Sweet Little Embroideries...

Brynwood Needleworks - Working On Kathy Schmitz' Embroidery Patterns

Over the weekend and into last evening, I've began working on a series of little embroideries. They're all designed by Kathy Schmitz from her "My Little..." series. There are four sets of patterns available, and when completed, each design measures approximately 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square.

In the series are the four patterns: "My Little Garden", "My Little Home", "My Little Year", and "My Little Stitches". The designs you see above are from the "My Little Garden" pattern.

Getting Started

 

I have a small light box, the Cabin LED Light Panel CL-5300P (You can find them new on Ebay), with a viewing surface that measures about 4" x 5". It's the perfect size to pack in my needlework kit to keep handy when I need to trace out a design. I'm using my current favorite air-erasable pen (Leonis Air Erasable Pens). I order them HERE from Amazon. 

I'm glad these are small designs and I stitch fairly quickly, because the ink is nearly gone by the time I finish the design. Once I iron the completed piece, the rest of the ink disappears, and I'm ready to go on to the next one.

I do have some stitching commissions to begin, but in between, these are the perfect designs for a quick needlework fix! Just right as the evenings get a little cooler at the farm.

 

Bread Making Monday At The Farm...

Proofing Sandwich Bread

I chose sandwich loaves for my first, completely scratch made bread on Monday. The recipe from my recent class yields 2-3 loaves, depending on size, and it was fun to watch the size of the dough increase for each proofing.

Finished Freeform Sandwich Bread Loaves

 

When the dough was ready for shaping, I chose to go with a freeform, rather than doing the final rise in a pan. I think next time (think sandwich loaf), I'll put these into a pan for traditional, sandwich-shaped bread.

Handsome and I cut into it as soon as it was cool enough, and there were definite smiles-all-around. Success! We decided that Mondays will be bread making days at the farm from now on.

Tuesdays With Tag - Something Feline This Way Comes...

The Most Handsome Corgi Brynwood's Taggart

Hi, Everybody!

Fall is definitely in the air, but here at the farm, I smelled somethin' else recently.
 Let me back up a bit.

On Saturday, Mom and Dad were out workin' in the yard, and because The Black Dog and I kept tryin' to go on an adventure (when they weren't lookin'), we were takin' a time out inside. Dad was washin' our tractors while Mom was cleanin' up the garden.

Dad and Mom noticed they were bein' watched right about the same time, and they had a little discussion about how it could get interestin' around here if we happened to see it, too. They hoped it would stay off our property, and went back to work.

 

Black Cat Image via TheSpruce.com

As Mom was makin' breakfast Sunday mornin', she looked out the kitchen window to see a set of cat's eyes lookin' back at her. It was right outside the window...on our grass! Ho, boy! That's one brave cat. It sat lookin' at her for a while, and then walked off into the yard.

Boo and I had to do our business shortly after that, and although I didn't see the black cat, as soon as I finished takin' a whiz, I picked up the faint aroma of kitty cat on the wind and started trackin'. Mom called me off it before I ever saw anythin', but she knows she's gonna have to be vigilant, just to be safe. 

We don't know if the black cat is plannin' to stay just for Halloween, or even if it has a home to return to, but Mom wants to avoid anyone gettin' hurt. She'll make sure we don't see it, if she can help it. 

Boo and I won't try to hurt it, but it's possible that the cat might take a swipe at us, just 'cuz we don't know each other. I'm tellin' ya, though, if someone scratches me across the nose, I might get a little testy. I think it's better if we just gaze at each other from afar. That's what Mom and Dad want, too.

I'd better go set up in my favorite lookout spot. You just never know what might saunter across the yard, and if that happens, I'll have to sound the alarm.

 

 I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".