Some Assembly Required...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bag Making Components

The fabric I've been waiting for arrived Monday, so I spent today preparing it, along with a few others for my current bag projects. These will become BW Nocturne Travel Bags, and I'll be creating BW Ensemble Hobo bags to match. I pulled all the hardware I'll need, and put my new custom zipper pulls on the zipper tapes. I'm going to add key fobs, featuring my Brynwood logo hardware, too.

 

The bird fabric (on the top of the fabric pile) was a request from my sister, Di - a belated Christmas gift, and one of the batiks is for a good friend. We did a little bartering. The map fabric and the other turtle batik will be for my shop when they're finished.

I still have to cut out linings and coordinating cork accents, after I get home from my PT appointment this morning. I'm expecting to start sewing on Friday, and will have everything finished over the weekend. I've missed my bag making, so this is going to be fun! 

Bag Maker by day.

Needlewoman by night.

Life is Good!

 

Time For A Slight Detour...

Brynwood Needleworks - A Penny Gathering Blocks In Progress

I worked at my studio sewing table yesterday, all the while watching videos on my iPad as I stitched. I finished this block late last night, and now I've hit a snag. I have three more blocks to set up, but I don't have the fabrics I need for the required "look". I know. It's hard to believe, if you've seen photos of my fabric studio. I'm just waiting for word that the newest Wool Box is ready for pickup, and then I'll be making a road trip!

 

In the meantime, my turtle batik fabrics have arrived, so I'll be preparing the fabric(s) to turn into travel and hobo bags for current orders. I'm going to make two sets of the turtle bags. That way,  I'll have one of this popular set in stock and one for the current buyer. I also have a couple others to make in fabrics I have in stock. It will be fun to be making a few bags again. I've missed it. Updates soon!

 

They're Here!...

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Zipper Pull Hardware

 

My zipper hardware arrived yesterday, and I am so excited about how lovely the engraving turned out. These "piles" are just a sampling of what I received, and I'm going to be able to make quite a few wallets, handbags, and more using them.

(Remember: You can always click on the photographs to enlarge them! You might want a closer look.)

Brynwood Needleworks - BW Key Fob Hardware

I also ordered engraved key fob hardware, so of course, I had to create something new with them. I can't wait to make more - coordinating with my bags and wallets, and as stand-alone items in my shop.

 

I think I'll be in the studio today. The weather is cooler, the dogs are keeping me company, and I need to make something using my new hardware! What a great way to start the weekend. Happy Friday, everybody! 

I'm So Excited!...

Brynwood Needleworks - New Hardware

I just got proofs of my new hardware - already on its way back to my studio! These are just samples of everything I sent away for engraving. Aren't they wonderful?

 

I'll be waiting until everything arrives to start assembly of the products I'll be making for the show on November 22nd. I'm already cutting fabrics for my projects. Once these arrive, I'll be working like a house a-fire to get everything made. I just had to share with you now, because I'm so darn excited about them.

On My Design Table This Week...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jacket Upon Arrival - Front

I received this well-worn, favorite jacket, with the request to create a handbag from it. There are frayed edges on the cuffs, collar and hand pocket edges, but the rest is in pretty good condition.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Jacket Upon Arrival - Back

 

I also received a Harley-Davidson patch that she'd like sewn onto the bag, and I'm planning to use the lining from the jacket, too. I was asked to incorporate at least one of the breast pockets, if possible. I'll definitely do that for her.

 

Today, I'm going to lay it out, take measurements, and then take it apart. I'm going to offer my client drawings and options for styles I have in mind, and then I'll begin the process of collaboration to achieve my vision.

I'm planning to share the whole process with you, as I move from start to completion. I hope you'll follow along and share your ideas and feedback.
 

Locals, Mark Your Calendars...

Brynwood Needleworks - Craft & Vendor Expo Poster

 

I'm busy creating brand new designs and products for my booth at this event on November 24th! If you're local to me, I hope you'll plan to attend!

Kitchen To Studio...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse French Bread Loaves and Rolls

I've been busy since last we visited. I wanted to make fresh French bread and rolls for Handsome, so this is what came out of the oven on Monday. We had delicious soup and roast beef with the rolls for dinner on Monday night. I think I'm getting the hang of this. The rolls were crispy on the outside, and perfectly tender on the inside. I'll definitely be making more!

Brynwood Needleworks - "Ensemble" Bag

   

I've also been fulfilling customer orders. This one was my client's choice...black cork fabric, paired with a blue and green sea turtle batik. I'm especially happy with how this one turned out. I know it's going to get a lot of use, as it's first task will be as a carry all for a trip.

 

I'll be working on the second commission (for the same client) today. It involves preparing a lot of pieces prior to assembly. The hardest part for me is getting psyched to do all the cutting. It's never been my favorite (or even 5th favorite) part of sewing. I think I need an elf! 

 

So, I'll be working on the next bag, but I've given this style a name. I'm calling this one the "Ensemble" Bag. I hope my client loves it, because, if she doesn't, I'm going to keep this one to use for myself! 

 

Just a quick update on the porch project, too. The guys are painting the second coat onto the post and beam trim, and it's looking wonderful. (It's been raining, so my gardens are a mucky mess. I'll take photos at the end of the day today. Railing work won't begin until September 23rd, but I'm expecting the new lighting will go "live" late this week. We'll see...

 

Sidetracked...

Clothesline Bag II - In Progress

 

I almost finished this one yesterday. The lining and straps are complete and the exterior is done. I just need to put them together and it will be finished.

 

I didn't spend as much time on it as I'd planned because I was watching the weather reports, and then corresponding or calling some of my Florida friends. We're closely tracking the path of Hurricane Irma and praying that it goes back out to sea to avoid harming anyone currently in its way.

I'll keep the television on weather networks today as I finish up this bag and list it in my shop. I have a diaper bag to make this week, too, for a baby shower on Sunday, so I need to finish the Clothesline Bag first.

I have a full appointment book this week, so I suspect this week is going to fly by. I'd better get busy.

A Sew And Sew (More) Weekend...

One of the vendors at our 2014 DPQG quilt show was Grannie Suzannie. 

I purchased this pretty, little kit called "Magnolia Bud" and packed it for our

retreat. It was the last thing I worked on before we parted company yesterday to

travel back home. (That was after our Sunday Ice Cream Social with the gals!)

This is a paper pieced pattern and each block is comprised of four separate

bud elements. There are a total of four blocks like this one in the final quilt. 

It's a mini quilt, and will measure 17" x 17" after I assemble all the blocks, 

add the sashing and border. It will be such a pretty little quilt when it's done.

We all shopped at A Quilter's Stash in Sarasota, and three of us purchased this kit.

I was the first one to finish mine, and Joan B. said I inspired her to make hers up

before the end of Saturday, too. I know Number Three will be made up soon, too.

All the pieces were pre-cut and assembled around a central panel, so it went

together in almost no time at all. This is going to be a Christmas gift this year.

Here's a close-up of the central panel. It's so much fun, and although it's

 feminine, it's not too girly. A Quilter's Stash purchased all remaining stock

of these fabrics from the manufacturer, so if you want it, I don't think it

can be found anywhere but at this shop. ( I thought you'd want to know.)

Unfortunately, they don't have a website, but (HERE) is how you can

contact them if you want to find out about ordering your own quilt kit. 

My first finish of the weekend was this handbag. I made it with double

 layers of Soft & Stable and scrim, so this bag won't sag over time as

many of the quilted bags have a tendency to do - and it's still lightweight.

I chose three coordinated fabrics from the same line (shopping my stash)

and added a beautiful, ceramic button (also from my button collection).

The result is a high-quality, stylish handbag anyone would happily carry.

This bag is for sale and can be seen in my Etsy shop (here).

I'll complete the jean quilt after we return home this summer, and I'm 

happy to have a head start on my gift sewing this year. Golly, it'll be "that"

 time again before we know it! I'm making my list early for a change.

I had so much fun last weekend and feel I accomplished quite a bit.

It was wonderful to spend the weekend with 15 other beautiful, talented

quilters and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year. Thanks,

Arleen for all your hard work to put together our annual retreat. We all

had a grand time and appreciate your efforts to make it another success.

A Mild Diversion...

  I'm still knitting, but took time out to select and cut fabric for an upcoming event. I'll be attending our Disconnected Piecers Quilt Guild retreat the first weekend in June. Arleen is the chairman for our getaway, and she selected a nice handbag as our group project. We're asked to precut and pre-quilt our fabrics ahead of time. These are the fabrics I chose from my stash. My main fabric is on the far right, and the other two fabrics will coordinate on the inside and outside of the bag.   The cutting is complete and the quilting will take place before I pack to attend. I'm not planning exotic stitching patterns - probably choosing a cross-hatch quilt pattern to secure the fabrics. I think this will be a fun handbag to make, but it will be fun to use, too. Once I've made this one, I'm sure I'll make more!

 I also wanted to let you know that Adele was back with our Paneras group  last night. This was her first time back since her nasty fall. She broke her arm that night and is mostly frustrated that she can't crochet. She was using a loom last night! That gal just never gives up and it was great to see her. We also discussed a name for our group. Since we have knitters, quilters, crocheters and embroiderers, I put forward the name "Fiber Divas". They loved it, so henceforth we shall be known by this name. They want me to  create a sign that we can place on our meeting table each week. We went  around the table and giggled, prefacing each of our names with "Diva".
"Hi. My name is Diva Donna and I just put another project on my list." I'll keep you posted on that one.

A Musical Gift From Mary Ann...

Today, I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Mary Ann Miller. Last week, she sent this beautiful, musical handbag to me as a gift! You can imagine how excited I was when I opened the package to see what she had created for me.

Her fabric choices were perfect! Musical instruments on a sheet music background were the focal fabric. Then she added a sweet black/white dot fabric, separated by black ribbon.
The button was the crowning touch. I love the bit of beaded sparkle that it adds to the handbag. Mary Ann chose a black and white sheet music fabric for the interior of the bag, and there are two large pockets inside. I'm already using my new bag, and I think it's equally suited to everyday use or a musical night out.

Thank you, Mary Ann for your most generous gift. I love it and appreciate you sharing your talent with me.
Please take some time to visit Mary Ann's blog when you have a chance. It's always fun to see what new fabrics she's chosen and how she's using them. Just click on her banner (above) to go to her blog...
and if you'd love to own one of her beautiful handbags, click on this button to go to her Etsy shop. There's a little something for everyone's diverse taste, and her prices are very reasonable. Be sure to let me know if you find something you can't resist!

PS. I had to photograph Mary Ann's gift out in the yard yesterday so that I could share my beautiful and fragrant star jasmine with you. We have two bushes in the yard that make our little courtyard a secluded place. (They're taller than I am!). The smell is incredible this time I year. I wish you could all sit out there with me and enjoy it as much as I do!