I'm Feeling A Little Cross-Eyed...

Brynwood Needleworks -  New Patterns

 

I spent the entire day in my studio yesterday...at my computer. I began by editing my photos from making the chicken pincushions and my new Shop Hop Crossbody Bag. Then, I began the long and intense process (at least for me) of writing the patterns to create them.

If I missed a step in my sewing images, I went back to the machine and recreated it for the pattern. I spent an entire eight hours going back and forth, and then asking Handsome to proof my copy for me. Thankfully, I only had one typo, and a paragraph written when I was near the end, that made absolutely no sense. It's all fixed now, and these are ready to market in the next few days.

I have one more pattern to write, but I'm going to need to make another model, photographing as I go, before I can begin to work up the pattern. It's supposed to rain today, so I may be able to get it done.

Tonight is Handsome's first summer concert. He's going to be playing the drum set on a number of pieces. For that reason, I'm hoping the rain holds off until well into this evening. If it rains, they perform in a building at the fairgrounds. If the weather is nice, they perform in a band shell under the stars. I'm sure you know my preference, so let's cross our fingers.

My Brynwood email server will be undergoing some changes between last Thursday and the 18th of this month. It's a long, boring story, so I'm not going to share it, but if you've sent an email my way and I haven't replied to it, please know that I'm having some technical difficulties, and will do my best to locate and respond to my personal emails. 

My studio rooms look like a bomb went off in them, so cleanup may be my first order of business...or I may just go back to bed for a while. I'll decide after my morning coffee.

Tuesdays With Tag - It's Gonna Get Excitin' Around Here...

Brynwood Needleworks - Oh, Hi!

Oh, Hi Everybody!

You caught me remindin' Dad that it was time to feed the Corgi (and the Black Dog, too). If it starts to look like someone might have missed dinner time, I just jump up onto the sofa, run down to the arm of Dad's chair, and get up in his face. 

Usually a look is all it takes, but sometimes I have to get a little vocal. After Dad quits laughin', he or Mom get to the pantry and fill the dishes with tasty morsels. My technique works pretty well. 

So, this week I want to tell you that it's fixin' to get real excitin' around the farm. You won't believe who the center of the "storm" is gonna be.

Liljegren's Suncoast Bella

Yep. It's all about The Black Dog. Last weekend, she started smellin' funny to me. Then, she jumped up onto the sofa and left a little drop behind. Dad and Mom checked it out, cleaned and disinfected the sofa, and put a diaper on her (Bella, not Mom!). 

She's been checked at the vet, who says she's "pre-sumthin'", and she has to go back on Thursday for another test. She doesn't even have to study for it, but I know she doesn't like it. She told me it involves them doin' somethin' to her privates, and she won't even let me back there! She's pretty insulted by the whole affair.

Anyway, once we get the "go" from the vet, Mom's loadin' her up into the Explorer and headin' to Bella's betrothed, who's stayin' with Uncle Mike. They're gonna get hitched, and then he's gonna give her babies (her betrothed, not Uncle Mike. Stay with me now!). Then, Mom and Bella will pack up their stuff and head home to await the blessed event. It's all a little technical for me. This is all I know...

 

Brynwood Needleworks - The Hickory Hill (Doggie) Hilton

 

Mom and Dad assembled a new apartment for Bella and me in the barn. They've called it the Hickory Hill (Doggie) Hilton. Our kennels are in here, so I can help Boo get used to it (and she won't be lonesome). 

 

Next weekend, Mom and Dad are goin' to get somethin' called a whelpin' box. It's what Bella will sleep in when she's gettin' ready to have puppies. It keeps 'em all corralled in one place so she doesn't lose 'em.

Well, first things first. She's gotta get her system goin' so Mom and Dad can count off the days until she has to travel. Then, Mom's gonna have to get some quick drivin' miles in to get to southeast Florida in good time. After that...well, all I know is Dad and I will hang out at the farm on our own for a while. 

Don't worry. I'll let you know what's goin' on as soon as someone gets the info to me. It's just a stoopid waitin' game for now. That, and stayin' outside in our new digs once in a while. We do what we can to keep things excitin' around here. Just wait 'til there are puppies! (I can't!)

 

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

"Live Like Someone Left The Gate Open".

 

I (Mostly) Rested...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Bread

 

It's going to get crazy around the farm pretty darn soon. So, last weekend, I (mostly) rested. I'm going to let Tag tell you more of what we did when he visits with you tomorrow, though. Saturday, I spent outdoors, more soaking up the sun than gardening or yard work.

Yesterday, we got a few things done, but I baked bread in the afternoon. We didn't have any in the house, and I really didn't want to buy some at the store. So, instead of the usual 2-loaf recipe, I doubled it, and will freeze three loaves until they're needed. One will stay out for toast and sandwiches. 

Apparently, my oven loves having four pans in it at the same time, because the outside of these loaves is what I've been striving for since I took my bread classes. Light and crispy/crunchy on the outside, and soft and tasty on the inside. Perfect sandwich bread - with no big, gaping holes so prevalent in store-bought loaves.

It's going to be a little nuts this week. I have to write patterns for the bags I showed you Saturday, and Handsome has a concert on Wednesday. I'm really looking forward to that! I also have three bags I've been commissioned to make, so I need to get those done, too. See what I mean? 

So, I'm off to the races. Miles to go before I sleep, as they say. I'll be writing patterns first. Those have an immediate deadline. Then, we'll see what's up next. 

Tag will be here tomorrow, and I'll be back on Wednesday! Have a great week, my friend. Don't forget to take time to enjoy the journey.