I'm Hexied!...

Brynwood Needleworks - Lots of Hexie Flowers

 I've been busy with my hexie project! So far. they're assembled in groups of seven to look like flowers. (See where my logo is at the bottom of the photograph? Make that one #1, and then count five more clockwise, around that creamy white center.) I haven't sewn the flowers together yet, as I contemplate what I'd like for a finished product.

 

I'm trying to decide whether to stitch them together (like this) to make a table runner, or separate them to stitch onto a whole cloth background. Handsome said he likes them scattered onto a ground fabric to show off the flower shapes (plus the end project will be larger). I'm torn.

What do you think?

Nearly Finished...

Brynwood Needleworks - Patriotic Sunset

 

Some days just don't go as planned. I got up early and made poolish (my starter) for foccaccia. Then, read emails over my morning coffee. My plan was to sit and stitch yesterday to finish my special chicken. My back had other plans. Sometimes, it goes out for no apparent reason whatsoever.

I took a mild (mostly ineffective) pain killer, and settled in with a heating pad (which helped), to stitch. I almost finished my stitching, but not quite. I'll finish today, and then sew it together. I'll take a photo to share with you on Monday, but not today. boo

 

This past week, indigo buntings added their bright blue plumage to the yard. We also have one large crow that has taken a shine to the feeders I place near the lilac bushes. I think crows are extremely cool, so I hope this one will continue to visit over the summer.

As the sun set last night, Handsome and I noticed that the sky looked rather patriotic in its shades of red, white and blue. I set my exposure for the sunset, so it's too dark for you to see three deer in the field, too. There's always something wonderful to see at the farmhouse.

 

Here's hoping my back leaves me alone today. I have too much to do to just sit around. Wish me luck!

Work And Play...

Silk Butterfly

Although I haven't finished my practice butterfly, I've decided to start working on my actual piece. I purchased Au Ver A Soie and Soie Crystale silks to stitch it. I'll be working on this when I'm not completing my current commissions.

Tutor, Owen Davies supplied us with a 50-page instruction book to go along with our awesome instruction. That combined with our actual classwork gave us the confidence to stitch the actual piece on our own. I've decided to jump right in...and will let you know how it goes.

Curtain Fabric

Under my machine needle today is four sets of curtains for a northern retreat for a special client. I'll get these sewn today for weekend delivery.

Handsome has a concert this evening, too! It will be wonderful to hear him play again, as he was at the summer Windjammers meet for the last concert. I always enjoy performances more when he's playing.

It's going to be a busy day - and evening - so, I'll close now to get right to it. See you again tomorrow. I hope you have a perfect day.
 

I'm Stitching Again...

Work In Progress - Bluebell Nest

 

*ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR THURSDAY, BUT IT DIDN'T PUBLISH. sigh Let's try again. *

When we travel, I almost always take along a needlework project. It's portable, doesn't take up much room and doesn't require a lot of supplies. 

I traced out this design with a Frixion™ pen on the lightbox in my studio, and then mounted it to scroll frame bars. Then, I packed my needles and thread into my carry case to bring along on our trip to Florida.

Note: I only use the Frixion™ pens now on areas that will be covered by stitching, and only on light-colored fabrics. The pen leaves ghost lines on dark fabric, so I won't take a chance of that happening. 

On light colored fabrics, I cover the ink with my stitching, because there's always a chance the ink will reappear under colder temperatures. Otherwise, I use chalk pencils for most of my markings. I don't have to worry about them leaving marks or having the marks reappear.

Pattern - Kathy Schmitz' Bluebell Nest

 

This pattern is "Bluebell Nest" from Kathy Schmitz, and it's the last one I have to stitch before I go on to the next steps toward creating this quilt. 

I'll be working on it as we head back to the farm today, so we'll see how much I manage to finish while we travel.

Tag is home from the Emergency Clinic. He's on special food and antibiotics, and we're waiting to travel with him until Monday, just to be sure he's okay. He'll tell you all about it from his point of view next week. Thanks for your concern and kind wishes.

 

Something To Do Is A Good Thing...

It's been a while, so I don't know whether or not you'll remember the Wooly Critters Sampler project I began last year.

This was Block One...a cute, little chickadee in the sunflowers. I chose a soft, creamy flannel for the background of each of my blocks. Corgi hair will stick to it like nobody's business. What was I thinking?

I was having so much fun that I promptly completed Block Two! This tiny turtle and a flower wreath of pansies was so sweet, I was tickled when it was finished.

The Coffee Club girls had chosen this as our annual project last year, but I lost interest in finishing all my blocks after the shop (Sandy's Quilt Shop, owned by two of our club members) closed. I guess I was in "mourning" for the shop.

Now that I'm sitting around, resting, the project came to mind. It's something I can work on without overexerting myself.

The next block is "Butterfly & Roses" and I'd already pulled the wools and threads. So last night, I traced the pattern pieces onto Heat & Bond Lite.

Today, I'll be able to fuse the pieces, cut them out and prepare the piece for stitching. YAY!!! Something to create!

In case you're not familiar with my project, here's a photo of the front of my pattern. It's called  "Wooly Critter Sampler" by Brandywine Design. 

 

I'm sooooo looking forward to putting needle, thread and fabric together again! Something to do is a good thing.

Feeling Better By The Day...

 I felt well enough to pull out my Sweet Stitches "Make Merry" kit.

It features the Jolly Ol' Elf himself, so I would like to finish it while

Christmas is still in the air. I figure I have until Sunday to get him done.

 After Sunday, I think I'll need to look forward to 2014, like the

rest of you. I'd much rather be stitching than out in the stores.

I like the idea of getting back to my regular routines, too...

just in time for the new year!

How are you spending your time between now and New Years Day?

Say Hi To Jack...

 Completed in time for Halloween, I'd like you to meet "Jack".

He's the October "Sweet Stitches" kit from Kathy Schmitz.

 I finished him yesterday and will hang him with the other completed

panels for now. When they're all stitched up, I'll pull out the fabrics

for each kit, make the fronts and then join all of them into one big quilt.

 I love all the little details in each panel, but guess what caught my eye

in this one? Jack's button is an acorn! No wonder he's smiling.

Happy Halloween, everybody!

Have fun dressing up, and be safe.

Sunny Monday...

 Last week was a busy, busy week, but not much time was spent in the studio. I did,

 however, manage to spend time stitching on my Sweet Stitches, "Sunny Days" kit.

I'm working on the second little bee now, and then I'll move on to stitch the rest

 of the flower stems and the picket fence. Most of this is done in stem stitch, so it's

 a simple design to work. I really liked working the centers of the sunflowers, too!

 I'll finish "Sunny Days' this week, and then I have to move to a small quilt

that I'll be teaching the end of this month at Crazy Quilters. I'll show you

the fabrics and pattern after I get going on it, but I think you'll like it.

This will be a two-session class, and I'm looking forward to teaching again. I 

have so much fun with my students, and I like seeing them learn something new.

So, I'm off to an appointment first thing today and then I'll be relaxing with

my needlework for the rest of the day. Sounds like a Sunny Monday to me!

Wishing everyone a great start to your week!

Circular Thinking...

 What a great weekend! I found time to work on the Princeton Plates quilt.

 I enjoyed resting with my feet up, stitching the plates to the background 

fabric. I kept my supplies close at hand - Kimono silk thread, Thread Heaven™,

silver bee thimble, scissors and needle. Everything I needed when my attention

turned to the quilt - available when the urge to work on it struck my fancy.

 By the end of the day Monday all of my plates were sewn down!

Time to change my focus to creating the circles for the center of the blocks.

I gave Handsome fabric samples and asked him choose his favorite for the center 

circles. The winner was the blue paisley fabric. I think the blue  will be just the 

right choice for these plates. After all, the Moda "Princeton" line looks just like 

men's ties when used this way, and the blue center moves it even more in a 

masculine direction. Even so, I like the choice as much as Handsome does.

I made a template for the center and then began the applique' process of

forming the fabric into circles.  I need eighteen circles for eighteen plates.

 Today will be a total play day. I'll make the rest of the circle centers and

sew them to the plates. I bet I'll be pretty close to adding sashing by Friday.

There will be a lot of "circular thinking" before this step is finished. (snort)

What will you be working on today?

On The Other Hand...

I've been working on new Strawberry Roses while in Williamsburg. It's wonderful to relax and stitch - until this happens...

Monday night, a group of musicians and spouses decided to go to Golden Corral in Williamsburg for dinner, where we were enjoying a really good meal. I got up to get my main course, and when I came back to the table, I sat down and tried to pull my seat in. Apparently, the legs were detaching from the rest of the chair, and without knowing it, they separated. As I pulled the chair in, both of my hands were caught between the seat and the front legs. Boy, was I surprised!

My left hand escaped with a small puncture that only bled for a little while. On the other hand (no pun intended!), I suffered a more severe injury because the chair decided to keep a hunk of skin from my right "attitude" finger. It bled like crazy.

Our waitress immediately got the manager who came over with a bandage and antiseptic cream. I thought he was gonna kiss my boo boo, he was so concerned! He was really very sweet! He helped bandage my finger, comped our dinner and said that if it needed further medical attention, Golden Corral would pick up the tab.After the band finished their final rehearsal on Monday evening, (and I had already changed my bandage three times), Handsome took me over to the Emergency Clinic, where I was treated with space age adhesive to cover the wound. They couldn't stitch or use butterfly bandages because there was too much tissue missing to "bring it together", so they just glued up the opening and I left sporting this lovely new look.
My new bandage wasn't very conducive to stitching early on Tuesday, but I was still able to sit back in the chair and listen to the Consort make beautiful music. Watching one hundred fifteen musicians work with Lt. Col. Larry Lane, who usually conducts a band at the Air Force Academy (Handsome's brother, a former Air Force pilot, refers to it as "Zoom U") in Colorado Springs, Co.

After our dinner last night, I was able to switch from the "attitude" bandage to a regular Bandaid to keep my injury covered...and I was able to return to stitching. Don't fret. It doesn't hurt now. It's just a royal pain that this even happened.

The chair has been relegated to the dumpster, and I thank Heaven that it happened to me. Had it been a little child, they could have lost a finger. I went back to Golden Corral yesterday, where they reaffirmed that they would cover all my medical costs, and then they bought my lunch, too!

If you've never eaten there before, I can highly recommend the food...and I'm more than happy to give their people rave reviews, too. They really care about their customers. But, if you sit on a wonky chair, move it and get a different one in a hurry!

More fun stuff tomorrow. Til then, I hope you have a creative day wherever you are!

I see that Brynwood has reached 500 Friends (Followers) as of Tuesday night. In celebration, I'll soon be starting a second lap quilt for a second giveaway prize! You guys are incredible! You're making sure I won't be resting when I get home. Thank you to all of you for joining me on this fabulous journey. Love you all!

I'll Just Keep Stitching Away...

I've been working on it. I've been threading needles, turning edges, and stitching away with nary a grumble. Everything I need right at my elbow...pincushion/thread catcher, spool holder, scissors, needles and my applique' square.
Tuesday night, I took it to the "instructor" who told me I "wasn't doing it right". According to her, I'm supposed to be "using more glue, not basting, and cleaning up my edges". Then, she told me that she "doesn't usually hand out Lesson Two, until Lesson One is finished." I stood right there in front of her until she coughed up Lesson Two. I haven't decided yet, whether or not I'll do Lesson Two, but it was a matter of principle. I don't appreciate instructors who hold lessons hostage.

I know I'll continue doing just what I'm doing. After all, she didn't tell me how I was supposed to do it until Tuesday night! I'm starting to get the hang of it this way. Notice, I didn't say I was particularly liking it. Not yet, anyway. For now, I'll just keep stitching away.
How do you like my latest little sewing helper? In a flash of inspiration (and after picking my spool of thread up off the floor for the umpteenth time), I remembered a receipt holder I had squirreled away from my days as Stitches' proprietress. I took it out of the cabinet and popped the two spools I've been using onto it. Now, all I have to do is grab the thread end and it just unreels. My spool stays right there on the table top. A $2.00 spool holder! Clever girl, right?

This Could Be Me...

When I'm not stitching and playing in the studio, I often

play with images with my camera, and then on my computer.

I've been watching so many of my blog friends change up
the look of their sites and have contemplated doing the same
here at Brynwood. My dilemma is that I really like the green
woodland-type background, so I'm having a real internal debate.

So far, I've done all of the blog set-up and "decor" myself.

I've tried out a few new header looks yesterday, and chose one that
I really liked as the new header for the Boutique.
What do you think?
These are all items from my studio, or items I've created.
Maybe I should change the color of the studio to reflect this palet?
I've added a new header here to try out.
Could this new look be me?
You know I love feedback, right?

Pretty, Vintage Hankies All In A Row...

I had been reading a post over at Marydon's blog, Feedsack Fantasy and Blushing Rose Boutique, when she told her readers about a product called Vintage Textile Soak. Well, I'm a sucker for a great endorsement, and Marydon sold me on the stuff, so I went right to the source and ordered some. (You can link to Marydon's blog here to read her recommendation for Vintage Textile Soak.)

It arrived and of course, I had to try it right away! (Even the packaging was beautiful!) I used the Soak to launder my vintage hankies (and a few other things) - Marydon was right, girlfriends! You should see how it works on your fine unmentionables! (Are you seeing that I'm excited about this stuff from the exclamation points?)

So now that they're all cleaned and pressed, I'd like to share my vintage hankies with you. These hankies belonged to my Handsome's mom, grandmother and aunt. These women all did the needlework that appears on them. I'm proud to have been related to a long line of needleworkers. I used a few to embellish Shaker sewing boxes for my daughters-in-law. I carry these hankies to weddings and special occasions, because (of course) you'd never use them for anything but wiping away a happy tear or drying a child's eyes.

You can see that these beauties were embellished in shadow stitching, crewelwork, whitework and the teeniest, tiniest, most perfect stitches. I know I'll add to this collection some day, but these will always be my favorites.

Remember, comments = entries in my 100th Post Giveaway! Click here for details.

Look What I Found...

I was tidying up (ok, I was cleaning and purging) in the studio yesterday, and look what I found! I had started this project a long, long time ago - when we still lived in Wisconsin. When we moved, this was put in the box with some of my other needlework projects, and then just went into the bottom drawer of my pattern file when I moved into my current studio.

As I opened that bottom drawer yesterday, these ribbon embroideries caught my eye. The embroideries are completely finished and all I have to do is assemble them as pincushions into the shaker bases that I have for them. I can't believe I'd forgot all about them! Especially knowing how much I love pincushions.

If you've never tried silk ribbon embroidery, it's really a fun and although there are specific stitches for creating the different flowers, the stitcher has a lot of leeway in the finished design. You can embellish nearly anything with the embroideries. Very pretty - and definitely very vintage.

I think they've waited long enough for me to finish them. I bet you can't wait to see them all put together.

By the way, can you believe it's August 1st already? Only 6 more days until my 100th Post Giveaway!!!