A New Toy...

Gen 6 iPad and Pencil

Some days come with wonderfully pleasant surprises. When I moved back to the farmhouse this spring, I tried to turn on my Gen 1 iPad, only to find that it was completely, irrevocably, and sadly "dead". I couldn't even turn it on. (boo!)

Then, I recently "cracked" my iPhone 6 plus screen, and lamented that I may have to spend the money to purchase a new one. (double boo!) So, yesterday morning, I made an appointment to take my phone to the Genius Bar at the Bayshore (WI) Apple store. Mid-afternoon, Handsome and I headed the hour south for my appointment.

Apple Pencil and iPad Cover

While waiting for my appointment, I was checked in by one of the geniuses, who took a look at my phone. I had purchased a screen protector this spring, and it turns out the crack was in the glass screen protector and not my phone!! We removed it, and my phone was good as new! (This revelation saved us about $150 (or the cost of a new phone), and a couple of hours' wait. (squeeee!)

Getting back to the iPad issue, Handsome decided to surprise me by letting me choose a new iPad. I chose this beauty. Handsome had a brand new Apple pencil (used to "write" on the screen to mark documents, etc.) that he also gave me, so now I'm back in business.

I got a protective cover/stand, and I'll keep everything together in one of my handcrafted cases when I'm not using it.

New Gen 6 Screen and Apple Pencil

 

I'd hoped to write this post on my iPad, but I still have a few things to learn in the new operating system before I can do that. Maybe tomorrow. Today, I'll be learning new things, and transferring a bit of data into my new "toy". Thanks, Husband!!

Completed Special Order...

Oh, dear. I so enjoyed yesterday as I spent my time designing a

custom iPad cover for my friend, Sharon J. of Corgis In My Garden.

She asked for an appliqued' corgi, and chose colors of rose,

gray, and white. Beyond that, she left the design up to me.

Oh, and she wanted it to have a flap, too. She emailed the measurements of

 her particular iPad model and I took it from there. I had so darn much fun!

I lined it with a fabric using tiny rosebuds, so I think I met all her

requests. It's all finished and ready to ship on its way to her and 

the Corgi girls. I sure hope she loves it and gets lots of use from it.

It's nicely padded, so I know it will protect her tablet for a long time.

If you're interested in a special order tablet cover, please contact me. I'd

love to create something just to your taste. I price them according to the

features and size you choose. I'd love to play in the studio for you, too!

Cases Or Sleeves?...

 I had great fun in the studio yesterday. I got this far on a number

of my tablet "assembly line" pieces, and then I started to rethink.

 At this point, my tablet cases would be considered "sleeves".

 The main fabric is embellished and padded. Then, I

lined them with soft, pretty flannel to protect the tablet.

 What I'm rethinking is whether to keep them just like this - as sleeves.

 Or to add the padded, lined flap with the velcro closure.

 If I add the flap, the "sleeves" become "cases".

Many people (women) slip their iPads and Kindles into

a tote bag or handbag when they carry them, so I

wonder if the flap is necessary. More work, but would

they bring more money for the guild, too? I can't decide.

Sleeve or Case. hmmm

What do you think?

To flap, or not to flap? 

That is the question.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho...

 I'm having fun in the studio with my tablet case project.

So far, I've had a lot of fun choosing elements to embellish each one.

I'm using vintage laces and fabrics that coordinate with my custom tapes.

 My goal is to make all of them fun, girly and pretty. Today I'll begin sewing.

The assembly line process makes things progress a lot faster, so I'll

be sharing a few finishes with you tomorrow. It's off to work I go!

Wooly One Complete...

 

 I put the finishing touches on Block One of

the Wooly Critter Sampler yesterday morning.

I used overdyed wools for the little chickadee and flowers...

and Sulky #12 threads for the buttonhole stitching all around them.

Block One completed in the first week of January. 

Not bad, so far. We'll see if I can keep up.

I'm heading to Coffee Club with the girls this morning, so I'll be adding

my block to the design wall with the rest of this month's completed blocks.

Artwork for sale by "vintagize" on Etsy

Handsome is actually playing percussion up in Gibsonton today...

for a circus! He does this every year and really enjoys it.

He always says the same thing about it when he gets home, though.

If anyone is interested in this little snippet of knowledge,

(Who knows? You may be asked this on Jeopardy or something.)

Camels REALLY stink!

When Tag and I get back home from Harbour Heights today, 

I'll head back to the studio to continue work on my tablet cases.

Hope you all have a restful and creative weekend.

Perfect For The Studio...

 ...and anywhere else I want to use it.

I've always had a Bose Sound Dock to play my first and second generation 

iPods in the studio. It was actually the only way I could still play music on 

my iPods, which wouldn't be controlled or charged without dropping them 

into the dock. My two iPods are ancient by anyone's standards, so I

depended on the Dock to keep them going. Then it happened. My Dock died.

 Bose has a great program if your Dock dies. You can send it back to them

and they'll give you a deep discount on purchasing another of their products.

Handsome surprised me when he chose a Bluetooth Speaker from their

product line for me to use in the studio - or anywhere else. It's so dang small

that I can pick it up and move it anywhere in the house, Flying Cloud or...

anywhere! I paired the Bluetooth with my iPhone and iPad, so I can play all 

my music through it without cords and cables that need to be plugged into the 

precious few outlets in my work area. It only connects to recharge the battery!

 And look at how small it is! It's about the size of a useful clutch handbag.

I think I'll have to use my sewing machines standing up, so that when I'm

in the studio, this girl can get her groove on! (giggle) I don't know about you,

but when the Doobies, Eagles, Al Green, Roy Orbison, the Bee Gees (just to 

name a few) are playing within earshot, I can't help it. I have to dance!

You know what I'm going to say next, right? Yup. I've got the greatest 

husband in the whole world. Don't argue with me now. Handsome is the best!

Who would have thought that a bluetooth speaker could make your feel young?

(Here's a link in case you'd like to learn more about it.)

If you're looking for me, I'll be in the studio dancing while I play!

Oh, yeah. Happy August! (already)

Yes, Honey...

 It's not often that I get a special request from Handsome, but when he asks

 me to create something just for him, my answer is always, "Yes, Honey!"

To tell the truth, I'm always honored to do things for him, whether it's to

hold the new snare wires just where he needs them until he can tighten them

onto his newest drum; cut his hair; or help him with something in the yard. I'm an

old-fashioned wife that way. This time, his request was for a new iPad case.

 I have a stash of music-themed fabrics (don't look so surprised!), so I hauled

them out and let him choose his favorite. I just purchased this one at 

Sandy's Quilt Shop and I love it! I glad Handsome did, too! Next, I showed him 

his choices for the lining/contrast fabric. He also asked for a velcro closure instead

of the flap I usually add. Once that was all decided, it was time for me to wake up 

Prissy (my Babylock quilt machine) from her afternoon nap and get to work.

By late day yesterday, I handed the finished iPad case over to Handsome.

He thanked me and told me it was exactly what he envisioned.

Mission Accomplished!

I can't tell you how much I like seeing that smile on his face.

I got an email from my friend, Claudia of Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

She's moved her blog over to WordPress, in case you hadn't heard.

I want to share her new URL so that you can visit her new home.

She's at http://mockingbirdhillcottage.com/ now.

She'll be glad you stopped in to visit.

Be sure to click here to enter my 1200 Post Giveaway if you haven't yet.

I'll be drawing all the winning names on August 31st at midnight.

There's still time to enter!

Such A Busy Day...

Yesterday was a really great day. Handsome and I spent the morning doing outside "housework". We cleaned the gutters yesterday but stopped short of cleaning up the stuff we pulled out of them. That meant the first order of the day involved picking it all up.

While he was doing that, I was making another mess trimming the palm trees and hibiscus bushes. He came around with the yard tractor, pulling a little trailer which he quickly refilled - multiple times. Then, the last order of business was the most difficult job.

The areca palm that has flourished next to our waterfall in the Holidome got really out of control. It was absolutely stunning to see it next to the pool, but unfortunately, it was outgrowing it's in-ground planter and we feared it would start pushing the pavers and damaging the pool. We had to take it out.

We were really sad about removing it, but we worked our way right down to the base. All that's left is to split the root ball and take that out, too.  Taking it out has sure opened up the light in that corner of the pool! (We're trying to tell each other that it's a vast improvement, but we're only halfhearted in our enthusiasm.)

We finished our work by noon which left the rest of the day for me to spend in the studio. Trouble is that I have so many projects I'd like to work on right now that I didn't know where to start. You know what happens then, right? Yup. I cleaned the studio! (Don't laugh!)

By late afternoon, everything was cleaned and I chose the fabrics in this picture to make another iPad cover. (Thank you to the sweet person who purchased my "girly" iPad cover the day after I listed it on Etsy!) I'm going to make more girly-themed covers, but I came across this fabric (which I love) while I was organizing some of my stash, so I'm going to make one with this, too.

I'm going to spend my whole day in the studio, so I'll show you what I accomplish tomorrow. I hope you have a creative day, too!

New iPad and Reader Cases...

I finished two new cases yesterday...One is a creamy, sweet, 

Vintage chic iPad case which will fit the first generation iPad and more.

The back of the case is embellished with a vintage doily 

with more pretty, vintage lace and shell accents on the front.

Inside the case, you'll find a beautiful script-style fabric...

as well as more lace and an interior pocket!

The binding for the flap is even hand sewn.

This case measures (approximately) 8 1/4" x 11 1/2". (Outside)

 It's padded and pretty.

Can you imagine a sweeter way to protect your technology?

 My second case is a little smaller.

It measures (approx) 7" x 9" on the inside 

and 7 1/2" x 10" on the outside so you can

measure your reader to see if it will fit.

 The reverse of the case is constructed using a British-themed fabric,

and finished with the iconic "Keep Calm and Carry On" tape.

What do you think?

 This one is lined in soft, blue flannel with trim to match the exterior.

Both items are available in my Etsy shop: brynwoodneedleworks

I'm working on another design in the next day or 

so and can't wait to debut that one, too! Soon.

Tag says he thinks it will be his favorite!

My Newest Completed iPad Case...

A padded, safe spot for my iPad to sleep.

 Yes. I finished my iPad case yesterday!

The front with the flap open, showing the velcro closure.

 To honor my British birthplace and Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee...

The back, featuring Lillalotta's "Keep Calm" wide twill ribbon.

 I chose a Union Jack and "streets of London" theme.

Nice, soft and coordinated inside.

I lined my case with soft blue flannel.

Of course, I had to add a strip of fabrics mirroring the exterior of the case...

and my Brynwood label.

One folded "Keep Calm" label will hold my stylus. I'm using my Union Jack pencil for the photo.

 It's the perfect size for my first generation iPad.

I'm also finishing a second one better sized to the second generation iPad.

That one will be available for sale soon.

(If you're interested in one, please email me for more information.)

Now that I have this project finished, I'm on to one of my UFOs.

More on that tomorrow.