Welcome to little acorns blog!

faith, hope, & love

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 10:11:30 -0700

A few months ago, I was invited by Meg Hawkey (Crabapple Hill Studio) & one of her ‘girls’ - Cyndy to be a part of something that I think is wonderful. . . to make a quilt for the Susan G. Koman Foundation - for them to auction to raise funds for breast cancer research. Quilts, Inc. will also be involved with the quilt - but I know that Meg is planning to blog about the quilt - so I will leave the rest of the details for Meg to tell! I am just one of a bunch of designers that was asked to design & create a block - & I know that with Meg & her girls doing the setting & finishing for the quilt. . . it will be stunning.
My little block began when I received this package in the mail. . . (complete with a pretty note from Meg & a little scented soap!) Inside the pink tissue were a selections of pink, green, cream, & white (my favorite colors!) fabrics - for me to use in my block.

So, after some thinking & a few sketches, & then some stitching. . . here is my block -

I thought of what would mean the most to me - especially in the situation of dealing with cancer. . . & this was it. My prayer is that this little block will be one that would give encouragement & hope.
It sure was fun, & I am honored to be a part of this wonderful act of love.
Be sure to check Meg’s blog - to learn (& see) a lot more!

xo, Bren

Welcome . . . 2009

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 12:21:23 -0700

Just wanted to take a minute from my blogging break to pop in & wish you the best as we enter into this new year!
The welcoming of a new year always seems to bring with it the hope of new beginnings. . . but when you really think about it. . . that comes with each new day that we wake. And, even within each day. . . I often find that I need to ‘re-start’ . . sometimes several times!
So here’s to not only welcoming & celebrating this new year . . . but also welcoming & celebrating who you are, with the full knowledge that not one of us is perfect. But each of us have so much to offer. . . to bless with - if you will. That’s my prayer for this new year. . . No resolutions, promises, or grandiose plans.
But prayer. . . yes, lots of prayer.
On her blog, my friend, Jacquelyn, quoted some verses that have been on my mind for quite a while - & they are the perfect verses for me at the start of this new year . . . (& also every day!) They are from the book of Lamentations - from the Old Testament in the Bible :

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed.
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3: 22-23

Random. . . .

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:14:18 -0700

Well . . .
It’s came early in the day. . .
It didn’t really ‘stick’ around for very long. . .
But, yesterday. . .
It snowed!
We were under a winter storm warning - but really weren’t expecting anything. . . & then if anything - it was predicted it would happen in the afternoon. . . but it softly, quietly came yesterday morning. . .

I know it seems silly - when compared to what’s happening in the rest of the country . . .
But it sure did make us smile!
By the afternoon, all that remained at our elevation was some frosty spots. . . but you can see looking down our street - that the snow dusted the entire mountains (although it didn’t show up so well in the photo). At the top it’s a little over 9000 ft. - & that is actually about 2 feet of snow. . . there are just a lot of trees too! But it sure makes for some pretty scenery.

Inside - where it’s nice & warm. . . I’ve been busy with several projects & deadlines. . . all of which I can’t show. (I know. . . no fun.)
So. . . because I still need to get my ‘Quickbooks’ installed & up & running . . . (I’ve been saying that for the last two years. . . but even if I have to stay up for days. . . I’m going to do it this time!) . . .
. . .Tie-up some loose ends with ongoing projects. . .

. . . get ready for a quilt show . . .
. . . & hopefully breathe a little. . .
. . . I’m going to take a little blogging break. I hope that you make the most out these remaining days of 2008. I don’t think I can remember a year that went by so fast! (Oh!. . . that must say a lot about how old I’m getting! lol!)
So - you take care. . . I hope you will check back. I will be back. . . in not too long a time.
xo, Bren

this very precious season . . .

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:01:14 -0700

Wishing for you -
quilts to snuggle under . . .
memories that will last a lifetime. . .
just enough cookies & hot cocoa . . .
lot’s of laughter . . .
& quiet moments . . .
But most especially, a blessed holiday season.
xo, Bren . . .
. . . & Bailey too! (. . .Who is trying so hard to be ever so good!)

. . . more touches

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:59:12 -0700

Well . . . we didn’t get snow from the two storms that came through. . . but we got frost & chilly temps & snow on the mountains. The cookies are all baked, the shipping of presents done. . . & now it’s time to enjoy the reason for the season.
Here’s a little more of the touches of Christmas around the house. . .

Wishing for you - a wonderful weekend!

. . . a touch of Christmas

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:20:49 -0700

Yes. . . it’s finally happening. . . !
The decorations are up. . . . here in Arizona - the weather is wonderfully chilly (even cold!) . . . & I must say that it really does feel like Christmas is coming. . . We even are under a ‘Winter Storm Watch’ - that they tell us will be turning into a ‘WInter Storm Warning’ by tomorrow evening. The mountains will definitely get a few feet of snow . . & although we may get a dusting. . . I’m fine with the colder temperatures & getting to see snow the on the mountains that surround us. It makes it really feel like Christmastime! (I can’t tell you the number of Christmas mornings I have sighed in disappointment - because it was warm (in the 80’s) & sunny. . . & would keep repeating to myself, what I had heard so often. . . “Jesus wasn’t born in a snowstorm”. . . ) After living in Minnesota for about eight years - I loved the sight of snow. . . & even though I know it can be a pain, . . I do miss it. (Well . . . let me rephrase that. . . I miss it at Christmas . . . I don’t really miss the odd snowstorm in late March.)

Anyway. . . today. . . here. . . it’s wonderfully chilly. . . with the promise of snow (at least nearby!), & inside, we are staying nice & warm & snuggly. Today is a cookie baking day, & I’m thinking that a little bit of sewing will be happening too. . . all surrounded by wonderful twinkly lights (God bless the person who invented the strings of tiny white Christmas lights!), ornaments, Christmas songs on the radio, & vanilla - cranberry - & pine scented candles.

Even without snow in the yard. . . today my sighs are good ones. . . thankful ones. . . for this is the season of hope, & of promise. . .
I hope that. . . wherever you are. . . you are enjoying this holiday season!

‘Sprucing’ . . .

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:38:31 -0700

I have this wonderful oversized denim chair that is one of the first pieces of furniture I bought when I moved to Arizona (17+ years ago!), & even to this day - even though it is worn & has a couple of spots that won’t come out - I still love that chair. I guess I need to back-up a little & let you know that I worked in the interior & architectural design field for the first decade after I graduated with my design degree. . . & so for me - furniture shopping is not something I take lightly. . . I have to love it to buy it. . . & then - I keep the pieces I have. . . for a very long time. (In fact - even when I was a teenager - the gifts I got at “monumental” events (my 16th birthday & graduation) - were antique pieces that I have & treasure to this day!
So anyway, this old denim chair. . . it’s fabric - denim - has seen it’s day (in style & wearability!), but of course - to me it’s a keeper. I will have it re-upholstered. . . someday (along with a wing chair I got at about the same time. . .), but for now I thought a slip cover is a great ‘cover-up’ until then. So after looking for a slipcover I even liked. . . (told you. . . these things are a real process for me!). . . late this past summer I found one I really liked at Pottery Barn, & ordered it & had to wait a couple of months as it was backordered. . . ! When it did come. . . I was in the final stages of getting ready to leave for Fall Quilt Market. . . so there it sat in it’s package for another few weeks. But, when it came time to do a little Christmas decorating. . . the old denim chair (which is now sits at the edge of my studio - in a little sitting area between the studio & the kitchen) - was not going to cut it. . . so finally. . . it was time to tackle the slipcover!
I say “tackle” - because if you have ever put on a semi-generic slipcover (one not custom made for your piece of furniture) - there is quite a bit of finagalling (. . . okay wrestling!) of the slipcover to get it in place. It involves tucking, adjusting, more tucking, & more tucking, tweaking, & then. . . more adjusting & tucking. . . until you decide, “I can live with that.”
So it was with this slipcover - especially because the arms on my chair don’t come flush to the front - as the slipcover is designed for. . . & even though the directions talk about how this is a more ‘casual’ look & that the wrinkles in the twill fabric will rest & that it didn’t need ironing. . . I took one look at it - fresh out of the bag. . . & I headed straight for the ironing board. So after about 45 minutes of ironing the monster slipcover, I was ready. It wasn’t really that hard & I go by & keep tucking & tweaking it a little more every day. It is though - a much better (read: cleaner) looking chair & once the slip cover goes through the first wash. . . I know it will be an easier fit.
So for now. . . this is how the old blue denim chair looks - dressed up in it’s slipcover & a pillow I made with some wonderful vintage french linen. . . (& can you see the hint of Christmas decoration happening in the background. . . ?)

. . .But in reality of every day life. . . this is the chair (one of them. . . ) that Bailey ‘uses’ to ‘perch’. . . so this is really what it looks like most days!

Next. . . we’ll get to the photos of how we spruced up for Christmas!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Something new. . .

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 12:20:52 -0700

Just wanted to let you know that over on the website, we have started something new!
Every week or so - we will have an item that will be featured - & while that item is featured - it will be 25% off! We hope that this will be a little way that we can say thank you to all of our wonderful customers. (The featured item can be found at the bottom of the opening page.)
So . . . to start it all off. . . & to celebrate the season, we are featuring - what else but - ‘Winter Memories’ !
The first photo is the quilt on the pattern cover (featuring Moda’s ‘Peace on Earth’ line, & the second photo is the ‘Winter Memories’ quilt that my dear friend (& quilter), Nubin made . . . don’t you just love it! She used wool for several of the applique blocks. . . & I do love it! ( & Nubin is getting ready to teach ‘Winter Memories’ as a BOM at our local quilt shop starting this weekend!)

Thanks again to all of you who have been keeping us quite busy in the shipping department! We love it!

Finally . . .

Sat, 6 Dec 2008 13:00:10 -0700

Well. . . after much thinking about it (& going through about 20 or so paint chips) . . . & then talking about it . . . I finally finished my room painting.
. . . Well for now at least. Now I want to have the living/dining room painted. (Notice I said - have it painted . . . The ceilings go up to about 18 feet. . . & there’s no way I’m attempting that!)
But after painting the sitting room & my office last summer - & then getting so busy with shows & projects & deadlines. . . . I promised myself that I would finish the painting & paint my bedroom before the end of the year. So, after feeling like I had a bit of a carb overload from Thanksgiving, (read: I ate too much gravy & potatos! - my weakness!), I decided that the painting task would be a good way to burn a little of it off . . (as well as a great way to clean out the little piles in my bedroom!)
So here are a few of the before photos. . . . They’re a little embarrassing - because I purposefully chose one of the smaller rooms for my bedroom - & I like a cozy bedroom feel . . . But, I have not done a thing to it in the 8 years since the house was built. . . & although I like the white we picked (“Cottage White”) it does tend to get pretty (& not in a good way) bland after a few years.
So here are the bland “befores” (I forgot to get a photo before I started clearing things out . . . sorry . . . But I think you get the idea. . . b o r i n g.

And now. . . the after. . . (well, not the final after. . . there are still some more quilts to go up on the wall. . . .) But, I think you can see that it’s a much softer, cozier place. I chose my favorite color. . . a soft, soft green. It’s really calming & will pretty much go with anything I have.

. . . & lookie!. . . it just may be that in all the busy-ness. . . a few Christmas decorations have found their way out & found homes around the house too!

Early Christmas. . .

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 07:21:20 -0700

. . . That is exactly what it felt like when a package like this arrived at my doorstep! It happens every time. . . that tingly excitement. . . even if you think you know (& sometimes especially when you do know!) what is inside.
One of the ‘perks’ of designing is that some of the wonderful fabric companies send you samples of their fabric lines. . . & if there are some that you would like to use in new designs. . . they make them available for you. It’s a win-win situation - as we know that shops & quilters love to see what is new & how is can be used!

So, when I heard my UPS man toot his big brown truck’s horn (he now does this when he knows that it is something I might want him to bring in. . . meaning it’s kinda heavy. . .), I went to the door & there he was - with a smile on his face. When I saw the ‘moda’ logo on the box & squealed - he said, . . . “Its just like Christmas when you get these!”. He was so right!
So here’s what my ‘present’ held for me. . .

See what I mean?!
Sigh! . . it’s like fabric heaven . . right on my cutting table!

My plan is to release the new designs just before the lines become available in quilt shops. So these will become quilts & stitcheries & a couple other little projects between January & March. . .
. . . I’d better get busy!

Blessings:
1. Wonderfully generous fabric companies.
2. The fact that this is what I get to do. . . as a ‘job’!
Memories. . . that make me even more thankful.

“Bring on the holidays. . .”

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 06:41:23 -0700

. . . I’m taking that directly as a quote from Camille. . . When I read it - it really struck me. . . I love the way it embraces what can be such a busy time. . . & yet has that touch of reality that preparation is needed. . . Um. . . so I think that also means I need to go & get some decorations down from the attic space. I know that Anne has also started her decorating!
Well. . . maybe that will help me feel more like Christmas is coming. . . because it’s going to be in the 70’s here this week. . . so I’ll need something to help!. )Plus if I really feel like getting some winter-y-ness, I guess I could also get into my car & go here!)
Today is filled with making my new designs list (& prioritizing the projects) . . . a little stitchery . . . & a little trip to the market. Pretty simple day. . . & oh yea . . . & a little trip to the attic space. . . .
Oh. . . & for all those wondering . . . Yes, Bailey got plenty of that turkey. . . (& still is!) Believe me. . . he’s got his ‘Grandpa’ wrapped around his little paw - when it comes to treats. . . (!)

Blessings:
Getting to spend every day with my Dad in them.
Friends, in the quilt industry, who I can share things with & who know . . . & understand.
Bailey. (everything about him!)

There was turkey. . .

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:23:06 -0700

. . . & there was an assistant nearby to help. . .
. . . You know. . . just in case.

And then there were snuggles all around. . .

Oh! . . . & look what got finished? (Well. . the top at least!)

What really matters.

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:16:52 -0700

The other day, I did something that gave me such joy. I was honestly like a kid on Christmas morning. . . but it was even better.
I washed my quilts.

I know. . . huh? Washing quilts. I all but squealed with delight. (okay. . . may I actually did squeal. . . a little.)
A few weeks ago, I did a trunk show & talk for two of our local guilds & as I was unpacking my car - I realized that I was at the point where I have more quilts than I know what to do with, & I let them sit in their suitcases while I decided how I was going to store them. Then, as I got back to unpack them - I realized that after the first time I did Market (seven Markets ago!) - I quit washing my quilts before they were displayed in my booth. Somewhere - someone mentioned that they didn’t think they should be washed - & I took their advise.
But. . . honestly . . . to me. . . I think the process of washing a quilt. . . when the batting shrinks down a little - leaving the soft rumples of fabric form & letting it take on the characteristics of a soft squishy quilt. . . is really the final step of a quilt becoming. . . well. . . ‘real’. Kind of like the story of the Velveteen Rabbit.

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

So, as I unpacked the quilts as few days ago - I realized that they had never been washed & then. . . after several hours & five wash & dry cycles later. . . I was surrounded by stacks of wonderfully rumpled, soft quilts. . . & I fell in love with them even a little bit more. Even a couple of quilts - that didn’t turn out quite as I had imagined the design in my head. . . even those I fell in love with a little more!

Now I know that there are some in the quilting industry - that will never put their quilts through a wash & dry cycle (& honestly - there are some quilts that never should!) - but for me. . . this is what makes it. Seriously - there was some outright glee happening in my laundry room as I took each one out of the dryer. Somehow - I felt more connected to my Grandmas - who’s quilts (well worn & washed) I grew up with. . . & I was reminded that this is what I really love about quilting. I love the fact that something I design would actually become part of someone’s life, & would be used. . . & hopefully loved. This simple act of seeing them all rumply & soft meant so much.
It also reminded me of what really matters. . . & how blessed I am. Surrounded by my rumply washed quilts did it for me. I thought about my family - those near & far away & those who have gone, & how blessed I am with the stories & heritage that I have. I also thought about the fact that I am so blessed to be able to do what I love. . . & to actually make a living at it. It can be a lot of work sometimes - but I can still hardly believe that I get to go into my studio each day. . . & create.

I also thought of you. Yep. You. And, I want to be sure to take this opportunity to thank you for making that possible, & to thank you & let you know how much your comments & words of encouragement mean to me. (& even if you never leave a comment. . . I’m thankful for you too!) Thank you for stopping by. . . for taking time out of your day to read my postings (sometimes ramblings), & please know that my prayer for you this Thanksgiving. . . this wonderful day we have to stop & give thanks for our blessings . . . is that you will be surrounded by the things that give you joy. And. . . that we all will take the time to look around to find what really matters - because usually it’s already all around us!
Happy Thanksgiving!
xo, Bren

This weekend . . .

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:31:14 -0700

This morning is a wonderfully lazy Saturday morning, (not in the sleeping in department though . . . Bailey & I were up a little after 6).
As I write (8:30 am) - the sun is starting to pour over into the backyard & start the day’s warming. I can hear though, (about a block away) that the day is about to get a lot busier - as this is the day of ‘El Tour de Tucson’ - one of the largest bike races in the US. . . & the route travels all around & behind my house - about a block away. (The full race is 106 miles long - so it goes all over Tucson . . & way up north here - where I live.)
What that means is that basically I’m staying at home today - because to try & drive anywhere is all but impossible. It used to bug me - but now - I have learned to get all of my errands done by Friday (check) & have plenty to do at home on Saturday (double check!) & just enjoy what the day brings!. Also - in about an hour - I will get my little fluffybump off the back of ‘his’ chair & we will go watch the racers turn the corner - on the street behind us. (It can actually be a little scary! - Some of them come around the corner just a wee bit too fast!)
But. . . for the rest of the day - it’s an office cleaning/sorting day, (while the long version (PBS) of Pride & Prejudice is playing), a stitching day, & a finishing up a secret project. (I’m thinking I should be able to reveal it in December. . . I think. . . But, I’m very excited about it!). There may just also be some baking accomplished. . . We have wonderful neighbors - & even though I know that usually everyone does up goodies for the Christmas season - I thought what better week to let my neighbors know how thankful we are for them. So I’ve stocked the pantry with ingredients for all sorts of cookies - of the chocolate, shortbread, & cinnamon kind. . . & I’ve un-buried my prized acorn cookie cutters.
Yep. . . I’m thinking that being at home all day today - isn’t bad at all. . .
Oh! . . & this is for the fact that it has been “button week” all this past week. . . ! Who knew! I just love buttons. . . !

Hope you have a great weekend!

Taking on the challenge

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:02:40 -0700

Yesterday - I cleared out the sitting room (formerly my office) & was so pleased at how much bigger the room looked! In the process of getting seven new patterns ready for shipping. . . the room’s floor became somewhat of a dumping ground. Boxes of finished patterns, un-bagged patterns, & boxes of instructions & covers fresh from the printer ‘decorated’ about one-third of the floor. Today the patterns & boxes have been stored & the piles cleared.
Ahhhh! (. . . big sigh of relief!)
So last evening I treated myself to catching up on some blogs, & a little bit of stitching. (My re-found passion!)
I’m usually always so busy working on my own designs - that I decided that before the year was through - I wanted to work on projects of my own choosing. . . (& something that I didn’t design!) I also noticed that Anne posted her WIP’s (all beautiful I must add!) & challenged us to do the same. . . So, I’m taking that challenge. . . mostly because I’m having such fun with mine! All of my new designs are in the planning (read: grid paper / sketchbook) stage, & so here’s my much loved stitchery project’s that are “in process”. . . (although at the rate I’m going - these will be done within a week or so!)
The first is a design that literally took my breath away the minute I saw it. It’s from Meg at Crabapple Hill Studio & its called ‘Heart of the Home’. (& for those of you who are going to the Tucson Quilt Show in January. . . I will have kits for this!)

I love everything that Meg does really, & in my dreams I would get to make them all (!). . . But I knew I would have to make this one. . . no matter what. I have the center done - (It will be framed by a sweet pink wool scallop border.) - & I’ve started the outer floral border. I’m actually surprised at how quickly it goes. (It looks much more intimidating than it really is!) I will quilt this into a small little wall quilt. (Which I will probably have up all the time!)
The other stitchery project that I’m working on is very different - but I love it too! It is called ‘Summer Reighs’, & is by Kathy Schmitz. I also ‘collect’ Kathy’s stitchery patterns & loved the blackwork in this one. I have been staying up late in the evening stitching away on these blocks & have seven of the twelve blocks done. I’m sure that I will finish this quilt top this week. . . & I’m so excited . . . ! This one will also be finished as a quilt / wall-hanging. I’m thinking that this one will go in the sitting room. . .

I did make one little change though. . . See the puppy, under the tree? In the original design - it’s a cat. . . but I just had to get Bailey in there somewhere!
So there you have it!. . . My on-going WIP’s. . . & I’m loving them both!
Tomorrow is going to be special day for me . . . My dear friend (& prized quilter!) Nubin & I are going to do our own little quilt Shop-Hop. Believe it or not - there are local quilt shops (well - they are on the east side of Tucson - while we live northwest - just outside of the city) that I haven’t been to in over a year. Isn’t that incredible? I have been so busy with designing that I have hardly gotten to get out to my local quilt shops. . . for me! So. . . we plan to remedy that tomorrow. . . Make a day of it in fact! . . . (& sneak in a trip to Brighton & Home Goods while we are there!) I’m so excited. . . I’m on a mission to find new rulers & tools & I hope to come home with a bunch of new goodies!
Okay - so now I pass the challenge on to you. . . Get out those WIP’s & let’s see them!
xo, Bren