… stitching weekend

This was me & a few friends this past weekend. . .

. . . & it was wonderful!!!

Once a month, for the past 6 months. a few of my quilting friends & I go up to Phoenix for a weekend to participate in a Jo Club in one of my favorite quilt shops - The Olde World Quilt Shop.

It's been so fun to be making the little projects, & to learn some new ways of creating & putting together quilt blocks.

We've all loved it. . . & it's been such a great get-away for each of us.

What makes it so great is that one of the ladies has a house in Phoenix as well (used to belong to her mother). . . & now she & her husband keep it for other family members to use, & so we all make a weekend retreat of it & stay there.

It's great. . . we all look forward to it each month!

(We're also planning to continue doing it all summer - even though the next Jo Club doesn't start up again until the fall!)

This last weekend was filled with lots of sewing (with a few little Featherweight sewing machines!), yummy meals (& desserts too!), & watching the first season of Downton Abbey (again!. . . My friend Susan had never seen the first season. . . so we 'sacrificed' (not!) & watched it again!) ;o) 

I was able to get almost halfway though making the 50 blocks for a wedding quilt that I'm working on. . . I also got to do some embroidery (yea!) & I got some binding sewn onto a new quilt design.

. . . but Susan was the champion at getting things done this weekend!

She had partially made over 250 of one of the 'Jo' blocks from this past club. . . & she powered through & got them all finished & trimmed & here's a peek at what her quilt will look like. . .

. . . Isn't it wonderful!

We were teasing her about why in the world was she making so many of the blocks. . .

. . . & then they started going up onto the design 'wall'.

. . . Oh my!   . . . I love it!!!

It's all made from scraps from her stash, & it has me so inspired to work so much more from my stash. . . hmmm. . .

So, that's what I've been up to. . . at least for the weekend.

Today, I'll be subbing in the art room again. . . getting my hands dirty!  :o)

Hope you have a wonderful day!

♥ Bren

… what goes around. . .

I remember having such a good time making my table cover quilt, Garden Windows. . .

. . . I (like many, many others) had fallen in love with Rouenneries a few years ago,

& now that French General & Moda has released Rouenneries Deux. . .

I'm in love all over again!

I just love the linens, creams & washed out reds. . .

So I've pulled out my table cover & it's going to grace the dining room table for this early summer. . .

(. . . & maybe then some!)

I'm off to sub again tomorrow. . . (back to my old classroom!)

Hope you have a great week!

♥  Bren

… that's my King!

I remember being in high school. . . in San Diego, California. . .

. . . our family went to a large church by San Diego State College (now University)

. . . & although we were very active at church, this one particular Sunday, Dad was very

excited about the guest speaker.

. . . He told us, he remembered when he first had moved to San Diego (1950's . . . just out of the Navy) leaving evening church early at the church they attend to go to a neighboring church in downtown San Diego to hear this man speak. . .

The pastor was the Dr. S.M. Lockridge, & I'd never seen my Dad so enthusiastic about a speaker (. . . outside of Rev. Billy Graham).

So, of course we went. . .

. . . & this man's incredible ability to put it out there. . . touched my heart. 


Still does.

. . . & as we celebrate the incredible happenings that this weekend calls us to remember,

 I want to share with you this incredible video . . .

. . . it's only a part of a very 'famous' sermon that Dr. Lockridge gave many times over, (called 'Seven Way king' - or better known as 'That's My King')

What an incredible weekend this is. . .

. . . what an incredible Savior.

. . . & yes, . . . that's my King!

(if you would like to see/hear the full video, you can find it here.)

• • • • •

For the Glory of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, 

He is the King of Kings & the Lord of Lords 

Do You Know Him?

The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews. He's the King of Israel. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King. I wonder...Do you know Him?

My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define his limitless love. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's Savior. He's the peak of civilization. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He's the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Savior. I wonder if you know Him today.

He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent, and He beautifies the meager. I wonder if you know Him.

He's the key to knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. Do you know Him?

Well, His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you. Yes, He's indescribable. He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your head. You can't outlive Him, and you can't live without Him.

Well, the Pharisees couldn't stand Him but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. I wonder if you know Him?

Rev S.M. Lockridge

Wishing you the blessings that this wonderful day celebrates!

He IS Risen!

♥ Bren

… you are my sunshine!

♪  ♫   you are my sunshine. . .

. . . my only sunshine. . . ♫  ♪

. . . you make me happy when skies are grey. . .

you'll never know dear, . . . how much I love you. . .

. . . please don't take my sunshine away. . .  ♪♫

Happy Birthday (6 years) to my little sunshine, Bailey!

(. . . also known as 'hey-Bai', fluffy-bump, & Prince Dingleberry)

Love you bunches . . .

& bunches of bunches!

(. . . you really are a little bit of sunshine. . .!)

love, Mom  ♥

… a wonderful way to spend a day!

What a pretty afternoon. . . yes?

. . . Yes!

This is how I spent an afternoon this past week

when I subbed for a middle school teacher.

This is a P.E. class of 6th graders. . . & they were such fun!

It was such a lovely afternoon, we ditched the gym to be outside. . .

. . . & those great kids played their heart out playing basketball. . .

. . . who won?

. . . who knows!

. . . honestly, they didn't really care

. . . they were such happy campers getting to run & play.

I had such fun just watching them! They made me laugh a lot!

In the past 5 school days. . . I've subbed 4 times. . .

. . . & I have to say. . .

I'm loving it. (really loving it.)

I've really missed being in the classroom . . . & I've really missed the kids.

Today I get to sub the art classes. . . in the room that used to be mine. . .

. . . sigh. . . great memories!

Hope you have a wonderful day too!

♥ Bren

'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