New Listings...

I've started listing new items in my Etsy shop. These are two wonderful Elizabeth Bradley kits - never opened - that I'm going to send along to new homes.

This one is a mini kit - finishing at 6" x 6" - of a beautiful poppy and butterfly. I have other Bradley kits I'm keeping, but This one I've decided to let go. 

The second kit I've listed is for this gorgeous Magnolia kit, complete with everything needed to finish as a full-size kit. These kits are both done in Victorian Cross Stitch, which is cross stitch done with wools on a 10 hold-to-the-inch painted canvas. There are also full size colored charts to help determine the correct color for a stitch.

While I still have kits I'm going to stitch myself, these two I'm going to sell at a discounted price for others to enjoy. You can find them in my shop by clicking on the Etsy shop link in my sidebar  ----> 

Retreat Finishes...

Brynwood Needleworks - Magnolia Bud Table Runner

I finished a UFO this week. I went to the Sebring retreat with four completed paper-pieced quilt blocks from a Grannie Suzannie kit called "Magnolia Bud". I left with a completed table runner.

The pattern called for the blocks to be arranged into a square with a black background, floral fabric. I chose fabrics from my studio, instead, and turned my blocks on-point to make a table runner.

It's finished just in time for Valentine's Day, but I also think it has a bit of a Christmas feel, so I can use it for two holidays. I'm extremely happy with the way it turned out.

Brynwood Needleworks - Kit Bag

 

This was the project that was demonstrated for attendees to make at the retreat. It's a quick project bag that will hold nearly anything. I'll put this into the 2016 Birthday/Christmas gift pile. (The lining is a periwinkle-colored, print fabric that matches the zipper.)

I also completed quite the assortment of selvage blocks to add to my collection. I've told you my plan is to eventually assemble them into a queen-size quilt, haven't I?

Jamie and I are heading home having enjoyed three days away from home. We had a great time and are looking forward to more sewing days spent together in the future.

Tomorrow, I'll share photos of the projects that my other friends worked on (or completed) in Sebring. There are some really beautiful quilt tops on their way to the long-arm, as well as some other fun pieces. Today, I'll enjoy being back home and getting back in the swing here.

Victorian Cross Stitch Kits - Elizabeth Bradley...

Before I ever learned to quilt, I spent many happy hours working on
cross stitch. After I opened my needlework shop, Stitches in Wisconsin
I attended more than a few needlework markets and discovered these kits.

They are cross stitch executed in wools on printed canvas, and the
technique is called "Victorian Cross Stitch". The kits are designed by
Elizabeth Bradley from the UK. (She also sells through stockists in America.)

When I attended market, Elizabeth could be found stitching at a frame in her
booth while her gregarious husband, Nick greeted shopkeepers and took orders.
It was difficult to ignore all the beautiful wool pieces they brought with them.
I couldn't resist their quality and detail, so I chose many of the kits for my shop. 

When we moved to Florida, I decided to work on my first kit, "Daisy".

It took six diligent weeks to complete, to the exclusion of all else.

Although I haven't had it framed (which is my intent), I take it out from

time to time and admire the vibrant colors on the black ground wools.

Using the black, as with quilting, really pops the colors in the flowers.

"Lily"

In addition to the "Daisy" kit, I also selected a few other personal favorites.

The finished designed are 16" square on 20" square canvased and come complete

with printed pattern, printed canvas, wools and needles in a box showing the full 

color design on the cover...ready to stitch! Exquisite kits from start to finish.

"Hollyhock"

Of course, "Hollyhock" would have to be one of my choices!

"Sunflower Basket"

"Sunflower Basket", because it reminded me of Mom Grace, and

"Magnolia"

"Magnolia".

All the kits are perfect for taking on our travels, and this one reminds me 

of the heady, fragrant blossoms on the specimen tree in our front yard.

When pulling the link for Elizabeth's American website, I found that

there is now a "Geranium" kit, too. (sigh) I may have to add it to my 

collection. If you'd like to look at her designs, this is a link to kits like mine.

Oh, and here's the link so you can see the "Geranium" kit.

It's gorgeous, isn't it?

This is the last of my "auto pilot" posts. Thanks for being so patient with me.

I'll be back tomorrow to tell you a bit about my short hiaitus.

Fuzzy Pants...

I shared images of our beautiful magnolia blossoms with you on Easter Sunday. Today, I want you to see how a person can find something unexpected when one takes a closer look.

First, I noticed that the pods covering the magnolia blossoms are fuzzy. Then, I realized that, as the blossom starts to open, it completely sheds that outer covering to reveal the beautiful, large, white flowers inside.

I searched the ground under the tree to look for some of those shed coverings and found this one...
I started to giggle looking at it. Do you know what I thought of as I held it in the palm of my hand?

Fuzzy, corgi pants!

I'm keeping that blossom covering for myself, but if anyone is interested in some of the fuzzy pods for some of their artwork, let me know. I'm happy to send out a handful of them! They're all dome-shaped and unique. (The first two people to request them will get some in the mail.)

I finished my commission project yesterday and will be back working on the Summertime quilt again. Hope you have something creative planned for today!

Promises Fulfilled...

Thanks to Kes and her requirement to "visit the outdoors" at
regular intervals throughout the day, I caught the start of a
magnificent, annual flower show here at Brynwood.

We planted a magnolia tree in our front yard about five
years ago, and since it came to live with us, it has thrived.
In a few short years, it has nearly doubled in height,
and the flowers are the size of dinner plates!

Yesterday, I captured the first blossom of the year to share
with you...along with one of the unopened buds.
Our tree is full of these buds, so it will offer
its ongoing gifts over the next few weeks.

Spring is a series of promises fulfilled.
Nature's gifts of new life.
Fragrances that bring to mind years gone by.
Be it blossoms or babies, it's
God's proof that life goes on.

I hope that today, you find your own promise fulfilled.

It's Been Raining All Week...

This time of year in Florida, the rains start and fears of wildfire start to subside. The retaining ponds which are usually full of water have been empty for months with beds of ugly, cracked clay. Any little spark might start a fire that can engulf acres in a matter of minutes, so residents live in fear until the rains return to rehydrate the landscape.

We've been fortunate to have rain every day this week, and those ponds have filled with water again. The plants and trees are green and blossoming. Even the birds and animals seem to be grateful for the moisture. On Monday, I saw a bobcat crossing our street...muddy paws and all.

In our little corner of the world, our magnolia tree is in full bloom. Large - I mean, really large - blossoms fill it's branches.. I wish my blog had a "scratch and sniff" feature, just so you could experience the heavenly fragrance that I get when I walk past the tree.

This is one of the trees that symbolizes the South for me. The magnificent magnolia. Magnolias and cypress trees...my two Southern favorites. And we have both on our property. They just make me smile whenever I'm around them.

I'll share photos of my beautiful cypress trees in a future post. Today, you can see my magnolia blossoms, close your eyes and just imagine the heady fragrance after a week of rain. Really, it's wonderful.