Madison's Bridal Brooch...

Madison's "Something Blue" Bridal Brooch

Completed, boxed, and packaged with the card insert commemorating this bride's special day. After creating the card insert and boxing the brooch, it's all packaged in a white chiffon drawstring bag for gifting. 

I finished the back with a piece of silver metallic kid leather, my signature (which you can't see because of the reflection), and my signature acorn.

I'll be presenting this brooch to Madison's Godmother, who will be gifting it to her on her wedding day (this weekend!). My work here is done. On to the next one...

And So It Begins...

This is how it begins. I draw my hearts on the cotton calico fabric. I draw it again on the back side of my wool. Once I cut it out, I place the wool heart over the drawn heart and I'll start the process of stitching it down.

Handsome and I ran a fun errand yesterday, so this process stalled until today. My plan is to have one heart complete by the weekend so I can have it for my client no later than Monday. The wedding is next weekend, so I need to finish it so she can gift it to the bride ahead of her walking down the aisle. That won't be a problem at all!

So, before I get back to the needlework frame, I'm going to have my coffee - well away from fabrics and fibers. Then, I'll begin my little needle dance with this project.

Happy Friday, friends!

Isn't She Lovely?...

I completed this Bridal Brooch, and received an order today for another for a wedding in early October!  My client wants me to make another just like this one, and I'm honored to be able to create one for her.

This one will be lovingly packaged to gift to Jenna on Monday when I have my physical therapy session, and I'll take a short video when I package it to add to my current Etsy listing.

I'll begin work on the second brooch this morning, but I'm going to pamper my knee, too. I'm finally going to work at the station this evening to see how I can tolerate being on my feet for four hours. I know I can do it, because I've been busy canning and baking, but I want to be able to properly function at work, so this will be a good chance to see how I do.

Twinkle, Twinkle...

I got right to work yesterday morning after my cuppa, and only took breaks to stretch my legs from time to time. I wanted to make sure my knee wouldn't lock up by moving around. This part of my project is about four hours' work, adding silver brilliant check purls after I placed all the blue seed beads.

I love how it's looking, and will have the needlework completed today. I may not do the finishing work until tomorrow, as our classmate luncheon is this afternoon, and I don't want to miss seeing my friends again. 

It feels so good to be out from under the medications I was taking, and even better to be sitting back at my needlework frame. My knee gets tender from the sitting, so those breaks are really necessary. I finished my day with the ice machine and Tylenol, but it was so worth it to be able to stitch for a while.

I'll be back tomorrow with our group photograph from dinner. Nothing like a little "friends therapy" to brighten the day. 

Time To Finish This...

Something Blue Bridal Heart Brooch - WIP

I found out yesterday that I'll only have to do once-a-week physical therapy until I'm finished. I'm scheduled out through mid-October, but I'm going to assume I'll be released before then. With that in mind, I'm going to need to complete this brooch for Jenna. 

She's getting married this time in 2026, but just in case I don't get to see her again (she transfers, or something along that line) before I have my second knee replaced, I want to make sure she has this gift for her special day. 

I won't see her again until next Monday, so I'd like to have it completed by then to be able to gift it to her. So, this is what I'll be working on the rest of this week. Finally!!

Beginner Goldwork Kits From The Crafty Heart...

 

I admit when I saw this kit priced as a BOGO deal on Facebook, I was a little leery about whether or not it was a real deal. So, I did a little digging and found that The Crafty Heart has an online shop and they appeared legit, so I took a chance.

I know it's a beginner's goldwork kit, but just to get the class supplies for one kit was worth the $29.99 price tag. Two for that price was even more reasonable. 

The only thing I didn't see was that it was a direct ship from China, even though the shop is in the US. The company said they ship in one to three days, and they kept their word. I received shipping information with a tracking number and could follow the package from ship point to destination, with all the steps in between.

The kits arrived yesterday, and they're everything they advertised they were. Two kits, each containing a printed fabric, a cutting/framing template, a sturdy hoop, all goldwork materials, and a card with a QR code to get directions.

I'm very happy with my purchase, and if anyone would like a kit of their own - or one of the other kits they offer - you can click HERE to check out their offerings. As usual, I'm in no way compensated for this review.

Doctor's appointment went well. I have two tests to confirm what the doctor suspects - that I tore my meniscus in the knee, with the added bonus of some nerve damage. We'll know for sure when I see him (post tests) on the 10th. Until then, I have a course of prednisone that he hopes will offer some pain relief. Fingers crossed.

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!

Marian Monogram Class...

I'm going to be taking another of Clara Warschauer's goldwork classes (Clara Stitching). I'm enrolled in her Marian Monogram course scheduled for Saturday, March 1st. This is a class collaboration with Ecclesiastical Sewing in Minnesota to create a bible cover. The course is free, and kits are available for the goldwork from Clara, while the bible fabrics can be purchased from Ecclesiastical Sewing. The bible cover pattern is free from them, too.

One of the new techniques I'll be learning is using thread for padding the monogram. I already have Clara's supply kit, and plan on using my own dupioni silk for my ground fabric. I'm really looking forward to learning more from Clara in this online course.

If you're interested in learning more, you can go to Clara's webpage HERE. Once there, read her information and follow her links to get to Ecclesiastical Sewing. I'd love for you to join us!

Clara's Article...

Issue 123 - Inspirations Magazine

I just received the latest issue from my subscription of Inspirations magazine in the mail. I love exploring each issue for ideas, and I always mark the projects for my copious To Do list. Every photograph and article carries me away for a little while.

Imagine my delight when I turned the page to find one of Clara's goldwork frogs ready to jump off the page! My dear friend and tutor, Clara Warschauer submitted her class to the magazine, and it was accepted for publication. I immediately sent her a text to tell her I'd just found it.

She told me that she hasn't received her copy yet, so I actually got my copy before she did! I'm only showing a partial of this page because it includes her tutorial for making the frog, and the pattern is with the others from this issue at the back of the magazine. 

If you're interested in creating your own version of this piece, you can order a copy of the magazine HERE. In addition to Clara's frog, there are many other fun projects you might consider, too. As I've already stitched fourteen or fifteen (I can't remember) of these wee frogs, I think I'll wait before I tackle more. I do love the project, though, and once you make four or five, you can feel like you've gone a long way toward mastering the technique.

Congratulations, Clara! I'm pleased to be able to say, "I knew you when."

Mockingbird Ornament...

My mockingbird ornament is complete! Rather than add a tassel or nest under this bird, I added three silver beads to weight the bottom of the ornament. 

Now, my new mockingbird hangs next to the blue tit ornament from my first bird class with Clara Warschauer. I think her next bird may be a blue jay, but I'm thinking about a different one that I may tackle yet this summer. I'll draw up a few ideas while I mull it over.

If you're on Instagram, you can click HERE to go to my Brynwood Needleworks page and see the video I shot showing my hummingbird among the hollyhocks. A little bee even stopped to say hello. 

On to the next thing. Your guess is as good as mine right now. I'll be sitting down to peruse my choices.  We'll see together soon.

Goldwork Mockingbird - Nearly Completed...

Wednesday went even better than I planned. It started with packaging up almost twenty pounds of fabric to send to my dear friend in Arizona, along with tidying up the studio a bit. I "hoped to work on my goldwork mockingbird" to make a little progress afterward. Imagine my joy when I actually finished all the needlework!

 

I think I may have even captured a little of the sparkle on it in this shot! My plan today is to release it from the ground fabric, add feet, and then turn it into an ornament like the blue tit I did previously. It won't have a nest hanging below it, but I will have another completed class piece from Clara Stitching.

I'm hoping to show you the completed piece tomorrow, and then I'll hang it in my studio with all my other embroidered birds - the quilts and the goldwork ornament. It might be time to think about my next bird quilt, too. Hmmmmm. Bluebirds? Orioles?

Finally! Back To This Project...

After taking some time off to spend with Handsome, working ten hours on Sunday, and another six yesterday, I'm finally off "work" until Friday evening. That means I can do some needle dancing and homekeeping - my two favorite things - beside spending time with my husband, of course.

I managed to get this far on the frogs before I had to work on Sunday, and you can see I only got half the legs done on the frog in the 3 o'clock position. I'm couching down the gold super pearl purl, and will finish that one first. I'm also going to determine the placement for the crown on one of the frogs before I go further on that one. 

After I've done that much, I'll couch in the details around the eyes and body before getting down to the sparkly bits. Isn't it fun that each one seems to have its own personality? That will become more apparent as I fill in each their unique colors. 

I admit, the last few work days have me a bit tired, but needlework always restores me. I know this will be a great day. I hope for the same for you!

Froggy Dreams...

When I can't - or don't have time to - stitch, I dream about stitching. I pulled out all my lovely supplies again, and my wee frog hopped out of the fish bowl to join me. If you look closely, you may notice something different.

Here. Maybe this will help. I have some tiny crowns that I can stitch to my frogs to create wee Prince Charmings (the "before" version). This one is only perched on Mr. Frog's head, but I have two different methods to affix them to the frogs.

If you're one of the four remaining ladies waiting for your frog and you'd like me to add a crown to yours, please let me know in the comments. I'll likely affix them either with gold threads (which would be visible), or just the tiniest amount of permanent, clear glue. I have two finishes; antiqued gold, or gold. As I said, just let me know if you'd like one.

I work again today, but I'll definitely be reading the notes to see if there are preferences. If you'd rather send an email, just click on the sidebar link and send a note. If you don't want one, you won't have to do anything. I'll make it in your chosen colors as agreed. I'll be stitching again in no time.

Last Four Giveaway Frogs On Deck...

I've started the last four giveaway frogs that will go to Clara, Marilyn, Terry and Jody! It won't be too long and they will be on their way to each of you! Three will become fobs and one will be a brooch, per their requests. Three will be green, and one will be "stitcher's choice".

These are going to be fun to create for each of you.  I love trying to choose unique color combinations for each one. I hope you'll all enjoy watching them progress! 

I'm back to my regular work schedule now, so I'm looking forward to stitching, canning, and getting our garden under way. I'm going to be updating my Etsy shop this week, too! Working more than that takes away from the homekeeping things I love so much. This is going to be a great week, and I hope you'll follow along.

More Cider and New Colors...

Sorry for today's late post. Last night at work was exhausting, but I'm not going to talk about that today. Brush it off and move on. 

The mail came today with new colors for my goldwork supplies. These are all new bright check purls. I ordered more in the color I used for my corgi brooch (cider), as well as some new greens for frogs. 

I'll be setting up the last four frogs today, and begin working on them so I can get them mailed out soon.

I'm working again tomorrow - yes, Mother's Day - so the kids who work at the store can be with their moms - so I want to make the most of today. Next week, I'll be back to my regular schedule of Tuesdays during the day, and short Friday nights. I'm going to do my best to stick with that so that I can do the homekeeping things I love so much during the summer...canning, gardening, and being here with Handsome. (I saw the light last night.)

I hope you have a lovely Mother's Day tomorrow - whether or not you're a mom, or still have yours with you. Simply take it easy and enjoy the day. Let someone pamper you for a change. You deserve it. I love you and value your friendship, and hope to see you back here on Monday to see what kind of progress I made on my frogs.

Prototype Complete!...

 I finished my Ltd. Ed Corgi Brooch last night after work. It is now, officially a brooch.

I'm very happy with the details and color choices, so the next one will go even faster. Plus, I'll be able to fine tune the colors if someone should purchase one in different colors.  The brooch measures approximately 2" tall x 1 1/4" wide (at the base). Which I think might be a perfect size to affix to a lapel or on a jacket. The pin is backed with cork fabric.

Of course, I signed and attached my signature acorn to the back. The second one I make will be the fundraiser piece. I'm going to share this on Facebook to whet the appetites of the Corgi owners we refer to as "Corgi Nation". They're wonderful when raising funds to support CorgiAid, and I think they'll kinda like this little brooch.

I'll probably do an Etsy listing, too, that would be created after purchase, in case the colors need to be changed for the different Corgi colorations. The listing will go live some time tomorrow. We had storms yesterday, but I'm hoping it clears off today so I can take a short video to add to the listing.

I'm filling in for another coworker today from 11-4, so I'd better get cracking. I don't want to be late!

Then, I Danced...

I was able to sit at my needlework stand yesterday, and I completed the goldwork for my Lt. Ed. Corgi Brooch. I'm so tickled with how the first one turned out! 

The body of the Corgi is a bright check purl color called "cider" and the white ruff is a thread in an opal color. It really sparkles in the light, and once the brooch is complete, I'll do a little outdoor video to show you just how much the light bounces around on the purls.

I'm hoping to release the work from the ground fabric and turn it into a brooch when I get home from work late this afternoon. I really can't wait to see it finished now. 

I got a chance to get a little stitching in yesterday. My choice, by far, over standing on my feet making hickory syrup for a few hours before going to work for six hours. 

In the time I had to lose myself in this project, I managed to add the chipping to my Corgi's face. I still have to do the white on his paws, but I really wanted to finish the facial features before turning my attention back to the white couching. I'm glad I did. I love the look of the cider-colored brilliant check thread, with a bit of gold accenting the ear and the forehead area (referred to as a "stop" on dogs).

I'll work on this again on Saturday, and hope to complete it over the weekend. I do work on Sunday, filling in for another clerk who needed the time off. She'll be working a day for me next week.

Well? Do you like how he's looking so far? I think he'll make a beautiful brooch, and I'm looking forward to seeing this one to completion. Then, I'll make another for a CorgiAid fund raiser in honor of Tag. I hope to raise some money to help other Corgis in need.

We have a milestone occasion this weekend, and I can't wait to tell you about it...tomorrow. Happy Friday!!

My Latest Project...

I haven't worked on it since last week, but this is my latest work in progress. My idea is to recreate the corgi on my "For The Love Of A Corgi" logo. I would have loved to work on it yesterday, but weather changes are wreaking havoc with my hands, so I just did other things.

I'm hoping to sit down to this again today. As it's "in progress" and a new concept, I may change things as I go (like the nose placement perhaps a teeny bit lower, and wait until the face is done to add the mouth), so we'll just see where this ends up.

I'm missing Tag a lot these days, so maybe working on this project will help me feel better. Couldn't hurt, right? 

And Now It Begins...

I'm beginning to stitch on my Corgi brooch. First, I'll secured the felt base parts and next I'll proceed to add the actual goldwork components. 

I also framed the wedding monogram this morning. I use beautiful round frames that hold the hoops I use to do the needlework. I have one that's always a working frame, but once the pieces are done, I rehoop my work into a new one for my recipients.

I trimmed the excess fabric around the hoop and then take a running stitch around the edge of the fabric to gather around the back of the hoop and secure all the edges. Then, I cut a piece of felt into a circle and stitch that to the back of the piece. There is no glue involved at all. 

After I remounted the hoop into the frame, I added the backing plate. The final touch was to add a "Brynwood Bridal" label, and then I was finished! As promised before, I'll share photos on Saturday with you.

I also made a batch of cinnamon rolls (now that I've discovered just how simple they are to make). I put lots of cream cheese frosting on them, and add a container of frosting to go with the rolls I shared. They. Are. So. Good! I know I'll be sharing more with friends in the future.

I'll do more needlework today, so I'll make sure I take photos to show you how much I manage to accomplish. See you tomorrow!