:: Catching up... & saying goodbye.

In the past several weeks, I have started a journal post many times… but each time it has been put aside. Why I wasn’t following through - I still can’t put my finger on, but I’ve decided just to start fresh and so here I am. Compared to what I post, you’d be surprised how much I ‘compose’ posts in my head, but it’s always while I’m in the midst of doing something else… out in the garden, working on new fabric designs (& I can’t share!), or on a walk with Emmie…So, I think about you so much more than I show… really!

I realized that I need to literally make a time each week to communicate here - & to quit wondering if anyone will care about what I share. So that’s my plan. Some weeks, I hope it will be full of new, fun things, but I know there will be weeks when I’m working on things I can’t share for often a months or even a year ahead. That is when it’s so hard to write posts (!) - but I promise to try.

To bring things up to date - my latest fabric collection Ellie is now at the mill. (Ellie is scheduled to arrive in shops in October.)  I’m also told the strike-offs for the next collection should be arriving soon & so I’m looking forward to seeing them. It’s always a little bit of a hold-your-breath feeling until they arrive. Thankfully the design team at Moda will see them first, & if there are ‘tweaks’ that need to be made - they give you a little heads-up before the arrive on my front porch. 

I also want to say a great-big “thank you!” to everyone who shopped the fabric sale I had on the website… Wow folks! You kept me so very busy for many days! I love all the fabrics that I had held onto (many for so long!) - but I’m so happy they have found new homes with many of you!

Next up will be some bundles that I’ve been keeping… & I’ll let you know when I’ll be getting all of those ready.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been keeping myself very busy in the backyard garden, installing some new drip irrigation lines… before the summer temperatures arrive. It’s also kept my mind occupied & that has been a blessing.  On the evening of May 7, I received a phone call from my niece letting me know that my sister, Marsha had passed away. We knew she was dealing with so many health issues (all complicated by her type 1 diabetes), but she was always such a champion. She continually rose above her struggles & was always joyful in each day she was given. But this was her time. She had become more fragile over the past few months & was having a harder time overcoming her struggles. A few years ago, she had a big scare - as she went into ketoacidosis  & went into a coma, as well as several other medical issues all happening at the same time. She miraculously survived & since then we spoke a lot on the phone, often daily. I treasure each & every one of those conversations. 

She loved the streaming television series, ‘The Chosen’, & we always had wonderful conversations about how much more real this series has made Jesus to us. After her coma a couple of years ago, she shared that she wasn’t sure if she was dreaming, but she knows that she was walking with who she knew was Jesus, but she was just behind his shoulder & couldn’t see his face. She remembers that she felt so comfortable, & at peace, but He gently told her it wasn’t time… not yet.  She still couldn’t see his face… & when she woke, she could remember it so clearly. We laughed when I said that maybe she couldn’t see his face because if he didn’t look like Jonathan Roumie, (the actor that portrays Jesus in ‘The Chosen’) - she might have been disappointed!! :-)   We giggled at that many times since, but I know that as she left this earth, into the presence of our Savior, what the actor that portrays Jesus looks like was forgotten. She was in Jesus’ presence… face-to-face.  I smile when I think of that now & while it’s bittersweet, I’m so joyful in knowing she is eternally in His sweet comfort & peace, & that we will be reunited someday. I so miss our phone calls, & listening to her share about her days & her ten grandchildren. As she shared about how she felt knowing her time here on earth could end at any time, for her she always said it was a, “Win - Win”.

This is one of my favorite photos of Marsha (With Dad, in prayer, at one of her daughters' weddings.) 

I miss you Marsh… Hug Mom & Dad for me.

  ♥ 

:: 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

:: Changes

It’s been awhile... I know.

A few posts ago (when there had been quite a spell between my postings), I apologized & promised that I would be posting more, & more often.

But then, ... Life.

Life has become increasingly more complicated over the last few years - & so recently, with one more life event coming into play, I decided to make some changes. Changes that I think are for the best overall.

To play a little ‘catch up’..., my father, who turned 90 last January, lives with me. While he has been doing great for a man of his age, this past June he had to have emergency surgery, & it has taken a toll. He’s working hard to regain strength, but there is a marked difference. He’s now using a walker, & was told by the doctor that he didn’t want him driving, & that has been a hard pill for my Dad to take. But, I’m just so thankful that he's here at home & I can check on him easily.

I don’t know if I ever mentioned it - but about 4 1/2 years ago - when health insurance (especially for us here in Arizona) went sky-high, I decided to get a little outside the home - part time job. I was blessed to get a job with a company that provided full benefits to employees that worked 20 or more hours. It truly has been great, it was the kind of a job that didn’t use a creative bone in my body - & I could even take some design work with me to do when it got slow. (Truly a blessing of a job - right?!!!) 

It’s been a great chapter - but with the changes at home, I know that it’s time to leave the part-time job. While I love the folks I’ve worked with, I know I want to be home. Available for my Dad. Also, I started the part-time job just before my first fabric collection, Ambleside, came out with Moda, & I’ve always felt that I’ve had to put so many things that relate to developing my own business on the back burner. So, It will be so wonderful to get to focus more on designing more, & building up my little website shop. I’ve got so many things that have been floating around in my head for the past few years - that I haven’t had the time to develop & follow up with... so I’m looking forward to working on some of those projects.

I also have really missed the interaction with all of you. If there is one place I have kept up with things - social media-wise, it’s been over on Instagram. While I’m not the biggest fan of some if the changes that have happened (new algorithms) - it still is the easiest way for me to communicate quickly. So, I encourage you - if you haven’t created an account (which, by-the-way, you don’t ever have to post anything... you can just follow the folks you want...) to go ahead a check it out. My IG account is @brengr. (... & if you do decide to join up - leave me a comment to let me know!)

The other thing that I will be having more time to do - is to post here. To be honest, for a little bit, I did consider closing the blog. But, I’ve decided that really what it needs is just some attention & a little tender-loving-care. So, I’ll be working on that. For me, because of the fact that Instagram has adopted some of the Facebook algorithms, (which too often means to ‘now you see it - now you don’t’), I want to keep this platform open to communicate with my friends & customers. (... and, as this post demonstrates... sometimes ‘talk’ your ‘ear’ off!)

So, there are some changes in the wind. And, while I know some changes can take some time, I’m hoping that this change - of me being more present here on the blog - will be a good one... one that you will enjoy.

Thanks for being here.

With all my ♥ - Bren

:: Great way to start the day!

This morning, this video was in my email... & it was the best way to start the day!...(or any time really!) So, I wanted to share it with you!

(click on the 'YouTube' logo to see it even better!)

♥ Bren

:: Thank you Billy Graham

For quite some time...(about 20 or so years...)  I have dreaded the day that the news would announce that Billy Graham had died.

That day happened on Wednesday (February 21) this past week.

While my heart soared with joy in knowing he was in the presence of the Lord (... & what a rejoicing & welcoming that must have been!!) - I was & am still so saddened that we are now without his presence here on earth.

You see, Billy Graham is one of those incredibly rare people who always pointed to God's love & the saving grace through Jesus Christ. Even though he was acquainted with world leaders, presidents, kings, he was incredibly humble & never wanted attention to be placed on himself. It was always about God's love & how through Jesus Christ, we can know we will spend eternity with Him in heaven.

He did it so clearly, so directly, but with such love & humility.

He didn't preach 'religion', he preached the good news of the Gospel.

God chose this farm boy from North Carolina for a worldwide ministry, (...don't you love how God so often chooses ones who the world would probably never choose?) & Billy simply chose to follow wherever God led.

...and what an incredible, amazing way the world was changed because of Billy's dedication.

As I have grown in my faith, I take that to heart, & admire, the example that Rev. Graham's life & ministry & simple humility, in my own life.

In this present day, & the ordeals we see our nation & world living though, it pains me to think that we are now without this precious man to keep us pointed to what really matters... the message of the Gospel & of God's love & the way he has provided a way to save us through His Son, Jesus Christ, to fill the void we each have in our own soul. It can only be filled with the love that Christ gives.

So while I am sad for this world without Billy Graham, at the same time I am so happy for his arrival in heaven, where I am certain He was welcomed in the presence of God with the words, "Well done good & faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21)

One of Billy's statements in his later years that had helped my heart smile this week is this one...

"Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead.

Don't believe a word of it.

I shall be more alive than I am now.

I will just have changed my address.

I will have gone into the presence of God"

Thank you God for Billy Graham.

(If you would like more information you can find it here, 

or at www.billygraham.org)

'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life."  -  John 3:16

♥

:: That's my King...!

I know I've been gone for quite a bit here on the blog... 

but I just had to pop in to post this video.

One of my very favorites.

I heard Dr. Lockridge speak these words from the pulpit when he visited our church in San Diego. I was a teenager... & it's message went directly to the center of my heart..

The words ring so true... & are the foundation of my life.

I hope they find a special place in your heart too.

He is Risen!

🌷  Bren

:: small beginnings

While many quilt designers have been putting the finishing touches on quilts for Spring Quilt Market, which is happening this weekend in Pittsburgh, PA, I've been working on finishing some quilts too… but for a little different reason.

. . . & I've been having such fun!

I've been making two of my 'Meadow' quilts for a very special reason. . . a little project I'm calling 'Quilted Comfort'. It has been something on my heart for quite a little while now, & if you would like to read more about it. . . & maybe how you can become involved (!). . . you can read how this has all come to be by clicking on the 'Quilted Comfort' project tab - at the top of the page (right under the header). I've made a separate page for it - as I want to keep it always available & easy for folks to find

(…Also, it would make for a very long blog post!)

But - to get things started, I've made a couple of the 'Meadow' quilts & they are for sale on the website. The quilt will go to the purchaser & the proceeds of the sale of these quilts will go for funding the purchasing of materials & shipping costs, etc. - so that we can make as many quilts as possible & touch as many hearts as possible. (A win - win!)

While working on these quilts. . . from the cutting out of the appliqué pieces, to piecing the patchwork center, to quilting, & then to the hand sewing down the binding. . . I couldn't help but think of the person that will end up with the quilt & how it will eventually lead to making quilts for some folks we don't even know yet. . . but whom I know that God is already planning to receive a quilt of their own. I found myself praying for all involved & - through this amazing opportunity we have & the joy that quilting brings. . . in so many ways - that God would bless the process (there's that word!) & the people involved.

I hope you can take a little time to check in on the 'Quilted Comfort' project. I would appreciate your prayers as we take these first little steps. . . & begin our small beginnings. . .

♥ Bren

:: That's my King!

I've posted this before. . .

the words (& recording) of Dr. S.M. Lockridge. He was the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, California (where I grew up). When I was in high school. I attended a city-wide youth retreat & I had the privilege of hearing him speak & hearing this for the first time. I remember so well how this aging man had hundreds of teen-agers attention like no one had all weekend. :-)

It struck & chord then… & beauty of the message of this video is that it strikes the deepest chord in me still.

… & given the celebration of this Resurrection Day (!), I just wanted to post it again.

He is Risen! ✞

♥ Bren

:: my word for 2014

It's not a 'romantic' word. . .

but as I started thinking of a word for 2014, I kept coming back to 'process'.

. . . & it made complete sense to me.

After choosing the word  'grace' for 2012. . . I actually kept it for 2013 as well.

I needed to.

As I focused on 'grace' in 2012 - I just felt that God was still teaching me much with that incredible word. & I felt like I needed to keep it for some more time, & as I look back onto 2013, I can now see that I did need to keep 'grace' in the forefront of my mind. (…& to be honest - it will be a word, & a reality that will stay there for the rest of my life.)

So. . . onto a new word for this year. . . & for me it's  'process'.

I thought of it, as it has been a word that I used with my students quite often when I taught art & design, & it reflects what I have learned to love & appreciate about the creative process. It reflects on learning to appreciate time. . . & the reality that it takes steps. . . (sometimes very tiny steps). . . to see something come to fruition.

But it also has come to mean to me so much more, as I've seen God working in my life. . . opening some doors, closing some others, & I've come to learn to be aware & to appreciate the steps that I am led to take each & every day. There are also some deeper, more personal ways that this word just felt so right for me for this year, that I hope to be able to share with you as the year goes on.

But for me - I am keeping my word for this year in front of me as much as possible. I've printed out the some graphics I have made with my word, & I taped one to my bathroom mirror (a much needed reminder). I also have one in my office & one as the background for my laptop. . . (for the screens that I use for designing software (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator…).

So. . . onward.

Time to take todays steps…

♥ Bren

... blooming yard

                                      

                                      

                                      

                                      

                                      

                                     

                                      

                                     

                                      

                                      

The other day, I was feeling a bit of dread at our temperatures rising from the wonderful spring temps that we've had... to temps rising into the 90's.  Then, as I was leaving the market the other morning, & hearing others at the Starbucks (right inside the market doors) talking about how soon it might hit 100 degrees (what we refer to as the "icebreak" here), I felt a little wave of dread for a brief second.  Then, as I exited the market doors, I looked out to the paring lot that is filled with blossoming trees, & I realized how  really lovely it is here, & how much I love lining here.

Then I went home & as I was putting my groceries away, I turned on the tv, to catch up on what was going on, & getting ready to send the rest of the morning working in the studio. The channel happened to be on CNN, & I was drawn into the stories of the survivors of the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma. Suddenly I was struck at how small & silly my dreading our temperatures getting hotter was. I looked outside & was drawn to all the beauty that as happening just outside my windows & took a good amount of time going outside to my backyard to appreciate what surrounds me & yet so often I take for granted.

I love all these blooms... & each one has some special meaning to me. It's just the start of the blossoms that will be happening in our yard this summer... & I plan to take the time & to look at them in a whole new way. 

It's good to have our eyes opened now & again...

(& my prayers & thought continue to be with all the victims of the tornado...)

xo, 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

… such a sweet day

Wishing you the happiest Valentine's Day. . .

. . . & this little cutie-patootie wanted to be sure 

I let you know that he sends lots of 'licks' (kisses) to you!

♥ Bren

… it's the little things. . .

. . . from the availability of peppermint bark

(. . . & I love the little 'Dove' pieces of peppermint bark,

just the right amount!)

. . . to all the wonderful variety of poinsettia colors!

This one is in my bedroom.

It's the most wonderful coral-y pink tinged with red edges.

I love it, & I hope it lasts long into the new year. . .

. . . And then there is this very special ornament.

It has become my favorite.

A neighbor made it for Dad & I, five years ago.

She took the photo (my favorite) we had of Mom 

that was used in her memorial service program,

. . . & she placed it inside a glass ornament that she painted 

with delicate snowflakes.

Secretly. . . I never put it away. . . it hangs in a tree that I have in the house

. . . all year long.

. . . but for now, it is carefully placed beneath our little Christmas tree,

. . . reminding me of what a gift the time I had with her was.

It's the little things. . .

. . . that make the biggest difference to me.

I want to thank you all for visiting today,

& I pray that you have a very special celebration

of the wonderful gift that God has given us.

Merry Christmas everyone!

♥ Bren

… a final one. . .

I've had these photos ready for several days. . .

. . . but after the Friday's news, 

it just didn't fell right to post about new fabrics.

There were other things (way more important things)

that took over my head & my heart.

My prayers are with the families of Sandy Hook.

It feels as though words fail, but I know that there is great power in prayer,

. . . & so I will continue to lift them up in prayer

for the promised "peace that passes understanding".

It is also a reminder to shower those around us with love,

& to celebrate the blessings that we often overlook day-by-day.

I am striving to look around me & to see & celebrate the

blessings that have been laid before me.

One of those blessings, in the past few years

has been to have the opportunity to design fabrics.

It was a dream - when I first started designing quilts,

& it felt like a dream when I saw my first line come to fruition.

The photos above are of my upcoming line,

Durham Collection Anew (2102).

It should be in shops around February/March.

(also, just so you know, the colors in thee photos are more true to the actual colors 

than the scanned promotional images that I've seen on the internet. . . 

just in case it matters to you.)

I've been enjoying folding & refolding my pieces, 

& I've placed my order for bolts of some of my favorites.

(I wanted a bolt of each one - but I've no room!)

For this Durham Collection Anew, I've added a warm vintage tan colorway,

. . . & I'm thinking that I will be making a quilt entirely from this colorway.

I just love it.

I'm thinking of making quilts for my 'farmhouse collection'  series

from this line that would be the kind of quilts that

would be at home on any porch swing.

This line will also be my last fabric line for awhile.

I've decided to not continue in designing fabrics for a bit,

so that I can focus more on creating designs for quilts & needlework, 

as well as some other things that are currently on the back burner.

Lecien is doing some re-organizing & although I have talked with 

a couple of other fabric manufactures, I just feel it's time to take a break.

(I definitely will though - continue to work on new designs for my portfolio. . .

. . . designs that can be used for fabrics & other things.)

I've really enjoyed having the opportunity to design & work with fabrics that 

are a part of who I am. . .

I hope that you have enjoyed it as well.

I have a very limited amount of sample fabrics,

 & I've taken part of them & made a very limited number of bundles.

There are a couple of fat-quarter bundles, & also some fat-eighth bundles 

if you would like a little head start on a project using these fabrics.

I also want to thank so many of you, who have been so supportive of my

fabric designing. To know that some of you have actually 'collected' them is

beyond my comprehension, & it has given me such joy.

Thank you.

So, as I enter this week, I do so with a humble heart,

& one that will continue to look for the blessings that

I have been given.

Please know, that you are one of them.

♥ Bren