Sew'n Wild Oaks Retreat Day One

 Hello Everyone,

We hit the ground running yesterday for the beginning of the first Sew'n Wild Oaks Retreat for 2025.  Design walls went up around the room.

Tables with electrical were set up.

Then the tables were quickly filled with quilters and all of their supplies.

Product was on display.

The lecture area is ready for the first mini session this morning.

The first class is an introduction to Lucy Boston and English paper-piecing.

Friends helping friends.

More friends and roommates.  

On another note, I received a comment on my blog post about tariffs.  I was just expressing my views and immediate facts on how the tariffs are impacting me, a small business owner.  I moderate the comments and there was one comment which I didn't publish.  I will not publish any comments favoring or disfavoring the current or past president. PERIOD.  I was just explaining how the tariffs are impacting me and my small business. Enough said.

Now let's get back to quilting.

Soon,

Lynn

Tariffs and Small Businesses

 Hello Everyone,

As a small business owner, the uncertainty of tariffs is making me 'tariff-ied'.  

Already I've experienced first-hand an increase in my cost of doing business.  My toner comes from Mexico.  The plastic bags that hold the patterns come from China.  When I send out files to be printed, my printing cost have gone up.  We know when the prices go up, they are not coming down.

Remember a few years back when there was a cotton shortage in Russia, and the cost of fabric went up.  Did it come back down?

My fabric comes from South Korea.  I just placed a large fabric order with Marcus Fabrics to purchase bolts currently in the warehouse.  There's no telling what the cost will be on my next fabric line as it will be impacted by tariffs.

Can I absorb the additional 'tax' on my everyday business needs?  The simple answer is no.  

My Country Charmer pattern was released in 2011 and is priced at $15.95. The pattern is printed on 28# paper which is unusual in the pattern industry. The pattern contains an oversized block layout sheet which is expensive to print. I have kept the price the same for fourteen years. This is going to change.

As I developed as a pattern writer over the years, I've incorporated more color in my patterns.  I've included fabric swatches in color in the cutting directions.  To keep the costs down, I separate the pages to be printed in color from the rest of the pattern assembly directions which are printed in black and white.  I just placed an order for my Stardance pattern.....the price per page has gone up.

As a small business owner, I do not keep large volumes of patterns on hand.  Storage is an issue for one thing, and I can't layout hundreds of dollars and wait for a year to recoup that money.  The same with fabric.  When I place an order totaling thousands of dollars, I have to have a pretty quick turnaround time. The shipping costs for forty bolts of fabric is astronomical.  Yes, I can write the cost of shipping off, but again I can't do that until April 15th rolls around on the calendar.

We had a lively discussion about tariffs last night with some quilty friends at dinner.  Funds spent on quilting are discretionary, but are they really?  One of my friends said quilting keeps her from killing....as she looks at her husband. 😬  

Quilting is a wonderful creative outlet that does us so much good mentally as well as physically.  Many of you make community quilts which is so helpful and needed in our communities. Do we all have enough fabric in our stash to keep us quilting into infinity?  Probably.  I've said for years to shop your stash first and I will continue to say that. Maybe we can now make a dent in the stash and work on UFO's.

I'll get off my soapbox.  I just wanted you to see how I'm impacted by tariffs which will have an effect on you.

Soon,

Lynn

Retreat Preparations

Hello Everyone,

I'm working on tutorials to present to my quilters at the Sew'n Wild Oaks retreat next week.  One of the mini classes what I'm going to teach is an introduction to English Paper-Piecing to make Lucy Boston blocks.  This block uses my Gentry's Mill fabric line.

I put little kits together for those interested in learning this technique.

I work with a template which I put together to keep myself organized.  In my age group it doesn't take much to get me off track. 

This is the block I'm going to use for a demonstration.

Here are examples of some of my older Lucy blocks.

This process is absolutely addicting!

They are so much fun to make, and it takes a lot of time to make a block. I've learned to embrace the slow process and creativity of each block. Each block is unique and gorgeous.  When I look at fabrics, I'm always looking at them with my 'Lucy' eyes.

Today is cabin cleaning day as some of the quilters will be arriving Saturday night and the rest will arrive on Sunday to Snowflake Lodge.  I'll schedule a cabin tour for one of the days next week.

I can't believe it, but snow showers are in the forecast over the weekend.  The girls won't need to pack their snowshoes along with their quilting supplies. Hopefully the snow will have melted prior to their arrival.  Quite often I anticipate snow during the November retreat, but NOT in April!

Soon,

Lynn

 

 Hello Everyone,

My friend Sue took my Country Sampler pattern and truly made it her own with incredible creativity and skill.

 After attending my Patchwork Math class at the Independence Hall Guild in Arnold, CA, she put her mathematical expertise to work, enlarging the blocks from 9" to 12". 

She seamlessly blended elements of her own design with a block from my A Ribbon Runs Through It pattern, selecting the perfect fabrics to create a stunning ribbon effect encircling each block. 

Last weekend, I picked up her quilt from the talented machine quilter, Dianne Schweickert, in Livermore. I adore this quilt so much that parting with it was almost impossible! Sue’s artistry and vision shine through, making this quilt a truly special creation.

I'm deep in preparations for my Sew'n Wild Oaks retreat, eagerly anticipating the arrival of quilters on Sunday for a wonderful quilting experience at Snowflake Lodge in Arnold, CA. Some will be coming in early on Saturday, and we're planning a cozy dinner gathering at my sister's cabin. No matter how soon I start getting ready, there's always more to do—but let's not even talk about the chore of cleaning the cabin and getting my sewing room presentable! Several bombs have found their way into that room and created chaos.

Soon,

Lynn

Happy Easter

 Hello Everyone,

 Hope is Easter's most precious gift.

I hope you all have a beautiful Easter Sunday. 

Soon,

Lynn

Stardance

 Hello Everyone,

This is why you haven't heard a peep out of me lately.  I've been finishing up my latest design, making kits and writing the pattern for Stardance.  The pattern is available HERE in my Etsy shop.

Creating a pattern and preparing it for printing is a time-consuming process. My aim was to have this one completed before the kickoff of my very first Sew'n Wild Oaks retreat of 2025, which starts on April 27th—just one week away!  I'm getting excited to see 'my girls'!

I combined my new Gentry's Mill fabric line with my Hearthstone line to create this quilt. The center 'cameo' is from Gentry's Mill, and it is perfect to highlight it in the center of the block. I also loved putting the plaid from Hearthstone in the center. 

I also used the large floral in the center.

The components in the block are a square in a square, flying geese, double flying geese and half-square triangles.  I have detailed, FREE videos on The Quilt Show for each of these components.  Click HERE to access the videos.

The Courthouse Steps are a piece of cake to make. I incorporated the plaid in the final strip in all of the blocks.

The border is a bit different, and I like the way it frames the quilt.  I just made a Courthouse Steps block and cut it in half which then showcases the plaid running around the quilt.

I listened to several audio books while I cut, cut, cut to my heart's content! I also went through a lot of blades on my rotary cutter!

It took me four days to make kits for the retreat and to sell afterwards in my Etsy shop.  The kits contain 31 different fabrics, and there are 18 yards in each of the kits.  My sewing room was overflowing with bolts and bolts of fabric! Those 18 yards of fabric are nicely tucked in a Sew'n Wild Oaks tote bag.  

After the retreat, I will put Stardance under the needle of my long arm.  I knew I wouldn't have time to machine quilt it prior to the retreat without killing myself.  I know how I'm going to quilt it, and it will be nice to not be under a lot of pressure to get this one done.  Also, the weather is warming up and I won't have to wear my snow gear while I'm quilting out in the garage.  I will work on it for just a few hours a day and before I know it, Stardance will be a complete wrap!

Soon,

Lynn

Quilts on Parade

 Hello Everyone,

My email inbox has been filled with beautiful pictures from quilters who've made my patterns.  Let me tell you I LOVE getting these pictures!  

First up is A Ribbon Runs Through It by Carol from the Chicago area.  She said she got carried away making pillow shams, throw pillows and a wool applique pillow.  I need to get this carried away and create a beautiful setting like this in one of my bedrooms!  I met Carol when I taught at the Pieceful Gathering Retreat a few years ago, and I hope to meet again.

Next up is a picture of Elena's quilt from Italy.  In her email, Elena said, "What you create makes us dream."  Elena's words were so touching, and I will always think about them while I'm designing patterns and fabric.  I virtually 'met' Elena through my Etsy shop in 2022 and she has been keeping me updated on her progress.  She is now working on my Laurel Ridge quilt through The Quilt Show.  Elena wants to come to the US so we can meet.  I need to learn Italian!

Next up is Teresa's Christmas Ribbons quilt.  Teresa was so kind to include a picture of her quilt in her review in my Etsy shop. This quilt is going to be a gift to a very special person. I look at the reviews and try to keep up responding to them.  I contacted Teresa and asked her if I could include the picture in my social media sites.  She graciously said yes.  I really appreciate her taking the time to make my design and post a review.  Positive reviews make a great deal of difference in Etsy's search algorithm. 

During the week I was contacted by Annette, who did a YouTube video HERE about her experience making her lovely Heritage.  The video is about 10 minutes long, and she even included a boo-boo.  Her boo-boo was one that I made too.  The video is so nicely done, and I really appreciate that she took the time to document her Heritage quilting journey which may help you on your journey.

Here is another gorgeous Heritage in an Autumn colorway, sent to me by Malgorzata from Poland.  We have been corresponding for the past 5 years.  Her words of inspiration inspired me and tugged at my heart. I complimented her on her work, and she said, "....your praise gives me wings and willingness to continue working on more quilts."  In addition to Italian, I need to learn the Polish language.  Thank goodness for Google Translator!

Here's a closeup of her precision.  So well done!

Whenever one of you send me pictures, I always show all of your images to Mr. Joe, and he is very complimentary.  He knows the level of effort that I put into my quilts, and he appreciates your hard work.

Your pictures and emails inspire me. I wish you could see my reaction when I open my email.  I'm gobsmasked! (I do love that word).  It's your kind words that keeps me doing what I do.  When I started designing in 2008, I never in my wildest dreams thought it would take me to this level of fond friendships around the world.  You, my dear quilters and blog readers are the BEST!

Humbly yours,

Lynn

Snow'n Wild Oaks

 Hello Everyone,

Yesterday I changed the name of my company to Snow'n Wild Oaks instead of Sew'n Wild Oaks.  I worked in the dining room on Stardance, my newest design incorporating my Hearthstone fabric line with Gentry's Mill. 

It was like being in a snow globe and I kept getting distracted while looking outside. It seems as though I either need to start making smaller quilts or buy a larger table!  I was measuring and squaring up the quilt and cutting border fabric.  It is so much easier to have the quilt on the table instead of crawling around on the floor.  I can get down on the floor okay, it's the getting back up that becomes an issue.  Also, when I'm down on the floor, Mazey thinks it's playtime.

We were going out every two hours to push the snow shovel around on the driveway to keep it open.  It also helps to clear the snow away, so it doesn't turn into the famous Sierra Cement. The berm created by the snowplow freezes solid, and then the shoveling and snow blowing becomes hard work.

The flowering plum tree was buried under a white blanket.  I was so afraid the branches would break, so I shook off some of the snow and soon buried myself!  I said a little wish for Spring by the wishing well.

Big flakes fell for most of the day.

My mountain friend Sue sent me this cartoon yesterday.  The saying up here in the mountains is that Winter isn't over until there's snow on the dogwood.  Our dogwood isn't blossoming yet, so I'm not sure if Winter is over or not.

It's Spring break for a lot of schools here in Northern California, and our grandson and a friend are driving up to stay with us for a few days.  I think my food bill just quadrupled with two strapping teenage boys in the cabin.  But now we will have four extra hands to wrap around the handle of a snow shovel!

Soon,

Lynn

Gentry's Mill Tutorial

 Hello Everyone,

The tutorial for month #2 of Gentry's Mill is now posted so you can download it HERE. 

This block is very similar to block #1. The block is the same, the fabrics are different.

I've been working on a lot of tutorials over the past week.  My granddaughter drove up from the Los Angeles area and we met up at our home in Livermore so she could film the tutorials for Bridle Path for The Quilt Show.  Our eldest son and his family live in the house now. 

We set up in the dining room as it has the best lighting for filming.  The only problem was Mazey likes to bark when the mailman arrives, so you can hear her in the background.  She just wanted to have her voice heard in the video.

My granddaughter is going to make a 'blooper' video if she has the time.  I was demonstrating a technique of making double flying geese with my prepared components, and I made one of them incorrectly!  I was flummoxed for a few seconds, maybe 30 seconds too long, and had to re-do the video after lunch.  We decided to show it so you can see that even this so-called professional can make mistakes.  

I mentioned before that our son and his family live in our Livermore home.  We have a bedroom there, but we share a bath with our 17-year-old grandson.  I forgot to take my shampoo and ended up using my grandson's Old Spice Swagger shampoo.  Maybe that's why I screwed up one of the tutorials.....I was feeling too cocky from breathing in the 'Swagger' shampoo!

On that note, I'll sign off for now.

Soon,

Lynn