Quilty Pleasures at Quiltville Inn!

There is a lot of quilty fun happening in the Quilting Quarters at Quiltville Inn this week!

They may be a small group, but they are MIGHTY!

Celeste and her quilting buddies from Haymarket, Virginia are here - and their number totals 6, but let me tell you - they brought enough projects and food for 12, and could last 2 weeks! LOL!

Their small number enables them to spread out and really get some serious sewing done!

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Bloom Gift-Away!

Happy Friday, everyone!

You asked, I'm answering....it's nearing Spring and it's time to get a bit of Bloom into our lives!

Bloom was the small embroidery and patchwork project I designed for my Australia trip this past January - can I have been home for nearly 6 weeks already?

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Mat Maintenance & More!

Yesterday I received a much awaited delivery.

Things just take longer to arrive here.  Even something sent specially "Overnight" or "Next Day" may not actually make it until a couple of days later.

We are just that far out...

So the mats I had ordered last Wednesday didn't arrive until yesterday Wednesday - even though they were slated to arrive last Friday.

It is what it is.

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In Lieu of Sewing -

I spent Monday doing a clean out and reorg of my cutting table.

I just couldn't stand it any longer.

I was finding it hard to find actual cutting space on my mat as the available area became smaller and smaller due to the piles and stacks on both ends of the table - 

Random rulers, piles of strips and fat quarters -

Leftover lengths of backing margins -

Yardage not chosen to be binding even though it was in the line up, just stacked on the end until I could get myself around to putting it away.

The catalyst?  Somewhere under those piles was the rotary cutter and a pair of scissors that I could not find.

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Out On The Porch!

The sunshine did not disappoint as we stepped out onto the porch with quilts (And jackets!) for our first photo-op over the porch rail of 2025.

We weren't sure we were going to be able to do it - it's been dreadfully cold and really windy - but here they are!

It's been wonderful having the March Quiltvillians in residence at Quiltville Inn over the past week.

They really put the pedal to the metal and kept the churning out of  precious things going!

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Of Porches and Quilty Things!

Son Jeff and Hubster Dave have been hard at work replacing our weather worn and disintegrating porch railings at home.

They are making great progress on this big job, and I am loving it.

The current on-going discussion is that they want to paint the wire grids black.  I want them kept galvanized grey (So that they never have to be repainted!) and once again I am the odd one out.

I'll keep pushing the need to repaint scenario and see what happens.

The project is likely to go on hiatus shortly as Hubs surgery on his right hand scheduled for the 14th.  THey are trying to get as much done as they can before recuperation time sets in.

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Hello, March!

Can it be that we've finally turned the calendar page??

Why is February so danged long anyway?

But March is here and I'm ready for it.

The rest of the world must be, too as I was out for some needed items on Thursday evening (cat food amongst some other items) and it was so wonderful to see the garden areas stocked with seeds and tools and other outdoorsy things.

And in the center aisles they'd pulled out all of the storage bins and reorganizing type stuff.

Spring fever is here.  Spring cleaning is next.

Anyone else feeling that excitement?

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What's Sewing On?

The March Quiltvillians are sewing up all the things!

It's so exciting to watch blocks and projects go up on design walls and cover all of the surfaces and workstations.

Any guesses what this is?

Moonflower is becoming blocks and I can't wait to see it coming together!

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Something Happening!

Do you see that sunshine?

With spring on its way - it's about to be project season around here as well.

Something we've needed to do is about to happen.

Our porch railings are about 20+ years old and were added at the time the cabin was built.

It's time for a re-do!

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Just Stitching -

With fewer than 20 log cabin blocks left to make - I decided to bring those foundations home for evening stitching when Hubster Dave is out doing his cornhole thing with the guys:

Because certainly one must ALWAYS have more than one project going at once, right?  

That leaves the log cabin blocks at home, and the pieced sashing (Yes! Pieced sashing!) I am planning on placing between the log cabin blocks as my main QPO Studio focus.

All of those saved cut off corners?  They are SEWING DOWN!

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Nearing The Finish -

One side and the hanging sleeve left to go and Dogwood Daze will be in the DONE column!

I have had so much fun making this one - strings are just THE BEST.

And if you sort them by color family any project becomes a colorwash of variety unparalleled!

Why use just 4 fabrics when you can use hundreds???

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Slow Stitching Weekend -

The best thing that happened this weekend?

No...it wasn't my catching up on all of the retreat laundry at Quiltville Inn, though somehow that always seems to set things right and give me that feeling of accomplishment -

The SNOW is gone.  We were in the 40s yesterday = and though it took a couple of days to finally get to the point where it was safe - I was able to drive the van to the top of the drive and park at home.

That meant no more RZR shuttle rides.

As fun as it was I'm happy to hopefully have that in the rear view until next winter.

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From The Quilting Quarters!

Our high hopes for over the porch rail photos turned into high winds and higher wind chill.

We opted for  group photos in the Quilting Quarters instead.

"But I only have a block, not a quilt!" said some - 

It doesn't matter. This is a come as you are, show what you made progress on kind of thing.

It doesn't matter if you finished a quilt, made a few blocks, or simply cut pieces.

Maybe you needed a break and just wanted to sit and read in the Hen Den by the warmth of the gas stove - You are part of this!

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Good Days Start With This!

When you look at this photo - do you see chaos and confusion?

Or do you see possibilities just waiting to be discovered?

I think there is a good life lesson in this somewhat sorted mess.

I find the most satisfaction when I am up to the challenge of taking something like this and turning it into something beautiful - be it a simple string quilt, or a more complicated version of a string quilt - or even using these random strips in log cabin blocks as with my current ongoing project.

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In A Deep Freeze!

Brrrrr!  That's about all I have to say for this next couple of days.

This was my view of Quiltville Inn as we rounded the corner yesterday - it looks peaceful, but boy is it cold.

This morning is our coldest yet - it was 15f this morning with a high of 17f expected.  Tonight's low overnight? 8.

You better believe that those sinks will be left dripping!

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Quilting Safus - SOLVED!

Yesterday I wrote about the frustration we all feel when sewing and/or quilting machines take on a cantankerous attitude and refuse to do what we simply want them to do - 

Stitch with perfect tension and no issues.  

Yes, we make those plans, plan our day for everything going swimmingly, and the universe laughs.

I'm happy to report that all of the things I did seem to have solved my issues.

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Slow Starts.

Dogwood Days began its quilting process yesterday.

But it was not fast moving!

I think I encountered every problem that a long arm quilter dreads.

In my case it mostly revolved around the constant snapping of my top thread - 

My goal was to make it to half-way quilted yesterday, but in all honestly I was happy to make it 1/6 of the way before I had to abandon everything and head to town for an appointment with the Chiropractor.

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Trimming Up and Binding On!

I made it!

I made it all the way around.

Can you see where my hoop is now? It's moving up about 10'' from the edge and I'll start working the cross-hatching toward the center of the quilt.

But first - this quilt needs a trim and a bind!

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Maple Leaf Red

This is where my hand quilting hoop is now on my Abbeygate quilt.

I'm getting close to having the 4th side quilted - Just another evening or two and I'll be able to trim up the quilt, get the binding, label and hanging sleeve on and be rid of the batting fuzzies and the backing ravels as I then work my way to the center of the quilt.

Yes...working from the outside in means I can get the binding on faster and clean up that outside edge.

And this is all because the quilt has been basted well by longarm and will not pucker or shift in the hand quilting process.

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Ice Storm Aftermath -

I don't care about the snow.

But the ice is a different story.

As I write this we are currently on generator power - the electric for the whole area, and much of SW Virginia and into West Virginia lost power on Wednesday.

At one point yesterday morning there were more than 122,000 out of power.

And while I am so grateful to have our generac to the cabin, there are so many others that do not have an alternate source of power.

It's one thing to be out of power in September due to hurricanes when the weather is still nice enough, but in this kind of weather? It's brutal.

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Snow Day Doings...

Winter Wonderland? Give me a break!

I'm perfectly fine with this stuff happening around the holidays, but December is long behind us and I'm wanting this stuff put away and packed up with the holiday decorations until next year, got it?

It sure is pretty - but once again our truck is parked at the bottom of the steep drive and we are taking the RZR shuttle to and from the car.

A thaw can't come fast enough!

Scenes from the back yard at the inn.

I can't wait for summer and fire pit season!

We were able to get the walks shoveled and ice melt put down.

The old mill stants neglected in this snow covered scene.

After we finished things at the inn, we headed over to our friend's house to see if they were able to get their own drive plowed.

They had just finished up, so Hubster Dave had to dive in and let his inner 10 year old out to play:

Go Dave Go!
We stayed a bit to visit - hot chocolate or hot tea in hand before the outdoors once again signalled it was time to get home before things got too bad.
Icy rain had started.  All else was put on hold until this passes - roads and trees were getting pelted and it was time to not be out and about any longer.

I went as far as I could on these.

I am 2 units short of the last big block I need to make.  And I didn't have any spare papers with me.  I'll see about picking those up today when we go over.

I DID have log cabin papers at home....so quickly dug in.

Lola knows just what to do to make herself at home.

Piecing until dinner time!

Many more to come.

Printable paper piecing template will be included in the pattern once the quilt is finished.  Thanks for understanding that this may take some time....

This morning.  Yikes.

It's so pretty, but so treacherous!

The decision was made last night with the next incoming group to push things forward a day due to road issues.  They'll come tomorrow instead. It's for everyone's safety as they are coming from Northern Virginia.

The power blipped off in the middle of the night due to the ice.  The generator ran for a while until the problem was solved - evidently crews were on round the clock alert - and we haven't lost power again....yet.

Today will be much like yesterday - shuttling down to the bottom of the drive somewhere around noon, giving things a chance to thaw a bit before heading over to the inn to take care of things, feed Tula and Flash, pick up the mail, take care of any out-going mail, bring home a couple of printed templates for the aqua string quilt and spend my day sewing.

How about you?

This happened - did you see it?
If you haven't started your Old Town yet - did you enter?
This time I even included the paint chips in the pattern. It's ALL in there, even the printable paper piecing templates for the square-in-a-square star block centers, and the small flying geese for the pieced sashings.
And YES - there is introductory pricing for those who have been waiting to start their own Old Town when it was released in pattern format.
The price is already marked 25% off and is good through 2/17/25 at 11:30pm Eastern time. No coupon needed.
International customers:  Please DO NOT USE THE BUY NOW BUTTON. It uses autofill to put in your mailing address. This causes a problem with international folks as I do not ship physical items internationally.
Instead - place the pattern in your shopping cart, and go to the cart directly to choose your payment option (Which does not use autofill) Things should work fine for you this way. You do not need a physical mailing address to receive a PDF file. Just your email.

You can also enter the Gift-Away on THAT POST.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -
I can do many things at once. 
But I don't do them all very well!
Have a terrific Wednrsday, everyone -

 

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Well, This Is Fun - NOT!

It didn't seem possible that we would actually see this kind of winter weather overnight - all yesterday it was cool but sunny!

We headed out with friends for pizza last night - the full moon was out and the skies were *mostly* clear.  There was no wind.

But somewhere in the wee small hours I woke enough to hear little icy crystals hitting against my bedroom windows.

This is my morning view from my studio door as I padded downstairs to type this morning's post.

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One By One!

This was our first Over-the-Porch-Rail photo op of 2025!

And you may notice that there aren't as many top finishes as some are still on design walls and didn't make it as far -

You also may notice we are short a few people.

We've got awful weather slated for tonight and all day tomorrow, into Wednesday so those traveling home to areas that will be impacted by this storm are heading out this morning in an effort to beat the bad weather before it arrives, cutting their retreat one night short.

I don't blame them!  Safety first. Four had already taken off for northern states.  As of last night one of our group had made it to Indiana and will make the final leg home near Chicago by this afternoon.

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That Out & About Day -

The only thing I can say about yesterday's foray back to Boone to visit the dermatologist is that it's done.

Well, maybe it's done.

That is...he froze the barnacle on my forehead (That should take care of it) but found a suspicious mole at the back of my knee which he promptly circled with his black Sharpie, mentioned to his assistant to come take a photo and said "This needs to come off."

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Quilting In The House!

This is what I walked into yesterday after returning to Quiltville Inn from....

Well, my totally unnecessary drive to Boone BECAUSE - when I got there, I found they had tried to call me when I was in Australia, and of course that didn't go through because I was only connected when I had wifi at the hotel.

If I was out and about, forget it.

Anyway - they rescheduled me for next month and so I ran a couple of errands and came home.

BUT!  Quilting Is Happening once again at the inn!

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A Bit More Melbourne!

Isn't this just a fun and iconic site?

With this dreary February day unfolding in Southwestern Virginia I thought I'd post some cheery photos from our lovely warm day in Melbourne, Australia.

Brighton Beach is the most recognised of Melbourne’s beaches, and it is the rainbow huts that make it so memorable. Not only is it the most popular seaside segment of the city, but it is also the wealthiest, where a bathing box will cost you a jaw-dropping $200,000. 

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Just Shy of Twenty -

I've been digging into these for just about a week.

I've not even reached 20 blocks made yet.

They are kind of fiddly with the skinny neutral strip side and the not-much-wider colored strip side, but I like how they give the illusion of curves.

Someone asked if I knew what the final quilt was going to look like before I dive into something.

Usually - NO.

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A Bit of Phillip's Island!

From the hot Australian Outback to the windy coastline of Phillip Island - 

I'm still going through photos and making video collages.  We saw SO MUCH STUFF!

My favorite part of all?  Being outside in nature.

We had traveled on a day trip out of Melbourne to beautiful Phillip Island, a nature sanctuary with a beautiful coastline and incredible wildlife.

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Old Town! The PDF Pattern Booklet Gift-Away!

Happy February 3rd!
It's Monday, and it's one month since our Old Town Mystery reveal.
You know what that means?  I've spent oodles (such a favorite word) of time unscrambling, rewriting and getting Old Town ready in PDF booklet form for those who didn't participate along with us.
This also means that all parts and PDFs have been retired from the blog and my website.
If you missed out on the mystery this year, no worries - It's all presented to you here in a much more cohesive non-confusing format. The directions are straight forward and still contain all of the optional construction methods and all of the other hints, tricks and helps I presented all throughout our mystery time together.

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Found Upon My Doorstep!

Look what arrived when no one was looking!

My elusive missing suitcase made it home from Australia - everything intact just the way I left it.

Stuffed to the brim - everything rolled tightly and packed like sardines.

When checking in at Alice Springs for our return flights home I was a bit on edge that I would be overweight and I was already making plans on what I could quickly extract from within and stash in my backpack for the flights home....

I was one kilo UNDER!!  Whooowhooo!  And then the thought of....you mean :I could have crammed in 4 more fat quarters?" crossed my mind and I immediately regretted what I had left behind at the fabric store. LOL.

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