Stardance Update

Hello Everyone,

In between working on paperwork, and shipping Gentry's Mill BOM patterns, I've been working on Stardance.  This is one of my favorite blocks. 

The blocks are all made, and the pattern writing is coming along nicely.  As time permits, I disappear into my sewing room, even if only an hour or two, and I work on this quilt.  The little white notes are the block numbers.  There are 10 different colorways of the star blocks, and the courthouse steps blocks. 

It's a crisp 32 degrees this morning and the snow on the ground is now an ice-skating rink.  We really have to watch our step when we venture outside.

We are preparing for the biggest snowstorm of the season arriving next week.  We have to make sure all of the 5-gallon propane are full so we can keep the generator running just in case we lose power.  We have a freezer full of food, but we need to get to the store to stock up on fruit and vegetables.....and coffee beans!  I can't do without my morning latte!  We need to bring firewood down to the cabin and stack it on the front porch, so we don't have to venture out too often.  We know the drill to get ready for a storm.

Originally, Weather Underground said we were going to get 18" of snow next Wednesday......now it's down to 9".  It could change over the next few days.

You can bet that I'll be in my sewing room, quilting up a storm. 

Soon,

Lynn

Calico Cottages on Steroids

 Hello Everyone,

My friend Diane came over yesterday and she brought her incredible Calico Cottages quilt for me to see.

Diane super-sized her quilt and it fit perfectly on our queen-sized bed. There was absolutely no chance that she was going to leave it with me......I tried.

Every house is different giving you a feast for your eyes as they travel around the quilt.  All of the blocks are bordered with one of the stripe fabrics from my Hearthstone collection.  

The muted hourglass units really set the house blocks off nicely.

The quilt was masterfully quilted by Dianne Schweickert in Livermore, CA.

Diane and her husband are spending a few days at their cabin up here in the mountains.  While it snows, Diane has been working on the binding.  Snow, quilting, and a finished quilt......what could be better?

This quilt is an excellent way to use up some of those scraps that are filling bins in your sewing room.  All of those itty-bitty scraps can be put to work and turned into an amazing quilt.  

Diane started making this quilt at one of my quilt retreats at Snowflake Lodge.  The houses are very addicting, and she couldn't stop making them.  She has enough houses to make another quilt!

If you are interested in making a Calico Cottage quilt, the pattern is located by clicking HERE where you will directed to my Etsy shop.

I have a question for all of you quilters in Quiltland.  I received a message from a very disappointed quilter that I did not include paper templates in my Heritage pattern.  I told her I only include templates in my one and only foundation paper-pieced pattern, such as Calico Cottages.

The quilter said ALL patterns she buys include paper templates which she prefers since she has a hard time cutting accurately.  Since I do not buy patterns from other designers, I'm wondering if other designers include paper templates for pieced quilts.  Am I behind the 8-ball here?  Should I include paper templates in my patterns?  I do include detailed cutting charts which I always thought were more than sufficient.  Please weigh in with your thoughts.

We've had a snowy week here at Sew'n Wild Oaks.  Next week looks like we are going to be buried under a lot of snow.  This makes for good quilting weather!  The folks in my area are calling this Marchuary.  (That's too close to mortuary for my liking!)  Anyway, we had just a few dustings of snow in January and February.  March has roared in like a lion, and we are getting our much-needed snow.

Soon,

Lynn

Gentry's Mill Month #1 Tutorial

 Hello Everyone,

For those of you making Gentry's Mill or thinking about signing up for the BOM program, I posted my first tutorial which you can read and download from Google Docs HERE.  

The tutorial covers the first month of the program where you make four blocks.

The blocks are very doable which I think you will see that in the tutorial.  I believe quilters can do anything if you take your time.  Here is a list of my keys to quilting success:

1. Starch your fabrics first

2. Use Aurifil 50wt thread

3. Cut accurately

4. Check to make sure you have an accurate 1/4" seam

5. Follow the pressing directions

6. This is not a race

The tutorial also includes links to my FREE videos on The Quilt Show to show you how to make Flying Geese and Half-Square Triangles.  You can watch them again and again to reinforce the technique.

I posted the tutorial to Google Maps because it is much easier for you to print the tutorial out for your reference.

Soon,

Lynn

Classy Little Pumpkins

 Hello Everyone,

I spent Monday in the classroom with the quilters from the Independence Hall quilt guild.  I taught them how to applique little pumpkins.

Independence Hall is a former school, so the class had nice large windows to trace their applique pieces.

By the end of the class there were pumpkins 'growing' on everyone's workspace.

The girls loved going around to check out all of the different pumpkins.

The class did a great job constructing their pumpkins.

Sue tackled making the little flower for her adorable pumpkin.

Look closely at Lori's fussy cut faces in her pumpkin.

Each and every pumpkin was unique and colorful.  The girls learned not to be afraid of applique, instead they embraced the process.  I'm envisioning a lot of pumpkin pillows, and table runners in the near future from this class. 

It has been a very busy couple of weeks for me.  On a personal note, the IVC (Inferior Vena Cava) filter was removed from my vena cava vein.  The purpose of the filter is to keep blood clots from entering the lungs. The filter was installed last September and has a shelf life of 6 months and needed to be removed since I was at month 5.  The procedure was not without risk and the removal was more painful than I expected. A catheter was inserted into my jugular vein, and apparatus was inserted to remove the filter which was in place below my heart. Finally, a week after surgery, my neck is not tender and sore, and I'm pain free.    

I feel that this blood clot issue is now in my rearview mirror, and I can return to a much more active lifestyle.  So, look out world, I'm back to full steam ahead!

Soon,

Lynn

Together for 53 Valentine's Days

Hello Everyone,

Those of you who been following me know the story of how we met.  Here it is again for those of you new to my blog. We've grown old and gray together.

Let's time travel back to July 1971, when I was a sophomore at Chico State College in Chico, CA.  At that time, I had a small studio apartment that cost me $50/month during the summer and $100/month during the school year. That was a lot of money for someone working part-time and going to school.

I was dating an agriculture major/cowboy from Redding, and he started taking me to barn dances up and down the Sacramento Valley.  He suggested that I purchase some cowboy boots and Levis so that I'd "fit in" a little more at the barn dances.

I bought a pair of tall, English riding boots, because I didn't want to have pointy toes.  I also bought the tightest pair of jeans that I could squeeze my young, curvy body into.  The jeans were so tight I had to lay down on the bed to zip them up.

I was all dressed up in my best Western regalia when my date came to pick me up.  I thought we were going to a barn dance, but instead we went to watch a softball game in Bidwell Park.  Did I forget to mention that it gets really, REALLY, hot in Chico in the summertime.  It was about 110 degrees at the softball game.  I was dying and almost had a heat stroke.

My date brought me back to my apartment and dropped me off.  All I wanted to do was get my tight jeans and boots off and lay down in front of my swamp cooler.  Well, in the heat, my ankles got swollen.  I couldn't get my boots off which meant I couldn't get my pants off.  I couldn't call my date and ask him to undress me!  I had only lived in my apartment for a month, and I didn't know any of the neighbors.

There were about 20 apartments in my complex, and there was one light on in the entire place.  That light belonged to a rough and tumble "bad boy" type, with a hot Mustang and a motorcycle.  I could tell that he was a Veteran Vet because of his camo-wearing friends.  Viet Nam Veterans weren't treated with the respect they deserved, and I have to tell you I was a little afraid.

I was desperate.  I summoned up my courage, and my boots, Levis and I walked down and knocked on the door of a stranger.  I was secretly afraid he was "entertaining" someone if you catch my drift.  The bad boy opened the door, and my heart was beating out of my chest.  I told him my name, and asked him if he could take my boots off.  He looked at me, laughed, and said he didn't like to undress women in the hallway, come on in.  I went in.

We talked for hours, and hours.  He asked me out to a barbeque with his friends the next night. Bad Boy and I were engaged six months later.  Now I know inquiring minds want to know if he took my boots off.  Yes, he did, and only the boots!

So, if it hadn't been for the boots, the Levis, and the Barn Dance I didn't go to that night, I wouldn't have spent the last 53 years with the Bad Boy.....A.K.A....Mr. Joe.

Oue engagement picture in 1972.  Doesn't that hair look like a helmet!  It took a lot of Aqua Net hair spray to hold that in place.

Soon,

Lynn

Stardance Update

Hello Everyone,

We've had the perfect weather for quilting, rainy, windy, and cozy. This is the best weather to sequester myself away in my quilting room and work on Stardance.

The Courthouse Steps blocks go together much quicker than the star blocks.  I can make four of them at a time in no time at all.

I've been ordering bolts and bolts of fabric to make kits for this design.  I can't start cutting until I finish making the quilt, so until then, the bolts will stack up.

While I'm making the blocks and putting them on my design wall, I'm always thinking about how I'm going to machine quilt it. I think I have this one figured out, but as soon as I load it on my long arm, I will most likely change my mine.  My prerogative....right?

I can just picture this quilt on our bed at the cabin.  It's going to be perfect looking at the star blocks dance around the quilt!

My Sew'n Wild Oaks retreats are filling nicely.  My email inbox exploded after Barbara Black announced that she is going to attend my November retreat. All of the retreats are fun, but the November retreat will be very special as Carrie Quinn, a designer for Marcus Fabrics, as well as Barbara Black will be in attendance.  

I'm sure the November retreat will fill to overflowing.  I still have a few openings in my April and August retreats.  I can still help you with Laurel Ridge during those retreats should you not make it into the November retreat.

Happy quilting!

Soon,

Lynn

 

Sew'n Wild Oaks Retreats for 2025

 Hello Everyone,

I've added an additional retreat at Snowflake Lodge at Blue Lake Springs in Arnold, CA to my calendar for 2025 to allow more quilters to attend and enjoy the absolute pleasure of going to a quilting retreat.

We have a spacious room dedicated to our quilting for 5 days. The staff at Blue Lake Springs bends over backwards to provide and attend to our every need.

The quilters set up on a Sunday and stay set up through Thursday.

Many friends attend together and have a wonderful time!

I can host 36 quilters at a time.  

Between quilting we take walks around Snowflake Lake.  The added bonus is that I provide 'bear bells' for anyone worried about seeing a bear!

You can choose to attend one of my many lectures throughout the five days, or you can work on any project of your choosing.  For those of you making the 2025 Laurel Ridge offered by The Quilt Show, this is the perfect time for you to get some one-on-one help.  Also, those of you making Gentry's Mill will get the added benefit of my time and expertise. 

During nice weather we eat our meals out on the deck. We always break at 4pm for appetizers before dinner.

The Lodge overlooks the calm and peaceful lake.

Here are the retreat dates, and I still have a few spots open. In the eleven years of Sew'n Wild Oaks retreats, this is the first time I've shared availability on my social media platforms! I'm able to do this since I added an additional retreat.

April 27th - May 1st

August 24th - August 28th

November 2nd - November 6th

The cost of the retreat is $400 which includes rental of the facility, your meals (brunch and dinner), and my teaching and organizational time.  Housing is on your own.  There are two motels in the area and many cabins are available for rental. If you are interested, please send an email to:  sewnwildoaks@gmail.com   I will email a registration form to you will all of the specifics.  A retreat is a gift you give to yourself.

Soon,

Lynn

Stardance Update

 Hello Everyone,

I have so many fun things planned for the day that it's hard to decide what to do next.  I've been playing around with Stardance in EQ8.  This is what I decided on yesterday.....that could change today.....but I'm really liking this look of the well-defined star blocks dancing around the quilt.

This is what the design looked like before I started to play.  The blocks were cut off and I think they looked incomplete.  To remedy that, I made half-blocks to put in the border.

I keep adding to my little pile of blocks.  I try to quilt every day even it's for only a half hour.  All of that time adds up to a finished quilt.

In addition to quilting, Mr. Joe and I have been stuffing patterns for Gentry's Mill.  The orders are rolling in and the patterns will be rolling out.  The first order is shipping to Australia tomorrow.  Maybe I can pack myself up and deliver them in person.  Now that would be fun!

Every time I do a BOM, the dining room is turned into a shipping dock.  I find myself apologizing for the mess, but it's a wonderful mess and one I can live with. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week and have a lot of fun projects to keep you busy, energized and engaged.

Soon,

Lynn

Stardance

 Hello Everyone,

I've been working on a new design, and I have a nice little assortment of blocks for Stardance. This is a snapshot of what I'm working on in EQ software.

This is what the actual block looks like.  I love that what I see in EQ software is very similar to the real block.

This is a snapshot of another block in the quilt in EQ.  The block placement in the quilt determines the framing around the block.

This is the actual block.

I'm combining my Gentry's Mill fabric line with my Hearthstone fabric line. I'm so happy with what I'm seeing so far.  When the graphic artist at Marcus Fabrics sends me the files, they are ready to import directly into EQ software.  I get a wonderful rendition of the quilt right from the get-go. 

I go between EQ software, to the pattern directions, and then to the sewing machine.  I'm also using my little organization progress sheet to keep track of what I've accomplished.  These sheets will definitely be included in the pattern.  I feel as though this is the most organized I've been while creating a new pattern.

On a personal note, it's coyote mating season here in the Sierra Nevada mountains and the coyotes are 'talking' every night.  When our dog Mazey hears them, she chimes right in and howls unlike any howl she's vocalized before.  It's a primal howl coming from deep within her chest which sends chills up my spine.  It feels like I'm in a horror movie and I never watch horror movies!  I'm blaming these dark circles under my eyes on the coyotes.....and Mazey.

Soon,

Lynn

A Day in the Classroom

 Hello Everyone,

My sister Gail and I spent a day in the classroom with the Independence Hall quilters teaching Finessing the Figures a.k.a. Patchwork Math.  Here is Sue's beautiful block showing the different components she made during class from my Patchwork Math book.

Isn't this a great organizational idea!  I'm going to get out my label maker and do this on my clips.  I teach how to line up stripes or checks on a square in a square.  Becky got extra credit for doing a fabulous job with those pesky checks!  They line up beautifully.  It's all those little details which add to the charm of a quilt.

Here's another tip.  You can use a BlocLoc Flying Geese ruler to trim your square in a square.

To center the flower in the middle of a square in a square, you can make a template out of cardboard or template plastic to audition the floral bouquet.

Once the class finished making a few of the components, they started working with them on the design wall and arranged and rearranged their components.

Here are pictures of more of their progress.  The girls learned my techniques and the math so they can make those components any size they want to design blocks, sashings and borders.

By the end of the day, Deanna had a lot of components made.  She is going to put them all together in a Christmas project.

What a wonderful group of quilters!  Gail and I had a special day getting to know you better.  It is a great deal of fun to spend time with those sharing our same passion for quilting.

Soon,

Lynn