Current WIP...

This is my current Work In Progress (WIP). I'm making a Birthday cushion for a special little two year old - my great-nephew. His party is on Sunday, and I only just learned that he's a huge Mickey Mouse fan. 

Knowing that, and owing him a cushion for his bedroom (as I did for his two sisters), this will be the perfect design for this sweet boy.

I'll be sure to share photos of him opening his gift - and if possible, catching his mama's expression, too. She really appreciates and treasures the handcrafted gifts her husband's aunty makes for their family. 

I'll get this finished by early afternoon (first I'll press the embroidery - thank you, Destiny - and add a stabilizer to the back of it), and then I have another Birthday party to attend this evening for a dear classmate. It's going to be a busy couple of days, so I'm really glad to be 100% again! I'll share party photos on Monday. Off to the studio now...

Walking AND Chewing Gum...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bread Day

 

I got sidetracked yesterday when Handsome told me we were out of bread. That doesn't send me to the grocery store. It sends me to our kitchen. It was snowing like mad when we got up, so I wouldn't have left the house anyway.

I alternated my kitchen time with studio time, running back upstairs while my dough was proofing. By the end of the day, not only was our kitchen smelling of fresh-out-of-the-oven bread, but I'd also completed machine embroideries for a special project I'll need this weekend.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Embroideries and Fabric

 

Destiny and I ran the embroideries, chose the fabric, and would have completed this project if I'd had one more element that I was missing here in the studio. I'll be running out this morning to get that, and you won't see this again until after it's gifted on Sunday.

 

I'm making this is for the newest member of our family. She is my great great niece. This doesn't make me feel old, as her dad isn't yet 20, and her grandma is only 34. My sister is her great great grandma at 54.  This baby is being Christened on Sunday, so I'll be there to celebrate with her/my family. First, I need to finish this project!

Production Sewing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Shop Hop Crossbody Bag Parts

 

I enjoyed a lot of relaxing this past weekend, but I also managed to do a bit of production work, too. I'm nearly finished sewing the BW Shop Hop Crossbody Bags I prepared last week for the upcoming show.

 

I've got a few new cork prints that I've been playing with, and I'm doing a few more machine embroideries for this lot. I'll finish working on them today, and then I'll be able to show you the completed bags.

 

My plan is to have a nice assortment of bags for the show I'm doing on the 24th. I'll also be listing some of them in my Etsy shop leading up to the show. My timetable is done, and my production is under way, so I'm right on schedule. More sewing today, as well as the rest of this week. I'm looking forward to showing you the newest pieces. 

I'm off to get my morning coffee, and then I'll be upstairs in the studio. I love this time of year. Now that it's getting colder outside, this is where I prefer to be...inside, looking out. wink

 

Working On New Pieces...

Brynwood Needleworks - Dog-Themed Embroideries

 

I'm running multiple embroideries right now, preparing new pieces and fulfilling orders. Some will be available in my shop later this week. Some will be Shop Hop Crossbody Bags, and the others will be a new style clutch. Fun times.

Our porch project is nearly finished, so I'll be taking photographs to share with you in the next day or so. The weather is supposed to fall apart, so I'm hoping to be able to get good shots before it does. I can tell you that the rails really finish off the project beautifully. Every time Handsome and I go outside, we have to stand and admire our new porch. Lots of smiles these days.

Abby Clutch II...

Brynwood Needleworks - Abby Clutch Detail

I originally asked Destiny to stitch out this machine embroidery on Monday. However, she was (apparently) in a snit, and the result wasn't up to my standards. We tried again today, and I adjusted the colors to better resemble the markings on the dog owned by the recipient. I'm very happy with how this one turned out.

Brynwood Needleworks - Abby Clutch Interior Monogram

My client requested the same brown fabric (I do offer this print in black and navy, too.), and the dark color is perfect for this embroidery. I also used the colorful paw print fabric for this clutch, but added a monogram to personalize this piece. Of course, there's always a penny inside for good luck!

Brynwood Needleworks - Abby Clutch With Wristlet

I've already wrapped this up in pretty paper and a bow, as it's a gift from a husband to his wife. I showed him these images, and he says she's going to "love it".  Hearing a client say that makes everything I do worth while.

Today, I stitch, and I'll share some goodies from this weeks' Sit & Sew with you, too. Gotta run. I'm off to the mailbox.
 

A Needle Dancing Day With Friends...

Brynwood Needleworks - Needle Keep Project From Florida

 

I was at our monthly Sit & Stitch with the ladies yesterday in Menasha. My project was this little needle keep kit I purchased from Searsport Rug Hooking when I was in Florida. I sat, happily needle dancing, while visiting with Kathy D., Lisa Bongean, and our friends at Primitive Gatherings Studio. 

I really was missing attending, so I'm glad I could be there today. Tag rode up with me, and he was quite content to sleep in my Explorer while I was there. Afterward, we drove over to my sister's home (the one I saw over the weekend), and we had dinner together at a great sushi restaurant before I drove back to the farmhouse. I'm not an adventurous sushi eater. I prefer my seafood cooked, so there was no raw fare on our table. It was delicious.

Tag and I got back home around 10:00 pm, so we had a lovely, but long and pleasantly tiring day. I'll complete this project later in the week, and show you when it's done. I also came home with a few other things that I'll tell you about before the weekend. (It's really cool stuff!)

Brynwood Needleworks - Making A Donation Clutch For The Winner

 

I thought I'd get this donation Abby Clutch project finished on Monday, but after machine embroidering the entire dog design to go on the front, I saw that there was a blank space on the face that somehow didn't get stitched. gahh! It was 1:00 am Tuesday when I finished stitching it out, and much too late to start another one, so I headed to bed and then spent the day in Menasha. I'll redo it today, and then complete the clutch so it can mail out right away. Then, I'll be able to work on another project.

I'm having a great time reading the comments you're leaving on my 10th Anniversary Blog Giveaway! If you haven't entered yet, just click on the link at the top of my sidebar. I'll be adding more giveaway prizes before the weekend, too, so be sure to keep reading this week so you can see what else you could win.

Have a great Wednesday and I'll be back tomorrow with updates. 

A Corgi Clutch...

Custom Machine Embroidery

 

In order to create this clutch, my client chose one of my myriad Corgi machine embroideries...with one catch. She didn't want the tail, and her tri-color pup had very little brown in her coat. 

Changing colors is easy. It took a little longer to remove the tail, but I did it. A little hocus here, and pocus there, and this embroidery became tailless. I pulled the fabric, stitched out the embroidery, and then it was time to assemble the clutch.

 

Custom Machine Embroidered Clutch

 

I'm going to add a cork wristlet, and then it will be finished. Getting to this point took longer than I expected, so I'll make the Doxie bag(s) today. 

 

I'm also getting the sniffles. It was another reason to shut down earlier than I usually would have yesterday. I'm too busy to be getting sick right now. If any bug would just hold off until after Christmas, that would be wonderful. I'm drinking lots of water, orange and pineapple juice, and I'm going to make sure I take care of myself. One day at a time. Now...where's my list?

 

Jacket Finished and Mailed...

Jean Jacket With Custom Embroideries

 

My jacket project is finished and will go in the mail today. It will arrive in time for my client to wear it to her next dog show Valentine's weekend. I think she'll really draw attention wearing it.

I'm scheduled for a long-overdue massage this afternoon. I haven't had one since my last pampering session with Krisann, and that was last winter in Florida! I'm really going to enjoy the attention. Plymouth, here I come! 

 

I'm taking the rest of the day off and will be back in the studio on Saturday morning. Another commission is waiting for my attention, and I'll be listing more fabrics and projects in my shop this weekend. More tomorrow. Toodles!

Currently Under My Needle...

Embroidery Placement Options

 

Destiny and I have been working on a custom order for corgi embroideries on a client's jacket. These are the two layouts from which I gave her a choice. We agreed on Layout 1.
 

I'll be embroidering the designs today so I can ship it to her by tomorrow. I think my client is going to love her new jacket! Do you agree?

Dang!...

Stitching Out Corgi Embroidery

I was stitching out the embroidery for my next commission - a corgi tote -  and decided that I'd make another right away for one of my crossbody wallets (for stock). This one stitched out like a dream, but I think I waste time switching the threads between colors, so I thought I'd try something different (after the first one was done).

Destiny With Off-Machine Thread Holder

I have a wooden thread stand that holds a total of fourteen threads, so I instead of setting up one thread at a time, I only have to pull the thread from there to the machine. It would go faster that way. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Oops! Bobbin Thread Showing In Front

I'm glad you asked. Something happened to the tension in my stitches. This is the only thing that changed, so I guess I'll have to go back to the "old" way. sigh Yes. I threw this one out. I was twenty three minutes into a thirty five minute design...and all that thread...now in the trash. Back to the drawing board (so to speak).
 

I Got One Done

 

As least one is finished. I'll give it another go today. I have to make this work because I have another commission where the design has to be stitched directly onto a finished item. I can't have this glitch happening on that! 

 

I'll be troubleshooting this morning until Destiny can do her thing without errors. Wish me luck, please. I have projects that need finishing. 

 

Short And Sweet...

2017 Christmas Projects List

   

I got 18 thread changes into my corgi embroidery (the first of two for a commission) yesterday, only to have to toss it. Some days it just doesn't go by the book.

I'm starting fresh today and will complete both of the two I need before lunch. Then, I'll start assembly of the wallet and tote that's calling for them.

Above, you'll see my Christmas projects list. One of the lap quilt tops is already finished, so I just need to quilt and bind that one. The second one is in assembled pieces, so I need to sew that one together first, and then quilt and bind it. Everything else is yet to be started. I'll choose fabrics and begin sewing in "the workshop" by Sunday morning, and my goal is to have everything sewn (as I said yesterday), by the time Handsome is home on the 18th.

I'll show photos every day, so you can see how I'm doing, and what I have left. I'll also check off my list as I go, so we can keep score together. If you need me, you'll know where to look! 

Better get started. See you tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Grab & Go Goes Irish...

Grab & Go Celtic Crossbody Clutch Embroidery

Finished yesterday, and will be handed to its new owner today. I love how this one turned out. The claddagh embroidery on the front stitched out beautifully on the cork.

Front of Celtic Crossbody Clutch

I created this one in a vertical format, rather than the horizontal format I had used previously. I'll be adding new bags in this vertical format soon.

Back of Celtic Crossbody Clutch

 

The back is all natural cork. The interior is the same green fabric shown on the front of the bag. The shoulder strap is 48" long. 

This was definitely a fun project to make. I have another commission to do in this format - with a different embroidery, but I have four Brynwood Crossbody Wallets to make first. I'm on a roll now!

 

Switching Colors...

Black Lab Embroidery

I'm working on an embroidered piece for a client. She requested a chocolate Labrador retriever. I gave her a number of Labrador head and body embroideries from which to choose, and she loved this one. I admit, it's a great face. My job was to convert the color key to resemble a chocolate, rather than black dog.

Brynwood Needleworks - Chocolate Lab Embroidery

 

The machine stitching is complete now. I did add some thread painting to the nose and eyes to give it a bit more dimension, and now I'm really happy with the result. (I shot this image slightly off axis, so it appears shorter than it actually is.)

I have to do some pre-election/clerk work this morning, but I'll be piecing and assembling the rest of this project this afternoon and evening. I'll share the result with you next week.

 

Edited Web Image

Oh, it's that time of year again. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead an hour before you hit the hay tonight. (An hour less sleep. Just what I need. Yeah...not really.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Coraline In Tourmaline...

Brynwood Needleworks - Coraline in Tourmaline

This is the first of a new line of wristlets and clutches I'll be listing in my Etsy shop. The design is from Swoon Patterns, and it's called Coraline. I'm creating them under a licensing agreement with Swoon.

Brynwood Needleworks - Coraline in Tourmaline

I'm using sample fabric swatches that are now discontinued, so each of my wristlets will be true one-of-a-kind pieces. There will not be another like this one.

Brynwood Needleworks - Coraline in Tourmaline

Each of these wristlets will have an interior currency pocket, with six credit card slots. (Sorry, the currency isn't included.) There's plenty of room for your cell phone, along with any other items you'd like to carry with you.

You can find all the details about this particular bag in my Etsy shop:

 BrynwoodNeedleworks. 

One more thing about my Etsy shop: I will not be taking any special orders after November 30th for the month of December. I may put the shop in vacation mode, so that I'll have the time to work on Christmas gifts and spend holiday time with my family. Any custom orders placed prior to November 30th will be fulfilled in time for Christmas.

Of course, you'll hear from me every day here on my blog, so I hope you'll continue to visit as you're able through the holidays.

Brynwood Needleworks - Logo Embroideries

I now have digitized images of my logos that I'm able to machine embroider right onto my creations. I had fun playing with Destiny to stitch them out before I began sewing yesterday. You'll notice that I've already started using them on my Coralines. (I love them!) What do you think?

Bella's back! I'd love to tell you all about her return to Brynwood, but I don't want to spoil Tag's post for next week. He's got plenty to say about their reunion. hee hee 

Enjoy your weekend. Handsome, Tag, Bella and I plan to do the same.

Workin' For The Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Studio work

Tag and I went down to Harbour Heights yesterday morning to say "hi" to the ladies at Nifty 50s. 

 

The boy was a big hit, hearing lots of "He's so cute"s, and getting lots of attention. I didn't go to sew, as I'm picking up my new portable sewing machine today, but I'll definitely be sewing next time we gather! (I'll tell you all about my new machine tomorrow!)

Brynwood Needleworks - Setting up an embroidery commission

I was ready to come home and start stitching out the embroidery for my client, but found a revision in my email inbox first. Soooo, back to the computer.

Working in the studio is a little awkward these days. I have the room set up with my machine table against the fabric shelves for showings, but I have to completely rearrange to this position to be able to use the embroidery feature(s) on Destiny. Otherwise, her embroidery arm would ram into whatever is in the way when she's working (which is a really bad thing).

By the time I finished setting up for the embroidery, it was dinner time, and time to shut down for the night. I'll get back to it today. I'll work on my To Do list, too....workin' for the weekend.

Hand Embroidered Bliss...

Brynwood Needleworks via deshilachado.com

 I'm finishing a machine embroidery today, but you know how my heart adores hand embroidered pieces...especially in a nature theme.

Brynwood Needleworks via Helen Richman-Blue Bird Embroidery Co-Fox

So while Destiny and I are stitching away in the studio, I thought
I'd share a few of my recent favorite images worked by talented hands.

Brynwood Needleworks via Inspirations Magazine - Needleartist unknown

This one looks good enough to eat! 

Brynwood Needleworks via  Jenny McWhinney - Apple Bunny

While this one is beyond sweet!

Brynwood Needleworks via Jenny McWhinney - Autumn Squirrel

Of course, no flora and fauna collection would be complete for me without a tiny, embroidered squirrel to bring a smile to my face.

Brynwood Needleworks via Windflower Embroidery

And, where there are squirrels, you'll find acorns!

All are "swoon-worthy" to me.

I'm going to keep working, now.  I'll be back tomorrow with an update. Happy Hump Day! hee hee