… countdown . . .

Things have been a little crazy around here.

 I'm getting ready for my first Needlework Market, (exhibiting that is. . . I've attended a couple to check them out), & I feel just like I did when I did my first Quilt Market! 

I'm feeling a bit nervous, wondering if I'm bringing enough patterns, flyers. . . etc.

I find I'm laughing at myself, at how anxious I'm making myself. I know that it will be just fine, & I'm so looking forward to getting to set up my 'booth' in the living area of my hotel suite! The Needlework Markets (for counted cross-stitch & embroidery) are held in an Embassy Suites hotel, & instead of having to go to a convention center, you set up your display in the living room area of your hotel suite, open your door, & everyone comes to you. . . isn't that great!?!  When I have attended a couple of needlework markets in the past, I have loved how comfortable & 'homey' they feel. (. . . & it's so nice to have your own bathroom & kitchenette right there!) 

So, I've been busy finishing my new needlework (counted cross-stitch) designs, deciding which of my existing embroidery patterns to take, picking up new pattern covers, 'stuffing' patterns, making some fun little samples (peeks coming!), printing flyers, . . . you name it, I've been doing it. In the past few days, there have been a couple of times that I have wished that I had everything done already, but then I realized that I would just be getting antsy to leave - so it's good that I have things on my 'to-do' list. (Although. . . that list is getting really small!)

One of the things I am introducing is the beginning of a stitchery collection I'm calling the 'Chalkboard Collection'. I just love chalkboard art, & so this series of designs will be capturing the look. . . but with stitches instead of chalk. I found a wonderful over-dyed linen from Weeks Dye Works that is the perfect dark grey & it looks so much like a well used chalkboard. Then they also had a perfect over-dyed floss that is a white with a touch of grey, that resembles the uneven white you get with chalk on a chalkboard. (. . . & yes - there will be some kits coming!)

I will be showing you all the new stitchery designs in the next week. . . & soon (when I return from Market) they will also be available on the website.

Yesterday, I caught my Dad sitting on the couch, talking with Bailey. . . & they were making 'guy' plans for when I go to Market. . . Those boys!

I'm off to bed. . . tomorrow is filled with more 'to-do's'!

♥ Bren

… still quilting (honest!)!

I wanted to let you know that while I'm doing some remodeling to the website,

I'm also doing some cleaning out of the studio & storage, & that there are a few quilts that I've listed on the 'sample quilts for sale' page on the website.

. . . BUT, I do so cautiously, because from the emails that I've received, it seems like several of you got the idea (with my last post) that I'm leaving quilts & designing them behind. . . So not true! Please know that I still love quilts as much as I always have. . . I'm just expanding the areas that I use my designs. I know that it's been a bit since I've released some new quilt designs, but please trust me that by the end of August there will be about three new quilt designs. (. . . really!)

The quilts that I've listed on the 'sample quilts' page are mostly the sample quilts that I made from a few of my fabric lines, as well as two great Moda Home toile quilts. I have one of each of these, & I didn't realize that I still had these two!. . . (oops!)

So, there you go. . . a 'remodeling sale'  on the website, & now newly listed sample quilts too!(. . . a great time to think of some Christmas presents. . .!)

Tomorrow, I'm painting some frames & a box for a couple of my new stitcheries. I spent months looking for just the right frames & although I could find the 'look' I liked in the frames, I could never find just them in the right color. . . So, it's out with the paintbrushes, paints & glazes.

(. . . & secretly, I'm really looking forward to it!)

♥ Bren 

… a couple little updates

. . . oh my goodness!

. . . time is flying by so fast! I'm just trying to keep up with my 'to-do' list, & the next thing I realize is that we are (again) entering into a new month.

So. . . firstly - Happy August! It's hard to believe that kids around here have either already started - or will be starting back to school this week. I got the letter from the school that used to teach at, 

wondering if I wanted to be one of their substitute teachers again this year, & I'm looking forward to it. 

As you can see from the photo above. . . my head has been pretty much parked at my computer screen, working on completing the new patterns. . . patterns that will be released at the TNNA Needlecraft Market, in a little over 2 weeks! (eeek!) 

I have five cross stitch patterns (photos soon. . . I promise), & since the needleart division is 'counted thread & embroidery', I'm also going to be taking several of my existing embroidery patterns as well.

I'm so very excited about this new branch of my designs!

. . . & with this 'branching out' comes some changes that you will be noticing. So, with that, I thought I'd give my blog a little updating. . . simplifying, as that is what I'm needing these days. There will be some more 'tweaking' in the near future with some additional pages & fun (I hope!).

Also with the addition of the cross-stitch branch - I have needed to re-organize my company. Actually the re-organization was done about a year ago. . . I just took my time to jump into the needlework market. But, what you will see is the new company name, brenda riddle designs reflected on the website & also in other places. You will see the new cross-stitch & needlework only designs under the brenda riddle designs label. Please know that Acorn Quilt & Gift Company is still ongoing, & I will still be designing quilts! It is now simply a division under the umbrella of brenda riddle designs.

If you visit my website, you will notice that there is a new 'logo' that reflects both divisions, as the website will be representing both divisions. In the next couple of weeks, there will be a bit of rearranging happening on the website. . . so just to say "please excuse the mess". . . I've decided to have a sale of all patterns & books. They will be 25% - 75% off. . . just to say thanks for putting up with the 'remodel'.

So that's the latest. . . Sorry I haven't posted the most interesting photos lately. Actually, because of the ease of use & how fast I can post, I've been posting to Instagram more often. It's so easy & fun to follow folks!. . . must be the visual side of me that likes it so much. 

I've put a link on the sidebar. . . or . . .my Instagram  page is brengr.)

Wishing you a great week. . . & I'll be back with more soon.

♥ Bren