Working On A New Idea...

Brynwood Needleworks - Acorn Idea In Progress

I've had an idea in my head for a while. I'm doing a little needle dancing, while I perfect my process. I'll show you when it's finished.

Brynwood Needleworks - Embroidering The Acorn

 

Even if I doesn't "work", it's always fun playing with needle and thread. 

 

Thanks for your comments this week. I'm still trying to reset my comments section to include a "reply" box under each individual comment, so I can reply directly to you. (If you know someone who does this, I'd love to have the help!)

 

My doctor appointment went well, and I'm in fine health. This was a consult for a minor procedure, but nothing to worry about. I really appreciate your concern. 

 

Now, about that hickory syrup, Laurie. It's really delicious. It has a nutty flavor - compared to maple syrup - and not quite as sweet. It's made from the shells and/or bark of the tree (I use the shells), which contributes to its unique flavor. I've been making it for a couple years, now, and finally have it perfected. Once I have it bottled and labeled, I'll let you know. I sell it in my Etsy shop, and directly, for anyone interested in getting a bottle of my "liquid gold".  

So, I have a fun, but busy weekend planned. There's always something to do here, so I'm never bored...and I sleep like a rock at the end of the day. I'm always hoping you're content and satisfied with your days when your head hits the pillow each night. 

Wishing you a great weekend.

Farmhouse Flowers...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Beautiful Bleeding Hearts

 

Every time I turn on the television, I'm bombarded with things that hurt my heart. We're actually a bit concerned about our upcoming cross country car trip to pick up Bella and her daughter. We're praying for peace and safety for everyone, and that things will have calmed down before we have to leave.

With the warmer Wisconsin weather, I've been spending more time outdoors. I walked around the yard to take pictures of some of the beautiful things that bless our daily lives. These bleeding hearts are a magnificent showpiece in our gardens, which we "inherited" when we purchased our home. It stands taller than waist-high on me, so it's at least three and a half feet tall, and nearly as wide. Lucky us!

Brynwood Needleworks - Kitchen Garden

I've been slowly reworking our kitchen garden, as it expanded when the new sidewalk went in with our porch project. I think I need to take another photograph to show you just how happy the newly-relocated hostas are doing (partially shown on the right side of the photo). They're getting huge! 

The chives (in bloom on the left), daisies (in the back corner), and the lavender are all coming on nicely, and I've planted basil in front of the birdbath. That's looking a bit sad, though, as something nibbled on those plants. I may need to get a plant or two that's already bigger if I want to start making pesto any time soon.

But look at my hollyhocks!! Those leaves are as big as the birdbath! These are all self-planted from the original plants I put in two summers ago. As I write this, the flower heads have already begun to peek out. I can't wait to show you what they look like when they're in bloom!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Columbines, Lilies, and Iris

 

The other flowers along the fence line are beginning to bloom, too. I admit, I have a lot more weeding to do over there, but recently found out that my right knee is in worse condition than the one of Handsome's that required a replacement. It's a good thing it doesn't cause me pain, but it makes it difficult for me to kneel to weed the garden.  (That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!)

 

Even so, now that the flowers are up, it would be easy for me to tell grass from desirable plants. I guess I know what's on my agenda the next early morning after a nice overnight rain!

There is a crowned sparrow family living in that bluebird birdhouse, but at the other end of the fence, there is a bluebird couple feeding their babies, too. There's room for everyone here, so we can enjoy all of them.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Happy, Happy Rhubarb

 

One last photo for today...another mammoth planting...my two rhubarb plants. I've since removed the seed stems as I'm not ready to let them go yet this season. 

 

I have a doctor's appointment this morning, and then I'll either be in the kitchen (making hickory syrup) or in the studio (working on a couple of commissions). It's supposed to keep raining, but I'm not likely to make syrup if it's also hot. That can wait until the next mild day.

 

 Praying for Peace and Good Health To All.

Repurposing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire

Facebook Marketplace strikes again. I found this lovely jewelry cabinet, thinking it would hold all my baubles and bangles (and bright, shiny beads). So I drove to take a look. Once I saw it "in person", something else occurred to me. Would it work for my silk threads, and stumpwork supplies? I think so!

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Top Section

I paid the lady, loaded it into my Explorer, and brought it home. I gathered my supplies, and gave it a test load. I began with some of my tools in the top section (where the rings and things usually go).

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Left Side Door

The side sections with hooks work perfectly for storing my hanging silk threads (Waterlilies and Watercolors from The Caron Collection, plus a few others).

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire  - Right Side Door

I hung vintage silks, and my stumpwork wires on the opposite side. They all fit quite nicely!

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire  - Silk Threads

The next drawer had compartments that were the perfect size for Trebizond silks, along with vintage robin's egg blue silks, Gutermann silks, and a few other odd silk threads.

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Silk Threads and Needles

The front of this drawer holds needles for embroidery and applique', and strong cotton threads for covering and securing stumpwork wires. The back spools are gorgeous Kimono silks that I used in applique', but they'll also work for other embroidery.

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Needles, Threads & Needle Minders

More silks, needle minders, needles, a beautiful ruler from my dear Kiwi friend, Marrianne, and even a bottle of coiled Pearl Sadi thread for goldwork.

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Silk Threads

 

Last, but not least, are the rest of my silk threads, purchased in Kentucky when I was attending the Royal School of Needlework courses. My tutor, Owen, helped me choose them.

 

So, next time you see something you really like, consider a completely different purpose for it. This will fit perfectly next to my stitching chair, and all my supplies will be within reach. Now, all I need are more hours in the day to work on all the ideas in my head!