What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

FIRST -- I stand corrected!!! Yesterday I made a mistake. The interviewees did NOT get paid. That was very clear, but for some reason, I misinterpreted the information. I apologize for that. Thanks to a couple of readers who pointed that out. I've corrected my post from yesterday. What is disturbing is that while these people didn't get paid, the network paid $7 - 9 million for the rights to produce that interview, so someone profited. If you want to live a private life, then you should keep it private. You can't have your cake and eat it too ...

There is nothing like satisfaction at getting things done! And quickly. As you know, our microwave went on the fritz earlier this week. Not that we use our microwave all the time, but well - we do. I like the microwave to make oatmeal, it's great for reheating leftovers, and I like to microwave my Magic Bag to use either just for the warmth or for an aching muscle. 

So, when it went, we needed action fast. Through the wonders of the internet, I researched (a little bit) about microwaves, and bought one, and arranged delivery and installation, all without ...

The sun was out in all its glory yesterday, and I took full advantage of it! I moved a sewing machine upstairs to Studio U. And after I finished my project for work (on the laptop), I moved over to the sewing machine. I can't share what I'm sewing with you - well, not yet, but what fun to sew in the sun! 

It was so warm in that room, I thought it was summer! I finished the one quilt block that I was working on and even cut out and sewed part of the next one! How about ...

 It doesn't look like summer outside, so it's a good day to talk about Summer Moon! This is one of the ongoing classes that we ran through The Hobby Horse this past year. The book is by Carrie Nelson. 

Summer Moon by Carrie Nelson

The concept in the book is quite unique. Take 24 blocks. Make three blocks of each, but in different sizes - a 5", 6 ½" and 8" - these are unfinished sizes. Then you add framing to make the blocks the same size! It was a challenge, to say the least, and LOTS of little pieces ...

What a difference 24 hours can make. I snapped this photo when I was returning from our morning walk. I think there's a bit of a mixed message here. 

Let's get both meanings of Christmas in the same scene! 

The meaning of Christmas

Have you noticed that we spend a LOT of time doing quilting stuff that has nothing to do with the sewing of the project? 

This is the scraps from PRISM Squared. I took apart all the seams for the pieced sections - remember, this is the scraps. Now I need to cut out the center for the next project, which uses the scraps from cutting the first set of wedges. YES - there is a bonus project with this one. I'm trying to get everything organized, and it might go in my retreat bag! 

Sorting through the scraps

Then I'm ...

This past weekend, I taught a beginner class on the EQ8 software. Many of the students had just purchased their EQ8, some have dabbled in it for a bit, others hadn't touched it in a long time. It's one thing to take a class (most followed me as I went through the software), but quite another to design your own quilt. As I brought the class to a close, I gave them a homework assignment - design a block or a quilt. 

Well, this class has NOT disappointed me. I've been getting pictures of the homework since Sunday ...

Another GREAT day! I don't care what the rules are - having people to talk to is important! Whether that talking is via Zoom, on the phone, or in person. If you're NOT getting out or connecting with people, you NEED to do that. It's important for your mental health. And it's going to be even more important as winter arrives and people tend to cocoon inside their homes. 

I've found a good way to multi-task. I plug my headphones in, and I make calls while I'm on my afternoon walk. I have to laugh ...

Another great day! Even when I went for my walk in the rain. It wasn't raining much, and I needed to get out. I wore my raincoat, and I was fine. 

I'm almost finished with the latest writing assignment. That will go out this morning after our walk, and then it's time to start all over again! But the end is in sight! And that warms my heart! I haven't been sewing as much as I'd like to and the next two weeks will be very busy with presentations, so I'll do what I ...

 I spent the majority of the day just sewing, and it was glorious! I did sew some of the homework stuff that needed to be done. I'll share that with you another day. I need to get some more writing done today to get the homework to the group. I did catch up on some other projects that needed to be done. 

Best of all, I spent it with two friends, and we had a fabulous time just chatting and sewing. Here's the thing - we ALL live alone - right? And did I not hear that it's OK ...

It was a challenging day yesterday! I had three Zoom sessions and the internet did not cooperate in some of them so I'll be calling my service provider yet again. At least, I have some knowledge of what the issue is to help those that are not trained enough to help fix the problem. 

Speaking of which, I learned a very valuable lesson. I had to give a demo of something that I'm not that familiar with and I had practiced but I wasn't that confident in the subject. It showed and I goofed! Oh boy - it ...

I love staying at home! I'm getting so much done, and I'm so motivated these days. I think the motivation is coming from seeing the others on the Zoom calls. I can see what they are working on, and while I'd love to do some of the stuff that they are making, my conscious won't let me until I get some more of my own stuff done! 

Of course, I have deadlines to work with, so that's a motivator as well. But the bottom line, I'm making significant progress, and while Studio B still ...

What a super day we had yesterday. I don't think we had any new faces on our Zoom Virtual Retreat, but gosh, it's so nice to check in with everyone. We had people connect all the way from Germany to Cochrane, Alberta. Hello everyone!!!! So great to see everyone and thanks for stopping by to chat. I feel like I really know you all!!!

Don't be shy - you don't have to stay and sew, just pop in to say HI. It's great fun to get to know some of you a little bit better, and ...

We had another great Monday sewing session via Zoom. Honestly, I don't know what we would do without these Zoom session. The fact that we get to see each other and keep up to date with families, solving the world's problems, our projects, and anything else that comes up in the conversation is AMAZING. I can't imagine what it would be like to not have the Zoom sessions. I'd feel so isolated.

While Zooming is NOT the same as seeing each other in person, it's the next best thing, and quite frankly, I feel like ...

Who turned up the heat? I don't mind the heat, and no, we still haven't turned on the air conditioning. We like the fresh air in the house, so some of the windows are wide open. A strategically placed fan or two, and we're good to go. We eat outside, and I was out in the gazebo in the afternoon for a well-deserved nap.

The key is to stay out of the sun. I walk with the dogs earlier in the day, and I went for my evening walk a bit later than usual. Everything was good ...

l, I did it - almost. 

I have two classes this morning via Zoom. The invitations have been sent, and the presentations are done! OK - so I'm missing a picture for one slide. I still need to sew what I'm putting on that slide, but I have ONE free hour before the presentation, so that shouldn't be a problem. And I got 7 of 9 blocks sewn, but that's OK since there are three sets of identical blocks in different sizes. One of each at least got put together.

I'm in good shape, and so far ...

It was nice to get an e-mail yesterday from an online store that had to shut down their ordering process while they caught up on the backlog of orders! That's amazing! I know that some quilt stores are still "open" and doing a thriving business by taking web or phone orders and arranging for shipping or curbside pick-up.

Some have gotten very creative in that process - either by sending out daily or weekly e-mails with the latest offerings or a tip or a video. Others are posting new products or ideas on Facebook and IG daily. It seems to ...

I know this is a totally scary time for everyone. Life is upside down compared to what we knew it. This is also a time for everyone to realize how important they are to the functioning of our world. Obviously, neither of us is that important since our lives haven't really changed a whole lot.

Yes - we did go out for meetings or to teach classes but we seem to be managing just fine using technology to keep up to date with things. Yes - I went to the gym, but I'm walking outdoors more which isn't a ...

We are finally finishing up our beautiful Summer Moon Quilt from the Summer Moon Block of the Month Book after a fun 10 months! Quilters from every corner of the world sewed along with this whimsical sampler quilt designed by Carrie Nelson. Now that we’re wrapping up our quilting, let’s check on those final blocks and our finishing pattern!

Each month since May, Carrie Nelson has been giving tips for making the blocks in these short videos. We released three new videos each month on our YouTube channel. Bookmark the Summer Moon video playlist and subscribe to our ...

We are over halfway through our beautiful Summer Moon Quilt from the Summer Moon Block of the Month Book! Quilters from every corner of the world are sewing this whimsical sampler quilt designed by Carrie Nelson. Now that Month Eight of our 10-month Block of the Month club is behind us, let’s check in and see where we’re at!

Each month since May, Carrie Nelson has been giving tips for making the blocks in these short videos. We release three new videos each month on our YouTube channel. Bookmark the Summer Moon video playlist and subscribe to our ...