… Durham Collection Anew 2011

I know that I promised this peek quite a bit ago. . .

I'm hoping that you'll forgive my lateness. I wanted to be sure that is was okay with 'headquarters' (Lecien) to show. . . & since it is up on the Lecien USA website (you can find it here). . . & I just noticed it on the Fat Quarter Shop website (under 'coming soon'), & Fall Quilt Market is this week & everyone there can see it. . .

. . . so. . . I'm guessing that now is a great time to show you. . . !

So, here is my fabric line for fall by Lecien  - Durham Collection Anew.

First, here's the line by designs. . .

main floral -

gingham floral -

paisley - (sigh!. . . they did such a great job with this!)

small flowers -

tonal floral -

dots -

. . . & just for fun. . . here is the line - by colorway. . .!

whites -

pinks -

reds -

yellows -

greens -

blues -

& greys -

I have been having soooo much fun playing with these fabrics. . . getting things ready for my vignette in the Lecien booths for Market. (. . . & I'm thinking that the next few evenings are going to be on the long-ish side!). 

. . . I'll post a couple more photos before I go - of some of the items that I've been 'playing' with!

♥ Bren

… By My Hand

For the first of the new designs, here is one that seemed to fall together all by itself . . . like it was supposed to be.

. . . It first started with my ever growing love of stitchery samplers.

. . . Then I saw the new Lecien fabric line 'Mrs. March's Basic'. . .(sigh) & it was love at first sight. 

(Seriously. . . if I were a quilt shop owner, I would order a bolt of every single fabric in that line!)

. . . & then, after some research into some old samplers (especially ones made by younger girls,. . . I love those the most!), it was, honestly, simply a bunch of fun & play putting everything together.

So, here is my version of a stitchery sampler - a quilters version . . . 

'By My Hand'.


. . . first there is the alphabet (a mix of embroidery & simple fusible applique)

. . . then, there had to be some acorns. . . (of course!)

. . . & then some favorite sampler elements. . . 

. . . then row by row, it all comes together. . .

'By My Hand' is 40" x 52", & the pattern will be available around mid November. (I will have it up on the website right after the first of November & will be taking pre-orders so that we can start shipping these as soon as they arrive from the printer.

If you are attending Quilt Market this next week in Houston -  you will be able to see 'By My Hand'  & the info for the quilt in the Lecien booths. 

So there you have 'By My Hand'. . . by my hand. I hope you like it! I know that this one will be hanging in my studio. . . for a long, long time.

♥ Bren

…remembering. . .

Four years.

It is really so hard to believe that it was four years ago this evening that I said my final 'good-bye' to Mom.

I know it's said of how fast time 'flies by'. . .

. . . but it really does seem to.

I love this photo of Mom. (. . . oh how she did love her coffee! I do think that's where I get it from. . .)

. . . & this photo. . . It is Mom back in Minnesota the first time she 'met' my brother's first baby - Angela. Oh how Mom did love babies. She had such a way & was at such ease with them & would sing to all her granddaughters. . .

Thankfully Mom did get to see all of her granddaughters in the months before we said good-bye to her. . . but she never did get to see any of their weddings. So far two of her granddaughters have married. . .  & just this last month I got to be a part of this sweet occasion . . .

 . . . Angela (the sweet little baby above) trying on wedding dresses . . . 

(sigh)

. . . Although this was not the dress (it was the first of several & this one was to see if she liked the straps (they got a 'no' vote). . . & although she looked so pretty in all of them. . .  there were a few dresses that took our breath away. . . & one that brought tears. . . (I sooo get why there are tissue boxes all over the dressing areas!) . . . & I couldn't help but think that Mom was somehow there. 

. . . even though she isn't here with us now. . . her love. . . all that love that she gave so freely to us all. . . & has shaped so much - who we are. . . still is ever present.

I miss you Mom. . .

. . . & I love you so.

♥ Bren

… little studio peeks

. . . just dropping in 'real quick' to post a few teaser photos of some of the busy-ness going on in the studio these days. . .

. . . I'll be back with a bunch of 'real' photos for you later this week. . . 

. . . promise!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

♥ Bren

daybook ::41::

I know it's been way too long. . . (almost a month!) since I've posted. . . & please acept my apologies. (. . . & thank you to those of you who've emailed to see how we are doing!) . . . (Dad, Bailey & I are doing fine!). . .

It's been a crazy-busy month with lots of traveling & now getting ready for Fall Quilt Market. . . but I wanted to pop my head in & say "hi!". . . & let you know I haven't fallen off the planet. . . (I'm just tripping along!) ♥

stitching. . . stitching. . . & more stitching!

for today :: October 14, 2011  
(I feel like I should start bidding 2011 farewell. . . because it's going by so quickly!)

outside my window. . .   beautiful sunny, 'indian summer' type of autumn day

I am thinking. . . of my Quilt Market to-do list . . .

from the kitchen. . .  coffee (of course!), . . . & I just finished my morning bowl of yummy oatmeal.

I am wearing. . . t-shirt & shorts. . . (it's going to be in the 90's today!)

I am creating. . .  a little sewing pouch using some of my new Durham Collection - Anew fabrics, & a great new stitchery product that Lecien is introducing at Quilt Market (see photo above).

I am remembering. . .  how blessed I am

I am reading. . .   'The Scarlet Thread' by Francine Rivers.

I am hoping . . .  to get everything that I have planned in my sketchbook made in time for Market.

I am hearing. . .  Alfie Boe singing 'Bring Him Home' on the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary dvd that's playing in the studio.

around the house. . .  little projects here & there.

I am going. . .  to get another walk in this evening. . . the weather is too perfect not to. 

one of my favorite things. . .  windows open wide while working in the studio. 

a few plans for the rest of the week. . . Some pattern covers, & making some pretties for my vignette for the Lecien booth at Quilt market)

from my picture journal . . .

'Acorn Fairy'  by one of my favorite British artists. . . Cicely Mary Barker. Perfect for autumn, yes?

Hope you have a wonderful autumn day!

♥ Bren