:: Celebrating Autumn....

This morning right as I got out of bed, I found that I needed to find my long (flannel) jammie pants... as it was very chilly! That, to me, is a sign that autumn is finally arriving! (...& I do a little happy dance!) Here in the southwest of the United States, autumn can often go undetected.

... & this girl loves autumn.

Actually a little over a week ago, I took Dad up to the top of Mt. Lemmon. It was wonderfully chilly & we had to find our sweater & jacket for the trip up the mountain! Mt. Lemmon is the highest peak (a little over 9000 ft.)  of the mountains that we live right next to - the Catalina Mountains. Every fall we drive up to the top & it's a trip worth the drive. It takes a little over an hour to get there - as the road up to the top of the mountain is about 30 minutes away. (We have to drive to the far east side of town & we live on the extreme far northwest side...) 

This year we hit the week of beautiful fall color, & it was beautiful. The aspens against the pines always takes my breath away. I love that, even though I live in Arizona - I'm only an hour away from it feeling like I'm in Colorado.

Our annual little trip is such a special time for both of us. After walking around a bit (that gets harder & harder for Dad each year) we stopped at the log 'Cookie Cabin' for some nice warm coffee & we shared some cookie (they are 8" in diameter - so we took over half home!).  I'm just so thankful that we were able to take our little trip this year... it is a very precious memory.

If you saw the previous post - you will know that the 'old' website (location) is going away. With it - some of the shop categories, such as the Sample Quilts will not be transferring over to the new website (which is now up & running!!!). (Several of the sample quilts have sold since the 40% off sale started (thank you!!) - so be sure to check it out if you think you might want one for you, for a friend, or a gift!)  Currently on the old website (acornquiltandgiftcompany.com) - you will now also find that numerous other shop categories, those that have more limited inventory, such as Kits & Fabrics) have been moved over to the new website (brendariddledesigns.com). As is stands now - the old website will be completely shut-down in December. 

I wish I could give an exact date of when the older website will be gone - but that's up to whenever they (the web host) transfer the domain for me... which they say can take anywhere from 2-20 days. When it does happen - the acornquiltandgiftcompany.com address will also lead to the new website! (Yes, it will have two website addresses!)

Also - remember that there is a new blog ('Journal') located on the website. You can find it HERE.

 I'm not certain if I'm going to be continuing having both this blog & the new journal... it would just be repetitive... (& extra work)... hmmm... so I'd love your thoughts...!

I hope you have a wonderful day...

♥  Bren

:: Changes... in process...

There are days (weeks... months...) where I feel like I'm so quiet on the blog & social media front, & I find I feel a little guilty about it... but so often there are a lot of things I'm working on that I can't show while working on them... & these past few weeks have been just like that. (Oddly enough - you'd giggle at how many times I compose posts in my head while I'm working on things... but then I can't really write & post them because of the timetables & keeping things under wraps that I - as a designer - need to work with.)

But - even so, I wanted to touch base - as much as I can, to try to keep in touch with you. And, as I was just writing that sentence, & if you are reading this post... I just want to let you know how much it means to me that you choose to check in on what's happening with my company & with the things I share about my life. It means so much - I can't really express how much it does mean to me. So, thank you for being here!

There are a few things I wanted to let you in on... that have been filling these past few weeks. First is that this past week, I received the strike-offs for my next collection. What that means is that pretty much everything else gets put on the back burner so I can review all of them, sort through them, make any corrections or tweaks, make the notes for all of that & get them sent back to Moda!

So for now... this little sneak peek is all I can show... but I am really excited about these fabrics... the prints & the colorways. They are (of course) still soft, but it is a wonderfully unique collection & I can hardly wait to get the fabrics, make things & surround myself with them!

The other (very, very) big project that I've just been able to get started (after wanting to start on it all summer)... is a new website. It's still a couple of weeks out - as having to wait for domains to transfer can take time... but I'm excited about it. I'm doing it myself - as I like to know how to make changes as needed... & I like doing that myself. (I think it must be part of the graphic design student that still remains inside of me.) I have to admit - it's quite a learning curve since I haven't updated the layout or host of my website for over a decade! (... & oh my how things have changed!) But, I know it will be a great step. You will be able to enlarge photos of designs, see the pattern backs to see the supplies needed, & a lot more payment options.

The other thing that will be contained within the website is a blog... & I will be switching over to posting there as soon as it's all up & running. It will be so great to have everything all in one place!

For now though - the current website will stay up, & hopefully there will a smooth transition! I will let you know as soon as the new website goes live. 

The one thing that will not be on the new website is the page with the sample quilts. I listed a large grouping & they will not be available on the website after the transition. 

SO... I am reducing the prices on all the ones that are currently listed & they are now 40% off! (That includes the original 'Betsy's Closet' quilt & some other quilts where the patterns are being 'retired' - so this will be the last chance.)

If you see one that you would like - but would need to separate the payments into 2 or 3 payments - just email me & let me know & we will be happy to work with you!

So, there you have it...!  My 'exciting' life for the last several weeks...

I'm planning to take Dad up to Mt. Lemmon this next week... for our annual autumn visit, & I'm so ready to see some fall leaves (aspen & maples) & smell the pine trees!

Hope you have a great week!

♥ Bren

… welcome November!

Happy November!

One post in October... pretty sad. Funny though, I thought about posting this & that. . . just never when I had the internet handy. So, I'll play 'catch-up' with this post.

Had a wonderful trip to Minneapolis for 11 days. Got to see such pretty colors & there were even a couple of snow flurries. . . just enough to make me grateful that I was returning to temps in the high 70's! But, with the colder temps & rainy days in MN, I had plenty of opportunities to snuggle up next to the fire in the fireplace with my brothers pups & I got lots of stitching done on my next cross-stitch design. It was a great visit. I met my brother for lunch one day & got a tour of his new office (he has just been named President & CEO), & I got to put my interior designer hat on, & with my sister-in-law, we gave the freshly painted office a little makeover. It was nice, just a little bare... & we just warmed it up a bit with some lamps, artwork, & a basket or two. It was great fun shopping for it, & we had quite a few giggles on what we could have put in there! But we were good... Kept to a small budget, & it turned out wonderfully.

Since coming home, Bailey has been extra snuggle-y. . . Which is a relief, because it can also go the other way where he ignores me for s few days. Thankfully when I walked through the door, he gave out a little cry from his 'post' on the back of the living room chair & came running with lots of kisses & snuggles. (whew!)

I've been making some updates to the website (finally got the 'fabric lines' page updated), & will be continuing to add some things in the next few days. There are some fun things that we will be making & making available... just in time for the holidays... (or for anytime really!) I will really try to get all the info posted on Monday.

I've been baking cookies for Dad (molasses, his favorite & sugar cookies too) & since Dad finished off the sugar cookies last evening (!), I'm making some shortbread as I post this. It's just beginning to smell so good! The only issue I have with baking shortbread is that is has to cook at a lower temp for so long! But it's worth it. So, I'm having a cup of coffee & decided to enjoy the smells for now. (But, I must admit... I may be having shortbread for dinner!) ;o) 

I love this month... for so many reasons. The weather getting a crisp feel to it, the autumn light as the sun sits lower in the sky, & the reminder to think on the things we are thankful for. I have been working on doing that all year, & it's amazing on how my perspectives have been changing. I've been doing quite a bit of reflection & looking for the things that really matter & to focus on those things. It's not been the easiest thing, as I have had to realize that I need to let go of some things (I can be a control 'freak' if I'm not careful), but it's also opened a lot of doors that I never really would consider. Good for me to be stretched, & I'm looking forward to what's ahead.

Hoping you have a wonderful start to this special month.

♥ Bren

… a little reflection

A little over a week ago, Dad & I took our annual trip up to the top of Mt. Lemmon. . .

We go up to the tippy-top  -  past Ski Valley. . .

. . . up next to where the observatories are.

(NASA, weather, U of A, & others use them)

. . . there is a pretty little meadow up there that is very special to us,

. . . & we like to visit each autumn.

When we first came up - there was an itty-bitty aspen tree 

in the midst of the pines.

It was maybe 5 feet tall.

. . . this time when we visited - it is somewhere between 15 - 20 feet.

I'm always amazed at how it grows. . .

. . . & of how time passes.

It's been five years since we first trekked up there.

. . . can't believe it's been 5 years.

Amazing.

I've had these photos for over a week,

fiddling with them in Instagram & Vintique (apps on my phone),

& I've been thinking I'd post them & share them every day.

. . . but then the day get's started & I get busy.

. . . then I think that they might not be that interesting to others.

. . . when they are so very precious to me.

. . . so I let the busy-ness take over a bit & thought,

"maybe. . . tomorrow."

It's interesting - as I've noted that many bloggers have either quit blogging, 

or are taking 'breaks'. . .

 . . . & I have to admit that I've thought about that too.

I've wondered if what I had to blog about even mattered.

I think it's because when I started blogging,

I did it because I was convinced by someone else that

because I was starting my business. . . that I needed to.

So I did.

I honestly had no idea what I was supposed to do,

& for such a long time I related my blog to my business.

It was a  social media 'tool'.

ick.

That's so not me.

The blogs I have come to love are not about the businesses 

that the bloggers might own. . .

. . . but rather are about the people & their lives.

(. . .to be honest - I quit reading blogs that only promote things.

. . . & yes, I realize the irony of that - as I am guilty of that too!)

I can't tell you how many times I think about things to share with you

- or all the photos I have taken around the house 

- or of things I'm working on. . .

. . . & they are still sitting in my camera or on my computer.

I have constantly second guessed myself as to if it's "interesting enough" to share,

(. . . figuring back to the social media aspect  & my design business).

But, I've made a decision.

The 'little acorns' of this blog is me.

. . . & while, yes, I do happen to have a design business,

. . . it's not all there is about me.

So, I'm giving myself permission to make this blog more reflective 

of the other parts of my life. . .

. . .whether they are related to designing or not.

. . . & I hope you'll stick around.

(& thanks for reading this far!) ♡

♥ Bren

p.s. I am currently glued to the Weather Channel & my prayers are with you all who might be in the path of 'Sandy'. Please stay safe!

… a wonderful. . . exhausting week.

Whew!. . . what a week.

As many of you might know, I used to teach (high school art) at a local private school, & last year I went back & started substitute teaching. I have loved it. Loved getting to be with the kids again, & I even gotten to be back in my old classroom a couple of times.

This past week I've been subbing the sixth grade core classes.

. . . nuff said.

I had a wonderful time. . . but,

I.  am.  exhausted.

It's that good kind of tired, but I must admit that surely enjoyed sleeping in an extra hour - until 6:30 this morning!

The sixth grade is the youngest class at the school, as it is a middle school - high school. Mostly I have subbed at the high school grades, but I must admit that what I did l love the most, was that on Friday, my last day subbing the 6th graders, I got hugs, & some of the kids came back into the classroom after school, when I was straightening-up the room, to say thank you. Honestly. . . how could you not love that!

I had to laugh at myself though, because every night this past week, I have been in bed about 8 - 8:30 & lights out no later than 9:00 pm. I was that tired! (lol!)

What I missed the most about this last week, was getting to work on some new projects, as much as I wanted to. . . but after getting home, filling orders (no complaints there!), & trying to keep up with emails, I was pretty much spent.

This is the little bit of stitching that I did get to do. I can't wait to show you the finished projects. . . (the other one is wool on flannel!)

Soon though. . . I will try my hardest to make it as soon as possible. 

Promise.

I do want to thank you for the response to my fabric line 'Hill Farm'. I was made aware that Jenny at her Sew Fabulous Quilt Shop Blog did a post asking folks to vote for their favorite lines from 12 lines that she was considering for her quilt shop. I'm so pleased to find out that Hill Farm was one of the top lines chosen! What a treat!

Lecien will be taking orders for Hill Farm - only through the end of September (just a week away!) - so if you are a shop owner, & are considering it. . . don't wait! (Checker & E.E. Schenck are also taking orders for Hill Farm as well.)

The fabrics are due out in November. . . & I'm going to be spending some time between now & then making some new projects with it. . . so be sure to come back & see, okay?

Until then . . . I'm going to be going to bed earlier. . . (I've actually liked getting to bed earlier. . !)  & getting up earlier. It's a nice way to welcome in autumn, as the days get shorter, & the evenings come so much more quickly. I like the getting up before the sun rises, & get to witness the pink sunrises that come with cooler weather.

(. . . plus, it's very handy, just in case I get an early morning call to sub for the day!)

Hope you have a wonderful start to (what I must admit is my favorite season) autumn!

♥ Bren

… seeing the gifts. . .

What a blessing it is that we have this day

to stop & think of all the blessings that we have.

Sometimes these blessings are simple gifts 

that we can too easily take for granted.

I find myself surrounded

with blessings

. . . & those wonderful simple gifts.

Included in my simple gifts . . .

. . . the sound of Dad in the kitchen getting the turkey 'dressed'

. . . that I get to prepare all the rest of the fixin's while he will be taking a nap. . .
& a bit later we will sit together, hold hands, thank the Lord together,

. . . & simply. . . that we have this time together.

I am truly blessed.

I pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, & that the blessings & simple gifts that are yours come to your mind & heart throughout the beginning of this busy holiday season.

(. . . by the way, I count you as a blessing too!)

. . . & if you can take a minute or two. . .

here's one of my favorite songs. . . perfect for today 

(done so beautifully by Yo Yo Ma, & Allison Krause)

♥ Bren

… counting my blessings

Yep!. . . It's that time. . .

. . . when I like to share in my blessings 

& let you know how much of a blessing you are to me! ♥

On the website patterns & books are 30% off (or more!). . .

. . . & I'll be adding a few sample quilts as well!

. . . & there are a bunch of cute little giftie things too!

Also, (just for you!),

I've added some fun little bundles of my newest line -

 Durham Collection Anew 2011

So, I just wanted to pop in here & let you know,

. . . & to say 'thank you'.

In so many ways you are such a blessing!

♥ Bren

… a bit of wonder

Oh my!. . . time is flying by this year, isn't it !?!  Here I was going to follow up with how my fabric designing process goes. . . & 'life' takes over. . .! 


I am "on the road" (so-to-speak) & I have hardly been able to even get caught up with my emails. . . Last weekend I went to the TNNA (The National Needlework Association) Needlework Market in St. Charles, MO (just west of St. Louis). . . just to check it out -  (I loved it!) - for the future. . . (more on that a bit later. . .!) My good friend (& Lecien colleague) Nireko, joined me & we had lots of fun visiting the vendors in their hotel suites. TNNA has four Markets each year & two of them are in large convention centers & two of them are held in hotels that have all suites & the vendors set up their products right there in their suites!. . . I loved the home-y feel of this option. . . I learned so much with this visit & Nireko & I did our fair share of boosting the economy!)


Since the weekend, I've been here in Minneapolis, MN - visiting my brother & his family & taking in the amazing autumn colors. Everyone here keeps telling me that the colors aren't as bright this year. . . but I'm in autumn - heaven. . . I think it's incredibly beautiful!  My brother & his family live  by a wetland preserve & there are wonderful trails that surround it. . . perfect for walks. . .

I took these photos with my iPhone (also used it for the Google mapping app that comes with it. . . to be sure I could find my way home!), as I forgot to pack my camera. . . (fall colors & no camera. . . what was I thinking?!) Next time. . . I will not forget.  I've also decided that this will now be an annual trip. . . I love autumn too much to miss it year after year. In Arizona we have what are lovingly referred to as 'winter visitors' (or 'snowbirds') - of the folks who live in the northern states - who come & live in Arizona for the winter months. I've decided that I am going to be an 'autumn visitor' of a 'fallbird' & go north each fall - just to see the colors. (. . . & I'm making plans & reservations already for next year!)

I only have one more day & then it's back home - where the temps have been in the high 90's - low 100's! this week! Dad & Bailey have been "holding down the fort", & although I brought stitching (& a quilt to bind!) with me - there is still bunches of things still to do to get ready for Market at the end of October.  (. . .of which I can hardly believe that it's already October!. . . I'm still trying to get used to the fact that it is was September!)

I promise that when I get back home - I will pick up with the fabric designing posts . . . Until then - I'm headed out to the trails at least a few more times. . . I figure I can get in a couple of more walks before I have to head for the airport.

Happy October everyone!

♥♥  Bren  ♥♥

. . . an autumn-y day

I woke up really early this morning. . . (around 4:30) . . . & couldn't get back to sleep. . . maybe because of the weather report/forcast that temperatures here in Arizona are going to take a big dip (up to 30 degrees!) today. (Yippee!!!). . . & I'm so excited - I guess I just couldn't wait for this actual fall-weather day to begin!. . . (& then again. . . it could be because I have a to-do list about a mile long. . . just for today!)

I love fall weather & all that comes with autumn. . . & if you've read my blog for any amount of time. . . you know that I tend to lament a bit when autumn comes around & we're still having temps in the 80's. Maybe with age - I'm beginning to mellow into the acceptance of those kind of temperatures here in Arizona. . . & maybe it's because I've 'wised-up' & for the past few years - have been taking many more day trips up to Mt. Lemmon - only 45 minutes from my house. And, at 9,100 feet. . . you feel like your in Colorado & the aspen & maple trees amidst the pine trees really put on a beautiful autumn show.

This past week, my Dad & I were joined by my cousin & his wife & we went up to the top of Mt. Lemmon. (Up to the top means taking the ski lift to the very tippy-top. . . where the views are breathtaking & where it is so blissfully quiet. . . all you hear is the wind in the leaves.

We really hit it at a great time. . . & as usual . . . I went nuts taking photos. (with my iPhone . . . still can't believe I forgot my camera!)

This is on the path to catch the ski lift. . .

These are taken from the lift. . . (the round-y orange tree in the middle is one of my favorites. . .)

Towards the top of this photo you can see a peek of couple aspen trees peeking out through the pines. . . these are scattered all over at the top of the mountain & the contrast of the pines & the jolts of yellow aspen are beautiful. . . like autumn's exclamation points. . .

After we come back down from the ski lift, a new favorite is to go to the pizza/cookie cabin (in the mountaintop village of Summerhaven). . . where they make the best pizza. . . & huge (8") cookies to order. . . so that they come to your table warm - fresh out of the oven. Yum! (I always do some extra walking in the days before going up - just so I can indulge!)

This is the sign that they have hanging - just outside the bathroom. . . (I love it.)

. . . & here's me & Dad. I'm loving that we get to share all these trips up to Mt. Lemmon. . . & he's a pretty wonderful "date"! (. . . I sooo need to practice better posture!!!)

Hope your week is filled with memory making moments!. . . (now. . . I need to go & find my sweaters!. . . ) :o)