Uncommon Legacy, 72 x 72 inch quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2009. For sale at ETSY.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts

A Mother’s Spring

Today is Mother’s Day, but so much has happened in our life, we are celebrating Mother’s Spring. When India pledged Delta Sigma Theta, it was a very special time for us. Mother and daughter became sisters. Life felt pretty full. When I attended India’s graduation from the University of Pittsburgh Paramedic Program, that was pretty […]

Pretty and Strong, 38 x 38 inch quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2012. For sale at www.etsy.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts.

Pretty and Strong — A Legacy is Born

Life has a lot of twists and turns, highs and lows, ups and downs, but every now and then, you hit a sweet moment. This weekend I participated in the initiation of my daughter India into our sorority Delta Sigma Theta. It was a sweet moment. Our initiation ceremonies are secret. India had no idea about […]

I Love Strong Coffee, 70 x 70 inch quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2012. For sale at  etsy.com/shop

Picking up a Quilt From a Long Arm Quilter is Like Opening a Special Gift on Christmas Morning

Although I enjoy hand quilting some of my quilts, I send my large quilts to a long arm quilter for quilting. I allow her to use her creativity as she sees fit, so I give very few instructions. She chooses the pattern and the thread. Consequently, when I pick up my quilt it is a […]

Dream Like Crazy, 44 x 51 inch quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2012. For sale at etsy.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts

Where Did My Dream Month Go?

February is my dream month. It is the perfect time to reflect on ancient and recent history, to meditate and make peace and to plan a glorious future. I like the fact that it is a short month because dreams must be followed by action — the sooner the better. I made Dream Like Crazy […]

A Quilter's Life

Choose to Bloom

Choose to Bloom

  The top inner border of Choose to Bloom was a lot easier than the two side borders because the house block in the center takes up a lot of space. This is the top inner border of Choose to Bloom.

Book Reviews

“A Piece of My Soul: Quilts by Black Arkansans” – A Book Review

“A Piece of My Soul: Quilts by Black Arkansans” – A Book Review

They say if you don’t know where you came from, you can’t know where you are going. If that is true, then it explains why A Piece of My Soul – Quilts by Black Arkansans by Cuesta Benberry touched me in a deeply personal way. I grew up in Arkansas, and my grandmother Clara Ford created […]

Collector's Corner

Welcome to the World, Jazz Simone Milner

Welcome to the World, Jazz Simone Milner

I don’t do a lot of baby quilts, but I create them for special people. Welcome to the World, Jazz Simone Milner is the latest quilt commissioned by prolific collector Judge Patsy Porter. The colors in the quilt coordinate with the colors in the nursery. Since the parents are obviously jazz enthusiasts, I chose a ballerina motif […]

For Sale

How Much is Your Quilt Worth?

How Much is Your Quilt Worth?

I attended the opening reception of an art exhibit that features Atlanta Quilter Marquetta Bell Johnson and some of the Gees Bend Quilts. The exhibit is at the Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery  in Atlanta. Shown here is one of Marquetta’s quilts called Desert Garden. I hope you will check out the exhibit to see […]

News from the Clara Ford Foundation

Atlanta Album (This Ain’t Baltimore) Appraised During 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival

Atlanta Album (This Ain’t Baltimore) Appraised During 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival

One of my treasured heirlooms Atlanta Album (This Ain’t Baltimore) was appraised during the 2012 Atlanta Quilt Festival by Holly Anderson. Quilt appraisals are one of the activities always offered during the Festival. The Clara Ford Foundation will sponsor the 2013 Atlanta Quilt Festival at the South Fulton Arts Center, 4645 Butner Road, College Park, GA the first two weeks in August. […]

Places to See My Quilts

Martin’s Dream is at Mills Senior Center

Martin’s Dream is at Mills Senior Center

Martin’s Dream is spending the month of January at the Helene S. Mills Senior Multi-purpose Center  in Atlanta. Flowers Hoping to Be Free returned home. Martin’s Dream is a traditional sampler quilt composed of 12 blocks. What makes it special is the border of black and white boys and girls holding hands. It took me a […]

Quilt Travels

Ricky Tims, Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman — Wow!

I was part of a group of over 200 quilters who attended a two and a half day seminar at Clayton State University in Morrow, GA  last week. Rick Tims, Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman were the stars of the show. I am still digesting what I learned, but there was definitely plenty of inspiration […]

Quiltmaker's Daughter

Uniquely India Was Under the Christmas Tree

Uniquely India Was Under the Christmas Tree

Santa decided to add to India’s quilt collection. Uniquely India was under the Christmas tree. It contains all of India’s favorite colors. The back of the quilt adds to the theme with words like “cute girl, happy girl, sexy girl, lucky girl. I think the quilt was a hit. I hope it always reminds her […]

Quilts on YouTube

My Christmas Quilts Are On YouTube

My Christmas Quilts Are On YouTube

If  you need a happy boost to your  holiday spirit, check out my Christmas quilts on YouTube.  I try to make at least one new Christmas quilt each year to add to my collection. I am still working on the 2012 addition. Shown here is Almost Christmas. As soon as the leaves start to turn, […]

Studio Organization

Design Wall Helps the Creative Process

Design Wall Helps the Creative Process

I purchased a design wall from Keepsake Quilting. It is actually a large piece of batting that  measure 72 x 72 inches.  The  blocks stick to it nicely. After using my floor as my design wall  for years, it is nice to be able to audition my blocks on the wall.  I am enjoying having […]

What's In My Hoop?

Block #13 of Choose to Bloom

Block #13 of Choose to Bloom

I changed the pattern a little and included my favorite African girl in the middle of this block. This is block #13 of Choose to Bloom. All of the blocks are finished, but there are four sections to the border.

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