Antique Mall Rewards!

On Tuesday afternoon I rewarded myself.

For WHAT you might ask?

For GOOD BEHAVIOR!

The papers that you see in this envelope are my flow sheets, the first time I am seeing my book in PDF status.  My job was to go over them with a fine toothed comb and check for errors, typos, math issues, missing images, or missing image labels, and just all around “does it flow?” stuff.

I did a little bit of this each day over the past several days while up at the cabin, even on Easter –there are deadlines!  And I met my deadlines!

This little bundle had to be sent back off to my tech editor to arrive by TODAY.  Which means I had to ship it on Tuesday.

I made my way to the post office in Wilkesboro, NC on my way home from the cabin.  What a BEAUTIFUL afternoon it was.

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Quilt-Cam! 3/30/2016

Welcome to Quilt-Cam!

Wow, has it been a while since we have been able to do this. 

This photo was sent in by Barb on a Quilt-Cam evening, Feb 24th!

At the time she was pulling red strings and getting ready for our Talkin’ Turkey workshop in Cincinnati.  That came and went, we had a wonderful time and I was home for only a day before heading off to Michigan.

I got back from Michigan the Sunday before Easter, and Easter week was just too busy to throw a Quilt-Cam in – and we headed up to the cabin for our Family Easter/Spring break.

That brings us to NOW!  There has been a lot going on in the past month, so much to catch up on with you!

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It’s Razzle Dazzle Time!

There is a special issue of Quiltmaker Magazine just about to hit your mail box!

Inside, along with all of the other beautiful projects you will find my quilt, Razzle Dazzle!

Remember when I went to Plano, TX to teach over New Years?  THIS was our secret class mystery project!

I am so happy that it is now time for me to be able to share it with YOU.  If you are a subscriber, this issue should be on its way to you.  If you aren’t, you’ll find it at your favorite news stand.

Razzle Dazzle started out as a way to use larger hunks of batiks, many that came home from me on a trip to Bali a few years ago.

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A Cabin Meant for Dreaming..

See that upper window?

The part of the cabin that juts out a bit, forming the covered side porch roof?

That’s the window to the master bedroom.

You can barely see the west ridges in the right of the photo – those are the ones that will be hidden from view as soon as trees get their full leaf regalia.

I did some mighty weird dreaming last night!  It was weird enough that I can’t stop thinking about it this morning.

It involved ME riding on a very antique bicycle, evidently getting myself to my workshop a bit late.

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Easter on the Mountain!

This Sadie-girl about says it all!

Our Easter day was rainy and drizzly with ever present mist and fog. 

Just not a beautiful spring day for wanting to be out and about. 

Instead we tucked ourselves inside and enjoyed movies, hanging out, and just being together.

And food.  Yes there was food, and even if it WAS a simple fare, it was plentiful and we ate too much!

Because mom was busy with quilt blocks on the floor, Sadie found her comfy safety zone on top of the denim BSU quilt on top of the ottomon.  She is the queen of all she surveys!

My hopes for Easter hiking dashed, it was easy to console myself with more time at Frannie, the new to me black 301 long bed.

Oh, she is a wonderful machine!

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On a Quiet Easter Morn…

The mountains are lost in a bank of early spring fog.

Not even a whisper of breeze is stirring the trees.

It’s a quiet, beautiful morning on the mountain, perfect for reflection, letting go, renewing.

Easter is quiet this year, just three of us as Jason has to work tomorrow, making it difficult to drive up to the cabin for just part of a day.

We are enjoying spending time together on the mountain.

We’ve talked, we’ve laughed, we’ve enjoyed movies and good food!

Isn’t that the best part of being together as a family on any day, why do we save this just for holidays?

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Stitch a little! Love a Lot!

It started here with my bin of green strings.

Remember the green string blocks I have been working on in the past?  On again, off again, on again, off again!

ON again!

I tried to find the most recent post with the green string blocks, but I couldn’t.  That search bar just doesn’t keep tabs on me the way I would like it to!

At any rate…I no longer needed strings per-se, but I did need a variety of fabrics that I could cut some narrow strips from, and the green string bucket came to the rescue.

The best part of this bucket?  SO MANY DIFFERENT PIECES!

And so I started to pull, press and cut.

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And the Random Number Generator goes Wild!

Good Good Friday evening, everyone!

I’m back just in time from an afternoon of “out and about” to do our little drawing while dinner is on the grill!

Have you been following along with what is going on during the Scrap Quilt Secrets blog hop & Give-Away?  It still goes on, many more days to go, and many more opportunities for you to win your own copy of Scrap Quilt Secrets by Diane K Knott!

Here are the other participants for the blog hop, each hosting their own giveaway and choosing their own favorite quilt from Scrap Quilt Secrets.  Be sure to visit them all, starting off with the kick off on the C&T Blog!

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A Bit of Traverse City Antiquing!

Today we are time-traveling back to my visit in Traverse City Michigan!

I didn’t get a chance to share the wonderful quilts and things we saw while we were putzing around town on our free day.

My presentation wasn’t until the evening, and the girls had planned quite the day out: Antiquing, Exploring, Photo Ops, Shopping and LUNCH!

My favorite thing of all to do is wander antique shops and just see what is out there.  Inventory changes all of the time.

No two shops are ever alike, and quite often I find pieces of history specific to that area, like when I was in Oklahoma and found all of the Sooners memorabilia, including a poster of my uncle!

Here’s an idea for those with a grandmother's flower garden quilt in cutter-condition.  These adorable pincushions were made with the shattering quilt pieces and stuffed with walnut shells.  I love pincushions and would have picked this up to bring home, but it weighed 5 lbs and my luggage was already at weight limits!

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Let’s Do that Random Number Thing!

I bet you thought I forgot!

Well, I didn’t!  i had a little errand I had to run in town, and I just got back!

I am so excited I am buzzing!

But before we get to that we’ve got a little Random Number Generator thing to get around to.

How many of you are anxious to win this month’s Quilty Box?

The March Quilty Box is more than just a sampling of needed, coveted and loved products.  This month’s box is destined to become a very useful item in your busy quilty life!

You will find EVERYTHING in this box to make your own Stash and Dash roll up organizer, including the pattern, the stabilizer, the fabric, the vinyl, the zippers, EVERYTHING!

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Quilt Your Heart Out! And Mine!

Are you ready to Quilt Your Heart Out?

Maybe you’ve heard, but I bet you haven’t-

Quilt Your Heart Out is a NEW kind of podcast held weekly and hosted by nationally recognized mother-daughter quilting team Marianne Fons and Mary Fons.

It launched in February, 2016!

Quilt Your Heart Out is the first-ever listener-interactive podcast specifically designed for quilting enthusiasts. Check out how to ask a question—you may have some time on air!

Subscribe, so you can listen every week, and in the meantime, quilt your heart out.

How’s that for an intro?

I am sharing this little tidbit with you because today's podcast is now LIVE, and they are giving ME a shout out on sites not to miss!  How cool is that?

I have no idea what they will say, they just told me that I needed to listen.  Today.

And they made me PROMISE that I would be a guest in the future!  How could I say no? :cD

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Getting Spring Break Started!

There is a new ride on the block!

Say hello to my new Quilt-mobile, MOBY!

It was a very bittersweet moment as I left Shamu at the dealership and took possession of this handsome fella. 

It’s even a bit weird.

Because it feels like Shamu, it drives like Shamu, it’s only 6 years newer than Shamu, and even though similar, there are buttons and bells and whistles in different places and I’m getting to know him (Yes, Moby is a HIM!) just a bit at a time.

When we rolled off the lot there were only 8 miles on his odometer.  I plan on a long life together traveling to guilds and events far and wide, with his all wheel drive keeping me safe through all kinds of weather.

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Scrap Quilt Secrets with Diane Knott!

Happy Spring, everyone!

Today I’m happy to be taking a little break from my own world, and share in the excitement of a friend and also C&T Author, Diane Knott of Butterfly Threads Quilting!

Diane’s new book, Scrap Quilt Secrets is just being released, and I have been privileged to hold an early release copy in my hot little hands.

Diane is a scrappy girl, right after my own heart and I absolutely love how she has pulled together all of the wonderful elements that make a scrap quilt spectacular with a check list of 6 “Secrets” that make quilts sing!

S is for Style!
C is for Contrast!
R is for Repetition!
A is for Accent!
P is for Palette
S is for Selvages!  (SELVAGES?!?) Yes! SELVAGES! There are quilts using selvages in the book. 

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Show to Us, Share With Us!

This is Sheila!

Sheila lives in Virginia, and I have enjoyed her company both as a student in my workshops when I am near enough for her to attend, and also as a traveling friend!  She and her hubby joined me on our Germany trip a couple of years ago.

But this is MICHIGAN!

And in walks Shelia to our Thursday night guild meeting with the Capitol Quilters in Lansing!  I am sure I did a double take.  Or triple.  Maybe even quadruple.

And as we hugged each other and the story began to unfold I came to learn the Sheila had driven something like 13 hours from Virginia to Michigan because her sister lives in the Lansing area as is also a member of this guild!  A bigger bonus –not only did I get to meet Sheila’s sister, but her very sweet mother as well.  I had the trio of them as a big surprise for the meeting.  Just when you think you won’t know a soul, in walk some friendly faces putting you right at home!

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Cathedral Stars For World Wide Quilting Day!

Meet Katie and Lisé!

They have been my right and left hand while I’ve been here in Lansing and we have had a wonderful time getting to know each other!

These two took me antiquing and out to lunch on Thursday, showing me the area since we had so much “free” time before my lecture with the Capitol City Quilters on Thursday evening.

Not only did I learn some very cool things from them, but I feel like the exchange was an even one as they may have learned a thing or two from me in the process as well!

It’s just wonderful when things fall together so easily.  I know they have been working extra hard behind the scenes to make sore that this weekend went off, and it is due to their hard work that things worked out so well.  Thank you so much, ladies!

I have been spending time with Katie’s featherweight, nick named Bess during some of my off hours as well.  See what I mean about being taken care of?  All of the comforts of home and more!

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March 2016 Quilty-Box! Give-Away!

Have I ever got something special for ONE lucky Quilter out there!

I thought this would be a terrific way to celebrate World Wide Quilting Day, 2016 --with a GIVE-AWAY!

The March Quilty Box is more than just a sampling of needed, coveted and loved products.

This month’s box is destined to become a very useful item in your busy quilty life!

You will find EVERYTHING in this box to make your own Stash and Dash roll up organizer, including the pattern, the stabilizer, the fabric, the vinyl, the zippers, EVERYTHING!

From the folks at Annie's:

It is a great pleasure for us to present this special box built in collaboration with Quilty Box. We had a great time working with Patrick and his team to bring together the materials for one of our favorite projects, the Stash and Dash fold-over organizer.

Stash and Dash is a great quick project that can be used in many ways.

We suggest making one to hold your sewing supplies, another for your cosmetics, and one more for office or art supplies that can quickly go in a purse or backpack. Stash and Dash is a versatile little bag and is infinitely customizable, since we also carry 48 colors of zippers and 7 colors of mesh, allowing you to use any fabric you choose!

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Scrappily Bargello-ing in Lansing, MI!

Here we are, the Charlie’s Angels of Scrap Quilting! LOL!

Yes, you can make a TON of progrss in a fun and easy workshop like Scrappy Bargello. Have you made one?

You need to give this a try – and since today IS National Quilting Day (Something I didn’t find out until YESTERDAY!) this would be a fun project for you to pull out and work on today!

This pattern is completely sewn in panels.  4 panels make a great lap sized quilt, add borders and it’s even more generous in size.

And yes – in a 6 hour workshop we had some top finishes!

Can you believe it?

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Those Gorgeous Kalamazoo Quilts!

And the quilts just kept coming!

The colors, the fabrics the little touches that each quilter brings to her finished work!

The pattern may have started out as my vision, but it is handed off to each maker who turns it more into a reflection of themselves.

And oh, the Allietare quilts that are being finished and shown.  It brings such joy to my heart!

((And a panic to my brain because it’s time to start planning the NEXT one!))

This purple and green confection makes me happy right down to my toes.  I am imagining the sweet fragrance of lilacs.  Maybe purple hyacinths.  LOVELY!

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Sew Many Pineapple Blossoms!

Class day #2 in Kalamazoo!

Can you tell that the beautiful spring weather is having a happy effect on all of us?

Or most of us.  This is me saying, “Ok, girls!  Let’s do a wild and crazy one, let your silly OUT!”

About 1/2 of us did, the others just look NORMAL.  What fun is that?  LOL!

It’s actually been a while since i have taught a Pineapple Blossom workshop. It was fun to bring this old favorite back out for some super simple piecing and some stitch and flip cornering, plus bonus triangles!

The Log Cabin Quilters in Kalamazoo are busy making donation quilts, many child-sized “lovies” are given and paired with a soft stuffed animal to children in need.  The large bonus triangles that are saved fro behind the stitch & flip flying geese corners work perfectly into these lovie quilts as super scrappy pinwheels in a flash.  We were doing double duty yesterday!

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Cathedral Stars in Kalamazoo!

Hippity Hoppity all the way to quilt class! 

It’s spring in Michigan, and though weather can be mightily iffy in March, the weather faeries have been good to us and we have enjoyed beautiful days and mild temperatures!

I love it when students come ready to leave the seriousness of life behind and bring on the laughter and the fun into the room.

Laughter is infectious!  Keep that sense of humor!

Yesterday was spent working on Cathedral Stars, featuring 4 patches, half square triangles and tri-recs units which join together in a two block quilt with many bells and whistles.  This quilt has become a favorite of many, and I just love teaching it.  Each quilt turns out so different, and oh, the color plans the students bring with them.  Fabulous!

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Sharing those Traverse City Quilts!

Show & share is the best part of any workshop or guild presentation!

And no, the projects do not have to be finished, nor do they have to be quilts from my designs for me to want to see them!

They help me get to know you, and see what you like, and learn what you are working on, and they just inspire me so much!

These little Lucy Boston blocks have been an on going project for a while, and if you could get up close and personal with the fussy cutting that has happened in each one your heart would burst!

Each one is a kaleidoscope of pattern and color.  Made fro elongated hexagons, these are very similar to grandmother’s flower garden, but the effect is a starburst of motion, what a delight! 

How many of you are working on one of these?

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A Smith Mountain Kind of Day!

It was a bit chilly, a bit drizzly, and we were all tucked warmly inside “the dome” at the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City, Michigan.

Maybe TOO warmly!  You know how it is when you get a group of women-of-a-certain-age in one enclosed space along with ironing stations and everything else?

I love the resourcefulness of quilters who KNOW themselves and the situation enough to bring their own fans to class! LOL!

I haven’t been at this extreme hot flash thing long enough to think that far ahead, but I certainly can choose WHERE in the room to do my demos, and if there is a fan at your machine, it is likely I am going to park myself there! LOL!

We had such a great day.  These ladies have been so precious to me.  I have loved chatting with each and every one and getting to know about them and what life is like where they are.

You have enriched my life abundantly and I hope that I left behind some pearls of quilting wisdom for you to use in future projects as well!

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Jared Takes a Wife in Traverse City!

What kind of crazy fun is this??

I just love these Canadian gals who road trip all the way down, spending more time shop hopping along their way than the actual drive would have taken, making this a special birthday weekend for one of their group, Susie!

I last met some of these gals when I was teaching in the U.P. and I am happy to be close enough again so that they could cross the border and bring their laughter and crazy personalities with them!

Gosh, what a great weekend we are having in Traverse City, Michigan!

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Out the Peninsula!

Michigan, Pure Michigan!

Even with temps below 40 degrees, it was an absolutely beautifully clear day here along the Old Mission Peninsula!

Susan, Linda and I had made plans to spend our “free day” exploring and giving me a better feel for the area.  Bay on both sides!!  And oh so blue when the sun shines.  There are wineries galore, and this area in Michigan has more cherry trees than anywhere else I’ve ever seen.

How I would love to be here at the end of April into early May when the millions of trees are in full bloom with the hum of bees on the breeze.

Look at this!  NO SNOW!

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Hello to Traverse City!

It is quite a shock to the body who had just enjoyed ONE day of 77 degree temperatures at home – to arrive up “on the edge of the mitten” where things are a balmy 37!

Yes, I packed my parka.  I have my woolie socks.

Did I pack a hat?  NO!

Did I pack mittens or a scarf?  NO!

My own fault!  But hey – it’s DRY!  And there is sunshine and climbing temperatures predicted through the weekend if we can keep the rain at bay.  Whatever the outcome, I am comfortably installed here:

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Wonky Wishin’ in the Wind!

This is Karen!

Karen is making us all jealous by the photos she sent of the beautiful soft sand and warm ocean breezes!

She’s finished her Wonky Wishes and has taken it on vacation for some photos!

Upon receiving her email with one “barely a tease” photo I responded right away asking her to send MORE so we can all see what she has been working so hard on.

Her first message merely said “Wonky Wishes Quilt making memories with us on a blustery day at the Perdido Key Beach.”

Well hold on a second!  There has to be more to this story!

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Show & Share, Cincinnati Style!

This is Kim!

Kim brought the smallest Show & Share to class!

Kim loves scraps as much as I do!

Kim has embarked on the Pineapple Crazy Train and we were all sharing in her excitement all weekend long by sending any little trimmed off triangle bits her way to add to her variety!

You know, it *IS* always more fun to sew with someone else’s scraps than to continue to bore ourselves silly with our own, and watching Kim go giddy over these little handfuls of happiness just made us ALL that much happier too!

Kim, the next time I see you, I am sure your Pineapple Crazy will be well on the way to being done, one block at a time!

When people gasp at the number of pieces in this quilt, my reply is “Yes, there ARE 45 pieces in each 5’’ block, but they are SHORT seams, they really don’t take all that long to do!”

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Quilt Show Passes Winner!

I’m home!  And I’m ready to draw for our winner of the pair of passes to the Salt Creek Quilters Guild Quilt Show happening April 2 & 3, 2016!

Again, I am sorry this didn’t happen Sunday night –but hopefully YOU were so busy watching the finale of Downton Abbey that you didn’t even notice that it had passed you by either!

And since this only applies to those who are in driving distance of Hinsdale, IL –

And since I asked for those entering to only enter if they indeed COULD attend the show so these gifted tickets would not go to waste -

And since these tickets will be mailed to the winner and arrive before the show stars  -

It’s safe to say that we could wait a couple of days and do it today.

And I’m happy to say that there are indeed 75 readers within that vicinity who can and will go to the show and have entered!

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I Choose these Cincinnati Sisters!

Four Hours of Stitching with an hour of lunch and show & share in the middle.

This is the perfect recipe for a very good double-duty day, isn’t it? 

Double Duty as we had the guild meeting last night as well, and I was all geared up and ready for my presentation-to-be!

Sister’s Choice is a very simple block, but there are many things we can do to make things come out the right size, having units fit together better than ever before, and even saving the bonus triangle units from BEHIND the stitch-and-flip star points for another project!

“Save those triangles?” you say?  Yes, if there are 8 per block, and you have 56 blocks, you are going to have 448 smaller bonus half square triangles for another project down the road.  Or maybe use them in a pieced border in THIS quilt!  Whatever the case may be, our day was loaded with options!

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Cincinnati Cathedral Stars!

Another great day to play in the beautiful city of Cincinnati, Ohio!

We filled up our hours with a Cathedral Stars Workshop, and all of the fun that goes along with it.

From four patches to half square triangles to long tall star points ala the tri-recs rulers – we did it all and had a ball!

I love this workshop for easing people into the realm of scrappy.

My quilt has 3 pieces of planned yardage – the half square triangles are just one black and one red.  My setting triangles are the same black…..YES!  Bonnie DOES do yardage quilts!  The star points and the border ore the SAME blue.  The only place that I go scrappy in this quilt is in the 4 patches and it is a great way to wet your feet and see now you like playing with the little jewels that sparkle behind the stars along with the larger pieces of yardage.

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Talkin’ Turkey, Cincy Style!

Gimme a Q-U-I-L-T!!!!

I am in Cincinnati with the Ohio Valley Quilters guild, along with many visiting friends from surrounding states and we are having an absolute ball, can you tell?

42 happy quilters all piecing away!

Yesterday’s workshop was Talkin’ Turkey from String Fling, one of my absolute favorites to teach as there are so many who have never tried their hand at string piecing before.

Or maybe they have tried it by sewing strings to muslin or other leave-in foundation only to find that their blocks were warped, or twisted, or they had bubbles they couldn’t release because of the extra fabric layer.

We spent our morning piecing strings, oh so varied!  The afternoon is focused on all of the precision piecing of the flying geese that surround our centers to turn these blocks into something really fun.

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Wake Up, Cincinnati!

Oh, you guys! 

i have never been on a trip where my alarm didn’t go off in the morning ---until NOW!

Thanks to a text message coming in from a friend, I at least got up in time to throw myself in the shower and giving me 15 minutes to post something for today on the blog.

What’s the big deal you say?  You can take a day off, you say?

I don’t say!

To me, this blog is my newsletter to you, and it’s a habit for myself, and my day just doesn’t start out right if I don’t sit here, type good morning, and get my thoughts in order!

This little photo was Emmy Lou as I was packing to leave on Thursday night….she was as close to that suitcase as she could get, but luckily not in it! 

Yes, the gig is up, she knows that mom is leaving yet again, but this time it’s a short trip.

Workshops today, tomorrow and Monday, and a presentation on Monday night for the guild meeting and I’ll be home in time for dinner on Tuesday!

Hexies were stitched!

row 6 has begun for this second fill in section, and iof you want to know how many hexies can be sewn between Greensboro and Cincinnati with a stop off in Atlanta to change planes – 18!  Not too shabby for otherwise wasted time.  I love how this is progressing.

Someone asked about the thread color I’m using for stitching these neutrals.  This is aurifil #2324  50/2

It is two ply, and I tend to work with shorted lengths of it because if your length is too long, and you work with it for an extended period, the thread can weaken as you continue to pull it through the fabric and eventually it shreds.

If you’ve had this problem, likely it is that you had too long of a piece, and it wore out from over use before you could get to the end of it.  So shorten your lengths!

Three girls sewing!

My friend Irene from Louisville, Kentucky is her with her friend Sherry for all three days of workshops and we had a blast last night ion the suite that Sherry and Irene are sharing!  So much sewing and laughter and a movie on the TV.  The movie wasn’t paid much attention too, but it felt like a party!

Irene and her block of the month!

Sherry busy making a spring loaded catch all bag!

And I sat here…stitching 4 patches to beat the band!

Remember when I kitted these up?

When I make strip sets, I match two strip sets with right sides together – dark on light, light on dark so I can subcut them into already matched and ready to sew pairs.  It saves me OODLES of time – and I quickly had batches of these sewn, pressed, and seams spun on the back ready to sew into my awaiting project.

Leader & Ender Tumbler project is here with me too!

I only stitched until about 10, but I guess my body was catching up on the sleep I missed from the night before. Combine that with the alarm that didn’t go off….holy moly, it’s time to run!

Quiltville Quote of the Day

Today is the day to raise the bar! Don't set your expectations of yourself too low!

Antique star quilt found in Louisville Kentucky.

Talkin’ Turkey Workshop  with the Ohio Valley Quilters of Cincinnati, Ohio to commence shortly!

Have a great Saturday, everyone!

Click Here to like our Quiltville Friends Page on Facebook for more fun!

Click Here to join our sister group, Quiltville's Open Studio on Facebook, a place to Sew, Share & Grow!!

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Some Flight Time Show & Share!

 Good morning, everyone!

I’m here at the airport in Greensboro, NC – made it through security in a flash and have about 45 minutes before I board. 

I thought it was time to do some reader show & share here on the blog since I haven’t done that in a while.

I just love seeing what you send in to share with me and with others, so thank you for your photos and best of all your thoughts and stories that come with your quilts – tt’s the story behind the quilt that makes the quilt so meaningful.  The story behind the quilt is the HEART of the quilt!

I want to start today with this beautifully completed Allietare made by Diana!  Look at her scallops!  So wonderful!

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Two Lucky Quilters & Quiltmaker!

It’s that time! 

I’m packing like a crazy fool for Cincinnati, I looked up at the clock and it was past 7pm.  Wasn’t I supposed to do something this evening?

I couldn’t think what it was that I was supposed be doing, and I was just about to sit down and do some sewing and…OH SHOOT!  It’s a blog drawing night!  Better get myself together and get this posted!

I have NEVER had such a response as I have with this one.

THREE-THOUSAND-SEVEN-HUNDRED-EIGHTY-FIVE Entries!

Holy Scrapoli!!

I think it had something to do with this:

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It’s a Shout-Out Kind of Day!

I’ve got some fun things to shout out loud about today!

It’s just been that kind of a great week!

During last week’s Quilt-Cam, Mary sent a comment that I read out loud, saying:

“Hi Bonnie browsing through my new Scraps Inc 2 book and Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew has a shout out to you and Quiltville on page 26. You're famous for inspired scrap quilting!  happy for Quilt-cam!” 

I just thought this was the coolest thing ever.  I had to head right out and order myself a copy!

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Quilt-Cam! 3/2/2016

Welcome to Quilt-Cam, everyone! 

Our very first Quilt-Cam of March, and I’m thrilled to be home and able to spend this time stitching with you.

I love the friendships that have grown through this little interlude of quilting together.

I love the emails and the stories and the sharing!

Tonight’s special story is all about the beautiful 6 pointed star quilt you see here, and I’m going to let Susan share it in her own words.

She writes:

Hey Bonnie!!  Thanks for Quilt Cam !!!

Following along with you tonight!!!  

I just wanted to share this short story that my mother shared with us about a week ago.
I love this story so much. I hope you love it, too.

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Lunch, Shop, Hike!

I met with Lisa and her little fluffy side kick Shelby out at Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem yesterday on my way home from the cabin.

Oh, what a LOVELY early spring day!  Temps reached 75, and the sunshine was infectious.  I let it seep into my bones, drowning myself in wondrous rays of vitamin D.

I know before too long I’ll be complaining about how HOT it is as spring turns to summer, but for now – I’m basking, filling my sunshine battery before I leave for Cincinnati on Friday!

We ate lunch outside at The Silo and while it was a bit breezy, we didn’t complain.  We just weighted down napkins, menus and other fly-away-ables using the salt and pepper shakers to keep them from obtaining spontaneous lift-off.

After a lunch of much yumminess and conversation, we wandered next door, to The Village Fabric Shop!

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Calling Illinois Quilters!

I have a couple of Quilt Show Passes for the Salt Creek Quilters Guild in Hinsdale, Illinois right here in my hot little hands for one lucky quilter and a friend!

I received these passes with the following notice:

Hello, Bonnie!

I don’t know when you will be arriving for your Craftours Cocoon in Naperville, IL, but if there is time we would love to have you see our show.

Enclosed please find 2 tickets for you and a friend, with our compliments and thanks for everything you do.

I emailed Sandy back and told her that I will be unavailable on these dates, I’m actually flying into Chicago on April 3rd and my flights have already been arranged so there isn’t going to be time.

And then I asked her if I could use them in a drawing here on the blog!  And she said yes!!

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84 and Counting!

84 baskets.

I think I had a mere 10 when I set out to make these as my weekend project while up at the cabin.

My goal?  To use up a lot of the “LITTLE” stuff. 

I don’t have much of a stash at the cabin, but over the holidays I had brought boxes and bags of untrimmed gifted hunk and chunk sized pieces, determined to do something with them.

When a block is this size, it is amazing what you can use up and how it all adds to the whole!

My plans for this quilt are evolving as I work on these blocks, and I can tell you I’m not done with how many I need yet!

But the scraps and the stories they tell!

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