Finished Projects...

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Embroidered Floral Pincushions

 

I completed these embroidered floral pincushions over the weekend. Stitched on linen, embellished with ribbon flourishes, and filled with crushed walnuts, these pincushions will be available in my shop later today.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Floral Pincushions

 

The same quilted fabric on the front is used on the back. They're perfect for your sewing table, or for displaying your favorite pins on your dressing table.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Dusty Rose Pincushion - Detail

 

I'm sharing closeup images of each embroidery and ribbon detail.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Ivory Rose Pincushion - Detail

 Same for this one.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Completed Floral Embroidered Mat

 Drum Roll, Please...

 

I completed the embroidered mat, too! I cut it to a smaller size to eliminate the error I made by using a permanent marker (by accident), and as suggested, tucked the lace into the seam. I'm happy with the result. What do you think?

New Pincushions Available Here...

 All these pincushions are available for purchase directly from my blog.
 

 

Each one measures approximately 8" long by 4" wide, and is filled with crushed walnut shells to keep your pins nice and sharp. Each features a unique embellishment, and lovely flourishes of silk ribbon or seam binding.

 

In addition to sewing pins and needles, each pincushion/pinkeep can be used on your bedroom dresser to hold your favorite brooches or strictly as decoration. Don't we all want to have pretty and useful things around us? Perfect for yourself or as a gift.

 

If you'd like to own one of these lovely pincushion/pinkeeps, simply leave a message in the comments with your email address, or send an email to me through my sidebar. I'll mark your pincushion as "claimed", and then email a Square invoice to you for payment. (If you're not familiar with Square from point of sale users in many brick and mortar shops, many vendors also use the app at craft shows and other selling opportunities. You can securely use your debit or credit card for safe and easy payment.) 

 

Each pincushion price includes USPS Domestic Priority postage. If you live outside the US, please contact me for cost of additional postage over and above Priority postage. I would simply ask that you pay the difference, and you're responsible for your country's VAT fees and/or taxes.

Please be sure to come back tomorrow. It's Tag's Birthday, and I want to surprise him with lots of comments!

 

Another Day, Another Party...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushions - Made By Me

I attended our annual Primitive Gatherings "Sewcial Sisters" Christmas party at Lisa Bongean's home yesterday. Great food, good friends, and a fun time.

Rather than ornaments this year, we decided to exchange pincushions. I made a teacup pincushions and decorative pins for my exchange gift, and one of my Harris (the Tweed Rabbit) pincushions for our hostess. After I photographed this pair, I decided to embroider a heart on the rabbit, but didn't retake the photo. I chose one of Lisa's own hand dyed wools called "Dirty Snowman", so I told her this was a snow bunny.

This pincushion is available as a digital pattern in my Etsy shop. I also have paper patterns available. You can find the digital version HERE, if you'd like to make one (or ten) as gifts. They stitch up in about an hour.

Brynwood Needleworks - Exchange Pincushion

This is the beautiful wool pincushion I selected (blindly) from the gift bags. Isn't it beautiful? I love the colors and craftsmanship.

Brynwood Needleworks - My Pincushion Creator

About now, I could kick myself for not knowing the names of all our group members. I deeply apologize for not being able to tell you the name of the lovely lady who made mine, but I did managed to get a photo of her as she showed off her latest quilt during Show & Tell. I did, however, thank her profusely for her great pincushion. (We really need to have name tags so we can all know each other's names - or at least I can learn them, as they've all known each other longer than I've been in the group.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Exchange Pincushions

We took pictures of all the exchanged pincushions after every one had been gifted. My friend, Jodi got my teacup set, and Kathy D. made the one with the deer lid. Jodi made the square one with the wool pennies next to it. They're all so wonderful, and I'm pretty sure that everyone was a winner in this exchange. Mine's already in the studio, where I can use and enjoy it. 

 

Decorating has commenced at the farmhouse, and more signs of Christmas will be brought up today. I have a doctor's appointment this morning, so when I get back home, we'll be busy elves! See you tomorrow.

 

Vintage Jewelry...

Perfect Embellishment For A Jean Jacket

I recently acquired a huge selection of vintage jewelry. These are all pristine, sparkling treasures. I have a few that are favorites, so I chose these two to pin to my favorite jean jacket. (There is a single stone missing from the leaf pin, but I'm going to go through my Swarovski gems to see if I can use one to repair it.)

Vintage Pins For Future Projects

I know I'll use a number of these in future craft projects. Perhaps I'll use them in upcoming pincushions or decor pieces.

More Vintage Pins

 

I haven't looked at the backs to see if any of this jewelry bears a special maker's mark, but I'll definitely be doing that prior to adding them to my projects. For now, I'm just going to enjoy them in my typical Scrooge McDuck fashion. Yep. Mine. Aaaallllll mine. (wink)

Fairy Steed Corgi Pincushion...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Pincushion Detail

 Ordered from my shop...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Pincushion

 Created yesterday...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fairy Steed Pincushion Detail

  and already on its way to a new home.
(I have more available in my shop, just waiting for you to choose your filling.)

Farmhouse Pincushion...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Pincushion

I received a wonderful surprise yesterday from my dear friend, Kathy D. We were able to get together for lunch and a little "retail therapy". Whenever we see each other, she has a gift for me...and knowing that, I made one of the cork clutches (I showed you in yesterday's post) especially for her.

She came out to see our farmhouse and, as always,  had a lovely gift bag in her hand for me. We came inside and I gave her the 25¢ tour. (It's not a 50¢ tour until we're finished with the renovations.) After we sat down, I gave her the Grab and Go Clutch I'd made for her - and opened my gift to reveal a new pincushion she'd made for me.

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Pincushion Detail

 

Kathy knows I love and collect pincushions, so she's made some really beautiful ones for me using wools and applique. This is the first with counted thread. What makes it especially wonderful is a personalized detail she added. She told me the date from the original pattern was supposed to be "1798" (I think), but she changed it to "1918"...the year our farmhouse was built! 

 

Each stitch is perfection, the sleigh carrying a pine tree, the lovely, big farmhouse, and (oh, yes) the snowflakes. It really couldn't be a more thoughtful gift from the hands of my talented and generous friend. 

I'll treasure this gift, Kathy. A most fitting memento of our first winter and Christmas in our Wisconsin farmhouse. Thank you, dear, from the bottom of my grateful heart. xo

 

Busy Hands, Happy Heart...Always...

Brynwood Needleworks - Brynwood Acorn Pincushion

I know Tag told you I was dealing with a bum back over the weekend. Not one to feel sorry for myself, I drew some new designs. Then I grabbed wools, threads and needle so I could keep my hands busy.

I made this pincushion, fully expecting to list it in my online shop when it was completed. Instead (big surprise), I fell in love with my acorn pincushion and decided to keep this first one.

I created a listing for a limited edition of this design pincushion, available in my shop. I haven't decided how many will be available yet, but each one will be created by me and will be slightly different from the others. I don't draw the flourishes. Rather, I stitch them as I go, so no two will be exactly alike.

I've already started creating them for clients, and I finished another one last night while I visited with my friends at Paneras.

Brynwood Needleworks - Flowers Go 'Round Pincushion

 

I received the most beautiful Mother's Day card from one of our sons. The design on the front of the card was the inspiration for this pincushion. I wanted to do at least one design on light-colored wool, and this was perfect for it. "Flowers Go 'Round" is already listed in my shop and is available to go to a new home. 

My back is all mostly better now, and thanks to my needle tools, I was happy even when I wasn't feeling 100%. 

I'm working on wallet commissions now. #45, 46 and 47 will be created this week. I'll show you a few photos of those tomorrow.

Woolen Strawberry Pincushions...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wool Strawberry Pincushions Detail

 

Rather than work on my hexies at Nifty 50s on Wednesday, I chose instead to do a little woolwork. I completed them Wednesday evening and assembled them into pincushions yesterday.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Wool Strawberry Pincushions

Each pincushion measures approximately 7.5" long x 4" wide, and is filled with crushed walnut shells. They can be used as pincushions (without doing any harm to the applique' or stitching at all!), or to display a collection of favorite brooches. Both are available and listed in my Etsy shop HERE.

UPDATE: "Right Leaf Up" already SOLD - Thank you!

I hope you're all looking forward to the first real weekend of summer. I sure am!

Love Letters And A Favorite Helper...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushion - Love Letters

I was busy yesterday, fulfilling orders and getting things ready to deliver. Late day, I received a new order, so I started it right away, and then completed it after I got back home from my guild meeting. (I did have extra parts cut out when I made the latest order, which gave me a jump start.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushion - Love Letters Detail

The fabric has roses and love letters in the fabric design. My client asked for a pocket, so I added it to this one. The lace was sewn to the pocket fabric and then it was added to the front of the pincushion. It's already packed and will go in today's mail to its new home.

Brynwood Needleworks - Mini Thread Caddy Deluxe

My friend, Jacque, noticed my thread caddy in the background of one of my recent post photos and asked for details about it. I thought you might be curious about it, too, so here are a few photos and my source.

It's called a Mini Thread Caddy Deluxe, and it's made by Barnetts Laptop Hoops on Etsy. You can see that it has a bolt, perfectly sized to hold a spool of thread; two pegs on the left side to hold thimbles; a built-in thread cutter; a depression to hold a container of Thread Heaven™; two openings next to the thimble pegs to hold glue pens or marking pencils (I keep my tubes of needles in one); and a magnet to secure needles in use.

Brynwood Needleworks - Back of Mini Thread Caddy Deluxe

There's also a magnet on the back to hold a pair of embroidery scissors...just about everything you need to hold supplies for applique' or any form of hand sewing or hand quilting at the ready.

HERE is a link to Barnetts' Etsy shop. This particular model costs $29.99, plus shipping. There's also a different model, which doesn't include the thread cutter attachment, and another with a drawer. Either way, they're extremely handy and well made. There are more detailed photos in their listings, too.

Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for this review. I just love it and thought you might, too.

Happy Wednesday. The week is downhill sailing from here! We have family arriving tomorrow, so it's going to get exciting around here for a few days. (I can't wait!)

Some Of My Favorite Things...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushions In Progress

After I completed the Birthday Table Runner (which arrived in time for the celebrating!), I got right to work on this commission. 

I was hired to complete six matching pincushions, and with the exception of the shiny embellishments, they're identical.

Brynwood Needleworks - Pincushions In Progress

 

Each cushion will have vintage lace and a ribbon bow to hold embroidery scissors, and all are embellished with ruched ribbon and a jeweled piece.

I completed two before going to Handsome's Sunday concert and I'll finish the rest today. They'll be  ready (with time to spare) for delivery to my client Tuesday evening. 

Have I told you how much I enjoy doing handwork? (Of course, I have!) Surrounded by needle, thread, vintage gleanings and glistenings, is where I love to be. I have just such a day ahead of me.

More Playing With Pincushions...

My pincushions have really been moving out of the studio, so I took time yesterday to fashion new ones for restock.

I created five new ones, but couldn't finish them yesterday. I ran out of my filling and won't get more until today. (L-R: America, Lovebird Roses, Seahorse, Colorful Pups, and Love Letters)

I did manage to completely finish two of them, though. The first one is "America". I finished the ruching before dinner. I've really been wanting to do a patriotic design and this is what I chose.

Here's a closeup of "America". I picked a vintage jewelry finding and oatmeal-colored ribbon as embellishments.

My second completed pincushion is called "Seahorse" (because of the button I chose). I used Moda's "Seaside Rose" by Three Sisters on this one. The seahorse button was perfect as the accent, and the turquoise ribbon and vintage lace complete this pretty and practical gem.

I want daylight photos of these before I list them up in my Etsy shop, so they'll be photographed today. After I get more filling this morning, I'll sew up the other three and list them up, too.

As my dear friend, Sherry of Createology says, "Creative Bliss" - it's the best description for all my days this week. I'm such a lucky girl.

New Chairs For The Studio...

I received a wonderful surprise from a friend at our guild meeting on Tuesday night. I'm always tickled when someone notices something about me and what I like. I'm not surprised when it's one of my blog readers. After all, I frequently come right out and tell you!

Lynn Anderson, a member who also has a long-arm quilting business, came up to me before the meeting with a full shopping bag, and said she thought I might like to have the contents. I'm not sure whether she reads my blog or not, but she has learned about some of the things I like, and these gifts delighted me.

She gifted me some beautiful wool fabrics and wool jackets that I can repurpose for my wool embroideries (or wallets!). Then, tucked inside the wools were these three, sweet Mary Engelbreit chair pincushions.

The little one is weighted, so it's perfect for holding my needle when I'm doing my ribbonwork! The other two chairs are classic ME style. One is the "chair of bowlies" chair and the other is sunny yellow with Mary's cherry fabric.

I think I'll make one of my newest pincushions to give Lynn as a little thank you. I'll present it to her the next time I see her.

Speaking of my pincushions...I was at Nifty 50s yesterday. I took along my latest creations to show the gals, and sold the BFF - Snowbirds set. My client asked me to add a little bling to it for her and her sister (who will be gifted with the second one). We agreed that I'd bring it back in two weeks for her.

I brought them home, chose the embellishments and then added them to each one. They're all finished and wrapped, so I'll just set them aside for safekeeping until our next get-together. Life really is a happy "bowl of cherries"!