Quilt To The Last Minute!

Summer retreats were made for this!

I'm so glad the weather *mostly* cooperated this past week and many meals were able to be enjoyed out here.

May they long continue!

The porch is a great place to relax and break away from the hum of the machines even during in-between meal times.  There are places to sit and relax, do a bit of quiet hand stitching, or even catch your grandson's ball game by video.

I love spending as much time out here as I can.

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Busy Quilting Weekend!

Happy Monday, folks!

What a full up-to-the-brim fun quilting weekend we had!

Irene's Sewciologists were busy with quilt construction, new projects started, other projects reaching top stage, fabric and dog-ears flying.

It was happy productive mayhem with a dash of dirt road hikes and much back porch time included.

Perfect!

And yes, I have a top finish, too.

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Makers, Walkers, Quilters!

We were small but mighty for our get-out-of-the-house dirt road hike yesterday afternoon.

The rain from the day before had subsided, leaving a beautiful breezy afternoon.

Okay, sometimes it was downright gusty, but down in the holler we were a bit more protected from gale force winds.

It feels so good to just take a bit of time, stretch the legs, talk about anything and everything away from the machines, and then get back to the quiltmaking with renewed energy after having done something so good for not only our bodies, but our mental health as well.

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Resuming Studio Time!

I'm kind of a no-more-than-three-projects-at-a-time girl.

I'm not sure when that began.

There was a time when I could dilly dally at several different things I wanted to try with many projects in different stages...but eventually I realized that I was not making any real progress on anything.

And due to things all of a sudden having deadlines with goals in mind - I stopped.

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Up to Sighisoara!

Sighișoara, located in central Transylvania, is one of Europe's best-preserved, continually inhabited medieval citadels.

Medieval stuff? Citadels? I'm all in for this!

Founded in the 12th century by Transylvanian Saxon craftsmen, the UNESCO-listed city is renowned for its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and as the birthplace of Vlad III the Impaler.

Not a fan of Vlad the Impaler, but hey - a medieval guy has got to do what a medieval guy has got to do to protect his territory.

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String Rings Gift-Away!

Mid June!  It's Mid June!

The rhododendrons are blooming in the woods around the cabin. Gardens are bursting with color and the promise of delicious produce through the summer months.  I love mid June!

I also love mid-month PDF pattern releases - especially when it's one you've been watching me make from the beginning and waiting for release day so you, too can dig into your burgeoning scrap stash and start in on something new and wonderful.

Stitch your own rainbow with strings and stars!

It's String Rings pattern release day!

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Just Start....Anywhere.

How about we begin with pictures from the bus window?  Reflections and all?
Because these were my first glimpses of where we were headed when we first landed in Romania - Transylvania!
And were there mountains? YES!  There were beautiful mountains, some still snow-capped and looming above us.

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More Geese. So Many More Geese.

I'm getting there.

But I'm not done yet.

I guess that statement could apply to a lot of things in my life, but in this case scenario it is referencing the ongoing construction of paper pieced geese units that will become the border for my Goose Feathers. quilt.

I've explained why I love paper piecing so much - but another reason is just how things like flying geese seams lay when you paper piece versus regular piece. 

It's just less bulky when pressing.

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June Quiltvillians - It's A Wrap!

Now, this is what I call a porch full!

Lovely sunshine, some tricky breezes, but all in all a big display and a wave to passers by on a Monday afternoon.

It was a joy to have the June Quiltvillians on hand as we turned the calendar page into June, 

And oh, the projects worked on and some completed, Some waiting for more borders once home with the stash, some only just beginning and still in block making stage, but will definitely be making a return trip next year.

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And There They Were!

Yesterday morning we loaded up the van with four quilters, (me included) two dogs and headed up to Grayson Highlands to hike along the Appalachian Trail in search of ponies.

I'd heard from others that new foals had made their arrival and it was a grand time to go.

Remember - the retreat before this one it rained the entire time over Memorial Day week?

It had been a hot minute since I'd made this trek with a retreat group!

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Lasts Days of May -

It's Monday. It's the beginning of a new week. And a new month.  June is here.

How does that happen?

I almost feel sad about June....later in the month that summer solstice happens and we start decreasing our daylight time and in my mind I'm hearing "And here we go again...the slow descent into the depths of winter."

But for now....I'm going to enjoy every bit of every summer day we have ahead of us and make them count.

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All On A Friday -

The June Quiltvillians are quilting up a quilty storm!

June? But it's May? Technically yes, but we will be in June by the time they leave! Every year, the date shifts back by one day until we hit leap year. It's just the way it goes.  Plus this way they are here while I am here as next Friday I leave for Romania.

This way we get to be together!

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Quilting Always, But Brunch First!

Look Ma, No Rain!

Our lovely late spring weather has returned to many cheers.  Dirt road hikes were planned, and meals are once again happening on the back porch.

This is the kind of weather that summer retreats are made of.

At the same time, we know we can't really appreciate the glory of fine weather unless we also have to live through some of the yuck. (Like the snowcrete that was plaguing us in January/February? I still feel triggered from that!)

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Block Surfing Lessons -

By early afternoon I had a few free hours ahead of me, so I headed back to the QPO to start assembling some blocks.

How quickly I forgot what it was like to have a "studio cat" discover just how fun a design floor could be.

I had gone home the night before rather chuffed with the block arrangement I had decided on.  

I was happy to see that things were still in place in the morning when I first went in to feed Hazel before heading over to the inn to finish up preparations for yesterday afternoon's arrivals.

What could go wrong?

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Quilters Of The Night Over The Rail!

It was the rainiest of rainy weeks! It started last Wednesday...continued through to Sunday when we finally had a break in the weather to get some over-the-porch-rail photos.

More rain was incoming -

And as predicted, it's raining again this morning.  No complaints - we need it!

But what about our quilts?

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Memorial Day Quilting!

I don't know how everyone else spent their Memorial Day holiday, but I am lucky enough to have the Quilters of The Night who always have their retreat over Memorial Day weekend as it gives those who are still working a paid holiday day off that they don't have to use vacation days for!

We rarely do anything for Memorial Day around here as a family - we don't go on vacation ourselves, and even if we get together it won't interrupt retreat time so Memorial Day is one of the holidays we do have retreaters on hand.

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Memorial Day, 2026

It's still rather rainy -
It rained all weekend long except for a bit of yesterday where we quickly gathered the Quilters of the Night to do our over-the-porch-rail photos a day early.
More rain in the middle of the night last night.
There are NO COMPLAINTS!
It might be raining some folks' Memorial Day picnics out, but if we have to move it inside, it's just as good as long as we are together.

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Rainy Day Quilters -

This was my morning view as I came up the front steps to see how things were going.

Actually, I KNEW how things were going because there is nothing better than the sound of  quilters and coffee on the front porch as heard from the parking area below.

I just know it is going to be a good day when the quilters are also having a good morning!

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Quilters Quilting Quilts!

Yesterday was a bit of a challenge -

Remember that macular doc appointment I mentioned yesterday?

It wasn't until 11:30 but we left the house early to swing by the retreat, feed the kitties and check on the retreaters as well as check the mail for a package we were expecting.

I arrived to find that the Quilters of the Night had INDEED Quilted late into the night - some were still sleeping, and others were happily enjoying the front porch rocking chairs, which I am always so glad to see.

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New Door, New Day!

It finally happened!

And it happened so early (8am) that I wasn't even there to see it done.

Hubster Dave and Son Jeff were on hand during the long-awaited installation process, but I was here at home tapping on my keyboard getting yesterday's post out.

It's in!  The new back entry door is finally in!

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Quilts Over The Rail!

This is the kind of fun we have putting all of the quilters over the porch rail and waving at cars as they drive on by.

The May Quiltvillians have been pedal to the metal all week long and just look at this beautiful array of quilts!

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Odds & Ends!

There's one thing sure about the weather - it is always subject to change!  

And here in Virginia we can get at least 3 seasons all in one week if not in one day.

A few days ago it was 35 in the morning. Like - WHAT? No, I'm not walking my driveway in that.

Yesterday?  Folks - we reached 86 on the mountain and it was 96 in Richmond. Seriously?

Pack a sweater and a personal fan because you are going to need it!

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Weekend Walks & Quilting!

Hooray for great weather and willing women eager to get out and get some steps in!

I tell you, though - we are going to have to start getting out just a bit earlier because all at once - it'ss too hot if we wait until 11am!

It's just a short walk. About 2 miles.  Up and back. 

And every two weeks or so, I am amazed at the changes taking place.

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Good Times & Pop-Up Shops!

The May Quiltvillians are in the house - and they brought with them not one, but TWO pop-up fabric shops!

I love when this happens...the quilters can keep on quilting, and only have to walk a few feet to fit in some retail therapy.  What a wonderful combination!

One gal brought fabric bundles made from a quilter's stash donated by her husband after she passed away.  The fabric is coordinated in bags, some with patterns included and sold by the pound. The proceeds are going to support good causes.

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Crackers & Jam Gift-Away!

Happy Friday, Happy Mid-May, Happy ALL THE THINGS!

I know you've been waiting for this one and I can't wait to watch you dig in -

If you are on Facebook, I hope you have joined our Quiltville’s Open Studio group so you can share your progress on what you are making.  It doesn't matter what, it doesn't matter who designed it, I love seeing what you are working on and that is the easiest way for me to keep up with you.

Some quilt ideas start on a whim, require immediate attention to get it into fabric, and then simmer into something else altogether during the making.

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Little By Little -

Yesterday morning, back porch at Quiltville Inn.

I haven't been sitting with Flash every day, some of our mornings have been rainy and cold and I'm not that much of a sucker - but if the morning is fine, I'll come sit for 10 minutes and see if he will tolerate my presence and eat his food regardless.

It's a battle of wills.

Are you hungry enough to let me be here while you eat, or will you sulk off and wait until I leave?

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Crunch Days!

I'm in the crunch!  But getting there -

One thing I try to do consistently is photograph each part of any quilt unit while in the process of making them - not saving that step for later.  It helps me remember just what I did, how I did it and in my mind I'm going through how I'm going to word things so that even the beginnerest-of-beginners (Yes, that's a word, or should be!) will understand and be able to do each step along the way.

I've heard a lot about poorly written directions, and I'd rather err on the "too wordy" side of things to make sure everyone understands even the simplest of instructions than have it not make sense to anyone.

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Mostly A Desk Day!

Yesterday was MOSTLY a desk day.

There were a few things I needed to take care of at the inn - the last of the laundry, the making of towel baskets for incoming retreaters, the recovering of pressing stations.  Routine.

I kind of like that routine when the house is quiet and I am the only one there.

But once that was done it was time to get down to business.  Except:

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A Quiet Mother's Day -

When was the last time you had a quiet weekend for yourself?
It truly doesn't happen enough around here, but on the tail end of returning home from my whirlwind week in Idaho, after blood draw appointments and physical therapy appointments and zoom meetings with publisher stuff I found myself with Saturday and Sunday wide open.
I brought my machine and project over to the Inn and set up to sewing with the ladies - retreat style - and fully enjoyed myself to the point where I didn't take many photos at all!
And that's okay.
What was I working on?  Samples for our next Leader & Ender challenge coming up in July and I can't wait to show you.  But not yet!

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Misfits In The House!

The Muddy Creek Misfit gals arrived on Wednesday - and the purple and white Dame's Rocket was here to greet them!

I tell my men-folk who take care of the yard that these wildflower areas are NO MOW until the blossoms have gone.

They are such a great place for bees and butterflies - and let's face it - that purple abundance is so great for my soul. It's riotous!

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Cat's Out Of The Bag!

Some of you have found this already and have been asking me about it so let's just put it all out there, shall we??

I was contacted by my publishers at C&T and asked if we could do a "Greatest Hits" kind of book together containing 30 of my favorite quilts from my previous publications.

I said yes!

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A Drop In Trunk Show!

Amazing things happen in the most unusual ways!

I met Debbie (on the left) several years ago when she was still living in New Jersey.  She came down to Bedford, Pennsylvania when I was teaching my summer workshop series with Mary Koval.

Little did I know that she would pull up stakes and fund herself living in Garden Valley, Idaho - right where my mom lives!

I received a text message the night that I arrived letting me know that their guild meeting was happening the next morning at 10am.

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Home And Moving Slowly!

As much as I'm worn out after travel to Idaho and back to visit my mom and stepdad -

Let's triple that with the addition of my mom's two sisters (My aunties!) and a visit from son Jason in the mix!

The weather could not have been more perfect - Spring in Garden Valley/Crouch Idaho is scenic and wonderful and everything is still green yet - for a couple more months or so.

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A Week with the Bonniacs!

Hi Everyone!

I knew I said there would not be blogging while at my mom's but I have time to get at least these photos out to you - 

Mom's out in the garden watering and we are leaving soon to go pick up her two sister's at the airport and things are about to get crazy here, but for now I have some calm and quiet.

And these quilts deserve to be shared!

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A Weekend At Play!

Is there any better way to start a Monday than with a gorgeous array of Moonflower blocks from our retreat workshop?  Just look at these beauties!

Everyone just did the BEST job and I love how they have taken their colors and shadings into their own direction for what are likely to be some fantabulous Moonflower quilts!

My hope is that they will bring them as assembled tops (if not quilted and placed on their beds!) for next year's retreat.

Wouldn't it be gorgeous to see them all over the porch rail?

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A Day To Play!

Somewhere around 6pm last evening.

Taco bar on the porch.  Make it a wrap, or a salad - your choice.  All the fixin's. Wonderful and delicious!

It had been a day of "Do what you want your own way" as the designated quilt shop hop day.

At one point there were only 2 people enjoying the quiet of retreat with all of the others out in search of the perfect fabrics for the quilts of their dreams.

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Get The Ball Rolling!

Nola's Bonniacs are in the house!

I'm so excited that they are back for another round of retreat fun.

But do you want to know what this getting older thing is like? Or are you already here with me?

Last week I *KNEW* we were having a Moonflower workshop with Nola's group. 

I reconfirmed it with myself.  And then I put it out of my mind - or it fell through the black hole -because I showed up yesterday on what was supposed to be workshop day #1 just  breezing on in, looking at what everyone was making....

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Pleasantries & Otherwise -

Sometimes living rural isn't easy.  It's not always convenient.

Especially when it comes to health care appointments beyond the basics.

We have a little medical clinic here with a nurse, a PA and they can handle most things like my twice a year blood draws to check for things like my type 2 diabetes. 

They are good for an antibiotic if needed or basic prescriptions for cholesterol or whatever.

But when it comes to the REAL stuff, like yearly paps or macular specialists - It's an hour or more.

Which means we make a PLAN to do other things that are fun, making the unpleasantries a bit more worth it.

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Binding in the Done Column!

I actually finished the binding and hanging sleeve over the weekend, but our weather!

We went from lovely days in the 80s to back into the 30s and rainy and windy...

I had hoped to get an "over the tree rail" photo of Hello Gretchen, but the universe has other ideas right now.

Before we headed out for dinner with 10 year old Casden to celebrate his birthday, I opted just to do a few quickies over the long arm rail.

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Quilt District Over The Rail!

Three cheers for these very talented (And absolutely super fun!) ladies and their glorious quilts displayed over the porch rail at Quiltville Inn!

We were discussing how many times they've come - through rain and snow and bouncing around dates depending on where Easter week falls.

We had fabulous weather all the way through Saturday!

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In Search Of Ponies!

Eight of us loaded up two vehicles and headed out (or should I say UP!) to Grayson Highlands State Park to see if we could spot any ponies along the Appalachian Trail.

Some had been with me before, but it had been a couple of years.

Some were completely new to this experience and their excitement was infectious and Energizing!

We didn't do too bad for a group of quilters also UP there in age!

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Day On The Run -

We've had this issue with Lola before.

I think it was a couple of years ago while I was on all of the make up back-to-back international trips post Covid.

There was a whole month where I went from Egypt strait to Ireland and did two consecutive Ireland tours to get all of those delayed trips in.

At any rate - Lola developed an intestinal blockage and Hubster Dave had to rush her to the emergency vet.

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Sew Much Scrappy Fun!

The Quilt District ladies are in the house, headed up by group mom Tara Miller!

And by looking at this photo, you'd think that I pre-coordinated hanging my Dogwood Daze quilt in the front foyer to coordinate with the gorgeous fabrics she's brought.

Oh, my!  The yummy goodness, and the absolute thrill of having fabrics come to ME instead of having to drive to them.

It's kismet!

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Open Window PDF Gift-Away!

Hello, Quiltvillians!

It's Open Window PDF pattern release and Gift-Away Day!

I know you've been waiting for this one.  It's finally time.

I started my journey with Open Window as a way to use up some recycled shirt strings, and I chose string blocks instead of plain half-square triangles to recreate a design I had seen on a tile floor.

Sometimes the tile designs are so simple, you need to *UP* them a bit and that is where string blocks come into play so wonderfully.

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