'spring'-ing back

Hi folks.

Firstly, thank you for all the sweet emails asking about how we were.

We (Dad, Bailey & I)  are fine. . .

. . . I'm just flunking at blogging lately!

Lots going on. . .

So. . . let's see if I can do a bit of a run-down. (It may be a bit random!)

. . . I've been trying to figure out what season we are in. We had freezing temps last week while the rest of the country was warm. . . but this week, it's looking more like late March here in Arizona. (Although, I have seen it snow in April here. . . so who knows!)

. . . I have though, pulled out spring looking quilts & some spring-y accessories for around the house. . . so regardless of what the temps are. . . I'm having spring inside!

. . . I've finally finished my blocks for my 'Aunt Millie's Garden' quilt (by Piece-O-Cake).

. . . I've only been working on them for the past 2 years with my Monday night quilting buddies. . . thought it would take about a year! lol!

(We'll have to see how long it takes to actually finish the quilt top!)

(those are the blocks in the right side of the photo below.)

. . . I've been subbing (a lot!) at the school that I used to teach at. . . (& I'm finding that I'm loving it!) . . . Wow. I have really missed the kids. 

. . . That makes for some interesting days, as sometimes I don't know that I'm subbing until early that morning! (. . . but it's helping me be more spontaneous!)

New designs coming really soon!. . .

. . . got the covers back from the printer for the first quilt for a new quilt pattern collection, . . . got the second quilt design in the new pattern collection back from Nubin (my quilter) & I'm sewing on the binding (love that part!), & have another surprise stitchery pattern at the printers. . .

. . . so my hope is that there will bunches of peeks next week!

. . . my sweet brother, Scott,  & his wonderful wife, Jodi, are arriving tomorrow for a visit. . . & I can't wait to see them (!). I've scheduled a pedicure for Jodi & I on Thursday morning so that we can have some 'girl' time. . . & so that I can get all caught up on the wedding plans for their two daughters later this year. . . (!)

. . . & did I mention that I'm making two wedding quilts? I've got one started & the other is in my sketchbook & I'm in the collecting fabrics stage. . . but I'm loving it all!

So. . . that's some of  the latest for what's up around here.

. . . now, I've got to make sure the guest room as all ready!  :o)

Hope it's spring-y where you are! (. . . or will be soon!)

♥ Bren

… home fires. . .

. . . *now* there are home fires back in the fireplaces

for the little home on the sampler stitchery.

. . . I went back & added the wisps of smoke. . . & now she is complete. . .

(. . . well the stitches at least!)

(makes me think I should take a casual photo of all my designs 

before I 'proclaim' them "done".

. . . it's amazing what pops up in a photo that you don't catch

. . . even when it's right in front of you!)

♥ Bren

… keepin' busy

Firstly. . . thank you so much for your response to the latest entries to the tag sale!

Wowie folks!. . . you kept me busy this past week!

(. . . but really. . . I didn't mind!)

Between the tag sale, & a bunch of donations. . .

the studio is looking so much better & dare I say it. . . airy!

(I'm trying to hold back the desire to fill any newly empty spots on the shelves. . .!)

I've been working on finishing a new pattern that should be out in a week or so. . .

It will be first of a series, or collection of designs that I'm so excited about(!)

. . . but I'll wait until the covers are back from the printer for the release.

In between finishing the writing of the directions for the new pattern,

I've been working on some fun little quilts from Jo Morton's - Jo's Little Women Club.

I've just joined a group last month. . . & while they are actually doing last year grouping. . .

I'm having a ball. (!) I'll give you some peeks soon.

I've also been stitching this. . .

It's the stitchery version of 'By My Hand'.

It has been so soothing to sit & stitch on this! I chose to work in one color, & I think that added to the ease of stitching

. . . no thinking about needing to change colors

. . . simply stitching until the floss strand became to short & I simply unwound the next length, & kept on stitching!

(Oh my!. . . I just realized I forgot to add the little wisps of smoke coming from the chimneys! oops!. . . now where's my hoop?!)

I had promised some folks that there would be a stitchery version. . .

. . . So I will be getting this into pattern form for you asap.

. . . Dad is gone to San Diego this week. . . so it's gonna be me & Bailey holding down the fort this week. . . & I'm going to *try* to resist staying & working  in my jammies all day long! (so far - so good). . .

. . . but we'll see.

. . . kind tough when I've got this face wanting to snuggle all day. . .

For today, it's movies on the tv

. . . an order (or three now!) to get ready to ship 

. . . some Athill Range fabrics to play with (for #3 of the new series/collection)

. . . & some appliqué blocks to lay out. . . (just for fun!)

Sounds like a good day to me!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

♥ Bren

… a quick little 'heads-up'

Lots of things going on here. . .

. . . some website changes are in the plans to be happening in the next month. . .

. . . & so to get ready for it. . .

. .  I've been going through (again) the studio & I've made some tough (!) decisions & I've loaded a bunch of things on the 'tag sale' page on the website. 

(8 pages worth!)

More later. . . but I just wanted to give you the first peeks!

♥ Bren

… why I love to do what I do. . .

Right there. . .

right there in that adorable photo of cute little Ruby 

on her 'Remember 'Whooo' Loves You' quilt.

Ruby's grandma, Diane sent me this photo of her Ruby on the quilt she made. . . 

especially for her.

I love this.

Truly.

Not only seeing Ruby so tickled to be on her quilt. . .

but also the fact that her Grandma made her this quilt. . .

. . . & she used a quilt I designed to do that. . .

. . . To be a part of that is such a delight. . .

. . . & honestly, such an honor.

It looks like Diane used some of Joanna's Fig Tree fabrics for Ruby's quilt

(. . . & I so love Fig Tree's fabrics!. . . you should see my stash!)

I just wanted to share this little  bright spot in my day with you.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

♥ Bren

… putting your heart into it

If you've been a reader of my blog for a bit,

you will recognize the name 'Nubin'.

Nubin (her 'proper' name is Karolyn) is my quilter. . .

. . . but she is also my dear friend & one of the sweetest people I've ever met.

A few years ago, a couple of us (Nubin, our friend Susan, & I) thought it would be fun 

to make 'Aunt Millie's Garden' - by Piece 'O Cake Designs.

First we aimed to meet every other Monday evening. . . 

. . . & sometimes it was hit-or-miss. . .

 But now we are meeting pretty much every Monday evening.

(We love the mini retreat each week!)

So. . . fast forward a bit. . . 

. . . & Susan & I are still working on just getting our blocks done.

(. . . even though we each decided to make 9 of the 12 blocks)

. . . But, Nubin finished hers.

. . . oh my. . . did she ever finish hers!

To set the scene for this post. . . I must tell you that Nubin never. . . ever. . . does anything halfway.

. . . it's not in here genes. . .

She gives everything her very best . . . & then some.

So, when it came to putting this quilt together,

Nubin hand-dyed the background fabric. . . & the fabric for the sashing & outer border.

She picked bright fabrics, to reflect the busy, crazy way that life can be.

. . . then her imagination & her love of her family & friends took over.

Nubin decided that she would make a cute little 'lizard' to represent 

each of her immediate family (we do live in Arizona!). . .

. . . & then she added a birdie  to represent  people who mean a lot to her.

. . . the design became Nubin's work of 'heart'. . .

. . . She knew that she wanted to submit it to be in the quilt show for this year (2012),

. . . & even though there were a few times she wanted to give up on it. . .

. . . she never did.

(in fact she didn't leave anything out!)

Nubin was finishing the hanging sleeve just days before the quilt needed

to be turned in for the quilt show. . . but she did it.

It is a very special quilt. . . 

. . . it is a very bright & busy quilt (just like her life!). . .

. . . but it is a very special quilt to her. . .

& she wanted to share it.

(by the way. . . Nubin (a very mild-mannered, sweet lady) gave the quilt the name 

'Queen Mother Beast In Her Garden'

. . . after a fond, & funny, very hot afternoon 

working in the back yard with her family where they were laying some brick. 

Her husband wanted to be sure that Nubin didn't over-do 

& he made sure the boys kept the shade umbrella nearby - 

& they (lovingly) referred to her as 'Mother Beast'. . . 

& she corrected them - calling herself the Queen Mother Beast!)  :o)

So, now to the past week. . .

Late last week, Nubin got a call from the head of the quilt guild show

to let her know that a couple of her quilts had won blue ribbons!. .  (she also won many, many ribbons for her quilting on other people's quilts!)

. . . then before the lady let Nubin go. . . she told her that it was also her honor

to inform Nubin that the judges chose 'Queen Mother Beast In Her Garden'

as the 'Best In Show' quilt!

(insert happy dance here!)

Honestly. . . all those who know Nubin cried tears of joy.

For Nubin's work to be acknowledged this way is so perfect.

. . . & that it's for a quilt called 'Queen Mother Beast. . . .' is so wonderfully ironic. . .!

So,. . . now that I've told you the whole (& a wee bit long - sorry) story. . .

Here's my dear, sweet Nubin 

. . . shining next to the 'Queen Mother Beast in Her Garden'. . .

Here's the entire quilt (photos do not do the quilt justice!).

The two lizards circling the center block, are Nubin & her hubby. Bob)

Here's my dear, sweet Nubin . . 

a happy, happy girl! 

(& the 'Best of Show' ribbon behind her!)

. . . a close up of the lizard for Nubin. . . she put Swarsky crystals on each of the toes!

. . . a little bling for the 'Queen Mother Beast'!

(all of the lizards & birdies have beads/crystals for the eyes as well. . .

. . . the quilt actually sparkles as you walk by!)

 . . . & here's me! I'm the pink & green birdie!. . . just to the left of the right corner.

(. . . can't tell you how much that means to me!)

. . . & at the base of the quilt is the fountain, which reminds me of Nubin's home. . .

. . . a place that is open to everyone & where everyone is welcome.

So that's my Nubin. . . & her wonderful, amazing quilt.

I count myself to be very blessed to have watched her put her heart into this quilt.

. . . & I count myself blessed to have Nubin as such a dear friend!

All Hail the Queen Mother Beast!  ;o)  (hee- hee!)

♥ Bren

… just popping in. . .

Hi. . .

. . . I'm just popping in to let you know that my little quilt,

'By My Hand'

is on a little bit of a journey & if you are going to the Road to California quilt show this weekend. . . you can see it in person!

Jennifer at Shabby Fabrics will have 'By My Hand' on display in here booth (1304 & 1306) & she took with her bunches of patterns! But, if you would like to sign up for the block of the month that Jennifer is going to be doing with 'By My Hand'. . . you can do that there too! (You can also sign up online here.)

I know that Jennifer has ordered the fabrics that I used on my quilt. . . so if you would like for yours to look just like it. . . here's your chance!

I hope all of you going to 'Road' have a wonderful time. . .

(. . . & I think I need to plan to go next year. . . it looks like an amazing show!)

We also have a quilt show here at home this weekend. . . 

a lot smaller than 'Road'. . .

 but it's a wonderful show too! I used to do a booth there. . . but no longer. I just couldn't keep that up. . . 

I will be going to the show on Sunday. (. . . & I'll be taking photos of some very special friends who have some incredible quilts in the show.)

On Saturday, I'm going to help out at the quilt shop,

as our local quilt show brings in folks from Texas to Colorado to California too!

 So, it's probably going to be a wee bit busy! 

But it's always fun as everyone is so happy getting fabric & goodies for their projects.

Hope you have a great weekend!

♥ Bren

… my word for this year

I chose this word. . .

. . . weeks ago actually. . .

& even though I knew 

this was the word . . .

. . . & it repeatedly tugged on my heartstrings. . .

for some reason I felt the need to keep it to myself.

. . . But, in my heart

. . . with the events in my life 

in these first few weeks of the new year. . .

I know that I want to put it out there. . .

Because it's what I so utterly depend on. . .

. . . what I treasure in others. . .

. . . & what I strive for in my own thoughts & actions. . .

It's going to be a journey. . .

. . . but there's no other journey I would rather travel . . .

. . . than one filled with this.

♥ Bren

. . . still counting my blessings. . .

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; 

but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

I've yet to meet anyone this year that didn't feel like this past year was flying by.

They say the older you get. . . the faster the years go by. . .

. . .& mathematically - it does make sense. . .

(. . . the more years - the less proportionately each year is. . .)

. . . so I must be getting a lot older. . .

. . . .because I think that at the beginning of each month, 

it took me by surprise how fast the previous month had flown by.

But. . . time isn't something that you can 'save', 'turn back', or even 'lose'. . .

But, we do 'spend' it. . . it's an incredibly valuable treasure.

Time is always coming. . . always going. . . & always here.

(I love that concept. . . faith-wise - it can be an eye-opening concept!)

And, as we mark another year where all the time within it is closing. . .

I find myself focusing on the blessings that I have. . .

. . . right here in front of me.

. . . & those that are to come.

I love all of Corinthians, chapter 13. . . 

. . . but the last verse always helps me focus again

on what is really important.

faith . . . hope . . love.

Kinda says it all.

Some of the blessings that I'm also counting this week 

are the wonderful times that I got to share with Dad over Christmas.

More than one once, we had a 'date'. 

He made sure to ask if he could take me out to lunch, or coffee. . . 

Here he is at one of our lunch dates. . .

(one thing you need to know, is that Dad is famous for talking while a photo is taken. . . I can't even count all the photos I have - & he's talking. . .

. . . so when I caught him talking in the photo again. . . he didn't believe me. . . 

. . . so I showed him the photo. . .

. . . then finally. . .

there's my cute 'date'.

For Christmas day, we kept to our tradition, & went to the movies.

. . . & we saw this. . .

I mention this because I rarely see movies. . . 

. . . & even more rarely recommend them. . .

But, I think this is one of the best movies I have ever seen.

I'm mentioning this because I have heard some negative comments about it,

& honestly, I'm lost as to why. (. . . & honestly, after having to watch the crassness & violence in so many of the upcoming movie previews. . . this film is tame.)

I had heard about 'War Horse' as it has been a play on London's West End (theatre district) for the past few years (& on Broadway, as well) , & it was garnering much attention over how powerful it was.

I knew that the story was first written as a children's fiction novel & as the author (Michael Morpurgo) was doing research for the book, he met local British WW1 veterans & learned so much more about the role of horses in the war. . . & then found a moving way to tell the story through a boy & his horse.

Because I had heard about the intensity of the play that was made from the book, I did some research about the movie before suggesting to Dad that this be the movie we saw on Christmas day. (Also, as my Dad gets older - the more emotional he is about his war (Korea) experiences. . . 

& I wanted to be sure it wouldn't be too much for him.)

(Also, I do agree that for young children. . . it could be a bit too much for them 

(it's rated PG-13).)

I found several articles about the movie. . . it's making. . . & the heart behind it, 

& if you're not sure about it. . . I think knowing the history behind the story is good to know, & a good place to start is here. 

(also, to be reminded that for the film - no horses were hurt.)

I do admit. . . it's not a "feel-good" movie. . .

. . . but it is an epic story. . . & an epic film.

. . . a journey of  joy & sorrow, of friendship & in the midst of what seems like a hopeless situation. . . of incredible hope.

Yes. . . you will probably feel a tear or two or more running down your cheek. . . 

. . . & when you combine this incredible story. . .  Steven Spielberg directing. . . & a musical score by John Williams. . . then you get emotions of all kinds. . .

. . . but for all the right reasons.

So. . . I can recommend this movie. . . this story. . . with all my heart.

It is definitely 'time well spent'.

(but. . . do go prepared with some tissues. . . but it's worth it!)

So. . . there, now you have another perspective on this film. (. . . & yes, I'm hoping it gets all the 'best picture' awards!). . .

(. . . oh, . . . by-the-way. . . Dad is still thanking me for picking this movie. . .)

Faith,

Hope,

Love.

. . . it doesn't get better than this.

Wishing you a wonderful start to this new year,

 & days filled with all the things that matter most.

♥ Bren