I learned about Many Hands and Many Hearts from Quilting JetGirl. She recently featured their current project: Black and White Framed Charity Blocks.
Yep, I’m on board. And cutting scraps. And gathering squares. I hope to have a good number (maybe between 20-30) to send in by the deadline (end of February).
If you have scraps, why don’t you join us? It is fun to have fun, but you have to know how…
read moreGood morning, my friends. It was a good day for sewing yesterday. Mike was out bike-riding, and I had the place to myself. I could spread out at will. Mike has no problem with me taking over virtually every surface in the RV, but I'm more comfortable when I can tell myself I'm not inconveniencing anyone. So...wanna see what I did?
I started here with these sections of the stars from my previous day of sewing. The first step was to lay them out as they would be sewn together.
Good morning, my friends. It was a good day for sewing yesterday. Mike was out bike-riding, and I had the place to myself. I could spread out at will. Mike has no problem with me taking over virtually every surface in the RV, but I'm more comfortable when I can tell myself I'm not inconveniencing anyone. So...wanna see what I did?
I started here with these sections of the stars from my previous day of sewing. The first step was to lay them out as they would be sewn together.
Looking over my photos of finished quilts, here is one that was never shown. My “Rail Fence Delight”.
Ridley had to photo bomb my set up. What a guy! Thing is …. he wants to play and thinks this will make me stop …..
It all started with a small salad container and some pre-cut neutral strips that I bought from a lady that was moving (Wendy in Barrie as I know she reads my blog). The Rail Fence block was the way to go! The center was done quite some time ago, but the border stumped me and the project was ...
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I am slowly working my way through the projects inherited from Susan Nixon. It is bittersweet–glad they are finished, sorry she isn’t here to finish them…
This one is another variation of a Log Cabin, her favorite block. Here is a link to the less-than-traditional one I finished earlier in 2025.
About 60% of the blocks are Susan’s, and the rest are built by me. Some use strips that were included with the blocks, and I added some fabrics from my own (considerable) scrap stash.
The quilt is 72″x 88″. Not sure what to do with ...
read moreGood morning, my friends. Well...the rain continues. We get periods of sunshine and blue skies, but it doesn't last. And then, we can get a long deluge. It makes planning anything outside impossible. But you know how it is. When the going gets tough, the tough get sewing. That's exactly what I did yesterday. I'm still working out some sort of efficient work flow set up for myself, but here's what I have so far.
The sewing machine is set up at the table, obviously. It's a good spot because I have windows to ...
read moreGood morning, my friends. Well...the rain continues. We get periods of sunshine and blue skies, but it doesn't last. And then, we can get a long deluge. It makes planning anything outside impossible. But you know how it is. When the going gets tough, the tough get sewing. That's exactly what I did yesterday. I'm still working out some sort of efficient work flow set up for myself, but here's what I have so far.
The sewing machine is set up at the table, obviously. It's a good spot because I have windows to ...
read moreI don’t use patterns very often, but I saw the Starlets pattern and knew it was just what I wanted for a patriotic couch quilt.
I did modify by replacing some of the stars with solid pieces of mostly larger print fabrics that wouldn’t work well for the small, pieced blocks. As built, it is 72″x72″.
The bandana print background has been in my stash for a long time. I believe I bought it on clearance at a local quilt shop for $2.99/yard. (Ah, those were the days…)
Husband helped to pick out the binding ...
read moreGarden Gnomes symbolize good luck, protection, and prosperity stemming from European folklore where they were believed to be earth-dwelling spirits guarding treasure and helping plants grow at night, bringing fortune and warding off evil spirits.
This panel is by Rubin Design Studio exclusively for eQuilter.com. This panel measures 30″ x 44″. I love this panel. I call it The Mushroom Man. I cut my strips 3.25″ to yield 5″ finished hexes. I cut my equilateral triangles with my First Choice Rulers.
I’m in love with this quilt. Many times while designing, I subconsciously create a ...
read moreGood morning, my friends. It seems we learn something new with each trip. Sometimes we have to re-learn things we've already known. In this case, it was driving more than three days in a row. We shortened our daily distance this trip, but driving for five days in a row was too much. We were both exhausted yesterday. We decided to take some chill lessons from our kitties. Sadie was taking on a zen position on her window hammock.
Good morning, my friends. It seems we learn something new with each trip. Sometimes we have to re-learn things we've already known. In this case, it was driving more than three days in a row. We shortened our daily distance this trip, but driving for five days in a row was too much. We were both exhausted yesterday. We decided to take some chill lessons from our kitties. Sadie was taking on a zen position on her window hammock.
As in will she get anything done?
HAPPY NEW YEAR! New Year's Day was the 33rd anniversary of my quilting life. Again, glass half-full girl here, hoping she can accomplish more than last year, and that 2026 is not the dumpster fire that was 2025.
I love to make potholders. But I haven’t much lately. So, one of my quilting goals for this year is to make at least one a month. For January, I have two (so far).
These sewn together 2-1/2″ squares came in a scrap bag. What a perfect starting point!
In a single day (January 1), 16-patch blocks were created, layered, quilted and bound (while watching a football game). Ta-dah!
TIPS:
–You can make something similar using any 16 2-1/2″ squares. If you have a mini charm pack, you can make two, or, by adding 6 coordinating squares ...
read moreGood morning, my friends. I’m writing before we leave the RV park this morning, so I’ll have to tell you about today’s drive in tomorrow’s post. When I left you yesterday, we were preparing to head over to a nearby Mexican restaurant for margaritas and dinner. As it turned out, the restaurant was a sort of a fast food place with drive-thru service only. We weren’t up for that, and so we went to a different place across the street called “Wood Almond.” It turned out to be a good choice with some unusual items ...
read moreGood morning, my friends. I’m writing before we leave the RV park this morning, so I’ll have to tell you about today’s drive in tomorrow’s post. When I left you yesterday, we were preparing to head over to a nearby Mexican restaurant for margaritas and dinner. As it turned out, the restaurant was a sort of a fast food place with drive-thru service only. We weren’t up for that, and so we went to a different place across the street called “Wood Almond.” It turned out to be a good choice with some unusual items ...
read moreGood afternoon, my friends. Today we find ourselves in Patterson, California. Here's what I know about Patterson: It is known as the "Apricot Capital of the World," and holds an annual Apricot Fiesta to celebrate with many drinks, food, desserts and games. If you've been paying attention, then you'll remember I said we'd be in Tracy in my last post. I was wrong. (I know...weird, right?) We're actually some miles down the road.
We've always traveled around 300 miles on driving days...usually more than that. For this trip, and hereafter, I've ...
read moreGood afternoon, my friends. Today we find ourselves in Patterson, California. Here's what I know about Patterson: It is known as the "Apricot Capital of the World," and holds an annual Apricot Fiesta to celebrate with many drinks, food, desserts and games. If you've been paying attention, then you'll remember I said we'd be in Tracy in my last post. I was wrong. (I know...weird, right?) We're actually some miles down the road.
We've always traveled around 300 miles on driving days...usually more than that. For this trip, and hereafter, I've ...
read more