Sew'n Wild Oaks Retreat Continued

 Hello Everyone,

This is a picture heavy post of the amazing creations the quilters brought to Show & Tell at my Sew'n Wild Oaks retreat at Snowflake Lodge in Arnold, CA.  If the pattern was designed by me, I've established a blue link in the title to my Etsy shop. First up is Cozy Country Christmas. It's not too early to start thinking about Christmas! 

Kathy made a table runner during the retreat to fit her holiday table perfectly. It's a versatile pattern to add Christmas charm to your home. 

This quilt is called Country Charmer and it's a great quilt to make to incorporate your scraps and that's just what Eileen did.....beautifully. I've made this quilt four times in all different colorways.

I taught a session on Lucy Boston blocks and several of the girls started selecting fabric from my Timeless Stitches collection from Marcus Fabrics.  The girls are going to make the blocks during my quilting cruise next May.

Here's a Halloween wonky log cabin quilt.

There was not one but two Laurel Ridge quilts in the room made by Barbara and Eileen! Barbara purchased the kit offered by The Quilt Show, and Eileen selected fabrics from her stash.

Nancy made Autumn Thyme and is looking forward to having it on display this Fall. 

There were two Lil' Orphan Scrappy quilts in the room! The girls only used fabric from their stashes to make their quilts. 

I had the honor of spending five unforgettable days with this wildly talented, fun and compassionate group of women. Every moment with them felt like a gift. I’m genuinely blessed to be woven into their lives, stitch by stitch, laugh by laugh, memory by memory 

More pictures over the weekend.

Soon,

Lynn

Sew'n Wild Oaks Retreat Day One

 Hello Everyone,

Snowflake Lodge in Arnold, CA was magically transformed yesterday—but not into just any quilting studio. No, no. It became a full‑blown quilting metropolis, complete with the hum of machines, beautiful fabric, and the unmistakable sound of quilters joyfully unpacking enough projects to survive a three‑year blizzard.

They arrived in all their glory toting sewing machines like prized livestock, hauling in project bags that could double as carry‑on luggage for a trip around the world, and offering up food like they were preparing for a quilting potluck Olympics. And of course, they brought the most important supply of all: a hearty spirit of friendship, laughter, and just a dash of mischief.....you Chico girls you!

With the first bobbin wound and the first snack opened, the transformation was complete.

Let the quilting commence and may the seams be ever a perfect 1/4".

Soon,

Lynn

The Passing of a Friend

 Hello Everyone,

One week ago, my friend Judy packed up her rotary cutter and headed off to the great quilting studio in the sky. I’m sure she’s already reorganizing fat quarters and telling the angels their seam allowances are too generous. At my Sew’n Wild Oaks retreat last November, she surprised me with this adorable pincushion which she made from one of her extra little houses from Calico Cottages. Leave it to Judy to turn leftovers into something charming. Even now, her creativity is still sitting right beside me, holding pins and memories in equal measure.

Here she is presenting me with the gift of the pincushion.  She was always making fun of me for putting a flange on so many of my designs, so what does she do....she put a flange around the cottage. She always made me laugh.

Here is Judy's Calico Cottages quilt.  Judy was an excellent quilter and loved creating for others.

Here's a picture of four of us with our Calico Cottages. Everyone else has a finished quilt, mine is still waiting patiently to be quilted!

Judy was the kind of quilting friend who stitched beauty into every part of life. Her quilts were extraordinary and full of precision, color, and heart.  It was her kindness, humor, and steady friendship that made her truly unforgettable. I saw her only once a year, and we always picked up right where we left off.  She shared her talent generously, lifting others up and inspiring everyone around her. Losing her leaves an empty chair at the sewing table, but her legacy of creativity, compassion, and joy will remain wrapped around all of us like one of her quilts, always comforting, warm, and made with love.

I miss you, Judy.

Soon,

Lynn