… summer days

 

Hi folks.

I finally got to do a little catch-up blog reading, & so I know I'm not alone when I say that it feels like days are rushing by! It's the middle of July already!?!. . . really? 

whew.

I've been keeping so very busy, finishing the stitching on all my new stitchery designs (counted cross-stitch) that I will be debuting next month at the TNNA Fall Market in St. Charles. I still have the framing & finishing to do, but I feel good to have all the stitching completed. . . & I loved every minute of it.

I hadn't done any cross-stitch for several years, & as I have been drawn back to it, I have realized how much the scope of it has broadened & how much love there is now for samplers & how so many stitchers are taken by & love the history of needle-working. It excites me very much, to be creating new designs that are inspired by the past & somehow, in my heart, connect with the needleworkers of the past (& hopefully of today as well!). I will try to take some peek/teaser photos of some of my new designs to share. (. . . & I will try to be a better blogger!)

I also have a few new quilt patterns that are taking a bit of a back seat to the stitching, & one that I'm finishing up the embroidery border for, as I seem to always have a needle in my hand for some project. (♥)

Because I had been away from my sewing machine for a little bit, I was missing piecing, . . . & when I saw the cute little basket block challenge from Temecula Quilt Co., I was immediately hooked. (scroll down to the June 30 post for the info & link to the pattern)

They are wee little blocks (finishing at 2" x 2")!. . . but are honestly addictive. The challenge is to make one each day for the months of July & August, but with the needlework market in August coming up, I cut all the background fabrics for all the blocks first (I'm using Moda Muslin - warm white), so that I could make some ahead of the one-a-day pace. For my basket fabrics, all the fabrics I am using are coming from my stash. Yesterday was my sew day with some friends, & so I used the time to cut all but a few of the rest of the basket pieces as well.  This means that in the next few days, as I'm fine tuning the charts & patterns for the new stitcheries. . . & the *need* to walk away from the computer for a little bit, I can go in & sew together another wee little basket block! 

(. . . happy girl) !

I also want to thank all of you who left comments & sent messages about Bailey & asked how he did with his 'Thundershirt'. 

(Bailey says "thank you" too!)

Believe it or not. . . we didn't have to put it to the test on July 4th. Not a single neighbor shot off fireworks! I was amazed. . . (& so thankful!) Since then though, the summer thunderstorm season has started & so we have put it into use & it does help calm him. He's not oblivious to the big booms when they happen, but he doesn't pace or pant like he used to. So I'm feeling that it does help him. . . & anything that helps out my little boy not to be so scared is great in 

my book. 

So, for today, I'm off to finish up the charts for the new stitcheries. . . & maybe make a basket block or two. . . (. . . or three. . . or four), & I'll be checking twitter now & again to see if there is any royal baby news(!)

Thanks for stopping by!

♥ Bren

… getting ready

Hi there. Sorry for the lack of posting. . . I've been having issues with our internet connection for the last few weeks. . . & so trying to do anything more than getting some emails done & shipping printed has been most of the extent of my online experience lately. We have been replacing cables to see what the issue might be & now are hoping that we might (?) have solved the issue. We'll see. (crossing fingers!)

With all the July 4 preparations winding up here in the US

. . . for me it brings a bit of worry. . .

. . . worry that this little guy will have to suffer through hours & hours of fireworks going off in the neighborhood.

Now, I first want to say that I have always loved firework shows (& still do!). . . but for some reason, the people who live in my county voted to make it legal for anyone to shoot off fireworks. (sigh).

 So what ends up happening is that the booms & loud pops start around sunset & continue on & off until after midnight, causing Bailey to shake & fret for hours on end. Then, for the next several evenings, as the sun sets, he gets scared all over in anticipation of the booming starting again.

Poor baby.

Thankfully, last year - because we had not received any rains yet - the fire marshall put a ban on the public setting off fire-works. (they actually even called off the commercial displays last year - it was so dry.) I know I sound like a party-pooper, but to have my little guy suffer so breaks my heart. So-far this summer, we have had about 30 days of 100° (F) (or higher) & no rain & I'm actually hoping that we don't get any rain until after next Thursday, & they set the ban for no fireworks in the neighborhoods again. (. . . but I'm hoping they do have the professional displays. . . they are far enough away that the noise is manageable for us.)

But, just in case, I got Bailey a 'Thundershirt'. They are created for helping dogs that suffer anxiety from thunderstorms, fireworks, separation. . . etc. I went down to our local PetSmart & found his size & talked with the lady there & they say that they have a more than 80% success rate. They are made to literally envelop & hug the dog & hit specific pressure points that help calm them & most will even relax to the point that they fall asleep! (. . . here's hoping!) I also picked up a new little fox (unstuffed - how perfect!) & after I tried the 'Thundershirt' on Bailey - he got his new 'baby'. . . so that hopefully he will already equate that putting the 'Thundershirt' on brings good things. I actually thought he light not like having to have it on - but he actually didn't mind it at all. He chewed on his new little fox for a little bit & then settled in & napped. Gives me a bit of hope that he will get to have a calm holiday.

By the way. . . there are some new items that I've put on the 'Tag Sale' pages on the website. . . !

Hope you have a great week.

♥ Bren

... peony love

                                          

          

                                         

                                          

Where I live (southwest US), peonies are all but impossible to grow. After several years of drooling over seeing them on other folks' blogs. . . Brought in fresh in from the garden, when I went into our local Trader Joes market & saw them by the bunch, I just couldn't resist. (& for the record, I'm considering these the best $7 I've spent so far this summer!) 

When I brought them home, they were all in their not-yet bloomed ball form. Believe it or not, the first two photos were taken about 20 - 30 minutes after I trimmed their stems & placed them in the 'vase' (for me - that is usually a ball jar, I just love flowers in ball jars.)! I was afraid they would only last a couple of days, but they stayed pretty for almost the whole week. For every day they were here, they made me smile every time I looked at them. I'm hoping to get another bunch before they are out of season. What a sweet treat.

On the design front, I'm so excited to announce that just a few days ago, I got my confirmation & room assignment to be an exhibitor for the Fall Needlecraft Market! (I'm so excited!) Needlecraft markets are put on by TNNA (The National Needlecraft Association), & while they have four markets each year, two of them focus mostly on the counted thread, embroidery, stitchery side of the industry, & this market will be one of those. So, I've been a busy little bee working on new stitchery designs, as well as getting a couple of new quilt patterns ready for release.

We've also been getting our summer heat waves starting. . . so it's been a good time to keep indoors for most of the day, & it's been good for getting a lot done. I know you'd never know that from my lack of blogging, & so I'll try & do much better on that front.

I'm also hoping to get some new 'tag sale' items up onto the website early next week. . . (yep, I've been stash busting again). . . so keep a look out!

Wishing you many pretty posies to make you smile!

xo, 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

. . . gatehouse gardens

There have been several quilt designs that I have had requests (over & over) for different sizes. So, every one in a while, I'm going to be re-doing some of my most popular patterns - including the original design & some additional sizes & styles using the same design.

First up, is my design that was called 'Gatehouse'.

The original is the yellow version. It was done, using One of my favorite Moda lines, 'Faded Memories'. It measures 48" x 48" (& embarrassingly enough, when re- writing the pattern. . . I discovered that on the original pattern, the overall size of the quilt was 6" too large, & that there was a boo-boo in the original directions, for the border measurements... (!) We never caught it & were never made aware of it for all the years it's been out there (more than six years!), & even though I saw lots of photos of it made, no-one mentioned the mistake. (... until this past week or so, someone email a question about it & wondered if she had made an error...) I feel so bad!!! Be assured that these directions have been combed over thoroughly at least half a dozen times. (Sigh.) 

Anyway, instead of going larger for the alternate designs, I went a little smaller... & then smaller still. The next option, is a bit smaller than the original 36” x 36”, & is done with wool appliqué. Wool on flannel. (Oh how fun that was!) I used wool from my stash & then I used flannels from the Primitive Gatherings line for the background & for the piecing of the churn-dashes. It is a great size for a wall hanging, or for a table topper, & could be used year round.

The smallest version is the embroidery version... (you knew that I would have to do a stitchery version!) it is 27” x 27”, & if ever you wanted to do a mini size of a quilt... This is a fun one to do! With the stitchery (that goes by so much more quickly than you'd ever think!), the details of this little design have become one of my favorites. I'm currently using mine as a table topper (for spring), & I know that it will go into my office after that. (I don't have big wall space in my office - so I need to use smaller quilts.). 

I love this 'littlest' version so much, I've put together a limited number of kits. It uses one of my (favorite) paisley prints from my first Durham Anew Collection, & the kit also includes the background fabric, floss & a printed pattern. You can find them here if you would like a great spring/summer stitchery project... or even for that 'make it someday' stash!) 

Oh yeah. . . There is also available as a PDF download-able version of 'Gatehouse Gardens' as well. (How could I forget that?!?)

So. . .  there's the latest pattern release... for now at least! (& yes... there are still two new designs that need to be quilted yet, so they will be out sometime this summer.) 

(For you shop owners, please know that it will be about a month before the distributors receive the pattern... So if you would like to get yours sooner... please contact us, & we will be sure to get some to you!)

Hope you have a great week!

♥ Bren

… a finish. . . & a start. . .

A first for me. . .

My first counted thread design.

I took the last stitches in 'By My Hand'. . . & I had to smile at how backwards I worked with this design that had been spinning around in my head for several years.

Based on my love of samplers, I first used my sketches for the design as the inspiration for the (appliqué) quilt pattern, & then for the embroidery version. . .

. . . & now. . . finally. . . I have stitched the actual sampler!

It is the first of several designs that I am working on for the Fall Needlework Market.

(. . . so yes!. . . it will be charted & a pattern will be available later this summer!)

While a was putting in the last section of stitches in this design,

 my mind was spinning with ideas for some new designs. . .

. . . what a fun journey this is!

For those who have been asking. . . yes, I am still designing quilts! In fact, I have two new designs waiting to be quilted, & one pattern due back from the printers at the beginning of next week.

My goal is to have that design ready for PDF download over the weekend as well. . .

. . . so no worries. . . I still love quilts & designing them!!!

What I am taking a little break from - is designing fabric. I do plan to do it again, when the time is right.

Hoping you have a wonderful week, filled with some great finishes. . . & some fun exciting new 'starts'!

♥ Bren

… blessing in disguise

This morning. . . I awoke to hearing a *peck-peck-peck* outside,

. . . then the doorbell started to ring . . . but never finished.

When I got up to see if anyone was at the front door (nope), I realized that the fans were all off, & that there was no electricity.
At first I thought that a woodpecker might have pecked through something it shouldn't have. . . but, it turns out it was the whole north side of town that lost power, so I decided to make the best of it.

We have had some wonderful spring weather, & each morning I have been opening up the windows & sliders, & in the mornings I have enjoyed the fresh air through out the house. (They get closed up in the afternoon when the temps have been getting a little too warm.) 

But, what I hadn't done yet - was to spend much time outside in the mornings. . . & that changed today.

(I usually turn on a morning show while I get started on emails &/or planning the day.)

But, today. . . I decided to pour myself a cup of coffee (thankfully, it came on automatically earlier), & I took it, my stitchery, & my little buddy to the table on back porch, & had such a lovely time! Dad even came out with his bowl of cereal & joined us for a bit.

It was so peaceful & was a wonderful way to start the day.

I do believe that I will be starting many more mornings this way. . . !

. . . & while we were out there the funniest thing happened. . . the doorbell finished it's ring...

... yep, the power came back on.) It was the perfect ending to a wonderful start of the day.

Now. . . (this afternoon) I've been back getting some graphic work done on the computer, & I'm (obviously) able to publish this post. . . but thinking about having to 'do without' has made me rethink the *need* to have access to electronics at all times. . .

I'm thinking that it is a wonderful thing. . . but not to the point that it controls my day (& my attention!).

I've thankful for the wake-up call. . . & for this blessing in disguise.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

♥ Bren

... keeping busy

Took a little trip to Texas for a wonderfully fun surprise birthday party for my Aunt Trudy. A whole bunch of my cousins 'descended' on the cute little town of Lampases where we all celebrated her 90th birthday. My Aunt Trudy is the only living sibling of my Mom's family... & there were 10 kids in their family! It was a lovely time, & I was reminded what a great bunch of cousins I have. We took up two rows of pews at church, & it I couldn't help but smile as we all sang together. (All of my cousins have amazing voices...!) I know that my Mom & her brothers & sisters were looking down on us, so pleased that we were all together. (& I know it won't be the last time!)

Beside's navigating airports (with Dad too), I've also gotten some stitching done. Although I'm not prepping for Quilt Market (not going), I have been 'teaching' a wool club at a local quilt shop, The Quilt Basket (one of the new Top Ten Shops in the latest Quilt Sampler!), & in May we are starting a new design, 'Tavern House' by Maggie Bonanomi. (I love this design!) I am doing mine on linen (the original is on black wool). Also, I've started the borders for the embroidery version of a new quilt that will (hopefully) be released by the end of May.

(I tried to post the photos first - but I couldn't figure out how... This is my first time posting with 'Blogger for iPad'. For those of you who use it... any tips are welcome!)

I'm thinking that these... as well as the cross stitch designs I'm working on... should keep me plenty busy... for now at least!

Hope you have a great week!

xo, Bren

… a little business news... a little inspiration . . .

First. . . just a little announcement that the 'Spring Sale' on the website - will be ending tomorrow. I decided to keep it going until just after the 15th. So, for those who haven't already. . .  be sure to check it out! (25% & more off patterns & books!)

How fun it was to hear from so many of you that have had (or still have)
a little Kenmore too! I've got to say, that mine really 'stepped up to the plate' (baseball term) for me! I've fallen a little in love with it again.
It's gotten a good overall 'oil-ing' & I do believe it gave a little sigh of relief when I finished putting oil in the about 20 places that the manual showed(!)

The good news is - is that the Bernina is also now happy & healthy. Although it was pretty scary, it was only that there was a lot of lint & 'fluff' that clogged up the 'drive shaft' (?) underneath the motor (where you can't get to), & the motor just decided "no more' until it got a thorough & proper cleaning. I'm really good about cleaning & blowing out (with canned air) the lint  that I can see after every bobbin change, & putting the little dots of oil on the bobbin case, but as I was talking about what had happened with the Bernina folks - I realized that this past year, I did some sewing with flannels as well & they can really add to the 'lint factor'. I loved using them & want to again - it's just a good lesson to factor that into my cleaning schedule.

So for now all the sewing machines are 'happy campers'. . . including this 'sewing machine'!. . . or should I say 'stitching machine'!?! I've been (happily) stitching away at some new projects. . . 
here's a couple of little peeks. . .

(do they look familiar?)

I'll be honest. . . it's been hard for me to put them down! I've had so much fun!

But. . . there are a couple of quilt patterns that are waiting to be completed & so I'm putting myself on a 'stitching' schedule'. Otherwise, I would spend the whole days doing nothing else!

Now, to hopefully start you week off with a smile (& a little sigh). . . I wanted to share this with you. 

I get emails from a video site that has inspirational videos & they are so nice to watch from time to time in the midst of the things that normally make the 'news'.  This video is from an Australian version of 'The Voice' (we have an American version here as well). The premise of the show is that there are four 'coaches' (who are in the music industry & often celebrities) who's goal it is to create a 'team' of singers - that will go on to compete. (I'm not good at watching these shows - I get to nervous & the 'competition' part of it isn't my favorite.) But, for this show - the singers 'audition' without the coaches knowing anything about them - or even seeing them - (their chairs are turned around so they cant see the stage). This way, the  singer's 'Voice' is what the 'coaches' base their decision as to whether they want to have the singer on their 'team'. The fun part is that if more than one of the coaches choose a singer - that singer gets to pick who's team they want to be on. . . the tables are turned & the coaches do their best to get the singer to pick them(!)

Anyway. . . the young man in this video is incredible. . . & I admit that I have watched it over & over. . . it's that good. I keep finding little details that make it more & more wonderful. . . (watch the 'coaches' faces when they first hear him!)

 I hope it adds a little inspiration to start off your week! (& I dare you not to smile!)

A MIRACLE Happens When This Teen Bullied for His Stutter Sings from theremix on GodTube.

(I can't wait until he releases a cd!. . .)

 ♥ Bren

… memories. . . old ones & new ones

Whew!. . . what a busy week this has been!

As I was finishing the quilting for the 'Remember 'Whooo' Loves You' quilt for my newest little grand-nephew, my trusty Bernina died.

. . . out of the blue.

. . . no warning.

I was quilting along one minute & the next *poof* . . .  & nothing.

At first I thought that maybe the foot pedal cord had come loose, but nope.

After checking everything & anything it could be - I gave up. It would have to be taken in to the Bernina doctor. 

In my desperation to finish my quilting (as I only had one more day to finish the quilt!), I went out into the garage where I've stored the first sewing machine I ever owned, a Kenmore that I bought with $99 of my high school graduation gift-money.

Bless it's little sewing machine heart. . . even after about 10 years of being stored, it worked wonderfully. I un-earthed the free-motion foot I had for it & we finished up the quilting with no problems. (For the baby quilts - I simply quilt an allover cloud/popcorn design. . . one that withstands a lot of washing.)

But. . . just to show my appreciation to my little Kenmore - I pulled out the manual & I'm going to give it an all over oiling. It didn't give me any problems while we were sewing, but I thought that after having to live in the garage where the temps get really (really) hot in the summer. . . it deserves it.

I actually loved using it again. It brought back so many memories, & using it was like riding a bike. I remembered right way how it was threaded, & the differences with it & my Bernina. So, for now, (& maybe longer - depending on what the diagnosis is for my Bernina),  it will have it's well earned place on my sewing table. It's such a little trouper!

(. . . if only it had a buttonhole stitch!)

The quilt did get finished, washed & I carried it onto the plane on Wednesday, when Dad & I flew over to San Diego to meet Samuel (or as his brother call him - Baby Sam).

It was a long, but wonderful day (we flew home late that evening), & now little Samuel is also wrapped in memory of the loving arms of my Mom. (you can read about that here.)

The last photo is of my Dad & three of his four great-grandkids. (He's holding Samuel.)

What I love about that photo is that both of the other 'grands' had "foodie's" all over their hands (buttered biscuit on one & grapefruit on the other's). . . & they both grabbed onto Dad's trouser legs for this photo. :o) They did it so fast & at the same time, so there was nothing we could do but giggle!

Great memories.

Hope your weekend brings you some precious memories too.

♥ Bren