… '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

. . . 'a little fall of rain'

Although it might not thrill many. . . this is such a welcome sight for us here in Arizona. . . & for the last week, this has been the view outside the windows. . .

. . . ahhh rain!

We have been blessed with our summer rains & it's been to nice to have them as a part of the hot summer days. . . they cool things off. . . & it's actually kind of funny, how we get a little giddy when the clouds build up on the sky, carrying with them the hope of showers.

The rainy afternoons have meant a lot of time for stitching & although I've got several new designs in the works. . . none are at the stage of peeks. . . just yet (close though!). I have also been making lots (& lots) of hexies. . . & will take some peek-y photos for you today. I'm having so much fun with them. . . & now understand how addictive they are!

Well. . . I'd best get to my errands for the day. . . things are pretty empty in the refrigerator & pantry & if I'm going to get to the market. . . I'd better go before my hexies start calling my name!

Hope you have a wonderful week!

♥ Bren

… the summer sun. . .

. . . is providing the warmth & coaxing all the flowering plants in the garden to put on such a pretty show for us. . .

This is one of my favorites - one of the Crepe Myrtle's (this one a tree) that we have in the backyard. I love how delicate & yet sturdy this plant is. . . it hangs in there - even when the sun is beating down on it & the temps are in the 3-digits for days-on-end. It just takes it all, thrives, & looks beautiful. . .

Right behind this Crepe Myrtle, is the tall wall where the Cat's Claw vines are putting on their summer show. . . the yellow is so pretty behind the pink of the Crepe Myrtle blooms. (It's called Cat's Claw because these vines seem to grab (& hold!)onto anything! These are planted at the base of these 12 ft. walls. . . & they had grown to the top & flourished within the second year they were planted.)

. . . & while we've had plenty of summer sun. . . we got a little taste of a bit of rain early the other morning. I remember waking up - ever so slightly - & hearing it hitting the window (. . . before I fell back asleep almost immediately!) . . . It sounded so good, as we (& all of Arizona) need to get our summer rains so very badly. We have been in triple digits temperature-wise for well over a week & it's been so very dry for such a long time, but it's looking very promising that we might get rain on Sunday & Monday. (yea!) I'm thinking that we won't even mind if we don't have fireworks on the Fourth - if it is because we are getting rain!

Here at home, (. . . inside. . . with the air conditioning running!), Dad is doing pretty well after his surgery. (Thank you to those of you who checked up on him!) At the hospital, when the surgeon came out to talk with me after the surgery - he told me it was a little more involved than he first thought. . . but that Dad did well. They then had a bit of a complication with him in recovery - managing his pain, but in the long run I think it worked out for the best, because he's not trying to over-do here at home. I'm thinking he doesn't want to go back to the pain level he had. Bailey has been 'on watch' with him. . . where he is always laying nearby him. . . just so he can keep watch.

Design wise, I've got two quilts at the quilter & my days have been spent at the design table writing up the directions & making hexagons. . . (lot's & lots of hexies!. . . I love them & they are soooo addicting!). . . & new stitcheries. Can't beat that for a way to spend the day!

Hope you have a wonderful & safe celebration of the Fourth of July!

♥  Bren

. . . summer is definitely here. . .

. . . & we have the temperatures to prove it (. . .108° F yesterday & it's supposed to "cool" down to 107° today. (Thank you to our weatherman for 'trying' to make us feel cooler!))

Bailey also has his summer haircut. . . which means shorter ears & everything cropped a wee bit shorter. He got his trim last week & he is quite happy to have less fluff for dealing with these warmer days. Here he is on one of his lookout spots. . . on one of the chairs at the edge of my studio, where he can see out a set of sliding glass doors to the backyard . . . (must keep track of the birdies & bunnies!) When it's this hot. . . we make sure we get a good walk started no later than 6 am (before the heat of the sun rising over the mountains hits) . . . & then he rotates his posts from this chair, one in the living room, & sometimes spread out on the wood floor (it's the coolest spot) after he's been outside for a 'business meeting'.

Summer officially started on June 21st (a day I always remember, as it was Mom's birthday), but we can 'feel' summer here around the middle of May. We have been surrounded by some awful wildfires here. . . so we are praying that the monsoons (our summer rains) come soon. . . we need rain so very badly!

I've been keeping busy with several new projects. . . (& you've been keeping me quite busy with the tag sale & pattern. book sale on the website!. . . Thank you!) . . . Just to let you know. . . I've just added two sample quilts for sale (. . . It's amazing what you find when you clean sweep though everything in the closets!). Both are the 'Meadow' quilt, one version done in 30's repro fabrics, & one done in moda's Mistletoe Manor fabric line. You can find them here. Here's a little peek:

Tomorrow, I will be taking Dad to the hospital, where he is having to have some surgery. It's not considered 'major' surgery, but they do have to do general anesthesia, & that gets a bit more worrisome now that he's 83 (. . . or 83½, as he says!).  Hopefully he will get to come home at the end of the day (we go in at 8:30 am) & so I'll be 'nurse' for the next few days. . . (or as I tell him. . . I get to  take care of him & boss him around!) :o)

Hope you are having a sweet start to your summer!

♥ Bren

. . . Daddy

(Dad letting me "help" plant in the backyard garden.)

No matter how many years go by. . .

. . . he will always be my 'Daddy'

Happy Father's Day, Dad. . . 

Oh, how I do love you!

xoxoxo 

♥ Bren