:: carrying on

Here in Arizona, there are some years when it feels like summer starts somewhere mid-spring. 

(The temperatures can hit in the 90's as early as March some years!)

But, this year we had a wonderfully mild spring, & now that it's July... summer has definitely arrived. 

In the 23 years I've lived here, I now feel like summer is officially here when we get the start of the summer rains... or what is called the 'monsoon' season. When I first moved here, I didn't care for it too much ("but I thought it was supposed to be a 'dry' heat!"), but now I love it when they arrive. 

And just the other day... they arrived!

In the top photo, I had opened the front door to check to see if any storms might be building (they often come up from the south during the summer), & although it was still very sunny (& hot!) over us, you can see what was coming! Bailey was just finishing 'watering' one of the bushes...(he's such a helper in with the gardening!)... when a big low rumble came from the direction of the mountains (& the big dark clouds), & within a split-second he was making a bee-line for the front door! So we went inside & put on his storm gear... his Thundershirt. He actually likes having it on & it does really help with the thunder-boomers. He was a happy camper throughout the 1.5 inches of rain we got that afternoon.  

The photo at the bottom was actually taken only about 15 minutes after the top photo! Within a few minutes we had a nice little lake build up on the side of the house... which my Dad loves (& actually created a dam so that  the rainwater wouldn't run out the side yard to fast) as it then soaks down & deep waters the trees we have on the side yard. You can see by the patchy grass, that we were in such need of rain. Hopefully with one or two more good rains, the grass will become more lush & green & less patchy. (... & all the bunnies that visit our backyard will be so happy!)

I hope you all (in the States) had a great Independance Day celebration. I watched some fireworks on TV (with the sound turned down as my little pupper doesn't like the booms at all...) & thankfully none of our neighbors set off any fireworks in the neighborhood. I love fireworks... ever since I was little... but having a pup that gets really traumatized by the noise has tempered my appreciation of them being allowed to be set off  within a neighborhood. I know I must sound like a firework 'Scrooge' , but honestly I do love them... in their proper place. 

I've had my nose to the grindstone with some new projects, & I'll try to snap some photos for you for another post. I'm putting this post together on my iPad, to see if this makes it easier for me to 'find' the time to post a little easier... So we will see if it looks the same. As I'm looking at this post as I'm putting it together, the photos look huge... so we'll see!

 Until then, I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

xo, Bren

:: officially summer

A month. . . really? 

It's been that long since I posted here on the blog?

Oh my. 

Sorry blog. . . I didn't mean to neglect you. . . & I'm so sorry to my sweet blog visitors. 

I really didn't mean for so much time to pass between postings. Honest.

Life has (obviously) been keeping me hopping, & although I have gotten much better about setting more of a schedule for myself (one of the downsides to working completely from home) - there have been quite a few days this past month that have complete taken me to places that were not on my 'to-do' list! But that's okay. . . it's called 'life'.

I have been quite busy finishing up several quilts (two of which sold for 'Quilted Comfort' - thank you!), some miniature sized just-for-fun blocks, & finishing several patterns. I'm holding onto some of the patterns because they are either in need of being quilted &/or I know that quilt shops are a bit inundated with 'new' patterns - so soon after Spring Market - so my plan is to release the patterns around mid to late July.

(… & for all of you who sent me emails letting me know you wanted to be a part of 'Quilted Comfort', I thank you sooo much, & didn't forget about you! I sent the letter I will send to you to the organization we will be working through - as I wanted their 'OK" & I got approval & some additional good news(!). So, I will get the update made to the letter & send it out this week.) If you aren't aware of what 'Quilted Comfort' is all about, you can click on the 'Quilted Comfort Project' page link at the top of the page.

We've (w/Bailey assisting) also been spending some fun time outside. We now having to time it as to when we go outside to work in the yard - as the temps are hitting 100° (F) or close to it on a regular basis now. Even though today is the first day of summer - it always feels like summer arrives here several weeks before the official start. . . & we feel like, 'yah - been there - done that' way before the calendar start for summer.

For Father's Day - I wanted to do something special for Dad. . . but he wasn't a big help whenever I would ask him what he wanted to do. . . (stinker!) - so I made him his favorite cookies - molasses cookies, & I made him one of his favorite things (& they are few in number). . . Hot Dogs (we're so fancy!). I got some really good all beef, bun length franks & then all the fixens he likes. I also went to our favorite cafe - where they make their own potato chips & got some 'to-go' & we had those as well. (He must have liked that because two days later - he came home from the cafe with another 'to-go' order of them!

While having some fun in the studio, I was making some assembly samples for a club that I've been teaching locally. . . (called 'little acorns club'), & after the class - I came home & finished making the little star blocks (they are addicting to make!!)  & thought how fun it would be to kit the little quilt - called 'little shining stars'. So. . . I did! I only have a limited number of kits (I'm actually on my second batch of kits already) - & they are already on the website. . . (here!)  I love the golden-y colorway & how it can work year-round. . . for summer (like sunflowers(!), & it would be great with a blue table-runner underneath for a July 4th table setting), autumn, winter holidays, & spring too!

Speaking of kits. . . I did make up another batch of Betsy's Closet - In Stitches kits - using the last Durham Anew Collection fabrics I designed. These too are limited as I'm getting to the end of my fabrics. You can find them (here).

I've got some other news that I'll do my best to post this week... (including one piece of news that I'm practically bursting to tell you. . . but that I must get permission to do so (!!!)).

Until then, I wish for you a wonderful start to your summer days (or winter for my southern hemisphere  friends!) & hope that you get time to create & stitch!

♥ Bren

… staying mostly indoors

It's been a very (very!) busy last few weeks! (& very warm - to boot!)

Firstly, for all of you who have shown so much Betsy's Closet - In Stitches love. . .

Thank you.

Wow, folks.

You have kept me so incredibly busy, filling orders, making kits, & shipping. I've hardly had time to work on anything else.

Not complaining.

 Not. at. all.

I haven't even had the chance to send it to my distributors yet (!) . . . Hopefully that will happen next week.

In fact, after many emails asking. . . I've finally decided that,

 yes, there will be a Benji's Pockets - In Stitches as well.

I wasn't planning on doing one, but I've been convinced 

that you would like a little stitchery for a little boy as well.

So, the blocks have been drawn, & I'm deciding on extra little stitching details.

But. . . I have two or three other patterns that I'm in the middle of, 

so I probably won't get to stitching it until next month.

Here in Oro Valley. . . we have had a really nice summer.

Sure, we've had hot days. . . but we've also had a really good 'monsoon season' & wonderful summer rains. . . cooling things off & making the plants bud & bloom & re-bud again & again.

I've actually wanted to post about it - but I've felt so bad for the parts of the country that weren't getting the much needed rains. Please know that if you are in one of those areas - my prayers are with you!

I live in what is known as 'high Sonoran desert', & then I also live at the foothills of a little mountain range - so it's not the typical 'desert' scene. We have dirt - not sand. . . & while there are cacti that grow, there are actually more brush & trees. I live north of Tucson, AZ. . . which is truly a very small city. 

(. . . & I like it that way!)

Sometimes though, it's nice to get to a bigger city - where there are lots more to choose from - shopping wise. . . & I end up going up to Phoenix about once a month. Often it's with some dear friends & we make it a 'retreat weekend' - sewing & stitching. I love those. . .  (& need them!)

Last month, & also this month. . . on the weekends that we went up to Phoenix (which is much hotter & is not surrounded by mountains - like the Tucson area is. . .) we experienced one of these. . . (!)

In fact, I got this photo of the dust storm that hit Phoenix last month while we were there.

(. . . No, I didn't take it, I got from weather.com. . . we were (thankfully) sealed up in the house we were staying at!)

What an experience (that I have now experienced twice!). You can see it coming. . . & then the wind blows like crazy & then the dust. . . It blocks out the sun, it get's a bit dark. . . & there's really nothing you can do. Since Phoenix is not surrounded by mountains. . . when the summer storms build up, the winds that bring them can stir up the dust from the desert & it all comes like a wall. Once it hits - it takes about 15 minutes or so for it to pass by. . . leaving a coating of fine dust/powder.

Amazing.

I have to admit. . . it was actually kinda fun.

Um. . . except the last time. . . when I remembered, just as it had hit. . . that because of the 100+ degree temps - I had cracked open the windows in my car. . .

Oops.

Yep, now I do know what it's like to be outside in the middle of one of these.

Let's just say there was some major holding-my-breath, & I'm not sure - but it might have been the fastest I have moved in a very long time. (!)

There was a bit of clean-up needed, but thankfully it wasn't too bad. It's just amazing how the dust/powder travels!

Well, I've spent the day getting orders out. . . & so now it's time for me to sit down & get some stitching done. . . (& pattern writing. . . there's also pattern writing. . . there's always pattern writing!) :o)

So, I hope that you have sunny days & clear skies. . . or rain if you are needing it!

♥ Bren

… an *Instagram* day-in-the-life

morning . . .

 . . . a simple breakfast (my current favorite. . . Grape-Nut Flakes).

(. . . & yes, I eat them dry. . . no milk.)

. . . patterns (that I spent the previous day packing), all ready for shipping. . .

mid-day - afternoon . . .

 . . . a wonderful summer rain. 

(We've been having a wonderful monsoon season. . . we really need the rain!)

 . . . the start of an appliqué project I've wanted to make for quite a long while. 

I have finally started working on the 'Phebe' quilt.

A friend & I are both making one. . . & we are both so excited to get started!

. . . My plan is to stitch on it all afternoon to the wonderful sound of the rain.

evening . . .

. . . my progress by the end of the evening. 

(I kept stitching even after the rain stopped. . . I couldn't help myself.)

All-in-all, a sweet weekend day.

♥ Bren

… some summer favorites

This summer I have been craving the funniest things. . .

When the temperature rarely goes below 90° (F), 

& is on track to possibly set a record for 'days over 100°'. . .

I seem to not want 'creamy' things (even ice cream!) as much,

& this is what hits the spot. . .

. . . Yep. J-e-l-l-o.

For me, it's sugar free & the cherry & lemon flavors seem to be what I am making the most.

They truly hit the spot.

The other thing that has been a constant in the refrigerator are these. . .

 I have always liked radishes. . . in salads & for snacking. . .

but this summer, it's as if there is no such thing as 'too many radishes'.

I even found new ways of preparing them. 

Country Living magazine just did a little 'radish feature' & I found this & this (yum!).

What's funny is that since I've been keeping radishes in stock in the fridge, Dad has been craving them too! 

(read: we are going through bunches & bunches of radishes. . . & jello!)

What an odd combo. . . but what can you do.

When a craving hits, a craving hits.

Happy summer days!

♥ Bren

… a little (wonderful) rain

. . . or for us . . . not so little!

Yesterday, in one hour, our area got a wee bit over 3" in one hour!

(Which is amazing, because as we live at the base of some mountains. . . sometimes the rain goes all around us. . . but skips over our area.)

. . . not yesterday!

It was a wonderful steady, but never torrential rain. . . enough to fill the washes & make the gutters along the rooflines work a little overtime. . . & to give us the coolest 4th of July we've ever had. (Our high temp was 74°(F)!)

Ahhhh!

It was all I could do not to run out in it! 

Wait . . . actually I did! I opened up the garage door & pulled my car out into the driveway so that my car could get a nice little bath. . . & get all the 'dusties' washed away.

. . . & the little dash back into the garage got me wonderfully 'sprinkled'! 

So today, everything is nicely washed off. . . the trees & bushes look a lot greener. . .  (& my car is a lot shinier!), & all the flowering plants even seem to look a lot happier.

I know we all were.

There's nothing like a welcome summer rain.

It slows us down a little bit. . .

. . . makes up look outside at the wonder of a simple rain.

(here in Arizona. . . we love our rainy days!)

. . . & now we look forward to the next one.

(. . . hopefully this weekend.)

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

… goodbye "summer". . .

Well. . . sorta. Even though - it's not official on the calendar, & our temps will still be warm, the weather is definitely starting to change. . . & for that we give a big sigh of relief!.


. . . Just got back from our (Bailey's & mine) morning walk. . . & we actually got out before the sun rose! (. . . been having a bit of trouble with that lately!) Actually I was ready to get up since about . . . well since I put my head on the pillow last evening - as I hardly got any sleep last evening. . . lots on my mind, I guess.


I've had this photo for quite a while - but I thought I'd post it today, as it shows the amazing mountains that I live next to. I just love them. They are called the Santa Catalina Mountains & they take my breath away. . . on a daily basis. This photo was taken as the sun was getting ready to set for the day. During the latter part of the summer, we have what is called the monsoon season, when we get afternoon summer rains. So this scene is not an uncommon one - the mountains with rainbows framing them. . . I will never tire of this view! (. . . & in the morning - the sun rises over these beauties!)


Yesterday was a long day , & today is certain to be a long one too. I have a bunch of errands to run this morning & then later today, I will take Dad across town - where he is to have surgery . . . some plastic surgery. Dad has had some small skin cancer  spots removed in the past several years. . . but he just never liked wearing a hat like his doctor prescribed for him. . . 


This time the new cancer spot was a bit more troublesome. It was next to his left eye, & yesterday they did the procedure to determine & remove the cancerous area. They remove what they can see & a bit more to hopefully get it all & then you wait (in the waiting room) while they do tests on the next layer. . . & if they find cancer cells again - they go back & remove a but more & repeat the process. . . Dad had to go back seven times. They ended up having to more than they thought they would need to & even had to take the skin right up the edge of his left eyelid. A bit scary.


So, today he will go have surgery - so that the plastic surgeon can hopefully repair & close the wound. Dad is doing pretty well, but I can tell that he's a bit concerned. Hopefully, he will get good news from the surgeon.


I'm getting some stitchery prepped to take with me & I'll be working on some pattern writing while I wait. . . (after finding the nearest Starbucks that is!. . .)


So, . . . if you think of it, I'd sure appreciate your prayers for my Dad today, & for me - that I will be able to do what is needed & will be able to comfort him through all this.


♥ Bren

… little visitors

We had a really wonderful spring. Wonderful temperatures. . . days filled with leaving the windows wide open. . . & fresh air & sunny days & lots of flowers. And now, it seems as if summer is doing it's thing right on schedule . . . with summer rains in the afternoon to cool things off. . . (at least they're trying!)


. . . Oh sure - our days are sometimes downright hot  - & the windows are only open in the early morning, but I'm really not minding as there are ways that summer seems to provide for some relief. . . like this little one that is a regular in the backyard has found . . . he digs a little hole to get to some cool soil - just under the surface. Ahhh!

 This spring, we had two little bunnies as regulars in the side yards. . . & making their way to the grass in the back this summer. Sometimes they are quite brave . . . especially with people. . . they hardly move unless they really 'have' to. With Bailey  - on the other hand - they would run as soon as they saw him. But. . . I''ve been working hard on "Leave it" with Bailey & now he's really good about not bustin' out the back door when he sees them. Now he waits for permission to go out (usually after I've gone & scooted the bunnies along to another part of the yard). He tries. . . he really tries.

Otherwise - with us keeping the doors closed because we want to keep the house as cool as possible. . .  our little bunnies pretty much have the run of the backyard. . . doing their best to keep the lawn under control. . . 

. . . always though, with their ears listening for the big, curly, fluffy, exuberant 'critter that for some reason considers the yard "his". Little do they know that Bailey is thinking what a big sacrifice he's making to let those little critters with the funny big ears & little white puffy tails stay in "his" yard at all!

. . . But he's learning. . . & he's doing a really good job as 'sharing' "his" yard. (. . . actually, he really knows how good a boy he is when he does a good job at 'Leave it' . . . & has the treats to prove it!) Here's where he spends part of the day - just inside the sliding glass door to the backyard. What's funny is I still can tell when he sees the bunnies - as, although he doesn't bark at them anymore. . . he does let out a small, little, rumbly-sort-of-growl that he thinks only he can hear. . . Oh how he's trying!!

Good boy, Bailey! ♥

p.s. I have received a few emails about when the new patterns will be out. . . (& a couple of email addresses that were incorrect & I couldn't reply!). . . so I wanted to let you know that the patterns are at the printer & I will hopefully have them back & ready to ship by the beginning of next week. (Finally!!) Thanks to everyone for your patience & your enthusiasm too!  ♥ Bren

… of bit of color

While the temps are are making their way up the thermometer around these parts. . . the blooms in both the front & back yards are taking advantage of the sunshine & putting on quite a pretty show. . .!

The backyard is surrounded by a cinderblock wall. . . & for part of the back wall - it reaches about 15 feet, & one of the first things that Dad did was to plant, bougainvilleas, pyracanthas, & what was then - small little cat's claw plants. When the plants began to grow up the walls, Dad ran wire along the wall at different levels for the stems & tendrils to have something to take hold to. . . & boy did they! Now, 10 years later - here is the top of part of the 15 foot wall - with the cat's claw 'water-falling' down from the top. I just love the backdrop it provides for the backyard. You can also see - (in the lower right corner) a bit of the red berries from one of the pyracantha bushes that have also grown quite tall!

Just in time for the Fourth-of-July. . . the pot of blue petunias are putting on a wonderful show!

Just this past week, one of my very favorites - the crepe myrtle tree's blooms are opening. I mentioned a few years ago - how much I liked the blooms of one of the smaller crepe myrtle plants that we had. . . & over the years, Dad has continued to add them to the variety of blooms in the yards. (Isn't he sweet!) At last count, there were 3 in the backyard (1 tree, & 2 bushes) & there is a wonderful large crepe myrtle bush in the front yard. Love them!

. . . & even though they bloomed earlier this spring. . . we are seeing a few of the gladiolas sending up some new blooms!

These sweet little blue flowers are on what was a little bush not too long ago - (in the side yard - outside one of my Dad's bedroom windows) - & now the bush is taller than I am! It's full of these sweet little flowers. . . & is a testament to Dad's green thumb.

These tiny little blue blooms popped up on our rosemary topiary that sits at the corner of the driveway & the walkway to the front door. . . (see them on the top right?)

The rosemary topiary has been there for years. . . starting in a much smaller pot . But not until this past year have a ever seen it's little blue blooms! One of the things that I love about the rosemary is how - when folks come over - they love to brush the palms of their hands over the rosemary & then take a big sniff of their palms & everyone smiles & lets out a big "sigh!" !  :o)

Even the two nandena bushes that sit in their pots at each side of the front door are getting onto the act & are showing their pretty colors!

As for me. . . I'll be spending most of the day indoors. . . I like the sunshine. . . but when the temps are getting into the 100's + . . . I think my time in the yard will be able to be counted in 'moments', & I'll spend the weekend finishing up some pattern writing &, inspired by these pretties from the front & back yard, start on some new 'pretties' of my own!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

♥ Bren