Setting Sail

 Hello Everyone,

I mentioned about a month ago that I was planning a quilting cruise to Alaska in May of 2027.  Here are the details for the cruise, ports of call and pricing.

Quilters Group Ruby Princess Alaska Cruise May 21-31, 2027

San Francisco, California

21MAY27

FRI

DEPART 3:00PM

CHECK IN STARTS AT 1200P

At Sea

22MAY27

SAT

At Sea

23MAY27

SUN

Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier

24MAY27

MON

ARRIVE 5:00PM DEPART 9:00PM

SCENIC CRUISING

Skagway, Alaska

25MAY27

TUE

ARRIVE 5:30AM DEPART 8:30PM

Juneau, Alaska

26MAY27

WED

ARRIVE 5:00AM DEPART 4:00PM

WATER SHUTTLE REQUIRED   WHEELCHAIR ACCESS LIMITED

Ketchikan, Alaska

27MAY27

THU

ARRIVE 10:00AM DEPART 5:00PM

Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Ca

28MAY27

FRI

ARRIVE 7:00AM DEPART 2:00PM

At Sea

29MAY27

SAT

At Sea

30MAY27

SUN

San Francisco, California

31MAY27

MON

ARRIVE 7:00AM

Pricing:

Interior cabin from $1499 pp (dbl occ) With Bev package, wifi, gratuities from $1797pp; single from $2799

Oceanview cabin from $1599 dbl occ) with Bev package, wifi, gratuities from $1967; single from $2899

Balcony cabin from $2429 pp (dbl occ) with Bev package, wifi, gratuities from $2832 single from $4819

Contact Information:

Maureen 209-795-3226; aboveandbeyondtravelagency@comcast.net

If you’re not interested in the beverage package, no worries—Maureen, our fearless travel agent, can make that happen. She’s basically the cruise‑line whisperer.

We’ll be at sea four out of ten days, which means plenty of time for stitching, laughing, and pretending we’re not eyeing the dessert buffet again. During those at‑sea days, I’ll be teaching—and yes, my brand‑new Christmas fabric line will be making its grand debut onboard. I’ll be putting together kits for both a small project and a larger project. One will require a sewing machine, and the other is perfect for hand‑work while you sip something warm and watch glaciers float by like giant, frosty quilts.

I can’t share pictures of the projects yet (Marcus Fabrics has me sworn to secrecy until Fall), but I can tell you this: I LOVE the line, it has a fabulous plaid, and it’s a classic red‑and‑green colorway that practically jingles. Kits will be mailed to you ahead of time so you can prep and cut your fabric before we sail—because nothing says “vacation” like arriving fully organized.

Now, the only downside—and it’s minor—is that we’ll be quilting in the dining room. So yes, we’ll be setting up and taking down each day like a traveling circus of quilters. Also, you’ll need to bring your own sewing machine since rentals are NOT available. Think of it as your machine’s chance to see Alaska.

Teaching fees are handled separately: $200 per person, paid directly to me (not to Above and Beyond Travel).

If you’re interested and want the full info packet, send me an email and I’ll send everything your way: sewnwildoaks@gmail.com

A $400 deposit is required per person, with the balance due 12/1/2026 to Above & Beyond Travel.

My $200 teaching fee is paid separately and will be due January 15, 2027 to Sew'n Wild Oaks. I will issue you an invoice generated from QuickBooks which you can pay either with a credit card or by check.

This will be my second quilting cruise, and let me tell you—they’re so much fun! Quilting, cruising, scenery, snacks… what’s not to love?

Let’s set sail together and make quilting memories that last much longer than our rotary blades.

Soon,

Lynn

Pioneer Quilt Guild

 Hello Everyone,

What a week this has been!  I spoke to the Pioneer Quilt Guild in Rocklin, CA on Monday.

What a fun group of quilters who laughed in all of the right places during my lecture.

Here's just a small sample of their creativity on display during their show and tell.

Take a close look at the machine quilting......incredible!

I spy a gorgeous Ribbon Runs Through It!

Here’s just a glimpse of the creativity bursting out of my Lucy Boston class for the Pioneer Quilt. What a day of laughter, and fussy‑cutting frenzy. I’m pretty sure half the room was officially bitten by the Lucy Bug. Symptoms include uncontrollable block making, excessive fabric petting, and the sudden belief that every print is “perfect for fussy cutting.”

My friend Nancie has made a lot of blocks and is still going strong.  I tell you these blocks are addicting!

My friend Candy brought three quilts to show me that she made from my patterns.  This is her beautiful 'Spoken For'. 

This is 'Madrigal'.

The center basket of flowers was amazing!

Diana made my 'Lil Orphan Scrappy'.

Candy made 'Grammy Squares'.

I love seeing the quilts made from my patterns.

This trip was a little bittersweet, since it marked my last guild lecture and workshop. Don’t worry — I’m not disappearing into a pile of UFOs. I’ll still be designing fabric, creating patterns, and hosting retreats where the laughter is hearty and the seam rippers are busy.

My sister and I have loved our quilting road trips — two women, one SUV, and approximately fourteen tons of quilts and patterns. We've driven thousands of miles from California to North Dakota. We have many funny stories to tell and special moments to relive for the rest of our lives. My vehicle's navigation system got us lost countless times and we found ourselves traveling in circles through multiple states. And then there was the time I drove into a bank's outdoor teller to order a vanilla latte! I learned a lot about my sister and discovered she has a lead foot and loves to drive 80mph through Montana. We’ve met wonderful quilters everywhere, but let’s be honest… hauling bag after bag of quilts from hotel room to car and back again is starting to feel like an Olympic sport. I’m ready to retire from competitive quilt schlepping. Now I will have more time to design and keep all of you extra busy!

Soon,

Lynn 

May You Find Paradise.........

 Hello Everyone,

I spent three days in my old hometown of Paradise, California last week for a guild lecture and workshop.  I was a bit apprehensive about going, as I hadn't been to Paradise since the town was almost completely destroyed by fire in 2018. Eighty-five people lost their lives in the fire.  153,000 acres were burned; 18,000 structures were lost including 11,000 homes.  My family home was one of the homes lost.

The original welcome to Paradise sign was destroyed in the fire and has been replaced with a new one.

My apprehension grew the closer I got to town. Did I really want to see my hometown almost totally gone?

My sister, Gail and I drove around town.  This is what is left on the lot of our home.

This is what it used to look like, and it is the memory I will always hold.  The woods where we used to play have been totally replaced by tacky apartments.

As we drove around town, there were no longer any landmarks left for us to find our way around.  We completely missed the turnoff to our grandparents' old home.  Paradise used to be covered in towering pine trees, and now they are almost all gone.  BUT, the cemetery is still completely intact.  Every tree is still standing. 

We drove up to Paradise Lake where I spent many happy hours fishing with my dad.  The fire got close to the lake, but fortunately it was still the same lake I remember. The one remaining memory left intact.

As we drove around the area, I became more and more emotionally detached.  I was sad but not overcome with emotion as it wasn't the town I remember with great fondness.  

The rebuilding is picking up steam, and we saw new construction after new construction everywhere.  The phrase 'Paradise Rising' is all over town.

Tuesday morning, I spoke at the Ridge Quilters' Guild.  I love to see the show and tell and this one didn't disappoint.

My friends, Laura, Tina and Laura surprised me by each making my Leaf Peepers quilt design.  Each so different and all so pretty.

Here are just a few of the many beautiful quilts.

Monday night, Gail and I had dinner with a friend I hadn't seen in 30 years, and we had a lot of catching up to do.  Teri lost her home, but she still lives in the area.

On our way back to the motel after dinner, I took a detour to view the sunset over Butte Canyon. Years ago, Mr. Joe and I came very close to buying a home on the canyon to be closer to my parents in their later years......that home is now gone too.

Wednesday morning, I taught my Patchwork Math class at the recreation center.  

As soon as I returned to the cabin from Paradise, we headed to Livermore to attend our son's 50th birthday party with family at friends at a local restaurant.

Here are the loves of my life, my three children.

This week, after I finished filling all of the Etsy orders, I started preparing for my class and trunk show in Loomis, California for the Pioneer Quilter's Guild.  I'm teaching Lucy Boston blocks for the class.  My dining room table is filled with kits and blocks. This quilt has been my ongoing, travel project for the last 15 years!  Of all my UFO's this is the one I want to finish first.

This is my last quilting road trip of the year and possibly forever. It's hard work preparing for a trunk show and class......in fact it's exhausting. I really enjoy meeting and being with the quilters, and I will miss that interaction.

As soon as I get back, I'm heading to Livermore to go to my granddaughter's wedding shower.  My daughter and DIL have been busily making table decorations and planned the entire celebration.  I just need to show up the day before and help decorate.  It's so nice to have the youngun's take over while I step back and enjoy the day.

The night before the shower, our grandson is a participant in the Rowell Ranch Rodeo, so we are going to have a fun-filled weekend with family!

Soon,

Lynn