Timeless Stitches Has Arrived

 Hello Everyone,

My sample yardage of Timeless Stitches arrived on Thursday from Marcus Fabrics, and I dug right into it by cutting, starching and quilting.

I have only a limited amount of fabric, so I cut just what I needed for the center of the medallion quilt. I was eager to get started and didn’t want to starch the entire yardage. I have an antique wall‑mounted dryer in the guest bathroom that works perfectly for hanging the starched fabric over the bathtub. With the ceiling heat lamp on, they dry fairly quickly.

While I've been waiting for the fabrics to arrive, I've not been 'bone idle' as my British friend says.  I've been refining the pattern, working on taxes, and working on the four retreats I have planned for the year.  There's is never an idle moment under this roof!

I'm loving how the fabrics are 'playing well' together.  It is also so much fun to work with something new and challenging.

This much fun should be illegal!

As I'm working with the fabrics, I've been making minor changes to the original design of the fabric placement and how I turn the components.

Here's the original center block. I changed some of the piecing directions to make it easier to make the block. I also made a block layout sheet for this block.  Those of you familiar with my patterns know the sheet is invaluable for laying the components of the block.  The sheet is particularly helpful for this 24" block.

Here's the new center block.  There may be more changes as I work my way through the block.  I'm always cutting extra fabric to make the components in different fabrics and then decide which looks best.....or what I like the best.  That's a nice thing about the pattern which acts as a guide, but you can always make changes and make it your own.

I hope to get the center block done over the weekend, so I can move on to the first border around it.

I'll be blogging my progress as I work my way through this pattern.  My feet are held to the fire as this one has to be completely finished and mailed to Marcus Fabrics in New York so they can have it on display at the H & H show the first part of May.  Then it will go to Hobby House in Victor, NY where I will be teaching this pattern.

I'm really anxious to jump ahead and make a few of the baskets.  I LOVE BASKETS, and they are particularly cute!

I've been contacted by some of you saying that the blog is really slow to load.  Just give it time and it will load.  Try clearing out your cache on your computer, which may speed up the process.

Soon,

Lynn  

Laurel Ridge Pattern

 Hello Everyone,

With the turning of the calendar to January 2026, I acquired the rights back to my Laurel Ridge pattern from The Quilt Show now that the Block of the Month has completed. 

The pattern is now posted in my Etsy shop as a digital download only HERE.  This image shows you the entire quilt. The blocks at the top and bottom of the image shows you the blocks which you will be making.  I also posted some of the fabrics I have for this quilt, and I'll be posting more throughout the next week.

This is a BIG pattern in Block of the Month format.  I combined all of the monthly installments into one large pattern which is in full color.  The finished quilt measures 90" x 90" and the blocks measure 5" x 5" except for the applique block.

The digital download contains links to my teaching videos on The Quilt Show.

I'm also posting the video my granddaughter, Harleigh produced and edited.  Month #1 is posted HERE. This video gives you a tour of the cabin and then jumps right in showing you how to make month #1.

 If you missed the chance to make last year’s BOM with The Quilt Show, gather some favorite fabrics from your own stash and start a fresh quilting journey this year and begin a Laurel Ridge quilt.

Soon,

Lynn

Happy New Year

 Hello Everyone,

I saw this on FB this morning and thought it was very good and easier to stick to than making actual resolutions that are so easy to break.  

If I make any resolutions this year, learning to play the piano will be at the top of the list since Mr. Joe surprised me with a keyboard for Christmas. I’ve always dreamed of being able to sit down and play a few tunes without relying on sheet music. I did take lessons when I was seven, but I hated every minute of them. To this day, I’m convinced I have a touch of PTSD from Mrs. VanAsperen’s weekly visits and her half hour of piano lesson torture. Maybe if I’d practiced during the week, I wouldn’t be carrying quite so many emotional scars.

When I was in my 40's I took more private lessons, but I didn't stick with them long enough to become proficient. The focus of the teacher was on classical music.  I love listening to classical music, but I don't enjoy playing it. 

I really want to learn how to play boogie‑woogie! There’s so much piano instruction available online that I’m exploring all my options. I’ve been trying to carve out an hour a day at the keyboard—and no, not my computer keyboard. Mr. Joe seems convinced I’m destined to become a geriatric Jerry Lee Lewis. Great balls of fire, I’ll let you know if that ever happens! I can probably sit on the keyboard the way he did, but I certainly can't throw my heal up and reach the high notes.

I hope you all have a very happy and healthy New Year!  Healthy is the key word here at my age.  Happy New Year, dear quilters and may your days be as colorful and comforting as the quilts you make.

Soon,

Lynn

P.S. Oh, I forgot to tell you Mr. Joe found a keyboard with a headset, so he doesn't have to listen to me practice! That was a smart move on his part.