Zephyr Covey One

 Hello Everyone,

All of the quilters started rolling into Zephyr Point at Lake Tahoe late Sunday afternoon, each one hauling enough quilting supplies to open a fully stocked store complete with a notions department, a fat‑quarter boutique, and bolts of fabric......let's not forget the sewing machine being pulled in like a giant wagon train.

The tables were all set up for us at the Inspiration Point building, and boy oh boy are the quilters inspired. With that view, the friendships, and just a sprinkle of quilting magic, it’s basically a recipe for happiness. 

Lots of hugs all round for friends who haven't seen each other for a year.....or a few months.

When I'm not quilting, I plan to spend some time drinking in the beauty of the area while contemplating my next design.

The sunset did not disappoint!

Quilting pictures tomorrow.

Soon,

Lynn

 

Progress on Timeless Ruffles

Hello Everyone,

Last week I made great progress on my Timeless Ruffles quilt during the quilting day camp at Blue Lake Springs in Arnold, CA.......my very own town with my guild!

I stayed very focused from Sunday through Thursday morning while making the sixteen blocks needed for this pattern. My first task was completing 128 flying geese for the blocks. ✔ I had the geese all flying in formation by Monday at the close of the day.

Then I stitched them to the fussy cut center roses. ✔

Then the blocks really started taking shape and it was time to add the blue and white fabric around the blocks and the corner sections. Notice I fussy cut all of the corner rose sections around the blocks. Attention to detail is my superpower. 

By Thursday morning, I had a pile of 16 blocks ready for their appliqued section. 

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to machine stitch the applique on to the block or hand stitch it to the block.  I love the slower applique process vs. machine.  What are your thoughts? This quilt will most like be a wall hanging and not on the bed, which has me leaning toward hand stitching. It is such a sweet, romantic block.

I've also been working on the 'swags' for the border. I'll be needing 16 of them.

I’m on the Board of Directors for the Blue Lake Springs Homeowners Association, and I’ve been chatting with management about a brilliant idea: turning our gorgeous space into a quilting retreat haven for guilds and teachers. We could host a group up to 36 quilters a month, Sunday through Thursday for five glorious days of stitching, laughing, and pretending the outside world doesn’t exist.

Just imagine it: no cooking, no cleaning, no responsibilities beyond choosing the next fabric. Five full days of quilting bliss. Basically, it’s Quilting Heaven.

Contact me if you are interested. Just like a wedding planner, I will be your Quilting Retreat planner to guarantee a smooth as silk (cotton or minky) quilting experience for your group. My email is:  sewnwildoaks@gmail.com

This week I’m gearing up for my next retreat at Zephyr Cove at Lake Tahoe, kicking off this Sunday. My lists are made, my bags are threatening to explode, and I’ve gathered everything short of a sherpa to haul supplies for the quilters.

There’s just something magical about this retreat, from the laughter, the creativity, the shared caffeine dependency. Several of us get up early and meet for coffee at Cabin 28 for our morning latte's. It’s always such a special time together, like summer camp for grown‑ups…but with rotary cutters instead of carving knives.

Soon,

Lynn

More Retreat Pictures

 Hello Everyone,

I hope you’re all soaking up every last drop of this Labor Day weekend. 

Here are some more pictures from the retreat.  We made such happy memories last week!

My sister Gail finished the center block of her Timeless quilt. We had to make extra room at her workspace for the Block Layout Sheet.

Now, here's a parade of quilts for your Monday morning enjoyment.

Charlotte made this quilt out of denim and it was very heavy!

This is an original design which Charlotte made during Covid.

Linda made a memory quilt for her mother.

Our good friend Candace made this quilt for Linda, who is an expert in genealogy. Linda helped Candace discover and reconnect with members of her family, and this quilt is Candace’s heartfelt way of thanking her.

Debra started my pattern called Madrigal last August.  She quilted it herself and hand quilted the center applique section.  So beautiful!

Quilt retreats are just sooooo much fun. I had five new quilters this time—well, new to my Sew’n Wild Oaks family, anyway. And they fit in so effortlessly it felt like they’d always been part of the group, stitching right into the fabric of our little quilting community.

Next week I’ll be heading to my Independence Hall guild retreat at Snowflake Lodge, and guess what? I get to be a participant! That’s right—no teaching, no organizing, no mother‑henning. I’m officially off duty. I’ll be quilting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. like a woman possessed, working away on my new Ruffles design.

This week I’m starching and cutting every last piece of fabric so I can unleash some serious power‑sewing once I get there. And somewhere in the middle of all that, I need to order fabric and make kits. Wish me luck… or better yet, send caffeine.

Up here in the Sierra Nevada mountains, we’re experiencing the official Last Gasp of Summer. It's that dramatic moment when the “Summer People” flap their wings and migrate home. They arrive in June like a flock of noisy geese and depart just as quickly, leaving behind empty cabins, quiet roads, and a community that collectively exhales and says, “Ahhh…we have our town back.” 

They drive too fast with total disregard for the wildlife. On the Fourth of July in 2025, a tiny bear cub was struck by a car and died right here on our street. Yesterday, it happened again—another cub killed out on the highway. Someone posted a video of its sibling circling the little body, confused and desperate, while their mama stood off to the side, helpless. It’s heartbreaking to watch these families lose their babies like this, over and over.

We love living here in the mountains, and we hold deep respect for every creature that shares this place with us. It breaks our hearts to see the little ones lose their lives before they’ve even had a chance to grow. We never forget that we’re the ones living in their home, and it’s up to us to protect them however we can.

Soon,

Lynn