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

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Blogs I Follow

Friday, May 25, 2012

FREEBEE FRIDAYS

This is a gift from me to all of you my dearest of friends. I make these things up for to use in my crazy quilts. This would be good to make a small pillow or for a pin cushion.  I don't know about you, but I love to make small gifts to take with me to visit a friend. It will help keep them from being upset that you just stopped in unannounced, LOL.
If you are like me, I love when a friend just comes by to sit a spell, a cup of coffee in hand, and a story to tell. So get busy printing these on fabric and sewing a bunch to put in a basket. Get out in this nice weather and make someone smile with a gift from your hand.
Until then dear friends, if I see you out bring me a gift of something handmade. You will see a smile on my face! Hugs and stitches, Brian

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Display Ideas

Well, dear friends, I am asked all the time for ideas for displaying smalls (items too small to leave lying around) in studios and at home. This is one of the many ways I have come up with. This old cabinet was from a general store.
Over the years, I have had many things in it: some dolls, dishes, a baby shoe collection. Here, at present, I have it full of pincushions,  bobbins for lace, thread, an antique doll, bone needles and twine.  I love to make these small displays to have my things out where I can see them when I pass by every day. Well, I hope this is an idea you can use.  Until then, I send you hugs and stitches. Brian
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The Web

Do any of you have the same problem whe you get on to surf the web?  I go on for one thing and three hours later I have found things that I had not even thought of.
While looking for quilt inspiration I found this wonderful old crazy quilt that had the best WEB ever. Don't you think?  I use a lot of webs in my work.  The thought that it brings good luck to anyone having them around is enough for me. LOL. Well until next time, dear friends, hugs and stitches. Brian

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Sunday, May 6, 2012

A Gift for Thee

 Playing with punches, German glass glitter and homemade papers I make from music and ledger sheets--
here is a little something to hang in a sewing room. Great gift ideas for dear friends. Happy stitching!
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Saturday, May 5, 2012

A Gift for Darlene


I want to tell you about a wonderfully amazing lady that I am proud to call my Aunt Darlene. She was a child born to a family of five boys, my dad being one of them,  and her being the lone girl. She was the one to help run the family with my grandmother and to tell you she did it with grace is truly a understatement. I can't think of a time where she was not by the side of my grandmother making a lot of consessions to help with the running of the family where ever she could. 
 Always with a laugh or a smile, I don't believe she has ever felt that she was the glue the has been able to keep it all together. She has made this family great.
I ask her not too long ago to share some family pictures with me because I needed something of my Dad's family to use for my books.  She gladly got in the car and brought them to me.
As a thank you to her I made her this pillow you see at the top with a great picture of my grandmother Opal and the small quilt of my grandpa Olly and Opal on there wedding day. Thanks you all for reading about a wonderful family member of mine.  She is one in a million.  Just wanted to share.  Until next time,  love and stitches.  

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Power Suit Challenge Quilt

Power Suit: What does it all mean to you?
This was a challenge quilt,  my very first of many to come I do believe.
I was ask last year at the Cincinnati Quilt Festival to enter a piece for this challenge. I was a bit scared and just like in the scary movies I was the one out in the woods with nothing but a tee shirt on and a plastic knife to defend myself. But I just forged ahead and made myself work through it. I have to say that I did enjoy it.


My Great Grandfather was my inspiration for this piece.
He was a wonderful man that was there for my mom and her family like no other.
He was a quiet man but a strong man: kind, and willing to share.
The piece was made of suit samples given to me with the challenge invitation along with a tie and a button.
We were told you can use any,  all or none of it. That's pretty open.
I set off to make a vintage style piece with one of my favorite pictures of him and a stack of ties I picked up from my friend, Penny.
A quick sort through the button stash and I got to work.
I have to say it just went so smoothly and was a great joy to make. I hope you like it and if you would like to see the rest you can go online to
WWW.Powersuitquilts.com and take a look at all the wonderful pieces that come out of the minds of artists. You will love seeing it.

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Houston Loot

 Hello, dear friends.
So much to share, Kevin and I went to the International Quilt Market in Houston for a official book signing and to see the Market for the first time.
Well it would be a understatement to say I was not overwhelmed by all that we got to see.
The booths and booths of EYE CANDY about did me in. As you can see from the pictures I was able to restrain myself from all of their sales tactics and moved right through with out even being affected. LOL

 I found some wonderful things that I have already started using to come up with new ideas for the upcoming books that are in my head.
Hanah Silks was one of my great finds. Also if you have not had the chance to try River Silk it's a must we met the owner Jean. She is a sweet lady and a new found friend. 

 I went crazy for all the threads and had to have one of each LOL.
The amount of talent that you see in the quilt gallery is overwhenlming, so much to take in.  Well friends, until next time, love and good stitches. Brian

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