… breathing a little easier

This morning, Bailey & I got up & went for our morning walk. . . & as we walked, I found myself looking down the leash to the little sweetie-pie that is my best buddy & praying that our morning visit to the vet would have good news. 

I also spent a lot of the time thanking God for such a wonderful little gift that this little one is to me. In my heart he goes everywhere with me. . .

When we arrived at the vet, he was waiting for us & he took a good long look at Bailey's leg. . .

He was happy with what he saw. . . & I think that Bailey knew what he was saying was good. . . because he almost got the 'stuffin's hugged out of him by me while the vet was giving me the good word.

I think that God was also looking down, smiling, knowing my heart & knowing that it is so very thankful. 

We're not completely out of the woods, as the spot is still there. It did get a bit smaller & I will continue treating it. . . but so far, it is not acting like cancer (cancerous spots don't respond to the ointment like Bailey's did) - but the vet said that you can never say never. 

So, for now, I will keep using the ointment to see if it continues to help, but if the spot starts to bother Bailey again (he's been so good & has been leaving it alone!). . . then we will be back at the vet & would then need to see a specialist.

But. . . we are not thinking about that yet. . . we are just celebrating that it isn't acting like it's cancer - & is instead probably a dermatitis issue that is so much easier to deal with.

So, while this scary little chapter is closing. . . the story of my sweet little fluffy boy continues. . . & I cherish every day that I have with him.

. . . & he definitely continues to be the 'apple of my eye'. . .

Thank you. . . so much

for all your e-mails & tweets & comments asking about how Bailey is doing.

It has meant so much.

. . . & trust me. . . he is knowing how much he is loved! ♥

(the photos for this post were created using Photofunia. . . & yep, I've got a whole folder filled with Bailey photos using these!. . . (hint - more to come!) :o)

♥  Bren

… a little waiting. . .

I've been keeping very busy these past 2 weeks. . . so I apologize for the lack of posting. I've had things to post. . . just no real news to post.

It's felt a bit like 'hurry up & wait' for the past 2 weeks.

Firstly, with my little Bailey. . . we got into the vet on Tuesday & we go back tomorrow for the follow up. The vet took a real good look at the black spot on Bailey's leg & we have been treating it with a hopefully less invasive way (& special ointment) to see if it responds. We go back tomorrow for the follow up - to see if the vet thinks things are improving. It doesn't look as 'angry' as it did. . . but it hasn't reduced in size as much as I had hoped. I'm trying not to draw any conclusions & will just keep praying & will wait to see what the vet says tomorrow.

Then there's the fact that my next line with Lecien - Durham Collection Anew (2011) will be arriving tomorrow. . .

(!!!!)

So, I've been working furiously on getting my current new quilt design all completed (& I did . . . this morning!) before the UPS man rings the doorbell tomorrow. . . 

For the fabric for this latest design . . . when Nireko (the 'angel' that works at Lecien USA) showed me the new Mrs. March's Basics. . . I fell in love, & knew I needed to use it! I know that Lecien has been thinking of & working on putting together this line for several years & they honestly hit a home-run with it. It is quite large (80 pieces). . . but honestly, if I owned a quilt shop, I would invest in this line. . . the whole thing.  The pieces, the colors, the look (all small prints) are classic. . .  timeless.

When Nireko sent me a fat quarter bundle to use, I could hardly wait to start. I had the idea for my quilt (which will also be done for embroidery & cross-stitch) already in my sketchbook  - so I jumped into the bundle & had the best time!

The quilt, called 'By My Hand', is going to my quilter's tomorrow. . . but I shot a couple of sneak peeks . . . just for you.

I have always loved stitchery, embroidery, cross stitch & especially samplers. . . they are like a personal handmade snapshot into someone's life. . . So, that's what I chose for this quilt. 

This one will definitely be hanging in my studio when it's completed. . . reminding me of what a blessing it is to get to do what I love. . .

 But for now. . . it goes to the hands of Nubin, my quilter (who is also such a blessing to me). . . where I know it will be loved & cared for until it comes back home. 

I promise that I will update you tomorrow with what happens with Bailey's vet visit. For all of you that have been asking about him & praying for him. . . Bailey wanted me to be sure to include him when I thank you, & let you know it how it means so very much to us!

(. . . & he wanted me to be sure to let you know he sends 'licks'!)

 ♥ Bren

… still feels like summer. . .

Somehow. . . when the calendar says that it's September. . . somewhere deep inside me & long for automatic autumn-y weather. . . a bit of a crisp bite to the air, pretty leaves softly floating off trees. . . but none of that is happening here. We are still having our summer storms in the afternoons & evenings (Bailey is actually getting used to the sound of thunder again!) & the temps aren't even near 'crisp'. But that will come. . . my internal clock is just wanting more sooner than later.


Around here, I've been keeping quite busy in the studio, finishing the cover for a new pattern, & having the best time with a new applique wall hanging. I've loved that about this summer. I have been having the best time creating & making new designs. I have to admit that I had lost a bit of that. After several years designing, I got a little caught up a bit in trying to create things that I thought might fit into what the market seemed to saying was 'in'. . . &. . . um. . . that just didn't work for me. I lost the joy of why I started quilting in the first place. . . & I lost track of who I was as a designer & artist. I prayed about it - because it's a little scary to feel like your about to jump off the proverbial 'band wagon'. . . but I kept being reminded to 'do what you love'. . . & not to try & jump through hoops that I may think are there.


. . . & I must admit, it's still a little scary (I do that to myself too easily sometimes). . . but honestly. . . I'm having the best time in the studio. Some days I can hardly wait to get in there! (. . . like right now. . . I have some applique pieces to prep & I can't wait to play with the fabrics & the process of creating something I'm enjoying so much!)


Also, on the studio side. . . I want to thank you all of you who went to the website & helped me with my 'spring cleaning' at my web site's tag sale! There are still a few things left if you hurry! And. . . just so you know I have just cut the remaining bundles of my fabric collections that we will have available on the website. I want to thank you all so much for your wonderful comments on my fabrics (it means so much!). . . & I'm so glad that you like getting to get all of them! 

Durham Collection - Anew

Georgia Lou

We have made bundles of fat-eighth, fat-quarter, & half-yard bundles of both lines. . . but just as a little  'heads-up'  - what we have on the website is all that we have left . . . & when they're gone. . . they're gone! (Yikes!. . . see I meant it when I said "thank you"!) 


On another little (cute & fluffy) note, (but also something I'm praying about). . .

. . . When the groomer brought Bailey back to the house early yesterday evening (she has a little white bus converted to a grooming studio & comes to the house). . . she had Bailey in her arms & told me that, "We have to talk." Nora (our groomer) is someone I take seriously when she notices things, because she really knows her stuff & really cares about the dogs she grooms.  She then came in & showed me where she had shaved a section of Bailey's inside front let leg. He had a little irritation there a couple of years ago - but we treated it & it went away. . . or so we thought. What Nora just found was an ugly, very dark, mean looking area about a half inch across. My heart sank & I know that when Nora is this concerned - that it means something. Unfortunately it's a holiday weekend. . . but we will go into see the vet next week. . . to have him look at it & have some tests run. (That's why Nora shaved the area - so the vet could clearly see it. Until then, I'm keeping it covered - so that Bailey leaves it alone. I can't believe I didn't see it - but Nora said she didn't either until she was cutting the hair there, & it wasn't there until a few weeks ago. So, hopefully, whatever it might be (. . . & I'm too afraid to think of all it might be) will get caught early enough. So, if you think about it. . . please say a little prayer for my little Bailey. Thanks.

For those of you here in the US, I hope you have a  great holiday weekend. . . & for all - I hope you have a great weekend!

♥  Bren

… 'tag sale' (more!)

I know that will all that is happening in the news. . . (hurricane about to hit the east coast, countries being 'liberated'). . . this little piece of news is quite small. . . but if you're like me. . . you love checking out a tag sale!

So, just to let you know - I'm thinking that I've pretty much completed my (3 month long) 'spring clean' of my studio & stash, & I've added several more things  to the 'Tag Sale' page on the website. I've placed some wonderful things - some that I'm sharing some of what I have & some that I have just too much of & never will get to use. I must admit that it was hard to say goodbye to these - as I've used them all & love them all. But - I want to give others chances to get to enjoy them too. . .( & you'll notice that the prices are quite sweet as well!)

Here's a little 'taste' of some of the things  you can find: (. . . & there are 2 pages filled!)

Wuthering Heights - fat quarter grouping

Aviary - fat quarter bundle

moda Essential Dots & Stripes - half-yard grouping

Pampered Pooch - layer cake

Wee Play - fat quarter bundle

woven ginghams - 1 yard grouping

Please know that there on only one of most of the items in the tag sale. . . & once their gone. . . well, you know. . .

If you would like to see these items. . . & more (!) you can find them HERE. (. . . & there are two pages of items!)

My prayers are with those on the east coast - in the path of Hurricane Irene - & in the surrounding areas. Although I think you probably have a bit more on your mind than reading blogs these days. . . Please know that there are millions of prayers being lifted up for you & you're loved ones. 

♥  Bren

… a bit of morning comfort in a bowl. . .

. . . I don't know what it is about this summer. . .

. . . Usually in the summer I get up super early (before sunrise - around 5 a.m.) . . . which also means I go to bed about 9:30 p.m. , but this summer I have turned into a bit of a night owl & I've been averaging a 11 p.m. - midnight bedtime. (!) That is so late for me! . . . but it's been really hard turning off all the things going 'round in my head & getting myself to beddy-bye.

So that, then, leads to me sleeping in until about 7 a.m. & not having breakfast until about 9. (I can't eat right after getting up. . . I need at least an hour or so. . .)

. . . & that leads me to my next funny thing about this summer. . . my cravings for oatmeal! Usually in the summer - I go for lighter fare &/or cold cereal - but not this summer. . . Now, I am, admittedly, an oatmeal girl. . . but usually I have oats in the autumn & winter when there's a chill in the air. Not any more! Even with our warm summer days - I think I've had more oatmeal for my breakfast in the last 3 months - than I've had in the past couple of years! Thank goodness it's good for you!

I like my oats (doesn't matter to me of they are the steel cut or the quick-cooking. . . I like all kinds (. . . & I must admit I like the ease of the quick-cooking kind. . .)) with two packets of sugar substitute (I'm not picky which kind. . . just whatever is in the cupboard) & then the tiniest smidge of butter. I don't like it swimming in it. . . just so that I get a hint of it from time to time. Then, the must have . . . I sprinkle cinnamon all over the top. (. . . I can tend to go overboard with this step. . . I love cinnamon!).

Then, after grabbing my favorite wooden (handled) spoon & my coffee, if the weather hasn't heated up too much - I head for the back porch & enjoy the start of my day with my morning bowl of comfort.

It's a great way to start the day. . . & these days have been quite full! This past week, I've finished binding three new quilts (one design - made up three ways), worked on the next fabric line (. . . which means many hours on the laptop with Photoshop), & I just finished the new pattern cover for a new series of quilt patterns. . . (a peek this week. . . I promise!) Today, I'm headed over to a dear friends home for a morning of stitching with some friends (sigh!), & then a bit later I'm hoping to get the new quilts photographed. . . & then more quality time with the laptop & the next fabric line. . . 

. . . What's up for you this week? . . . (& I'm really curious. . . thumbs up or down for oatmeal for you?)  . . . Hope you have a great day!

♥  Bren

daybook ::40::

The ('my') mountains - hugged by clouds this morning. . .

for today :: August 3, 2011 (seriously?. . . it's August already?)

outside my window. . .   cloudy, some distant thunder, . . . & everything is damp & washed clean by last evenings rains. (10 hours of thunder, lightening, & rain!. . . (& a little furry bundle next to me in bed, curled up & shaking - until he finally fell asleep. Poor pup!))

I am thinking. . . of my friend, Rosalie . . .

from the kitchen. . .  coffee, . . . & my little (but helpful!) brain just reminded me of the 60% Cacao Ghirardelli chips in the freezer. . .!) yum.

I am wearing. . . t-shirt & shorts. . . (even though we got some rain - it' still a wee bit warm!)

I am creating. . .  a new project that I'm so excited about. . . mixing my love of cross-stitch, embroidery, applique & quilting. . . (!)

I am remembering. . .  that God is in control. (. . . & finding so much comfort in that.)

I am reading. . .   Just finished re-reading 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society' (. . . & loved it even more - if that's possible!), so I'm still working on 'Organized Simplicity' - by Tsh Oxenreider, & 'One Thousand Gifts' (so good - I want to re-read to catch what I might have missed the first time.)

I am hoping . . .  to get the hang of some new Photoshop skills that I'm developing (for fabric designing).

I am hearing. . .  the air conditioner trying to decide whether to stay on or turn off. . . (think I'll go turn up the thermostat - so it doesn't have to work so hard!)

around the house. . .  it's wonderfully quiet.

I am going. . .  to stay in today. . . happily flitting from one stitchery project to another. . .

one of my favorite things. . .  light filled rooms. . .

a few plans for the rest of the week. . . sew the bindings on two quilts (one I quilted myself!), work on the next fabric line, work on some stitchery, get my Dad a library card (he's devouring books lately!)

from my picture journal . . .

 What it looks like from nearby - when we get afternoon rains. . . (I love our summer rains!)

Also, don't forget about Jackie's (The Noble Wife) blog hop for her new book, 'Fruitful Hands'. Here's who's up for the rest of the week: (be sure to give 'em a visit!)

Wednesday:    Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches
Thursday:    Michele Foster of The Quilting Gallery
Friday:    Sandi Andersen of A Legacy of Stitches

 . . . & don't forget, Jackie is having some great giveaways on her blog!

Hope you have a blessed week.

♥ Bren

… Fruitful Hands. . .

When my dear friend Jackie Steves (of the Noble Wife)  told me that she was going to do a book. . . I just knew that it would be wonderful. . . because I know that she puts her heart & soul into her designs. . . 

. . . & when her book arrived the other day. . . it was better than I had even expected!

It's titled, 'Fruitful Hands' - 'A collection of sewing projects & recipes to nurture your soul.'

. . . & when Jackie asked if I would be interested in being a part of a book blog tour for her new book. . . I jumped at the chance! . . . because I don't want anyone to miss out on such a down-to-earth & wonderful experience that Jackie brings to us on the pages of 'Fruitful Hands'.

I told Jackie that I'd like to pick out my favorite project & recipe. . . & I soon realized that it would be harder than I first thought!. . . The more I looked over the pages. . . the more I realized that there were so many things I wanted to try & make for myself!. . . But, since there will be more folks part of this book blog tour (see below!). . . I'm making myself just show one project & one of her yummy recipes (that are scattered throughout the pages).

For my favorite the project that I want to make first (too many favorites now!). . . I'm choosing the 'Heartfelt Home' Floor Mat.

If you know me. . . you know that I love wool, & this project is so charming (& is so Jackie!). . . & I can't wait to get started! Wool is so lovely to work with. . . & if you've never tried it - this would be a great project to start with!

For my favorite recipe from 'Fruitful Hands' - I picked the 'Sunshine Chicken Soup'.

I'm a soup girl - through & through. . . & even though it's in the middle of summer . . . just reading the ingredients (chicken breasts, veggies, onion, garlic, lemon. . . !) makes me want to be sure I have it on hand. . . summer, fall, winter, & spring!

. . . So now you know what's in store for me. . . (at least the first things!). . . but before I end this post, I just have to share one more thing. . .

If you are familiar with Jackie's work - then you know what a wonderful artist she is. One of my overall favorite things about 'Fruitful Hands' is that Jackie's art work is throughout. . . not only in the projects, but also in the diagrams & illustrations.

Here's one of her illustrated instructions. . .

. . . & I mean, really. . . how sweet it this? . . .

. . . so don't miss out giving yourself (& friends!) a wonderful book, filled with charming projects & the sweetest illustrations ever! I know that Jackie is giving away several copies of 'Fruitful Hands' & many other wonderful prizes. . . so don't miss out & give her blog a visit!

Also . . . be sure to visit these other folks this week - who will be sharing more peeks of 'Fruitful Hands' :

Monday (today too!):    Jill Finley of Jillily Studio
Tuesday:    Pat Sloan of  Pat Sloan
Wednesday:    Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches
Thursday:    Michele Foster of The Quilting Gallery
Friday:    Sandi Andersen of A Legacy of Stitches

♥ Bren

… a bit of a sneak peek

Here they are. . . the little strike-offs for my next line for Lecien. . . Durham Collection - Anew . . .

(click on photo to enlarge)

(The colorways are: white, a warm grey (which I'm crazy about!), pink, red, yellow, green, & a robin's egg blue.)


. . . wait. . . you may say. . .  Wasn't there just a Durham Collection - Anew last year?


Yep. . . there was. . . but this line will always have this name. . . it's a tradition for Lecien - as this originally was one of their in-house lines. 'Lynn S' left a comment on my last post (but is listed as 'noreply-comment' - s0 I couldn't email you directly. . . sorry Lynn!) - asking about the history of the line & how it got it's 'Durham' name. . . & I thought this would be a perfect time to share a bit (what I know - at least!) about that.


The 'Durham Collection' has been a Lecien line for several years now. . . (starting - I think in 2003 -  '04) & was actually the line that I fell in love with & then discovered who Lecien was. . .! It embodies a soft - vintage feel & the company even goes some extra steps at the mill to be sure a wonderful timeworn look is a part of the fabric . . . right off the bolt.


If you are familiar with quilts that are known as 'Durham' quilts. . . you know that these quilts are known for often being whole-cloth quilts that are exquisitely hand quilted. Durham is a town (& also a county) in Northeastern England, referred to as the North Country region. Professional quilters were employed in Durham and it has long been associated with beautiful quilting. The ladies of the area became known for their beautifully hand-quilted quilts after the 1st World War - during the depression era - when jobs were scarce. They received large orders for quilts (mostly made from solid, sometimes satin, soft colors) from Claridges Hotel in London. . . & the soft colored, beautifully detailed quilts became known as 'Durham' quilts.


Although the Durham Collection fabrics from Lecien are not solids. . . they are known for their soft florals & wonderful attention to detail. . . much like the look & feel of Durham quilts. . . & I imagine that the look & feel of those Durham quilts is what inspired the name for the line.


After the original Lecien in-house designer of the original Durham Collection fabric lines had moved on to other design pursuits, Lecien continued to design the line in-house for a bit. Then, in 2009 - right as my first line for Lecien (Celebration) was going to print - they asked me if I would be interested to continue the Durham Collection & design the next line. After I picked myself off the floor. . . I said "oh, yes!" (. . . trying not to sound too excited!. . . although I was!. . . it was my favorite line!!!) Because of the change of the line going from an in-house design, Lecien wanted to add a distinguishing addition to 'Durham Collection', so we added "Anew" to the name of the line. It's the same line. . . just with a new designer. Me. (!)  


To say I'm thrilled about being involved with this line is such an understatement. . . & for this year's line, I popped some of the colors. . . just a bit. They are still soft. . . but there are also some wonderful accent pieces. Many of the designs are based on vintage fabrics from my collection. . . & they translate so beautifully to this line & this look.


I will be giving some more peeks in the upcoming weeks. . . & for shop owners (because I know I'll be getting emails. . .!)  the fabrics are going to print by the end of the month. . . & they will be presented at Fall Market. . . but might be available for ordering just before then. (. . . at least for the bolts sent out on the first ship!)


I hope that you enjoy these fabrics as much as I have. . . I'm so excited about these fabrics & can't wait for the sample fabrics to arrive so I can 'play'!


♥ Bren

… hexie love

For years. . . I have had 'do English paper piecing' on my 'to-do' list. . .


. . . & the two Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts that I have (one made by each of my Grandma's) are my favorites & I have on display so I see them each & every day (& are right up at the top of my 'things to grab if ever I would have to evacuate' list). . .
. . . & I also had 'collected' so many packages - in so many sizes ( ¼", ½", ¾", 1", 1¼", & 1½") of hexagon paper templates. . . but I had never taken the plunge. That's one of the drawbacks of designing,  I don't often have the time to jump into projects that aren't part of one of my new designs. So. . . how to solve that?. . . Yep! One (& actually now two) of the new designs you will see coming up this fall - will have hexies in them. (. . . & for those of you who aren't as enamored with making them - no worries - there will be piecing options. . .)


. . . but I am having a ball making these little cuties! I am using scraps from each of my fabric lines. . . fussy cutting some of them (just for fun!) & I now understand just how addictive they are! It's so much fun to see how happy they make you - just in the creating & finishing of each little flower . . . it's like they have they're own little personalities. . .


Here's a peek at the little lunchbox/tin that I've been carrying around with me wherever I go (they are the perfect take-with-you project). . . It's been working wonderfully. . . but I can see that a trip to Jo Anne's or the Container Store is in the near future - as I'm needing a case to house all the little hexies one they are prepped - & while they wait to be made into their own little wonders. I'm going to look for a little case with smaller divisions or compartments that will keep them snug & safe until it's their turn.

. . . & just in case you are about to jump into the English paper-piecing bandwagon (or are already there). . . I have found that the tips from Sue Daley  (Patchwork With Busyfingers) to be the best that I have found. I was first basting with thread the corners of each of my hexies. . . but then I watched a video she did & she showed how she used the Sewline glue pen (from United Notions) to lightly glue baste the edges of the hexies to the paper pieces. . . & it works like a dream . . . & saves so much time! (Thank you Sue!)

Well. . . I'd best sign off for today. . . the UPS man brought me the next Durham Collection - Anew strike-offs late yesterday afternoon. . . & they are calling my name! (. . . & I'm so very excited about this line! . . . giddy was an understatement when I saw them!) I will take some photo peeks for you. . . (& hopefully you will get as giddy as I am!)

Hope you have a wonderful day!

♥ Bren