My Bobbin is Full

 Hello Everyone,

Yesterday’s afternoon walk carried that unmistakable whisper of fall—crisp air, golden light, and the promise of changing leaves. Inspired by that seasonal shift, this week’s Pattern of the Week is Leaf Peepers. Honestly, if the leaves in my yard looked anything like the blocks in this pile, I’d be out there raking with a smile. Thankfully, Mazey takes her raking duties very seriously—she’s always ready to lend a paw.

Here's the finished quilt from the photoshoot taken at Ironstone Winery.  The fire last week burned right up to the fences of this spectacular Gold Country Winery.

Every quilt has her picture taken on this old sled by the woodburning stove.

I had a lot of batiks leftover from another project, so I decided to put them to work in a new Leaf Peepers.

I pulled out the brown setting squares and laid all the leaf blocks side by side, shading them from light to dark—like watching the sky drift down to the forest floor. It’s got that quiet, earthy rhythm I love. This one’s nestled in my “need to finish” pile… and it’s whispering louder every day.....especially during this time of the year I think it's shouting at me!

The pattern can be found on sale in my Etsy shop HERE.

On a personal note, one year ago today, my life took a sharp turn. I was rushed from the ER in Walnut Creek to Kaiser’s Neurological Hospital in Redwood City after a stroke—caused by a brain bleed from too many blood thinners. That week was long, uncertain, and stitched with worry. But somehow, I came through it. Aside from a few balance hiccups (which might just be age doing its own patchwork number on me), I’ve made a full recovery.

This past year has reminded me that life—like quilting—can unravel in an instant. One moment you’re piecing together something beautiful, and the next, the thread breaks, or your bobbin runs out. But it also taught me that every day is a square worth saving. That love—like a well-worn quilt—should be wrapped around your family and friends with intention, warmth, and love.

So today, I’m treasuring the scraps and the masterpieces alike. And loving my family and friends with every stitch I have left in me....and my bobbin is full!

Soon,

Lynn

Sew'n Wild Oaks August Retreat

 Hello Everyone,

Here are some more pictures from the August retreat.  I have to get all of them posted before the next retreat starts!

I'm starting out the show today with Eileen's gorgeous Lil' Orphan Scrappy. The brights colors make this quilt dazzle!

Taimi has been working out of her stash for years and created another beautiful quilt.

I love this simply elegant Christmas quilt by Judy.

You need a long table to showcase this Christmas table runner by Trina.

Anne designed and made the center section for her new quilt.

She put the completed parts and pieces up on the design wall.  It's going to be a beauty.

Sharon's wonderful center section.

I start each day with a positive affirmation for the group which is a great way to begin our day together.

Linda made this little moose for her daughter's cabin.

Linda's granddaughter made a painting of the moose for her bedroom! It is so sweet.

Joy worked on her quilt during the retreat and had it altogether by Wednesday evening.

Julie started her table topper during the retreat and it's ready to be quilted!

I teach little mini-sessions each day.

Look how intently everyone is listening!

Trina gave us a moving glimpse into her work at Square One in Woodland, where she supports individuals facing significant life challenges. Her role focuses on equipping at-risk youth with the skills they need to navigate adulthood—and the results speak volumes. Square One has an impressive track record of helping students graduate high school, and their programs go beyond academics. They even offer quilting classes, weaving creativity and comfort into their curriculum. Trina shared several heartfelt stories that reminded us just how powerful compassion and community can be.

The quilting community is more than a gathering of makers—it's a living tapestry of stories, traditions, and shared joy. Across generations and geographies, quilters come together to stitch not just fabric, but connection. In church basements, sunlit studios, bustling retreats, and quiet corners of homes, they trade techniques, laughter, and life lessons.

What makes this community extraordinary is its generosity. Quilters give freely—of time, talent, and heart. They make comfort quilts for those in crisis, memory quilts to honor loved ones, and celebration quilts to mark milestones. Every thread carries intention.

And then there’s the magic of collaboration. Whether it’s a group project that spans states or a spontaneous show-and-tell at a retreat, quilters lift each other up. They celebrate each other’s wins, troubleshoot tricky techniques, and marvel at the beauty born from scraps. It’s a space where tradition meets innovation, and where every voice—no matter how new or seasoned—is welcomed.

In a world that often rushes past the handmade, the quilting community reminds us to slow down, to honor craft, and to find meaning in the stitches we share.

Soon,

Lynn

Retreat Pictures

 Hello Everyone,

Still soaking in the joy from August’s retreat—I've just posted more photos if you’d like to take a peek! Hard to believe I’m already deep in prep for my September retreat at Zephyr Point at Lake Tahoe…which kicks off two weeks from tomorrow. YIKES is right!

Enjoy your morning quilt show, friends. It is full of color, texture, and inspiration. Some of the pictures are from our nightly show and tell, and others are pictures I took while walking around the room.

Lots of parts and pieces for a basket quilt. 

All of those HST are going to make my For the Love of Baskets design.  My sister, Gail, made this quilt.

Lucy Boston blocks were popping up around the room.

Happy friends.

Mother/Daughter due.

With not much notice, I asked my friend, Julie if she could teach a wool applique class.  Julie is a natural teacher, and you'd never have known this was her first time teaching. I kept telling Julie she had to earn her keep since she was staying we me. 

I love Evelynne's organizational skills.

This group of wonderful women are the creators and presenters of your morning quilt show.  

Personal Note #1 - Mr. Joe has been camped out in his recliner these past couple of months, feeling pretty under the weather. Back in June, he volunteered to help set up at the Flea Market—loading and unloading around 30 hefty tables. The next day, he looked like he’d sprouted short T-Rex arms…poor guy could barely move without wincing.

After several doctor visits, X-rays, and bloodwork, they found significant inflammation in his shoulders and neck. He’s currently being tested for polymyalgia rheumatica, an autoimmune condition. This week brought a cortisone shot to the shoulder, and thankfully, he was feeling a bit better yesterday.  The condition is treatable without surgery.  I could tell he felt much better yesterday when he actually reached for the hummingbird feeder to add more liquid to it.  Small steps led to a great feeling of independence and a return to a better quality of life.

Personal note #2 -I threw my hat in the ring for our cabin’s homeowner's association Board of Directors—figured since I use the facilities often for my retreats, it was time to have a say in how things are run. Well, I won! Victory feels good… though I’m still deciding whether I’ve just invited a new headache into my already full week. Today kicks off with a three-hour orientation, and Tuesday brings a three-hour Zoom meeting—right on our 53rd anniversary. Not exactly how I imagined celebrating, but here we are.

Personal note #3 -The paper swatches and JPEGs for my next fabric line from Marcus Fabrics just arrived—and I’m absolutely smitten! This collection has such a bright, vintage charm that I couldn’t resist diving right in. I’ve already designed a quilt using the new line and sent it off to Marcus, so they’ll have a visual to pair with the color card when they debut it in Houston next month. It’s thrilling to see it all come together… honestly, it should be illegal to have this much fun! Hopefully the fabric will arrive directly from South Korea in about 6 weeks. 

So now I have to sign off and go and get ready to do my civic duty at my Homeowner's Association. Sigh.....

Soon,

Lynn

Safe for Now

 Hello Everyone,

I'm deeply relieved and grateful to share that our mountain community was spared from the lightning-sparked fires. Instead of spending the day packing up everything dear to us, I found myself back at the sewing machine, stitching peace and calm into fabric and myself.

I was deeply touched to hear from so many of you—from Nova Scotia to Italy—who reached out after seeing news of the fires on international broadcasts. Your concern and care meant the world to us.

This block is from my Country Charmer pattern, one of my earliest designs and still close to my heart. I’ve paired it with Cozy Christmas fabric by Katie Solberg for Marcus Fabrics—a festive, nostalgic choice that brings the whole piece to life. Over the years, my approach to pattern writing has evolved, so I’ve been revisiting and rewriting this one to reflect the clarity and style I strive for. I’ve stocked up on fabric to create kits, though the beautiful plaid backing is currently on backorder and expected to arrive in October.

Yesterday brought a delightful surprise—our UPS driver delivered paper copies of my upcoming fabric line, and I could hardly contain my excitement! I wish I could show you every detail right now. It’s a reproduction-inspired collection with a fresh, brighter twist, and I’m itching to dive into the design process. The line will make its debut in Houston this October, and I’ll be creating a quilt design to showcase it. Even more thrilling: I’ll also be designing a special quilt for Hobby House Needleworks in Pittsford, NY, where I’ll be teaching next May. So many beautiful things in motion—it’s all incredibly exciting!

Thank you again for expressing your concern about the fires. We are well into fire season and it's always a worry.

Soon,

Lynn

Standing Outside the Fire

 Hello Everyone,

Sorry, no quilt pictures from the retreat today.  Yesterday was intense. A thunderstorm rolled through in the morning, sparking fires all around our area. My location is the blue dot (Arnold) at the top of the image. 

My Watch Duty app was relentless—pinging every few minutes with new alerts. I’ve got our go-bag packed and pulled together a few more essentials, just in case. Both cars are gassed up and ready to roll. The landscape is bone dry—everywhere feels like a spark away from disaster. 

The charming town of Murphys (2-6 & 2-7 fire) was evacuated—a deeply unsettling turn. As we sat out on the deck last night, ash drifted down around us like a quiet warning. I'm sure the cars are covered in ash this morning. Needless to say, it was a sleepless night.

Keep our area and the firefighters in your prayers.

Soon,

Lynn

Show & Tell at the Retreat

 Hello Everyone,

The big room at Snowflake Lodge was buzzing with energy, laughter, and the unmistakable joy of creative souls gathered together. Quilters filled every corner, each one bringing their own spark to the space. Just look at this stunning example: Enchanted Autumn captures the essence of fall in every stitch. It was one of Debra’s first forays into appliqué—and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Her craftsmanship and attention to detail shine through in every leaf and block.

Valery took my original Country Sampler pattern—which featured nine blocks—and gave it a bold new twist we're affectionately calling Country Sampler on Steroids! She stitched each of the original blocks not once, but twice, then dove into the bonus blocks from the back of my Patchwork Math book to expand the design even further. The result? A stunning quilt that’s bursting with creativity, precision, and heart.

Barbara lovingly restored a quilt that holds deep family and historical significance—originally stitched by her grandmother in the 1930s while at Napa State Hospital. As she shared the heartfelt story behind the quilt, her words moved many in the room, drawing quiet tears and a deep sense of connection. It was a powerful reminder of how stitches can carry memory, resilience, and love across generations. I've always said that quilters write their name in cloth.

I took a picture of one of the blocks and with Barbara's help, we made a quilt label.

Melissa scooped fabrics up from the free table at her guild and look at the gorgeous end result!

Linda made this quilt using a panel with bears.  That very evening a bear broke into her garage and raided her freezer. It took the dessert she made for the retreat! Maybe they were looking for this quilt to decorate their den.

Beth shared a beautiful Crabapple quilt which she made.  

This is Mary Sue's Lil' Orphan Scrappy.  This is so beautiful in so many different ways.

Some of the members of the Independence Hall Quilt Guild attended the retreat.  It is great fun getting to know everyone better.

The Sew Sisters made Sylvia and honorary member!

This lively trio was an absolute delight! New to the retreat, they jumped in with contagious laughter and a playful spirit that lit up the room. Their energy added a fresh spark to the group, reminding us all how joyful it is to welcome new faces into the Sew'n Wild Oaks quilting family.

I’ve got a treasure trove of photos to share with you this week—it’s going to feel like a mini quilt show unfolding each morning! Get ready for a daily dose of beauty, joy, and the incredible women behind these heartfelt creations.

Soon,

Lynn