Sew'n Wild Oaks Retreat Day 1

 Hello Everyone,

Last Sundy, August 24th, was set up day and the first day to quilt, quilt, quilt and get acquainted.

Snowflake Lodge was transformed into a giant quilting studio for 36 quilters.

I had product out so the girls could shop.

There was a lot of chatting and quilting going on and then the machines were turned on and started humming across the room.

Halloween was in the air at Peggy's table.

Debra is putting her own spin on my Madrigal pattern.  It is going to be gorgeous! 

I have a little lecture area where I teach, and the quilters gather to listen.

I taught Cozy Country Christmas.  By the end of the retreat, Beth had most of the blocks made for this this quilt.

We had an appetizer dinner on Sunday night. This is just a small sampling of the delicious food.

It was a warm day, so everyone decided to eat inside instead of out on the deck.

The girls were taking daily walks around the lake.

My delightful friend Julie stayed with me at the cabin last week, and what a joy it was. Each morning, we’d settle onto the deck, me with my coffee Julie with her protein shake, and talked until it was time to head down to the Lodge at 7:45 a.m. That’s usually my blogging hour—but honestly, time with Julie was far more precious. So, for everyone who emailed wondering if I was okay: yes, I’m more than fine, just soaking up good company.

The cabin is only a minute’s drive from the Lodge, but on Wednesday night, we had to pause for a mama bear and her two cubs crossing the road. I was thrilled Julie got to witness that moment. And yes—this is exactly why we don’t walk home in the dark!

Here we are in all our glory!

The camaraderie within this tightly knit group of quilters defies description. The retreat was more than stitching and patterns—it was a heartfelt gathering where laughter echoed, tears were shared, and stories wove us together in ways that words can hardly capture.

Soon,

Lynn

Pattern of the Week: Cute as a Button

 Hello Everyone,

I've been missing in action for the last week.  I was so busy at my Sew'n Wild Oaks retreat that I didn't have time to post.  So, I'm back now and will post retreat pictures throughout this week.  I wanted to let you know my pattern of the week is Cute as a Button.  

I made this during February of 2019 when the snowflakes were falling and piling up like crazy.  When it's cold and stormy, I move my sewing machine out to the dining room and pretend I'm in a snow globe.

The blocks are so addicting, I couldn't stop making them.....nor could I go anywhere except to wield the snow shovel in the driveway and make a path to the nearest tree for Mazey's powder room.

Here are some of the fabrics I used in my kits.  They are just so darn cute and colorful!

I put my strips on this Strip 'n Sew that Mr. Joe made for me.  A pasta dryer also works like a charm.

I made sooooo many blocks, that I ended up making a queen-sized quilt for the master bedroom.

Here's a picture of the 'girls' together.

I promise to post pictures of the retreat throughout the week.  We had absolutely the BEST time together!  

The direct link is located HERE to the pattern and my Etsy shop. 

Soon,

Lynn

Cozy Country Christmas

 Hello Everyone,

My Cozy Country Christmas pattern in now posted in my Sew'n Wild Oaks Etsy shop HERE.

The blocks finish at 8" x 8".  The entire quilt is 62" x 62" and is easily enlarged by making more blocks and increasing the width of the border.

I have links in the pattern to my free classes on The Quilt Show.com to help you make the components in the blocks.

 

The pattern also contains my signature block layout sheets. After you make the components, you put them on the sheet to keep you organized and is the key to your success.  Here are the fabric requirements so you can purchase the fabric while it is still available.

I finished the binding and hanging sleeve yesterday and this quilt is good to go and be on display at my Sew'n Wild Oaks retreat starting this Sunday at Snowflake Lodge in Arnold, CA.  I'll be teaching a mini-tutorial for this quilt at the retreat.

I've been busy cleaning, organizing tutorials, printing and stuffing patterns, and generally getting everything ready for the retreat. My to-do list has become my bible to keep me on track and focused.  Mr. Joe was gone for four hours yesterday while he was attending his SIRS meeting/picnic, and I got more done in those four hours.  I was like a tornado at the cabin!

On another note, I was notified by a follower that someone was posting my Heritage quilt as their own.  She/he/bot/whatever took a picture which I'd posted on my blog on April 17, 2018.

Yes, Anita McKittrick, you are NOT a professional, you are a total fraud.  I checked out her profile and she is using Jenny Doan's (Missouri Star Quilting) picture in her profile.

I filed an official copyright infringement complaint with FB.  I've heard crickets so far.  If you go to Quilted Haven Circle on FB and see Anita McKittrick's posts, please report her to FB.  You don't have to fill out the form, just report her posts.  She obviously is not a quilter.  I think the entire Quilted Haven Circle is a bit dodgy.  I wouldn't trust a word they say or post since Ms. McKittrick is also the admin of the page. She never approved my complaint post on their page.

I'm off to tick items off my to-do list!

Soon,

Lynn 

Retreat Preparations and Pattern of the Week

 Hello Everyone,

On these hot summer days, I'm thinking snow as in my Row-Mancing Alaska pattern which is my pattern of the week in my Etsy shop on sale HERE.

I made this quilt when I was asked to teach it on a cruise to Alaska.  It was so much fun!

This was my first row by row quilt that I designed and my first using batiks. I wanted this to be a reflection of Alaska from the heavens to the earth.

This row-by-row quilt captures the spirit of the wild with blocks inspired by iconic Alaskan imagery:

- Aurora

- Midnight Sun

- Flying Geese

- EEagle’s Nest

- Black Spruce

- Glacier Bay

- Bear Paw walking atop Gold Rush

From celestial skies to rugged terrain, each stitch brings Alaska’s breathtaking beauty to life. The finished quilt measures 52" x 71", making it a stunning tribute to nature’s grandeur.

I’ve been deep in retreat prep mode for my August gathering, which kicks off Sunday, August 24th. Bit by bit, I’m working through my to-do list—finishing bindings, printing and stuffing patterns, cutting bundles, and pricing. At this point, my garage could easily be mistaken for a very enthusiastic (and slightly chaotic) quilt shop!

Some of my quilters start rolling into town on Saturday, so the countdown is officially on. And just to keep things interesting—I still need to tackle a full cabin de-cobwebbing before the tour. Sadly, it’s not close enough to Halloween to pass them off as festive décor!

Soon,

Lynn

Bridle Path Pattern of the Week

 Hello Everyone,

My pattern of the week is Bridle Path and is on sale in my Etsy shop HERE.

This quilt hangs proudly in our cabin bedroom; a space I lovingly call the Hearthstone Room. Every quilt you see here was made with fabric from my Hearthstone line from Marcus Fabrics—a collection that holds a special place in my heart as it was my first fabric line.  Laurel Ridge, the 2025 BOM for The Quilt Show is hanging on the wall on the left.  Double Dutch Treat is next to it. Emilie Elizabeth gifted to me by my dear friend Deborah is over the headboard. Spring Frolic is on the bench at the end of the bed. 

I change the quilts out with the seasons, and this grouping will be in the bedroom throughout the summer months.

The following are snapshots of the blocks in the quilt. Each of the blocks finish at 10" x 10".  The entire quilt measure 98" x 98".  If you want to make the quilt larger, all you need to do is cut the borders wider.

This block is the most complex, but the pattern includes a block layout sheet which is the map to your success.

Heading out to the Bear Valley Music Festival this afternoon—Broadway tunes and showstoppers await! Mr. Joe’s not much for musicals, so he’ll be holding down the fort with Mazey while I’m away. All the girls are coming back to the cabin for dinner tonight, which means my morning’s packed with prep work before I head out. Mr. Joe’s got his own timetable: top priority is firing up the barbecue and getting the roast on the rotisserie. Fingers crossed I’ll have everything else squared away before I leave!

Is it wrong to say I invite company just so I’m forced to clean the cabin? Let’s call it strategic hospitality.

Soon,

Lynn