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.

When I was traveling for quilting to teach at guilds, shows, conferences, etc. I began kitting up things that I needed so I could simply stitch in my hotel room on my off hours.

I would come home with a whole completed set of blocks!  And then it kind of morphed into realizing that I am happy to keep going on any one project as long as something is coming together under the machine needle.

I really began to enjoy watching ONE MACHINE PROJECT grow as decisions were made on how to finish it. *Of course traveling hand piecing projects or hand quilting projects in the evening are exempt!*

Does it need a pieced border? A second border? Plain or string? Scrappy binding, or contrasting, or should it blend in the same color family?

And that is why I was so happy to come back to my Goose Feathers quilt - One thing at the machine at a time and progress being made on this ONE THING until it's done.

Let's get that flying geese border on!

Yep yep yep!

(Or is it Honk, Honk, Honk?!)

 Folks have asked "What size are the geese." My reply is that the interior geese are paper pieced on the diagonal so they are really an odd size, not worth rotary cutting, much better suited for paper piecing because of the odd size.

Just know that *ANYTHING* on point in a block generally has to be cut in really odd measurements versus something that is straight set.

This meant that the geese on the outside were going to be a different size than the inner geese to make the math work.  I don't care how anyone feels about math - Quilting IS math.

So to make the math work, they are a bit larger or the repeat wouldn't work. It is what it is. 

And the borders went on!

*edit*

When I said "red border" I really meant RED BINDING.

But we will let the quilt decide when I get to that point.

Yes, this is doing everything I wanted it to do.

Next up - Aqua string borders.

Yesterday we had a bit of a weather thing going on.  Around lunch time the skies started letting loose. There were some power blips throughout the afternoon, but nothing serious enough to require the generator to run.

That thunder though...oh, how I love a rumbly summer thunderstorm!

This weekend is also "Hillbilly Days" in Galax and they close off the main street which makes parking a bit of a snag for anyone wanting to get to the quilt shop, so after lunch about half the group headed off to Quilts on Main so they could avoid any Hillbilly Shenanigans.

That left projects barely started feeling abandoned in search of more fabric.  LOL!

Barrister's Block beginnings.

Lovely in blues!

Just the start of some cute nine patches using 1930s repros and navy.  I love simple scrappy piecing.  It's such a feel-good and so great for a retreat project.

This house quilt will get its borders. Eventually. Like, after the quilt shop closes! LOL!

Bright colorful and summery! 

Hexie pineapples in the making!

Snowballs with beautiful fabrics. So cozy!

Eventually these design walls will be full....and I can't wait to see what purchases were made.  Thank you for supporting our little local quilt shops!

I know you'd also like to see a bit more of our Romania trip.  How about a visit to Bran Castle?

Bran Castle, located in Transylvania, Romania, is a famous 14th-century fortress known as "Dracula's Castle" due to its association with the legend, though its historical link to Vlad the Impaler is tenuous.

View from the top -

Originally a military fortress, it later became a royal residence for Queen Marie of Romania.

Imagining what it would have been like to live here...so many narrow, winding stairs!

We came, we saw, we conquered!

There are still some openings in our Christmas Market Tour through  Switzerland, France and Germany in November, right after Thanksgiving. I'd love to have you join me.

I'm also looking forward into 2027 with a tour to Thailand in JANUARY for my birthday!

I always try to go somewhere fairly warm for January - it makes a great winter break. Have you ever wanted to visit Thailand? Let's go!

I'm returning to Bali in July of 2027 on a fantastic batiking expedition.  Are you interested?

And yes, we are going back to Scotland in September of 2027.  Where are my Outlander fans?  It's going to be an exciting travel year.

Did you see this happen yesterday? Did you get your entry in?

I'll be drawing for two winners who will each receive a String Rings PDF pattern from me and...

A Rainbow Remix Color Roll from our friends at  Cotton to Quilts!  

Color rolls consist of 20 different pieces each 8''X 22" and are great stash enhancers - be sure to also check out their Notable Neutral rolls - you can never have enough fun neutrals on hand.

I think we've got all of the details out there - are you ready to enter?

Enter to win on my 6/27/26 Blog Post.  Winners will be drawn 6/29/26.

If your stash is overflowing with strips and scraps, String Rings is the answer! Full color photos and graphics and multiple construction options for piecing the way you want to piece. A scrap lover’s dream!

Includes string piecing on foundations, traditional rotary cutting with options, and foundation paper-piecing options for the connector "B" block.

Quilt Size: 101” X 101”

Optional but helpful: Essential Triangle Tool.

Traditional rotary cutting methods are given for those who don't have access to the ruler.

Intro pricing:  The PDF pattern for String Rings is on automatic 25% discount in the Quiltville Store through 6/30/26 - No coupon code needed!  Discount applied at checkout.

Do not use the BUY NOW button on the pattern page to check out with autofill which fills in your entire shipping address and all details.  You only need an EMAIL ADDRESS to purchase PDF patterns.

Do not use auto-fill to make your purchase!

Place the item in your shopping cart and then go to the cart page to check out choosing either your credit card option or Paypal. Shipping addresses should not apply as this is a digital pattern purchase. 

I don't know why it works this way, but it does.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Learn the art of saying no.

Don't fib.

 
Don't make excuses.

 
Don't over-explain yourself.

 
If it doesn't fit your life, just simply decline.

I know this is really hard for the people pleasers among us, but it's worth it!

Happy Friday, everyone -