What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

This month I debated setting a new OMG.  July was an epic fail between all the travel and illness.  I came out of it re-evaluating the day to day with a bend toward simplifying.

In the end, I decided to give it a go.

I started Fairy Tales Live on Roofs in November 2024.  Between the monochromatic color scheme and all the back stitch, I set it aside often.  It dragged on too long, and I’m determined to finish it this month.

Here’s where it was last time I showed it.

Here’s where it is now.    

A ...

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I have more than usual cross stitch to share with you today. The mini retreat with Kelli, Kayla, and Nell gave me just the boost I needed. The last time I showed you my Consider the Lilies, I was working on this flower… I finished it…and also worked on the flower in the border above …

Cross Stitch Update: August 7, 2026 Read More »

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You might remember that I said our friend Nell came for a stitching weekend. I am trying to remember when I first met Nell. I know it was when Kelli and I went to Storm Lake, Iowa, for a Bonnie Hunter retreat. I saw Nell again in 2015 and 2017 when Kelli and I hosted …

Mini Retreat Read More »

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No change in the numbers.

I feel like I misplaced July.  I’m not sure what happened to it.

We were all under the weather this past week.  Nothing happened in the sewing room, although I did work on the stitch project I started when we were on vacation.

It’s a Bucilla kit I bought last summer at a crafter’s garage sale.  I chose it for vacation because it’s small with blocks of stitching.

I got a good start on it.  The fabric is 18 count aida.

I look forward to getting back in the sewing room ...

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July has been mostly a bust where quilting and cross stitching are concerned. My brother was here for 10 days, and we had a good time catching up and binge watching The Gilded Age, so there was that. A bigger chunk of my time, however, was spent researching a serious topic related to a recent action by our HOA. I hope I got its attention.

As a result, I delayed starting another big cross stitch project and dug up one already in progress, although just barely – a Christmas-themed afghan, stitched on white Anne Cloth. The designs come from a 12 ...

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I didn’t get much stitching done this week…(broken record) HA! It’s the season, I think. I was only able to pick up cross stitch twice this week. One day I sat with Anders while he was trying to fall asleep for his nap. Then I worked on Consider the Lilies by Heartstring Samplery. I had …

Cross Stitch Update: July 31st, 2026 Read More »

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 The only constant in my days is that they are flying by. Does time speed up in the summer months I wonder. We had Tony's birthday celebration last week and he is now 87 and counting. It was a somewhat sad day as he reflected on all the people he has lost including another good friend in recent months. Things brightened up though when we went out for a meal to a nearby restaurant with Beth and Brad. Beth made him a beautiful chocolate cake, his favorite. She uses Barry's recipe found at his site, Rock Recipes, and ...

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I was up before 6 am. I got in my shower, breakfast and then we were out the door for Olympia. I'm not having good luck with my tests lately. I had the Electrocardiogram done today. Results came back, and there were a couple things my doctor wants me to talk to my cardiologist about. It will have to wait till we get back to see if I need to see him soon.

Came home and Patrick went to take a nap. I went downstairs and did a sleeve for my cross-stitch bars. I have my next cross stitch ...

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I don’t have a lot of progress to show. We’ve had the grandkids twice this week…and remember that elusive garage sale we are having? Well, I’m still working on it. I’ve been through so much stuff in the house. It’s been a while since I’ve shown you the whole piece of Consider the Lilies. Here …

Cross Stitch Update: July 24th, 2026 Read More »

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Saturday, I drove over to Osage, Iowa, to the Stitchery Nook. They were holding a 4-day open retreat, meaning anyone could attend. I opted to go just for Saturday. I’m still trying to catch up on life at home and only spared a day to get away. I almost didn’t go, but I wanted to …

At the Retreat Read More »

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You might remember that I went to the Stitchery Nook on Saturday for a one-day retreat. The other ladies were stitching for more days. Me, just one. That was okay because it was less tempting to spend more money. HA!! It was also a great compromise that I could still go and still get some …

The Stitchery Nook…Shop Tour Read More »

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I was supposed to be at the Stitchery Nook in Osage, IA, yesterday for a retreat. The retreat was running from the 16th to the 19th, but there was no way I could give up that many days. I ended up having an issue with a doctor appointment. It was supposed to be Wednesday, but …

Cross Stitch Update: July 17th, 2026 Read More »

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You all know that cross-stitching hasn’t been a big focus for me lately. Between consolidating mine and Rick’s things, prepping for a garage sale, dealing with medical stuff, more hobbies, and life, cross-stitching hasn’t really happened as it previously did. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to, it just means life isn’t giving me time. …

Retreat Day TOMORROW!! Read More »

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Truly I got a fright when I glanced out the kitchen window and saw this hulk type animal under the feeder, so different from what I am used to seeing there. I first thought it was a bear! This is just the second time I've seen a Raccoon here on this property. I went outside, gave a few loud claps and it ran off and to my surprise, up the side of the garage and did so with remarkable agility. I haven't seen it since.

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I’m late with today’s Cross Stitch update. We had a long day yesterday with the kids and I didn’t have time to sit down at the computer. More than a cross stitch update, I have a story for you… Wednesday overnight, both of my daughters, Kelli and Kalissa, worked overnight shifts as nurses. They both …

Not Really a Cross Stitch Update but a Story!! Read More »

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Stitch by stitch, evening after evening, my own version of Sarah Barker's sampler is finally complete 186 years after Sarah finished hers. I began this piece in January. Everything about working on this sampler has delighted me. If you've been a reader here for a while you may recall a post that I did many years back regarding a thimble that my grandmother gave to me. I am including the link

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Stitch by stitch, evening after evening, my own version of Sarah Barker's sampler is finally complete 186 years after Sarah finished hers. I began this piece in January. Everything about working on this sampler has delighted me. If you've been a reader here for a while you may recall a post that I did many years back regarding a thimble that my grandmother gave to me. I am including the link

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I didn’t get much cross-stitching in this week. I had the grandkids three of the days this week. I had doctor appointments two of the day and a dance recital in there too. I keep telling myself that once I get to the 4th of July, things will slow down. Fingers crossed. I grabbed my …

Cross Stitch Update: July 3, 2026 Read More »

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The cross stitch seed series is finally finished, and the verdict is that the amount of time invested was highly disproportional to their size.

Here is Pumpkin Seeds, with the revised color palette.

I think the changes were worth it, particularly with respect to the pumpkins now looking like actual pumpkins (see Bait and Switch). The incorporation of specialty stitches and novelty buttons elevate and enhance the cross stitching without being overpowering – just added cuteness.

The pink blocks for my half-square triangle 2.0 quilt top are also done.

Handling 36 16-inch blocks to finalize the layout and achieve an ...

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 Can you see him?

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