The Author

The Author
Brian Haggard

My Dyslexia

Having the skill to write, spell, and punctuate has never been my strong suit. Growing up as a young child I was always nurtured to be creative and artistic which came naturally to me but I could never quite grasp written language. I now know that it's a learning disabilty with a name: DYSLEXIA.



I write from the heart and I make my best effort to get the words on the page properly but as you'll see I don't always succeed. I ask you to enjoy what I write and post but to be understanding and kind. Brian

Things you want to know

Followers

Blogs I Follow

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Things to share

A note to share about what has been happening. there have been many quilt guilds and private shop owners asking for talks, book signings and classes. This info is coming soon. I am working on getting it all put together to send out. Thanks for your patience. Chat soon, Brian

The Retreat Project

Well Ladies and Gentlemen here is the piece that we created in my first retreat I had nine wonderful students That just blow me away with there skills and there enthusiasm and a drive like I have never seen the likes of.
I am bursting with pride for this being my first retreat. Everything went as planned and I know I had more fun with the student then they had with me.
The energy in the room was so much fun to keep up with and yet I had to lay down in the middle of the day Saturday. I could not stay awake any longer After 30 min I was back at it again.
The students work was truly something to be proud of.
We also had a few extra people with us--my Mom and my Aunt Dee. My Mom and Aunt Dee worked on some embroidery pieces as well. And what fun we all had sharing stories and trading tales, and a nice glass of wine did not take away from all the fun. LOL
Just a quick thanks to all nine of you , you know who you are, for what will go down as a great retreat to get my feet wet. You have made me look forward to so many more. Brian

A great BIG thanks to Kevin for all the help with the blog and for the help keeping everything running smoothly for the ladies, carrying bags and making everyone of us feel comfortable. Thanks Kevin
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Sunday

On Sunday we came down to find that Jody had pulled an all-nighter! Talk about one dedicated stitcher!


It was kind of a lazy morning. Some stitched, some explored the campus, some cleaned up the work space and the group picture.


About 11:30 I told the students I had a surprise a gift that I made the students a small basket with stork scissors, a Key to the cherished life we all live and some soap that was to clean life up because it gets messy then we headed over for brunch--which was definitely the best meal of the weekend.


After brunch we all hugged, professed our undying love for one another and hit the road.




The Graduating Class



St. Mary-of-the-Woods

The Stations of the Cross

St. Mother Theodore Guerin's story.

St. Mother Theodore Guerin
The Grotto

The Church of the Immaculate Conception

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Saturday

Ok. A little delay here between real-time and posting. The blogger took a nap.

On Saturday we warmed up the quiches that we'd made and Costco mini cinnamon rolls that we'd brought and put some fruit out. Jody already had the coffee on. By 10 the dishes were cleared away and the needles came out of their holsters.

Brian sat with each student to give guidance about planning and layout and to draw motifs to stitch (using, of course, the Frixion pen--dark enough to see--disappears with the kiss of an iron.)

The rest of the day (between food breaks) was spent stitching and laughing. Everyone was focused on their projects but having big fun at the same time. It's just what we were hoping for. Brian spent the rest of the day drawing and giving advice. With the exception of a much needed 30 minute nap, he was doing one-on-one instruction until well after midnight.
Our dinner on Saturday was next door in the library (isn't that where everyone dines?) It was pretty good and we're thinking that we'll probably have all the meals catered if we go to St. Mary's again.

About 9 we broke out the cheese and crackers and cookies which provided enough fuel for everyone to work until a little after 1 Sunday morning. At least one obsessed soul snuck back to the classroom in her pajamas. . .yes, we're naming names Loretta.


Jody Baker

Linda Wolka
Diana Fricke (Aunt Dee)

Debbie Haggard (Mom)

Carol Shelley


Tonna Bridgewater

Loretta Kays

Sally Peters and Brian

Karen Garrity

Janet Bryan

Friday night

Everyone finished up by about 10 and then we sat around and chit-chatted and told stories--some of them might have even been true. We snacked on snacks, drank some drinks and played some board games. About 1-ish the last of the diehards headed off to bed. Reveille was scheduled for 9 Saturday morning.

Reposted from Retreat Blog 9/15/11

And it begins. . .

The troops started arriving about 2:30 and we were all here by 3:30. A little before 4 we started the class with a little history of crazy-quilting and a demonstration of how to piece the quilt. The quilt that I put together had a photo of Aunt Dee's granddaughter, Emma, for Dee to embroider. Mom is teaching Dee some embroidery stitches this weekend. Everyone just had time to get their stations set up and their supplies organized before we broke for dinner. After dinner we came back with the goal of everyone getting their quilts pieced on Friday night. By 6 we were rolling and everyone finished up by about 10.

So THAT's how it's done. (Brian and Sally Peters.)


A Happy Quilter. (Kathy Hynes)


Family and friends. (Tonna Bridgewater, Loretta Kays, Janet Bryan and Karen Garrity's back)


Filling an iron is fascinating. (Jody Baker)


In the glow of the sewing machine light (Linda Wolka)

Reposted on 9/15/11 from Retreat blog.

Food . . .

Ostensibly, we're here to quilt but a girl or boy's gotta eat. We're eating with the students in O'Shaughnessey Hall for dinner on Friday, lunch on Saturday and brunch on Sunday. Saturday morning we're serving quiche in Goodwin Guesthouse and Saturday night dinner is catered forus in the President's Room of the library. . .aren't we special, lol. And, we bright snacks. And the students brought snacks. And we all brought wine. You know--priorities.

O'Shaughnessey Dining Hall behind Providence Hall

Reposted from Retreat blog on 9/15/11

Here we are. . .




St. Mary-of-the-Woods welcomes us to Goodwin Guesthouse.



Reposted from Retreat Blog 09/15/11

Welcome to One Crazy-Quilt Retreat

We're blogging live from the retreat. 9 students are busy with the first steps of their crazy quilts.

You'll be seeing posts from me, Aunt Dee and my partner, Kevin. We'll try to convey the feel of the weekend.

First thanks goes to the fantastic conference staff here at St. Mary's. Not enough good things can be said about Julie White. We started working with her back in March. Mom, Kevin and I made a visit in April. We fell in love with the campus and saw that the facilities would be great for a retreat. Julie was so responsive and accommodating--we just knew that we'd have a great experience. And a few hours into it, we certainly haven't been disappointed.

We met Julie Worthington, the first Julie's co-worker today and she's been wonderfully funny and helpful too.
If you're looking for a quiet, beautiful, reasonably priced retreat facility be sure to give the Julies a call.


More to come soon. . .
Brian
Reposted from Retreat blog on 9/15/11
Sunday, September 4, 2011

Introduction to a good friend

Hey everyone, I want to introduce you to a very special friend. She is the person responsible for all the practically all the quilting in my last book and is helping me currently on the new book. Very sadly she has moved away from Indianapolis where we both lived, to a new location in Atlanta, Georgia. She has a wonderful home which I am helping here design from Indy and soon will be traveling to help here there. She is a one of a kind sweetheart.
I MISS YOU MELISSA SEE YOU SOON.
This is a photo taken the day before she left for her new life in Georgia. It was a happy day, I gave here her copy of the book before everyone else at the book launch party because she left town before all the festivities happened. Sadly she was not able to attend and hear all the great comments. Also, she missed the cry fest.


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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Needle Fever reaches a pitch.

Just a friendly hello here I have been so wrapped up in the package of the new book its been hard to find time to Blog. I miss chatting with you all.

I just needed to tell you about this wonderful group of friend that i stumbled upon that have given me new enthusiasm.

They are my friends from Needle Fever they were instant friends and inspiration. They give me what I was needing a nudge to strive to be better you really cant ask for more then that
.
The owners name is Debi you have to go bye and say hello and just see what great work they show case and ask for the hugs that she so freely gives out, she is the best
.
If you find Sally in you have truly found a jewel so helpful and kind and a breath of fresh air for your Sol.
There are to many more to mention so you just have to see for your self. Thanks Girls for the dally lift to a persons sprit and Sol.
thanks for the chat Brian