Miscellany...

Brynwood Needleworks - Rascal (front) and Rocket (back)

Today's post will be as varied as my Friday was. I had a busy day, but also had a little fun. It began with a trip out to the "habitat" to pull my SD card. I wanted to see what my trail cam captured over the past few evenings.

In addition to Biggie, Squirt, and Ralph (the three resident opossums), I've seen these two bandits visiting in the wee hours of the morning. They've got names now, too. The cutie in the foreground I named Rascal, and the furry one up on the snowbank (with a couple fur scars seen on its backside), I named Rocket (like the feisty, talking raccoon in "Guardians of the Galaxy").

This image was taken at 5:08 am, so I'm really curious about what has them on alert. They're actually looking toward the farmhouse. Either way, seeing them here on their hind legs earns them the "Cutest Pose" award for the night.

Brynwood Needleworks - Fresh Bread Friday

I made another double batch of Farmhouse Sandwich Bread yesterday, too. One loaf will stay in the kitchen, and the other four will go into the freezer until we need them. I won't have to worry about baking more loaves next week when I'm back in the studio.

Friday night dinner was steaks on the grill, baked potatoes and salad. Yes. Even in the middle of winter, Wisconsinites light up the grill for a tasty evening meal.

Brynwood Needleworks - Scissors, Snippers And Clippers

Someone in one of the Facebook groups asked how many pairs of scissors each of us has. On a lark, I pulled out as many of mine as I could easily locate (I'm sure I missed a few), and took a picture. I have different projects in process, so I usually have a pair of the appropriate scissors with that project. I also keep favorites in my sewing box, travel tote, and next to my machines.

But, let's face it. I've been sewing since I was eleven. I've accumulated more than a few pairs, and many of them have specific purposes, too (sewing, machine embroidery, needlework, travel, etc.). That helps explain it, right? I'm going to go with that.
 

New In The Boutique...

 If you're new to Brynwood, perhaps you don't know yet that I was born in

Great Britain. I'm a U.S. citizen by virtue of my father's citizenship, and

actually a British citizen by virtue of my birthplace just southwest of London.

(England recognizes my dual citizenship. Isn't that cool?)

From time to time, I like to give a little nod to my roots, and this is one of

those times. I have created scissors fobs and attached them to some very

special embroidery scissors I found for you. The scissors are 6", made in 

Pakistan. They're high quality and nice and sharp for doing close work.

I've created two felted flags...One for "Stateside" and one for "Across the Pond".

Each flag measures approximately 3" x 2" and is hand assembled and stitched 

using pearl cotton thread. I then attached a split ring and lobster claw so they 

would stay securely attached to your scissors. You can also choose a charm to

embellish your scissors instead of a flag. Either way, you won't have to worry

about losing your scissors in the bottom of your sewing kit, or confusing your

embroidery scissors with those belonging to someone else if you in a class.

Scroll down to see your scissor fob choices...

US Flag - Felt

UK Flag - Felt

Phone Booth Charm

London Charm

Underground Charm

Big Ben Charm

 If you're interesting in purchasing your own, just go to the Boutique under 

the "Other Creations" link to order yours. Some of the charms are limited 

quantities and I won't be able to reorder them, so don't delay if you have a favorite!

You can always go to the Boutique by clicking on the link at the top of my blog.

Once you're there, I have links in the Boutique for different categories.

You can use the direct link below to find the scissors/fob sets.
(http://brynwoodneedleworksboutique.blogspot.com/p/other-creations.html)

Why not explore a little while you're there? You might find something you can't resist!

The Raspberry Rabbits Limited Litter

 One more thing before I leave today...
Remember when I shared a selection of beautiful wools and threads with you?
I promised to show you more later.

I have created a Limited Edition Raspberry Rabbits Litter for my blog buddy,
Shell May! Tag is busy working overtime this week over at The Raspberry Rabbits
for his sweet Aunty Shell, so when you're finished here, just hop over to visit!
Tag will tell you all about these little bunns...and you know how chatty he can be! 

Red, White and Blue-ness...

 I'm nearly finished with the set-up for the applique' block I'm working on,

but my mind is already moving on to another project. This has been in the 

works for a while. I thought I might show you a peek at what's on deck.

 All the components are right here...everything I need to do this project.

I'm planning to debut it on Monday the 25th, so I hope you're curious

enough to come back to see what this all becomes when I'm finished.

 Today is the last day to enter my giveaway.

I'll choose the winners tonight and announce them tomorrow.

Click here if you haven't entered yet,

and for those of you who have...

Good Luck!!!

It won't be long now.

Cutting Edge...

I took this photo a few months ago. I was cleaning out the work drawers in my studio and realized that I have amassed quite a collection of scissors. You already know I love pincushions and all things acorn, but even I didn't realize that I'd been collecting scissors!

You'll see my beautiful green-handled Kai scissors. They have a serrated edge which holds even the slipperiest fabrics. There are Gingher scissors of all types and sizes, along with dressmaker shears in two sizes, antique Sheffield scissors and a treasured pair of embroidery scissors in a tooled sheath that I purchased when I owned Stitches in Wisconsin.

There are scissors for applique' work, machine embroidery work, a pair that leave a pinked edge, and there are pairs of snips, large and small. There are bent-end, curved tip and hooked to get under the tiniest, finest stitches. There are scissors that fold, too.

Arrrgh! As I looked at my photograph, I realized that the beautiful rabbit embroidery scissors that were a gift from my blog-bestie, Shell May didn't make the shoot. In my defense, they're attached to the gorgeous pincushion that she made for me, so I keep them in a needlework case that travels from room to room with me. I promise to share them separately another day.

I also forgot my heavy-duty, needlepoint canvas-cutting shears and my scissors used just for cutting multiple layers of fabric for those raw edge quilts and garments. They're safely tucked in the back of a drawer in my sewing cabinet so I missed them.  The latest addition to the collection - a small pair of embroidery scissors with a British flag paint job - didn't make it into the shot either. Next time.

In my defense, I will remind you that I have three different sewing/serging machines that reside on three different cabinets, so it's hard to keep them herded into one organized group. In the interest of efficiency (yea, that's it!), each table has its own set of scissors (and needles and threads and other tools). That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

What do you call a collection of scissors anyway? A herd? Or a flock? How about a "litter" or a "pride"? Hmmmm. I think I like that one.

Are you a collector of special things in your work room? What do you find yourself looking at whenever you head into a quilt, needlework or fabric store? Certain tools, like rulers? Come on. Spill. I won't tell a soul. Your secret will be safe with me.

Progress...

I began this project by quilting the main (toast-colored) fabric, and then cutting out the base and top pieces for the scissor keep. Then, I added the binding to the top piece. The petals for the flowers and leaves are backed with Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite and all cut out. I'll fuse them to the quilted fabric when I'm ready to stitch each piece down.

Next, I'll need to choose the right color perle cottons in size #12 to applique' the flower, leaves and stitch the stem to the front piece.

Once that's finished, I'll add the binding to the outside edge to join the top and back pieces and I'll be finished! I know I'm going to make more of these. I think they'd make great gifts for my friends, don't you?

Happy Wednesday!

A Primitive Scissor Case...

I admit it. For the past few weeks, I've been enjoying summer and doing little in the way of sewing or handwork. I'm going to do something about that today. Nothing big, mind you. The outdoors is still calling to me.

This is one of the kits I recently purchased on my shopping outing with Kathy D. when we visited Primitive Gatherings. It's a small, quilted case for my embroidery scissors. The one I'm going to make the one that has the flower applique' on it.

I'm really looking forward to working on this today, and if I stay at it, I'll be able to take a snapshot or two to share with you this week. (Remember, tomorrow is Tag's day, so I'll have to wait until after he visits with you!)

I'll be machine quilting the fabric first and then I'll applique' the flower in the deep red wool. I've added the red plaid fabric to this photograph in case I decide to use it, too. Otherwise, I may have to incorporate it into a second case!

Tag is looking forward to tomorrow's post. He's been working on it all week! See you Wednesday.

Silver Sunday Seamstress Tools...

Welcome to the September edition of Silver Sunday! This month, I'm sharing my scissors with you. Of course, every seamstress needs tools for cutting, and I'm sharing my stainless and silver scissors used for various purposes in my creative endeavors.

In the first photograph, from top to bottom: Gingher 8" knife edge Dressmaker's Shears (used for multipurpose cutting), Gingher 8" serrated edge Dressmaker's Shears (these are especially useful when cutting sheer or slippery fabrics, as the teeth grip the fabric), silver Sheffield scissors (purchased in Colonial Williamsburg last year), Gingher 6" knife edge Applique' scissors (with a special edge to protect the fabric you don't want to cut), and my Gingher Bent Tip scissors (used to snip threads while fabric is hooped for machine embroidery).
Of course, I have various embroidery scissors, too. (Of course, I do! lol) My prized embroidery scissors are the little rabbit embroidery scissors attached to a little pincushion (a gift from Shell May of The Raspberry Rabbits. She made the pincushion!), and on the right are my Gingher 4.5" thread nippers (I love these because the tuck into the palm of my hand, and I can actually wear them while sewing at the machine). The two pairs of embroidery scissors on the left are Gingher embroidery scissors with wonderful sharp points for precision cutting. The bottom pair has a pink ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness design on the handles, and a portion of the sales were donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Just one more peek at the rabbit scissors from Shell. Hey, girlfriend...only ONE more sleep! I'll explain to everyone else tomorrow.
Thanks again to Beth of Gypsy Fish Journal for hosting our monthly Silver Sunday event. Be sure to click on her link to see what other silver treasures are being shown in Blogland today! Oh, and congratulations to Debra of Common Ground for winning Beth's Silver Sunday drawing!

If you're new, or didn't know it yet, I'm celebrating my 500th Post with a giveaway. If you're interested in participating, please click on my giveaway button here to find out how you can enter, and what you might win.

I'm so glad you stopped by to visit. I hope you enjoy a restful and creative Silver Sunday!