Delta Menopause, 84 x 84 inches, by O.V. Brantley 2004. For sale at www.ovbrant.etsy.com
My sorority Delta Sigma Theta celebrates its centennial next year. It will be a great celebration of everything red and white. I have several red and white quilts on my design wall. Some will be gifts, and some will be listed for sale in my studio store.
Delta Menopause is one of my early red and white quilts. The title says it all. It was lovingly quilted by hand.
Welcome to the World, Avery Elizabeth!, 38 x 38 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2012.
My most loyal collector shows up at each baby shower with one of my unique creations. Judge Patsy Porter commissioned Welcome to the World, Avery Elizabeth! for the expectant parents. The quilt features a heart motif in pinks and greens. A wedding day photo of the parents is included on the label.
Midnight Masquerade, 38 x 45 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2010. For sale at www.ovbrant.etsy.com.
Fat Tuesday is here. My quilt Midnight Masquerade should get you in the mood for a mysterious celebration.
Good Things are Happening, by O.V. Brantley, 2007.
President’s Day is a good time to reflect on service to others. I have always been proud of my decision to enter public service. My quilt Good Things Are Happening celebrates my service to Fulton County. The quilt gets its name from the slogan my personal commissioner Bill Edwards popularized to make citizens excited about living in south Fulton County.
This quilt is one of my treasured heirlooms. It hangs in my home office.
Rejoice Always, 50 x 50 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2011. For sale at www.ovbrant.etsy.com.
Black History Month is a time to celebrate how far we, as African Americans, have come. Growing up in a small town in Arkansas, attending segregated schools until I was in the seventh grade, and still managing to get my graduated from Vanderbilt Law School gives me much to celebrate.
I try not to let a day go by without rejoicing. My quilt Rejoice Always is my constant reminder not to take anything for granted.
Fulton County Attorneys, 87 x 107 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2001.
Often my professional life and my quilt life intersect. Three of my quilts are part of my presentation to local governments entitled Would You Act Like That in Front of Your Grandmother? The three quilts are Fulton County Attorneys, Friends and Foes are Welcome Here and Martin’s Dream. Each of these quilts hung in a conference room while I was employed as the Fulton County Attorney. I use them in my presentation to illustrate the importance of team work, civility and professionalism.
Friends and Foes are Welcome Here, 72 x 80 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2003
Most recently, these quilts were part of my presentation at the Warner Robins City Council Retreat February 10, 2012. They were also a part of my presentation at the East Point City Council Retreat. I am shown here with Martin’s Dream.
Martin's Dream at Warner Robins City Council Retreat, February 10, 2012.
A Bouquet in Red and White, 24 x 24 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2010. For sale at www.ovbrant.etsy.com
Just to keep the flower theme going, here is another of my appliqué flower quilts. It is called A Bouquet in Red and White. All of my sorors of Delta Sigma Theta should love this quilt.
Be Ready! #1 (Even If You Don't Get To Go)
Just in time for those New Year’s resolutions, my new series called Be Ready! (Even If You Don’t Get to Go) stresses the importance of preparation. These are small quilts that measure 10 x 12 inches, but they make a big impact.
Be Ready! #1 (Even If You Don’t Get to Go) features an appliqued dress in a red and orange African print. Although it does not show up well in the photo, the cream background fabric has gold specks. It is embellished with inspirational words, buttons, charms and beads. I have written the words “Be Ready” on the front of the quilt.
The fabric on the back is a journey motif to further carry out the theme. There is a hanging sleeve on the back and a label that documents the quilt. I signed it on the front.
This quilted wallhanging is one of a kind. It is offered for sale in my studio store.
The next Jewelry and Quilt Open House will be held November 10, 2012 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the home of Connie Marshall, 500 Stonebriar Way, Atlanta, GA. We have decided to hold our open house only once per year, on the second Saturday in November.
Mark your calendar now because this is when you can get deeply discounted prices on my quilts and special pricing on Connie’s unique jewelry. Plus, it is always a lot of fun. I am looking forward to seeing all of my collectors and wannabe collectors!
Dream Like Crazy, 44 x 51 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2012.
I made Dream Like Crazy in response to a Tri-Guild challenge to make a crazy quilt. Unfortunately, I missed the meeting where it would have competed against other crazy quilts so you are the first to see this quilt.
As you know, I have been sorting scraps. This quilt allowed me to use up some of my scraps of African fabrics. (I am still sorting scraps, by the way). I love scrap quilts and plan to make several this year.
One of the best things about a crazy quilt is that you can continue to add to it. Although this quilt is heavily embellished with buttons, crystals, words, etc., I am continuing to add to it. It is somewhat autobiographical, but I guess all of my quilts are in a sense.
I named it Dream Like Crazy because I happened to be working on it on Martin Luther King Day.
Welcome to the Family, Avery Elizabeth!, 26 x 37 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2012.
My loyal collector Judge Patsy Porter did not stop after commissioning Welcome to the World, Avery Elizabeth!. She decided that the new grandparents needed a keepsake quilt also. Welcome to the Family, Avery Elizabeth! is for the grandparents. It is also done in pinks and greens with hearts in the center blocks, but the back of the quilt is extra special. The fabric on the back says “I love Grandma.” The label on the back includes a picture of the family Avery Elizabeth is about to join.
Justin Brantley
I am still sorting scraps and coming up with ideas to use them. Justin, my shih tzu and constant companion, decided to help. He always helps with my quilting, although the sound of the sewing machine is his favorite lullaby.
India says she cannot imagine what kind of quilt Justin will make from his “sorted” scraps. Whatever he comes up with will be beautiful because Justin loves quilts. He drags his personal quilt everywhere he goes.
Can you find Justin in this pile of scraps? Here’s a cute picture so you know who to look for.
As for me, I am focused on making some new red and white quilts. I have separated all my red scraps into a pile. Given my huge pile of scraps, that is an accomplishment.
Roses are Red, 74 x 94 inches, by O.V. Brantley, 2007. For sale at etsy.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts
If you did not get real roses for Valentine’s Day, enjoy my quilt Roses are Red.
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