Replenishing My Creative Juices...

Brynwood Needleworks - Linen "Butterflies & Roses" Project Tote

When I have a lot on my plate, I'm known to back away for a bit to regroup.

Brynwood Needleworks - Linen "Butterflies & Roses" Project Tote

I shared my project list last week, but got way behind (my self-imposed)  schedule when some other really fun options came into play. Getting back to my studio to jump right into those projects was going to take a little extra effort.

Brynwood Needleworks - Linen "Butterflies & Roses" Lining

When this happens, I usually start with a few smaller projects that can be completed in a few hours or an afternoon. What I came up with was particularly fun.

Brynwood Needleworks - Linen "Butterflies & Roses" Twill Tape

I love my "collection" of linen fabrics and custom made twill tapes, so I started there.

Brynwood Needleworks - Linen "Believe In Yourself" Project Tote

Before I knew it, I had two completed project totes, and a head full of ideas for more designs. These are perfect for toting around needlework, knitting, or crochet projects - or they can be used as tool bags to carry sewing items.

Brynwood Needleworks - Linen "Believe In Yourself" Project Tote

I chose some of my favorite fabrics to use as linings, and added a removable strap to make each tote into a larger wristlet. So, you could even carry your cell phone, wallet and a few extras in them for everyday use.

Brynwood Needleworks - Linen "Believe In Yourself" Lining

It was fun to choose all the components, and then create these two projects.

Brynwood Needleworks - Linen "Believe In Yourself" Twill Tape

 They're both listed in my Etsy shop, and my mind is clear and focused.   Nothing works better than taking a little creative breather for me. Now, I can get back to my studio to work on the items on that list I made. 

I just received my newest twill tapes from Anna of LillaLotta. I wanted tapes that could be folded, and these fit the bill perfectly.

On one roll of tape, my logo and and website information was printed in black and white. The other roll features my logo in full color, with the website in black for the back of the fold.

Anna always puts such care into her work, and I'm extremely happy with the way these turned out. I'm looking forward to using them very soon.

She recently created new artwork for her business images. The little bird is so sweet, and her title suits her well..."illustrator and goodness maker". I admire her creative style and sense of whimsy.

Although her Etsy shop is on vacation, she is active on FaceBook. (This is a link to her FB page.) If you'd like to order custom tapes, it's best to send a message to her there.

She also created these luscious tapes that I'll be sewing on today to finish my special order. After I sew the tapes to each piece, I'll sew on the binding and this order will be complete. All that will be left to do is deliver them to my customer...and kick back for the weekend with Handsome and Tag!

Handsome doesn't have a concert this weekend, so we'll really be relaxing. I'd better get this project finished. The sooner is done, the quicker I play! 

Happy Weekend!

Weekend Images...

Our soggy front yard

It's rained nearly every day since we got back home. Sometimes, only for a few minutes. Sometimes all day long. The result is a soggy front yard, filled with noisy, croaking frogs at night who rest in the cool water all day.   We cut the grass as soon as the water recedes, because it will certainly rain any second. If we don't, we have thick, knee-deep, mosquito-filled grass to cut. The   jungle takes over. I swear, you can almost hear it grow on a warm, sunny day!

Our visitor

 When we took Tag out to explore the yard today, Handsome spotted this fella in one of our pine trees. He was probably hunting for frogs, geckos or some other water-logged critter. I managed to snap a picture of him, but he flew off crabbing at me for disturbing his hunt. He sat in a tree on the next lot making a racket until we turned and went into the house. We decided to let him get back to his own business.

A basketful of beautiful

I finished winding my tapes onto those gorgeous thread bobbins on Saturday, but they looked so organized and pretty in my big basket. I just had to share a picture with you before I sign off today. I'll be in the studio later to start something new.   First, I have to head to the laundromat. Seems our washer wants a visit from  our repairman...and he won't come until the parts we need arrive...in a week.  Great news is that our extended warranty will even cover the costs for taking our  laundry out to be cleaned. (Sure glad we got that extra coverage!) Cool, huh?   I've got my week organized and if there are no snags. I'm planning to get a lot accomplished. I'll be taking pictures and sharing the process with all of you.   What do you have planned? Are you creating this week, or recharging for later? I'd love to know.

Look What I Found...

When recently combing through boxes in a local antique shop, I came across  a treasure trove of these little beauties. They're thread spools, used (I think) in a factory setting. They have a fabulous patina and are in great shape, so I knew that I had to have them, but I also knew exactly how I would use them at home.

The first step when I got them back to the studio was to cover the beautiful wood with scraps of cotton batting. Wood can damage fabric over time, so this is a step I took in an effort to protect what I would store on the spools to keep them safe.

Then, I went into my stash of beautiful, printed twill ribbons and began rolling  the wide tapes that I have onto the spools. Each tape is 2" wide, so you can see how large these spools are to be able to hold three different ribbons on each one.

I think they're beautiful to look at even when I'm not using them, don't you? In fact, I may have to go back and purchase more spools. (Yup. I have more tapes.   I can't believe it's already Friday again. I guess it's true... "Time flies when you're having fun"! Speaking of time...It's time to finish my knitting project. Gotta run!

Why, Yes, I am...

 "Made in Britain", that is. Hence, my attraction to my newest tapes.

These arrived from straight across the pond, and I love all of them!

 I have no idea how I'm going to use them yet, but I needed them just the same.

 I ordered these from bigfish on Etsy, and I couldn't help but

smile when the package arrived. Her return address is "Owl End Way"

in Lower Boddington, UK. Isn't that the coolest street name? I love it!

 You can just click on her shop name to check out all her items.

I'll be busy working on my next project. Have a creative Thursday, friends.

Why, Yes I Am...

 ...at least I am "Her Royal Highness" in our house!

I found a new seller on Etsy that I just love.

The name of the shop is madametreacle and Janie Jones is the shopkeeper.

She lives in London and I adore her twill tapes. I just had to order some of them!

Geraniums and bumblebees

 They come on beautiful cards in 1 meter increments.

My mind is a-buzz with ideas for these tapes.

Roses and more roses.

 "Roses are red, my love..." (Feel free to hum along with Bobby Vinton and me.)

Badgers and holly sprigs.

 Of course, this British/Wisconsin girl would have to have English twill tapes

featuring badgers! "If you wanna be a badger, then come along with me."

(I know. More music...University of WI fight song. I can't help myself!)

My entire order.

These are all the tapes I ordered from Janie. (I actually got two cards of

the badger tape. I especially liked that one!) I have no idea how I'll use

that design, but I know I'll come up with something fun! Any ideas to share?

Yesterday I received a gorgeous floral arrangement from my Aunty Margaret 

and Uncle Dick. We shared in a celebration yesterday and they sent these

flowers to thank me for my help. It was a wonderful surprise, with a beautiful

card that meant so much to me. You know how much I love to share joyful or

creative things with you, so I had to show you this happy and fragrant gift.

Thank you, Aunty Marg and Uncle Dick! I love the flowers!

 (I know my aunt reads my blog.)

I'm off to the quilt shop for morning coffee, but I'll be coming home to work

on play with another project. I managed to finish so many tasks and projects

last week that I can't wait to see what the coming week holds. 

I can't believe it's February already! Perhaps a Valentine project should be next?

Protecting The iPad...

I love this image!

While Mum and Dad Burt were in England, they sent us this adorable postcard.

The reason I'm sharing this card today is because 

it's the inspiration for a project I'm making this week...

Do you remember this cool, quilted iPad case I made before Christmas in 2010?

Handsome decided that he wants it for his iPad, so I need a new one for mine.

I'm going to make my case with a British theme in honor of the Queen's Jubilee.

I'm going to be using this great twill tape.

I ordered the tape from my favorite source, Lillalotta on Etsy.

Anna created this new tape recently and I knew I needed to get some of it.

I'll be back with photos when I finish my new case.

I hope you have something creative planned for this week.

It's too hot to play outside...might as well play inside!

No One Can Make Just One...

More mug mats.

Someone stop me. They're addictive, I tell you.
No one can make just one.

More Heritage fabric with a crow drawn by Michelle Palmer...

and a summery, French Patisserie fabric with
vintage lace and a little tea time tape.

Perhaps something even more feminine?

Vintage lace and twill tape sentiments...

or sweet roses with love notes tucked in the blooms,
embellished with a flowery piece of lace.

I've discovered the joy of this divinely simple and sweet project.
Perfect gifts for special friends...or a swap project!
I'm just having too much fun to stop!

Would anyone like to participate in a Mug Mat Swap?
If so, please email me to let me know.
(Please put "Mug Mat Swap" in the subject line.)
I've been included in a new Etsy Showcase!
It's called "Feeling Hearty" from CarolinaForero.
Thank you, Carolina, for adding me to your
talented showcase. I really appreciate it.

Oh, and there's still time to enter the PhotoBook Creator Giveaway.
Just click here to enter.

I'm Twice Tickled...

Aren't these beautiful? Come on. Be honest now. Aren't they perfectly "Brynwood"? (Ok, I mean, aside from the fact that they actually say, "Brynwood".)

Before Christmas, I was grazing around on Etsy looking for a supplier willing to create personalized twill tapes for me. I came across a talented woman named Anna. Her shop is LillaLotta, and her stock twill tapes are simply lovely. I knew I'd found my perfect match.

After a few convos in which I transmitted my Brynwood logo and desires for two different tapes, based on elements from my logo, she sent me artwork that was a perfect interpretation of what I wanted.

One, as you can see, uses my own Brynwood lettering and my small acorn. The other features my acorn alone. Both tapes will be cut to use as "signatures" on some of my handcrafted items. For that reason, she left room around the designs on my tapes to allow for cutting and stitching. I can't wait to use them!
You can click on Anna's shop name above, or on the photos of the lovely twill tapes I purchased from her. I know that I'll be going back to her for future custom orders, and I love that she's so professional that she won't sell my designs to others. We collaborated on these tapes, and they're Brynwood's alone. She will afford that professionalism to all her custom requests. Another thing - She is located in France, but my tapes arrived quickly and the shipping wasn't expensive. No need to hesitate because of her location.

These are the other tapes I purchased from her Etsy shop. Twill tapes featuring red and blue Swedish Dala horses (remember my last name is Swedish), tapes featuring beautiful dimensional hearts, and tapes with a stack of tea cups and the words "Tea Time". I'm thinking a tea cozy with this tape on it might be in order for Mum.

So full of inspiration in the new year, and now fully stocked to move full-speed ahead. Watch out 2010!

I also want to tell you about something else today...

I've signed on with Missy and her Crafting With Cat Hair blog Destash-Along 2010.

Missy has a wonderful blog where she offers easy-to-understand blog tutorials, has lots of free patterns and ideas and shares stories of her life with her two cats, Daphne and Drusilla. In fact, I'm working with some of her blog tutorials for some new features you be seeing here at Brynwood very soon! I always enjoy visiting her.

Now she's come up with an idea that seems custom designed for me this year. Her Destash-Along for 2010! The whole concept centers around "Out with the old, and in with the new." I can celebrate using all those supplies that daily call to me from the studio, and feel pride in the fact that I'll be more thrifty in the new year because I'm committed to working first from my stash. Click on her button to read more about it. I hope you'll join this great new year's event. I'm looking forward to sharing my projects with you this year...and I'd love to see what you're doing, too!