Making Napkins...

A few years ago, I received a bread basket similar to this one from Son #2 and his family as a Christmas gift. The clay plate in the bottom is to be placed in the oven long enough to get warm, and then it's returned to the basket where it radiates heat to warm bread and/or rolls during the meal.

This year, I got this one as a gift for a family member. I absolutely love the tree of life pattern in the clay, and while I was taught to always choose gifts for others that you would like to receive yourself, this one will be hard to send along. (Not really, but I really like it.)

The fabrics the basket's sitting on were cut today so I can turn them into napkins and two basket liners. Once I finish those, I'll carefully package up the set and send it on its way.

I work tonight, so after I get that task checked off my list, I'll rest a bit before I have to go in. I'll be up early tomorrow to drive to Portage for Craft Day and Annabelle's Birthday party. I want to make sure I don't overdo things today so I'm up for the travel and celebrations tomorrow. For now, I'm off to sew! Once again, it's the weekend already. Rather than "spring forward/fall back", I wish there were a "slow down" setting!

Finished...

I finished all the napkins. They're all labeled, packaged, and inventoried for the show on Saturday. Counting the ones I completed yesterday, I'll have a total of 130 napkins, packaged in sets of two and four.

I haven't made the bookmarks, or anything else on my ambitious list, but I still have a large selection for my booth. There will be cork handbags, totes, pouches, and wallets. I'll also have embroidered jewelry (necklaces), and pincushions. My booth is only an 8' table at this event, so I don't have much space available. I'm quite sure I'll fill every square inch of it, though.

My plan is to create bookmarks to donate as gifts in the Touchmark library after the first of the year. I think the residents would like that, and it will be my way of giving back after the holidays.

I'm going to be on a dead run today. First, I'll be running to the bank to get cash for my show drawer. Then, I'll be making sale signage for my booth, loading all my inventory into totes, and then loading my Explorer so I can be on my way early tomorrow. 

I'll post a little later tomorrow, so I can take a few photographs of my booth to share. I'll have it up by noon for you, so don't worry if you stop by in the morning and I haven't posted yet. Wish me luck!

Weekend Offerings...

This is the first batch of completed napkins for this weekend. These took longer than expected, so I've made the decision to finish what I've already cut out and then make one other small (requested item) to add to my other current offerings for the show.

These five images represent ninety completed napkins. They're 100% cotton, machine washable/dryable, and each double-sided napkin measures 9" square. 

Top Left: Red Berries and Birds (available quantity: 20) Top Right: Dog Breeds (available quantity: 14)

Middle Left: White Poinsettias (available quantity: 24) Middle Right: Dogs 'n Cats (available quantity: 16)

Bottom: Gold Floral (available quantity: 16)

These will be packaged in sets of 2 and sets of 4, so it should offer a nice selection for residents for themselves or as gifts.

I still have four more fabric prints to do today. There are 40 total napkins to finish. So, I'll be taking a total of 130 napkins with me. What I don't sell at the show, I'll list in my Etsy shop and gift some, as well.

It was about mid-afternoon yesterday when I realized that I won't have time to make caddies, but I will be making cork with printed tape bookmarks. Apparently, bookmarks are big sellers because the facility has an impressive, well-used library. The residents love to read, so I'll be sure to make some beautiful placekeepers after I complete the last 40 napkins today.

Tomorrow, I'll enter everything into my Square inventory and pack up to be able to drive out early Saturday. I plan to be at Touchmark by 8:30 am. Jan lives in the area, so she'll meet me there to help me unload the Explorer and set up my booth. As I write this, it's snowing and blowing outside, so I hope that's out of Mother Nature's system by then, so I'm not fighting weather that morning! 

For now, I'll just put my nose to the grindstone and complete these two projects so I'm ready for the next phase. I'll show you the rest of the napkins tomorrow.

Getting Started...

I pulled fabrics yesterday after assessing just what I want to accomplish in the next few days. I also found myself thinking about what kinds of things the residents might be interested in. Rather than spend this time making more handbags and wallets, I decided that fabric napkin sets, mug mats, gift card holders, and walker caddies might be more desirable - especially pretty things for the ladies, and patriotic things for men and/or women.

So, I just started pulling fabrics that I thought might be suitable for my projects. I'm going to do the napkins in sets of two and four. They'll be nine inches square. That's size we use here, and who really needs a big napkin anyway? I haven't decided yet whether or not they'll be two-sided, or just put a mitered hem on single thickness fabric. I'll decide that when I start cutting.

 
I'm sure I won't use all of the fabrics I've photographed here, but these give me myriad options once I begin.

I'm off to the DMV this morning as my driver's license needs to be renewed. They'll be taking a new mug shot, and making sure I can see well enough to get behind the wheel. Once that's over, I'll be back home to start sewing. What's a little production sewing between now and Thursday, right? 

Oh, and tomorrow is my actual Birthday...and I'm working. Talk about poor planning. I should have switched with someone else weeks ago, so now I'm committed. I have a new Birthday photo to share that our dear daughter-in-law snapped over the weekend. I can't wait to show it to you tomorrow! See you then.

Catching Up...

Brynwood Needleworks - Napkins

  I spent the day yesterday catching up on my current waiting list of projects.  

Brynwood Needleworks - Napkins

  

Tuesday was for cutting out and sewing double-sided napkins. By the end of the day, most of these were completed. I'll finish the last of them today and move to the next items on my list. 

I'm away this morning. I'm training for an assistant clerk position with the Sarasota County election board for the upcoming elections. When I get back home, I'll change into my "play clothes" and head back to the studio. There really is joy in "catching up". 

 

Thanks for stopping by to catch up with me. I'll see you again tomorrow! 

On A Wonderful Day Like Today...

 We're invited to the home of friends for dinner this evening, so I

made a "thank you" gift to take along for our hostess. I've been 

making them each time we go to a new home for the first time.

I can tell you that this gift idea has been really appreciated each time.

I chose this soft botanical fabric for one side of these two-sided napkins.

 Because our host is a musician friend, I chose music-themed fabric that

coordinates with the fabric on the front. I'm happy with the way they look.

These napkins took a total of two hours to make from fabric choice to

completion. Making a set of six takes less than an afternoon, and they

really make a nice impression as a gift. I've sent them to friends and

family, too, so I frequently choose colors I already know they love.

Now, all I have to do is decide what I'll wear this evening. hmmmmm.

I'll be joining the girls at our Coffee Club this morning.

Last week was wild, as we all helped with the Going Out Of Business

Sale rather than hanging around drinking coffee and visiting. There was

not time to catch up or commiserate. I'm guessing there will be more of

the same this weekend. Kathy and Nora have had a crazy, busy week.

I'll have one stop after I leave there and then a quick trip to Venice so I

can go to the Venice Guild Quilt Show. I'll spend a couple of hours there

before going home so Handsome and I can go to dinner with friends.

As I think about my schedule today, I can't help but appreciate the blessings

in my life. Doesn't this sound like a wonderful way to spend a Saturday?

(Yup. I think so, too.)

Thanking A Hostess...

 Do you give a gift to your hostess when invited to a party?

I always try to take a little something to let her know we appreciate 

the invitation. Sometimes I take a bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers, 

but my favorite gifts are always handmade. My first choice is a set of 

napkins if I've been to my hosts' home before and know their decor. 

I also have a stack of brand new tea towels that I like to embellish. 

They're simple and easy but have a great wow factor. I just take a strip of 

fabric 2 1/2" wide by the width of the fabric, and cut it to the width of the 

towel (plus 1"). I press each end of the strip under about 1/2". Then turn one 

long edge under about a 1/2" and position it on the towel. (I always double 

check placement by folding the towel in half so the sides meet. I want to make 

sure both ends of the fabric line up with folded.) Topstitch the fabric in place 

about 1/4" from the turned edge. Next, I choose a crocheted lace or woven 

ribbon and sew it down over the other raw edge of the accent fabric. Remember 

to turn the ends of the trim over at the sides so they're finished, too. I do a set 

of two and tie them with a pretty ribbon. It's that simple, but they always look 

like it took a lot longer to make. (Is this understandable? Would pictures help?)

 

We were invited to a friend's home last weekend for a delicious fondue party. 

They live on Siesta Key - right across from the beach, so I thought something 

with a beach theme would be appreciated. A strip of "Martinique" on each towel,

and finished with a lovely mocha crocheted ribbon. They didn't take long either!

There's nothing quite like a personal touch to thank your hostess.

(By the way...they were a hit!)

That's Better...

 Well, it took a little longer than I expected, but it's finally finished. I'm

calling this my "Boho" set.  You know, kind of Bohemian/hippy chic.

 The back of the table runner matches the front of the napkins (first

photograph), and the back of the napkins matches the sashing on the

front of the table runner. It will look great in its new home next month.

 Rich colors and floral goodness. I'm tickled with the results.

 In case you're interested in the fabric line, it's "Old Blooms" by Pat Sloan for 

P & B Textiles. I purchased these fabrics about ten years ago, so dig deep in 

your stash, or look for it in someone else's. It's worth the hunt, I think. The 

dark brown fabric is current fabric - "Essentials"© Danhui Nai for Wilmington 

Prints. It comes in other colors, too! This brown was a perfect addition here.

I've already finished another gift, but I'll wait until Wednesday to share it with you.

Have a great week!

It Takes Time...

 I'd hoped to share another finished project with you today. As hard as I tried, I 

didn't get the binding on and sewn yet. And the napkins aren't even cut out either.

 I decided to do a more linear quilt pattern on this table runner. I 

thought it would be more appropriate with these fabrics. I like it,

but it definitely takes more time to do than my "needle dancing".

 All the quilting is finished as I write this post, and the table runner is 

trimmed and squared up now. I'll add the binding today and then make 

up a set of napkins. I guess pictures will have to wait until Monday. 

It's the weekend! Make it count.

Cut, Sew, Stitch, Repeat...

 I assembled my plates yesterday afternoon after morning errands. The ground 

fabric for the blocks was selected, and by the end of last night, all three 

plates were sewn down. I think I could almost do them in my sleep by now.

 Not my usual style in fabrics, but they're going to be perfect for the recipient. 

It's fun trying new combinations, and this runner is actually growing on me. 

I just might have to make another set after the holidays for our house!

 

Today, I'll finish the table runner and (again) make the coordinating napkins. 

I'll show you the finished set tomorrow. I'm sure having a ball sharing my 

holiday projects with you, and sure hope you enjoy seeing them, too!

Meanwhile, In The Studio...

I added another project to the "finished" stack on Monday evening.

 This table runner measures 46" long by 14" wide, and has six coordinating 

napkins. The napkins are two-sided. The floral ones have the same green

fabric on the reverse, but the purple ones are the same on both sides.

First,  I hand appliqued' the Dresden plates onto the ground fabric. 

I machine stitched every spoke on the center plate, but only every other one

on the lighter-colored plates. Then, I did one row of echo quilting around

each plate and my "needle dancing" pattern on the rest of the background.

 I used my "Brynwood" woven label on the napkins this time.

It blended in better than my acorn label. Morning glory goodness.

On to the next project!

A Slight Change of Plans...

 My original plan was to show you another finished table runner today. I

 forgot that I had a class to teach yesterday when I wrote my last blog post.

So, rather than play in the studio, I headed over to Crazy Quilters and shared

my pattern and techniques for creating Shabby Totes (pattern available here). 

Don't get me wrong. A good time was had by all, and beautiful totes left the shop. 

I just can't show you another completed table runner and matching napkins today.

 Guess you'll just have to wait until Monday! 

I'll be heading over to Coffee Club this morning. 

It's always nice to see the girls. 

Later, I'll be found stitching these pretty plates onto the ground fabric. 

When I finish doing that, I'll be able to put together this table runner set. 

I'm thinking I might have to make something else with these fabric choices 

after the holidays. They're so soft and sweet, and they feel like "happy" 

colors to me. The world needs more soft and sweet, don't you think?

I hope you enjoy your weekend, my friends. 

Pure Fun...

 Last weekend, friends joined us for a homemade pizza/salad party at our house.

When I prepared our table, I kept the Moda "Pure" tablecloth that I made in 

2011 on our antique oak table. I used store-bought napkins and decided that

I really needed to make napkins from that same fabric line in the near future.

I wanted to have a coordinated look for the next time we had company.

Yesterday, I decided to take the time to make a set of matching napkins.

 It didn't take very long. I cut the fabrics (for two-sided napkins), stitched my 

BW acorn onto a corner of the darker fabric, sewed the fabrics together. All 

that was left to do was turn them inside-out, press and topstitch them and I 

was finished. Fast finish. Six new 12" square napkins in less than 2 hours!

 Now I have matching, reversible napkins to use for just us, and when we

have guests. The only thing is that, last weekend, my girlfriend really

wanted to take the tablecloth home with her. Handsome said next time, she'll

have a whole set to walk off with!  The good thing is that she told me that 

she'd like to hire me to make a circular tablecloth for her table instead!

I'm looking forward to creating something customized to her decor.

 The rest of my daytime was spent preparing my teaching materials for

the Classmate™ class at Crazy Quilters today. I'm looking forward

to helping my students create their own organizers to take home.

My day ended with our monthly guild meeting. It was great to see

my quilting girlfriends, and to also meet our newest members. 

All in all, it was a really productive and great day.

A Couple of Reveals and Giveaway Winners...

 I just have to share my newest fabric acquisitions with you!

This is a fabric line called "Rosie's Love Letters" from Stof Fabrics.

I bought this fat quarter assortment from Shabby Fabrics.

I saw these gorgeous grays and I couldn't resist!

I promised you that I'd share the other project I made with this black, 

white and red music-themed fabric. We're going to spend part of the

day on Monday with musician friends. I decided that since the hostess

wouldn't let me bring anything to contribute to the meal, I'd make a

nice hostess gift for her instead, and these napkins were the result.

 They're double-sided with a beautiful red fabric on the reverse.

I made six in the set and I sure hope she likes them!

 Time to announce the winners!!!

I used the Random Number Generator to choose the winners, so

before all of you head out to enjoy your weekend, I'll reveal their names.

(Oh, poo! I made a pdf file of the page each time I ran the generator to

prove the numbers that came up and all I have are partial images. I'll

use them anyway...)

Sharon of Wildflower House!
Civil War Love Letters book

Sherri of Sherri's Jubilee! 
Nature's Pharmacy cards

 Shirley of Shirley Stitches!
Pincushion

 Laura Jane of Lou's News and Crafty Creations!
Bag Boutique purses book

Patty of YumYummz by Patticakes! 
 Handsome Handbags and Creative Carry-Alls book

Some of you mentioned what you liked in your comments, but I'm going to let you choose your prizes in order of your names drawn. Please contact me with your choice(s), YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS, and after the people ahead of you in line have chosen, you'll receive your choice in the mail. Sharon, you're first, Sherri is second and so on.

Congratulations to the winners!

If your name wasn't chosen, don't feel too bad. I'll be doing this again very soon!