. . . gatehouse gardens

There have been several quilt designs that I have had requests (over & over) for different sizes. So, every one in a while, I'm going to be re-doing some of my most popular patterns - including the original design & some additional sizes & styles using the same design.

First up, is my design that was called 'Gatehouse'.

The original is the yellow version. It was done, using One of my favorite Moda lines, 'Faded Memories'. It measures 48" x 48" (& embarrassingly enough, when re- writing the pattern. . . I discovered that on the original pattern, the overall size of the quilt was 6" too large, & that there was a boo-boo in the original directions, for the border measurements... (!) We never caught it & were never made aware of it for all the years it's been out there (more than six years!), & even though I saw lots of photos of it made, no-one mentioned the mistake. (... until this past week or so, someone email a question about it & wondered if she had made an error...) I feel so bad!!! Be assured that these directions have been combed over thoroughly at least half a dozen times. (Sigh.) 

Anyway, instead of going larger for the alternate designs, I went a little smaller... & then smaller still. The next option, is a bit smaller than the original 36” x 36”, & is done with wool appliqué. Wool on flannel. (Oh how fun that was!) I used wool from my stash & then I used flannels from the Primitive Gatherings line for the background & for the piecing of the churn-dashes. It is a great size for a wall hanging, or for a table topper, & could be used year round.

The smallest version is the embroidery version... (you knew that I would have to do a stitchery version!) it is 27” x 27”, & if ever you wanted to do a mini size of a quilt... This is a fun one to do! With the stitchery (that goes by so much more quickly than you'd ever think!), the details of this little design have become one of my favorites. I'm currently using mine as a table topper (for spring), & I know that it will go into my office after that. (I don't have big wall space in my office - so I need to use smaller quilts.). 

I love this 'littlest' version so much, I've put together a limited number of kits. It uses one of my (favorite) paisley prints from my first Durham Anew Collection, & the kit also includes the background fabric, floss & a printed pattern. You can find them here if you would like a great spring/summer stitchery project... or even for that 'make it someday' stash!) 

Oh yeah. . . There is also available as a PDF download-able version of 'Gatehouse Gardens' as well. (How could I forget that?!?)

So. . .  there's the latest pattern release... for now at least! (& yes... there are still two new designs that need to be quilted yet, so they will be out sometime this summer.) 

(For you shop owners, please know that it will be about a month before the distributors receive the pattern... So if you would like to get yours sooner... please contact us, & we will be sure to get some to you!)

Hope you have a great week!

♥ Bren

… a finish. . . & a start. . .

A first for me. . .

My first counted thread design.

I took the last stitches in 'By My Hand'. . . & I had to smile at how backwards I worked with this design that had been spinning around in my head for several years.

Based on my love of samplers, I first used my sketches for the design as the inspiration for the (appliqué) quilt pattern, & then for the embroidery version. . .

. . . & now. . . finally. . . I have stitched the actual sampler!

It is the first of several designs that I am working on for the Fall Needlework Market.

(. . . so yes!. . . it will be charted & a pattern will be available later this summer!)

While a was putting in the last section of stitches in this design,

 my mind was spinning with ideas for some new designs. . .

. . . what a fun journey this is!

For those who have been asking. . . yes, I am still designing quilts! In fact, I have two new designs waiting to be quilted, & one pattern due back from the printers at the beginning of next week.

My goal is to have that design ready for PDF download over the weekend as well. . .

. . . so no worries. . . I still love quilts & designing them!!!

What I am taking a little break from - is designing fabric. I do plan to do it again, when the time is right.

Hoping you have a wonderful week, filled with some great finishes. . . & some fun exciting new 'starts'!

♥ Bren

… blessing in disguise

This morning. . . I awoke to hearing a *peck-peck-peck* outside,

. . . then the doorbell started to ring . . . but never finished.

When I got up to see if anyone was at the front door (nope), I realized that the fans were all off, & that there was no electricity.
At first I thought that a woodpecker might have pecked through something it shouldn't have. . . but, it turns out it was the whole north side of town that lost power, so I decided to make the best of it.

We have had some wonderful spring weather, & each morning I have been opening up the windows & sliders, & in the mornings I have enjoyed the fresh air through out the house. (They get closed up in the afternoon when the temps have been getting a little too warm.) 

But, what I hadn't done yet - was to spend much time outside in the mornings. . . & that changed today.

(I usually turn on a morning show while I get started on emails &/or planning the day.)

But, today. . . I decided to pour myself a cup of coffee (thankfully, it came on automatically earlier), & I took it, my stitchery, & my little buddy to the table on back porch, & had such a lovely time! Dad even came out with his bowl of cereal & joined us for a bit.

It was so peaceful & was a wonderful way to start the day.

I do believe that I will be starting many more mornings this way. . . !

. . . & while we were out there the funniest thing happened. . . the doorbell finished it's ring...

... yep, the power came back on.) It was the perfect ending to a wonderful start of the day.

Now. . . (this afternoon) I've been back getting some graphic work done on the computer, & I'm (obviously) able to publish this post. . . but thinking about having to 'do without' has made me rethink the *need* to have access to electronics at all times. . .

I'm thinking that it is a wonderful thing. . . but not to the point that it controls my day (& my attention!).

I've thankful for the wake-up call. . . & for this blessing in disguise.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

♥ Bren

... keeping busy

Took a little trip to Texas for a wonderfully fun surprise birthday party for my Aunt Trudy. A whole bunch of my cousins 'descended' on the cute little town of Lampases where we all celebrated her 90th birthday. My Aunt Trudy is the only living sibling of my Mom's family... & there were 10 kids in their family! It was a lovely time, & I was reminded what a great bunch of cousins I have. We took up two rows of pews at church, & it I couldn't help but smile as we all sang together. (All of my cousins have amazing voices...!) I know that my Mom & her brothers & sisters were looking down on us, so pleased that we were all together. (& I know it won't be the last time!)

Beside's navigating airports (with Dad too), I've also gotten some stitching done. Although I'm not prepping for Quilt Market (not going), I have been 'teaching' a wool club at a local quilt shop, The Quilt Basket (one of the new Top Ten Shops in the latest Quilt Sampler!), & in May we are starting a new design, 'Tavern House' by Maggie Bonanomi. (I love this design!) I am doing mine on linen (the original is on black wool). Also, I've started the borders for the embroidery version of a new quilt that will (hopefully) be released by the end of May.

(I tried to post the photos first - but I couldn't figure out how... This is my first time posting with 'Blogger for iPad'. For those of you who use it... any tips are welcome!)

I'm thinking that these... as well as the cross stitch designs I'm working on... should keep me plenty busy... for now at least!

Hope you have a great week!

xo, Bren

… a little business news... a little inspiration . . .

First. . . just a little announcement that the 'Spring Sale' on the website - will be ending tomorrow. I decided to keep it going until just after the 15th. So, for those who haven't already. . .  be sure to check it out! (25% & more off patterns & books!)

How fun it was to hear from so many of you that have had (or still have)
a little Kenmore too! I've got to say, that mine really 'stepped up to the plate' (baseball term) for me! I've fallen a little in love with it again.
It's gotten a good overall 'oil-ing' & I do believe it gave a little sigh of relief when I finished putting oil in the about 20 places that the manual showed(!)

The good news is - is that the Bernina is also now happy & healthy. Although it was pretty scary, it was only that there was a lot of lint & 'fluff' that clogged up the 'drive shaft' (?) underneath the motor (where you can't get to), & the motor just decided "no more' until it got a thorough & proper cleaning. I'm really good about cleaning & blowing out (with canned air) the lint  that I can see after every bobbin change, & putting the little dots of oil on the bobbin case, but as I was talking about what had happened with the Bernina folks - I realized that this past year, I did some sewing with flannels as well & they can really add to the 'lint factor'. I loved using them & want to again - it's just a good lesson to factor that into my cleaning schedule.

So for now all the sewing machines are 'happy campers'. . . including this 'sewing machine'!. . . or should I say 'stitching machine'!?! I've been (happily) stitching away at some new projects. . . 
here's a couple of little peeks. . .

(do they look familiar?)

I'll be honest. . . it's been hard for me to put them down! I've had so much fun!

But. . . there are a couple of quilt patterns that are waiting to be completed & so I'm putting myself on a 'stitching' schedule'. Otherwise, I would spend the whole days doing nothing else!

Now, to hopefully start you week off with a smile (& a little sigh). . . I wanted to share this with you. 

I get emails from a video site that has inspirational videos & they are so nice to watch from time to time in the midst of the things that normally make the 'news'.  This video is from an Australian version of 'The Voice' (we have an American version here as well). The premise of the show is that there are four 'coaches' (who are in the music industry & often celebrities) who's goal it is to create a 'team' of singers - that will go on to compete. (I'm not good at watching these shows - I get to nervous & the 'competition' part of it isn't my favorite.) But, for this show - the singers 'audition' without the coaches knowing anything about them - or even seeing them - (their chairs are turned around so they cant see the stage). This way, the  singer's 'Voice' is what the 'coaches' base their decision as to whether they want to have the singer on their 'team'. The fun part is that if more than one of the coaches choose a singer - that singer gets to pick who's team they want to be on. . . the tables are turned & the coaches do their best to get the singer to pick them(!)

Anyway. . . the young man in this video is incredible. . . & I admit that I have watched it over & over. . . it's that good. I keep finding little details that make it more & more wonderful. . . (watch the 'coaches' faces when they first hear him!)

 I hope it adds a little inspiration to start off your week! (& I dare you not to smile!)

A MIRACLE Happens When This Teen Bullied for His Stutter Sings from theremix on GodTube.

(I can't wait until he releases a cd!. . .)

 ♥ Bren

… memories. . . old ones & new ones

Whew!. . . what a busy week this has been!

As I was finishing the quilting for the 'Remember 'Whooo' Loves You' quilt for my newest little grand-nephew, my trusty Bernina died.

. . . out of the blue.

. . . no warning.

I was quilting along one minute & the next *poof* . . .  & nothing.

At first I thought that maybe the foot pedal cord had come loose, but nope.

After checking everything & anything it could be - I gave up. It would have to be taken in to the Bernina doctor. 

In my desperation to finish my quilting (as I only had one more day to finish the quilt!), I went out into the garage where I've stored the first sewing machine I ever owned, a Kenmore that I bought with $99 of my high school graduation gift-money.

Bless it's little sewing machine heart. . . even after about 10 years of being stored, it worked wonderfully. I un-earthed the free-motion foot I had for it & we finished up the quilting with no problems. (For the baby quilts - I simply quilt an allover cloud/popcorn design. . . one that withstands a lot of washing.)

But. . . just to show my appreciation to my little Kenmore - I pulled out the manual & I'm going to give it an all over oiling. It didn't give me any problems while we were sewing, but I thought that after having to live in the garage where the temps get really (really) hot in the summer. . . it deserves it.

I actually loved using it again. It brought back so many memories, & using it was like riding a bike. I remembered right way how it was threaded, & the differences with it & my Bernina. So, for now, (& maybe longer - depending on what the diagnosis is for my Bernina),  it will have it's well earned place on my sewing table. It's such a little trouper!

(. . . if only it had a buttonhole stitch!)

The quilt did get finished, washed & I carried it onto the plane on Wednesday, when Dad & I flew over to San Diego to meet Samuel (or as his brother call him - Baby Sam).

It was a long, but wonderful day (we flew home late that evening), & now little Samuel is also wrapped in memory of the loving arms of my Mom. (you can read about that here.)

The last photo is of my Dad & three of his four great-grandkids. (He's holding Samuel.)

What I love about that photo is that both of the other 'grands' had "foodie's" all over their hands (buttered biscuit on one & grapefruit on the other's). . . & they both grabbed onto Dad's trouser legs for this photo. :o) They did it so fast & at the same time, so there was nothing we could do but giggle!

Great memories.

Hope your weekend brings you some precious memories too.

♥ Bren

… treasuring new life

 I must be honest. . . 

it's been really hard to stay indoors for the past few days. . .

(in fact, I'm sitting out on the back porch posting this!)

Spring has definitely arrived here. . . & it's lovely.

I think having what felt like a colder winter than we usually do, 

(& a couple days with these pretty white fluffies!). . . is making me

appreciate the warmth & the flowers budding (all over the place!).

The birdies are back in the yard - filling the air with their chirping,

 & taking drinks & baths in the water fountains.

I feel like I could sit here & watch them all day.

I got the finch feeder out - but I'm almost out of the seeds for it, 

so I'll be running out later to get some for them. I don't always have it filled - but I like to especially as winter has just past 

& they seem really hungry.

My brother & sister-in-law have been here visiting from Minnesota, 

& Jodi (my s-i-l) kept commenting on all the color & the budding plants!

It's been so wonderful to have them here. They left for the airport this morning, & I will miss them so!

I'll get to have another 'missing-my-family-hole-in-my-heart' fix in a few days though, as I will get to meet the little cutie-pie in the middle photos. He is Samuel, my newest little grand-nephew. Isn't he a cutie? Dad & I will be taking a day trip - flying out to San Diego to meet him next week. It's a quick trip - but it's so worth it! I can hardly wait!

So. . . as you can imagine, I've been working on another of my owl quilts for little Sam.

(If you don't know the history of this design, you can read it here.)

This is the fifth 'Remember Whoo Loves You' quilt that I have made. . .

. . . & I never tire of it. ♡

I also plan to watch the finale of  'The Bible' on Sunday evening. Have you been watching them? I have. . . & I'm so impressed with how they were created & I must admit that in my heart, I'm encouraged at how they've been accepted & how many people have been drawn to them & to looking deeper into the Bible. For me. . . I don't know how I would deal with life without it(!) . . . & so, as we enter & think upon the events of this incredible weekend, I feel so thankful for the love & for the sacrifice & the demonstration of what unconditional love is. It humbles me so to know that I am loved that much, by my Lord & Savior.

 I wish you a wonderful weekend, filled with the wonder & hope of such Love.

♥ Bren

… spring cleaning... (& that means a sale!)

If you've been following my blog for any amount of time,

you know that I get the spring cleaning bug every year.

. . . & after this past week, with our temps in the 80's 

(& even the 90's a few times!)

. . . I have really been bit by the spring cleaning bug!

So, as you saw in my last post

not even my inventory of Cosmo floss was safe!

I've made up some sweet little sets of Cosmo flosses & you can find them in their own page in the 'tag sale' section.

Also, there are some wonderful fabric selections (mostly fat-eighth bundles) that I'm finally parting with.

(.  . well parting with 'part' of them. . . these are some of my treasures & don't tell anybody, but these are the second sets I have had of these collections . . . yep I like 'em that much!)

I've decided that I won't be doing any more retail shows, but I will be posting things on the website, & for now - most are the things I've been keeping for a quilt show - so they will be in the 'tag sale' area.

As I will be making some additions & changes to my company,

the plan is to be expanding the web-shop as well!

(I'm excited & looking forward to that part!)

But for now. . . I'm focusing on my current spring cleaning (& finding fun things for you!) 

. . . & around here - spring also means a sale!

. . . so, in addition to the fun fabrics & flosses added to the web-shop,

the sale means that patterns (printed & pdf versions) are 25% - 75% off!

So lets celebrate the arrival of spring!

(. . . even for those of you in the northern states - who are still getting snow!, & or for those of our southern hemisphere friends who are welcoming autumn!)

I also want to thank all of you who have made designing & growing this business of mine

such a wonderful experience. You are precious & mean so much to me!

(((xoxoxo)))

♥ Bren

p.s. - If you would like to get a little 'heads-up' notice about the web-shop &/or about Acorn Quilt & Gift Company - be sure to sign up for the e-newsletter! (. . . it goes out about 6 - 24 hours before announcements are made on the blog or on twitter.)

… buzzing, buzzing

That would be me, as I've been like a busy little bee!

It's that time of year again. . .

. . . that time when I get the itch to simplify & I start going through closets & cubbies.

I've kept some items that in the past, I thought that I would keep

as I was thinking about doing a local quilt show. . . but I've (finally) decided that I would rather focus on things for the website, & so I've been busy prepping & photographing things for some stitching & quilting fun on the website for next week. . . (which means a bunch of new items & the spring 'cleaning' sale too!)

I'll be working on expanding the items that I will 'stock' for the 

web-shop, but as many of you know. . . there are also things that there are very limited amounts of (. . . you know, those things that I've been holding onto. . . & now can't get more of - so some things are 'one-of-a-kinds'.

It doesn't make for very glamourous photos. . . so I'll add these. . .

. . . Bailey, my helpful little assistant.

After I laughed at him (& Dad - his 'Grandpa'), Bailey wanted me to ask you this question. . .

Does it look like he just 'helped' his Grandpa with his helping of chocolate gelato?

(Seriously. . . my Dad thinks that none of it gets on Bailey's face. . .!)

(love that face. . . no matter what else is on it!)

It's all good though. . . as this photo was taken yesterday, 

& Bailey's groomer came this afternoon & now he's clean, fluffy 

(& smells soooo good!)

I'll be working on getting things ready for the start of spring. . .

both here at home, & on the website!

. . . I'll keep you posted!

Hope you have a great start to your week!

♥ Bren

… springing

. . . no 'springing forward' on the time zone front

(we don't do that here in Arizona... no 'springing forward' & 'falling back'...while the rest of the country changes time two times each year... we stay the same... all year 'round.  (Although when I woke up at about 2:30 a.m. this morning & couldn't get back to sleep. . . I wouldn't have minded getting up the hour earlier!)

. . . but with the snow & rain showers we've had this past month (with days up in the 70's in the midst of those!) - you can tell that spring is itching to get started around here!

While at our local 'Trader Joe's' a couple of days ago, I couldn't resist the little bunches of daffodils they had. None of the buds were open, but after trimming the stems, & putting them in water, by the next morning they were blooming away! 

Then my Dad surprised me with a little birthday lunch last week with some of my sweet quilting friends (thank you sweet my ladies!), & in the middle of the table in the cafe was a beautiful bouquet of yellow roses (with stunning orange edges on the petals)!

They are now gracing the breakfast table where they seem to open up a little more every day, & where we can both see them the most.

Today, after working so very hard at it, the sun is actually shining away, 

& it is forecasted for us to possibly reach 90 this week! I think our flowers & plants & grass & birdies will be giddy! I know I will!

Hope you have a wonderful week!

♥ Bren

… lately. . .

. . . what I've been up to. . .

. . . the TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association) Market,

in Nashville. . .

. . . here's  Bonnie Sullivan's (All Through the Night) lovely display. . 

. . . & here's  Bonnie Sullivan & her sister Ann, who came with her to Market.

(Ann had a display of beautiful jewelry that she creates there too!)

. . . & there's a bunch of fat-eighth bundles  just loaded onto the website.

. . . Esprit de Noel (French General)

. . . my latest - Durham Anew (2012)

. . . Durham Anew (2011)

. . . & Georgia Lou

It has been quite the busy week!

I took a little trip to Nashville this past weekend,

to visit the TNNA Needlework Market.

What fun it was!

It snowed (well flurried) most of the time I was there, 

& it was so pretty to see.

What I love is that this Needlework Market is held at the Embassy Suites, & instead of having to set up a booth in a great big convention center, here you set up your displays in the the 'living room' area of your suite, & folks come to you!

It makes for a wonderful, casual & home-y feeling, & I love the idea!

I also was able to meet up with some wonderful designers 

who exhibited & they were so helpful with information & ideas

about the needlework industry & about the show.

I also came home with a bunch of new threads & flosses & 

placed a few orders for fun new items!

I left feeling so excited about the next step. . .

My goal is to do the fall show - in St Charles, MO.

I've been working on charting several designs 

& I've found that I love the process. . . 

I can hardly wait to start stitching!

(& now that I have my new threads - that starts this week!)

When I came home, I found a wonderful box on my doorstep,

from Moda - with bundles of Esprit de Noel,  the latest line from

French General for Moda.

I must admit. . . I LOVE this line!!! 

(& I rarely say that about Christmas lines!)

I'm keeping one - to make a new quilt, 

but I've put the other two (fat-eighth bundles) on the website.

Warning though. . . there are only two. . . so don't delay!

(The line won't be available in shops until May.)

Just before I left for Nashville, I also made up some bundles

of my fabric lines - including my latest (yet to arrive to shops)  

Durham Anew (2012).

These bundles are limited & once they are gone - well. . . you know.

While I'm closing the door in fabric design for awhile,

I'm so excited about what is upcoming. . .

. . . speaking of which, I'll have a new quilt or two to show you in a day or two!

Hope you have a great start to your week!

♥ Bren

… a magical day

I know for the folks who get several feet of snow annually

. . . this may seem a wee bit silly.

But, we found the snowfall that we got today

to be quite magical.

Usually we just get a dusting. . . one day each year,

(I live in the southwest)

. . . & it's usually gone within an hour of it falling.

But today. . .

. . . today it snowed (big fluffy flakes) for over two hours in the morning,

. . . about 2 inches

(& it stuck!)

. . . & then it snowed again - just before dusk -

about another inch or so.

It was mesmerizing.

As the sun was setting, I wanted to 'absorb' as much 

of it's loveliness  as I could, 

so I turned off as many interior lights as I could

& Bailey & sat at the window & just watched the big flakes,

& listened to the silence.

Then I peeked in on Dad & woke him from the little nap he was taking

(so he would be able to sleep tonight!). . .

& then he joined us.

It was a blessing. . .

truly magical.

❄ Bren