Shhhhhhh. I'm Hunting FABRIC!...

Elmer Fudd

 

I worked for nearly four hours yesterday, and by the time I got home and changed into my sweats, I was wiped. Even so, I wanted to pull out the ground fabric I used in the bluebird piece to start working on my feathers. One big problem. I couldn't locate it.

 

Ground Fabric For Bluebirds

I actually have it in two colorways. This one, in a tan colorway that I used for the bluebirds and cardinals, and a gray colorway that I used for the robins (and plan to use for the goldfinches). 

I went to the fabric studio shelves expecting to see it right next to the gray colorway bolt. It wasn't there. Then I remembered that I'd pulled the last of it off the bolt for this piece, and folded what I wasn't going to be using for the central block to use later for the corners. 

I spent at least an hour searching, sorting, rearranging, and yet was unable to find the last piece of the fabric. I went back to the main piece to see whether or not I have enough to tease the corners from it, and if I have to I can, but it will be tight.

I'm going to look again today. I'll go back through the places I looked yesterday, and open every container and drawer to see where I put it for "safekeeping". Needless to say, there was no feather stitching yesterday. I'll keep hunting until I find it, and perhaps I can begin that process later today. Wish me luck!

Grateful, Thankful & Blessed...

Brynwood Needleworks - Five Boxes of Stitchy Goodness

 

Not long ago, one of my online friends offered to gift me with linens to use for my current (and ongoing) embroideries. I told her I would be so grateful, and that I would definitely create something special for her in appreciation.

The mail carrier stopped at the farmhouse yesterday and handed me a box from that friend. I said "thank you" and turned for the house, when she stopped me and said there was more. Turns out there were five boxes total. I was stunned.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - A Box Full of Perle Cotton

 

I took the boxes up to my studio and opened them one by one. In addition to multiple boxes of beautiful linen, organza and silk fabrics, I opened this box to find it overflowing with perle cottons. So many balls of threads! Truthfully, I started to cry.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - A Box of Gorgeous Threads

Then I opened this box to find more beautiful threads, and yards and yards of vintage laces. Packed in the bottom of one of the boxes were a stack of needlework books, too. Have I ever told you how much I love needlework books? Oh, yes! 

One especially meaningful gift was tucked in with the rest. She has a friend who carves crosses from granite. I'll share that another day, because it's just that special.

 

I immediately sent a message to my friend to let her know that I'd received her generous gifts. Words can't convey just how much was included in the boxes, nor how I reacted when I saw the bounty she'd sent. I was a puddle of emotion.

I'm looking forward to creating something wonderful for her to express my everlasting gratitude. I've promised to respect her privacy as she'd like to remain anonymous, but God knows just how kind and generous she's been. I'll never be able to adequately express my thanks, but I'll do my best in the coming days and months. I'm truly grateful, thankful and blessed.

 

American Gatherings...

Brynwood Needleworks - Primitive Gatherings "American Gatherings" Fabrics and Book

My dear, sweet Handsome drove me to Menasha yesterday morning to pick up my Wool Box at Primitive Gatherings. (My right knee is giving me enough grief that I didn't think it would be a good idea to stress it by driving myself.) Of course, Tag, Bella and Carly rode along.

I needed a few other things while I was there, so I set aside the wool colors I needed, and then grabbed a copy of Lisa's latest quilt pattern book, American Gatherings. Of course, I knew I'd need some of the fabric line, too, so I figured a couple of charm packs, a jelly roll, and a couple yards of fabric would be plenty to make a nice, patriotic lap quilt. Something that would hang nicely over the rail this summer, or be just the right size for a nap on the porch.

I needed a yard of natural colored wool, but there wasn't any in the shop, so I prepaid and Debbie (who works at the shop) promised to ship it. I decided to wait until we got home to open my Wool Box, so I could really savor the contents, so we drove home and I brought my "haul" into the house. 

When we arrived back home, I got out of the truck, I came around through the garage and saw Claudette waiting for me on the driveway. She was giving me that "Where have you been?" look. I knew what would be tumbling out of the truck into the yard behind me, so I quickly tried to shoo her toward the barn. I wasn't quick enough. She meowed, and I saw her fur rise and her eyes get big.

I turned around and the girls had seen her. The chase was on. She turned for the nearest hideout, and ran to the kitchen garden to jump into the hollyhocks (which are a veritable jungle). The dogs ran in behind her, and she came flying out the other side (fur all bushed out), and tore for the barn. By then, Tag had joined the pursuit and they were close behind her. 

She managed to make it to the barn doors and flew through the opening, leaving the dogs panting...proud of their chasing skills, and it took Handsome and me more than a few minutes to get them off her scent, and coming back to the house. After leaving their piddles behind (a gesture of "There! Take that, strange fur beast!"), we all went into the house. 

 

I went back out about fifteen minutes later to find Claudette in the loft of the barn. They wouldn't be able to get her up there. I called her down and she let me hold her for a bit. I had a little conversation with her about the wisdom and staying in the barn when she heard a vehicle. Or not. Now that she's fully aware of how fast our dogs are, perhaps she'll know to continue to stay just out of reach.

I took my purchases up to the studio and brought the Wool Box back downstairs so I could take my time going through it - only to find it was the same Wool Box I got last month! How could this be? I called and Debbie answered the shop phone. I told her she'd given me Box 14, and I though we were due for Box 15. Was I wrong?

She asked me to hold, went to the stacks of boxes behind the counter, and came back to tell me they'd stacked 14s on top of 15s. She was so apologetic, and then told me that the natural wool had been brought over from the warehouse, so she'd send my wool and Box 15 to me yet today, and I could bring Box 14 back next time I was going up there. (I told her I'd take it back next week.) So, I have my new fabrics to play with, but I'll have to wait for my Wool Box.

That's okay. Perhaps I'll be giving Claudette lessons in staying out of the hollyhocks, and heading to the wood shed when she feels the need to stretch her legs. Honestly, my heart can't take the stress of the chase. Now that she's back, I just want to keep her safe from all the predators, apparently, including at least two fast Labradors!

I'll be working on "Everlasting" this weekend. We'll see how far along I can get with it. I'll share updates next week. 

 

I hope you have a restful, reflective Memorial Weekend. I'm grateful to all who sacrificed for our freedom, and those who are currently serving. God Bless them, and God Bless America.

 

So Much Fabric To Share...

Image of Brynwood Needleworks Etsy Storefront

I've been so busy, listing up lots of new fabrics, books and other items in my Brynwood online shop. I'm still using Etsy (for now), mainly because I'm too lazy to do the work to set up my own website. I know how many brain cells and hours it will would take to accomplish that.

Anyway, I've photographed, described, and listed lots of fabric yardage, kits and assortments over the past few days...and I have a lot more to go! I've been selling it almost as fast as I get it listed, so if you're in the market, please check - and check back - when you have time. Just go to www.BrynwoodNeedleworks.com, and it will take you right to my online shop. I'll be adding more all week.

It's That Time Again...

Brynwood Needleworks - Hickory Nuts!

It's my favorite time of year again. Autumn has arrived, and with it, the hickory nuts are starting to ripen and fall. I brought out my favorite English china covered dish to show you what I picked up off our lawn yesterday.

The sun was shining, and as I was bending over to pick up all these hickory nuts, more were dropping out of the tree!! I'll be going out every day now, to pick up the ones I can find. The squirrels will be fine, too, because they're better foragers than I am, and there are still lots of nuts for them in the wild raspberries that grow around the base of the tree. 

I'm going to let these dry for a while before I shell them. I'll be putting them onto baking trays to help them in the process, and will be adding more as I pick them up. I can see what I'll be doing this weekend!

 

I'm also going to be adding fabric yardage in my Etsy shop this week. It will all be $8/yard. I need to make some room in my fabric studio, as I work toward combining two studios into one. I really want to create a beautiful, restful guest room in my fabric studio, so I'm motivated. I'm going to add lots of fabric, so be sure to check the shop over the next few weeks.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart

One more thing...Huge apologies to Tag's friends and fans. It's all my fault. I forgot to let him use my computer to write his usual Tuesday post. 

 

Truth is, I was in Green Bay at a specialist for a doctor's appointment on Monday. It was a long day, and I came home with new medication that kind of spaced me out. I'm so sorry that I flat forgot about his Tuesday post. So I'm apologizing to you and to Tag. I promise to do better in the future.

Painted Batik Fabric...

Brynwood Needleworks - Painted Batik Detail

 

I pulled this fabric out of my fabric studio closet yesterday. I'm contemplating turning it into a longer dress or skirt. It feels like a lightweight challis fabric, so it has lovely drape to it. Something perfect to wear in the summer or in warmer climes.

Brynwood Needleworks - Painted Batik Panel

 

It's a panel is approximately two yards wide, and approx. fifty inches long, so I've got plenty of fabric for one of those projects. I pulled out a few fabrics yesteray, and will try to make a decision soon.

 

I purchased this and another panel from a vendor booth at either our Florida quilt guild show, or at the World Quilt Show when our guild made is a full-day bus trip. The artist is Suzanne Egan Hill, and her website is www.paintedbatiks.com in case you're interested.

I had my annual checkup yesterday, too. Got a pneumonia shot, and by the end of the night, I had my arm on ice. It feels a bit like I've been punched - even though the nurse was extremely gentle. ugh I hope it goes away soon. This soreness is definitely cramping my style! Wish me luck, please. I've got stuff to do.

Good Friday Resting...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fabric For More Masks

 

I didn't do any sewing yesterday. Instead, I spent most of the day resting and reading, but I cleaned up the studio, and then pulled more fabrics for mask making, too.

I also did a little calculating. I get ten mask "bodies" from one yard of fabric, and I ten sets of mask straps from one yard of fabric. So, to date, I've used twenty four yards of fabric for the masks I've already completed.

I mailed out all the requests I had, and have fifty masks toward the nursing home request. I'll be concentrating on those next week, but before I left the studio this morning, I pulled more fabric to use for masks and their straps. Sixty of those will be in styles for men, and the rest will be unisex/ladies.

I'm doing homemaking tasks today, and plan to spend Easter Sunday with Handsome and Tag. We sure wish Bella was here with us, too, but we know she's loving her time in Florida. We're so happy to receive regular updates.

I'll be back on Monday. From our home to yours,

We wish you and yours a Happy Easter.

Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Stay Safe. 

 

On This Week's Docket...

Brynwood Needleworks - Fabric Selections For This Week

 

Yes, my friend. I'm still painting. Whew! This part of the project is taking me longer than I originally allotted. Plus, it's been raining. Have you ever stood in a pole building in the rain? Uninsulated metal roof. Even a light drizzle sounds like a deluge. It's so loud, you can hardly hear yourself think. I'm not complaining. Well, yes. I guess I am a little whiney. Sorry.

Let's get to the important part of today's post. I'm working on a number of commissions this week. I have two projects using the fabrics on the top half of this image, and two more using the fabrics on the bottom. They're all completely different, but they're going to be fun to make for my clients!

As it started raining again this morning, I'm going to stay inside and sew instead today. The hardest part will be deciding which fabric to pull first. (Hint: In order received, it will be one of the two Laurel Burch fabrics on the bottom, along with the black cordura below them.)

Tag will be back tomorrow, so I'll show you how far I get when I return on Wednesday. See you again in October! heehee

 

Prepping Again...

Brynwood Needleworks - Kirby Fabric Combination

Brother-in-law left yesterday morning, so I managed to get some fabric cutting and preparation complete between my hair appointment and last night's music concert. This combination will become a Kirby to go with the wallet and key fob I completed on Sunday.

Brynwood Needleworks - Michael Miller Fabric For Custom Kirby

 

I really love this fabric to be used in a request for a custom Kirby. In addition to the custom bag I'm making, I'll add more (using this fabric) to my online shop when they're finished.

Today is another day of appointments, so while I'll try to get these sewn up today, it will most likely be tomorrow before I can sit at the machines again. We'll see. My first appointment is soon, so I've got to run. See you tomorrow!

Here A Chick, There A Chick...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chicken Pincushions

 

Working on a special project these days. My first installment is these two little chickies. You'll begin to see the theme over the next week. I'll just leave it at that for now. 

I spent time outside, too, yesterday. I purchased a new contraption that became a feeding station for the hummingbirds - away from the porch. I want to make sure they're completely comfortable going to another location before the porch demolition begins. They watched me install it, move the feeders, and were already feeding there by late afternoon. I'll get photos for you when I can. That apple tree is a busy, busy place!

Bluebirds are building a nest in one of the houses, orioles (Baltimore and orchard) are going through nearly a jar of grape jelly every other day(!!!), and I'm refilling the other feeders almost as often. I don't mind one bit. They make me smile. Seems I have birds inside and out these days! 

I'm a little scattered lately. Nice weather is tugging at me to go outdoors, and projects require me to be inside. I have to focus, otherwise I just freeze up and do nothing...and you know that's not me. I think today, I'll begin with my coffee on the porch, and then head back to the studio to work on a project. I'll see how that works, and I'll let you know tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Fabric Sale...

Brynwood Needleworks Online Shop

 

I spent the day yesterday listing up more fabrics for my online shop(s). I currently use the Etsy platform, which is a simple-to-use format for me. 

 

I have a lot of gorgeous yardage that I want to move out of the fabric studio. I need more room, and realize there are some beautiful fabrics that I'll never get to. It's time to share the wealth.

 

Brynwood Fabric Offerings

 

I prefer to photograph my offerings in daylight, so my listing time is limited each day. There are over thirty listings available right now, and I'll be adding many more over the next few days.

 

So, here's the deal...All the fabric yardage is listed at $5 (FIVE DOLLARS!) per yard, and I'm paying half the cost of postage when two or more yards are purchased. I prefer to ship in USPS Flat Rate Padded Envelopes, which I'm able to pack with about six yards of fabric. 

If a listing is for less than two yards of fabric, I have the full postage amount listed. However, I will combine shipping for additional orders, refunding any amount paid over half the amount of a padded envelope. If you order more than what will fit into a flat rate envelope, I will still pay half the postage for a flat rate box.

All the fabrics listed are in pristine shape, and ready to move from my studio to yours. There will be kits, fat quarter assortments,  jelly rolls and other precuts that I'll get listed, in time. So, if you're curious, click HERE to go window shopping. 

 

Also, please let me know if you're looking for something specific. I have fabrics from Moda, Timeless Treasures, Robert Kaufman, Andover, Hoffman and more. Just send me a convo through my shop, or send an email through my blog. 

Happy March 1st!

 

On Deck - Tea Cozy Repair...

Well-loved Tea Cozy

While the sun has been shining, I've been photographing and listing new fabrics in my shop. Later yesterday, I was working on my "Stitch On!" wool work piece that I showed you yesterday. When I finish that (today), this is next on my list...a sweet, well-loved tea cozy in need of repair.

Inside of Tea Cozy

This is a picture of the inside of the cozy. It's got a nice, fuzzy, plushy interior. The exterior is what really needs my attention. It won't take long to replace the fabric, and I can use the removed fabric as a pattern for the new floral I've chosen.

Fabric Replacement Choice

 

The pretty fabric with the black background will be made into the new cover for this piece. I'll make it today, and share my finish(es) with you on Monday. I'm really in the mood to play since I sent off our tax documents.

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day to those who celebrate the holiday. We'll celebrate our younger son and his wife's anniversary, as they were married the same day. 

May you enjoy the luck of the Irish today!

Musical Kirby...

Musical Kirby Crossbody Bag Detail

I made a new Kirby Crossbody Monday afternoon. This one is for a dear friend as a thank you gift. She's a musician in the Suncoast Concert Band in Sarasota, where Handsome plays.

Musical Kirby Crossbody Bag

I'm quite sure that this is my favorite music-themed fabric. I hope she likes it, too. We'll find out soon enough. Handsome is going to hand deliver it.

It's Nearly That Time Again...

Holiday Fabrics

   This week is going to be hectic, but I'll tell you more about that another time. 

 

This week, I'll be listing up more fabric (holiday designs!), along with the Kirby Crossbody bags that I haven't sold yet. I'm shipping out the ones I did sell today, and then I have a few orders to sew.

Only one week until November, and then I'll be making my holiday sewing list. Grammie's Jammies are always on it, and I'll have some new items to add this year. We'll also be gifting tasty treats from the farm. Much of that work is already done (yay!).

 

When do you start your holiday sewing?

It's A Start...

My Work In Progress

 

I showed you a room, filled with boxes, yesterday. Today, I can show you how far I got toward arranging my fabric studio. I knew I'd be able to add to my "empty box" count fairly quickly, but even I was surprised when I emptied twenty boxes (large and small) by the end of the day.

I decided to set up my cutting table, even though I have many more boxes to empty for this room, because I need the base cabinets for my flat fold fabrics. My table top measures 36" x 60", so I have plenty of room to roll out my projects.

Once this is set up (still a little adjusting to do), I'll put the flat folds into the openings and be even further along on my process. I'll hang my quilting rulers on the ends of the cabinets so I don't have wasted spaces. I also don't want them to be lined up on flat surfaces that I'll need for other things.

Where you see "ornaments" on the shelves there will be only fabric bolts. I only put them on the shelf as I cleared a box for the stack. In addition to a fabric room, I'll also have my small television/dvd player on the wall, and a chair so I can sit and stitch in this room if I want to.

It's supposed to rain overnight and tomorrow, so I think it'll be perfect weather for more of the same. I'll have to bring in the "big guns" again soon. There are boxes that ended up in this room that should have been taken downstairs, and I have to move a few pieces of furniture which are just too heavy for me to handle alone.

I'm being very careful not to strain my back. I have too much to do to just lie around nursing an injury. I'll get lots done, but take care of myself in the process. I'll share my progress again tomorrow.

Helping A Friend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Grief Quilt

  

Yesterday, I helped a friend with a very important project. Amanda, asked me to help her in her effort to fulfill a request from her sister-in-law to create a grief quilt, using important elements personally chosen by the mother.

Amanda came over in the morning with a bagful of various items. There were t-shirts, baby clothes, blankets and tiny caps. Each was rolled up with a note, secured with a rubber band. The notes explained the level of importance of each piece, and its significance to her.

You see, my friend's sister-in-law lost her sweet baby girl thirty six hours after she was born. She was severely compromised and doctors actually never expected her to live to be born. Her parents chose to take her to term and were able to hold her so she could feel their love before she passed.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grief Quilt Little Birds

Once I had an understanding of the significance of all these elements, I decided that everything would be treated with equal importance. To this mommy, they all represented the life of her lost baby. The finished project will be her tangible link to a child she can no longer hold in her arms.

We opened up every rolled treasure, and discussed how to use them to the best advantage. Because of the variety of fabrics, colors, textures and "stretchiness", I determined that we should stabilize many of the fabrics to keep them from distorting before they could even be sewn into the quilt. So, we cut and immediately fused the t-shirts that we cut, and then we fused other items that were taken apart to keep them stable, too.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grief Quilt Mommy's Sweetie

We opened the seams of this sweet baby onesie, and then fused the front to the woven stabilizer. Once it was secured, we zigzagged the little monkey edge to one edge of the fabric she chose for the background for this block, and then turned and fused the opposite side of the onsie to the block to be hand appliqued'. The fabric with the tiny lavender and green buds is the fabric that will be used for the quilt. (The blue and brown hearts to the right of the onsie are actually my table cover on the table in our dinette area, and not a part of the quilt at all.)

Amanda is going to take the lavender flower off this little cap (which perfectly matches the little bows and lettering on the garment) and sew it over the missing sleeve, as shown.

Brynwood Needleworks - Grief Quilt Hawaiian Ruffled Fabric

This child's mommy and daddy loved Hawaii and spent their honeymoon there. They brought back a sweet ruffled top and bloomers. I took the outfit apart, salvaged the elastic ruffles and the long pieces that were gathered to create the top. I also kept the labels which will be worked into a seam next to this fabric. (You can see how she might incorporate those elements into the quilt if you look back at the first photograph.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Grief Quilt Fabrics

Once Amanda had a concept for the quilt, she was ready to go home and tackle the rest of the prepping for the quilt. She took the tiny lavender bud fabric (and another coordinating piece) I gave her and headed to the fabric store for a coordinating sashing, backing and binding fabric.

These are the fabrics she chose. the strips over the top of the bolts are the two fabrics I shared with her. She's actually planning to make two different pieces; one for each parent. The bottom (white) is Pellon Shape-Flex Lightweight Fusible Woven (SF-101) which will stabilize the other stretchy garments she's cutting up. The greens will likely be the sashing and backing, and the top, dot fabric was chosen for binding.

I'll likely see her again once everything is prepared for joining. I'll help her trim and join her blocks, and help make her fabric decisions for each application (if she asks).

I do know one thing is certain...Amanda's efforts will result in a beautiful pair of grief quilts for her family members, and will offer some comfort to them in their deep grief. I was honored that she asked for my help in such an important piece.

Ready For Date Night Saturday...

Brynwood Needleworks - Carnations

I spent yesterday adding fabric listings to my Etsy and Brynwood shops. I decided to share fabrics I know I won't use in my quilt, sewing or handbag/wallet projects...especially since I'll be using some of my own Brynwood fabrics very soon. I could use the extra elbow room in the studio! (I'll be adding more in the coming days, too.)

 

Handsome and I are going to North Port Night for the Charlotte Stone Crabs game tonight. It's been ages since we've gone to a baseball game, and we're both really looking forward to it. Nothing like hot dogs, beer and baseball with your sweetheart. It's going to be fun.