Getting Stronger and Stronger

Posted on May 31, 2016 by
Getting Stronger and Stronger, 52x71 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016. For sale at ovbrantleyquilts.com

Getting Stronger and Stronger, 52×71 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016. For sale at ovbrantleyquilts.com

My quilt Getting Stronger and Stronger started out as a demonstration quilt so that I could demonstrate hand quilting at the 2015 Atlanta Quilt Festival. Now that I have finally finished it, I really like it.

The color combination is symbolic of a fight against breast cancer. It seems we all know someone who is battling this terrible disease.  The pink and brown colors represent vulnerability and strength. The finished beauty of the quilt (complete with big stitch quilting) represents glorious victory.

This quilt makes me happy. Enjoy!

Getting Stronger and Stronger in the quilting frame at 2015 Atlanta Quilt Festival.

Getting Stronger and Stronger in the quilting frame at 2015 Atlanta Quilt Festival.

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“African Star” Finds A New Home

Posted on May 29, 2016 by
African Star, 68x68 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

African Star, 68×68 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

My quilt African Star was with me for a very short time. After one of my friends got a new job, I decided African Star was the perfect gift for her. She says it matches her bedroom perfectly.

I love star quilts and the symbolism they represent. This quilt is one huge star as is my friend.

Elephants on the back of "African Star"

Elephants on the back of “African Star”

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“Be Bold” Finds a New Home

Posted on May 28, 2016 by
Be Bold, 75 x 90 inch quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2015.

Be Bold, 75 x 90 inch quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2015.

My quilt Be Bold was recently sold and shipped to a collector in Virginia. She says she loves it just as the visitors at the 2015 Atlanta Quilt Festival did when it greeted them as they entered the South Fulton Arts Center.

Be Bold is part of my “BE series. These quilts inspire us to take the next step to be better. Other quilts in the series include Be Amazing, Be Fearless, Be Calm, Be Bossy, Be Brilliant and Be You. 

I am happy Be Bold found a loving home.

Judges of the 2015 Atlanta Quilt Festival juried quilt exhibit pose in front of "Be Bold"

Judges of the 2015 Atlanta Quilt Festival juried quilt exhibit pose in front of “Be Bold”

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My Red and White Quilts Part of Exhibit at Downtown Atlanta Library

Posted on April 9, 2016 by
Star of Mu, 60x60 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Star of Mu, 60×60 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

My collection of red and white quilts are part of an exhibit entitled Looking Forward and Backward: The View From My Grandmother’s Porch. The exhibit is at the Atlanta Fulton County Library, 126 Carnegie Way, Atlanta, GA 30303. It will be on display until April 29, 2016. 

In addition to my quilts,  Aisha Lumumba, Marquetta Bell Johnson and Elaine Parker also have quilts in the exhibit. Their talent will amaze you! Our styles are so different that I am sure you will find a lot to enjoy.

We had a large crowd at the Opening Reception Thursday. Guests enjoyed entertainment by Felton Eaddy and Pamela Diana and cupcakes by India’s Sassy Sweets. We also shared our stories with the audience.

Please visit ovbrantleyquilts.com for purchase information. Use coupon code “library” for an extra 10% off until May 1, 2016. Of course, some of my red and white quilts like Star of Mu shown above are precious heirlooms and are not for sale.

I hope you will be able to see the exhibit. Here is a small sampling of my collection I See the World in Red and White and Joy!

Ancestral Delta Star, 68x68 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Ancestral Delta Star, 68×68 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Dreaming of Being the Belle of the Ball, 50x58 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Dreaming of Being the Belle of the Ball, 50×58 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Give Yourself Flowers Today, 16x21 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Give Yourself Flowers Today, 16×21 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

 

O.V. Brantley with "Disagreement", 36x48 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016. For sale at ovbrantleyquilts.com

O.V. Brantley with “Disagreement”, 36×48 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016. For sale at ovbrantleyquilts.com

Red and white quilts waiting to be hung.

Red and white quilts waiting to be hung.

Audience enjoying entertainment at "Looking Forward and Backward: My View From My Grandmother's Porch" exhibit.

Audience enjoying entertainment at “Looking Forward and Backward: My View From My Grandmother’s Porch” exhibit.

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Give Yourself a Flower Garden and a Vacation and Anything Else on Your Bucket List!

Posted on April 3, 2016 by
Give Yourself a Flower Garden, 60x60 inch applique quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

Give Yourself a Flower Garden, 60×60 inch appliqué  quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2016.

I just returned from a fabulous vacation cruising on the Celebrity Equinox for 11 nights. My gratitude meter is sky high!  I enjoyed great food, interesting ports of call, fabulous fun with my travel mates and uninterrupted Mommy time with daughter India.

The highlight of the trip for me was visiting South America which had long been on my bucket list. We spent two glorious days in Cartagena, Colombia, but also visited Cozumel, Costa Rica, Panama and Grand Cayman.

Part of the joy of visiting that part of the world is the sheer beauty of it. One of my strongest memories of this trip is that flowers seemed to be everywhere. While I will hold those colorful memories close to my heart, if they begin to fade, I can always turn to my quilt Give Yourself a Flower Garden for a memory jolt of just how good life is.

When was the last time you checked something off your bucket list?

Give Yourself a Flower Garden detail

Give Yourself a Flower Garden detail

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Give Yourself a Flower a Garden detail

Give Yourself a Flower a Garden detail

Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia

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Spring Cleaning

Posted on March 13, 2016 by
My Southside Neighborhood, 63x81 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2014.

My Southside Neighborhood, 63×81 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2014.

Just before the official beginning of spring, we all get the urge to clean up something. We tackle the yard and haul away dead branches. We tackle our closets and donate clothes we have not worn in years. We reorganize our offices and resolve to be better organized.

But what about people? Are we brave enough to discard  the negative people in our lives? Are we committed to finding a new job or a new relationship?  Remember there is no room for the new until you throw out the old.

What are you throwing out to make room for something new? Are you making your life as green and vibrant as my quilt My Southside Neighborhood?

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Quilts Return Home From Lucy Laney African American Museum

Posted on January 2, 2016 by
Three Sisters.001.2015

Three Sisters, 38×58 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2015. For sale at ETSY.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts

Four of my quilts were part of the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild exhibit at the Lucy Laney African American Museum in Augusta, GA. The exhibit lasted from October, 2015 through December 31, 2015.

These quilts are now listed for sale in my studio store at Etsy.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts.

Woman's Work is Never Done.0012012

Woman’s Work is Never Done, 36 x 62 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2014. For sale at ETSY.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts

Joyful Journey.002.2013

Joyful Journey, 68 x 74 inch art quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2013. For sale at ETSY.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts

Give Yourself Flowers Growing Free, 49 x 62 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2014. For sale at ETSY.com/shop/ovbbrantleyquilts

Give Yourself Flowers Growing Free, 49 x 62 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2014. For sale at ETSY.com/shop/ovbbrantleyquilts

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Be You in the New Year

Posted on January 1, 2016 by

 

Be You, 36x36 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2014. For sale at ETSY.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts

Be You, 36×36 inch quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2014. For sale at ETSY.com/shop/ovbrantleyquilts

I have learned that I am happiest when I am me. (It sounds like a dumb statement, but many people spend a lot of time trying to be someone else). My resolution for 2016 is to continue to be me. That means I will continue to share my beautiful quilts. I will continue to enjoy the rough and tumble of my local government law practice. I will continue to try to be the voice of reason in the room as my mediation skills teach me to do. I will continue to try to be Super Mom and dote on my now grown-up daughter. I will continue to try to be the Best Boss, the Best Friend, the Best Aunt and the Best Grandmother to my dog Justin. All of that rolled up together is me.

Be happy in 2016 being you!

Serene at Sixty, 38 x 42 inch quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2014.

Serene at Sixty, 38 x 42 inch quilt, by O.V. Brantley, 2014.

 

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Waiting To Exhale #3 Finds a New Home

Posted on December 30, 2015 by
Waiting to Exhale # 3, 33 x34 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2011

Waiting to Exhale # 3, 33 x34 inch art quilt by O.V. Brantley, 2011

My quilt Waiting to Exhale #3 was sold and shipped to Billings, Montana. The new owner loves it as did I.

I think I will create Waiting to Exhale #4. I always wonder at the beginning of a new year, “What’s next?’

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