… a little progress

Things have been moving along in the studio. . . (& gosh. . . when the deadlines are tight. . . I just have to say how much I love machine applique!)

Here are a few little peeks of a new design that I'm making from 'Celebration'. It will be in three different sizes. . . & it's called 'Around the Corner'. I still have one (the largest one) of the sizes to make. . . but it goes together so quickly, I'm sure the final one will be done in no time. . .

. . . but that time will have to wait a few days - as I'm in pattern writing mode. . . Actually - I'm making myself sit down & get the patterns written (!). I'm being very strict with myself & until I'm all caught up on the pattern writing. . . I don't get to start any new projects! (That will certainly get the patterns written - as I have more ideas than time - & I can't wait to get back into the studio!)

I've been working on my laptop. . . in my bedroom. . . on the bed (. . . because, if I'm going to have to write patterns. . . I'm going to be certain that I'm comfy all the while!) Then - over the weekend - on my way to the office to get something - this is what I came across. . . & after my last post - I thought it might make you smile - like it did me. . .

. . . there's Bailey - at his post!

. . . at least someone's getting to spend time in the studio!

… it's that time. . .

Yep. . . it's that time. . . when I'm keeping really, really busy in the studio, & Bailey spends much of the day like this.

(Personally - I'm in awe. . . as I would not be able to move if I stayed in this position for any amount of time!)

But, Bailey is a good trooper. . . He hangs in there while the sewing machine buzzes & I spend hours upon end at the computer - writing directions down. . .

He's got his 'spot' (on a pillow covered with one of 'his' quilts on the arm of the slip-covered chair)

Even if the sliding door to the backyard is left open a bit for him. . . just in case he wants to go outside. . .

This is how he would rather spend the day. . . 'thinking' about going out. . .

But nope. . . this one is quite content. . . hanging out. . . no complaints. . .

Nope. . . no complaints.

After all it's so much better than what could be happening. . . .

. . . This!

Things are really busy here in the studio, so I apologize if my postings are a little slim. . . I'll do my best & will give you some peeks (whenever I have them!)!

Hope you have some relaxing moments of your own to enjoy!

xo, Bren

… catching up

Whew! . . . what a busy, busy week!

But I know that I'm not alone - as there are barely over six weeks before Fall Quilt Market - most all of the designers & manufactures who are getting things ready for Market. . . are in the midst of what we "lovingly" refer to as 'crunch time'. For me what that means is that sewing, stitching, binding, writing, creating layouts, & more of the same - are what will fill each & every day for the next six weeks. . .

Then there's the last three days before leaving for Market. . . when there's no time to finish anything new. . . but then the reality of packing my suitcase & the panic of, "what am I going to wear?". . . This usually leads to at least one or two trips to my local J.Jill store (my favorite!!!) & then a sigh of relief. For me - there actually comes a time - about a week before Market - when I really look forward just to getting to Market. . . because it feels like that will be easier & much more relaxing than preparing for it!

But for today. . . after a week of deadlines & meetings. . . I need to spend at least a little time in my laundry room. I can get by with t-shirts & shorts around the house & the studio. . . but I'm about at the point that I will run out of those pretty soon!

So while I'm there. . . I figure today is a good day to get through all the towels, bath rugs . . . & anything else I can find that needs a good run through the wash cycle! The best part of doing laundry is that I can get some stitching done in-between cycles. . . (a win-win in my book!)

. . . & maybe. . . I may just go find that latest J.Jill catalog. . .

. . . just in case!

xo, Bren

… peekin' time!

These photos have been sitting in a file on my computer for over a week now. . . so I suppose it's time I get them posted. . . & give you a little (well. . . a big one really) sneak peek of my new design called, "Cottage Sweet Home".

It's made of mostly fabrics from Bonnie & Camille's wonderful line for Moda - 'Simple Abundance', with a few fabrics from my stash thrown in. You'll notice. . . my use of 'Simple Abundance' will look quite a but different than most other's . . . once I saw those softer colors in the line - the warm peachy pink, the yellow, the beautiful blue & all of them in the great stripe in the line. . . I knew they were the fabrics for this quilt!

I've wanted to do this bicycle for the longest time! It's been spinning around in my little brain for a couple of years now! (I did some fussy-cutting with a little Lecien floral for the flowers in the basket.

. . . & of course, there had to be an acorn in there somewhere!

Here's the front door/stoop. (I'm a sucker for gingerbread detail on houses & cottages!)

I also have a love for adirondack chairs. . . this one has a little 'stuffed' pillow. . . for comfort of course! (I added some batting under the pillow appliqué, & my quilter will add some 'fold lines' with her quilting & then hopefully the chair pillow will look extra comfy!)

Of course there is some embroidery. . . just for fun! . . .

. . . But I also think that embroidery can add such wonderful details. . .

You've seen the window & window box before. . . & here's the little birdhouse too. . .

. . . & here's the whole "kit & caboodle" (as my Mom used to say!). . . with the little picket fence border. . . just before the quilt tops final pressing & then it was off to Nubin! (my wonderful quilter!)

I can't wait to see what she does with it!

Today I'm in the studio. . . playing with my own fabrics! I actually cut into them yesterday morning. . . (eeek!) . . . & had a little over 100 half square triangles before I went to bed. . .

I don't think I've ever enjoyed making half square triangles (trimming & everything) - as I did yesterday!

:o)

xo, Bren

. . . a date with Dad

When your Dad reaches 81 years . . . it can get harder & harder to find. . . just the right gift. Especially for Father's Day. There have been countless ties, books, crafted projects, (& for me quilts too). . . So what's a daughter to do? It's can get a little difficult!

So last spring, after he had seen something on TV, my Dad mentioned to me about the 'Freedom Concerts' & how all proceeds were going to the 'Freedom Alliance' - for scholarships for the sons & daughters of service members killed in action . . . & then when he said, "I'd like to go to that sometime", - I got online & found that they were going to coming to Phoenix, AZ in early August.

That was it. . . ! It was perfect! So it became my 'Father's Day' present for my Dad, & a "date" for us. It's about a 2 hour drive to Phoenix from were we live - but it was worth it. There were some precious memories made that I will never, ever forget.

It was a wonderful concert - focusing on what is so precious to us. . . not only celebrating the precious gift of freedom that we have - but more so the men & women & their families that sacrifice & make it all possible. There were a lot of performers - who were all great - Lee Greenwoood, Charlie Daniels, Rich Little (who has only gotten better & better - & was so very funny with his impressions), & Billy Ray Cyrus. . . but . . . by far my favorite (& the crowds too) performer was Michael W. Smith.

Michael - just seemed to really bring it all home. He sang songs that touched everyone's hearts, & he moved the audience to tears. He talked about how just before the concert, he had met the family (The Daggetts) of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan a little over a year ago & he found them in the audience & dedicated his song 'How to Say Goodbye' to them.

Hardly a dry eye in the arena. . . & after he finished - something amazing happened. The entire audience - almost quietly clapping - slowly stood & faced the Daggett family - as if to express love & say, "thank you". It was something I've never experienced at a concert. It was humbling, & made us all so very aware of the price of what we take for granted.

For his final song, Michael W. Smith performed a song that he wrote soon after Sept. 11, 2001. It is called 'She Stands', & I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch & listen to this wonderful song here.

The audience was so moved that when Michael W. Smith left the stage. . . the audience called for him to come back for an encore. Seriously. . . he could have performed for the rest of the evening & I think everyone would have been just as happy.

For the encore (which he clearly wasn't prepared for. . .) he sang a little medley of some of his songs, & then had the audience sing with him - first his song 'Friends', then 'America the Beautiful', & then "Amazing Grace". The crowd got out their cell phones (because lighters are no longer allowed in arenas!) & lit up the arena.

It felt a bit magical. . . & very moving. . .

. . . but most special for me was getting to spend this time, sing the songs, shed the tears, & gather these memories with my Dad.

So go. . . have a wonderful day . . . but remember all that is precious to you. . . & give someone you love a hug & let them know how much they mean to you. . . It's so very much worth it.

xo, Bren

… little penny woolies

Remember these?

If you were one of the (few) folks who could get my older blog to open (I did it through iWeb. . . & the majority of PC's seemed to refused to open it . . .) - then you might just remember seeing these little penny woolies. . .

To be honest. . . it has been one of those projects that I started. . . um. . . about . . . two years (!) ago. . . & although I knew I would use them, I honestly had no idea what I would be using them for. . .

. . . until now.

Finally these little cuties are finding their home in a very special project. . . one that will be published next spring. And, since it's a bit of a secret for now. . . this is about all I can show. But, it's one of the things that I'm spending my weekend finishing up. . .

Hope you have a weekend filled with sweet things!

xo, Bren

… the gang's all here!

Lookie. . . !

. . . come into the studio . . & see what's here!

. . . that's right! The rest of my 'Celebration' fabrics arrived! (. . . que the sound of pitter-pattering of my feet doing a happy dance!)

Lecien was having the mill do a reprint of the stripes & gingham print that I have in the line. . . They wanted to be sure it was just right, & I have to say. . . the wait was worth it! They (Lecien) are so wonderful. . . as I love all they have done to make this line (my first one!) all I dreamed it would be.

It has six colorways. . . a creamy white, yellow, pink, lt. green, a soft aqua blue, & a soft red.

Here's the creamy white, pink, & greens. . .

. . . & here's the yellow, soft aqua, & reds. . .

. . . & this one. . . I know it may sound a little, well. . . weird, . . . although I love them all, this is the piece that made my heart skip a beat. It's a simple cream & white gingham - but I've wanted to have such a fabric for such a long time - & now it's in my line! It's perfect for backgrounds & for applique & for stitchery. . . I'm planning to get bolts & bolts of it!

Here's a little better peek at the prints . . .

I have to admit - that once they were all together on my cutting table . . . once I had the actual yardage of what had been only in bit's & pieces & in my heart & head. . . I got pretty teary-eyed. I think it's really true. . . that the best things are worth waiting for.

So you know where I'll be! I have a little project to finish for a magazine. . . & then. . .

. . . I'm diving in!

(p.s. Thanks to everyone in my first 'peek post' - for all the 'fabric love.' . . & to all - I promise that this will be the last 'Celebration' gushing post. . . (but I just couldn't help myself. . . now that they're all here!))

xo, Bren

… quality control

The other day, I went with Dad to get him an additional mattress pad, as he has been getting achy joints that are keeping him from sound sleeps. He had slept on one of these foam additions & loved it (& slept!) - so that was our mission. . . to find one at Bed Bath & Beyond. . . (with our coupon - of course!) :o)

We found it with no problem. . . spent way too much time getting lost in looking at all sorts of things. . . (that always seems to happen at BB&B) - but made it out (with only what we came for) & then stopped at our favorite. . . 'Frost' on the way home. (There seems to be this huge magnet inside that shoppe - that gets us almost every time!) :o)

Once we got it home - the instructions said to let it "air" for an hour or so. . . (it wasn't stinky - just for the foam to expand after being squished in the bag). . . & as soon as we laid it out on the bed. . . here came the self appointed "quality control". 'er, "personnel", testing to be sure it was okay. . .

Once he was satisfied that one corner was satisfactory. . . he moved to another corner. . .

. . . you know. . . just to be sure.

Seriously, he's one terrific quality control "expert".

. . . We're so lucky!

xo, Bren

… last day!

Just a reminder. . . that today is the last day of July . . . & that means the last day of our big sale over on the website! We wanted to say a big THANK YOU! - so we have marked down all patterns & books 30-40% off! . . . but it ends today!

We've been kept pretty darn busy this month. . . (thank you!). . . & we'll be happy to stay busy today - sending you your order!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

xo, Bren

… getting there!

Here's one more little peek before I disappear into the world of pattern finishing & writing. . .(!)

A few days ago. . . I was 'trying' to fall asleep - but couldn't because I was trying to figure out what I was going to use for the flowers for my flower box. . . Then I remembered one of the prints in the 'Simple Abundance' fabric line that I'm using, & I actually got out of bed & went back into the studio. (. . . I mean, I might as well have. . . I wouldn't have gotten asleep anyway until I checked out my idea. . .) There I pulled out the flower print. . . & ta-da!. . . the flowers on it were perfect for my flower box! So there & then, I got out the scissors & cut around the flowers. . . & once done, I was able to go back to bed & I slept like a baby the rest of the night! (Thanks Bonnie & Camille!)

There's still a bit of embroidery to finish them off. . . but here's the peek of the window & flower box blocks. . . ready for their spot in the new design. . .

Hope you have a great week!

xo, Bren