What I'm Working On...

Feather Ornaments

I'm making feather ornaments right now. I have a few more to do before they fly off to new homes. They can have cording attached to make ornaments, they can hang from hooks on the wall, sit on small easels, or whatever the recipient decides.

Once these are finished and mailed, I'm going to create a few new Something Blue Wedding Brooches, and then update my Etsy shop. I think it's time for a sale, don't you? I'm going to plan a big one for Valentine's Day. My goal is to sell out the current inventory, and then add a lot of new things after that. I'll be a little busy with that for a while, but you know I have to continue with my needlework! 

Oh, and I need a new word for the new year. I'll be contemplating something I can put into action right away. I'll debut my new word on New Years' Day. 

For now, I'm off to work, so I'll be back tomorrow with another update. 

A Patriotic Project...

My First Ornament Girl Ornament

I saw the June 2018 Patriotic Ornament from The Ornament Girl on Facebook about a month ago. I thought the Lady Liberty headpiece look was so cool that I had to get the kit to make one for the farm.

I was a little nervous about getting started because I'd never made an ornament like this before, but well...how do you know whether or not you can do something unless you try? ...and you know me. I'm always up for a challenge!

Patriotic Ornament Supplies

 

My kit arrived mid-month, so I finally opened up the box and set out the supplies. I had downloaded the instruction booklet (which comes specific to the ornament in each month's kit) into my groovy, new iPad, so I was ready to go.

In only a few hours, I had a completed the ornament...and it was quite relaxing! The instructions were complete, loaded with photographs, and simple to follow. The kit fabrics were separated into three packages, and all the notions (pins, buttons and hanging cord) were in their own bags. I haven't added the cord to hang it (yet), because I wanted to have it sitting out without it. I can always add it later.

This project only uses pins to secure the fabrics and embellishments. No glue. No other products. It couldn't be more simple.

In case you're interested, click on The Ornament Girl to learn more about their Monthly Ornament Club. They even have a closed group on Facebook where people can share their projects. Also...now I find out that Staci Ann is based about 10 miles from where we used to live in Florida!

Disclaimer: I'm in no way affiliated with The Ornament Girl, and have not been compensated in any way by their company. I'm just a customer like everyone else...and wanted to share my completed project with you.

Making Ornaments...

Brynwood Needleworks - Ornament Supplies

 

Remember the sweet ornament I brought home from the Christmas party at Lisa Bongean's house? It got my creative juices flowing!

I went online and found some small vintage jello molds, tiny bottle brush trees and wreaths, and then added a few smalls of my own (including tiny hickory nuts from our yard!). 

I'm looking forward to spending a few hours in the studio, making up a few ornaments, over the weekend. I may even add a few to my shop when I'm done. I know a few will definitely go on our tree for a few days yet this year, and will then be added to our collection for coming holiday celebrations.

I can't be in the studio - or even at home - today. I'll tell you all about it as soon as I'm able.I'll be taking one of my portable projects to work on while I'm away. I hope to finish the Kathy Schmitz snowman I've been working on! I have to go, but I'll be back tomorrow. 

 

Stay warm and may your day be filled with creative pursuits!

A Corgi Ornament...

I received a Christmas package from my blog bestie, Shell at The Raspberry Rabbits. It came as a surprise, and when I opened the package I actually started to cry!

Staring up at me was this gorgeous, glass corgi to hang on my tree, and then reside year-round in the studio.

I mean...Look at this face!!

Shell included one of her annual handcrafted cards (I smile when I get those bunnies each year!), and to keep my corgi ornament safe, she also sent along a soft, felted wool acorn ornament.

How good was I this past year to have received these special gifts from my beautiful friend? I know my corgi friends are all going to want one, but this one is mine and I'll treasure it forever.

Thank you, dear Shell. You really hit the mark on the head when you chose my gifts this year. Sending long distance hugs filled with gratitude for you!

More Gifties Arrived...

Can you even believe that today is December 1st already? 2011 is quickly coming to an end and I still have so much left to do! Yesterday was another day filled with surprises. There were two packages in the mail for me!

I opened a package from my generous friend, Sherry E. of Createology to find this clever origami bag. (I took the liberty of staging it with my acorn fairy in an acorn-adorned frame.) The fabric Sherry chose fits right in with my acorn decor, doesn't it?

The fabric is folded and sewn to create a pocket on each side of the bag, and Sherry chose tiny tree charms for the flaps. They're perfect choices, Sherry!

I haven't figured out how everything folds together to make up this little tote, but I'm going to keep examining it until I do! I can't wait to use it, too!

Sherry, you are so generous with your time and your talents and I can't tell you how I appreciate the treasures you send my way. Thank you, my friend. I will cherish you and your creation(s) always!

Although I knew a second package was on its way, I had no idea what to expect inside. Wendy W. of The Frog Palace and The Life of Me contacted me to ask for my address, telling me she had something she wanted to send to me. I admit I was intrigued and couldn't wait to open her package when it arrived!

Her handcrafted card had this tiny acorn glued on one corner. (I bet she made that, too!)

Inside I found ornaments made of glass and other natural elements. A glitter-sprinkled pine cone ready to hang in the studio as well as a little "nature boy" ornament created from wood.

Wendy added this artful collage of craftsy items and the verse about creativity. I see something new every time I look at it. (Wouldn't it be fun to play "Eye Spy" with my granddaughters using this?) I have placed it in my wall organizer hanging across from my sewing machine. It looks right at home there!

Look at this teeny, tiny glass squirrel. I'm so glad it made the trip safely to me - as well as the slightly larger glass acorn. They're both so beautiful, and I've never seen a little squirrel ornie before!

I have the perfect spot to hang them so they can be viewed and admired every day. This is the arch in the window in my studio, and the all three new ornaments will join the rest of my collection where they'll be visible from inside the studio - or outside when I'm in the pool area. (Don't miss the new, little "Green Man" ornament hanging on the right end of the rod!)

Thank you, Wendy for thinking of me when you saw the ornaments...and for all the wonderful gifts you sent to me. I love your thoughtfulness and generosity. Sending great big hugs to you across the miles.

My actual Birthday is December 3rd (Saturday), but without even knowing it, my friends are helping me stretch my celebration. Mum told me a package is on its way and Handsome ran a secret mission yesterday. At this rate, he's going to declare me a bona fide "Spoiled Brat" by Saturday...and he'll be right! One of our running jokes around here is that he's not Mr. Right. He's Mr. Always Right** (again).

I find that I'm constantly inspired by my blog friends. I hope that even in the process of writing about the gifts I receive, you'll find inspiration or ideas for gifts to share with your loved ones. As I work my way through my handcrafted Christmas list over the next two weeks, I'll write about them for a little inspiration of my own.

(**I'm required to add a little right-hand wrist flair for effect when I say that. lol)

They're In The Mail...

I signed up for the Button Floozies Ornament Swap this year, and had so much fun making the ornies to mail to my three swap partners.

I decided that a Nutcracker theme might be fun, so I sorted through my machine embroidery designs and chose this one. I decided to embroider them onto canvas. Three Nutcrackers in a row...

My sister, Diana recently sent me a surprise care package. She found some gorgeous, vintage, crocheted doilies and wanted to share them with me. There were two that I knew would work perfectly for this project.

They were 3" in diameter, so I cut them in half and used each half to embellish the bottom of my nutcrackers. I sewed my parts together and then started hand sewing my vintage buttons along the bottom. The little blue ones were from my contemporary stock, but the rest are old.

I made one more, but that one is a little different from these. I'm going to send it back to Diana to thank her for all the goodies she gave me.

They're all on their way to new homes today. My swap work is done here. I'll be starting my Christmas projects now, and I promise to show you what I'm working on in the coming days and weeks.

This week is going to be full of family and celebrations, so I want to remind you early that next Monday is Memory Lane Monday. As you spend time reminiscing about holidays past, perhaps you'll write about one to share with us?

Just write the post on your blog and then link back to my Memory Lane Monday post. I'll be writing mine on Sunday evening so that you'll be able to link in plenty of time. The link will be active for one week, so if Sunday or Monday is too hectic for you, you can add your story at any time prior to the end of the week. I'm looking forward to sharing mine and hope you'll join me for another stroll down Memory Lane.

Acorns From Down Under...

December already! I took a break yesterday when our mail arrived. I was expecting my shipment of Vintage Textile Soak (which arrived!), but there was a surprise, too! My Kiwi friend, Marrianne, sent a holiday package to me!

I stopped everything and immediately opened it (Of course, I did! Wouldn't you?) Inside were acorns! I'm sure she was right when she said that New Zealand Customs probably wouldn't have allowed real ones out of the country - or U.S. Customs wouldn't have allowed them in. Either way, I'm sure they wouldn't have arrived here. So, my sweet friend sent me hand knit ones! Pretty tan acorns wearing tweedy caps - created by her. They're absolutely beautiful!

She also made ornaments for me. Stunning, one-of-a-kind sparkling snowflakes that will decorate our home this year. And, oh, lordy! She also popped in a bag of the much-coveted Pineapple Lumps...a Kiwi treat for sure. Marrianne is making Pineapple Lumps an overseas sensation. She's sent them to other gals in our Ravelry - Grandma's Hand group and so, if you're catching up on your reading here, grandmas - nanner, nanner, boo boo! I've got another whole bag of Lumps!!! (That wasn't very nice, Donna. I know. I'm sorry. giggling) Thank you, Marrianne. A proper note is on its way to you!

Back to my studio. (Can't talk. Mouth, full of Lumps. giggling again) I finished the embroideries on the wedding hankies yesterday and will take them to Adele this evening so she can do her magic. I'm also working on something special for my Birthday Giveaway this week. Stay tuned! I think (hope) you'll like it!