Sew'n Wild Oaks Quilting Blog

Pattern Testers

2012-02-22T07:08:00.002-08:00

Hello Everyone,

When you don't hear a peep out of me for several days in a row, you'll know that I'm working at the shop or teaching quilting or playing hookie! That has not been the case this week...the hookie part that is. Yesterday, my friend Isabelle, my sister Gail, and I spent the day in the classroom at In Between Stitches, working out the cobwebs in the Winterset pattern. Here are my sister's beautiful blocks so far. She is using a combination of fabrics from Blueberry Crumb Cake by Blackbird Designs and Lily & Will by Bunny Hill.

I include a block layout sheet in the patterns with the more complex blocks. So far this idea has been well received. It helps to corral the 60 pieces of fabric for this block. I found a cutting error in the pattern and my sister found a clarification point. The girls were very studious throughout the whole day. Watching them work with very little direction from me, helps me tremendously in the writing of the pattern.

Here is their final goal. My sister still trembles when she hears the word applique. (I just wispered it so she doesn't cringe.) She may fill in her applique area with blocks, which will look wonderful on her guest room bed.

I'm still pulling the directions together to create this center section. The drawing isn't hard, but the written word on how to explain the inset with the flange isn't easy. I think I need to retreat to the cabin just like a real author, finish this pattern and put it and me out of my misery.

Isabelle has her Party In the Garden quilt all sandwiched and ready for a combination of hand and machine quilting. This was Isabelle's first attempt at applique.....there, I said it loudly! Her quilt is beautiful! She added many of her own little touches that enhanced the quilt and made it her own. She has every reason to be proud of her efforts.

While I was at the shop yesterday, Barbara brought in her completely finished Country Charmer quilt for me to see. We are going to do a real photo session with lights, camera, and a little bit of action. Barbara is going to let me photograph her quilt for my pattern's inside cover so I can show an alternate colorway. Barbara mainly used Jo Morton fabric and achieved a very patriotic look and feel.

Just one more item of note then I'll let you go. Four of my quilts will be at the Mid Altantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA starting tomorrow in The Christmas Shoppe booth. Stop by Mary Jane's beautiful booth and tell her Lynn sent you. She has a great selection of patterns, fabrics and embellishments that you won't want to miss. I wish I could hop on a plane and jet across the country for the show. You will have to be my 'eyes' and tell me all about it.

As always,

Lynn

In The Spirit of Celebration

2012-02-19T09:46:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was my special day....my un-60th-birthday. My real birthday is at the very beginning of January and I was partied out from the Holidays and said, "No more parties!" My sister got together with all the kids and organized a very special day for me. I never had a birthday party in February and I loved it! I think a new tradition began yesterday.

Everyone knows my passion for plaid. Have you ever seen a plaid birthday cake?

A plaid cake that matched the napkins, paper plates and plastic tablecloth.

A CD called Forever Plaid.

The food was wonderful, and I'll post a couple of the recipes to the blog later on. Everyone outdid themselves by making some of our family favorites. My sister served Neapolitan ice cream with the cake since it was the closest thing she could find to plaid!

Everyone dressed in plaid shirts except for me......I didn't get the plaid memo. But my cousin brought along an extra plaid shirt for me to wear.

The absolute highlight of the party was a slide show made by my sister, Gail. (This is the sister that chased me around the backyard holding a pitchfork when we were little.....it's a good thing I could run faster!) She spent weeks scanning old photos and organizing them in order to the perfect music. My grandparents, parents, childhood friends were all present in spirit. The spirit of celebration. I shed a few tears while traveling through my life set to music. My sister created a treasure for me and I loved every minute of it.

During the afternoon, I stepped back a time or two and looked at all the kids, both big and little and our dearest friends, and cousin.......all family. Family. Little cousins chasing each other around the backyard (without pitchforks), many cooks in the kitchen, friends chatting, all gathered together for ME! A very special day that I will remember always.

I have a book of sayings that my mother gave me years ago that I keep by my computer and turn the page daily. I smiled when I turned the page yesterday and read, "I do not feel any age yet. There is no age to the spirit."

As always,

Lynn

Minglewood Month #8

2012-02-17T06:41:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

The Minglewood Monday program at In Between Stitches is now on Month #8. After you make the blocks below, there are just four more blocks left to make before you start on the sashings and nine patches.

This month you will be making another Christmas Star block. This is one of my favorite block designs in the whole book.

You will also make a King's Crown Squared block.

I have a picture of this block while it was still on the quilting machine so you can see what it looks like when quilted.

The last two blocks are called Aunt Dinah. These blocks are a piece of cake compared to some of the other blocks you already made. You'll zip through them in no time at all.

I changed up the placement on this block to make it look like it is spinning in the opposite direction. I also alternated the lights and darks to really confuse you!

Three additional pieces of fabric were inserted into your package to compensate for a shortage a few of you experienced a couple of months ago. Refer to the insert in the package for the blocks in question.

If you want to see only the Minglewood blocks, scroll down to LABELS on the left-hand side of the blog and click on Minglewood Monday. Every post in reference to this quilt will show up....which may make your life a little easier if you want to easily find them.

It is friday already. Where did my week go? Did someone take a day or two away? I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.

As always,

Lynn

Drop-In Class is in Session

2012-02-16T07:23:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Last Tuesday, the classroom at In Between Stitches was brimming with activity and creativity. Eleven women, twelve counting me, gathered together with all of their collective quilting goodies and continued their journey creating heirlooms.

Kay is working on her Party in the Garden quilt. She did a great job on her little basket which I know isn't easy. Such a cute section of her quilt is finished....fussing cutting and all.

Tiny little flowers will go on the mailbox block, giving it a 3-D effect. We won't say how long this flower took Kay to make......mums the word.

Louise is working on her 30's version of the Yo-Yo quilt by Kim Diehl. So pretty! The shop has a wonderful selection of 30's fabrics for Louise to select for her quilt.

Carol was my pattern tester for Buttonwood and here is her first block. using the new Prairie Paisley II along with some of the first Prairie Paisley fabric. The pattern passed Carol's expert quilting eye, and is now for sale at the shop.

She is going to introduce some yellow into her baskets which I think is a great idea and is going to be so pretty. I'll be teaching Buttonwood the first part of March. Knowing Carol, her quilt will be done by then.

Ruth Ann bought a kit to make The House on Edgewood Lane, and she started cutting into this wonderful pile to make her blocks. Ruth Ann shopped the sale room for backings for several quilts and she hit the jackpot.

Janice uses little salsa cups to corral her little hexies. This is just the best idea!

Chris is down to the final two rows on her Scrappy Leaves quilt. This will be a stunner when it's finished in her rich selection of batiks.

Glenda is the most persistent quilter I've run across since I've been working at the shop. She cut the final freezer paper pieces for the Blossom of Friendship quilt. Her baskets are complete and now she is working on the border which is filled with flowers and leaves.

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of pieces which she is appliqueing by hand.

During the month between drop-in classes, Isabelle finished 16 or 17 blocks for Minglewood. Incredible blocks! These blocks are addictive and she was making almost one block a day for the past several weeks.

Kaye is putting her Sallie's Quilt together. Her daughters liked it so much that she is making TWO of them! Her blocks are finished and now she's putting them together. There are absolutely gorgeous!

Barbara is working on her Minglewood blocks. The first two blocks are probably some of the most difficult blocks in the book and her blocks are almost finished for month #1. While working your way through the Minglewood book, your piecing skills keep getting better and better as new techniques are introduced.

Cindy is working on her hexies for Summer's Blush. Take a peek at this fussy cutting!

So organized.....all the little squares just waiting to become flower petals.

I was taking some good natured teasing that I should include a bottle of Ibuprofen on my class supply list! What can I say other than I really like to add little, very little pieces of detail in my quilt designs. I usually teach complex patterns and quilting ideas to stretch everyone outside their comfort zones for a challenge. The girls were stretching every which way on Tuesday!! From now on, I think I am going to include a bottle of Ibuprofen on my class supply lists.....it will be good for a laugh or those quilting growing pains quite common in my classes.

Stretch your quilting ability today and work through those growing pains. You'll be glad you did.

As always,

Lynn

Quilt Show in Folsom, California

2012-02-13T06:47:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday, Mr. Joe and I played hookie and headed to Folsom, California for the Tides of Time quilt show sponsored by the Folsom Quilt Guild. I wanted to go see some of my quilts that were on display with three different vendors.

First up is Madrigal, made by Cherie, the owner of Quilts in the Attic in Cottonwood, California. Cherie made the center applique section in wool. Gorgeous! Cherie also does all of her own machine quilting.....free motion.....even the feathered wreaths.

The shop specializes in reproduction fabrics. I've always wanted to see how this pattern would look in reproduction fabrics, and I was certainly not disappointed!

Kits for this quilt are available by clicking HERE. The kit isn't on their website just yet, but if you talk with Cherie or Rob, just ask for a Madrigal kit and tell them Lynn sent you.

Then I went to visit Mary Jane at The Christmas Shoppe. Seeing my quilts on display is like going to visit my children. I'm such a proud Mom! While taking pictures in the booth, I was asked to autograph a pattern by Sheila. This is the second time I've been asked for an autograph, and it is pretty exciting. Sheila and I are now BFF's!!

Country Charmer was also in The Christmas Shoppe booth. The best news is that the patterns almost sold out of both designs! I'm just blown away by the whole experience. Mary Jane had a wonderful selection of red and green fabrics to make this quilt and I'm sure they helped pattern sales. I bought some checks and plaids....of course! I also bought some adorable buttons that you will be seeing soon. Mary Jane has a great website filled with lots of goodies!

Last but not least, is my original Madrigal, on prominent display in The Quilt House booth. She looked so regal in her beautiful display. Janet, the owner of The Quilt House in Gardnerville, Nevada always has an attractive booth and Madrigal will be traveling with her for the next several months.

It was fun to just take a step back, and watch people look at my quilts. I felt like I was eavesdropping, but I just couldn't help it!

Back to work today at the shop. It is my Monday to work and see all of the wonderful creations that our customers bring in for sharing. Tomorrow is the 2nd Tuesday of the month and that is my drop-in class day at the shop. I have a full week of working, teaching and quilting planned. I hope your week includes quilting too.

As always,

Lynn

Buttonwood is Finished

2012-02-12T05:00:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Buttonwood is finished! Mr. Joe and I had our little mini photo shoot at the cabin. We loaded the quilt on a metal pole and carried it out into the woods. I felt like a porter, transporting cargo through the jungle. No tigers or lions, just the possibility of bears and raccoons. Wait a minute, we did have a mountain lion a couple of months ago.

A close-up of the quilting in the blocks and sashing.

What you don't see is Mr. Joe holding the other end of the pole while bracing it against a tree. You can see most of the feather and cable border in this picture.

You might look at this picture and see a windmill and a quilt. All I see are the dreaded pine needles.

Now for my next design.........

As always,

Lynn

Christmas Quilt Along - Post #4

2012-02-11T15:04:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Here's the end product........nine Mantel Misfit Mittens. I was able to cut eleven out of the strip set that I prepared. Mr. Joe made me a nice little stand out of a wine stave with dowels to hold my mittens.

For the Holidays, I'll put some greenery and lights around the stave holder to illuminate the mittens. I may make another set for the other side of the mantel.

Once you get the strip set made, the mittens go together very quickly.

If anyone is interested, I'll prepare a tutorial on how to make Misfit Mittens and have it ready by the time I'm hosting the Christmas Quilt Along in May. Start collecting some misfit fabrics!

Many thanks to Hazel for hosting today. Also, thank you to Sue for designing the Festive Mystery Quilt. I didn't have time to work on it today......but I'll get to it my next month!

As always,

Lynn

Christmas Quilt Along - Post #3

2012-02-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

Hello Again,

Three posts in one day! That is almost a record for me. So at the last post, I was stitching the strip sets together and I ended up with this. All of the misfit fabrics look great together!

.....and then I started making mittens of every shape, size, right or left, it didn't matter. This idea came to me last year when the grand kids were at the cabin playing in the snow. At one point during the evening, I looked over at the wood burning stove, and it was decorated with mittens....all different sizes and colors. I tucked that decorating idea in the back of my brain and brought it out into the light this winter.

I used wool batting, cute little fabric for the cuffs, sewed them together and turned them right side out.

I'll glue a yo-yo on the side and maybe a button. You'll have to wait for the next post to see how I'm going to display my mittens and use them as a decoration. I may put them in the Christmas tree, I may put them on the table to hold silverware on the Christmas place mats, I may even use them to decorate packages. I have an endless amount of uses for these little guys.

I told you I had something up my sleeve.....or down my sleeve.....whatever! I will never have to look for a matching set of mittens again because none of them match! Brilliant!

As always,

Lynn

Christmas Quilt Along Post #2

2012-02-11T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hello Again,

For my project that I have up my sleeve, I selected 10 of my misfit fabrics and stitched them together into strip sets.

Then I cut them in half and ironed the left-hand side seams up and the right-hand seams down.

Then I cut them into more strips. Then started sewing, staggering the strips one block off. (Mr. Joe has been saying that I've been One Block Off for years!)

You are just going to have to check back later to see what I'm making with all of these strip sets. Oh.....the anticipation.

As always,

Lynn

Christmas Quilt Along Post #1

2012-02-11T06:17:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Since Scrappy is my middle name, I'm going to make a scrappy version of the Festive Mystery Quilt. If you would like to make the quilt also, go to Hazel's BLOG, click on Christmas Quiltalong 2012 at the top of her page, scroll down, and you'll find the first set of cutting directions.

I rummaged through my stash here at the cabin, and pulled out this odd assortment. This could be interesting combined together, or it could be an utter failure. It has all of my required elements, polka dots, plaids, checks.....but no stripes. Back to the magic fabric cupboard to look for a stripe that matches this bunch of not quite Christmas misfit fabrics. I do see some holly leaves in the picture.

So key the Christmas music and let the Christmas quilting begin! Check back again as I will be posting my progress throughout the day. It is also fun to check on the progress made by everyone else that signed up on Mr. Linky on Hazel's blog.

In addition to starting the Festive Mystery Quilt, I have another little project up my sleeve. I'll test this fabric out on it first to see if these colors play nicely together.

Coffee, I need coffee.

As always,

Lynn

Christmas Quilt Along Starts Tomorrow

2012-02-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Tomorrow is the start of the Christmas Quilt Along. This is a fun way to start working on those Christmas presents now so you won't be stressed out on December 24th! Just click on the picture below, and it will take you to Hazel's Christmas Cottage in the United Kingdom. She promises to have some mince pies and tea to start your day. She will also have the first installment of the directions for the Festive Mystery Quilt. The quilt was designed by Quilt Sue. Check out Sue's blog here. Quilt Sue is the author of Pick Four, so you know you are not going to want to miss out on this quilt making opportunity.

Click on the picture and travel to Hazel's house.

I doesn't matter if you have a blog or not. Email me pictures of what you are making for Christmas, and I will post them on my blog throughout the day. My email address is: patched55@comcast.net

This is a time for sharing and spreading some Christmas cheer while "virtually" coming together the 2nd Saturday of each month to work on any project of our choice. Every month will have a different hostess. I am going to be Miss May and I promise to have a fun tutorial for a project that I'm designing. Not to worry, it is a small project without a stitch of applique! I think, but I've been known to change my mind.

See you all tomorrow.

As always,

Lynn

Feather and Cable Quilting

2012-02-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I have received several personal emails regarding the feather and cable quilting template. Here are my answers so everyone can learn about marking and quilting the template.

First of all, I used a white Sewline pencil to mark the template on the quilt.

I have to send out a HUGE thank you to Teri, for warning me that the Frixion pens that I love, will remove the color when using them on a dark background fabric. So here is my test. A faint blue line on the tone on tone brown.

After ironing, a had a faint white line that could not be removed....no how.....no way! So I used the white Sewline for marking the template.

Here is the template the I got from The Stencil Company. Click HERE for their link. The stencil number is SCO-183-4.5

I marked a light fabric with my Frixion pen here.

This is a better diagram of how I continuously quilted the feather and cable design. Just one pass with the machine, never having to tie off and begin again. After a couple passes you will get the hang of it. Start quilting in the direction of the red arrows, then black and finally blue, ending up at red again and off you go to make another beautiful pass.

Here is the end result with the blue Frixion pen nicely ironed out. I actually accomplished this test on my Bernina and not my HandiQuilter. The border is fun, relatively easy with some practice, and you have one beautiful border!

Now I want to hear everyone say, "I can do that!" Have a wonderful day everyone.

As always,

Lynn

Buttonwood is Quilted

2012-02-07T07:14:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
Buttonwood is almost a wrap....pun intended! I got her off the quilting machine last night after a full day of quilting feathers, crosshatching and lots of ditching. It was worth every minute of time and effort. The cable and feathers aren't perfect, but close enough as in hand grenades and horseshoes.

I'll take a picture of the whole quilt, and nothing but the quilt after I get the binding on her. The log walls at the cabin will make a nice backdrop for the pattern cover. Mr. Joe and I will have a mini-photo shoot during the week for Miss Buttonwood. Hopefully we can get her good side and she'll smile extra nice for the camera! I'm smiling because this is going to be finish #2 this year.

I intentionally didn't quilt the basket part of the quilt so it would look like the little baskets were full. Full of what? I don't know, I just wanted to make them look puffy and they do.

Binding is at the top of my list this week. What's on your list? Do you make a list each day? I would be lost without my list of things I want to accomplish each and every day. I have a daily list and a weekly list for bigger projects that I know will take a long time. What I don't finish, goes to the top of my list the following day. Sometimes I put easy things on my list, just to have the satisfaction of being able to cross something off. Three cheers to crossing off a major item on my list today!

As always,

Lynn

Machine Quilting Buttonwood

2012-02-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I loaded my scrappy back onto the machine, added a layer of wool batting, then gently loaded Buttonwood on to the quilting machine. Here are the results so far. Lots of crosshatching and feathers (my favorites) along with lots of stitching in the ditch (my least favorite of all!)

Stitching in the ditch is so boring and doesn't give me a change to be creative with free motion fun. Plus, I find stitching in the ditch quite hard to do. I use a ruler and I still can't stay in that ditch.

This feather and cable border may need an additional something added in the area between the cable and the sashing. The crosshatching in the sashing anchors the area (sorry I don't have a picture of it.) I'll have to determine when I take the quilt off the machine if I should add an additional loop of cable. It's funny how pictures tell you more about your quilt than looking at the actual quilt in person!

I almost didn't quilt the cable and feather in the border because I knew it would take so much additional time. But when I thought about it, this was not the time to rush through the final stage of this quilt. What's an additional four hours of marking and stitching when you've spent weeks creating the entire quilt. I intentionally used this tone-on-tone brown in the border just to showcase the quilting. Now I'm glad I stuck with my original plan. One border down, three more to go!

I'm filling in at the shop today, but I will be home in time to watch the Superbowl. The closed sign is going out promptly at 3pm so I can be home in time for the 3:30 kickoff. So, if any of you come to the shop today, shop early, buy a ton of fabric, then go home and watch the game!

As always,

Lynn

The Assistant

2012-02-04T06:34:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

My sister Gail has a new quilting assistant.....Quincy. Quincy is giving Gail quilting advise before she sits down to her machine. I think Quincy is trying to say applique, don't you? It's a good thing my 70lb Golden Retriever can't get up on my quilting table!

Gail finished her third block yesterday. I'm so proud of her! She is doing a fabulous job on her blocks for Winterset and she is enjoying the process and the creativity. This block is perfect! She is going to just about double the size of the pattern so the quilt will fit on a bed in her guest room. I can't wait to see a larger version.

I'll have to finish writing the rest of the directions next week. Before I know it, she'll be ready to start making windmills.

Hope all of you have a great day doing what you enjoy.

As always,

Lynn

Chores, Chores and more Chores

2012-02-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

This morning between other chores, I made a scrappy back for Buttonwood. She is going to be loaded on the quilting machine next week, so I needed to get this done. I used up a bunch of fat quarters to make a very scrappy back. I stagger the pieces of fabric so I don't have a bunch of seams coming together.

Now to the chores. A delivery of firewood needs to be stacked. I'm still scratching my head on this one. The weather has been so nice, do we really need more wood? We will be prepared when and if the snow ever decides to float down from the clouds.

What is wrong with this picture? NO SNOW! Last year at this time, we had about three feet of snow covering the lot. Now there are pine needles as far as the eye can see.

There is wood that needs splitting. Now I'm getting a little dramatic......I don't split wood, but I do help stack it. Zinnie is out enjoying the sunshine. Her coat is so golden, I can see how her breed got their name.

Back to my chores. A mother spider decided to set up a nursery in the curtains in our bedroom. Not really curtains, just a plaid ruffle covering the blinds. I may have found the source of our spider population that I've named Charlotte's Web. Maybe I should just keep them all as pets......then again, maybe not.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Enjoy the football game!

As always,

Lynn

I Got My Groove Back

2012-02-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was pattern writing day and boy howdy was I in a groove! (I just looked up the origin of "boy howdy" and it was popular during World War I.....I guess I'm showing my age!) Anyway, my point is, the pattern writing for this little cutie, Buttonwood version II, is coming along very well.

I would do a procedure on this block, then go right to the computer and key in the instructions and make the graphics. Eight hours, give or take later, the block was done, and the directions for making the block were almost done. I'm either extremely slow or extremely precise. I prefer to think I'm the later.

Each of the baskets will be framed by a tri-colored border.

The border greatly changes the look of the block.

I also finished the block layout sheet that will be included in the pattern. This is a life saver when working with all of the itty bitty pieces. You know exactly where the pieces go which speeds block construction. Here is a link to the tutorial that I put together last November for the ladies in my drop in class who were making my Party in the Garden quilt. The tutorial gives you the directions to make a 6-1/2" block. The block I made yesterday is for a 9-1/2" block. This is the second pattern where I've used this little basket block.

Here's the original Buttonwood that needs to be quilted. I'm teaching this class the beginning of March at In Between Stitches and I have to get this done! The itty bitty 6-1/2" blocks are in the corners of this quilt.

I'll be spending my day at the computer calculating fabric requirements, and figuring out meaningful pattern directions. On the bright side, I also get to work with the beautiful Prairie Paisley II fabrics!

As always,

Lynn

Prairie Paisley II........

2012-01-31T06:46:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Don't look at the pictures if you do not want to be persuaded to buy some Prairie Paisley II by Minick and Simpson for Moda. An explosion of patriotism is going to invade my sewing area this week while I work on a quilt combining this.......

.....with this older collection called Clermont Farm also by Minick and Simpson.

I was dreaming of the possibilities in red, white and blue of what I can make with these fabrics. You'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see a block or two.

This is pattern writing week for Buttonwood and Winterset. The Winterset pattern is close to being done thanks to the help I received from my sister, Gail. I'm not leaving the cabin until the patterns are finished! Well, I may have to leave to rake the dreaded pine needles. Oh, how I wish we had snow to cover them up until Spring!

Have a great day everyone.

As always,

Lynn

No Pattern Test Dummy Here

2012-01-28T07:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday, my sister Gail spent the day with me working on her Winterset quilt. I handed her the pattern, and with very little advice or instruction from me, she went straight to work on her first block.

After cutting out the 60 pieces of fabric (for one block) from the cutting chart, she placed them on the block layout sheet. It's a good thing she enjoys puzzles!

She plans on making another block today at her house without any help at all. I'll wager she will be making more than one today once she gets on a roll. The only issue with the pattern layout sheet is....don't sneeze or let the wind disturb the pieces. Now Gail has four cats and all I can say is......good luck with that!

I added two extra leaves in the kitchen table and worked at the computer while she worked across from me on her sewing machine. She didn't know I was stealing a glance her way, observing every move and stitch. It was interesting for me to watch her interpret my pattern directions. I gave her a red pen and she jotted down important things that I needed to add to the final product.

After four hours of very precise cutting and quilting, I'm no longer using the phase PTD (Pattern Test Dummy). Gail thoughtfully worked her way through the directions, and gave me some valuable insights. If she can make this block, she can do anything! Both of us have gone skydiving which also taught us we can do anything!

Challenge yourself today and tackle a project you've been afraid to start. You CAN do anything!

As always,

Lynn

Madrigal and Embroidery

2012-01-26T07:16:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm working on the embroidered embellishments on Madrigal. I have to get the center section completed before I can sew the blocks together.

Since my leaves are a light green and cream check, I decided to stitch around each leaf to give them a subtle dimension. Once I started this, I realized just how many leaves I need to outline. This will keep me busy during television time in the evening.

We have friends coming for dinner tonight, Santa and Mrs. Mike. Mrs. Mike had total knee replacement surgery just two weeks ago, so this is a big outing for her. I gave Mrs. Mike the option of bringing dinner to her, or she could maneuver her walker to our house. She choose to get out of the house since she is getting bored with her surroundings.

If dinner turns out, I'll post the recipe and a picture on the recipe section tomorrow. Santa and Mrs. Mike have been my new recipe guinea pigs for the past 35 years. I've had a couple of flops.....but Santa Mike is very kind and gentle with his food critique.

As always,

Lynn

Moving Right Along....on Madrigal

2012-01-24T06:52:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Since I was working at the shop yesterday, I didn't get get any time to work on Madrigal, but I thought I would show you the blocks I've completed so far.

Some more fat quarters from the Urban Cowgirl fabric line followed me home yesterday that just begged to be incorporated into the blocks. I'm anxious to make some blocks with the first fabric on the left. To me, this looks very retro and I love it. This isn't my normal palette, so I'm working a bit outside of my comfort level.....and you know it's not so bad. I'm enjoying the challenge. This fabric is so pretty that it has been easy mingling them with fabric from my stash.

I appliqued the center section during the football playoffs on Sunday. I still have to do the embroidery and I'm thinking about adding some additional embroidered detail around the leaves to give them a bit more depth. That will be a good job to work on tonight when I sit down for the evening.

Gotta run. My to-do list is calling my name earlier than usual.

As always,

Lynn

All Things Dutch

2012-01-23T07:05:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
The Blueberry Crumb Cake fabric by Blackbird Designs, brought images of all things Dutch to mind.

Silver skates, frozen canals, wooden shoes, Dresden china, Delft tiles......and windmills. I didn't incorporate any of the beautiful browns or the "crumb" part of the fabric line. You may be seeing the browns in another design.

Binding.....check. Hanging sleeve.......check. Directions.......unchecked.

The patterns directions for this quilt are taking me forever to complete. There are more components to this quilt than some of my previous patterns. But, the quilt is a wrap, so to speak and will be on display at the shop starting today. I'll be teaching the first session of this class on February 21st. The second session will be March 20th.

The side view shows off the quilting a little bit better.

I'm off to work at the shop this morning. I'm sure more quilting treasures arrived since I worked last week. The Monday Ladies will be there quilting today in the classroom. It is always fun to see the projects The Monday Ladies are working on while chatting, laughing, and sharing in the camaraderie with other creative quilters.

Don't forget to be creative today. Creating a smile on someones face counts!

As always,

Lynn

My Week in the Woods

2012-01-21T06:39:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was a great day to hunker down, enjoy the torrents or rain, and work on the cheerful applique center for Madrigal in the new colorway. It rained buckets here yesterday, no snow, but rain was just as welcome. This basket of flowers came together in a flash. I picked my colors, didn't change my mind once, and before I new it, the pieces were prepared and ready for stitching.

This quilt almost has a retro 1930's look. I think it is a combination of the green that was so prevalent in the 30's and 40's, and the red check flange. This quilt still has a long way to go before completion, but I couldn't wait to lay the blocks out on the table for a quick look at her.

Here is a picture of the center applique from the first Madrigal for comparison. This version is more elegant and formal. The new version in lighthearted and cheerful. It is amazing to see what 'look' can be achieved by using different fabrics.

I finished the binding on Winterset last night. Now, all I need to do is the hanging sleeve, quilt label and finish the directions.

It's been a very productive week in the woods for both Mr. Joe and me. We haven't lost power, just a flicker of the lights now and again. Our tools, both woodworking and quilting have been buzzing with activity.

Have a wonderful Saturday and enjoy your time.....it's a wonderful gift.

As always,

Lynn

A New Spin on Madrigal

2012-01-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday Everyone,
A new line of fabric arrived at the shop a couple of weeks ago and a few fat quarters followed me home. Urban Cowgirl by Urban Chicks for Moda is such a pretty and unique fabric line. As soon as I saw it, I knew exactly what I was going to make. So I took a little bit of this.......

.....and added a little bit that from my stash.......

.....and a new version of Madrigal is coming alive. I'm auditioning fabric from my stash for borders, flanges and setting squares. This is a totally different look than the first version. All of my required elements are in this quilt, plaids, checks, stripes and polka dots.

This could be Christmassy.....or not. The personality of this quilt is starting to reveal itself with each and every block.

Between making blocks, I'm working on the directions for Winterset. I refined the block layout sheet and cutting chart. Now, I'm making the block while keying in the steps at the same time. Making graphics along the way while trying to make the instructions crystal clear, takes lots of time.

The binding for Winterset is almost finished too. My goal is to have it finished and on display in the shop next week.

Enjoy your day and be creative.

As always,

Lynn

Yo-Yo Quilt Class is in Session

2012-01-19T07:37:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
Last Tuesday, twelve women gathered together in the classroom at In Between Stitches and started their quilting yo-yo journey. Yo-yo's every color of the rainbow were born throughout the day from 30's fabric......

....to scrappy. You know scrappy and I are very compatible!

The quilt is called Welcome Wagon Yo-Yo and is in Kim Diehl's Simple Graces book.

The tones for Nanci's quilt were very soft and muted from moss greens to lavender to rose colors.

Margie is going to add in some blues to her French General grouping.

More scrappies.

Batiks from Kathy's extensive stash.

The little baggies started filling with circles.

Madonna came prepared with bags and bags of finished yo-yo's that she and a friend made over the last several months.

Civil War yo-yo's too.

Everyone is working toward this quilt, the prize at the end of the rainbow.

Are you starting on a new quilting journey this week? A nice slow tour through your stash culminating in a gorgeous new quilt? No matter what, just enjoy the process.

As always,

Lynn

My Quilts are on The Road to California

2012-01-18T07:14:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

This post is going to be a shameless, self-promotion of my own designs that will be at the Road to California quilt show starting tomorrow in Ontario, CA.

Mary Jane from The Christmas Shoppe will have four of my quilts and patterns at her booth. I feel like an extremely proud mom with her children preforming onstage. Luckily for them, they didn't have to recite any lines. They will just let their colors and design sing their melodies.

The House on Edgewood Lane

Party in the Garden

Summer's Blush

Country Charmer

The Quilt House from Gardnerville, NV will have Madrigal in their booth.

We seriously thought about going to the show, but it is a long drive. We are going to wait until the quilts travel a little closer to home.

It is extreme quilting day/week here at the cabin before the storm arrives and the power goes out. If you don't hear from me in the next couple of days, just know that I'll be quilting by candlelight. I have a binding to work on, drawings for a Christmas design, applique, and pattern directions that need to be written.

Enjoy your day everyone, and I hope you have electricity!

As always,

Lynn

Almost Finished Quilting

2012-01-15T07:50:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Just a couple more posts of Winterset, then it will be relegated to the sidebar with the rest of my patterns. After I ripped out the elements I quilted in the corners surrounding the windmill, I replaced them with feathers. I can never go wrong with feathers, and knew that ahead of time.

I had lightly marked the quilted elements with a black Frixion pen. To remove the marks while the quilt was on the machine, I used my blowdryer. The marks are supposed to come out when they get hot, and they did! I just lightly waved my blowdryer across the marks....and they disappeared. Since I'm using wool batting, I didn't want the batting to melt. In the past, I've very lightly touched the marks with my iron, but I wasn't taking any chances with this puppy!

The quilt is quilted top to bottom. Today I will trim off the extra backing, turn it, and quilt the side borders. I'll save the binding for next week while I'm writing the pattern directions in peace and quiet at the cabin. Snow is predicted to start on Wednesday or Thursday. Hand stitching binding during a snowstorm sounds heavenly to me...especially while working on a quilt called Winterset.

Am I the only person that enjoys binding? It gives me a great feeling of completion. I can bind for hours, until my arm tells me to stop. Come to think of it, there is absolutely NO aspect of quilting that I don't enjoy.

I'm all caught up in the football playoffs this weekend. Our very own San Francisco 49'ers won a very impressive nail-bitter yesterday while the lead changed four times in the last four minutes of the game. Needless to say, I'm not getting much quilting done while the games are being televised. I'll try to do better since I'm not emotionally invested in the teams playing today. Having said that, Go Green Bay, I'm cheering for you!

I hope all of you enjoy your Sunday just as much as I plan on enjoying mine.

As always,

Lynn

Quilting Winterset

2012-01-12T06:06:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I put Winterset on the quilting machine and spent yesterday afternoon quilting, quilting, and more quilting. I would love to spend the whole day at my machine today, but I'm filling in down at the shop. The cross-hatched center is just what I wanted. It is simple and old fashioned and really sets off the windmill. I'm using Dream Wool batting which gives it that little extra loft.

All free-motion feathers in the squares and stitch in the ditch around the rest of the block.

I'm very pleased with the way the borders surround the quilt with little diamonds. I'm anxious to get the first pass finished on this quilt, so I can take it off of the machine to see the full effects of my quilting. I will then turn the quilt and finish the two other borders. That step will take me longer, but I'm vertically challenged when it comes to feathers, and need to quilt side to side and not up and down.

I ended up ripping out this design around the windmill. Unfortunately I quilted one in each corner. The plan was to have them in all four corners. After completing two of the patterns, I knew it just wasn't right. I had way too much open space that needed something.....I'll sleep on it and come up with something on Friday.

I hope you all have a quiltingly, wonderful day.

As always,

Lynn

Drop-In Class is in Session

2012-01-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I wish all of you could have been in the classroom at In Between Stitches yesterday for my monthly drop-in class. Thirteen talented quilters set up sewing machines, opened up their project boxes and just look at what treasures spilled out and decorated the walls and the tables. They have been very busy working on these projects for the past month.

Kay finished her beautiful house for Party in the Garden.

Janice worked on her birdhouse for Party in the Garden.

Party in the Garden by Paula.

Take a good look at these adorable little flowers that Paula made to fill her hanging basket. They were tiny. And you thought I was the queen of tiny pieces!

Party in the Garden hexie flowers by Kathy.

The House on Edgewood Lane by Cindy. This is Cindy's second house applique block. She made another one for a good friend.

Carlynn brought a new project and I failed to get the name....sorry. The blocks were beautiful and I should have taken a picture of the whole grouping.

Madrigal by Ann. This one is going to be done soon. Ann finished all of her blocks, center applique, flanges, and is putting the whole thing together.

Barbara finished her first Minglewood block and I think she's ready to fearlessly start in on block #2.

Kaye is making two of these beauties called Sallie's Quilt by Bonnie Blue. She is so determined to finish, that she stayed in the classroom long after the rest of us went home. She gets extra credit on her report card.

Hexie flowers by Carol for Summer's Blush. So colorful and so pretty.

Gingerbreadmen by Marie for Holiday Treats Tablerunner. Marie has all of her components finished and is ready to put this tablerunner together.

Glenda was working on Blossoms of Friendship. All of her blocks are finished and she's working on the gorgeous border.

Janice gave us a great idea. There was cotton batting secured to a paper towel roll, and she rolled her applique block around it. This is a wonderful idea to keep those blocks nice and neat.

Isabelle got her whole Party in the Garden quilt together and is now working on the borders. Some customers wandered into the classroom and looked at her quilt in amazement. Where's the picture? What can I say, I'm an idiot and got so carried away that I forgot to take a picture. Next month you will get to see the finished quilt top....I promise.

I'm so proud of all of these women. They are amazing! All these wonderful creations make my head spin and I'm ready to work on a little quilting of my own today. How about you?

As always,

Lynn

Pandamania

2012-01-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I spent my day making a panda for the Toyland quilt while watching the football playoffs. This is one of those UFO's that has been stashed away for at least a year. I guess that is what happens when I have "quilters block." I found the black check in my stash and instantly saw a panda. I know what you are thinking right about now....but really......I saw a panda bear come alive before my eyes. I still have some futzing to do on it as it isn't exactly right just yet.

Here are the rest of the blocks that I've completed so far.

The snowman is the only one with a face so far. One of these days I'll work on faces so all of the blocks can see each other. This snowman needs a pipe, but I'm anti-smoking so that isn't going to happen.

I do want to get this quilt finished in the next few months and get it out of the project box and up on the wall, at least in time for next Christmas!

I never realized just how much money I had tied up in projects that are packed away in boxes or bags. Those UFO's can really add up and need to be finished. I have to start somewhere, and this is the one I'm going to be working on......along with several more......but who's counting??

As always,

Lynn

Eight Years Ago Today........

2012-01-07T10:02:00.000-08:00

........we moved into the cabin through three feet of snow. It started out as a weekend retreat, then turned into more of a semi-permanent home when we both retired. If we aren't here, family and friends fill the cabin with activity.

The ice skates belonged to my mother. She brought them with her when she moved from upstate New York to San Mateo, California in 1942. My mother, my aunt and my grandmother, came across country on a troop train of all things, to join my grandfather who arrived earlier to start a business with his brother. The skates haven't been used in over fifty years, but they certainly make a nice decoration. The last time I went ice skating was at Squaw Valley in the late 1960's. I fell, split my pants, and haven't put on another pair of skates since. It was quite embarrassing when my date saw my pink, long underwear that I had borrowed from my grandmother! Yes, that same grandmother from the troop train.

This is our main source of heat and it keeps us toasty when the power goes out.....and it goes out all of the time for days at a time. It has been fun decorating each room with treasures from garage sales and junk shops. If anything stands still, like this old sled, it will be draped with a quilt.

It is peaceful here and my creative juices flow when we escape city life and retreat to the mountains. Time to sign off for now and start creating some magic in a magical setting.

As always,

Lynn

P.S. I posted a new recipe. Go to the new RECIPE section at the top of the blog. I'll try to post a new recipe a week for you to enjoy.

Blueberry Crumb Cake Fabric is Ready to be Served!

2012-01-05T12:25:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

After much agonizing, ripping, and yes, a few blue words that matched the quilt, Winterset is ready for the quilting machine. I'm extremely pleased with the way she turned out. The pinwheel border was a huge diversion from my first border thoughts. (My thoughts are usually borderline anyway!)

Forty-four pinwheels later, this quilt/wallhanging is trying to propel itself right off the bed and onto my long arm quilting machine. This is one of the few times when I know exactly what I'm going to quilt. Since I've been working on this for so long, I'd better know how to quilt it!

The flange, I love the blue check flange. That was an afternoon of ripping out and replacing....but I'm so glad I bit the bullet and made the changes.

Now I have to get serious about writing the directions. I'm off to a good start with the help from my PTD (pattern test dummy). I'm teaching this class in February at In Between Stitches, and I think the ladies that signed up for it would like to know just how much fabric they need to buy. Darned if I know! My calculator and I will be doing some serious bonding over the next few days.

The moral of this post is......if you don't like something.....change it! If it is something about a quilt or something about your life.....change it! Don't settle for mediocre.....make changes however large or small they may be, will make a difference in how you feel about yourself and life.

As always,

Lynn

Changing Things Up

2012-01-03T06:59:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

The New Year's company left us yesterday, so out came the sewing machine, quilting tools and Winterset......and I took the quilt all apart. Out went the old flange and flowers and replaced with a blue check flange and ribbons. My sister thought the blue check would make a perfect flange, and she was right!

I thought the flowers were just too 'heavy' and my eye was drawn right to the flowers. I want to cross-hatch the center section and needed to have a lot of open space to showcase the windmill. It now looks simple and sweet and is appliqued down so I won't be changing my mind again.

On New Year's day, my sister, (pattern test dummy) started cutting out her quilt using the block layout sheet that I was working on the pattern directions. It was very helpful for me to watch her use my cutting directions. I got some valuable insight on what needed to be changed and what I should add to the pattern layout sheet and cutting chart for clarification.

My friend Kathy, (Mrs. Mike) is an accomplished seamstress, not a quilter, and I received some very helpful comments while she watched the cutting process. I think when Kathy retires, you'll be seeing her in my classes along with my sister.

The pattern is nowhere near being completed.....that is the task at hand this week along with getting the whole quilt together. I will be making more pinwheel blocks today while writing directions.

Enjoy your day in the new year. It is always a good time for new beginnings along with working on 'finishes' left from the past year.

As always,

Lynn

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T07:32:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm wishing all of you a wonderful, happy and healthy New Year. May you never run out of projects to make and may your stash always be full!

Now here are a few words from a special guest blogger.....my "older" sister Gail.

Good morning everyone! Lynn and Mr. Joe invited me to the cabin for this New Year's holiday weekend and I jumped at the chance to visit. "Santa Mike" and "Mrs. Mike", their long-time friends, are also joining us. What a great place to be to ring in the New Year! This is a special place for the whole family and their many friends. Of course, wherever Lynn and Mr. Joe (and Zinny) are, is a special place to be, whether it's at the cabin or their home in Livermore. They always go out of their way to make our time together wonderful. Lynn and Mr. Joe have a plaque in their dining room that says: "To invite a person into your home is to take charge of his happiness for as long as he is under your roof." They always treat all their guests with those words in mind.

As this New Year begins, I am looking forward to spending more time with Lynn and her family. I have just recently retired and have moved closer to Livermore. I have enrolled in one of Lynn's new classes, Winterset, and decided this would be a great way to get me back into quilting again. I feel lucky to have such a good teacher! Lynn helped me pick out fabric the other day, so I am ready to be the "pattern test dummy."

As you ring in the New Year today, I wish you all many wonderful quilting days and may you be as fortunate as I am to have wonderful family and friends to celebrate life! --Gail

Lynn again....my gift to you throughout the year will be a recipe a week. I added a new category at the top of the blog, where you can go to check the newest recipe. To get back to the regular blog, press Home.

Our agenda today is a simple one. Mr. Joe and Santa Mike are headed to the dump this morning. You know what they say about out with the old....in with the new. We don't need anything new, we are quite content with what we have.

We are also planning a three-mile hike to the overlook area at Big Trees State Park. The vista is gorgeous and is a nice reward at the end of the walk.

We decided last night that we don't plan on staying up until midnight to ring in the new year. We can do our celebrating earlier. We have to get our rest so we can cheer our favorite football teams to victory tomorrow!

Happy New Year and as always,

Lynn

Back to Winterset and Blueberry Crumb Cake Fabric

2011-12-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. We had lots of good times with family and friends for Christmas. Now we are getting ready for the New Year's company that arrives this afternoon for a few days at Wilder's Last Resort.

Remember this quilt from last month....Winterset? I had to put her away during the Holidays, but she's back. I'm teaching this at the shop in February, so I have to get my act together and finish the quilt and the pattern directions.

I decided to surround her with pinwheels to carry the windmill theme out to the borders. I would take a few minutes each day between all the company and Christmas preparations and make a pinwheel or five and they are almost done.

I took my sister down to In Between Stitches to shop before Christmas, and she found this fabulous little diagonal check that isn't in the Blueberry Crumb Cake line. This fabric is going to make it into the quilt one way or the other. My sister is going to make this quilt so she is going to be my Pattern Test Dummy....she thinks that is an honor.....we'll just let her think that now won't we! She has never done applique. In fact she is scared to death of applique so that will be the first hurdle.

Our dear friends arrive this afternoon for three days of rest and relaxation. Our friends are Santa Mike and Mrs. Mike. (Santa is the one with the twinkle in his eye.) My sister will be arriving today too. I can't guarantee another post until after New Year's since we will be busy playing games, hiking and throw in a meal or two.

There isn't a hint of snow at the cabin.....nothing, zip, zilch, nada. We should be sledding and snowshoeing this time of year. Instead all I see are pine needles! The dreaded pine needles. We have been known to do some sledding down the hill on top of the pine needles, but they can get a little pokey and the needles can travel up your pant legs.....which isn't too pleasant.

Take care everyone and many blessings to you for a wonderful New Year!

As always,

Lynn

Merry Christmas To All

2011-12-24T17:19:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Santa really does have a twinkle in his eyes! Thank you all for your support and words of encouragement. Life is better and more enjoyable because all of YOU are in it!

Merry Christmas, love and hugs from Lynn, Santa and Mr. Joe....and to all a good night.

As always,

Lynn

The Yo-Yo Quilt is Done!

2011-12-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I've been very 'quiet' this week.......and I'm thinking you know why. All of us are in our homes across the globe shopping, wrapping, baking and decorating. In between all of the preparation, I would spend a few minutes a day at my quilting machine and finished the Yo-Yo quilt designed by Kim Diehl.

Before it goes on display at the shop, I thought I would enjoy looking at it for a few days, and put it on S&B Luckett's Improved Cloth Measurer. This is one of our antique treasures that we found in an antique store in North Carolina on one of our cross-country ~~junking~~ I mean searching for antiques junkets. The fabric would be rolled onto the roller, turn the handle and it would dispense a yard at a time. Here's a view of the side.

Since I work in a quilt shop, am I the New Improved Cloth Measurer? Just a thought. I can dispense yards at a time....I can also dispense fat quarters! I'll bet S&B Luckett's Improved Cloth Measurer can't do that! Can you imagine having only one or two choices for fabrics. I used over 400 different fabrics in this quilt!

I'm all for having choices. It's making the right choice that is key to all decisions in life and quilting.

So here's to happy and varied choices on how you plan to spend your day. My day will include a trip to the grocery store for all of the last minute items for our Christmas feast. I have a bit of wrapping to finish and yes, I'll be quilting too with Christmas music in the background......I never get tired of Christmas music.

As always,

Lynn

Catch Up Time

2011-12-19T07:19:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm almost a week behind in posting pictures from my drop-in class from last Tuesday! Oh well, better late than never.

Let me begin with the Party in the Garden house that Isabelle finished. She did a wonderful job changing the pattern by making yo-yo flowers growing on the vine.

She finished all of her blocks, and is now working on the corner baskets in the border. This was Isabelle's first applique project. Very ambitious for a beginner and she did a beautiful job.

Barbara's Midnight Star is almost finished. Just a couple more blocks and the border, and she is going to have her Christmas quilt finished. I love the secondary design that started emerging with each additional block she added to the design wall.

This is a picture of some cute stockings I made from a Moda pattern a few years ago. I made 16 of these, one for every member of the family. They started out as napkin holders for the Christmas dinner, now they are on the Christmas tree.

Kaye is working on Sallie's Quilt. She has about 80 of the blocks made already. Her daughter likes them so much that Kaye is making two quilts!

Madonna is working are Country Charmer. Her blocks are coming along nicely.

She has her system down pat and is zipping right through her blocks using the block layout sheet.

Cindy assembled three "Spidey" pillowcases for her grandkids.

Last but certainly not least is a picture of Zinnie on her pain killer medication after surgery on her foot last week. Running carefree through the woods at the cabin, she ripped her dew claw and she had to have it removed. I loved her little "camo" bandage.....but she didn't like it too much. All of the little grandkids wanted to sign it, but she would have none of that!

I'm off to the shop this morning for my Monday workday. I hope you all have a great day getting ready for this weekend.

As always,

Lynn

Minglewood - BOM - Month #6

2011-12-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Here are the block #11 & #12 for those of you working on the Minglewood Block of the Month. As luck would have it, this month you get to make two variations of the Christmas Star Blocks. The blocks look much more complex than they really are.

Just take your time, cut and stitch accurately and you won't have any problems.

The next block is called Double-X. There is another error in the book on page 62. Under Assembly, instruction #4, the book says, "Cut each into 2-1/2" squares as shown at right." Well, there is no at right. Turn to page 57, and under Assembly, proceed with step #2. Here is a picture of what you need to do.

This method makes half-square triangles a breeze. You will be making 8 at a time.

Santa is coming tonight with a bag of gifts for all of the little ones. I can't wait to see the looks on their little faces! I'll have a busy day getting the finishing touches done on the house and preparing dinner tonight for eighteen. I'm making the main dish, a huge pot of Mexican Shredded Pork, and the everyone else is pitching in and bringing a side dish or dessert. I'll try to post pictures tomorrow of the tonight's festivities.

As always,

Lynn

A Christmas Card

2011-12-14T07:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday I received this photo from Penny in Oregon. She made my Country Charmer pattern and displayed it beautifully and lovingly in her home. To me, this looks like a Christmas card, so inviting that I want to relax in the red chair with a good book.

Here's what Penny said in her email:

"My husband and I have a cattle ranch here in Oregon, and my decorating taste runs VERY rustic country! I just thought you'd like to see how Country Charmer fits right in here!"

I fit right in with her rustic country also and have already asked if I can be adopted!

Pictures like this make my design process extremely rewarding.....you have no idea just how rewarding. Thank you Penny.

Busy day here finishing up shopping and working on Christmas cards. Notice I didn't mention anything about quilting. Maybe tomorrow I will get back to quilting.

As always,

Lynn

Machine Quilting Time

2011-12-12T06:35:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday I made the backing for the yo-yo quilt and got it on the quilting machine. I'll try to get out to the quilting room over the next few days and quilt a row or two a day. All of the time will start adding up to a quilted quilt this week.....I hope.

I'm echoing around all of the yo-yo's and then move to the inside and quilt around the large yo-yo. This quilt is very heavy and most likely I'll have it hanging up somewhere, so I want to make sure that it all stays in place. I may, just may go back and stipple between the rows. I'll make that decision when I take it off the machine and get to see and evaluate the whole quilt.

I'm off to the quilt shop this morning to work. Quilters are starting to bring in finished projects for us to see. I can tell you there are going to be lots of quilted projects under Christmas trees this year and many happy recipients!

As always,

Lynn

Christmas Quilt Along

2011-12-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Today is the last QAL for 2011. Thank you SUE for hosting the day and the year. Thanks also go to CATHI for hosting throughout the year too.

This is my unfinished version of Scatty Christmas Stars. If I have time today between other Christmas preparations, I may.....just may put some borders on.

But it looks so good just as it is....as a skirt around the Christmas Tree.

Once I get some presents wrapped and under the tree, no one will notice that it isn't finished unless YOU tell!

Another Christmas project that I worked on and FINISHED this year during the QAL is my Country Charmer quilt.

It is on display at In Between Stitches so it won't be incorporated into this years Christmas decorations.

I got up early this morning to see the total eclipse of the moon. Zinny thought I was totally crazy, standing outside with her while she was taking care of business and I was singing "Baby It's Cold Outside." My coffee cooled off in a second and did nothing to warm me up. Mother Nature is pretty impressive and it was worth seeing.

I hope all of you have a fun weekend preparing for the BIG day. Remember to take some time for yourself, and stop and smell the Christmas tree.

As always,

Lynn

Holiday Treats Class is in Session

2011-12-07T07:14:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Yet again, another wonderful day spent in the classroom at In Between Stitches with a fun group of talented quilters working on Holiday Treats Table Runner by Laura Nownes. Here is my first version of Laura's pattern. I've made several more and given them all away.

It is very easy to change the length of the table runner by the number of packages. It is a great pattern, well-written, and easy and fun to make. So much fun that it is just like potato chips.....you can't ~~eat~~ make just one!

I had a full house in the classroom yesterday and we had an explosion of Christmas fabric on every table.

After a bit of instructions, packages and bows started appearing.

You know me, I was lusting after several of the plaid fabrics in the room!

Marie decided to use her legs to layout her packages! This was just too funny and had to be captured for posterity.

Beautiful packages graced the wall in the classroom.

Along with Gingerbread men and hearts.

The group will become experts in the buttonhole/blanket stitch when their packages are completed.

Then we started laying out the center sections along with the packages to get an idea on what the final table runner would look like.

Mary dropped by to display her finished runner. She cleverly used an apron panel for the center section.

At one point in time during the session, I just stepped back and enjoyed seeing all of the fabrics, the packages and the beginnings of beautiful projects and friendships. I also just listened to all of the chatter, laughter, the sharing of ideas and inspiration. That is what quilting is all about. Thank you ladies for such a wonderful day.

As always,

Lynn

Star Quilts for Christmas

2011-12-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

This is my entry for SewCalGal's 2011 Christmas Quilt Show. This quilt is from Comfort and Joy by Mary Hickey. It was a fun and easy quilt to make. I've taught this class at In Between Stitches, and all of the quilts are just beautiful. Check them out in their beginning stage here. The combinations of color are endless. What is better for Christmas than a star quilt?

I'm also entering Country Charmer, my own design. I taught this class at In Between Stitches just a couple of weeks ago. Check this class out HERE. Both classes were so much fun and the ladies were so creative.

We finally have power, Internet and phone after a harrowing windstorm in the mountains. Even Zinnie was afraid to go outside and take care of business. I'd better get this posted before the power goes out again!

As always,

Lynn

Double Dutch Anyone?

2011-12-01T05:58:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Well I've finally decided on a whole Dutch theme for my Winterset pattern. Now I think I need some tulips around the windmill. I even put a flange in the windmill to try to add some depth.

I've been moving flowers around.....they are the only things that are nailed down yet.

I'm going to have lots of space for some custom machine quilting. I can visualize it now. I'll think more about borders once the yardage arrives at the shop.

In honor of windmills, Mr. Joe brought this home from the bakery yesterday. Yum!

This post is brief as I'm trying to get it completed before we loose power and our Internet connection again in this monster of a wind storm. It has been scary listening to things going bump in the night. When daylight comes, we'll be able to access any damage and then we get to watch the pine trees sway much farther than they should without snapping.....let's hope.

As always,

Lynn

Just A Hint Of Winterset

2011-11-30T06:45:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick peak at the center section. What I draw and what actually makes it to the final design is a dynamic work in progress. I doubt that this center section will be completed by Sunday for the Preview Party. I have to stop changing my mind!

I've been experimenting by cutting petals out of the individual flowers in the fabric. The left-hand look good, but I lost my way after that.

I told you there would be a blue flange around the oval. Luckily for me, I had this white and blue paisley in my stash that matched the rest of the fabric in the Blueberry Crumb Cake line. The center oval is a great polka dot from Lakehouse. I had just a fat quarter of this, so accurate cutting was essential when I cut out the oval. Then there was the issue of finding a spool of absolute white thread in my cabin sewing supplies for the top stitching. Do I drive 45 minutes one-way to the nearest quilt shop, or do I use an off-white that may work? I ended up using what I had and was pleased with the off-white. No one will notice unless you readers squeal and spill the beans!

I've been making and moving flowers around for a day. The only component that I know is going to remain is my signature flange. Decisions, decisions........

As always,

Lynn

Winterset from Blueberry Crumb Cake Fabric

2011-11-29T07:32:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I should be decorating and sending out Christmas cards, instead I'm working on my new design called Winterset, made from Blackbird Designs new Blueberry Crumb Cake fabric. The yardage isn't available at the shop yet, so I'm only working with the blues and whites from a fat quarter tower.

I was able to squeeze out twelve blocks which was challenging. I spent most of yesterday designing the center section for this quilt. I'll be able to show you more tomorrow. This has taken me out of my comfort zone colorwise. I do not work within the confines of a limited color palette, but these blues had me from the very first time I set eyes on them.

I never planned to put an applique design in this quilt until yesterday at 4:23am. Light bulbs started going off in my head, and no, it wasn't the paparazzi! I jumped out of bed, made my coffee, grabbed a mechanical pencil, gridded paper, and started drawing.

I would like to get this as far along as I can before Sunday, December 4th for the shop's preview party at the Purple Orchid Inn. What is a preview party you ask? Well, at In Between Stitches, we have quarterly preview parties displaying the quilts, and projects being offered as classes over the next few months. It gives everyone a heads-up for upcoming classes so you can mark your calendars, schedule time off work, and make plans for quilting over the next four months.

I will probably be the ONLY instructor holding up three flimsies. But they are beautiful flimsies and guaranteed to be quilted by the time the classes roll around.

Today I'll be working with (not eating) Blueberry Crumb cake fabric filling the center section with absolute loveliness....well I think so. If not, then it's back to the drawing board. And you know there is going to be a blue flange someplace in this quilt!

As always,

Lynn

Yo-Yo Quilt

2011-11-26T06:30:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know we did! Now it's time to get into full Christmas mode starting today.

While I was getting ready for the Thanksgiving company last week, I would leave the vacuum cleaner behind and sew a few blocks together for the Yo-Yo quilt. Before I knew it, another quilt was born! This pattern is called Welcome Wagon Yo-Yo Quilt and is in a book called Simple Graces by Kim Diehl.

I've been making the 588 yo-yo's for months....since March 7th to be exact, but who's keeping track of time! I became an expert making them in the car on the road to the cabin. The only time I put my needle down was through the windy part of the trip. Wherever I went, my yo-yo making bag traveled with me.

My granddaughter Emily, also helped me make yo-yo's. Click HERE to see the post from last March when I started this quilt with Emily. Yesterday when she was here, she searched each and every block to find the yo-yo's she made.

I hope all of you are enjoying your turkey sandwiches. Our turkey will be transformed into a kettle of soup today. Enjoy your weekend everyone while decorating your home, shopping or quilting. This is the "most wonderful time of the year."

As always,

Lynn

Happy Thanksgiving Week

2011-11-21T06:36:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

There is so much activity going on here this week with Thanksgiving preparations. Before I get too busy, I want to wish all of you the happiest of Thanksgivings. I am thankful for you, my dear readers.

Your comments and emails brighten my day. I'm especially thankful for all of the friendships I've made through the blog over the past three, almost four years. What fun this has been!

Here is a post for a recipe from my family cookbook. I post it every year at this time BECAUSE THE ROLLS ARE JUST SO GOOD! I'll be making them Wednesday night so the family can enjoy them on Thanksgiving. If you have any left, they are perfect for your turkey sandwich on Friday. Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

As always,

Lynn

Today is another page from the Wilder Family Cookbook. This is probably the most requested recipe in the entire book. I have been known to "hide" a few just so we have one or two to savor the day after I've made them. Now you have to plan ahead with this recipe. Make the dough the night before the event and finish the process in the morning.

This dough is easy to work with and you will love the texture. Watch them carefully in the oven so they stay golden. Here I go with the butter again!

Here's the recipe:

Homemade Butter Rolls

2 (1/4 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
1 cup sugar, divided
2 cups warm water (100° to 110°)
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 ½ teaspoons salt
8 ½ to 9 ½ cups all-purpose flour

- Stir together yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 cups warm water in a 4-cup glass measuring cup; let mixture stand 5 minutes.
- Stir together yeast mixture, remaining sugar, and butter in a large bowl. Stir in eggs and salt. Gradually stir in enough flour to make a soft dough. Cover and chill 8 hours.
- Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Turn each portion out onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 12-inch circle.
- Cut each circle into 12 wedges. Roll up each wedge, starting at wide end; place on greased baking sheets. (Rolls may be frozen at this point.)
- Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 2 hours or until doubled in bulk.
- Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until golden. Yield 4 dozen.

Note: If unbaked rolls are frozen, place frozen rolls on ungreased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 2 hours or until doubled in bulk. Bake as directed.
(They aren't quite as good if you do this step.....we prefer them if they haven't been frozen first.)

Source: Southern Living 2001 Annual Recipes – page 21

I have made these without a mixer.....but it's so much easier if you have a mixer with a dough hook to work in the 9 cups of flour.

This is what the dough looks like before you tuck it in the fridge for the night.

This is what you will see in the morning. (I'm glad I don't double in size every night! )

Divide the dough into (4) equal sections. Pat the first section of dough into a small circle then roll into a 12" circle. I always do this on my Hoosier. The dough never sticks and I feel like a part of history when I'm using this old enamel work surface. (I'm not old enough to be considered an historic landmark just yet....but my sister is!)

Cut the circle into (12) wedges and start rolling at the widest part of the wedge.

Lightly grease a baking sheet and put the rolls in a warm spot to rise for about 2 hours.

Voila! Here are your rolls just ready to hop into the oven.

My grandson Austin, holds the record by eating SIX of the rolls at one meal. I now send him home with his own leftover bag.

Have a glorious day everyone.

As always,
Lynn

2011-11-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick post this morning to show you the borders on Buttonwood. I'll most likely quilt a feather and cable design on the tone on tone brown in the border. I'm still trying to decide what to quilt in the baskets. An idea will come to me when I least expect it.

For those of you that live locally, Mr. Joe and I will have a booth at Ruby Hill Winery tonight from 6:30pm to 9pm for the annual Sip and Shop. This event kicks off the Holiday shopping season and should be lots of fun. While I quilt, Mr. Joe is busy in his woodworking shop making items out of wine barrels. From benches to dog beds to wine bars, he makes them out of wine barrels. We call this dog bed a Bark-A-Lounger. (Can you tell we have way too much time on our hands?) We call the food bowl holder a Doggie Diner.

The inside of the barrel was naturally stained by the red wine. It is a beautiful shade that could never be replicated by any stain purchased at a hardware store. Mr. Joe's workshop has a wonderful aroma of a winery. No wonder he escapes to his shop for hours on end. While I'm stippling....he's tippling.

As always,

Lynn

Country Charmer Class is in Session

2011-11-16T07:13:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was another fabulous day in the classroom at In Between Stitches. Creativity and laughter just bubbled out of the room while the girls worked on their Country Charmer quilts.

I'll start with Barbara's quilt. She made this block just for me and received extra credit for using checks!

Barbara mainly used Civil War fabrics in her beautiful creation. She took her homework assignment very seriously and completed all of her blocks and sashings! This is a picture of her quilt at the beginning of class.

Here is her quilt complete with borders by the end of class. The ooohing and aaahing was contagious and many shoppers poked their heads into the classroom to see what was going on!

Next is Madonna's wonderful bag of reds and greens. I just wanted to dive in and caress each and every pieces of fabric.

She finished lots of cutting and then started playing and constructing her blocks.

We all liked the secondary pattern her blocks created without the sashing. This is going to be very striking with or without sashing!

Then we have Penny from Oregon who joined in with us "virtually". Penny purchased my pattern and made the quilt throughout the month. Yesterday morning Penny sent me this picture of her completed blocks.

This morning when I opened my email, what do my wondering eyes see??? A completed Country Charmer all crosshatched, stippled and bound! Beautiful, just beautiful!

Then we have Lisa. Those of you that follow my blog will remember Lisa..."Stinkin' cute" Lisa and her blocks. The motto of the shop is, "A Place Where Friendships Grow." My friendship with Lisa has grown over the past year and a half. She has taken every class I've taught, and finished every quilt to perfection adding her personal style to each and every one. Lisa and her husband are moving to Colorado next month to start a new chapter in their life. I will miss her presence, smile, and laugh so much in my classes. Look out Colorado, Lisa is coming and will brighten the snowiest of days. I will miss you my friend. You will have to join in my classes virtually, just like Penny so I can show your quilts to the world and spread your sunshine.

Lots of sharing took place yesterday. We found out so much about each other. As Lisa said in a personal email this morning, we discussed challenges, and the surviving and the sweet victories.....how inspiring is that?????

I've said it before and I'll say it again......Quilters are the best! Go about your day and inspire not only yourself but everyone you meet today. Quilters can change the world.

As always,

Lynn

Minglewood Month #5

2011-11-15T06:58:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

For those of you working on the Minglewood BOM through In Between Stitches, your bundles of fabric will be shipping out today. Click here for your fabric cutting directions. Select Minglewood Month 5 and you will be all set to make four more blocks.

This month you will be making two Path Through The Woods blocks.

I changed the placement of the units for this block. I just have to be different and put my own spin on everything.

You will be making two Mosaic Variation blocks. I'm not crazy about these blocks, so I put them on the side of the quilt. There is an error in the book on page 57 regarding the construction of the Mosaic Variation block. Instruction #5 should read: Cut each set of squares into 3" squares as shown above. (Not 3-1/2" squares.)

Remember this is your final goal and keep working on the blocks and they will be finished in no time at all! I love this quilt and I can't wait to get it home from the shop. The quilt is earning it's keep right now on display at the shop in all of her glory.

I'm off to the shop this morning to teach the second class session of Country Charmer. I'll be anxious to see what the girls have created since our last meeting. If anyone in Blogland is making the quilt along with us, please send pictures to patched55@comcast.net and I'll post them on the blog.

As always,

Lynn

P.S. Mr Joe and I survived the babysitting......bearly....since we saw bear tracks close to the cabin. For some reason, the boys weren't interested in going outside at night to roast marshmallows around the campfire!

Missing in Action

2011-11-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I'm here....really I am. Busy week with working at the shop on Monday, and teaching on Tuesday. I spent my day with 11 very talented, funny and creative quilters Tuesday. I felt like I was herding cats, trying to keep up with the questions, and oohhing and aahhhing over their beautiful creations. The primary focus of my drop-in class, is being the head cheerleader and quilting coach to help the girls finish quilts from any of my patterns or from any class that I've taught over the past three years. From Paula's Party in the Garden

....to Glenda's hundreds of paper pieces for Blossom of Friendship. This got us going on the paper dolls we played with in our childhood. We all had lots of practice cutting out small paper pieces from our Lennon Sisters to Debbie Reynolds paper doll collections.

Barbara finished quite a few blocks for Midnight Star quilt by Mary Hickey.

Kathy was working on her Party in the Garden.

Chris finished a couple of gorgeous blocks for her Scrappy Leaves quilt.

Carol made several "hexies" for Summer's Blush.....

....while Janice made a handle for her first basket for Party in the Garden using the basket tutorial.

Kaye was cutting out her pieces and putting them on her block layout sheet for Country Charmer. The layout sheet has been a big hit to help corral the 53 pieces of fabric.

Then the real challenge began for Mr. Joe and me on Wednesday.....talk about herding cats! We started babysitting our 4-year-old grandson and our 14-year-old step-grandson for five days while Mommy and Daddy are celebrating their anniversary in Las Vegas!!! You know, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Carpooling, football games, pre-school, high school, storytime and Sponge Bob Square Pants just to name a few of the activities since yesterday. How did we ever raise our own three children and keep some level of sanity? Last night I was a bit dingy and put the 4-year-olds hair gel on his toothbrush! Now it looked like toothpaste to me, it was blue just like Aqua Fresh and was in a tube. Whoever heard of a little kid needing gel anyway? Let me tell you his teeth are not going to bend in the wind. God give me strength to make it until Sunday!

Don't plan on any quilting pictures for a few days. I'm going to be in recovery mode.

As always,

Lynn

Buttonwood

2011-11-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Buttonwood is coming together nicely. My next task is making three more little basket blocks for the corners in the border. Those little baskets are going to have to wait until Wednesday. I've also been auditioning red or brown borders. Stay tuned to see what my final decision is going to be. This quilt has checks, stripes, plaids and polka dots all rolled into one. Perfect in my book!

I'm off to work at the shop this morning, then I'll be hosting my drop-in class tomorrow at In Between Stitches. If anyone living locally would like to attend, the class runs from 10-2pm. This is a good opportunity to finish up those UFO's or PIGS (Projects in Grocery Sacks) hiding in your sewing rooms. Or, if you need help working on any of my patterns, or you are finishing up a quilt from any class I've taught, the 2nd Tuesday of the month is a good day to Sew Some Wild Oaks and sew along with me.

As always,

Lynn

Basket Tutorial

2011-11-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I've been asked by some of the ladies who signed up for my Party in the Garden BOM through ThimbleCreek for a basket tutorial. So here you go! This little basket is going to be in each corner of my new Buttonwood pattern too. Since I'm a multi-tasker, I'm killing two birds with one stone. I'll make a basket for the new design, while fulfilling the wishes for a tutorial.

Here's the end result, a 6-1/2" unfinished, cute little basket.

The following series of pictures addresses how to make the basket handle. Once the handle is made, the rest of the block is a piece of cake. Just take your time and accurate cutting is absolutely essential.

Start with (2) 3" x 3" blocks cut from background fabric and (2) 3" x 3" blocks from the contrasting fabric.

With right sides together, using a quarter inch ruler, mark each of the blocks like this. Stitch along the marked lines.

Line a ruler up at the 1-1/2" vertical mark, which should perfectly intersect the center of the block, hold your breath and cut.

Line up the ruler at 1-1/2" horizontal mark, and cut again.

Now you have eight sections like this.

Cut between the stitching lines.

You will have a total of 16 half-square triangles. You will only need 12, but save the extra four for another basket.

Press toward the darker fabric.

Trim each of the 12 HST (half-square triangles) to exactly 1". With a Bloc Loc ruler, you can just slide it from one side to the other for easy trimming.

You will have 12 perfect 1" HST.

Next from background fabric, cut (1) 1-3/8" square and cut it in half diagonally. This is for the end of the handle.

From the background fabric, cut (1) 3-7/8" x 3-7/8" square for the basket top. Cut it in half diagonally. Save the extra side if you wish to make another basket.

Place each of the above pieces like this. Stitch the HST together in groups of two. Press each section carefully so you don't stretch them out of shape. Press the seams toward the top of the basket handle. This is important! Finish stitching all of the HST together.

It should look like this. Then sew the triangles to the bottom of the HST strip and press this seam toward the triangle.

Almost done with the handle.

Cut (3) 1" x 1" squares of contrasting fabric for the top of the handle.

Stitch one square to the HST strip. Press toward the 1" square.

Sew left HST strip to the basket background. Have your stitching intersect the previous stitches and you will not loose any points in the handle.

Press toward the large triangle.

Stitch right HST strip to the other side. Press toward the large triangle.

The hardest part is now over!

Cut (1) 4-7/8" x 4-7/8" square and cut in half diagonally.

A flange is optional here. Cut (1) 1" x 10" strip of flange material, fold it in half with wrong sides together and press. Be careful not to stretch the flange. Stitch it to the basket bottom a scant 1/8" along the raw edges.

Attach top of the basket to the bottom. Always trim the little dog ears off. Press flange down and back seam up.

For basket base, cut (1) 1-7/8" x 1-7/8" square and cut it in half diagonally.

It goes here.

For the remaining pieces, cut (2) 1-1/2" x 5-1/2" rectangles for top and (2) 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" rectangles for sides. Cut (1) 2-7/8" x 2-7/8" square and cut in half diagonally for bottom base.

Your block should look like this.

From background, cut (2) 1" x 1" square and place at the top of the basket. Make a four-patch section from the four squares.

Sew basket base triangles to 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" rectangles. Press toward the dark triangle base. Then stitch to basket sides.

Stitch the left long rectangle to the basket. Press toward the rectangle Sew the four patch at the top of the basket to the 1-1/2" x 5-1/2" rectangle. Press toward the rectangle. Stitch the bottom triangle to the basket base.

You are finished, an almost perfect 6-1/2" basket block is your reward.

No points were lost in the making of this basket! Well, almost no points.

Have a great weekend everyone. I have three more little baskets to make for Buttonwood, then I can put it all together!

As always,

Lynn

Buttonwood is Coming Together

2011-11-04T07:57:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

The blue basket is back in the mix. It told me to change the frame and it would play well with the rest of the blocks. It transformed itself into this block. Just a hint of blue in the border which ties it all together.

It used to look like this. Way too much pink for the quilt.

Now it plays well with others. I was attaching buttons and yo-yo's last night to the blocks until the snow started and the power went out.

Just a light dusting of snow is on the trees this morning. The best part of the snow is that it hides all of the pine needles on the ground! If I can't see it, I don't have to rake it. I'll gladly trade my rake in for the snow shovel....well then again.....ask me that in January.

I'm going to enjoy the view inside our snow globe today while working on sashing, buttons, and corner baskets.

Have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend everyone.

As always,

Lynn

My Night Job

2011-11-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

By day I work at the sewing machine, by night I sit down and bond with all of my yo-yo's and the television. Zinnie is at my feet and Mr. Joe is in his recliner by my side while we listen to the wind howl outside and hear various sizes of branches land on the roof. There was so much wind, the cabin looks like it has a thatched roof. Time for the gutters to be cleaned out.....again.

It doesn't take long to make 10 or 20 yo-yo's. But it takes me one full episode of Person of Interest or Survivor to applique around the yo-yo's to finish one block.

Just twelve more blocks to go and the borders and hour-glass units will be sewn on. Looking at the picture shows me details I hadn't noticed before. One of the blue centers just jumps right out. I'll start sewing these together into groups of four, and then start putting the blocks into a pleasing arrangement. This pattern is from Kim Diehl's newest book called Simple Graces. The name of the quilt is called Welcome Wagon Yo-Yo. I have to get this one finished so I can put it on the teaching schedule at the shop.

Today will be a combination of raking and working on my baskets for Buttonwood. I'll post progress on that quilt tomorrow.....if I don't rake too much today!

As always,

Lynn

Tooting My Own Horn

2011-11-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

This post is going to be a shameless, self promotion for three of my quilts. I just can't help myself....sorry!

I was contacted by Mary Jane from The Christmas Shoppe awhile ago regarding a trunk show on the East Coast. Mary Jane and I met at her adorable booth at Pacific International Quilt Festival last month in Santa Clara and finalized all the details. I shipped off three of my quilts and lots of patterns to The Christmas Shoppe and they will be making their first appearance at A Quilter's Gathering at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua, New Hampshire on November 3,4,5,6!

The House on Edgewood Lane

Party In The Garden

Summer's Blush

Then in January, the quilts will be on display in Mary Jane's booth at Road to California in Ontario, California. Periodically I'll be posting the shows where the quilts will be on display. Mary Jane goes to 18 major quilts shows throughout the year, and my quilts will be tagging along with her. Stop by The Christmas Shoppe booth and tell Mary Jane that Lynn sent you! Let me tell you, get your check book and charge card ready when you go to her booth. You are going to see lots of checks, stripes, and plaid bundles, adorable original patterns by Mary Jane under the name of Holly Hill Quilt Designs and many other quilting goodies.

I'll be working on more baskets today for Buttonwood. Most of the emails and comments I received, suggested that the blue block was not playing well with the others. That was my thought too, I just needed verification from you. I think it is going to be relegated to the backside.

Have a great, creative day everyone!

As always,

Lynn

Buttonwood

2011-11-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I have a new project going this week....Buttonwood....which is going to be a new pattern from me in the very near future (well maybe after Christmas!) I rummaged through my stash of 3 Sisters by Moda and combined them together into a new design.

The fabrics are from several different collections; Madeira, Chocolat, Peace on Earth and Mistletoe Manor.

They have all my required elements, polka dots, stripes, checks and plaids! The polka dot background fabric was a stark white. Six tea bags later and some hot water turned it into a nice off-white background and I was good to go.

I've been auditioning different sashing fabrics. This beige tone-on-tone is at the top of my list so far. I decided I want to make nine blocks to create a nice-sized wallhanging. I'm not sure if the blue basket is going to make the final cut. Thoughts from anyone in blogland?

I thought the baskets were a little plain and needed just a touch of something. I recalled saving a jar of buttons from my mom's sewing supplies. The trick was trying to find the jar. Well, after a bit of searching the lost was found. The top was a little rusty but the contents were fine. The patent pending date on the jar was from 1923! I'm sure this collection of buttons was started by my maternal Grandmother, Emilie Elizabeth Ross in Troy, New York in the 1920's. Wouldn't she and my mom be pleased to know what they valued was being put to good use.

I felt like I had just found a treasure and opened the top and let the magic spill out onto the cutting table. Had most of these buttons been stored for eighty years? There were buttons made out of bone, Abalone, glass and who knows what in that little jar. I started sorting and found some beautiful little buttons.

Once I'd let the Genie out of the bottle, there was no going back inside! The collection expanded with pride with the thought they were going to be used and freed from their long captivity.

Buttonwood......this one is for you Grandma Ross and Mom.

I hope you all have a great day searching, finding and using lost treasures from the past.

As always,

Lynn

Design Ideas

2011-10-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Here's a little bit more of the new design using the Blueberry Crumb Cake fabric by Blackbird Designs. This is a real change for me using so few colors, no stripes, no polka dots, no plaids.......what's a girl to do? I could incorporate the browns, but then I feel it won't be a true "winter" quilt. I'm definitely out of my cozy quilting comfort zone with this color palette, yet I'm having a good time working with this beautiful fabric. I'm actually cutting up a large floral print to create some shadows in my squares and rectangles in the border. It's amazing just how far you can s-t-r-e-t-c-h a fat quarter! I'll get just as many blocks made as I can until the yardage arrives at the shop.

This is the first time I designed a quilt around the quilting. I'm going to have a combination of cross-hatching and feathers in the border. At Pacific International Quilt Festival I purchased a new curved cross-hatching ruler that I want to try out on this quilt also. I can't wait to get this quilt on the machine and start the quilting!

Through the magic of PowerPoint, I copied, pasted and rotated the blocks and border to see what this might look like in a few weeks. Now if I could just "twitch" my nose and do a little Halloween magic, the rest of the blocks would be finished in a jiffy! This is far from the final version. I may add an inner border, or not. I haven't figured out the corners yet. I may even make it larger. Who knows??? I've been known to change my mind a time or two!

I hope all of you have a great Halloween weekend. We are having everyone over tomorrow to help Mr. Joe a.k.a. 'Poppy' celebrate turning another year older on the calendar. With all the grands around, he will always be forever young.

As always,

Lynn

Blueberry Crumb Cake Fabric....YUM

2011-10-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

The delivery driver brought one of the best boxes ever into the shop on Monday. It contained Blueberry Crumb Cake by Blackbird Designs. My mind immediately started designing and dreaming what this fabric could become.

This is what I came up with so far. Lots of nice open space to quilt a feathered wreath. There is also a putty-color in the line. I may incorporate it....or not. I want to see how this color combination plays out on the design wall first. I only have fat quarters to work with, so I added the white and blue paisley from my stash, which is a perfect match.

Be creative today and Blueberry Crumb Cake anyone?

As always,

Lynn

New Virtual Classroom

2011-10-22T05:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick post this morning to show you a picture of Penny's Country Charmer block. Penny would like to have taken my Country Charmer class, but you see she lives in Oregon, which is a long drive from In Between Stitches. She purchased the pattern online HERE, and is making the quilt along with the class. Her block is gorgeous! She said she wanted to make a quilt for Christmas this year, and this is going to be an impressive quilt. Just look at the Chrismas plaid material. Love it, love it!

If anyone of you are making this pattern, please send me a picture to patched55@comcast.net and I'll post them. I'll start a new virtual classroom section, and everyone can join in the fun.....or the trauma of working on an 8-1/2" block with 53 pieces of fabric! There is a block layout sheet included in the pattern which is making it much easier to construct this block.

Penny has her homework assignment due November 15th for the next class meeting. Prepare to be impressed!

Happy Saturday to all.

As always,

Lynn

Welcome Wagon Yo-Yo Quilt

2011-10-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I do believe I over-dosed on quilting over the past few months and I feel the need to slow down and work at a more relaxed pace. Time to pull out the yo-yo quilt designed by Kim Diehl. I've been making yo-yos in the evening and just toss them in a bag. I need a total of 524 small yo-yos and 64 large yo-yos.

The bag was getting pretty full and it was time to start putting them together in groups to see how many rows I had. I need a total of 64 blocks, 8 rows with 8 blocks in each row. I'm on row #7. You don't have to think too hard while putting these blocks together......just what I need!

Three "quilty" friends are coming for lunch tomorrow, so it's time to pull out some decorations for autumn beginning with this Summer Wind quilt by Miss Rosie. There is a definite chill in the morning and evening air which lends itself to a nice bowl of soup, salad and a loaf of fresh bread. Now that I've gotten myself hungry, it's time to go to the store so I can make all of the above!

Take delight in your day and be creative while enjoying your bowl of soup!
As always,

Lynn

P.S. Penny from Oregon, please send your email address to patched55@comcast.net I couldn't reply to your nice comment about Country Charmer as your email came to me as a No-reply status.

Country Charmer Class is in Session

2011-10-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Just because I took a few days off from blogging doesn't mean I wasn't involved in quilting. I've been working at the shop and teaching....so now it's time to get back to blogging.

Yesterday was the first class session of my new Country Charmer pattern. I told the girls they were my Pattern Test Dummies! PTD's for short, which is better than being a Crash Test Dummy. They all came through with flying colors and are on their way to making a beautiful quilt.

Madonna had a wonderful assortment of reds and greens for her quilt. She transformed her fabric from this...

...to this.....

....to this. Since there are 53 pieces of fabric in the 8-1/2" block, I included a block layout sheet in the pattern. Once you cut your pieces, you just place them on the layout page. All is well with the world until you sneeze, and 53 little pieces scatter across the table.

Barbara is starting with a beautiful selection of Jo Morton fabrics. She decided to make the "chain" alternating in red and blue.

Barbara also decided to have two different background fabrics.

I liked the way the girls were thinking outside the box.

Kaye also had a great collection of red and greens.

Kaye loves plaids as much as I do and take a look at her center.

Lisa is turning her fabric collection from this....

...to this. A sweet little block. All of Lisa's chains are going to be yellow/gold.

Here is Lisa's sashing/border fabric.

The girls have their homework assignments which are due on the 15th of November. It will be so much fun to see their creations when we meet again next month.

Thank you all for the fun day.

As always,

Lynn

More Pacific International Quilts

2011-10-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

A few more pictures of the amazing quilts at the show.

This one was really something.....remember it's a quilt, not a picture and it won several awards.

This quilt was (I think) best in show. There were always so many people around it that I couldn't get a good shot. The quilter machine quilted it on a 20-year-old Bernina!

Lots of bling on this one.

There were a few traditional quilts there.....but not too many.

Someone had a sense of humor!

I'm off to the shop today to fill-in while the owner's are at the show. Have a wonderful Saturday everyone.

As always,

Lynn

Pacific International Quilt Festival

2011-10-14T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

My friend Yvonne and I were among the thousands lined up at 10am sharp, waiting for the doors to open at Pacific International Quilt Festival. If awards were given for the best, most inviting booth, In Between Stitches would win the prize.

Leslie made a fireplace mantel out of cardboard from bolts of fabric and egg cartons. Look at the cute stocking hanging by the chimney with care.

Gee, I don't think you've seen this quilt before!

I walked through the show twice to see the 150 vendors and the hundreds of quilts. By 5pm, all I wanted to do was curl up in this little bed covered with a new design by Bunny Hill.

Now to some of the quilts. There were hundreds of quilts and I took pictures of only a few. The quilts entered in this show go above and beyond creativity. The pictures just can't do justice to their beauty from the design to the machine quilting to all the 'bling'. Many of the quilts were painstakingly embellished to the max. Bling is not my thing, but I appreciate the time involved.

This is a quilt....really. Just incredible.

I felt as though I was in an art gallery. The use of textiles in every way, shape and form was mind boggling.

I'll post more pictures tomorrow for another mini show.

Now that all of my deadlines have been met, today is my play day! I'm sew inspired.

As always,

Lynn

Another Beauty From Minglewood

2011-10-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I absolutely love to receive pictures of quilts from quilters that read my blog. Ginny sent me a picture of her gorgeous, rich-looking quilt she made from the Four Seasons at Minglewood book. Except for the border, all of the fabric came out of Ginny's stash. I think we all need to head on up to Canada and shop at Ginny's! Click on the picture to see the fussy cutting in the centers.

Here's what Ginny said about her quilt.

"I am patiently waiting for some extra wide flannel fabric to back this quilt, and then my friend who has a long arm will quilt it for me. I am looking forward to having this quilt in the living room this winter. Will be nice to snuggle under."

The layout Ginny used is called the Starlit Path. More 'eye-candy' from Minglewood.

Keep those cards and letters coming! It makes my day when I see someone inspired by something I've suggested on the blog. You too, can hop on the Minglewood band wagon and create an heirloom to snuggle under this winter! Ginny made this quilt in just a few weeks. I tell you, once you start making the blocks, you don't want to stop!

As always,

Lynn

P.S. My Minglewood is finished......completely finished......from label to binding. It will be on display at the In Between Stitches booth #722 at Pacific International Quilt Festival starting tomorrow!

Minglewood Again

2011-10-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

The binding for Minglewood is almost finished. I watched three football games, the nightly news, and 60 Minutes before my arm and hand said, "No More!" I'll take the quilt to the shop today and finish it between customers.

This is a queen-size bed, and the quilt covers it with a substantial 'drop' ending about 6 inches from the floor. I'm not going to have to make shams for the pillows, since the quilt also covers them. This quilt will not be hanging on any of my walls. I don't have a wall big enough to display it!

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on yesterdays post. There were a couple of you that are set at 'no reply' so I couldn't respond to you personally.

Here is the link to The Four Seasons at Minglewood book by Debbie Roberts. We also carry it at the shop. The book contains many projects that you'll love. The book is well written and contains lots and lots of eye candy! I learned a lot about quilting while making this quilt. I also learned a lot about myself. The most important lesson I learned was, DO NOT TAKE ANY SHORTCUTS. Let your heart and your instincts guide your choices from fabric, to quilting designs.

I'm off to work at the shop this morning. Have a wonderful week everyone.

As always,

Lynn

Minglewood is Quilted

2011-10-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I've climbed out of my quilting cave and joined the living! What an odyssey it's been working on this quilt. Here is part of the final product. I'll have to wait until the sun comes up and try to get a picture of the whole quilt. It is o-dark-hundred here and I want to get a post out this morning so you didn't think I'd been slacking off again.

I basically ended up with two quilts. The backside looks like a whole cloth quilt. So my question is, where do I put the label? This is what 40+ hours of custom quilting looks like from the back.

Front of the block.

Back of the same block.

This is one of my favorite blocks.

I like this one too.

I like this block also.....I'm in love with all of them!

I used Dream Wool batting on this baby. I love the look and feel the wool batting produces. It is warm in the winter and light and cool in the summer.....don't ask me how it does that.

I always, always quilt to music. CD's, IPod, radio....whatever makes beautiful sounds. Friday night when I finished Minglewood and was removing her from the machine, the Canadian Tenors version of Hallelujah written by Leonard Cohen started playing on my IPod. What a coincidence! The music expressed my feelings to a "T".

Today I will park myself on the couch and work on 400" of binding until my arm stops working and my hand can no longer hold the needle. It's a good thing for me that I love to watch football as that is what I'll have on the tube for the day.

More pictures tomorrow. I'm off to the shop Monday and teaching Tuesday, so I have to get as much done today as I can. I worked at the shop yesterday and it was so much fun seeing some of you that I don't often get a chance to see. I hope you are enjoying your morning coffee Judy!

As always,

Lynn

P.S. Thank you all for your comments on my last post about picking out stitches. I'll try to answer each and every comment individually........soon.

I Should Have Known Better

2011-10-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I should have known better and not tried to attempt a Baptist Fan groovy board on a 100" square quilt without practice, practice, practice first. Here is a picture of pass number one.....and I started getting sick to my stomach when I came around to the front of the quilt and really looked at what I had done. What took minutes to quilt......took FIVE hours to remove! Those five hours gave me time to reflect on what I had done and what I needed to do.

I needed to bite the bullet and do what I do best.....custom quilting in each and every block. Crosshatching in the sashings and feathers in the borders. The quilting in each block will be unique and have my personal touch stitched into each and every one.

Two rows and ten hours later, I'm so much happier with the quilting.......tired, but pleased.

What was I thinking? How could I have taken the quickest way out to quilt this quilt?

Had I stuck with the original plan, I would not have been proud to say I quilted it. This quilt would have gone away to the closet, never to be seen again. Or Zinnie would have had the biggest dog bed in history!

I'm so much happier today than I was Tuesday. I still have at least two more full days of quilting. Then 400" of binding! I want to get this quilted by Sunday, so I can park myself in front of the TV and watch football while stitching.

Moral of the story, I knew better not to take the easy way out. I now have the words, "I Will Not Take Shortcuts" tattooed on my forehead!

Gotta go quilt!

As always,

Lynn

We Have A Winner!!

2011-10-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Over the past few days, I received many great names for this quilt. Here are just a few:

Christmas Country Charmer - Charming Stars - Twinkle, Twinkle Country Star - Cottage Charm - Country Christmas Snowflake - Country Charm Christmas at the Cabin

I tallied the votes for Country Charm or Country Charmer......and......COUNTRY CHARMER came out ahead by a nose. Mr. Joe was happy since that was the name he liked from the very beginning.

Zinnie was just too busy to be my random number generator, so I resorted to using a pink random number generator that totally clashes with the quilt. The winner of a Country Charmer pattern is GINNY!

Send me an email Ginny with your address, and I'll get a pattern to you in the mail.

Tomorrow I'll post my machine quilting progress, more like lack of progress on Minglewood. It was a total fiasco for most of yesterday and I'm still recuperating from 'picking out' the whole top row. What took minutes to quilt, took five hours to remove!! Today is going to be a better day.

As always,

Lynn

Minglewood is together

2011-10-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I finished the last two blocks for the Minglewood quilt yesterday. I made one Flaming Star block.

Then I made one King's Crown Squared block. Time to put it all together, sew on the borders.....

....and here is Minglewood....together at last! The black 4" border is there, just a bit hard to see. Mr. Joe and I put books across the top of the railing to hold this quilt it place for picture taking. I knew when I bought a copy of War and Peace at a garage sale years ago, it would come in handy. I had a vision of reading it while we were snowed in. Seemed like a good idea at the time! The only time I've picked the book up was for dusting purposes.

This picture was taken from the back of the quilt under the deck. Interesting point of view and I can tell I have two blocks of the same design together! Two Christmas Star blocks are right next to each other. I hadn't noticed it before I took this picture. Can you find the two blocks while looking at the front of the quilt! Too late now and am NOT taking it apart.

The Dogwoods are starting to show a little color. I love Autumn!

Don't forget to enter the contest. (See the post from Sept. 30th). So many good names have been entered. Also, lots of you have sent emails saying that Blogger wouldn't let you post. I have issues with Blogger all the time and I don't know what to tell you. I clean out my 'cookies' under the Internet tools tab and sometimes that helps and allows me to make comments.

Have a great Saturday everyone. I'm finishing pattern directions for Country Charm and working on a label for her.

As always,

Lynn

Country Charm(er).....GIVEAWAY

2011-09-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick post to show a finished Country Charm(er). I haven't decided on the final name yet. That's YOUR task.

I love decorating with quilts. This 8 foot red ladder is perfect for a corner that needs to be brightened up with a quilt. Key the Christmas music and let's put up the Christmas tree! A bit premature, but I am in the Christmas spirit after finishing the red/white check binding.

I draped the quilt over/through a non-functional sled that I purchased at a junk shop for a song. My daughter-in-law gave us the little blue kerosene heater. It is so funny how many times people give us something and say, "This would look great at the cabin!" The little heater is a wonderful addition to our collection of treasures/junk shop finds.

Since I'm in a giving, Christmas spirit.....how about a GIVEAWAY!! Let me know in the comment section or via email patched55@comcast.net just what I should name this quilt. You can vote for Country Charm or Country Charmer or come up with something completely different, and you could be a winner of a pattern to make your own Country Charm(er). This contest is going to have a quick turn around time, so vote by Tuesday, October 4th, 12pm PST and the pattern winner will be announced Wednesday Oct. 5th. I don't care where you live, I will send the pattern anywhere in the world.

As always, Zinnie will be the judge with a little help from Mom and Dad. She is more than willing to be bribed with Kibble and doggie treats, and the decision of the judge is tag-wagging final.

Have a great weekend. You know the saying, vote early and vote often!

As always,

Lynn

Tools in My Toolbox

2011-09-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Time to get out the old toolbox full of Civil War fabrics and start making blocks according to my own directions for Country Charm. This is how I create.....I surround myself with some fabric, paper, pencil, computer and Bernina.

The directions are almost finished. It is time to check and re-check. The next version of Country Charm is going to be made using Civil War fabrics. Every color of Civil War fabrics I can squeeze into it!

I chuckle when people tell me they would love to see my "quilting studio". Here it is, the dining room table at the cabin! When it is too chilly to eat outside, I have to clear the table. There have been times when I didn't want to clear the table and disturb a thing, so we ate outside wearing jackets. Mr. Joe draws the line when it comes to wearing mittens with his meal!

Back to work for me. My toolbox is full of ideas that need to get out of my brain on into the computer.

Hope you all have a creative day!

As always,

Lynn

Window Into My World

2011-09-26T06:34:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

This was a busy weekend that included a birthday party, a car show and Quilting in the Garden. By the time I left the shop and the birthday party, the quilts were coming down from the trees. I just have a few pictures to share.

The quilts are hanging throughout Alden Lane Nursery. Just the nursery in itself is very park-like setting.

Everywhere you look is color, from the flowers and plants to the quilts.

There were a few clouds on Saturday, more on Sunday that squeezed out some rain.

The oaks trees are ancient and grow throughout the whole nursery.

This was a very interesting display of color.

Next year, I'm going to be there earlier. Have a great week everyone. I'm off to the shop this morning. Lots of new temptations, I mean fabrics have arrived.

As always,

Lynn