise, I'll complete the third ladybug on Sunday. Either way, I'll soon have finished ladybugs to share with you. Here's to an uneventful day of needle dancing.

Working It Out...

I've completed this much of my little ladybug, but am still working out how I want the head and antennae to look. 

Heads are typically black, so that's the direction I'm heading, but I still have to delineate the eyes so they don't disappear. I think I'm going to outline the eye beads with gold super pearl purl - as I outlined  the body. I'm planning to use a thin wire for the antennae.

I'm going to finish it today, and then work on the other two so I can "release" them all at the same time. I already have 3mm sequins I'm going to try on the next body to use for the spots. (Thanks for that idea!)

Handsome has been in the hospital for the past couple days with a recurring issue, but I'm hoping to bring him home today. It would be nice to spend Easter together. 

Wishing all my friends a Happy Easter.