It Wasn't PCH...

Brynwood Needleworks - Friday Night Visitors

So, what would you think if you'd just changed out of wet jeans, socks and t-shirt (from working in the garden) into your most comfortable, but not-so-chic sweat pants and top, and saw this coming up your driveway?

Tag had sounded the alarm that someone was coming up the drive, so I got up from my chair to see a white limousine. What the...? I told him to quit barking his fool head off, and went to the door.

The front passenger door opened, and Tom (one of the masonry crew) stepped out with a beer in his hand. I asked him about the limo, and he told me it was his son's birthday - and that thirteen friends and family members were going out for dinner to celebrate. They were passing by on the highway, so he asked the driver (a family friend and designated driver for the night) to come up to the farmhouse. (Great "designated driver" idea, right?) He wanted to show off the new porch.

It was all I could do not to laugh. Upon meeting the rest of the birthday celebrants, I was told that the look on my face as they pulled in was priceless. Did I think they were the Party Patrol from Publishers Clearing House? I replied that hadn't crossed my mind, but I was a bit embarrassed to be caught wearing my sweats.

Tom made sure everyone saw his handwork, and that his wife knew where he'd been working the past few weeks. She was impressed, and then offered me an adult beverage. They were drinking Salted Caramel Sangria with apple bits for garnish. It sounded tasty, and they left one for me as they turned around to make it for their evening reservations.

Brynwood Needleworks - Moving On

 

Frankly, I'm surprised I had enough wits about me to snap a picture or two. I mean, isn't this a great story to share about our time here at the farmhouse? It's not every day a stretch limo rolls into the yard! I'm looking forward to seeing Tom today. It should be interesting!

 

Tag will be back tomorrow. Handsome and Bella got back home yesterday! All is right with my world again.

 

Life Happens...

Just when I've planned to get so much accomplished, Life happens. (I'm not complaining. It's important to be flexible. Spontaneous, even!)   The client who I thought would require three hours for a graphic piece ended up taking closer to twelve hours over two days. It's finished now.
The laundry that would usually be shuttled from our master bath to our laundry room, wasn't. The washing machine is on the fritz and won't be repaired until next Monday. Instead, I drove our laundry to be cleaned.  Even using the double load washers,  I was away from the studio for  another four hours (from the time I drove out 'til I got back home again).
So, if you're wondering what I accomplished yesterday...I've got a photo for you. I started cutting the fabrics (and choosing zippers) for the organizers.  That's it.
What's on the agenda for today?  I am definitely going to get into the studio again... but I have a couple of things I have to do first. If you want to know what they are, you'll have to come back again tomorrow. I'm not even giving hints today.
Seeeee yoouu tomoooorroooww!

Summertime...

 My finger is now protected by only a small Bandaid, and it is healing well.

It doesn't hurt and I should be able to remove the bandage in a day or so.

The best thing about being injured was that I was able to focus on 

finishing the instructions for my Summertime Quilt pattern. It is now 

completed, uploaded into my Craftsy shop and available for purchase.

 You can click here to go to the listing.

Today will be an exciting day at Brynwood, but I can't tell you about it

today. I promised Tag that he could share the whole story on Tuesday. 

We're such teases, aren't we?

We hope you have a wonderful Friday.

Surprises From Mum...

 ...and Dad Burt, too!

They sent me a box of souvenirs from their trip to England and France!

 Mum always knows just what I love.

Of course, there was a Diamond Jubilee commemorative publication...

and a Queen Elizabeth II dvd (narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier!).

I had mentioned to Mum that I'd seen an article about this 

line of British face cream that I thought she might like,

and I was tickled that there was a jar for me in the package!

I hope it helps me achieve that British "peaches and cream" complexion.

 Handsome collects (and wears) baseball caps, so there was this

really great (and soft!) cap from their trip to Paris.

 I specifically requested a Jubilee tin to go with another old one

that I have had for years. (I'll show you that another time.)

Mum found this one that came with English breakfast tea.

 The top and sides are also decorated with additional images and words.

It's perfect - just what I wanted - and I love it!

 But, the biggest surprise was a corgi pillow!!!!!

Squeeeee!!!!

I did a happy dance when I saw this beautiful pillow, and now

Taggart will have proof of his royal roots!

Thank you, Mum and Dad Burt.

What generous gifts - and wonderful surprises.

I know (Shell)...S.P.O.I.L.E.D...again

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?

Texas Acorns...

The first surprise package of acorns arrived from Fort Worth, Texas today. Thanks to Dee Dee of Dee Dee's Craft Spot. I was pretty excited when I saw the package in my mailbox, but can you believe the special envelope I found inside? Dee Dee, I suspect that you crafted this envelope yourself, and I think it's great.

When I opened the envelope, I found these beautiful acorns waiting for me. I'm getting an education with this project. I'm finding that acorns, like people, come in all shapes, sizes and colors. I have never seen acorns in this color and shape before. Another thing...I guess I thought that, coming from Texas, the acorns would be huge. (Isn't the saying that "Everything is bigger in Texas"?) These are small, almost tiny, mahogany-colored acorns. I love 'em! Don't you agree, they are very cool?

My call for acorns is going to be more fun than I ever imagined! I'm excited in anticipation of all the different and equally fabulous acorns that I know are coming my way. I'll be sending out a little package for Dee Dee yet this week. Thanks so much for sharing some of your East Texas acorns with me!

Don't forget to go over to Dee Dee's blog and say "hi" from me! And if you're interested in sending me some acorns from your fair state, please just send me a message through my email link in my left sidebar and I'll get my address to you. You'll receive a little gift from me for your trouble.

Another Sweet Surprise And My Next Project...

I was so wonderfully surprised today to receive another gift in the mail! I recently participated in a stitch marker swap with some of my grandma friends. I knew that my swap partner had been burned before and so I wanted to make sure that she was really pampered this time.

I found out that she collects tea pots, so I found a special one for her in an antique shop in Wisconsin, and then I found the perfect little tea cup charms to make her stitch markers. I added a few other little goodies for her, and then sent off her package anxiously anticipating her reaction. Of course, I was not disappointed, and neither was she. Her posts in our group were above and beyond complimentary. I was thrilled that she loved all of her gifts.

She went out of her way to thank me on our site, so you can imagine how surprised I was to open an envelope from her today and find a perfect tiny sock she had knitted and made into a key chain for me! Isn't it just the sweetest thing? I really love it. How lucky am I? Thank you again, Fran. How thoughtful and kind of you.

I finished my sweater knitting. Now I have to assemble it, and then crochet the edge on the body of it. I'll photograph it to share with you yet this week. I just wanted to show you what I've started as my newest (knitting) project.

Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton in a dreamy, sky blue. A shawl pattern by Mac n' Me. No rush to finish. It won't take long to knit. Moss stitch for eight rows, then the first and last eight stitches of each row in moss stitch with the rest done in stockinette stitch. I want it to be a lovely warm wrap that I can toss over my shoulders on our cool Florida winter nights. You can always track my progress in my "Currently On My Needles" Flickr album.