What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

It's New Year's Eve. Another year has passed, and what do I have to show for it? There are lots, but I tend NOT to keep track of what I accomplish in a year. Well, that's not entirely true -- I know how many KMs I've walked/ridden my bike or spin class, I know how many novels I've read, and I know how many quilts I donated (more or less) and well, I'm so highly motivated that I don't really need to know how much else I got done. It was a lot ...

 A quick note about the Barn Star Sampler. 

Barn Star Sampler

A number of you have realized that you can purchase a PDF of the book directly from the author, and there are other places where you can buy different versions. The Hobby Horse still has about 8 copies! Whether we run the class through The Hobby Horse or I do it myself, we WILL have a class on this quilt. Sooooooooooooooooo    --- if you bought it -- just wait! 

If you want to go ahead and sew it, there will be no need to sign up for the class. Part of ...

I don't even know where to start with my "joys" of technology. My biggest question is, AM I ALONE? Certainly, I can't be the only one who has issues with cell phones working or not working? 

The story began months ago when my phone started cutting out, resulting in many visits to various places. The result is that I paid the insurance deductible (I NEVER buy insurance, but this time I did), and I got a phone replacement. 

Yesterday was the day to transfer all the data to the new phone. Yep -- you know where this is going ...

It was bound to happen - I've developed a sore throat! It's been years since I've been sick, and I could feel it coming on yesterday. Well, nothing that a few throat lozenges can't cure! (I hope!) I've no plans to go anywhere, and nothing urgent to do, so the timing is right. But still -- I HATE being sick! So far, it's just a sore throat; let's hope it doesn't develop into something more. 

I accomplished more paperwork, and I'm getting things under control. I still have one distribution list that has ...

The stocking are hung! Interpreted into my world, that means that all three presentations for this morning are done! Well, until some of the missing photos come, and then I'll have to add them. Let's say that, for my part -- I'm done! It's an exciting show and tell to finish off the year. 

Yes -- speaking of the show and tell, I've been very lax in showing off what the students have been working on, and I'll remedy that this week. 

But -- someone suggested the Buy Nothing groups on Facebook. OMG -- I want to get ...

OH  --- Elle mentioned in the comments about waiting to see the BIG totals at the end of the year. The number of quilts made, donated, the fabric used, etc. 

I am NOT good with that kind of stuff! Well, I am, sort of. I do have some tallies, but I doubt I've captured everything. I have a folder called "year-end review," and I think I put pictures in it at the beginning of the year, but it's missing lots. However, even the stuff I remember from the last couple of months will be impressive. 

I'm now at ...

Earlier this week, I had some quality sewing time, and made good progress on the Project Linus quilt on the longarm. I finished the quilting, and removed it from the frame.

The quilting is a cloud pantograph in navy blue Signature cotton thread.

I added a label to the back. Several readers asked last week about where we got these labels. Ours are printed words on a long, cotton twill ribbon that we cut apart. There are about 3 labels per foot. I found a similar one on Amazon – Personalized Cotton Ribbon, and more options HERE.

In just an afternoon ...

This week we had a big event to do with our MINI club. MINI Take the States is a nine day driving event where participants drive across multiple states, stopping each evening along the way for fun activities hosted by local cubs. This year the route took them from Burlington, Vermont down to Greenville, South Carolina. When they reached Asheville, it was our club’s turn. Our local group, the Appalachian Mountain MINIs hosted a concert at a local brewery. Parking in the lot, already MINIs are gathering. Our MINI is the red one. My Sweet Babboo put our AMM ...

Up early last Saturday, I wanted to find a way to use the rest of a bunch of jelly roll strips, odds and ends, bits and pieces of patriotic prints. You can see part of the messy pile on my table. I had some larger 12-inch nine patch blocks, and some small 6-inch nine patch blocks for the center of the stars in my To The Nines quilt pattern. But I have made so many of this pattern, I wanted to use up the leftovers with something new.

I had an idea of using the jelly roll strips in large ...

During the Covid isolation I didn't just sit around doing nothing.  Well, actually I did for the first six or seven months.  Once I came out of my funk I did get into my sewing room.  I managed to make several charity quilts for Project Linus to be donated through my guild, the Rocket City Modern Quilt Guild.

This past week has been a lot of piddling around, and not finishing much. I’ve done a few embroidery motifs using the new cards purchased for my 20+ year old Brother Pacesetter machine. I showed this one last week, as it was stitching, here it is completed. I’ll add two more to this one for a three-panel wall hanging.

Several asked about the darling pattern that I have for this hand stitchery when I showed it before. It is a Stitcher’s Revolution iron on transfer. It is available on Amazon – Stitcher’s Revolution Ktichen Sayings. There are ...

When you give a quilt, you’re giving so much more than a simple present. A quilt is a gift of time, a gift of patience, a gift straight from the heart with love in every stitch! There are so many wonderful charitable organizations that welcome handmade quilts with open arms. If you’re looking for an opportunity to give love, we’re here to help you find a place to send your beautiful quilts, fabric, supplies, and donations. Thank you so much for everything you do! Together we can change the world one stitch at a time.

How We ...

I was off to the gym yesterday! And it was so much fun to be back! Masks are required inside, of course, but once you get to the cycling studio, you can take the mask off. Joseph is the BEST spin teacher I've ever come across. He's tough, but he's good. Even though he doesn't check, he motivates you to slog through the hard cycling. I cranked out 32 KM on the bike without a thought. OH, that's a lie - I thought about lowering the tension on the bike, but I didn't. I feel ...

It was a glorious day yesterday! I accomplished a lot, saw a lot, and well - just a great day!!

Often, when I go for a walk, I take my phone. Not because of the social media, which I'm hardly on these days, and I don't miss it a single bit, not because someone might text me or call me - I rarely get messages, unless it's from M who wants to know what's happening with Little Bear. Nope - I take my phone because it has a fantastic camera on it.

I stopped to take a picture of ...

I'm still doing donation quilts but just haven't posted any for a while.  

I'm still doing donation quilts but just haven't posted any for a while.  

So it's been 3 months since I last posted.....sigh, where does the time get to? I'm trying to decide whether or not to continue blogging or to just give it up since I seem to be so bad doing it on any kind of regular basis.

In my last post you saw my poor Winston Ways which had some unfortunate bleeding in the wash. Well, I'm happy to report that the problem has been resolved. A HUGE thank you goes out to Vicki Welsh and her fabulous information on dealing with bleeding fabric. After a nice ...