What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Oh yes, quilty friends, I’m a total snow fanatic and eagerly anticipate that first frosty flurry. In my dream winter wonderland, the boring brown Podunk landscape gets buried under a fluffy white blanket from early November straight through to March.  Of course, I wouldn’t want blizzard conditions.  Just enough snow to make snow angels, build snowmen, and craft snow forts to hide a stockpile of snowballs for launching at Mr. Podunk when he gets home from work... HAHA! 

Quilt measures 45 x 45

A direction leaflet that will aid in making the snowflake quilt will be sent free to any reader sending a stamped, addressed envelope to Nancy Page in care of The Idaho Statesman, Boise, Idaho ...

 The end of the year is a good time to look back at what we have accomplished in the past 12 months.  Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs hosts and annual "Best of..." party and so I will be linking this post up to her blog.  I have done lots of machine sewing, hand stitching and knitting this year and it is hard to pick out which projects were my favourites.  Here is my best effort!

1. My favourite hand stitching project was "Love Birds"--a counted cross stitch picture that I made for a friend's daughter and her husband ...

 Last weekend, I attended a quilting retreat, my first in two years.  Everyone in attendance was double vaccinated and our tables were spaced apart.  I brought along 4 projects plus some mending to work on over the three days of the retreat.  My husband gave me a nifty folding cart for my birthday in February 2020 and this was my first chance to use it since I got it.  With the cart, I was able to bring in all my sewing stuff in one trip as well as my overnight bag. 

 The Modern Snowflake quilt is growing!  I made 10 more blocks but only have a picture of the first 8--all sewn together.  The next four blocks are made, but not added to the quilt yet. Part of the snowflake is starting to appear!  The buffalo plaid is looking good too.  I'm hoping to finish this top in the next week or so--I have purchased some red flannel snowflake fabric for the backing.  I love a cozy quilt with a flannel back!

 I also managed to re-knit the hat I started last week and had to rip out due to ...

 Each year, the Elgin Piecemakers Guild issues a challenge to their members.  This past year, we were given a piece of insulbrite thermal batting and asked to make something for our kitchens using scraps.  On Thursday night, we met in person for the first time in ages and revealed our projects.  There were oven mitts, hot pads, a casserole carrier, tea cosies, etc.  Many in the group used selvages in their projects.  I decided to raid my denim stash (from old jeans) for my lasagna pan hot pad.  I have a large orange lasagna pan and always have to use ...

One day not too long ago, a kind reader asked if I was ever going to start posting again on Scrappy Wednesdays.  With a request like that, how can I not?  I had stopped for a while because I was so pushed by commission work, I didn't have time to do any scrappy sewing and very little surfing for inspiration.  But it's better now and I promise to be better about posting regularly!

And today I have an actual scrappy finish to share!  First, a little history.  In November 2019, I made this fun quilt using ...

Welcome to the first Friday in October!  Have the leaves started changing color where you are?  I love this time of year, probably because I grew up in Miami, FL where the leaves NEVER change, and I'm enjoying watching the tree outside my sewing room window.  Every day there's a little more color showing!  While that's whoop-worthy, I bet I can come up with some sewing whoop-whoops, too, and I imagine you've got some too.  So let's get started!

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It's been a busy week at my place!  I've been having so ...

A few years ago, I did a lot of research on a quilt with many names inscribed.  It seems to be fund-raising quilt, and was made in Melrose, MA, in 1897 or 8.  The information and connections made via this quilt just keep on coming...

You can read about the quilt, the research process, and the results - there are 14 blog posts - starting here, if you want to read through the whole process step by step.  There also is a summary of the process, a description of my adventures taking the quilt "home" to Melrose, and downloadable sets of data ...

Yes, I'm a day late for the Solstice, but better late than never, I figure.  Let's slow down for a while and appreciate the cycles of time and the amazing Earth we all share.  Wishing everyone health and kindness. 

And so, let's talk about the quilts.  I've showcased two Snowflake quilts here on my blog made from a Paragon kit.  And now, here come numbers 3 and 4!!!  

Wonderful coincidences and quilt stories just keep on coming.  I love quilters!  Here's the newest one to arrive in my inbox:

I have inherited this quilt and saw you restored one just like it! Thank you for giving me some history of where this quilt came from. I didn’t know who made it but am a new quilter and really appreciated the work. So, that's pretty exciting!

Of course, I wrote back and asked if I could post the quilt and her story here.  She kindly agreed.  Here's what she has to tell:
My grandmother passed ...

Yes.  You read that correctly.  Today, we had snow flurries.  In May!!!  I even wore my winter jacket, mitts and a hat this morning on my walk.  In May.   It can be cool here at this time of year but it has been many years since I remember having snow in May.

Speaking of snow, my snowflake quilt is done!

This is Sarah’s Purple and Silver Quilt. We love it when Sarah comes in to drop off a quilt. They are always the most amazing pieces. With intricate and complicated piecing, all expertly stitched by hand, and in beautiful colors, Sarah never ceases to amaze. She made this quilt as a wedding gift for her brother and future sister-in-law. I am sure that this will make quite an impression at the wedding because her beautiful quilts usually do.

Hand piecing in Purple and Silver

Looking at this quilt can be intimidating. There is so much going on because of ...