Snow'n Wild Oaks

 Hello Everyone,

Yesterday I changed the name of my company to Snow'n Wild Oaks instead of Sew'n Wild Oaks.  I worked in the dining room on Stardance, my newest design incorporating my Hearthstone fabric line with Gentry's Mill. 

It was like being in a snow globe and I kept getting distracted while looking outside. It seems as though I either need to start making smaller quilts or buy a larger table!  I was measuring and squaring up the quilt and cutting border fabric.  It is so much easier to have the quilt on the table instead of crawling around on the floor.  I can get down on the floor okay, it's the getting back up that becomes an issue.  Also, when I'm down on the floor, Mazey thinks it's playtime.

We were going out every two hours to push the snow shovel around on the driveway to keep it open.  It also helps to clear the snow away, so it doesn't turn into the famous Sierra Cement. The berm created by the snowplow freezes solid, and then the shoveling and snow blowing becomes hard work.

The flowering plum tree was buried under a white blanket.  I was so afraid the branches would break, so I shook off some of the snow and soon buried myself!  I said a little wish for Spring by the wishing well.

Big flakes fell for most of the day.

My mountain friend Sue sent me this cartoon yesterday.  The saying up here in the mountains is that Winter isn't over until there's snow on the dogwood.  Our dogwood isn't blossoming yet, so I'm not sure if Winter is over or not.

It's Spring break for a lot of schools here in Northern California, and our grandson and a friend are driving up to stay with us for a few days.  I think my food bill just quadrupled with two strapping teenage boys in the cabin.  But now we will have four extra hands to wrap around the handle of a snow shovel!

Soon,

Lynn

Gentry's Mill Tutorial

 Hello Everyone,

The tutorial for month #2 of Gentry's Mill is now posted so you can download it HERE. 

This block is very similar to block #1. The block is the same, the fabrics are different.

I've been working on a lot of tutorials over the past week.  My granddaughter drove up from the Los Angeles area and we met up at our home in Livermore so she could film the tutorials for Bridle Path for The Quilt Show.  Our eldest son and his family live in the house now. 

We set up in the dining room as it has the best lighting for filming.  The only problem was Mazey likes to bark when the mailman arrives, so you can hear her in the background.  She just wanted to have her voice heard in the video.

My granddaughter is going to make a 'blooper' video if she has the time.  I was demonstrating a technique of making double flying geese with my prepared components, and I made one of them incorrectly!  I was flummoxed for a few seconds, maybe 30 seconds too long, and had to re-do the video after lunch.  We decided to show it so you can see that even this so-called professional can make mistakes.  

I mentioned before that our son and his family live in our Livermore home.  We have a bedroom there, but we share a bath with our 17-year-old grandson.  I forgot to take my shampoo and ended up using my grandson's Old Spice Swagger shampoo.  Maybe that's why I screwed up one of the tutorials.....I was feeling too cocky from breathing in the 'Swagger' shampoo!

On that note, I'll sign off for now.

Soon,

Lynn

Stardance Is Almost a Wrap

 Hello Everyone,

It' has been a whirlwind of fun activities over the past few days. Between all of the fun, I was able to get Stardance together.  I have to get this finished before my retreat at the end of April.

We headed down out of the mountains to the SF Bay Area to watch our grandson play in a high school lacrosse game Friday night.  Kade is #6.

We were the Home team and the score says it all.

The next day was our eldest son's 50th birthday party. (You know I was only 6 years old when he was born) 😉 

Just look at my hair!  It kept getting shorter with each child, it's a wonder I wasn't bald after the 3rd baby in 4 years.  What were we thinking?  I always called it 'sperm of the moment'!

Chuck has been an avid Alabama fan since he was a teenager, so we were all dressed as fans. Two years ago, he and his family flew back to Alabama to watch a game in person......one of those bucket list things.

Our son has kept in touch with many of his pre-school, elementary school, high school, and college friends who attended the party.  Our daughter was the 'little sister' to his good friends Cory and Tyler.  Secretly she had a high school crush on them and was delighted to finally be considered old enough to hang out with the 'boys' and not be teased to death. Our daughter's name is Caren, and she was always referred to as Care Bear by her brother's friends. 

Time goes by so quickly.  It seems as though it was such a short time ago that we were hugging a little baby and now we are looking up to a man.  Where have the 50 years gone?

Soon,

Lynn

Country Courthouse

 Hello Everyone,

I love to see my designs made in alternate colorways.  This was posted by Tater Patch Quilt Shop in Merrill, OR. You can go to their website by clicking HERE.

They are offering kits for this version.

I'm going to change my company name to Snow'n Wild Oaks.  Another snowstorm is rolling over us today.  I've had the best quilting weather for the past week.  Somedays it is hard to not just plant myself in front of the woodburning stove with a good book and a latte.  Sounds just perfect to me!

I had to turn on 'Comment Moderation' on my blog.  I had a JERK from a digitizing company post about 15 comments per day.  I called the company and told them I was going to have my lawyer send them a cease-and-desist order if they didn't stop.  They didn't stop.  Every day I reported them to Blogger and removed their comments on multiple posts and it was becoming a full-time job. Now that I'm moderating comments; they have given up.  I was irritated they were using my blog to advertise their company.  

If you leave a comment, I will receive an email and OK your comment. Don't give up.  I will get to you!

Soon,

Lynn

Laurel Ridge Center Star

 Hello Everyone,

I've been working in my sewing room on the tutorials for Laurel Ridge during our very snowy days.

This is the 'Spring' center star for Laurel Ridge.  The tutorial is done for this along with three other tutorials.  The two quilts are going to look entirely different once I get it completed.

We put on our snow clothes when Mazey needs to go out to the powder room.  She is just like a little kid in the snow and runs from one end of the lot to the other.  She actually bounds through the snow like the Loch Ness Monster.

You can just barely make one of the windows in my sewing room underneath the branch of the oak tree.

All of the pine and spruce trees looks like collapsed umbrellas. 

Each branch on the dogwood is covered with snow.  

The snow is supposed to continue all day long.  We will be out clearing the driveway this morning just in case we need to get out on the road......but that doesn't mean we will be out driving any time soon as the roads just aren't safe.

In honor of National Quilting Day, I will be offering a 20% discount in my Etsy shop beginning today.  Click HERE to go to the shop.  Happy shopping while I'm shoveling!

Soon,

Lynn    

Winterset

 Hello Everyone,

As I sit at my computer under a blanket of snow, it seems like a good day to show you my sister's finished version of my Winterset pattern.

Gail was on a roll last year and was determined to finish some of her projects.  She knew she wanted to have this quilt on display in her guest room, and voila here it is!  Gail expanded the original pattern to fit a queen-sized bed. I appreciate all of work that went into the making of this quilt.

The little blue quilt hanging on the quilt rack was made by our grandmother, Emilie Elizabeth.  Grandma made a doll quilt for each of us, and I still have mine.

Gail's quilt was masterfully quilted by Dianne Schweickert from Livermore, CA.

Here's a picture of Gail's quilt from the November retreat.  It's a big quilt.

The original pattern has a windmill in the center.  Gail doesn't do applique, so she eliminated the center applique and added additional blocks.....a lot of additional blocks and a lot more pinwheels in the borders.

Here's a closeup of the center.

Gail's quilt is a perfect example of taking a pattern and making it her own.  Don't be afraid to make changes.  Gail worked on this quilt at one of my retreats last year, and we calculated the inner borders and the borders together.

I've retired this pattern, but if anyone is interested in Winterset, I can resurrect it and put it in my Etsy shop.  Send me an email sewnwildoaks@gmail.com if you are interested in making a Winterset quilt.

Our morning will be spent snow blowing and shoveling our way out of the cabin. It snowed for most of the night, and we have about 9" of snow we need to shovel out of the way.  It looks like January outside instead of mid-March.  Historically we've received some big storms in March, and this month is no exception.

I'll take some pictures of the snow when the sun comes up and post them tomorrow.  

I'll be out playing in our own personal Winterset today.

Soon,

Lynn

A Snapshot of My Days

 Hello Everyone,

For those of you working on Laurel Ridge BOM for The Quilt Show, I have a story for you.  The quilt is my tribute to the Packhorse Librarian WPA program from the 1930's.

I'm currently working on preparing more tutorials for my granddaughter to film at the end of the month.  The tutorials cover the blocks in the quilt as shown below.   

I love how this image captures the dark, star blocks around the center of the quilt.  I refer to this as the community of quilters.

This week I've been working on the applique tutorial.  The quilt is being offered in two different colorways, the Spring and the Autumn version.  This is the Spring applique.

This is the Spring version of the quilt.

While working on the tutorials, I'm also writing the story to accompany the monthly pattern release for The Quilt Show.  I'm always researching ideas to incorporate into the story, and last week I stumbled upon a good idea which was a recipe called Poor Man's Cookies from a radio show in the 1930's.  The recipe didn't use any eggs, and I thought that was perfect for the egg situation we are in today. 

Well, here is a picture of my first tray of cookies!  I wouldn't put a big FAIL across this recipe just yet as they amazingly taste really good! We started calling it 'cookie brittle'.

I was able to salvage some of the cookies for a picture for the story.  My friends gave me this wonderful egg scale a few years ago which was perfect for the picture.

Poor Man's Cookies

1 cup shortening (I used butter.....big mistake)

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups rolled oaks

1/4 cup walnuts (my addition)

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy.  Beat in water and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Fold in the oats and walnuts.

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.  Allow to stand 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.

I would use shortening next time (if there is a next time) and chill the dough prior to baking.

So, this is what I do during my days......test recipes for the story and work on tutorials.  At least the cabin smelled good. Follow me for more good ideas!

Soon,

Lynn

P.S. You can still sign up for the BOM at https://thequiltshow.com/

Gentry's Mill Errata Page

 Hello Everyone,

I made a mistake in the Gentry's Mill pattern.  A friend said that it's not a mistake, it's a variation to see who is paying attention.  Luckily, two people were paying attention.

I created an 'errata' page for Gentry's Mill which is listed as a 'Page' on my blog.  It will always be located toward the top of the blog.  Hopefully I won't have to be adding to it!  You can see the page by clicking HERE.

I'm very grateful to the two quilters who were paying attention.....as it appears that I wasn't totally tuned in while writing the pattern.

We turned the taxes over to the accountant yesterday.  It's such a good feeling to have that out of the way.

Now I'm working on more tutorials for Laurel Ridge for The Quilt Show.  My granddaughter is going to film some more tutorials for me at the end of March.  I have to have everything ready, so I can show and talk about all of the different steps.  I've been working on the large applique.

If you don't hear from me in a couple of days, it means the snowstorm knocked me off the Internet.  I will be all comfy, cozy and quilting in the cabin.

Soon,

Lynn    

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