sew and tell

End of the Year - Best of Sew & Tell from Melva Loves Scraps

It's the final Sew & Tell of 2025! Each and every party has been filled with inspiration and creativity. I've enjoyed seeing the progress of quilts, some from start to finish and I've enjoyed seeing how each quilter approaches a project differently. I'm so glad that we can all celebrate the finishes (some for years old UFOs) and the completion of a particular step. We celebrate the big finishes as well as the small ones. We are a community of supporters! And I am grateful for the support that you offer me. THANK YOU!

This week's ...

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

Laura and FMQ ~ Sew & Tell - 12/22/25 from Melva Loves Scraps

I offer to you a happy and festive greeting as we are in the midst of the "most wonderful time of the year." We are ready to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior sans any tree. Dave and I are both fine with it... I have strung lights around our living room windows and have our most favorite decorations out, include our little nativity scene and vintage Christmas ornaments in vintage boxes.

I don't forget that there are many people that celebrate different holidays at this time of year, including the Festival of Lights (Hanukkah). I cannot ...

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

Weekly update: holiday events, a cold snap, and a new start from With Strings Attached

The AAUW holiday luncheon was on Friday.

We long ago stopped having entertainment at the luncheon. We just enjoy the fellowship, food, and fundraising. $508.50 from the silent auction and $200 from the quilt raffle go to AAUW Greatest Needs Fund. $130 from 50/50 cash and $275 in outright donations go to our local scholarship for girls planning to major in a STEM field.

Judy P. won the quilt. The raffle tickets were sold only at the luncheon this year. (In years past the quilt was displayed at the state fall conference but now that's on Zoom ...

added by Nann 3 months ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , neckties , oh scrap! , raffle quilt , sew and tell

Small Gifts ~ Sew & Tell - 12/8/25 from Melva Loves Scraps

Hello, hello! I have been busy over here with two finishes - I shared those on Friday, and you can get all the details of the "His & Hers" Walk About quilts here. And then I turned my attention to some small gifts to share with the grandkids, friends and neighbors. But before I go into detail about those, let's take a look at Marsha's small gift bags at Marsha's Spot.

As you can see, she has an assortment of colors and prints. They sew up quickly and I have adjusted the size as needed. Head over to her ...

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

Weekly update: parties and scraps + reading from With Strings Attached

Friday evening: the 151st annual Carthage College Christmas Festival. The college chapel is a beautiful setting for the splendid music.

Rotary friends and family had dinner at a Kenosha restaurant beforehand.

Kaylynn, whose family is in the top photo, is a freshman at Carthage this year and in the orchestra. Donna and I (lower photo) have known her since she was born.

Saturday began with the funeral for our Rotary friend Nate at a church in Waukegan. It was a chilly service because the church furnace was on the blink. (Ironically Nate was a long-time trustee so just a few ...

added by Nann 3 months, 1 week ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , mug rugs , oh scrap! , reading , sew and tell , weekly update

Weekly update: a snowy end to November from With Strings Attached

The boys are back!

The nutcracker collection began with a gift from my mother shortly after we were married. She gave us two or three more. I've acquired the rest at TJ Maxx, estate/rummage/garage sales, and thrift shops. They're all German.

I made Good Cheer in 2013 from swap blocks.

The rest of the nutcrackers are providing a backup chorus for the Christmas tree.

Just as forecast, it began snowing at noon Saturday and continued all night long. This was the view from the front door this morning. 9" accumulation.

I shoveled the front stoop and ...

added by Nann 3 months, 2 weeks ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , nutcrackers , oh scrap! , omg 2025 , scrap quilts , sew and tell , stash report , top-along , weekly update

Holiday Week(end) Sewing ~ Sew & Tell - 12/1/25 from Melva Loves Scraps

I had a calm and relaxing week as I continued sewing and quilting Memory Keeper III. I explained last week about the request for an additional quilt...

But first! Let's look at the featured quilter from the party. Sally at Crafts, Cavies & Cooking shared that her king-sized Winter Stars quilt is OFFICIALLY DONE! This is no small accomplishment... Congratulations Sally! She stated that "According to my notes, Winter Stars took roughly 180 hours to complete."

It is a stunning quilt, and you can catch the entire journey of Sally's making and finishing this quilt by following the link ...

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

Memory Keeper III ~ Sew & Tell - 11/24/2025 from Melva Loves Scraps

Wow... where did the week go? I didn't have a lot of time in the studio, but I did get the two memory quilts labeled and shipped. We had a "day out" and purchased a chair... but before I get caught up in all of that, let's take a look at this week's feature.

LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color shared her inspiration and process for a "watercolor" pumpkin quilt.

It all started with a pumpkin she spotted while on a walk and some scraps.

Since she was unsure of creating the shadow area, she pulled out ...

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

Weekly update: a finish and a good book from With Strings Attached

The thrifted shirts quilt is finished.

I made the rounds of local thrift shops and scored two twin sheet sets (flat and fitted) and two flat sheets. They're all cotton. I can usually differentiate between microfiber and cotton with just a glance (something about the sheen?) though some 60/40 blends can be deceiving.

I put one of them to use right away for the shirtings quilt. It's the paisley. I had to cut around some small stains. I added the blue floral to make it wide enough.

It is futile to think I'll use up all ...

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

Memory Keeper Finishes from Melva Loves Scraps

I'm so glad you are here! I am writing on Friday morning because I am joining some quilty ladies at a retreat. The location is just 40 minutes away and is quite affordable! Just $75 for two nights. This is only my second retreat though they have been holding the retreat weekends at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, NM for years, twice a year - typically April & November. Because I am scheduling this post, I'll be skipping the weekly feature...

But I just have to share the fact that I finished the two Memory Keeper quilts. I really ...

added by Melva 3 months, 4 weeks ago. under sew and tell

Weekly update: local history, bunco, a finish, and the other RSC project from With Strings Attached

The Zion Woman's Club fall Bunco fundraiser was Friday night. As club president I had a lot invested in the outcome and I am delighted to report that it was a great success. If I added correctly, the gross income was $1950. One winner was very lucky indeed -- she won $215 in the 50/50 cash raffle, $225 in the gift card raffle, and the quilt I donated.

# # # # #

I enjoyed two programs sponsored by the Waukegan History Museum in honor of Indigenous Peoples Month.

Thursday evening was a showing of "The Negotiator." Billy Caldwell,

(c) Susan Kelsey

aka Sauganash ...

added by Nann 4 months ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap! , rsc 2025 , sew and tell , weekly update , zwc

Little House Feathers ~ Sew & Tell - 11/10/25 from Melva Loves Scraps

It is time to party again! I do hope that you will join in and show us what you have done over the previous week... or month. It does not matter if you haven't offered an update in a while. I understand! Life happens and, at time, at a very rapid pace! If it has been a while... I don't mind - I'll grab a cup of tea as you get me (and a few friends) caught up.

The featured party participant this week is Amira from the Little Mushroom Cap. She shared a cozy fall quilt and ...

added by Melva 4 months ago. under sew and tell

Weekly update, part 1: placemats and more from With Strings Attached

I made time for only two walks this week, in and around meetings, when it was still warm and sunny. The front came through Saturday night. We had a dusting of snow and the Sunday high was in the mid-30's.

Left: Mr. and Mrs. Crane out for a promenade at Middlefork Forest Preserve on Wednesday afternoon. I was that close to them.

I stopped at Middlefork on my way to Lake Forest Place where the AAUW book group meets. This month we discussed Horse by Geraldine Brooks. I listened to it earlier this year when Diann/Little Penguin recommended ...

added by Nann 4 months, 1 week ago. under bom , design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap! , placemats , round robin , sew and tell , weekly update

Weekly update: placemat palooza and more from With Strings Attached

There were about 20 trick-or-treaters on Friday afternoon. The little kids are the cutest. And most said "Thank you" without any coaching. Three 11-year-old boys were wide-eyed at the bags of popcorn I gave out. "You are the WINNER!!" one of them said.

Autumn colors and a wooly bear caterpillar at Illinois Beach State Park yesterday. Bottom left: two mullein sprouting new green leaves. We haven't had a frost yet.

As so often happens, it takes an obituary or a funeral to reveal all of a person's accomplishments and how many lives that person touched. Saturday afternoon I ...

added by Nann 4 months, 1 week ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap! , placemats , sew and tell , weekly update

Memory Keeper ~ Sew & Tell - 11/3/25 from Melva Loves Scraps

Welcome back to the Sew & Tell party at Melva Loves Scraps! My party is open for quilters and crafters who want to share their projects... their progress or their celebrations of finishes.

After being gone for a week, I was overwhelmed with the comments on the previous week's Sew & Tell as well as the Out of the Dark blog hop. Everyone is so kind with your visits and comments... I apologize that I didn't respond. Please know that I really do read each one! And answer any questions you may have. However, I am embarrassed to admit this ...

added by Melva 4 months, 1 week ago. under sew and tell

Returning from Red River ~ Sew & Tell - 10/27/25 from Melva Loves Scraps

Let's get the party started!

~~We are just getting settled back in at home after a week away in Red River, NM...~~

You can read all of the details here...

I will update everyone on another day since time is running out before the scheduled party kick off.

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

Tuesday Turn About at My Wee Abode

Tuesdays with a Twist at Stone Cottage Adventure

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Creatively Crafty at Creatively Beth & Artsy Fartsy

Share Your Style at French Ethereal

Put Your Foot Down at ...

added by Melva 4 months, 2 weeks ago. under sew and tell

Underfoot in Italy from With Strings Attached

I'll add this post to the Monday link ups because it's quilt design related. I hope you'll scroll down to read the travelog post and leave a comment. Design Wall Monday Sew and Tell Oh Scrap! Monday Musings

I could not resist taking pictures of the tile floors in Rome, Florence, and Venice. My quilter's brain went to work right away figuring out how they were put together.

Don't turn me in! Photography is strictly forbidden in the Sistine Chapel, but I covertly snapped photos of the floors.

Capitoline Museum, Rome

St. Mary Major (Santa ...

added by Nann 4 months, 3 weeks ago. under design wall monday , monday musings , oh scrap! , quilt design , road scholar , sew and tell , weekly update

Applique & Quilting ~ Sew & Tell - 10/20/25 from Melva Loves Scraps

Welcome back to the weekly Sew & Tell party... where you can share your progress, projects and thoughts and be inspired by others... find encouragement and encourage others. This week we have Gretchen from Gretchen's Little Corner as she shared her progress on the Rhapsody in Blue.

Gretchen is a pro at her applique and hand quilting and addresses the blank spaces of a quilt.

"I always cringe when I view a quilt that has a pretty quilting design, but the background is left unquilted. To me (this is my opinion, you don't have to share it) the quilt ...

added by Melva 5 months ago. under sew and tell

Art Haus Paper Lanterns ~ Sew & Tell - 10/13/25 from Melva Loves Scraps

Another week... gone! I could go on and on about how time seems to be flying by... but that is an old record that needs to be put to rest. ;)

This week's Sew & Tell feature is not one that needs to be set aside. Rather, it is one that needs to be kept in the forefront as the weather transitions to a new season.

Preeti at Sew Preeti Quilts showed off one of her Island Batik projects - Milo. Preeti has a knack for selecting patterns and fabrics and colors that work well together. The simple quilting of this quilt ...

added by Melva 5 months ago. under sew and tell

Sew & Tell - 10/6/25 from Melva Loves Scraps

Where did the week go??? I woke up this morning thinking this thought. As I reviewed all that took place... Hot tub delivery, Bible Study, 3rd Quarter Review and time in my studio... I realized that even in a relaxed state/pace of life, time marches on. It feels good that there have not been any emergencies or crisis that has popped up in life! (I hope I didn't just jinx that... ;) ) Maybe it is the fact that we have enjoyed the hydrotherapy sessions multiple times a day and we are simply calmer and sleeping better! It has been ...

added by Melva 5 months, 1 week ago. under sew and tell

What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?