Quilting Inspiration

 Hello Everyone,

This post will showcase our show and tell at the retreat.  We held it outside with Lake Tahoe in the background.  Notice the blue, blue sky.  My sister, Gail, is so proud of her Calico Cottages quilt.  It's so special!

Julie's wool applique is incredible!

I was delighted to see Sharon's Summer's Blush quilt so beautifully finished.

Barbara began her explanation about her quilt with, "I hate making Dresden blocks!"  But Barbara, this is beautiful!

Tina is very organized and made herself work outside her comfort zone and pulled the fabric strips out of a bag for this quilt.

Karen rescued this completed quilt out of a giveaway stack.  I'll bet the original maker is very happy that it found a good home. 

Here's my Double Dutch Treat pattern by Tina.

Donna loves making quilts with a lot of small pieces.  This was amazing. She's a girl after my own heart when it comes to tiny scraps.

Another beautiful wool quilt made by Debbie.  I should have taken a close up of the variety of stitches.

Quilters are also knitters. Linda knits while she and her husband drive around the country in their RV.

Tina made this quilt from houses that were donated to a quilt shop in Paradise after the Paradise fire.  The blocks came from all around the world.  Many of the guild members were able to make quilts from the donated blocks.

Lori made this for her granddaughter.

I've always loved this quilt by Blackbird Designs which Lisa made.

We have another knitter!  I love this quilt block design.

I taught this Walk in the Park pattern by Kim Diehl several years ago.  Gail finished her quilt!

I think Melody called this one Bathing Beauties which is perfect for the chilly Lake Tahoe water.

Beth is almost finished with her Double Dutch Treat.

I have a lot more pictures to show tomorrow too.

Soon,

Lynn

Quilting Inspiration at Inspiration Point

 Hello Everyone,

I spent a wonderful five days at Zephyr Point at beautiful Lake Tahoe at my Sew'n Wild Oaks Quilting Retreat.

This was our workroom for the duration of the retreat. Our bedrooms were on the same floor which was so convenient.

This group of women are so special!  I would sit at my workspace and listen to the chatter and hear spontaneous laughter erupt around the room. 

I start each day of the retreat with an inspirational saying.  My friend, Karen, sent me this during the retreat and this says it all!

Our work area was spacious with direct access to the lake.  Many of the girls would take their handwork outside and enjoy the view.

The water is incredibly blue, clear, and COLD.

We couldn't have asked for better weather.

The dining hall also had beautiful views of the lake.

You can't beat Lake Tahoe for amazing sunsets.

I will be sharing many pictures of the projects the girls created over the next few posts.  I think I have enough pictures to post every day for an entire week!

On a personal note, you may be wondering why I haven't been posting.  Well, I have a good excuse!  Those of you who have been following my blog know that I ended up in the hospital in Denver with a very large blood clot in my leg which was surgically removed.  We drove back home without any issues......until September 8th when I ended up back in the emergency room with a brain bleed (ischemic stroke) from too many blood thinners. I had the worst headache I've ever experienced with uncontrollable vomiting. I was quickly transferred via ambulance from Walnut Creek Kaiser to Kaiser's Neurologic Center in Redwood City, CA.  That was my home for a WEEK!  An entire week of being monitored, tested, scanned, poked and prodded.  Mr. Joe was a trooper and was at my side every day, all day.

It was very questionable whether or not I could attend my own retreat. I told my neurologist that the retreat would be good medicine.....and it was just what the doctor ordered.

I used a walker for a couple of days and quickly ditched that for a cane.  Now I'm caneless.  The only lasting issue that I see is my handwriting isn't as good as it used to be, and I walk very cautiously.  The doctor said I will make a full recovery.

I'm back to quilting on a very limited schedule as I get sooooo tired.  I'm listening to my body and take naps every day.

The girls got me through the retreat with their kindness and love.  It was like having 33 mother hens taking care of me!  I didn't have to lift a finger.

Soon,

Lynn

Gentry's Mill Update

 Hello Everyone,

I'm slowly making progress on my Gentry's Mill quilt.  The large floral in the center of this block is gorgeous!  There is also a red floral which will be in four other blocks.

I broke some rules on this block.  I wanted the stripes to frame the block, so I cut the fabric out on the bias.  I starch all of my fabric first, and the stripe fabric received a double dose of starch so it wouldn't stretch.  In fact, the fabric was so stiff, you could bounce a quarter of it.  I love this block!

The cameo fabric around this block is one of my favorite fabrics in the line.  I scanned one of Mr. Joe's ties and the graphic artist at Marcus Fabrics put the floral bouquet in the center.  This block is just so special to me.

The next two blocks take a fair bit of time to make, and I have three more of each one to construct.  The pieces are all cut out, and this is going to be front and center in my sewing room today.

Please talk to your local quilt shop if you are interested in the BOM offered by Marcus Fabrics.

I'm feeling so much better and have to remind myself that I need to take it easy occasionally throughout the day.  On a funny note, I have to wear compression stockings every day and all day to keep the blood flowing.  I have a silk sleeve which I put over my foot to get the compression stocking on......but I can't pull the silk sleeve out through the toe area.  That is Mr. Joe's job.  

At the end of the day, I can't get the stocking off by myself and that's Mr. Joe's job too.  Keep in mind these stockings are compressed to the max.  The first time he took the stocking off, his manhood was brutally attacked by this spring-loaded large piece of elastic!  Luckily, we don't want to have more children.  After doing some research, I found compression stockings with zippers.  I can put them on and take them off all by myself which makes for a happy husband who's no longer gun-shy about being attacked by a large piece of flying elastic! 

Soon,

Lynn

Updates and a Special Offer

 Hello Everyone,

I've felt well enough in the last week to venture into my sewing room.  I go between my computer writing a pattern, and my sewing machine where I try to follow my own directions, and then I go to the recliner to elevate my leg.

I'm making good progress on my new Gentry's Mill BOM.  I cut out the pieces for a block, make the block, then make corrections to the pattern if needed, and it's always needed! Then I proceed to cutting out the pieces for the rest of the block.  I have everything labeled and marked so I can work on it at my retreat at Zephyr Cove at Lake Tahoe later on this month.

It is extremely satisfying to work with my very own fabric line and watch the blocks come to life.

Now to the special offer. This really is a good deal, and it is the last time this offer will be available this year.

Today and tomorrow, (Sept 1st & 2nd) you can sign up for The Quilt Show for $10.00 off your membership. The cost is $39.95 for the year. TQS is my resource for when I need to learn a new technique or have a technical question.

You will have access to hundreds of videos covering every topic imaginable at your fingertips. Your membership more than pays for itself.

Here are just a few of the benefits you will receive:

-Instant Access to all episodes of The Quilt Show

-Get the 2024 and 2025 Block of the Month Pattern (value $79)

-Get 25% off a Store Purchase*

-Free Book Download: Piecing Makeover - A Guide to Diagnosing and Solving Common Problems ($20.99)

-Download "Critique" by Lyric Kinard. A semester of art in 19 pages.

-Get First Shot at Project kits (frequently sell out!)

-Get special offers and store discounts for Star Members only

https://thequiltshow.com/

This would make a great year-round Christmas present for your quilting buddies.

I'm now able to sell my Bridle Path pattern in my Etsy shop.  So, if you missed the BOM, you could now make your very own Bridle Path in any fabric of your choice.

Click HERE to take you to my Etsy Shop. 

I feel that my leg is making great progress.  I'm trying to add an extra 500 to 1000 steps per day on my Fitbit.  I still can't stand for long periods of time, or walk for long periods of time, but I'm soooooo much better than I was last week at this time.  I still have waves of fatigue that wash over me, and I have to sit and rest. But when I do that, I immediately fall asleep.  I figure this is want my body needs right now, and I'm not fighting it.    

Soon,

Lynn