Sew'n Wild Oaks Class Was In Session

Hello Everyone,

 

I met with my Sew'n Wild Oaks girls last Monday and Tuesday.  Their accomplishments over the past month were quite amazing.

 



Pat not only made the quilt, but she machine quilted it too!  She has created an heirloom for her family to enjoy for many years to come.

Next up are two Row-Mancing Alaska quilts.  Last year at this time, we had just returned from the quilt cruise to Alaska where I first taught this quilt.  Laurie and Karen did a great job!

The goal of this design was to create a quilt with all blocks pertaining to Alaska from the heavens to the earth.  From top to bottom the blocks are called; Aurora, Midnight Sun, Flying Geese, Eagles Nest, Black Spruce, Glacier Bay, Bear Paws, Gold Rush.

My sister Gail is pattern testing Country Romance blocks.  She has all of the components completed and ready to stitch together.

Susan got her purple borders sewn on Walk in the Park.  Now she's ready for the applique in the border.

Barbara went on a retreat and worked on this beautiful creation.  I love the colors and the polka dot fabrics she used.  She needed 32 different polka dot fabrics.  With help from our friend Lynette, she was able to pull this off.

Barbara G. is making a lot of little red, white and blue 6" blocks.

Lori worked on her little 9-patches for Cute As A Button and is wearing them proudly.

Valery finished her placements.

This is just a few of the things the girls have been working on.  There was a lot of chatter, laughter and sharing throughout the two days.  I love being able to spend time with my girls.

Soon,
Lynn

P.S. The Row-Mancing Alaska pattern is located HERE in my Etsy shop.  I'm offering free shipping on orders over $35.00.

Cute As A Button Was In Session

Hello Everyone,

 

A group of us had a fun day in classroom at In Between Stitches in Livermore on Sunday.  The girls began their Cute as a Button quilt journey.

 

Here's my Cute as a Button on steroids.  I'll release a new pattern called Country Courthouse as soon as I get the time to write it. 

The girls decided to make the smaller, 31" x 31" version.  I guess they don't want to join me in the asylum!

Such fabric organization!  I was amazed and impressed.

 

 As the day went on, little piles of 9-patches started appearing.

The girls were all so precise.  I was impressed.

This is a Where's Waldo picture.  How many little 9-patch blocks do you see strategically placed in this picture?

Paula was very creative with her blocks.

Any day spent in the company of quilters is a good GREAT day!

Soon,
Lynn

P.S. My Cute as a Button pattern is available HERE, in my Etsy shop.

 

Heritage Trifecta

Hello Everyone,

 

I was very excited this week when I was contacted by Hancock's of Paducah.  They wanted to purchase Heritage patterns.

 

Hancock's will be kitting my pattern using Cassandra fabric by Robert Kaufman.  I LOVE IT!  I will let you know when the kits become available on their website.

The Cassandra version is so different than the original.

 

Here is the version made by The Independence Hall Quilters, my guild in Arnold.  Let me know if you are interested in purchasing tickets for Heritage.  It will be raffled off at the Mountain Heirloom Quilt Faire Oct. 13, 2019.  Our quilt show is a destination quilt show.  You can wander around the beautiful grounds at Ironstone Winery.  Do a little wine tasting, view quilts, wearable art, and visit the vendors. Come see me!  I will be manning my booth and demonstrating throughout the entire 3-day show.

 



 

Here's an update on my sister Gail.  She has to go back to the surgeon on July 29th.  The margins weren't clear from the last surgery.  This procedure will not be as invasive as the last time.  The next step is a visit to the radiation oncologist.  Keep channeling those good, positive thoughts her way.

Soon,
Lynn

P.S. The Heritage pattern is available in my Etsy shop by clicking HERE.

Patchwork Math Was In Session

Hello Everyone,

 

I was so fortunate to spend a day with quilters from the Contra Costa County Guild last Saturday.  The workshop was Patchwork Math.  The girls rocked it!

 

This is Mary's beautiful block showing some of the components she made during class.

 

Mary put a bin together of fabrics she only uses for quilting class.  Here is an example of some of the blocks she's made over the years using only the fabric from her class box.  Soon, she is going to have a wonderful sampler quilter.  Now that she took my class, she has the tools to make components to put all of these blocks together. (I think she already knew how!)

She stitched little snippets of fabrics to muslin that she takes with her when fabric shopping.  This is a great idea!

Here are some examples of blocks and the components assembled during class.

The blocks grew as more components were made.

The guild has a wonderful, bright classroom which made creating easy.

Patchwork Math aka Finessing the Figures is my most popular workshop.  The next time I'm teaching this will be in August 11th at In Between Stitches in Livermore.  Click HERE for information about the class.  I will teach you the formulas and construction techniques to make the components any size you want.  You can then make the components to add special sashings or borders to your quilts.  The class is empowering.  It is fun to teach and I get so witness many ah-ha moments.

On another note, thank you so much for all of your comments and best wishes for my sister Gail.  She is headed to the oncologist today to get more test results and find out the next steps on her journey fighting the cancer.

I'm headed to Livermore this weekend to teach Cute as a Button.  When I last checked, I have one more space available.  Click HERE if you are interested in that spot.

I must warn you the blocks are addicting and you can't make just a few!  As soon as I quilt this beauty, it is going on the bed.  I just have to figure out how I'm going to quilt it.

Soon,
Lynn

If you are interested in purchasing my Patchwork Math book or my Cute as a Button pattern, they are located HERE in my Etsy shop.
 

If you see something......

Hello Everyone,

 

If you have been following my blog, you know that my sister Gail and I do almost everything together.  Here we are at a quilt retreat last May in Susanville.  With my sister's permission, I'm going to relate her story. 

 



Eleven years ago Gail was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She had a double mastectomy to rid herself of this insidious cancer.  At the time, through genetic testing, chemotherapy was ruled out, as she wouldn't benefit from it.  She also didn't have radiation, as it was not in the current protocol to administer radiation to patients who have lupus.

Over the past eleven years, she continued to have her regular check-ups.....all showed her cancer free.

About three years ago, she noticed a change in an area in the scar tissue.  Her doctor performed a needle biopsy, and it came back negative.  The area wasn't bothering her and she took the doctor at his word.  A couple of months ago she noticed a change in the area.  Again, she went back to her doctor a couple of weeks ago, and he said it was nothing.  But, he did suggest she have an ultra sound.  The technician who performed the ultra sound, said it was nothing.  The nurse told Gail she should ask to have a punch biopsy.  The biopsy came back positive.....the cancer had returned.

Had the nurse not suggested the biopsy, this story may have a different ending.

What I want to share with you is:  If you see something, say something.  This is your body, you know it best.  Gail followed her intuition, and a nurse substantiated her thoughts.

The good news is the bone scan and C/T scan both came back negative.  The cancer has not metastasized to other organs.  On Monday, Gail went in for surgery and had the area removed.  We are awaiting the results of the pathology report to find out the next steps.  Gail is doing great!  She's already back to her normal routine and is pain free.....thanks to the drugs and ice.

During the passage of the last eleven years, new research has been conducted and protocols have changed.  We will find out soon if she is a candidate for radiation.

Gail wanted me to share her story to elevate cancer awareness.  Follow your instincts.  Get a second opinion.....or third if you feel something is wrong.  Schedule a mammogram that you've been putting off.  Take care of yourself......you have a lot of quilts to finish!

Needless to say I haven't been doing much quilting lately.  Today I'm getting ready for a workshop and trunk show in Concord, CA for the Quilt Guild of Contra Costa County this Saturday and Monday.  Pacific Gas and Electric notified us there is going to be a scheduled power outage from 9am to 3pm today.  Yikes!  I have to get printing NOW and doing everything I do before a workshop.  Maybe this would be a good day to sit on the deck and read.

Soon,
Lynn