Current WIP...

This is my current Work In Progress (WIP). I'm making a Birthday cushion for a special little two year old - my great-nephew. His party is on Sunday, and I only just learned that he's a huge Mickey Mouse fan. 

Knowing that, and owing him a cushion for his bedroom (as I did for his two sisters), this will be the perfect design for this sweet boy.

I'll be sure to share photos of him opening his gift - and if possible, catching his mama's expression, too. She really appreciates and treasures the handcrafted gifts her husband's aunty makes for their family. 

I'll get this finished by early afternoon (first I'll press the embroidery - thank you, Destiny - and add a stabilizer to the back of it), and then I have another Birthday party to attend this evening for a dear classmate. It's going to be a busy couple of days, so I'm really glad to be 100% again! I'll share party photos on Monday. Off to the studio now...

Ready For The Next Project...

Brynwood Needleworks - Sewing Studio

My studio has looked like it had been hit by a tornado the past few weeks. It was barely tidy enough to find what I needed. Fabric, threads and scraps were flying everywhere. Stacks of partial yardage, bolts to be cut, and strips for straps.

Over the weekend, I really needed to clean things up. I got after the project, picking up; putting away; vacuuming; and moving machines around.

I've been using Jane in a SewEzi table, which is wonderful, but it really vibrates when Jane is working at full throttle. I did a little research, and found a source to purchase the plexiglas insert, customized for Jane, to fit in my original Horn Quilter's Dream cabinet.

I placed an order on Saturday, and then moved Jane into the cabinet, waiting for it to arrive. Until it does, I've attached the portable extension table to it, so I have a larger work surface. The nice thing about my Quilter's Dream is that it has an extension leaf that lifts up on the back side to double my work area. Perfect for quilting, and projects like the recent mask making.

Unfortunately, the opening for the machine isn't large enough for Destiny, otherwise she'd be installed there rather than on the table on the wall. Maybe someday I'll purchase the updated version of the Quilter's Dream. It has an opening large enough to accommodate Destiny, and has a motorized lift which is more heavy duty than the manual one on my current cabinet.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Sewing Studio

 

The framed pieces were recently returned to me by my dad. I brought them home after seeing him on Friday. He's cleaning out some of his stuff and wanted to give things back to those who had gifted them. I'll be hanging my pieces in the farmhouse once I decide where we want them to be.

 

I have two projects hanging on the (attic) door. Parts of Wooly Critters, and the unstitched blocks that I set up for Primitive Gatherings' Twilight Garden quilt from last year. I'm determined to get back to working on them soon.

 

For now, I'm going to enjoy my tidy space. It never stays this way for long - and yes, there are things that are slated to move out and on to my shop or donation. One good thing about being told to stay home is that I can tackle tasks like this and really make some headway. Of course, if the weather is nice, I may spend some time outside, too. 

 

Tag will be back tomorrow. He's fairly jumping out of his fur to talk with you this week, but I promised I wouldn't give any hints. You'll have to hear it straight from the Corgi's mouth. I'll be back on Wednesday!

Complete!...

Brynwood Needleworks - Completed Dresses For The Twins

I completed the dresses for my nieces - just in time. All along, I thought the party was on Sunday. Turns out it's tonight!!! No worries. I finished in relaxed fashion, with no impending-doom-filled deadline. lol

Brynwood Needleworks - Buttons On The Pinnies

Thanks to everyone who left comments for me yesterday. I read them throughout the day, and I think most (all?) agreed with me, without even knowing it! I loved the little scalloped flower buttons, too.

Brynwood Needleworks - Dress Buttons - Blue

My Destiny makes such lovely button holes, and they're so easy on my machine that it's a pleasure to make them.

Brynwood Needleworks - Dress Buttons -Lavender

Once the buttons were all sewn on, I could turn my attention to hand sewing the hems. Button holes, then buttons, and then hems.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hem Detail

I first sewed hem lace to the bottoms of the dresses, and then turned the lace up to hem the dresses and pinafores. I sat down to finish sewing the hems by hand. 

I've chosen to hang the dresses, so I'll be making a little garment bag to protect them and "wrap" them, rather than fold them into boxes. I think I'll machine embroider both their names on the garment bag, and then add a bow to hold the hangers together.

Once that's finished, I'll be ready to party! I can't wait to see their reactions, and I'll definitely get photos to share with you. Thanks again for your input! Wasn't that fun?

 

Walking AND Chewing Gum...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bread Day

 

I got sidetracked yesterday when Handsome told me we were out of bread. That doesn't send me to the grocery store. It sends me to our kitchen. It was snowing like mad when we got up, so I wouldn't have left the house anyway.

I alternated my kitchen time with studio time, running back upstairs while my dough was proofing. By the end of the day, not only was our kitchen smelling of fresh-out-of-the-oven bread, but I'd also completed machine embroideries for a special project I'll need this weekend.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Embroideries and Fabric

 

Destiny and I ran the embroideries, chose the fabric, and would have completed this project if I'd had one more element that I was missing here in the studio. I'll be running out this morning to get that, and you won't see this again until after it's gifted on Sunday.

 

I'm making this is for the newest member of our family. She is my great great niece. This doesn't make me feel old, as her dad isn't yet 20, and her grandma is only 34. My sister is her great great grandma at 54.  This baby is being Christened on Sunday, so I'll be there to celebrate with her/my family. First, I need to finish this project!

In The Near Future...

Brynwood Needleworks - Shop Hop Custom Insignia

 

If you're a fan, you know what this is. This one is a special request, and this badge will be machine embroidered onto a black cork Shop Hop Crossbody bag. I'm making a second custom in another fabric at the same time. First up though, I've got two crossbody packs. 

 

My day will be divided in half today, because we're taking Bella to a specialist. They're going to do x-rays so they can have a good look at her leg and foot to see if she's ready to shed her splint. We're praying that she can ditch the hardware, and also not need surgery of any kind. That's best case scenario.

If she needs a further procedure, they can get her in as early as tomorrow. I'll update her condition tomorrow. If you're so inclined, your best wishes would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

New In The Studio...

Brynwood Needleworks - Marketplace Work Table

When we moved to the farm, I said I was going to avoid buying brand new furniture at all cost. I no longer want, nor do I need brand new furniture. We use what we have, or I find great deals to repurpose. This is one such deal.

Yes. I was foraging around on Facebook Marketplace again. Don't judge. There are so many cool things there, and never at "brand new" prices. Anyway, I found this heavy duty commercial work table for a sweet price, so I contacted the seller. I asked a few questions, and made arrangements to go to see it.

It measures 48" long by 24" wide by 26 1/2" high, with the shelf below. I was told it came out of a hospital during a remodel. It's heavy and strong, with a solid wood top and metal undercarriage. I bought it on the spot.

While I was standing in her garage, I noticed there was also a pristine pattern file cabinet next to the table. I asked if it was for sale and if so, how much? She said it was, and I could make an offer. I did, we agreed, and it also came home with me. The coolest part was that my Explorer was about 2" too short to fit everything inside, so the seller offered to deliver part of it for me.

She and I loaded everything into our two vehicles, she followed me home and everything was here the same day. On top of that, she's also a seamstress, so I now have a new friend with a shared interest!

Brynwood Needleworks - Destiny Sewing Table

 

Handsome and I managed to carry the table up to the studio yesterday, and I have it all installed in my sewing room now. I have my bobbins, adhesives (for making handbags and wallets), and order binder on the shelf, and Destiny is perfectly installed on top. The table is long enough for me to use the embroidery attachment, too.

The pattern file is too heavy for Handsome and me to get upstairs, so we'll wait for my nephew's strong muscles to help one of us get it up there. I've made a spot for it in my fabric studio, and it's going to hold all my woolens for applique' work. I'll show that to you once it's upstairs and in place.

I've got the itch to stitch (sew) now, but today is a bread baking day. I'm planning to play in the studio on Sunday as I move into a productive July. Can you believe it's right around the corner? Enjoy your weekend. I'll tell you all about mine on Monday!

Let's Not Do That Again...

Image ©Disney

 

 Some days, it just doesn't go by the book. 

My plan was to use wool batting between my quilt layers, merrily stitch out my quilt design, and have my piece ready to bind by nightfall yesterday.

Destiny hates wool (who knew?), to the extent that she blew her automatic cutter, and possibly chewed up her bobbin case. Dang! 

So, I thought I'd let Jane give it a go. Apparently, my semi-industrial machine can pitch a fit, too. She decided to just hang out in one place on my quilt and weave her own thread nest on the back of my quilt. Well, as that wasn't in my original design, I told Jane to go on break before she injured herself (or I did something I'd regret later).

I unpacked my Janome 3160 QDC ("Q", standing for QUILTING!), and she did the same darn thing! I guess they all had a plan to boycott wool batting. Word spread quickly. I was miffed, to say the least. 

 

Last night, I spent about a half hour unstitching what I had managed to accomplish before my machines decided to contract Sewing Machine Flu. Why? Because I give in. I'm switching out the wool to replace it with an organic cotton batting. We'll see if anyone will deign to produce a beautiful stitch for the front and back of my "Song of Spring" quilt today. Wouldn't that be nice?

A Needle Dancing Day With Friends...

Brynwood Needleworks - Needle Keep Project From Florida

 

I was at our monthly Sit & Stitch with the ladies yesterday in Menasha. My project was this little needle keep kit I purchased from Searsport Rug Hooking when I was in Florida. I sat, happily needle dancing, while visiting with Kathy D., Lisa Bongean, and our friends at Primitive Gatherings Studio. 

I really was missing attending, so I'm glad I could be there today. Tag rode up with me, and he was quite content to sleep in my Explorer while I was there. Afterward, we drove over to my sister's home (the one I saw over the weekend), and we had dinner together at a great sushi restaurant before I drove back to the farmhouse. I'm not an adventurous sushi eater. I prefer my seafood cooked, so there was no raw fare on our table. It was delicious.

Tag and I got back home around 10:00 pm, so we had a lovely, but long and pleasantly tiring day. I'll complete this project later in the week, and show you when it's done. I also came home with a few other things that I'll tell you about before the weekend. (It's really cool stuff!)

Brynwood Needleworks - Making A Donation Clutch For The Winner

 

I thought I'd get this donation Abby Clutch project finished on Monday, but after machine embroidering the entire dog design to go on the front, I saw that there was a blank space on the face that somehow didn't get stitched. gahh! It was 1:00 am Tuesday when I finished stitching it out, and much too late to start another one, so I headed to bed and then spent the day in Menasha. I'll redo it today, and then complete the clutch so it can mail out right away. Then, I'll be able to work on another project.

I'm having a great time reading the comments you're leaving on my 10th Anniversary Blog Giveaway! If you haven't entered yet, just click on the link at the top of my sidebar. I'll be adding more giveaway prizes before the weekend, too, so be sure to keep reading this week so you can see what else you could win.

Have a great Wednesday and I'll be back tomorrow with updates. 

Currently Under My Needle...

Embroidery Placement Options

 

Destiny and I have been working on a custom order for corgi embroideries on a client's jacket. These are the two layouts from which I gave her a choice. We agreed on Layout 1.
 

I'll be embroidering the designs today so I can ship it to her by tomorrow. I think my client is going to love her new jacket! Do you agree?

Dang!...

Stitching Out Corgi Embroidery

I was stitching out the embroidery for my next commission - a corgi tote -  and decided that I'd make another right away for one of my crossbody wallets (for stock). This one stitched out like a dream, but I think I waste time switching the threads between colors, so I thought I'd try something different (after the first one was done).

Destiny With Off-Machine Thread Holder

I have a wooden thread stand that holds a total of fourteen threads, so I instead of setting up one thread at a time, I only have to pull the thread from there to the machine. It would go faster that way. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Oops! Bobbin Thread Showing In Front

I'm glad you asked. Something happened to the tension in my stitches. This is the only thing that changed, so I guess I'll have to go back to the "old" way. sigh Yes. I threw this one out. I was twenty three minutes into a thirty five minute design...and all that thread...now in the trash. Back to the drawing board (so to speak).
 

I Got One Done

 

As least one is finished. I'll give it another go today. I have to make this work because I have another commission where the design has to be stitched directly onto a finished item. I can't have this glitch happening on that! 

 

I'll be troubleshooting this morning until Destiny can do her thing without errors. Wish me luck, please. I have projects that need finishing. 

 

Piggy Poll and Projects Update...

Time To Choose A Name

I'm adding a poll to my sidebar today. I got so many great name ideas, that I'm glad I don't have to choose one myself. I'll leave the poll up until Saturday, so everyone who wants to vote will have a chance.

NOTE: If you read my posts on your phone, you'll need to get on the web version to see the poll. 

I've kept track of everyone who left a name comment, so the person(s) whose name is chosen will get a gift from me. I'll let you know your prize via email, and will post if for everyone to see after Christmas.

Destiny On Break

For the first year, I've done absolutely nothing in the studio two weeks from Christmas. I've been so excited about Handsome coming home for the holidays, and I've had so much fun decorating and making treats, that I haven't been sewing. I just want to be honest with you. I'm not always an overachiever, and I don't always meet my goals. Not always.

The good thing is I'm not going to stress over this. I'm going to change up my plans. Of course, there will be Grammie's Jammies, but I'm going shopping with Handsome for the rest. I'll revisit my holiday sewing plans after the first of January, and plan to have everything done well before Christmas next year so that I just have to make Jammies at the end (our grandchildren grow by leaps and bounds from one month to the next!).

I know it's more important to spend time with family and friends than it is to stress making every gift. I'm not simply justifying my lack of sewing mojo either. This year, there will be gift baskets, filled with tasty treats from our garden and kitchen. So, I did make things, right? Right! 

Handsome arrives early this evening. Tag and I are heading to the airport to pick him up, and our Christmas begins as soon as I see his smile. Officially.

Destiny's New Tattoo(s)...

Tattoo by Urban Elementz

I purchased this little bit of machine decor before we left Florida this spring. I decided it was time to give my beautiful Babylock Destiny even more "pretty". Well, I only just found it, too, so there's that.

Tattoo On Back Of Machine

They were really easy to attach. All you have to do is clean the area where you want to adhere the decals (I used alcohol pads), and then follow the instructions that came with the package. I made sure that none of the decals covered attachment points for servicing my Destiny.

Tattoo on Machine Head

I currently have my large spool stand attached to the top of my machine, but I added a flourish to the removable cover, too. When the spool stand isn't attached, the cover will finish Destiny's look nicely.
 

Wave on Wave - Ocean Tattoo from Urban Elementz

 

This is the design I chose for Destiny. It's called "Wave On Wave" - Ocean - clear back (as opposed to white), from Urban Elementz. HERE'S a link to Urband Elementz' site. Check out all the designs while you're there. You might find something you like! (I have another set in the hibiscus design, called Hawaiian Holiday, too. I'll be decorating my Janome with those.)

 

Disclaimer: I have not received any compensation, in any form, for writing this post. I'm just a happy customer who thought you might like to know about this machine "bling".

Meet Miss Sadie...

Brynwood Needleworks - Singer 600e Sewing Machine

In 2016, our quilt guild had their most recent quilt show. (Our next one is in 2018.) One of the fabulous features of our show is our Boutique. Guild members make and donate everything from pincushions to thread catchers to aprons and placemat & napkin sets. Members also donate fabric scraps (4" square and larger), magazines and books related to sewing and quilting, and even used tools.

I was heading out of the Boutique after making a few purchases and passed this machine on my way out. I asked one of the ladies working behind the checkout table if it had been sold yet. She told me it was still available. I got out my checkbook and immediately paid for it.

Brynwood Needleworks - Singer 600e Sewing Machine

This machine is a vintage Singer Touch & Sew Model 600E. I've cleaned her up and named her "Sadie".  She and Kenny are going to get on famously. Hazel moved to a new home last fall, so Sadie will take up the slack.

Brynwood Needleworks - Singer 600e Sewing Machine Attachments

She came with a full array of accessories. All of her presser feet, ruffler, sole plates...everything was included.

Brynwood Needleworks - Singer 600e Sewing Machine Stitch Cams

 

In addition to the cams that came in the original attachments box, there was another box of cams (they each represent a specialty, decorative stitch that adds to the machine's stitch assortment), and finally, a full box of additional bobbins.

 

The table that Kenny has been sitting on wasn't made for Kenmore machines, so he was never "bolted in". However, Miss Sadie is a perfect fit, so she'll be installed into that table, and Kenny will get a new-to-him table after we move him to the farmhouse. 

Both machines will be helpful when it comes to my bagmaking endeavors, so I want to make sure they're completely comfortable. Sadie will get a spa date in the near future, but for now, she'll just hang out with Destiny, Kenny, my little Janome, and me in the studio.

 

Tick...Tock...

Brynwood Needleworks - Art by John MacDonald Aiken

 

I found out yesterday that the part received to repair Destiny was the wrong one. They'll need to reorder, and I won't see Destiny before Saturday (if I'm lucky). Likely, I end up waiting to pick her up until after the Election on Tuesday. sigh

So, while I wait, I'm cleaning the studio, photographing fabric to list in my shop, taking pictures of two Horn cabinets I'm going to sell (rather than move north), doing my prep work for Election Day....and trying to be patient. big sigh Don't worry. I'll be okay. There's always Plan B...or C (as in "Christmas sewing").

Save

Make It Sew...

Brynwood Needleworks via Internet

  I'm missing Destiny, but I've left her in capable hands. She'll be back in a week. I thought this was appropriate while I wait. (I just couldn't help myself. hee hee)

Nuts - In More Ways Than One...

Brynwood Needleworks - Babylock Destiny

I didn't take a new photograph of Destiny today, so I'm using this previously-used image. The reason I'm sharing it is because I didn't take a new one before I had to take Destiny back to the spa. It seems she liked being away so much last time, she let me know (through a few recent tantrums) that she needed a little more time off.

So, although I'd planned to be sewing for (at least) the next few days, I've had to come up with a Plan B for the next few weeks while Destiny slacks off takes another break. What did I do instead, you ask?

Brynwood Needleworks - Hickory Nuts

I ran a few errands, and came back home to a few things that needed my attention. The painting is still underway (looking great, by the way), but the rest of the work will wait until December. The work can't always take place on my time schedule. I must work with contractor's schedules, as well. I'll keep repeating, "patience is a virtue".

Remember these? I started cracking these little nuts. So far, 2 cups of unshelled nuts have yielded about a 1/4 cup of precious nut meat (and the shells, which I'll reserve for future grilling or smoking meats).

I think I'll pace myself on this task. It's a little harder on my hands than I expected. (I'm such a wimp!) I'll forget all about that, though, when I taste the delicious cookies and cakes I'll make with them.

For now, I'll enjoy this Autumn and all the blessings that come with each beautiful, colorful day. I think I'll spend a little more time outside with the pups. It's really too nice to stay inside.