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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