The Creative World of the Crazy Haberdasher

Hello everyone and thanks for a wonderful birthday, Well as per normal, Kevin pulled all the wonderful people in my life together to share another year of growing old and marking the passing of time.

We started off the weekend with a great time at my aunt Dee's and uncle Jay's they hosted a pool party and in the true style of Indiana it was the storm of all storms. Thank god it waited until after we ate the wonderful food. Dee and Jay made my favorite pasta sauce and chicken on the grill. My mom brought some great salads too. And, we had some great company: my brother Shane and Shelly, his wife, my nephew Carson nephew, Mom (Debbie,) Dad (Rich,) cousin Becky, dear friends Chris and Al, Colleen and Paul and last, but not the least, Kevin and I. We were treated to not one but two of Kevin's famous, if not infamous, Italian Cream Cakes. He was afraid we were not going to have enough and he was right. With my family there is never enough cake.

On Sunday he invited my dear friends Sally and Tim. Sally came for the day and Tim came to visit later in the evening for dinner. My favorite meal was on menu: pepper steak with rice and hot and sour soup--man it was the best. And let's not forget the cake: white cake with lemon curd between the layers, lemon icing and candied lemon peel! 

Monday I went to get to work at the studio and Barb, Phyllis and Diane stopped by. They are great friends who I haven't seen forever. In true Kevin style, we had enough leftovers to feed them lunch and still have leftovers. Everything might have been even better on the second day We visited and laughed and told old stories and new ones got to get caught up.

Later on Monday, Kevin and I met with two of the dearest friends in the world--Jane and Alissa from the mall where my studio is. We went to a Mexican restaurant where we carried on and laughed and laughed. [Tell us about the BEES, Jane!] We ended the evening with at a fun yogurt shop.

I can't tell you all how special you made the celebration of my birthday and thank you all for being my friends. You ALL mean the world to me and I wont to take this opportunity to let that be heard. LOVE to you all in the coming year and beyond. Kiss Brian

Well the powers that be have helped me get through another year. Who knew that another year would pass so quickly? Some new friends and, well, some old friends and I do mean old will be reuniting to tell stories and share hugs. My friends Colleen and Paul and Chris and Al are coming to be with all my family at Dee & Jay's. Can't wait to see them all again and have them here to support me in the passing of time. While I will enjoy the family and friends, let's not forget Kevin's Italian Cream Cake. It has me licking the air like a dog (not pretty.)

My aunt and uncle are hosting everyone at a pool party. Aunt Diana and Uncle Jay always throw a nice party and we know we're in for some great home cooking. A day with family and friends at their house will be great!


On Sunday there will be another event with Sally and Tim who are always great to have around to make a guy feel good.

Then, as an extra bonus, on Monday (my actual birthday) we will have a Mexican fest with my great friends Jane, Alissa and Austin. 

My biggest birthday wish is that Kevin be able to make enough cake to make all these people happy. Let me just say, not an easy task!   

 Oh, in honor of my birthday, I felt it was a "say something hat day!" I hope you like. I will let you all know soon what went down. Kisses all around.....

Me, Mom and Dad

Well, where to start?   I am a very lucky person to have the family I have been given.   First and foremost the creativity that I have been given comes to me in a double dose from both parents. My Mom was always there to give me a nudge in the right direction when it came to my artistsic endeavors. If I went shopping with her and I said if we could get this and I could make that. She would try to help give me anything that would spark an interest in a new concept. From apple head dolls and sculpy clay to painting and sewing, she was always there. As for my dad, the idea of building and constructing was always fun.  We made some things in the wood shop and I have a few items we built that I will try to post for you here someday. We had great Christmases growing up.  One of the best was the year my dad went down to the store and got my big brother and I our very own Rubbermaid tote and filled it to top with art supplies from stapler, pens, pencils, paper, paint, canvas. . .you name it. . .one of my greatest memories!  So I have run on long enough but sometimes you just need to share the gift you have been given in life. As we know we none of have any idea how long we have on this earth and we need to thank the ones that we were given as a gift.  SO MOM AND DAD THANKS. It sometimes does not seem enough, but it's all I have to give aside from my gift to create. Its that one way I have to give back. Until next time good friends remember to share the gifts you have been given to the world and to others.
Best stitches, Brian

Hello dear friends.  This is a piece that I made as a gift from a grandma to her granddaughter.

Oh my gosh its finally here and it's doing what I had wanted all along. If you have a desire to make new things look old--here it is! I have created a dye based system to make an aged color and it stays fast unlike tea or coffee. The dye was created with a mist pump to make the aging more apparant  each time you add anouther layer.
If you desire to give just a slight hint of color you can do that or if you want a bold statement you can create that. It comes as two bottles: the dye B.A.M. and and the activator bottle. You put one part rubbing alcohol and two parts water in the activator bottle.  The alcohol will make the stain set in quicker and it also helps the hot iron make it work quicker. I have had a few people testing this with me and I am so please to see they are having great results. We are shipping to your door so if you have a need to create those one-of-a-kind aged pieces, let us know and we can get that in the mail to you today. Order it right here: http://store.brianhaggard.com/  Until we see each other again, best stitches. Brian

You know it was not that long ago we all were thinking we could use some heat. Well as Momma always said be careful what you wish for--you may just get it. Damn, if she wasn't right! As always!

I wished for some warm days and sun on my face.  Now I'm wishing for 100 grand in the bank, a trip to England, a cruise ship full of just my family and friends and a Mini Cooper with the Union Jack on top.  I'll keep you updated on where this wishing goes, LOL.   Until next time, keep stitching.  Brian

Well, the sample is ready!  We are ready for all of you to join in and make one right along with us.
Threads of Time, the fabulous quilt store in Danville IL is hosting us for a wonderful retreat on September 4th, 5th and 6th 2012 and I have created a piece that will be giving you a lot of new ideas to work into your crazy quilt world. Please join us for fun and friends, laughs and if you care, a glass of wine.  There will be lots of women and, heck, I may even sing a song.
If you have not sewn with a group a of people you might be wondering "will I fit in?"  I say you sure will--it will probably take you about 15 minutes to feel like old friends..
The Place is Threads of Time Creative Sewing and Retreat Center in Danville IL.  There will be people from all over and space is limited so do register as soon as possible to hold your place.


On Tuesday the 4th we will start with a trunk show in the evening and then on the 5th we will start our two day class by piecing and staining fabric and finish with about a day and a half of hand embroidery.


Registration details and pricing are available on the Threads of Time website at Threads of Time Class

Hope to see you all there!  Until then this is Brian wishing you best stitches.

 This story starts out when I was 18 years old and I met this family in my first career as a floral designer. After many years of creating florals for them, it was a natural progression to start designing their homes when my career turned to interior design. At any given time through the many years, I have worked for the children, the parents and now I am so happy to say the grandparents on both sides of the family.

The current story starts with the sister of the original couple I have known for so many years. She is an amazing designer in her own right but, as you know, we all sometimes get tired of our own perspective so she asked for my help to update the look of her home. So we did just that by moving things around to create a fresh look.

While working with her to make the changes in her living room, I learned she and her brother were planning a big surprise party for her mother's 90th birthday. The grand affair was already in motion and the room and food were decided but they were looking for a special gift--something that their mother would never expect. I mentioned to her that a pillow made of her mother's pictures and hand embroidered would be a one-of-a-kind gift. She agreed, so we started looking for a picture for her pillow. She started laughing and said, "I don’t think I can pick one, I love these two over all the rest." She then said, "I guess we'll just need to make two" as she threw her head back in laughter. I left and started looking for things in my studio to create a design appropriate for 1922. I found buttons made from materials from the era and created the Tree of Life to signify her long life and the cobweb, an old tradition for health, peace and happiness. You can see these and many more items on her birthday pillows.

So friends, as you can see, I have run full circle in this family's life with my careers as floral designer, mural artist, interior designer, and now quilt artist. Can I just say how lucky I am to have met and remained good friends with this family over the many years who are so much more than clients to me? I wish a very special birthday to Bertha and a great big thank you to all of the family members who have let me become part of their lives.

A lovely lady and the start of a beautiful family

Brian, Jody and her watercolor

I was asked by our good friend, Jody, if I had seen the rusting of fabric, when I said that I hadn't, she said we have to get together and make rusted fabric.
Well friends, fast forward to a great day spent meeting new people and learning! WOW, where to start!? Jodie and the SOTA (Society of Textile Artisans) group invited my mom Debbie, Kevin and I to their working art day at Jody's home. We really had no Idea what to expect, I knew there was talent in the group but we were about to see was mind blowing. This group of ladies are the most fun ~WINK~. So open, so sharing--I really could go on and on. We learned how to rust fabric by putting steel wool wrapping fabric on bottles with copper wire, spraying with vinegar and watching it rust. OMG, you are going to love this fabric and what fun with a group of friends. (There will be some downtime during the process so you will need the recipe for frozen fuzzy navel drinks. It does make the time go faster!)

Show and tell got underway. It was inspiring to all us outsiders. These ladies have it going on! Everywhere you looked the talent was over the top. We learned about ice dyeing, water color, doll making, stitching and so many more things which I may not remember due to the frozen fuzzy navel drinks. What can you say when you go away from a group that you spent the day with and your heart is full and your mind is overrun with ideas? You feel you can't wait to take up where you left off with stories untold, laughs to be had, and the need to meet again.

Until then dear SOTAs, I can't wait to meet again! Brian

Kathy's Ice Dyed Scarf

Kevin, Bill, Missi, Brian

Hey you all! We have a special retreat coming your way at the Threads of Time Creative Sewing Retreat Center in Danville, IL. They will be hosting us to come teach a two day project quilt designed just for them. On September 4th 2012 there will be a trunk show in their main gathering room. On the 5th & 6thwe start a quilt designed just for this retreat.

 Hello friends! I have missed you. I am having some technical problems with posting and after having a expert look at it, I am so glad to tell you for once it's not me. I have so much to post please stay tuned. Also check back often.

Here's a design for you to download, copy or trace onto your piece and embroider as you see fit. The rest of this design is featured in the Summer 2012 issue of Pat Winter's great Crazy Quilt Gatherings magazine.

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

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

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

 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!

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.  

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.

 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

 Well I can let the cat out of the bag.  I have taped an episode of
The Quilt Show with these two lovely people.  To my left is Ricky Tims and on my right Alex Anderson. What fun I had with my new friends. A whole new experience for me--my first TV show. I must say it was great fun and what an A-1 staff of people they have.  They made me so comfortable to be around, I kind of forgot we were taping. So if you all read this thanks for such a wonderful time, I loved every minute.
Stay tuned for the upcoming show dates we will post it on here. Chat soon and until then, best stitches.
Brian