:: A Little Catch-up

 So... that was quite the blogging break wasn't it?!!

Actually, as you can see from the posts below - when I set up my new website a little over a year ago, I also started a 'journal' there. At first, I thought that I wanted to just post there - to consolidate things, but I'm re-thinking that.

I've been re-thinking a lot of things when it comes to 'social media' - & I'll be writing more about that in the next few months... but for now I wanted to let you know (if anyone is still here!!) that I will be posting my journal posts both on my website - but also here on my Blogger space.

Too much has happened over this past year (another reason why my postings have been far & few between) - so if you would like to catch up on the couple of journal posts that cover the 'whys', then here's a few links to those journal posts:

The Best Laid Plans

Dreaming of Dover

A Little Time

I'll be updating the blog here & also post a new post (or two) this weekend... (in both places).

Thanks for being here... I'm looking forward to being here more often.

♥︎ Bren

:: This 'little man' of mine...

It never fails...

... that when I end up deciding to skip a Quilt Market... (& just when I might want to feel a little sorry  for myself)... I always end up glad that I was at home....

This time - it's no different.

Market is going on in Houston this weekend (along with the World Series right down the block!...) & I'm home. And, while I miss getting to see everybody & all the hubbub of Market... I'm glad I'm home this time.

Glad because, I've had more time to work on my quilt designs for a holiday fabric collection that will debut in a couple of months - as well as sorting though the strike-offs for my spring collection... (& trying to keep them all straight!)

But mostly because I get to spend some quality time with this little guy.

Bailey has had some tough days weeks lately, & so I'm glad that after all the vet visits (where he has been such a trooper!) that I get to spend some extra time with my little old pup.

I'd been thinking that in Bailey's 11½ years - it was pretty normal that he seems to be a little more  distant than he used to be... I know that can happen when dogs get older... a little turn of a corner in his senior years... But, then for a few days it seemed like things had taken a bigger turn than expected. He seemed to be having some sort of seizure (I was at first afraid that he might have been bitten by a snake) ... but then it got better... & then about a week later - it came back.
This time - we went back to the vet & he discovered that he had an ear infection in his right ear, & when he checked his left ear... there was no eardrum at all. Nothing.  That explained why Bailey was often not responding to his name being called... he couldn't hear as well as he used to. So, we got the treatments needed for his right ear & a lesson on how to do the ear wash & drops.

 Then, just to be thorough (thankfully), the vet checked everything - heart, lungs, all his little 'old man bumps (as I call them)... & then his eyes...
I have known that Bailey's eyes were getting a little cloudy... & with his 11+ years - it didn't surprise me... & they have been checked several times this past year... but this time there had been a change.
A big change.
It seems that the iris in both of his eyes have iris atrophy. The vet had me look into the scope & showed me how the edges of his iris has a reverse scallop edge... & as gently as he could he let me know that if a human - he would be considered legally blind. He can see light & dark forms & shapes - but no details. The vet showed me how Bailey didn't even realize when he flicked his fingers in a very quick motion in Bailey's face - that should have made Bailey finch... & he had no response... not even aware of it. So, I could truly tell that he wasn't seeing much at all.

 It explained so much of what I had been noticing in the little changes in Bailey's behavior. But, he is so familiar with his surroundings... that he is able to compensate amazingly well. (I was thinking of moving around the furniture in a couple rooms... but that won't be happening now.)

I've been reminded that for now... it's good to be home. Changes are happening... changes that I knew would come someday... & so I'm just celebrating this sweet season for as long as I can.

♥  Bren

:: carrying on

Here in Arizona, there are some years when it feels like summer starts somewhere mid-spring. 

(The temperatures can hit in the 90's as early as March some years!)

But, this year we had a wonderfully mild spring, & now that it's July... summer has definitely arrived. 

In the 23 years I've lived here, I now feel like summer is officially here when we get the start of the summer rains... or what is called the 'monsoon' season. When I first moved here, I didn't care for it too much ("but I thought it was supposed to be a 'dry' heat!"), but now I love it when they arrive. 

And just the other day... they arrived!

In the top photo, I had opened the front door to check to see if any storms might be building (they often come up from the south during the summer), & although it was still very sunny (& hot!) over us, you can see what was coming! Bailey was just finishing 'watering' one of the bushes...(he's such a helper in with the gardening!)... when a big low rumble came from the direction of the mountains (& the big dark clouds), & within a split-second he was making a bee-line for the front door! So we went inside & put on his storm gear... his Thundershirt. He actually likes having it on & it does really help with the thunder-boomers. He was a happy camper throughout the 1.5 inches of rain we got that afternoon.  

The photo at the bottom was actually taken only about 15 minutes after the top photo! Within a few minutes we had a nice little lake build up on the side of the house... which my Dad loves (& actually created a dam so that  the rainwater wouldn't run out the side yard to fast) as it then soaks down & deep waters the trees we have on the side yard. You can see by the patchy grass, that we were in such need of rain. Hopefully with one or two more good rains, the grass will become more lush & green & less patchy. (... & all the bunnies that visit our backyard will be so happy!)

I hope you all (in the States) had a great Independance Day celebration. I watched some fireworks on TV (with the sound turned down as my little pupper doesn't like the booms at all...) & thankfully none of our neighbors set off any fireworks in the neighborhood. I love fireworks... ever since I was little... but having a pup that gets really traumatized by the noise has tempered my appreciation of them being allowed to be set off  within a neighborhood. I know I must sound like a firework 'Scrooge' , but honestly I do love them... in their proper place. 

I've had my nose to the grindstone with some new projects, & I'll try to snap some photos for you for another post. I'm putting this post together on my iPad, to see if this makes it easier for me to 'find' the time to post a little easier... So we will see if it looks the same. As I'm looking at this post as I'm putting it together, the photos look huge... so we'll see!

 Until then, I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

xo, Bren

:: officially summer

A month. . . really? 

It's been that long since I posted here on the blog?

Oh my. 

Sorry blog. . . I didn't mean to neglect you. . . & I'm so sorry to my sweet blog visitors. 

I really didn't mean for so much time to pass between postings. Honest.

Life has (obviously) been keeping me hopping, & although I have gotten much better about setting more of a schedule for myself (one of the downsides to working completely from home) - there have been quite a few days this past month that have complete taken me to places that were not on my 'to-do' list! But that's okay. . . it's called 'life'.

I have been quite busy finishing up several quilts (two of which sold for 'Quilted Comfort' - thank you!), some miniature sized just-for-fun blocks, & finishing several patterns. I'm holding onto some of the patterns because they are either in need of being quilted &/or I know that quilt shops are a bit inundated with 'new' patterns - so soon after Spring Market - so my plan is to release the patterns around mid to late July.

(… & for all of you who sent me emails letting me know you wanted to be a part of 'Quilted Comfort', I thank you sooo much, & didn't forget about you! I sent the letter I will send to you to the organization we will be working through - as I wanted their 'OK" & I got approval & some additional good news(!). So, I will get the update made to the letter & send it out this week.) If you aren't aware of what 'Quilted Comfort' is all about, you can click on the 'Quilted Comfort Project' page link at the top of the page.

We've (w/Bailey assisting) also been spending some fun time outside. We now having to time it as to when we go outside to work in the yard - as the temps are hitting 100° (F) or close to it on a regular basis now. Even though today is the first day of summer - it always feels like summer arrives here several weeks before the official start. . . & we feel like, 'yah - been there - done that' way before the calendar start for summer.

For Father's Day - I wanted to do something special for Dad. . . but he wasn't a big help whenever I would ask him what he wanted to do. . . (stinker!) - so I made him his favorite cookies - molasses cookies, & I made him one of his favorite things (& they are few in number). . . Hot Dogs (we're so fancy!). I got some really good all beef, bun length franks & then all the fixens he likes. I also went to our favorite cafe - where they make their own potato chips & got some 'to-go' & we had those as well. (He must have liked that because two days later - he came home from the cafe with another 'to-go' order of them!

While having some fun in the studio, I was making some assembly samples for a club that I've been teaching locally. . . (called 'little acorns club'), & after the class - I came home & finished making the little star blocks (they are addicting to make!!)  & thought how fun it would be to kit the little quilt - called 'little shining stars'. So. . . I did! I only have a limited number of kits (I'm actually on my second batch of kits already) - & they are already on the website. . . (here!)  I love the golden-y colorway & how it can work year-round. . . for summer (like sunflowers(!), & it would be great with a blue table-runner underneath for a July 4th table setting), autumn, winter holidays, & spring too!

Speaking of kits. . . I did make up another batch of Betsy's Closet - In Stitches kits - using the last Durham Anew Collection fabrics I designed. These too are limited as I'm getting to the end of my fabrics. You can find them (here).

I've got some other news that I'll do my best to post this week... (including one piece of news that I'm practically bursting to tell you. . . but that I must get permission to do so (!!!)).

Until then, I wish for you a wonderful start to your summer days (or winter for my southern hemisphere  friends!) & hope that you get time to create & stitch!

♥ Bren

:: a little get-away

(my handsome brother, Scott & his beautiful wife, Jodi.)

(Dad & Scott - the two handsome men in my life. . .)

(… & the other handsome little man in my life!)

Last week, Dad & I were able to go on a little get-away. My brother (Scott) & his wife (Jodi) came to Arizona for a little vacation & we all met up in Sedona. Scott & Jodi live just outside Minneapolis & they had been looking so forward to coming out to Arizona. As I had talked & texted with them over the past few months - you could just hear the weariness of the winter & the extreme cold temperatures (I’ve been informed the term ‘polar-vortex’ is now considered a bad word/term. . !). So wouldn’t you know that the week they came . . . Sedona’s weather took a turn for the colder side. One evening - as we had been waiting for a little rain to start, we were watching television & Scott stepped out to go over to their unit for something, & immediately after he stepped outside, i heard a knock on the door & I could hear him outside saying that we didn’t have to worry about it raining. . . As I opened the door - bless his heart - there he stood & there were snowflakes falling all around! I will never forget the pitiful look on his face! Thankfully, it didn’t stick & they were good sports about it all - stating they must be to blame & had brought the cold with them!

We had a wonderful time though, getting to visit & catch up. One day we took a little trip to Jerome, AZ - an old mining town that was built - literally on the side if a small mountain. (There are lots of steps to get from one street to the next!) We had lunch at a restaurant that my Dad remembered from many years ago & that pleased him so.) Plus, the views were beautiful!

The overall scenery in & around Sedona are incredibly stunning. . . Scott & Jodi had found a favorite trail to see the sunset & they took us there. Even driving into town about a few miles after getting off the highway - you take a turn around a bend in the road & the red rocks suddenly appear & it literally takes your breath away! I will certainly be taking more trips up to Sedona.

Right after arriving back home, we celebrated Bailey’s birthday. He is eight years old! He’s now officially my ‘big boy’. . . & I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. (sigh)

Although I haven’t made my way out to the garage to begin my spring cleaning out there, I did dip into my wool & I made up some wonderfully spring-y wool bundles. So for those of you who have asked me about the wool colors I used for the wool pennies on my ‘Spring Tulips’ design. . . these are a perfect set of hand-dyed wool colors for this design & any design that you want to use fresh, spring colors in 100% wool.

So, that catches me up with the blog-o-sphere. Here’s hoping I make it out to actually start my work re-arranging in the garage before my next post. (!)

♥ Bren

:: marching on. . .

One month. . . oops. 

Sorry, I must say that my goal for posting more often this year has already pretty much gone down the drain. Sorry. Especially to those of you who ‘follow’ me. . . who actually have signed up to get notice when I post something - either on a blog reader or with the Google Friend Connect (on the side column). That still humbles me. . . that folks would actually sign up to see what I post. So, thank you. You’re all sweetie-pies in my book! So, this morning, I’ve sat myself down at Starbucks - with the main purpose to get this post written! 

The one format I’m not comfortable with is Facebook. Sorry. . . the inconsistencies of how it operates is too frustrating for me. I have been encouraged told that I “need” to have a “presence” on Facebook for my business - but then I read about all the hoops that a business page needs to jump through . . . & I just don’t get it. . . it’s seems to be a lot of time spent - for no guarantee that the folks who ‘Like’ you on Facebook will ever see what you post. . . Sigh. So, I’m sticking with my little blog, Twitter (for now), & Instagram. (... & I must admit. I really like Instagram, & honestly - it’s the ‘social media’ I use the most.   I guess it’s the visual aspect of it, & I love how you can post to it so fast with a little caption (or not!) So, if you want more visual peeks at what I’m up to - you can click on the Instagram button on the right to ‘follow’ me there! (You can set up a private account if you wish & you don’t have to post photos if you don’t wish to.)  But, I will warn you. . . it can get a little addictive! I must admit - that I was checking Instagram several times a day - just because it was so fun & easy to catch up with the folks I follow (from all over the world!) - but now I limit myself to a morning & evening check-in to my Instagram account. Speaking of addicting. . . no, I don’t ‘do’  Pinterest. I admit - it looks lovely. . . but again, I’m a visual person & I know I would get lost in it & I just don’t have the time to spare these days. (... ergo the not posting for a month!) 

I've also been thinking about how I want to manage posting things about my business. Although much of my time is spent on things involved in my needlework, quilting & designing. . . as well as the website, I don't want my blog seen to be all about promoting it. When you think about it - a blog does have the role as a kind-of a diary, and is a nice way to document what's happening in you life.  At the same, I know that some folks visit my blog so that they can see what's new with the designs - so I am going to try to keep the posts that are exclusively about website features to a minimum, (so that folks don't feel like all they get is a sales pitch), &/or if there is something about a website offering that I want to mention to you - I will place it at the end of a post. This way, if they wish, folks can skip to the part they care about most!

So now. . . to catch up. . .

Mr. Bailey has been such a good boy & has not had to wear the cone for a little while now. He actually did get a little tired of wearing it, bless him.

We have have an incredibly mild winter. So much so - that I have felt a little guilty reading about all the storms most of the rest of the country has had to endure this winter. I spoke with my brother the other day - who lives in the Minneapolis, MN area, & he actually sounded pained as we were talking about the winter they’ve had. (... & they got more snow today! Ouch!) I do realize how I do like living here in Arizona!. Things are beginning to bloom all over all around us! (. . . & a little funny background on the photo of the blooming little cactus. . . Dad is not fan of having cactus in the yard. . . & so for this Arizona yard.garden - It is the only  cacti!. . . & in a pot - to be sure it doesn't spread! lol!)

I'm reading 'The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society'. . . again. It's such a perfect read! I just finished a pretty challenging book (very good - but a tough subject matter.), & so reading the letters between Juliet, Dawsey, Sidney, & all the folks on the isle of Guernsey - is such a happy & sweet way to end the day. This is actually the fourth time I've read it. I've read books again - but never have I been able to read a book this many times & actually enjoy it more - each time I read it. The interesting news is that there is a great interest in making the book into a movie. It will be interesting to see if that ever happens.

I’ve been working on some new quilt patterns & have a couple new ones made & will hopefully have them out by early April. One of them is a re-making of one of my most popular patterns, ‘For My Grandmas’. I received so many requests for it in a queen size, that I’ve (finally) taken it on to make it larger. (... & I must admit, I’m loving the process & the results!. . . This one will be for my bed!)

A big thank you to all of you letting me know how much you love the PDF versions of the patterns. I will continue to be sure that they keep coming!

Thanks for hanging in there with me and my little blog. I'm so glad you came for a visit!

♥ Bren

:: welcome 2014 ::

Well. .  . here we are in 2014.  I am one of those that felt like 2013 went faster than I sometimes felt I could keep track of. . . but I must admit, I have been looking forward to the arrival 2014. Even though, in reality it is a new day - as in any other, somehow the freshness of the knowledge of a new year makes it a special day somehow. 

I spent the arrival of this new year - with this little face (top photo) looking up at me. 

Bailey was all set in his ThunderShirt & I had been putting some drops of the Bach's Flower Essence drops called 'Rescue Remedy' in his water for the last few days. . . (Rescue Remedy is a natural essence that helps with anxiety & they now make it in a pet formula that is wonderful. . . (a big thank you Holly  for introducing me to it!)). . . but even the smallest loud pop of a firework scares my little guy. So, he stayed on the floor (where I lay a bunch of quilts out for him. . . trying to make a snuggle-y spot for him) & this year he spent his time either peeking out from my closet - or he 'glued' himself to the side of my bed. . . where I was staying up stitching & telling him that everything was going to be alright. Thankfully, there were only a few fireworks set off in our neighborhood, & so Bailey's shaking calmed down & we were in bed by 1 a.m..  I am still getting this look every evening - as he seems to equate the 'pop' noises with it getting dark outside & it's as if he is anticipating the noise. Poor little guy. He's getting better every evening - so I'm hoping that by mid-week he will be able to settle with no fear of the fireworks.

I wanted to share with you some little pin-keeps that I made for some special quilting-stitching friends. I had a tea just before the end of the year for the four of us & had these ready for them. I had so much fun making them. I used one of Kathy Schmitz monogram wreath designs for the front, & then I made some little double nine-patch block for the back. I love how they reflect two of my loves - stitchery & quilting. . . (& rick-rack too!)  Believe it or not - I completely forgot to take any photos of the tea party. I was having so much fun making the tea sandwiches, salads, & a chocolate macadamia nut tart, that I completely forgot to take photos! I plan to do more tea parties - so I will try to do better in the photo department next time. 

I hope that you have had a wonderful start to this new year. . . & that if you are in a part of the US that is having such incredibly cold weather - that are able to stay warm. . .! (please take extra care!).

I have a few special things that I am hoping to get to share with you in the next few posts. . . & I hope that until then you know how much it means to me that you stop by my blog.

♥ Bren

… finishing & starting. . .

Thought I'd give you a look at my progress on the snow-people table runner. . . as it's getting close to the finished stage. I'm almost done with stitching the border down & then it will just be adding a few final touches & I will have this ready for decorating the house! I usually wait to start with decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but since Thanksgiving is so late this year, I've decided that I'm going to start decorating this weekend. Also, since being on Instagram (& following others). . . I've realized that most of the folks in other parts of the world have started decorating for the holidays! So, since I haven't added much to my autumn decorations for quite a while (need to work on that!),  I'm thinking that the white pumpkins that I have out can be incorporated nicely with some Christmas touches. . .

So with all the stitching that's been going on. . . I've discovered a new favorite. . . Dove Dark Chocolate Mint Swirl pieces.  Oh. My. Yummy-ness. I'm hoping that these are not seasonal as I'd love to keep them around all year 'round. (…& don't they look right at home in my aqua Ball jar?!?)

The other think that I've been busy with, has been cleaning out my office. I have 'straightened-up' in there over the years (I can be a 'pile-r'. . .), I have never done a big clean-out in there since I moved my office into the back bedroom almost six years ago. So, it was due overdue. 

My thought was that it had to be thorough. . . & it was …every drawer, every file, every cubby kind-of-thorough. It took me 3 days, & to be completely honest - I still want to spend another morning to finish up a few more things. I took a photo of it when I was midway. . . but I'll save it for when I take the 'finished' photo.

With going through all the items in the office - I found a couple of boxes of items that I had pulled for my website, but they got buried . . . so now that I've done the photography & listings. . . I wanted to let you know that I've also just added pages (several of them!) of items (fabrics, kits, notions, tag-sale items) to the website! Also, we've added another colorway to the 'Remember 'Whooo' Loves You' special order quilt options. We're having so much fun with making these & if you've been thinking about having one made - to be able to give for Christmas. . . it's looking like the cut-off date for that will be mid-week next week. (Unless we get more that we expect & then it will be sooner.)

. . . & then there's my little guy. . . doing the thing he does best - wondering when I'm going to go to bed - um, supervising.

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

... late summer days . . .

Once again, 

days seem to be passing so quickly! (Hi September.)

. . . I even lose track of what day of the week it is sometimes! (seriously, all day Thursday, I thought it was Wednesday. . .)

Except for working on shipping orders, I've not even at my computer hardly at all, so I decided to try a new app for blogging so that I could blog from my iPad. A while back, I had tried a different blogging app, & wasn't too crazy about it, so we'll see how it goes with this new app with this post.

Okay... so, to catch up... 

The Needlework Market was wonderful! It was so fun meeting needlework shop owners, other designers, & there were even several quilt shop owners who attended (my dream shop! . . . stitchery & quilts!)

I did take some photos & I will post them in my next post.

Upon my return from Needlework Market, my days have been filled with filling orders, & believe it or not, I've been back to quilting!

I've been quilting & binding the smaller version of a new 'farmhouse collection' quilt. It's called 'meriwether', & it's based on a courthouse step block with embroidery (or appliqué in a larger version) around the borders. I'm hoping to have the patterns ready by the end of next week, & good news (!) . . . there will be kits available for the smaller quilt (seen above). I'll let you know as soon as they are ready.

I've been loving getting to sit & bind a quilt... it is one of my favorite things to do. I actually get a little melancholy when I'm almost at the end of finishing the binding! For me, put on a good movie, & I'm a happy camper getting to sit & bind while I 'listen' to the movie.

One little bump in our daily routine has been that little Mr. Bailey has reverted to licking on his front left leg again . Even though he's been such a brave little boy with all the thunderstorms we've had this summer, & I think with my going away for Market, he succumbed to being a little anxious, & reverted back to licking on his leg. So... you guessed it... yesterday the cone had to go back on...

He's being such a good sport about it... He was even wagging his tail when I pulled it off the shelf & was putting it on his collar. It was as if he was saying, "Well hi there buddy!" So, with the addition of  a couple of drops of 'Rescue Remedy (a natural stress relief formula by Bach - Original Flower Remedies) to his water dish, we're taking it day by day with the cone wearing.

So, even thoug it feels like its flying by... life goes on here at home & in the studio... & I'm plugging away & will hopefully have new patterns posted.! Until then, take care, & thank you for caring.

xo, Bren