Gentry's Mill Flimsy

 Hello Everyone,

Almost a month has passed since my previous post, and it's time to update you on the recent happenings at Sew'n Wild Oaks beneath the pines.

Over the past week, I've brought the Gentry's Mill quilt to its flimsy stage. Devoting two entire days to the borders, they truly serve as the icing on this quilted cake.

I organized a retreat at Snowflake Lodge during the first week of November. The attendees were a group of incredibly talented and fun-loving quilters. We had an amazing time!

 

Right before the retreat, I was a vendor and featured artist at the Independence Hall Quilter's annual quilt show.  It was great seeing so many of you in attendance at the show!

These enjoyable activities serve as my reason for not posting more frequently. However, I regularly update my Sew'n Wild Oaks Facebook and Instagram sites because it's fast and simple and doesn't require me to be at my computer.  I can just whip out my phone and do a quick post.

We went down to the Bay Area last Friday night to watch our grandson play junior varsity football in the last game of the season against the cross-town rivals.  Kade's team won decidedly, and we were so happy to watch him play.  He's on the field for most of the game playing both offense and defense.  The varsity team won, and they will be going to playoffs.  Kade found out last week that he is moving up to the varsity team, so he's practicing with the 'big' boys.  He doesn't think he will play much if at all during playoffs, but he was delighted he was selected to be moved up.

Winter is upon us here at Wilder's Last Resort.  We had our first dusting of snow the other day with a chance of more snow today.  We still have quite a few leaves on the oak trees and dogwood.  When we get a heavy snow early in the season, the branches tend to break.

Just as I need to work in the garage on Gentry's Mill for my longarm quilting, the weather decides to turn cold. I keep a space heater nearby to take the edge off the chill, yet it remains cold, and I find myself bundled in layers and snow boots while quilting.  Mr. Joe keeps me supplied with hot chocolate with a splash of Bailey's.  

I posted my last complete Bridle Path kit in my Etsy shop.  I listed three and now there is only one left.  I may have to rethink my shop and start offering more kits since they tend to sell like hot cakes.  It takes a lot of time to make kits, and I have to have a lot of material on hand to pull it off.  

I'm currently preparing the instructions for The Quilt Show (TQS) Block of the Month BOM. Today, I'll upload four months of instructions into TQS's shared folder. It's always busy around here! Additionally, I have another four months' worth of instructions ready, which I need to go over before adding them to the folder. Since my health incident, I often joke that I've lost a few pixels, so I make sure to check and double-check all my work.  

As I write this, I've just glanced out the window to see the snow beginning to fall. Today, we'll stay snug indoors, cook up a pot of chili, and bask in the warmth of the fire. To me, it sounds like the ideal day.

Soon,

Lynn

  

Gentry's Mill Update

 Hello Everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Soon,

Lynn

Updates and a Special Offer

 Hello Everyone,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Instant Access to all episodes of The Quilt Show

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

-Get 25% off a Store Purchase*

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

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

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

-Get special offers and store discounts for Star Members only

https://thequiltshow.com/

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

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

Click HERE to take you to my Etsy Shop. 

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

Soon,

Lynn

The Quilt Show

 Hello Everyone,

I'm so excited and happy that I can tell you that I'm going to be featured on The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims!  Mr. Joe and I hit the road this Saturday to make the drive to Denver loaded with quilts and quilting supplies for the filming.

I was on The Quilt Show ten years ago.  Now you can watch it again and see how gray my hair has become! All of my previous classes are located in the classroom section located HERE.  In addition to my classroom, I also filmed episode #1604.

I've created a special project, of which I've been showing you little snippets over the past few months.  I will be revealing the project in my episode, and I'll be teaching some tutorials during the filming. This is monumental for me, and I feel The Quilt Show and Marcus Fabrics really jumpstarted my entry into the world of design.

The filming will take place in a refurbished Mission Church in the heart of downtown Denver.  I've been asked to bring quilts along with me to showcase during my show.  They are packed and ready to go.  There are four segments to my show, and I promise to fill each segment with valuable and interesting information.  

To say I've been busy is an understatement.  I finished the binding on my special project last night.  I have to attach the hanging sleeve today.  I've been working on my tutorials and information I need to impart during the episode.

In addition to that, my Gentry's Mill fabric arrived last week, and I've been working on the BOM for Marcus Fabrics. I just want to create with my new fabric line, but all I can do is stare at it longingly while I'm working on my episode.

If you aren't a member of The Quilt Show, you really need to think about becoming a member.  There is a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips with tutorials and shows galore.  I've used it as a resource for years and years.  The cost is $4.95 per month and well worth every penny.

I'm off to the pool this morning to swim laps with my kickboard, then it's pedal to the metal the rest of the week. I can pretend I'm preparing for the Quilting Olympics!

Soon,

Lynn

Gentry's Mill Fabric Announcement

 Hello Everyone,

I'm so excited that I can finally share images of my new fabric line called Gentry's Mill and my new block of the month for Marcus Fabrics.

You can see the entire line up close HERE.  This is the new BOM which will start next year.

The large red and blue floral prints are gorgeous!  

The line is elegant and classy.

Surprise, I didn't include a plaid in this line or a flange in the quilt!  What is wrong with me?

Part of the beginning design process starts with scans that I send to the graphic artist.  This is a scan I sent of one of Mr. Joe's silk ties.  I'm always searching for interesting designs that can be tweaked into a fabric.  This little scan started the entire process to the birth of a new line.

After a lot of back and forth and color corrections, this is the final pattern.  The graphic artist incorporated little vignettes of flowers in the intricate design. I will always look at this fabric and remember Mr. Joe's tie.

The colors complement all of the SKU's in the line.  It's a fun, labor intensive process and I love every step along the way.  My plan for this line, includes designing a quilt around the large blue and red prints. I can see the design in my mind, I just need to make it become a reality and get it out of the back recesses in my brain.

When you don't hear from me for a while, just know that I'm working on bringing fabrics and designs to a reality and to you.

My sample yardage should arrive any day now from the mill in South Korea.  Every ounce of work will stop when the FedEx delivery person knocks on my door.  

Being a part of the Marcus Fabrics group of designers is a dream come true.  Throughout the weeks, emails and zoom calls take place from the beginning to the end of the process.  The graphic artists carry out my every thought and include their own suggestions.  The process is fascinating and fun!  What you don't see is the attention to detail by the Marcus Fabrics staff from beginning to end.  They are sticklers for perfection in the delivery of the final product.  I appreciate that attention to detail.

I'm still working on other projects which I will be able to reveal over the next few weeks.

Soon,

Lynn