A Little Embroidery...

Brynwood Needleworks - Ribbon Embroidery

I worked in the garden all afternoon, and had fun moving some of the plants that were on the outer border of the previous kitchen garden. After the porch was completed and the new walkway was installed, all those plants (hostas, phlox, and others) ended up more toward the center of my planting area. I moved the hostas and phlox, and then added new plants that I purchased last week.

When I was finished with the outside work, my body said I should sit and relax with a cuppa tea and my needlework. I was more than happy to oblige, so I picked up my Strawberry Rose Sachet project and did a little needle dancing.

Oh, in case you're wondering, the Corgi head is a little planter that a friend sent to me. I think I'm going to turn it into a pincushion by adding a pouf to the opening on the back.

Brynwood Needleworks - Ribbon Embroidery Detail

 

I still have a few buds and blossoms to add, and then I'll be ready to start embroidering the stems. It's supposed to rain this weekend, so I'll definitely finish this. As it hasn't started sprinkling yet, I'm going to go out and water all those transplants first. I can do that with a coffee cup in my hand, right?

Next Up...

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Sachet Materials

 

This is my next project. I have a custom order for a pink silk ribbon Strawberry Rose sachet. I adore making these, so I'll likely make more than just one, and I'll make them in other colors to stock my shop while I'm at it.

Laurie from Tales From The Henhouse requested that I share photos of each of the Wooly Critters quilt blocks, now that I'm finished. I'll share those tomorrow for anyone who's interested. (Thanks for the request, Laurie!!)

I'm on my way to my salon for a haircut today!! She's going to get to fix my self-inflicted "Corona Cut". Then, I'm meeting Kathy D. for lunch - socially distanced and outdoors. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to seeing her again!

So, time for a quick cuppa coffee and then...Off to the races!! See you tomorrow.

A Little Studio Fun...

Sewing Box

I just got this cool sewing box that needed a little TLC and updating...and a couple of new screws. I'm going to take a trip to the hardware store today for those screws, but I started fitting out the inside yesterday.

The box is in really great shape, so I have to decide whether or not I'm going to adhere fabric to the inside, or just place fabric in the bottom of each compartment. What would you do?

Silk Roses Pincushion

 

I knew I wanted a small pincushion inside, so I took an embroidery that I had doodled a while ago, and sewed a green wool back to it. Finished and filled with crushed walnut shells, it measures a sweet 3.5" x 2.5". It now fits perfectly into the small box that my friend, Gisselle made for me.

 

I'll keep working on this over the next few weeks because I'd like to take it with me to Kentucky for my week of stitching. Let me know if you have any good ideas for fitting it out. I'll share more photos as I progress.

Shabby Silk Roses...

Brynwood Needleworks Silk Ribbonwork

   This will be my next Strawberry Rose Sachet. I love these soft, shabby colors. I may have to keep this one, but I'm sure I'll make more. Did I say I love these colors?  

It's Blooming In The Studio...

Creating Roses

 I'm still stitching, so I'll just share a few images of what I'm working on.

Beads, Ribbons and Threads

 I love looking at (and using) my seed beads.

Doing What I Love

 I always use my mother-in-law's embroidery hoop when I do these sachets.

Blooms, Foliage and Flourishes

Progressing nicely.  

A Gift of Love...

 Over the weekend, I received a private message through my Etsy shop.

After a few short correspondences, I was commissioned to create a very special

 piece. I have asked for and received permission to share this story with you.

 This beautiful woman is Sharon. She is in the last days of her life, after a

valiant fight against cancer. She has a dear friend named Debby, who is the

person who contacted me through my shop about the commission.

Debby told me about Sharon and wanted me to create an item similar to one 

 she had seen in my shop. You see, Sharon has been planning her own 

funeral and Debby has been helping her to make all the arrangements.

Debby asked that I create a Dear Heart pillow using blue flowers instead of pink,

and wondered if I might be able to embroider "Our Beloved Auntie Sharon" on it.

It also needed to be smaller because Sharon is a mere 120 pounds and losing weight

because of her illness. You might wonder what Sharon's weight has to do with anything.

Well, they have planned to put the pillow on an easel - next to the above photograph

  of Sharon - at her funeral. The easel will then be placed next to her closed casket.

 After the funeral, the pillow I have created just for her will be

placed on her chest when she is laid to rest.

Debby told me that Sharon would be contacting Hospice yesterday, so I

 decided that I would put everything else aside to work solely on this project.

I want to get it in the mail and on its way to them as soon as possible.

Nothing would be nicer than for Sharon to be able to see and hold it herself.

I was struck by the enormous significance of this piece. It's a gift of love 

from a person who knows that she's about to lose a dear friend. It's steeped

in symbolism, in lieu of flowers, to be shared with friends and then to be

ultimately placed over the heart of their loved one, gone too soon.

I said prayers - from making the silk roses, through to the completion of the pillow.

I asked that God guide my hands to create something truly beautiful for them. 

 I asked Him to give these beautiful people strength as they face the days ahead.

I asked that God comfort them as Sharon leaves this earthly realm.

Debby has already seen my finished pillow and written the most beautiful note to me.

I'm going to save it along with a photo of their finished Dear Heart to remember that

they entrusted me to create something memorable for their celebration of Sharon's life.

I am moved and grateful to have been asked to take even a small part in that celebration.

I'd like to publicly thank Debby and Sharon for putting their faith in me.

I believe that God puts people in our path for a reason. 

Yet again I am humbled, and I will never forget.

"For God hath given His angels charge
over thee to keep thee in all thy ways."
                                       - Psalm 91:11

Busy Hands, Happy Heart...

If you've dropped by today to tour my studio,
please click here.

I wish I could show this entire project to you...but I can't.
Not yet. But soon. I promise. I think you might like it.
I finished this project yesterday, and then went right
to work on this...

...an ATC for a friend. It will go in the mail today.

I went to Books a Million last night and spent the evening
catching up with my knit/crochet/needlework girlfriends.
I took along one of my Strawberry Roses to work on. One of
the gals was really interested in how I made the roses, so I
did an impromptu tutorial for four of the ladies.

I love the exchange of information and talent that we share
on Tuesday nights. I'm blessed to be surrounded with
a group of women who nurture my creative spirit,
and hope that sometimes I spark something in them, too.
I wonder if anyone will go home this week and try to
make a few roses for themselves?

By now, you know just how important it is for me
to have busy hands. I'm always playing with something -
either "tried and true", or something new.
Busy Hands = Happy Heart = Happy Donna

Today is my mum's birthday.
Happy Birthday, Mum!

'til tomorrow, my friends.

Acorns And Roses...

I received a package in the mail yesterday. I hope the giver
doesn't mind that I'm sharing it with you today.
Christina Jackson of iCandy sent me this wonderful surprise!
I was speechless when I opened her package to find...
ACORN EARRINGS!!
Aren't they stunning? I sure think so! She also included
some beautiful laces for me to use in future projects.

You already know that I've been playing around with
French silk ribbons, but this is a new project I did yesterday.
All you need is ribbon, ground fabric for the roses, stranded
cotton (floss), wool or cotton trim fabric for leaves, and needles.

I stitched my design, sewed the piece into a cone shape and
then ran a basting stitch around the top of the cone.
I filled the cone with batting and then, once it was full, I
pulled the thread tight...and then stuffed it with more batting!

Cut some green felted wool to look like opposing leaves, sew
them over the top where you gathered the fabric. I used a
blanket stitch to secure the leaves. There you have it!
My very first Strawberry Rose.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out.
This one was stuffed with wool, but I think I may
add lavender buds to my next one.

I love the teeny tiny blossoms and the strawberry shape.
A sweet, little work of art to share with my friends.

Looks nice with my new earrings, don't you think?
I'm going to make another that doesn't have the few "little
issues" that always come from a first attempt at something new,
and then I'm going to put the next one in the mail for Christina.

Oh, by the way...This isn't the project I gave you hints for a
couple of days ago. That's something completely different, and
you'll have to wait a bit longer to see that piece. It's a surprise!

P.S. Don't forget tomorrow is the Where Women Create II studio tour! I hope you'll come back to see how I changed up my creative space for this year's event. Plan to spend a little while on the internet. There are a lot of bloggers participating this year, and you'll want to visit them all!

The Gift's In The Mail...

This is Part Two of the gift I worked on for one of my

online friends. It will be shipping today, along with Part One.
I'll post full photos as soon as I know she's received it.

You can see the same silk ribbon roses and pearl trim,
that were in the Part One, and then I added
beadwork along the pattern of the fabric.

I love this fabric, and you're likely to see more
projects which feature it in the future.

I'm working on more gifts now, and promise to share
the finished items with you over the next few days.
A few items will even make their way to the Boutique soon.
Friday Night Date Night will feature homemade pizza
which the newlyweds will share with us this evening.

Only a few more days and they'll be heading to their
new home. We're going to enjoy what little time
we have left with them on this trip.

The Color Of Friendship...

A few hours in the studio, creating a gift for a friend.

I can't show you the entire gift. I don't want to give away the surprise.

I hand crafted silk roses. Then added snippets of the trim from
Mum's wedding gown, vintage crocheted lace and a silver acorn.

Tomorrow, it will be traveling to a new home...
along with a few other little gifts.

Have you tried making a silk ribbon rose yet?
They're a little like potato chips...you can't stop at just one!

What's your favorite color?

Blissful Silk Ribbon Roses...

Bliss. Pure Bliss.
Hours spent making silk roses in the
same charmeuse fabric as the wedding gown.
When I was finished, I attached them to a fabric
background from which tumbles a billowy length of silk chiffon.

I still have to decide on the hem treatment for the chiffon,
but this will give you a good idea of the dreamy quality I
envisioned when I began creating the train for this gown.

For all the winners of my Birthday Celebration gifts, I just want you to know that I received all your addresses, and all of the packages are on their way. I hope you'll take a minute to let me know when you receive them, and that you love what you receive from me. Thanks again to all who participated!