sew and tell

Weekly update: quilt show and afterward from With Strings Attached

The 22nd Great Wisconsin Quilt Show was at the Alliant Center in Madison September 10-12. It used to be called an expo, hence the quilt label that identifies the post. It's the eighth time I've attended and the second time I've stayed overnight.

By pleasant coincidence both Anna and I arrived at the same time Thursday morning. We met at the entrance--we didn't even have to text. She stays at her brother's cabin. I had a motel reservation.

I was able to get tickets for two lectures.

I've known Jennifer Chiaverini since she wrote ...

added by Nann 3 days, 19 hours ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap! , sew and tell , weekly update , wisconsin quilt expo

Sew & Tell - 9/14/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

What a week! The long (holiday) weekend followed by a short week felt like we just blinked and POOF! it was gone. I had planned on quilting on Sunday afternoon... and on Monday... THAT didn't happen. We spent a great deal of time tidying up the basement and getting things back into a more proper order.

But first... let's take a look at this week's Sew & Tell feature...

Daryl at Patchouli Moon Studio has dedicated a significant amount of time to making Sew Powerful Purses.

When I collected my quilts from the Library Art Wall I prepared ...

added by Melva 5 days, 11 hours ago. under sew and tell

Lala, RSC & Books.... Oh My! ~ S&T - 9/7/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

The saying goes... "Don't pray for patience... for you will be given ample opportunity to practice it!"

Waiting for... anything can be frustrating... I won't bore you with many details, but we were excited to see the workers for the HVAC system arrive Monday morning. They and Dave worked all day getting ductwork in place. It was a dirty, messy job in the crawlspace and I was certainly glad that I didn't need to be up there. And the fact that there were 3 men in the space that in some areas is only 15-18" deep, I ...

added by Melva 1 week, 3 days ago. under sew and tell

Little Lala ~ Sew & Tell - 8/31/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

We stand at the cusp on the end of another month! The "ber" months are around the corner, and it seems that many in the northern hemisphere are ready for the change in the calendar and the change of the seasons... a new chapter of sorts.

Which brings to my mind my Bookish Journal Quilt. While I've continued enjoying the audio books, the disruption in life had prevented me from spending much time in the studio... and the precious time spent there was focused on finishing my Little Lala Irish Chain Quilt. But I'll hold those thoughts until ...

added by Melva 2 weeks ago. under bookish journal , lala's irish chain , sew and tell

Weekly update: end of the August from With Strings Attached

New fridge collage

The trip to Scotland was wonderful! I got home Friday evening. I've recovered from jet lag and I'm gradually coming up to speed with regular life. The travelog is in process (basically a compilation of the daily Facebook posts and photos). I'll post it in a day or two.

The design wall is as I left it on August 12 with batik wonky stars.

Instead of working on those the past two evenings I made purple coin units for the September RSC. The pattern calls for 12 blocks with two coin units each. I ...

added by Nann 2 weeks, 2 days ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap! , rsc 2026 , sew and tell , stash report , weekly update

Twists & Turns ~ Sew & Tell - 8/24/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

This week had a super slow start... and then it took off like a tornado. For this reason, I am extending grace to myself and skipping the weekly feature. I just don't have the energy to put into it, and I certainly hope that you'll understand...

I started writing my thoughts for a post for later in the week on Monday... explaining that I was in the market for some new quilting rulers - 12-1/2" and 6-1/2"... and asking for personal recommendations. I plan to use some of my credit from Connecting Threads for the purchase... therefore ...

added by Melva 3 weeks, 2 days ago. under sew and tell

Chain Gang II ~ Sew & Tell - 8/17/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

Welcome back to Melva Loves Scraps and the weekly Sew & Tell party! Another week has zipped on! The old saying is that "time flies when you're having fun". If that's the case, then I've been having a grand time! ;)

I'll fill you in on what I've been busy with after this week's Sew & Tell feature.

Gail at Quilting Gail shared a summary. She has been participating in a variety of BOMs and has shared the links for each of them. In addition to those updates, she had finished her Tilt-a-Whirl quilt. Make a visit ...

added by Melva 1 month ago. under sew and tell

Sew & Tell - 8/10/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

It's August and time of year that seems to get busy for many. Families with children are preparing for back to school and/or squeezing in one last family trip, and gardeners are enjoying the fruits of their labor (whether floral or produce... or both!).

August in our house finds both Dave and I enjoying a walk down memory lane as we celebrate our wedding anniversary. Monday, the 10th, marks our 41st. I found the following info with a quick search on the web...

While there is no traditional anniversary gift, Topaz has been the associated gemstone for the ...

added by Melva 1 month, 1 week ago. under sew and tell

Weekly update: just playing with blocks + reading from With Strings Attached

Wildflowers at Illinois Beach State Park: swam milkweed, spurge, liatris, evening primrose, mountain mint (it is minty!), nodding onion (it is onion-y), Queen Anne's Lace (oh, sure, it's lacy), lead plant.

This is a viceroy (Limenitis archippus), not a monarch (Danaus plexippus). The tell is the black line near the edge of the wings.

# # # # # #

On Saturday I treated myself to the matinee performance of The Odyssey, with a jumbo box of popcorn for lunch. It was on the regular big-screen, not IMAX, but it was action-packed enough for me. So much of the story was familiar because The ...

added by Nann 1 month, 1 week ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap! , reading , sew and tell , weekly update

The Chain Gang ~ Sew & Tell - 8/3/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

As we bid July farewell and welcome August, I am relieved that the summer monsoon rains have arrived. The fire fighters continue to battle fires across the state of Colorado, Aspen Acres included. This was the huge fire that had several of our friends evacuated from their homes for 3 weeks... 3 WEEKS! As well as both our daughters on alert for emergency evacuation. I know that there were homes lost and property damaged, but none of the people we know personally lost a thing.

The return of the rains now causes a new problem... flash floods. :( My mind reels ...

added by Melva 1 month, 2 weeks ago. under sew and tell

Weekly update: stash report and a good start to August from With Strings Attached

A short walk close to home on Friday. Top: compass plant, Culver's root, prairie pinnate coneflower. Center: tansy, purple coneflower, jewelwood. Bottom: monarda, rosinweed.

It rained all day Saturday--nice and gentle, no wind. I puttered around indoors.

Stash report for July: fabric IN 41.75 yards, $70, average $1.67 per yard. Fabric OUT 71-5/8 yards. Year to date: fabric IN 233-3/4 yards, $307, average $1.31 per yard. Fabric OUT 451-5/8 yards. That's a net decrease of 218 yards -- hooray!

# # # # #

Hopscotch Butterscotch is a flimsy. I think the border piano keys should have more ...

added by Nann 1 month, 2 weeks ago. under monday musings , omg 2026 , quiltville , rsc 2026 , scrap quilts , sew and tell , stash report , top-along , weekly update

Hot Times ~ Sew & Tell - 7/27/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

Welcome back to Sew & Tell! It's been a cooker here and I have been hanging out with the AC on. My mind was buzzing with the sound of fans, but I am not uncomfortable because of heat. "This too shall pass," is what I keep telling myself.

The constant sound of fans has interrupted my sleep, and I may have been just a little grumpy for a day ~~or two~~. It was on the second day that I decided that something had to happen... I pulled out the violet cross-stitch blocks that came from the sister of a friend ...

added by Melva 1 month, 3 weeks ago. under sew and tell

Weekly Update: challenge met + watching/reading from With Strings Attached

Wildflowers at Illinois Beach State Park on Saturday: monarda, elderflower, lead plant; sawtooth sunflower, mounain mint, swamp milkweed; Queen Anne's lace, spurge, purple prairie clover.

I spent Sunday afternoon and evening in the studio -- the air-conditioned basement -- and finished the guild challenge quilt.

60 x 72. If I'd taken more time the color balance would be a little better but I mostly wanted to avoid two-same-fabrics-touching.

The back is as bright as the front! I got the jungle print from some bargain source (it's Alexander Henry). The green is sliced from a remnant of 108".

108"w ...

added by Nann 1 month, 3 weeks ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap! , sew and tell , weekly update

R & R in RR ~ Sew & Tell - 7/20/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

Thanks for coming back to Melva Loves Scraps and the weekly Sew & Tell party! I did not have much of a chance to visit everyone this week... But I have a good reason for it! I know that you are all familiar with the party and trust that you made visits to those that share links. Many thanks for doing that! Since I was amiss in my task, I'll be skipping the weekly feature.

My reason for being a poor hostess??? We were off camping in the mountains surrounding Red River, NM.

added by Melva 1 month, 4 weeks ago. under bookish journal , sew and tell

July 13, 2026

The Beginning of a Beautiful Thing ~ Sew & Tell - 7/13/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

Welcome back to Sew & Tell... the weekly party where you are able to share your recent projects (finished or progress) and friends get inspired and encourage one another!

I had a fun week in the studio. But before I tell you all about that let's take a look at the featured selection from last week's party. There were several scrappy style projects shared but Alycia's Pringles quilt in progress was the one that was randomly selected.

She had a huge growth spurt all due to the AC going down and repairmen needing supervision. I'm sure her ...

added by Melva 2 months, 1 week ago. under lala's irish chain , sew and tell

July 9, 2026

Weekly update: rain, shine + goals met + reading from With Strings Attached

Wildflowers at Pine Dunes (Saturday) and Ethel's Woods (Sunday). Top: monarda (bee balm), purple coneflower, pickerel weed. Center: compass plant, Queen Anne's lace, false sunflower. Bottom: butterfly weed, Culver's root, swamp milkweed.

Just as forecast, thunderstorms rolled in Friday afternoon, rolled out, and more rain overnight. Saturday dawned sunny and I had a great 2-mile walk at Pine Dunes in the morning. Later in the day the rain returned and the temperatures dropped. I didn't want to bundle up and sit on wet grass (even in a chair on wet grass) to watch the Zion festivities ...

added by Nann 2 months, 1 week ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap , reading , rsc 2026 , sew and tell , top-along , weekly update

July 8, 2026

Scraps for a Cause ~ Sew & Tell - 7/6/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

I hope that you enjoyed the Patriotic weekend celebrating the 250th birthday of the United State of America

added by Melva 2 months, 1 week ago. under sew and tell

July 2, 2026

Mountain Time ~ Sew & Tell - 6/29/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

Welcome back to MLS and Sew & Tell! Our time away camping was a pleasant time... a little different with an additional person in-tow, but still pleasant. Mom enjoyed the getaway and we were blessed to be able to spend the time with her and actually watch her routines and habits... but the camper is just a bit small for three. ;) I'll share pictures... but first, let's take a look at this week's Sew & Tell feature.

Kate at My Life in Pieces shared her second finish for 2026 - Chilhowie. This quilt was a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt in ...

added by Melva 2 months, 2 weeks ago. under sew and tell

June 26, 2026

Easy As A, B, C ~ Sew & Tell - 6/22/26 from Melva Loves Scraps

Welcome back to MLS & another party session of Sew & Tell! Creatively speaking, the party was diverse... There were several finishes and WIPs and progress updates... and inspiration was abundant! This week's randomly selected feature is Vicki at Vicki's Crafts & Quilting. She shared her colorful strings... her first complete donation quilt for the year.

This was a project that she worked on over the winter. She said that the strings were sewn to phone book pages that she had saved. Wise plan Vicki!

Head over to her blog to see what she chose for the backing!

I had a ...

added by Melva 2 months, 3 weeks ago. under 100 days , sew and tell

June 22, 2026

Weekly update: solstice, rummage sale + VRD challenge complete from With Strings Attached

Welcome summer!

I was up really early on Sunday and caught the solstice sunrise over Lake Michigan.

In the afternoon I took a nap, rather than a walk, to compensate for the early morning.

# # # # # #

I did get a 2-mile walk on Saturday.

Water lily, nodding thistle, blackberries, St. John's wort, elderberry, self-heal, white avens, coneflower.

The walk came after I went to the final morning of a church rummage sale. I bought two bags for $5 each and filled them with a lot of men's shirts (23) and ties (44). If they were cotton or silk I put ...

added by Nann 2 months, 4 weeks ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap! , rsc 2026 , rummage sale , sew and tell , villa rosa , weekly update

sew and tell
Page 1 of 20 ( 391 posts )
next

What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?