Look What I Found...

Kewaskum School Fund Raisers

 

I found these in the grocery store in Kewaskum, Wisconsin (where my friend, Wendi lives). I was killing a little time waiting for a break in her work schedule, so I stopped in the grocery store to see about picking up some things we needed back at home.

As I walked in the front door of the store, there was a big board filled with cards like these with various leaves and acorns on them. They're made of clay, by school kids from the Kewaskum School District, and they're being sold to support the local community food bank. 

This is a brilliant idea to teach the act of giving to the kids, and it benefits people in need. Of course, I didn't hesitate to get the acorn magnet, created by Hoyt (grade 4), and the oak leaf pin, made by Osmaror (no grade given).

I'm going to make cards (using single images of each of these pins) to send back to the school to let these kids know how much I love what they're doing, and how wonderful I think their creations are. I know, if I had made them, I'd love the feedback. In fact, I may have to go back to get a few more to give as gifts!

Speaking of gifts...Don't forget to leave a comment on my 3500th Post Giveaway for a chance to win a gift for yourself! Just click on the above image (located on my right sidebar) to go to the giveaway post. Only comments left there will count for the drawing. Good luck!

My Serendipitous Slippers...

Brynwood Needleworks - Slippers

In Florida, I rarely need slippers. I simply slide into a pair of flip flops and I'm good to go. Not so in Wisconsin. Winter nights and bare floors require something more than socks to keep your feet warm.

Handsome and I had a few things we wanted to pick up at Cabela's, so I added slippers to the list. I got a pair for each of us. Mine were a little "fluffier" than his, but they were both comfortable slip ons.

Yesterday, I was sitting in my chair with my feet up and he asked me to remove and pass one of my slippers to him, which I did. He was looking at the sole, so I asked him what on the bottoms of my slipper had caught his attention. His reply?

Brynwood Needleworks - Slipper Sole

"Did you realize that when you walk in these, you leave imprints of oak leaves behind?" He handed my slipper back to me and I looked at the bottom. Sure enough!

Imagine that! Without ever realizing it, I chose a pair of slippers with soles that must have been made with me in mind. How fun is that?

We had dinner last night with Shelly and Andy, but by the time we got home, it was too late to get good pictures. I'll take pictures today, and tomorrow, I'll show you what came home with us.

Today is our grandson's Birthday, so before I close, I want to wish him a wonderful day, a year filled with grand adventures...and lots of visits with Grandma and Grandpa at the farm!

My Leaves And Acorns...

Brynwood Needleworks - Custom Logo Fabric

I'm so excited that my custom fabric arrived! It features the acorn and oak leaf element from my Brynwood logo. This logo has been my identity for the past thirty plus years. These are my leaves and acorns. They're a part of me...like an old friend.

Brynwood Needleworks - Custom Logo Fabric

Good ol' Spoonflower came through with flying colors. I had my design(s) printed on organic cotton sateen, and I love its quality and hand...soft and smooth. I chose these two colors on purpose. They'll be perfect for my planned projects.

Brynwood Needleworks - Logo Embroidery

Destiny and I got together yesterday and she helped me scan my logo elements to create custom embroideries, too. (Have I told you how much I love my Babylock Destiny?) I'm in awe of what this machine can do for me!

Brynwood Needleworks - Logo Embroidery

 

Today will be the day I put all my ideas together. I'm nervous...and excited. I'll be sharing with you because I'll want your feedback. I may even put a poll into my sidebar so you can actually vote your opinion!

 

Please come back tomorrow and you'll see what I've been working on. Wish me luck, okay?

  

Jamie's Oak Sewing Box...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jamie's Oak Sewing Box

At our last guild sew-in, I happened to walk past my friend, Jamie's work station as she was setting up. She took out this beautiful box and placed it on the table. Well, my friends, I don't think there's anyone who's been reading my blog that wouldn't know what my reaction was when I saw it.

Brynwood Needleworks - Jamie's Oak Sewing Box

One of the cool features about it (besides the acorns and oak leaves) is that the lid is a standard 12" quilt ruler as its lid.

Brynwood Needleworks - Jamie's Oak Sewing Box

The ruler fits into a groove in the box and slides in and out to open and close. It's a handy measuring tool when needed, and a lid to contain the "necessaries" when not.

Brynwood Needleworks - Jamie's Oak Sewing Box Detail

The acorns and oak leaves design was burned into the sides of the box, and Jamie said that an old friend made it. He actually made many of them for her, but this is the only one with the tooling on the sides.

Now, my task is to find someone who will create one for me! I took measurements and photographs (yes, I have more), in hopes that I can commission one for myself...and perhaps a few more to share.

Does anyone know a woodworker with time on his or her hands? Please...please...let me know!

With Love From Vermont...

 My beautiful and generous friend, Denise sent a wonderful package to me! I opened the mailbox on Saturday to find a complete surprise from Vermont. I couldn't wait to get back to the house to open it. I love surprises!   Denise, I can't tell you how much fun I had opening all the little packages  inside. Wrapped around all those smaller packages was this lovely tea towel.  1985. You don't even know how special this was to me.

Handsome and I were married in 1984, and that first two weeks in January, 1985, we were on our honeymoon in Grand Cayman in the British West Indies.    There are so many fond memories for us. Our honeymoon, our first year of  marriage, and the beginning of our life together as husband and wife. I know Denise chose it because of the acorns and oak leaves, but  I love it for many more reasons!

Then, I opened another package to find these beautiful spoons and acorns. She packed actual real acorns along with all my other gifts. I felt like a giddy kid.

They really are spoons with acorns! Just look at the beautiful pattern on the handles! Complete acorns and oak leaves adorn the fronts of each one. They're so perfect.

Then, I turned them over to find more details on the back. There are  more oak leaves, but on the back, you'll only see acorn caps...no acorns.

  They really are wonderful and I'll treasure them forever.

Denise also tucked in another fabulous find. Goodness, this girl knows me so well! It's a Guide to American Needlework from the Winterthur Museum. It's stuffed with great reading and photographs of beautiful, historic needleworks.   I'm going to savor every, single page! I'll brew up a pot of tea and put up my  feet to spend an afternoon engrossed in the pages of these books. Heavenly!

 Denise always adds some tasty Vermont maple candies, which I then share with Handsome. (He said, "Thanks, Denise!") Her message was on the back of this restful, peaceful image. This is a picture she took of her and her husband's favorite place to get away. I can completely understand that. That's a stunning sunset. I can almost feel the warmth of the setting sun on my face. aaaahhhhh.
Thank you, my friend for thinking of me, yet again. Whenever I think of you and Neil, I thank God for the friendship we've forged over all these years. I'm so very grateful that we were brought together, and hope someday to be able to hug you in person. Until then, know that you're always in my daily prayers. xoxo

Sharing My Biscornu Progress...

You knew my first attempt at making a biscornu was going to involve acorns, didn't you? Of course, you did!

I chose five DMC cotton floss colors and just started stitching on 28 ct. antique white linen. This is my own design, but I haven't even put it to paper yet. I just started stranding floss and making x's. (I usually draw it out on graph paper first, but decided to just jump right in on this one.)

I like the way it looks lying flat like this. The design is 34 stitches square. I think next time, I'll make the sides an uneven number (33 or 35). I read in one of the tutorials that it might be easier to sew the two sides together if the number of stitches is uneven. We'll see. I promise to let you know how it goes stitching an even number of stitches together into the wonderfully wonky biscornu shape.

I'm happy with the design, and have already stitched the border for the back piece. I'll be putting it together today and then I'll take more pictures to share with you. Wish me luck!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on this project idea. I'm having more fun doing small projects this summer - not my usual fare, to be sure - and I'm so glad that some of you have either made these before, or are willing to give 'em a shot. If you do, please send me photos. I'd love to share them here for everyone else to see.