Happy New Year

Hello Everyone,

 

What a whirlwind the Holidays have been!  So much activity at the Wilder house. Big dinners with many gathered around the table, and much laughter with friends and family. Good times!  More good times will continue as we look forward to 2016! 

 

It's a time for new beginnings.....of which I'll show you a little bit of what I've been up to.  You will be seeing much more of this later.  This is a practice block only pinned together.  Easy, fun and cute.  I'll nail this one down while I'm watching the football games tomorrow.

 

I'm starting a new, quarterly class at In Between Stitches called, "Let's Make a Diehl" as in Kim Diehl.  Kim's Sunday Best fabric will be arriving soon as the shop.  I've had my fabrics for about a week now and I've been busy designing a new table topper.

I'll let you know when this becomes available at the shop.  You are going to LOVE IT! 

 

Here is one of the projects we are going to work on called Walk in the Park.  This pattern is available as a free download HERE at Henry Glass Fabrics.  It is an older pattern, but the fabrics used are very similar to Kim's new line.  This is an easy block and I'm zipping right along on this one.  I will be kitting this quilt up just as soon as our fabrics arrives at the shop.

 



 

 

On another note, I've been working on a new project for RJR Fabrics.  Just as soon as I'm allowed to show it to you I WILL!!!!  As you probably know, Lynette Jensen from Thimbleberries fame came out of retirement.  I was contacted by the Vice President of sales at RJR to see if I was interested in working with them, and with a new line of fabric from Lynette called Autumn Landscape.  They thought my design style was very much in keeping with the Thimbleberries style. I don't have the fabric yet, but I have all of the digital images of the line.  After a crash course in EQ7, I'm almost ready for the big reveal.  2016 is going to start out with a bang! 

 

Today, I'm going to finish getting all of Christmas put away, and get my house back together, neat and pristine to begin the New Year.  My mother always said, "The way your house looks on New Year's Eve, is the way it will be all year."  Yikes......I hope this old wives tale doesn't apply to sewing rooms too! 

 

Happy New Year!  

 

Soon,

Lynn 

 



 

Merry Christmas

Hello Everyone,

 

Before I get too busy going about my day cooking, wrapping, and generally just getting ready for the big day, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

 



 

Quilting has brought us together and for that I will be forever grateful.  My life wouldn't be complete without quilting and quilters.  My home wouldn't be complete without quilts.

I've had the opportunity to meet many of you this year and look forward to meeting more of you next year.  Your generosity, friendship, and support is so appreciated.....more than you will every know.

 

Quilters seem to focus on the true meaning of Christmas throughout the entire year.  That's just what they do.  They are always making something for someone else, and giving the gift of warmth, and a gift from the heart.  YOU are the best!

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Soon,

Lynn

Santa's Annual Visit

Hello Everyone,

 

Santa made his annual trip from the North Pole to our house Saturday night.  (Note to self, remember to remove apron before having picture taken with Santa.  Those horizontal stripes make me look bigger than a house!)

 



Everyone gathered around for the reading of The Polar Express.  Even the littlest of the little kids took turns reading the story this year. I probably love the story just as much as the little ones.  Every time I watch the movie, I always cry in the same parts.  After the kids finished reading, Santa suddenly appears and the little boys settle down and become little angels on their best behavior.  All the grandkids get a present, have family pictures taken with Santa, then it's time to eat.

 

The day before, Kinsey and Emily came over and made Manicotti for our big dinner.  They sliced, diced, and stuffed for hours.

 



Teamwork is always the best kind of work!

 

Luckily I remembered to take off my apron for my picture with Mr. Joe.

 





I'm off to work at the shop this morning, class tomorrow......then I get to stay home and finish all the preparations for Christmas.  I will have a two day marathon of baking and cooking before everyone arrives for Christmas dinner.

 

Saturday night I stopped for a bit and just looked at the 18 smiling faces of friends and family gathered around the table. The best gifts are the ones you already have.

 

Soon,

Lynn

The Busy Yo-Yo Elf

Hello Everyone,

 

I've been so busy, just like all of you.  Today I plan to finish the shopping.  We are having are annual visit from Santa this Saturday night, so I have a ton to do between now and then. Grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, wrapping and the dreaded cleaning.  How can two people and a dog make such a mess and so much dust! I blame it on the dog.

 

I love to keep busy while sitting with Mr. Joe in the evening and watch TV.  This is my latest project.......red & white yo-yo's.  This pile is turning into decorated Christmas trees.

 



You can tell I have quite a few more yo-yo's to make.  If I make 20 a night, the tree on the left will be done, in addition to a couple of little trees too.  I bought boxes of pins with pearls at the end, and attached each yo-yo with three pins. (Every time I keyed in the word "pearlized", spell check changed it to paralyzed.)  I never knew spell check was also a mind reader! 

Some good news for you.....drum roll.....Checkerberry is featured on In Between Stitches Stuff My Stocking today.  Click HERE if you would like to make one and have him live in your house.  This picture is pure serendipity.  My daughter pointed out that Checkerberry is getting ready to throw a snowball.  Perfect timing for this shutterbug!

Another Stuff My Stocking special today only is my buddy Lisa's "I Love Us" pattern.  It's a beauty, and the pattern teaches you many different techniques.  Click HERE to get more information about this pattern.

 

So this paralyzed yo-yo is going to venture out into the crowded shops today.  Mr. Joe will tag along for moral support and run interference while I make my way through the other shoppers.  If I play my cards right, this outing could include a lunch date! I know I could shop online, but I like to shop local and support our vibrant downtown shopping district.  Visit your downtown area and help support the small businesses in your town.  We all need each other so we can all thrive.

 

Soon,

Lynn

 

A Photo Shoot in the Snow

Hello Everyone,

 

Let me tell you about my day so far and my Checkerberry photo shoot in the snow.

 



 

I'm working on the directions for Checkerberry and needed a photo for the pattern cover.  I knew snow was predicted, so what a great time to head to the cabin and get a picture in the snow.

Now I need to backtrack a few hours.  Our Golden Retriever Mazey woke me up at 5am barking.....at the snow of course.  She has never seen so much snow in her short life.  (No, she did not swallow a candle in this picture!)  She looks evil, but she wouldn't hurt a fly.  I got up, got dressed and took her out for a walk around 5:30am.  The silence of the snow was very spiritual.  I'm actually glad she made me drag my weary body out of bed to experience the solitude.  I figured we were safe outside so early because no self respecting beast would be outside in the elements.....except for me, and my furry friend.

Mazey was like a 3-year-old headed downstairs to open presents on Christmas morning.  She can be VERY rambunctious.  She could knock me over like two bowling pins if she had a mind to.  Luckily she was more interested in running, rubbing her nose in the snow, and eating as much snow as possible.

Mr. Joe got up and we ate an early breakfast.  I decided it was photo shoot time before the snow melted.  I put on my boots, muffler, jacket and headed outside.....without Mazey.  You would have thought I was abandoning her for life!  Such whining, crying, and then laying prostate with grief by the front door!  I knew if I took her with me she would run off into the woods with the pillow, so she was banished to the house while Mr. Joe cleaned up the breakfast dishes.

I set up my old Flexible Flyer sled, an old lantern, and my Mom's ice skates to set the scene, and it really started snowing.  Now let me tell you about the lantern which belonged to my Dad.  There is a dead lizard inside the glass which has been there for at least 40 years maybe longer.  The lizard has pretty much turned to dust, but he's still there.  It's his final resting place and I'm not removing him.

The skates belonged to my Mom and she brought them with her on a train when she moved from Troy, NY to California in 1942.  They are at least 70 years old.  If I ever decided to go ice skating, without even trying, I would most likely end up doing a double toe loop and ending in a death spiral.  No kidding, I can't put anything on my feet other than shoes.

I bought the Flexible Flyer sled at a car show many, many summers ago.  It was about 100 degree out and I'm lugging around an old sled.  Mr. Joe thought I was stark raving mad when I bought this sled.......I LOVE it.

So that's my story.  I got soaking wet, and the pillow got soaking wet.....but I took a few good pictures for the front and back pattern cover. 

Check out the Stuff Your Stocking at the In Between Stitches blog HERE. 

It's only 10:15 am and I've had a full day.  Time for a nap.

Soon,
Lynn

More Moda Sampler Shuffle Blocks

Hello Everyone,

 

The other day in class I worked on the easy and fun Moda Shuffle blocks.

 

Melissa posted the directions to three more of the blocks HERE.  Print them off, save them in a binder, and start shuffling.

Also, check out day #3 of Stuff My Stocking HERE.  The specials are only available if you order today.

We are getting some decent rain in California today......finally.  It is supposed to turn to snow tonight.  I can just hear our trees sigh with relief as they finally get a good soaking.

I'm afraid you won't be seeing much quilting coming out of me over the next few days.  I'm working on directions for Checkerberry, and for another project that I will post soon.  I'm also writing my Christmas cards.  I'll have Christmas music playing while I work at the dining room table on my projects.  The word of the day is COZY.  The fire is going in the wood-burning stove, the rain is pounding on the roof, and I'm snug as a bug......until Mazey whimpers and needs to go out in a downpour.  She's not allowed to go out by herself for several reasons.  We don't have a fence, she would never come back, and there are critters out there!

Soon,
Lynn

 

Sewn Wild Oaks was in Session

Hello Everyone,

My girls, the finishers, are at it again!  Suzanne finished her delightful little snowmen just in time for Christmas.

 

They were just the cutest little people.  The pattern is from a book called Nature's Noel by K.P. Kids & Co.

Judy has completed over half of her blocks for Grammy Squares.  This is quite an accomplishment.

Paula made all of her tiny HST and sewed them together beautifully for her Buttonwood pillow. She has perfect points!

This is Marianne the "mountain goat" displaying her beautiful batik quilt on the design wall.

 

Irene has jumped into Lucy Boston with both feet.  This is her first block!  Just look at what she created.

Susan is working on her Christmas table runner.  She accomplished so much during class and still kept us entertained with her singing, whistling, and inspirational compliments to the group. 

Kathy is putting her pumpkin together for Harvest of Hope.  I know I will be showing you this completed flimsy soon.

Lynette completed two Lil' Orphan Scrappy blocks.  Very sweet......Lynette and the blocks!

 

Barbara dropped by to show us her Once Upon a Vine flimsy ready for the quilter.  This is going to be a beautiful addition to her already beautiful home.  One wall in her dining room has a mural of a vineyard.  This quilt will fit right in.

Marty finished her Urban Chic quilt just in time to give it to her granddaughter for Christmas.

Peg stopped by on Monday to show me her completed Butterscotch Baskets quilt.  I LOVE it with the blue border!  This is phenomenal Peg!

Check out the Stuff My Stocking day 3 at the In Between Stitches blog HERE.  Today features one of my favorite tools, the Marti Michell corner trimmer.  Also my buddy Lisa has a new pattern available and it is on special today only.

What a great day we had.  The classroom was full of cheer and good tidings to all.  You girls make me so happy.  Being able to spend the day with you is the best gift EVER!

Soon,
Lynn

 

Stuff My Socking Day Two

Hello Everyone,

 

I just have a few minutes to post this morning before I head off to class.  Check out today's special at In Between Stitches.  Treat yourself to the great deals, or how about a gift for a quilting friend?  Alex Anderson's great new book is available today for $22.95.

 



The mini Thimble Blossoms pattern is only $4.95 today only.

 

I get to spend the day with "my girls".  Then I'm off to watch my granddaughter play basketball tonight.  It is going to be a fun day spent with some of my favorite people.

 

Soon,

Lynn

In Between Stitches Gala Event

Hello Everyone,

 

Yesterday 125 quilters gathered together at The Purple Orchid in Livermore for the annual Christmas luncheon and preview party for In Between Stitches.

 

The In Between Stitches staff and customers signed up to decorate tables for the event.  We arrived early to transform the room into a Winter Wonderland.

 

 The entire room was so festive.

Quilters started arriving early.

 

Many brought an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.  The tree was loaded with presents donated by our generous customers.

Here are some of my buddies, Melody, Barbara, Marty, and Laurie.

 

Here are some more of my friends. Susan makes all of us smile all of the time! Mary Lou, Doris and Suzanne.

Friends gather together and go over the extensive class schedule to decide what classes to take next quarter.

 

 The quilts provide a beautiful backdrop to the gorgeous room filled with lovely ladies and friends.

My "Tuesday girls" Suzanne and Karen sat at my table.  While I was busy getting the computer and projector set for the slide show, Karen and company decorated my table for me.  Thanks girls!

 

The quilts were hanging around the room for everyone to admire.  My buddy Lisa has a new design. This is going to be another winner!

 

Here is just a small sampling of the classes being offered.

 

My friend Melody is toasting quilters everywhere!  That's just orange juice right Melody?  Wink, Wink.

 



 

A quilt shop isn't just a store front. A quilt shop isn't always just about quilting. It is a vibrant activity center of a community.  A quilt shop promotes friendships, encourages laughter, and stimulates our brains with classes. A quilt shop is a safe haven for those dealing with personal struggles, by providing compassion, and hugs.  Support you local quilt shop every chance you get and the benefits will be returned to you tenfold.

Speaking of quilt shops, I'm off to work at the shop this morning to see all of my buddies, play with fabric, give out hugs......and maybe do a little work. Gee, I hope the boss lady isn't reading this post!

Soon,
Lynn