RIP, Otis...

Kitty and Opossum Prints

Otis' footprints first appeared on the driveway in early February of this year. Later in the month, I saw him snuffling around in the lawn in search of birdseed. Then, one day, I saw his footprints in the snow near the overhead door of the Compass Barn, along with the cat prints. I knew he'd been in the barn - at least overnight.

Soon, he was making himself at home in the barn. I shared photos with you once Otis moved into Crystal's bed. He loved her bed. I had a non-electric warming pad in it, and that seemed to suit him just fine. No one else has slept there since. 

Otis Moved Into The Drum

Next, he discovered the 55 gallon drum next to the workbench, likely when on the bench to eat Claudette and Crystal's evening leftovers. 

I'm Trying To Sleep

I laughed to see the bed I'd put into it for Claudette moving around while I was putting out their breakfast. I guess he smelled the food and it woke him up. He liked sleeping under the bed, rather than in it. I think he felt safer that way.

I went to the barn to feed my cats yesterday morning. As always lately, I check to make sure Otis and Big Grey are comfy, too. Claudette's bed didn't move as it usually did when I put the morning food out for the girls, so I lifted the pad to see if Otis was there. He was, but he didn't look at me this time. I finished feeding the girls and then went to grab a pair of my work gloves.

I went back to the barn and moved the board, then the bed, so I could get a better look. I felt him and he was still, but I wanted to make sure he wasn't just "playing 'possum". I lifted him, and realized he was stiff and lifeless.

Sadly, Otis passed away sometime between the prior evening's dinner time and breakfast. Opossums have a rough life and a short lifespan in Wisconsin, but I'm happy knowing that he live a pretty cushy life the last month or so.

Laid To Rest

Wearing my gloves, I gently lifted him out of his bed, along with some of the bedding he'd grown fond of. I carried him like a precious package up the hill and into the woods, where I found a lovely spot for him. I placed his bedding down on the leaves. Then, I gently placed his body onto the bedding.

Otis' Resting Place

I gathered branches and more leaves and made a shelter for his remains. I'm sad he's gone, but grateful that I got to watch and care for him. I'm glad I could make his life comfortable after he found our barn. I know he was "just a wild animal", but when you have a chance to interact with one, it changes you. I cared about this little opossum.

Yesterday, I cried over his passing, and treated his remains with respect as I gave him back to the land. Claudette had followed me partway up the hill. As I came out of the woods, she meowed her silly meow and bounced across the tall grass to walk back to the barn with me.

I checked the other shelter to see if Big Grey was still okay. He looked at me as I smiled and returned the shelter roof back in place. I put a little extra food out for him last night. The girls and dogs all got extra cuddles from me all day and into the evening.

RIP, Otis Redding.

Change of Plans...

Feeding The Birds

I'd originally planned to be on my way to another craft day with my dear friends in Portage today. Plans changed last night when I got a message saying there were some sick kiddos at the hosts home. Better to take care of babies instead of crafting, to be sure.

That means I'm going to get another full day to work on the petit point canvas I showed to you yesterday. It appears that most comments on my post yesterday are leaning either to black or blue. So, I'm going to do a little of each on the canvas and see which one I like best. (These were both my choices, too, by the way.)

I'm sharing this photograph today from last weekend. After the snowstorm, Otis Redding (the name I gave the little black opossum who visited this area before the snowstorm) moved into the Compass Barn with Claudette and Crystal, and the birds were looking for food. I filled their feeders, and it didn't take long for the word to get out. He hasn't left all week. Otis has taken over Crystal's bed, and during the day, he snores away while Crystal and Claudette snooze right above him in the southern exposure window (in the sunshine).  

Not only were these red-wing blackbirds happy to see the smorgasbord, but cardinals, bluejays, morning doves, chickadees, purple finches, nuthatches, and woodpeckers (two different varieties) showed up, too! We also have two large crows that show up a few times every day. I've taken to calling them Heckle and Jeckle (for those too young to know, they were cartoon characters from my childhood).

Had we kept craft day for today, I would have left home by 7:30 am. Instead, I could sleep a little later, and devote my entire day to working on my needlepoint piece....as soon as I feed my barn girls (and Otis). Time to go...

Otis The Spool Opossum...

Otis the Opossum is finished! I added tiny bead buttons to his jacket, and he's holding a Brynwood acorn charm in his paw. (Remember you can click on the image to enlarge it.) I think he's a rather dapper boy!

I completed him Monday night after spending the day baking bread and doing laundry. I'm starting to prepare for Handsome's return, and I want the whole place to be tip-top when he arrives. I still have a week, but I'm nearly ready.

I have immediate ideas for two more I'll be making soon. One will be a squirrel, and the other a Corgi. I also want to make a strawberry sachet for Tag, like the one I did for Bella last year. It will have a paw print. I just have to decide which colors I want to use and which flowers I'll stitch. Any ideas?  

I've decided I'll get back to the bluebirds after Handsome is back home. Once I start stitching, it's hard to stop to let dogs (or cats) in or out. If I wait, Handsome can take on that task while I stitch away. Ulterior motive, right?

Come back tomorrow. I have no idea yet what I want to share with you, so we can both be surprised. lol See you then!

My New "Spoolie" In Progress...

He's not finished, but he already has a name. Otis, in memory of the little opossum I cared for in the Compass Barn a few winters ago. I wrote about him HERE.

I still have some things to do on him, including something for him to hold in his little paw. I've almost completed his coat. I'll also probably add something to the spool, and maybe he needs a little corsage on his lapel? I just couldn't wait to share him with you!

I'll try to finish him today. I'm still putting things away...mainly because I mostly sat around all yesterday. "Sometimes I sits and thinks...and sometimes I just sits" is an old quote that comes to mind. I don't even feel guilty because I got so much accomplished when Dan was here.

I thought I would be going to Portage this weekend, but one of the gals corrected me. Craft Day isn't until the 22nd, so instead, I'll be home. I have another Clara Warschauer class in the afternoon on Saturday, and after I complete Otis, I'm going to work on that needlework box I wrote about earlier in the week. I'm hoping to share that soon, along with my little finished opossum.

I hope you have a great weekend doing something you truly enjoy. Life's to short not to. See you Monday!

Ruffled Roses & Blossoms Strawberry Sachet...

Newest Completed Strawberry Sachet

I just finished another of my Strawberry Sachets. I've called this one "Ruffled Roses & Blossoms". This one is a commission, and mailed out yesterday. 

Even though this one isn't available, I'll happily create another in the same colors, or a new color palette by request. Due to the nature of handcrafted, no two will ever be exactly alike, so they're always one-of-a-kind.

I'll be working on my petit point canvas over the weekend, but will also add a new project to the mix so I don't go cross-eyed. I'm thinking it's time to finish my "Everlasting" quilt project. Then, to find a long-armer to quilt it for me. One step at a time.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment for me either here or on my Facebook page about Otis. Your comments truly touched my heart, and I'm so appreciative. Thank you again.

Loads of Spools...

I've acquired a few little spools for my spool animal projects. These two jars are loaded with them!! I put Otis in front of them so you have a size comparison. I'll be able to populate Noah's Ark with all the little animals I'll be able to create!

So, here's my thinking...There are only so many spoolies that will fit on my shelf, and after I complete all my first attempts (thinking prototypes), I could make more available for sale through my blog. I wouldn't list these on Etsy, only here. I could do oh, say, ten at a time and list them once a month or something. What do you think of that idea?

Next are two questions...I know that I usually have two to three hours in creating each one. What would you suggest would be a good price point? I'll tell you I'm thinking $39 each, including packaging and postage. Heck. Do you think anyone would even want to purchase them?

I'm interested in your thoughts on these matters. Please leave a note with suggestions in the comments today. It's okay to be honest. I asked, after all.

Tonight is the monthly classmate dinner, but I'll be taking it easy until then. Yesterday was tiring, but I'm not going to overdo it today. I don't work again until Friday, so I'll get lots of downtime in until then.

Thanks for contemplating my questions and leaving comments for me! Classmate dinner group photo tomorrow.

Flocks of Birds...

Bird stickers, actually. I ordered quantities of stickers of the cardinals and mama robin with nest that I designed for my two previous bird embroidery wall hangings. They arrived on Saturday, and I'm really happy with the quality of the finished products.

They're not very big. Each sticker measures 2" wide. They're perfect for attaching to the back of an envelope, or for adorning a sewing machine. They'd be great on a travel case for embroidery essentials, too!

Handsome will be home in mere days, and then I have a list of things I'm going to be doing. I may close my Etsy shop for a few days to update inventory...or I'll just update it on the fly while I keep it open. I haven't decided yet, but I will be adding sticker sets to my listings. Of course, once I complete the bluebirds, I'll order a set of stickers from that embroidery, too.

I'm also going to get stickers of my goldwork pieces...mockingbird, blue tit, koi fish, frog, the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart. I already have the Tag, Bella and Carly stickers, and will soon be working on stickers for Claudette, Crystal, the real Otis, the sweet woodchuck I rescued, and Roxanne Raccoon. who came back with her babies a couple springs ago. By the time I'm finished, there'll be a real collection!

First thing is to complete the bluebirds, though. I'll build the rest after that. For now, I'll separate the ones I aready have into categories and package them as sets. These (above) will probably be two to four of each in a set.

Still have a few things to do before Handsome gets home tomorrow, so I'm going to be busy right up until I leave to pick him up at the airport. I'm even getting Bella and Carly excited at the prospect of having him home again. We've all missed him! I'll close for now...

Slow Going...

Progress On My Petit Point Project

I've spent at least six hours on this so far, and have approximately four square inches of stitched background to show for it. This is going to take a while.

My Needlework Spot

This is my stitching spot in the studio. I have a great view of our yard and beyond. I was tickled to watch the Barn Girls and the BIG GREY opossum snuffling around in the yard today. Otis was content to stay curled up in Crystal's bed in the barn. 

I'll continue stitching on this, but don't think I'll update you on every, little section. I'll share more when I have a lot more finished. Tag will be back tomorrow.

My Spoolie Shelf...

L-R: Ursa Polar Bear w/seal, Bella Labrador, King Scarface, Valentine Rabbit, Taylor Mouse, Otis Opossum, Spot the Dog, Sebastian Squirrel, and Daisy Skunk

I'm just leaving a quick post today. I'm going back to work this morning, and I want to give myself plenty of time.

Only two I've made aren't on this shelf...Theodore Badger and Henrietta Chicken, which were both gifted to special people. I will be making another of each for my shelf, though, so they will be represented.

I did rework King Scarface, adding more dark fur and fine tuning his facial features. I'm much happier with his look now.

I have no idea which animal I'll do next, but I am thinking on it. I also want to get back to the bluebirds, so there's that, too. 

I'm not sure how I'll do with work today. Handsome and I went out for breakfast and ran one quick errand. When we got home, I curled up on the sofa and slept for two hours. My boss offered to come in early for me today if I think I need it, but I'm going to try not to do that, but I asked Handsome to have something figured out for dinner, just in case I didn't have meal prep in me by the time we get home. 

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. See you later!

Meet Bryn Rose...

Bryn Rose Bear

She's finished and she has a name. "Bryn Rose" is my first finished, embroidered teddy bear. In the next month, I'll create a companion for her - a boy bear. For now, I'm just going to enjoy seeing this sweet girl sitting in my studio. 

My niece left the hospital yesterday, and is taking a one month leave from work to continue healing. We're very grateful for your prayers, and know they made a difference. We're going to continue prayers until she's fully healed.

Our dear friend and neighbor, Shelly, is the second person for whom I requested prayers. She has a long road to healing, but we're all optimistic. She's still in the hospital as her doctors and physical therapists work up a plan to rehabilitate from her stroke. Of course, Handsome and I will do whatever we can to help her and Andy once she's back home. I'm humbly asking for your continued prayers for her. 

I've named our current resident opossum, Otis Redding. He's been here all weekend, sleeping in Crystal's shelter. She has other places to sleep and stay warm, so it's no big deal. We're happy to help support him through the rest of this winter.

So, I think you're up to date on all the important news here at the farmhouse. Tag is supposed to post tomorrow, but he's moving to Wednesday. I have a special tribute, and it needs to be published tomorrow. I asked Tag and he doesn't mind. We hope you don't mind either.

See you tomorrow!

Drum Roll, Please...

 

I'm not finished uploading all my products yet, but I'm ready to debut a new online shop through Zazzle. In case you're not familiar with their platform, Zazzle is an order fulfillment company. For my part, I upload my designs, choose which products I'd want to sell and add them to my shop. 

 

The customer finds what they want, places an order, and it's produced and shipped within a few days. This is one of the options decided to try, considering I won't be able to do those two shows this fall. I'll still have my Etsy shop, and I'm considering one other venue I'll explore further once the Zazzle shop is running smoothly.

 

You'll currently find items featuring Tag, Bella and Carly's artwork on them, but soon I'll add Claudette, Crystal, and even a few neighborhood visitors, like Roxanne Raccoon, Otis the Opossum (perhaps you remember how he captured our hearts in early spring of 2022?), and even the so-far unnamed ground hog from this summer. I'll likely add some additional images from the farmhouse kitchen and gardens, other custom art, and some of my needlework images. (I'm still contemplating those things.) I'm opening small and will build as I continue creating more products in the coming days.

 

My shop name is simply Brynwood, and HERE's the link for anyone who might be interested in a little window shopping. Hope you like what you see, and I would love your feedback on items and shop appearance. Let me know, too, if you'd like to see something special that I haven't listed. Thanks for looking!