Tuesdays With Tag - Squirrel Patrol...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella and Taggart

 Hi, Everybody! 

I'm not sure how all you guys spend your days, but there are really important things that Bella and I do all day here at the farmhouse. Aside from our daily barkin' at the mail truck; beggin' to go outside so we can get snacks when we come back in; buggin' Mom or Dad to take us out for fetchin' sessions, and chasin' the almost resident cats, we have to make sure other critters don't think about takin' over our territory.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Yes. We're On The Sofa.

 

Mom doesn't just feed the birds, opossums, raccoons, and cats. She also puts out peanuts and last year's cracked hickory shells at the base of the big maple tree in the front yard, where the squirrels live. 

There's a hollow in that big, ol' tree, where three squirrel babies were born last spring, and at least a couple of them still live there. Every day we see them rootin' around the tree. They're lookin' for the hickory nuts they buried last fall, but Mom likes addin' a few surprises for them.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - "I Don't See One. Do You See One?"

Which brings us back to a major segment of our days. Bella and I scan the trees and our front and side yards. You never know when we'll spot one of those varmints.

Oh, Oh!! And can you imagine our glee when we have to go outside to do our business, only to spot a squirrel anywhere on the ground on the other side of the Compass Barn? The chase is on!! Our hearin' goes (we can't even hear Mom or Dad hollerin'!), we tear off across the yard, and we feel like we've done our job - even if we don't catch them (which we never do, because they can run up the trees and we can't).

It's like this every day. From the minute we get up until it gets dark. We don't even consider it work. There's nothin' at all hard about bein' on squirrel patrol. That's if you don't count the part about not bein' able to open the door to let ourselves out. Remember, it's all about the thumbs. We don't have 'em, so we can't use 'em.

I guess we'll just have to settle for barkin' our fool heads off, and we're really good at that! We can hardly wait for Carly to get back so she can be our new trainee and join in. The more, the merrier!

 
I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!"

Sharing A Little Wildlife Today...

Brynwood Needleworks - Two Young Squirrels

Now that the weather is nicer, I can sit outside on the front porch with my morning coffee. It's mostly quiet (if you don't count the noise from the machinery building new lanes on the highway about a half mile away), but if I focus on our own little farm property, I can block that out.

I'd rather concentrate on all the wonders around me. I filled all the bird feeders, and added peanuts and seeds at the base of the big, old maple tree in our front yard. Then I can sit and watch the birds and other critters that come out in the morning.

I was up early (for me) yesterday, and by 6:15 I was sitting outside with my coffee. There are two young squirrels that first appeared from their nest in the big maple about two weeks ago. They're getting bolder, and they're a hoot to watch as they chase each other in the tree, and then out onto the lawn.

Brynwood Needleworks - Squirrels Eating Peanuts

I'll just let you look at the photos and get a sense of the peace and quiet that I enjoy here in our dear, old farmhouse.

Brynwood Needleworks - Baby Squirrels

 

Last night, before bed, I heard a ruckus in the side yard. I shone a light on the feeders to see a mama raccoon and her three kids, trying to reach a feeder I've mounted (higher) on the side of the Compass Barn. I cracked up watching them, and listening to the little kids crabbing and fussing with each other. They were looking for a meal, and this was just out of their reach.

I'll try to get photos of them on the trail cam, which I'll set up tonight. Fingers crossed that I can get some images to share with you. Such is life at our beautiful Hickory Hill Farm.

A Wooly Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Wools and Threads

 

I drove to Menasha yesterday to visit my go-to shop for wools and threads...Primitive Gatherings. It was sunny and beautiful when Tag, Bella and I took our drive along the east shore of Lake Winnebago. 

I actually lived on the east shore of the lake during high school, driving to and from Fond du Lac every day to work or school. I was surprised to see how much it's changed since the last time I passed that way. 

 

Farm fields are now populated with McMansions and new businesses. The "scenic overlook" that used to offer an unobstructed view of the lake from its high vantage point, is now a nice place to have a picnic, without the view. Mature trees now grow from the picnic area all the way down to the water's edge. There's no "view" to be seen. Oh, dear. How so much has changed over these many years.

The reason I went shopping was for one (or two) colors of wool and Valdani #12 thread I needed. I came home with a few other wools and the threads I needed to complete the last two blocks in my Wooly Critter Sampler quilt. 

When I got back home, I sat with the sun pouring in our kitchen windows to choose the wools for Block Eleven (or was this Twelve?). I'll set it up today and I'll begin stitching right away...after I pick more hickory nuts. (I've got quite a harvest going. If only I could reach those high branches!)

Oh! One more thing before I close today...WE HAVE TWO MORE SQUIRRELS! They're little, gray squirrels, but I saw them running around the front yard - and yes, they're after those hickory nuts, too. I'm so tickled that we have more squirrels - believe me - I'm willing to share. 

Seeing them playing in the yard was the perfect end to a wonderfully, wooly day on the farm.

November Mini...

Another closeup of mine

Friday was a fun day for me. I got to spend the day in the studio - less the hour I spent at the post office waiting to post overseas packages. (Just a few goodies heading to my friends in the Farmer's Wife QAL.) When I got back home, I tasked myself with starting (and finishing) my mini quilt for November. It is mid-month already, after all.

Kathy's original design

My friend, Kathy designed this month's quilt. I was tickled to see that she had chosen squirrels and acorns! I think her design is adorable and I've been thinking all week about how I wanted to personalize mine.

Fay's mini

This is the quilt, adapted by Fay. She had hers finished earlier in the month, so I got a peek last weekend at our coffee group. It's always fun to see how each quilter personalizes the designs to reflect their own personality. One of the gals loves little yellow ducks, so no matter what the theme, she always manages to find a place to sneak in a duck!

It was time for me to quit gawking and start sewing. I chose the fabrics I wanted to use, and then I pulled out two of my Michelle Palmer drawings on fabric that I've been saving for a special project.

Close-up of my November Mini Quilt

I decided to do a little hand tinting on Michelle's two little squirrel drawings so that I could place them as the focal point on my block. Then I fused them to the block and started adding leaves and acorns.

My entire center block

By the end of the day, I'd completed my block. It's all stitched, bound and ready to take to our coffee group this morning.

December's design is already in my binder, but I think I'll bask in this November glow for a little while before I tackle the next one. I'm going to wait until the traditional "day after Thanksgiving" to even start thinking about it. Christmas will be here soon enough. No need to rush.

I'm Not Nuts - Really...

Handsome had a fabulous band concert last night. We had planned an after-concert party at our house for a number of the musicians and their spouses, so I got a late start on my post for today. We had a ball, and as soon as I process the concert videos I'll be adding a few numbers to the list on my sidebar.

I want to show you three new residents at Brynwood today, though, so let me begin the introductions.

When I got ready to leave Wisconsin early this month, Deb surprised me.  I walked out of Grace's house to find these three critters on the hood of my Explorer to take home with me!

This one is my favorite. He's heavy, and I like that he's so lifelike. He is keeping me company in the studio for now. Perhaps he'll eventually end up on the covered lanai, but for now I like having him close.

This one is ceramic, so he's more fragile. I haven't decided where I'll put him, but I know he'll be in a safe place where certain corgis can't knock him over and break him. (We won't mention any names.)

The third one is more "cute-sy", but Grace liked him so that's good enough for me. He's not breakable, but I'll have to keep him out of direct sun and weather. Perhaps the table in the entry would be a good place for him?

I think they should have names. Don't you? Let me know if you have any ideas.

Tag has a vet appointment today. We're going to meet and go through a number of precautionary bloodwork and exams before we schedule his "nootering" appointment next week. I'm not telling him about it at all. What he doesn't know...

Tomorrow night is the drawing for my Blog Birthday giveaway! Be sure to get your name in the drawing if you haven't done so yet! (I'm just might add a few surprises!)

See you tomorrow.

Feelin' Squirrely...

I'm feeling pretty "squirrely", but also darn proud of myself for finishing this teeny, tiny cross stitch piece. It's my friend, Maureen Appleton's design (The Heart's Content) and will become a scissors fob when I'm finished assembling it.

I wanted to photograph it next to a pair of earrings gifted me by one of my followers last fall. She asked that she remain anonymous, so I'll honor her wishes. Just know, my dear, that I wear them often and simply adore the sparkle of these pretty acorn earrings. Thank you again!
To give you a better idea of the size of this embroidery, I've photographed the squirrel next to a Canadian quarter. (It's the only shiny quarter I had in my wallet!) I never realized the Queen looks like she's scowling on the face of it. Sidetracked again. So, two quarters would pretty much hide all my hard work! You're impressed, aren't you? And it did it without a magnifier.

Well, I'm impressed with myself, and am happy to say that I don't think I'll tackle a one-over-one cross stitch piece on 26 ct. linen again any time soon. I'll make this one into my scissors fob and then just plop down and rest on my laurels for a while.

PS. While I was visiting Maureen's site, I found that she is offering the squirrel cross stitch design as a freebie. If you'd like to stitch this piece for yourself, just click here to download your own chart.

Surprises From Vermont...

I just had take a break from sewing to show you what came in the mail yesterday. Surprises from Vermont, and my beautiful friend, Denise. She explained in her note that she'd been collecting things, with me in mind, as she traveled around her home state this summer.

Beautifully wrapped packages were nestled in leaves, fall-themed tissue paper, and acorn fabric! The wrappings were gifts in their own right!
Then, I opened her packages to find a vintage squirrel print (already mounted behind glass); a crewel chipmunk holding an acorn; and the sweetest, vintage squirrel salt and pepper set! The packages were also embellished with buttons (See the acorn button? So cool!); and Denise had told me that she'd also collected a lot of acorns, only to have them "hatch" a bevy of insects. (YUK!!) She thought better of shipping them. (Thanks a million, Denise! I'll cherish the thought.) But, you'll see in the photo that she couldn't resist sending a cluster of acorn caps! I almost forgot...there was a package of delicious Vermont maple candy, too. That disappeared. Hmmmm. I think Handsome got it! (Denise, you know how much he loves that candy!)

I just have to be one of the luckiest girls around to have a friend who would spend vacation or precious free time in search of surprises for me. I'm going to create something special just for her to show her how much her thoughtfulness means to me.

Denise, my friend...If you read this post, please know how dear you and your generous heart are to me. I so appreciate every single part and piece of the gifts you sent south. Thank you. Thank you!
Quilt update: Still sewing. Completed eleven blocks so far. Twenty five to go. Hoping to be back tomorrow with news that the quilt blocks are completed (Assembled top would be better still!) Wish me luck!

A Variation On A Theme...

Today I wanted to share a little something I purchased while shopping in Williamsburg with Shell. This is a tiny scissors fob designed by my friend, Maureen Appleton of The Hearts Content.

I first met Maureen years ago when we would travel to trade shows to sell our counted thread designs. Maureen lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin - only an hour and a half north of where I used to live. She's a wonderful, beautiful woman, and her designs are fabulous. If you aren't familiar with her designs, go to her website and have a peek. Her one-over-one samplers are simply elegant!

This scissors fob features a squirrel which will be stitched onto 29 ct. Glenshee linen - one thread of floss over one thread of linen. The result will be the most perfectly detailed design as the centerpiece of the fob.
In addition to including everything needed to stitch the fob and finish it as shown in the photograph, Maureen also included this special pair of embroidery scissors. I'm sure you've seen embroidery scissors with animals on them before. Shell gave me a beautiful pair with a rabbit on them (which I adore), and it's not unusual to find them with a stork, but look at these...
A Squirrel!!! Not acorns, but a variation on a theme, don't you think? I showed the kit to Shell. It was so perfect to find the little kit, but to discover that the squirrel scissors were also included... We decided that this kit just had to come home with me!

I'll definitely need to break out my magnifying light to stitch this, but rest assured, it's on my short-term To Do list!

PS. I found out yesterday, when Francie left a comment for me, that the acorns in the previous post are boxes. BOXES?? Who would have thought? I can't wait to stuff them and use them on our tree this Christmas! Thanks again, Francie...both for the acorns, and for letting this rube know that they open up! ;-)

Hello, Sleepy Head...

Now, I lay me down to sleep...

Oh, gosh. Isn't this just the sweetest little sleeping squirrel?
Michelle Palmer created this image for me as
part of the series I commissioned from her.
I asked for this one, specifically, and
love her interpretation of my request.
I'm so in awe of her artistic talent. Isn't she wonderful?

These acorns were also part of my set.
Yesterday, I created something new to coordinate with the item I
made over the weekend. You remember? The one I teased you with.
I won't be so cruel today...I'll show you what this is.

I made a cover for Miss Ellie!
(For those of you who don't know, Miss Ellie is
my nickname for my Babylock Ellisimo sewing machine)

I think the sleeping squirrel is perfect.
When Miss Ellie is sleeping,
this cover will keep her clean and dust-free.

No more peeks for now...
but I promise you'll get a good look at everything
when I debut my studio makeover on June 19th!

Getting Squirrely In The Studio...

I recently commissioned artist, Michelle Palmer, to create
an entire woodland series for Brynwood Needleworks. I
asked her for acorns, oak leaves...and squirrels.
The only thing I specifically suggested was the
little squirrel sleeping curled up in its sweet, bushy tail.
Now, be honest. Aren't they positively fabulous?!!

I'm cleaning and redecorating the studio in anticipation
of this year's Where Bloggers Create II blogging party.
These woodland drawings are part of a new piece
that I'm creating just to hang in my studio.

Come back tomorrow and I'll share all the details
of the Where Bloggers Create II party with you.