SIGHTSEEING IN COLORADO SPRINGS

 After two full days of teaching and lecturing for the Piecing Partners Quilt Guild of Colorado Springs, I stayed over an extra day to see something of the area as I had never been to Colorado Springs before.

It was amazing! First, we got an early start at GARDEN OF THE GODS. I cannot express how incredible this place is. Rock formations millions of years old. The story of how this land went from private ownership to a Colorado State Park, free for everyone forever, is a good story. My photos won't do it justice so take a look at the link above for more information.

Great signage everywhere in the Park

Don't have to tell me twice

The Dedication Plaque

Great opportunities to learn what I am seeing 

Pikes Peak 

The rocks are such different shapes and colors

Kind strangers took a photo of Jonnie and I 

I was struck with the excellent infrastructure of paths, fences, and signs

History Lessons

I did climb up BALANCED ROCK, where millions of people have had their picture taken. Nothing special about this other than how grateful I am to be able to climb up rocks like these with a smile on my face. It wasn't too long ago this would  have been impossible. Photo thanks to Jonnie:

After the morning hiking Jonnie and I went to nearby Manitou Springs for retail therapy and lunch. The town is so much fun to wander around:

Jonnie's favorite boutique was a "must stop" destination and I made two purchases:

Dragonflies are my "spirit insect", rayon batik, perfect for speaking engagements

The shop should you be in the area

The shopping "bag" they gave me with my purchases, a silk tote. Marketing is everything!

After lunch at a little local Mexican restaurant we made one more stop, to an art installation at Green Mountain Falls: 

This would make an awesome quilt!

Art installation over the little lake, my photo doesn't show much

Click to play this news story to see what makes this an "art installation":

Art Installation

It was a long day but now it was time to change hotels at the end of the day. My 6 am flight home meant I needed to be close to the airport. Another Home2Suites where that kitchen was put to use. Leftovers made a good dinner and it was early to bed.

Traveling mercies saw me safely home early afternoon the next day.

Next up? I am teaching on two cruises, back to back, New England/Canada for 10 days then a 5 day cruise to Bermuda. I will have friends from home on both cruises which makes it extra special.

Let's quilt!

Barbara

PIECING PARTNERS QUILT GUILD OF COLORADO SPRINGS

 I recently had a wonderful trip to Colorado Springs to work for the Piecing Partners Quilt Guild. Some years ago I taught for the Lakeview Quilters Guild in Houston and the woman who was my contact there became a friend. Jonnie moved to Colorado Springs a few years ago and--Voila!  Another job opportunity came my way.

My favorite hotel is Home2Suites, having stayed in several in recent years. This one had an awesome view:

Early morning sun shining on the mountain as I waited for my ride to class

It's best to sleep under a quilt, this was the largest one I carried with me this trip, The Village:

Rooms are comfortable, good lighting, clean and comfortable. Breakfast which is included is very good, easy to eat smart most days. No pictures of breakfast, I must have been hungry:

I love the full kitchen. Refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, sink with dishwashing liquid, real dishes and glasses. This almost always saves the guild money as I usually have enough leftovers to skip one dinner out. The room costs about the same as Hampton Inn: 

The view from my room:

Another view:

Packing light is required. With only two days with the guild only two outfits were needed:

Favorite speaking outfit

Favorite teaching outfit

The guild is very active, there were more than 120 people there for the morning meeting:

The FREE TO A GOOD HOME table was popular

Terry with the Block of the Month quilt they are doing this year, pattern by Angela Walters

Who doesn't love snacks? Wait, didn't we just have breakfast?

More snacks. Each month the "HOSTS" for the snacks are determined by your last name. Next month everyone whose last name starts with "S" is expected to provide the snacks. Brilliant!

I was first up with my Lecture "Time Management for Quilters". This is always well received and I often hear from people months later that they tried some of the suggestions and found "more" time. For a few of the tips offered in this lecture see this post: Top 3 Tips for Time Management for Quilters Your next opportunity to hear the entire lecture is at Houston, Friday October 10, 2025, 10:15 am, $15. Registration in advance is not required, you can pay at the door as long as there is room. About one third of the seats are already taken I am happy to report. 

The guild business meeting followed my presentation then there was Show and Tell. I love Show and Tell, so interesting to see what quilters everywhere are making. 

 

I loved this show and tell quilt. Unfortunately, I did not get this woman's name.

After lunch we had a 3 hour class on The Village--paper pieced houses, fast and easy stars. The 15 happy students learned and laughed a lot. As class neared the end I grabbed several from students to discuss different options for finishing:

My class sample:

Dinner was Panera, soup and berry salad with grilled chicken breast:

The next day 15 students gathered for Charming Sampler, several were with us the day before. They worked hard all day and we had quite a collection of small blocks by 4 pm:

My class sample:

The "Class photo" is something I always try to remember before people start to leave. Here is the group from day two, all lovely people:

Dinner that night was Bonefish Grill with my friend, Jonnie. We had a big day planned for the next day, hiking, sightseeing and shopping so it was important we fuel up.

More about that day next week.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 9

Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

Month 9 brings us the Nine Patch Star Blocks. This block has the most pieces and will improve your piecing skills for sure. This is Lynn's block from the Autumn version of Laurel Ridge:

The measurements are accurate and will make somewhat quick work of making the small units needed for all 16 blocks.  I strongly encourage you to WATCH THE VIDEO for MONTH 9 before you begin.

When it comes to piecing those units into 5" finished blocks, accurate piecing is essential. I check myself with every seam. Here are my most of the pieces laid out for one block:

                                                  

The remaining green/white quarter square triangles:

The only thing I did differently from the pattern instructions was in making those green/white quarter square triangles. First, we make 8 half square triangles at a time, using 5.5" squares of green and white. The instructions say to trim each of them to 2.25" square before doing the second sewing step.

One of my mottoes is "Don't the do the hard thing twice."  It isn't necessary to trim the half square triangles BEFORE the second sewing step. They can be trimmed AFTER the second sewing step. 

The unit in the top here I did trim BEFORE the second sewing step. They still need to be trimmed AFTER the second sewing step. The unit in the bottom I did not trim before, only after. I saved time by eliminating that first trimming:

The units ultimately get trimmed to 1.5" square--that's SMALL!  So I chose not to do the trimming more than once. That means there is more to trim away now but that's okay with me. I placed the 3/4" line at the center of the unit, being sure to keep the diagonal line straight. The unit needs to be exactly 1.5" square, so "Measure TWICE, cut ONCE":

NOTE: My top was completely done before I got this pattern. So I only made ONE of these blocks for my demo, using different leftover fabrics from my top. I pieced some fabrics to be the size needed rather than cut from yardage. That explains any unusual seams you may notice in my block. The pattern instructions are correct so you won't have any extra seams like I do. Remember, my block is only a "sample test block". 

As I made the center nine patch, I sewed individual squares together. After joining two squares I measured to be sure they are 2.5" including seam allowances, before adding the third square. Then I checked to be sure 3 of them measure 3.5" including seam allowances. 

Another of my sayings: "If they are not the right size now, they will not miraculously become the right size when you do the next step." Check each seam with these small pieces as you go.

I did the same as I joined the corner squares to the half square triangles. I checked to be sure they both measured exactly 2.5" before I joined them to the Green/white quarter square triangle:

The same is true when you make the two sides that join the center nine patch. Be sure they are exactly 3.5" when joined so they fit the center:

My advice with this block is take it SLOW.  Check each seam as you go. There are 16 of these blocks and you have all month. Use the BLOCK LAYOUT SHEET page 5, to be sure you have each unit turned as it should be. Ask me how I know that's important!

Next month we make easy stars: the Plaid Stars. There are only 8 of those so no need to rush Month 9. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS

Two years ago I made the decision to write about my weight loss journey. I spent 3 weeks writing it, editing it, double thinking it, then finally was ready to publish it. You can find that post and the few other posts I have made about this topic here: HEALTH JOURNEY TAB at the top of the BLOG

Two years later I am still down 100 pounds and feeling fine. My bloodwork numbers are excellent and my semi-annual doctor visits are a cause for celebration rather than trepidation. He is happy to see me too, a patient who actually did what he advised.

Something I've noticed: I don't NEED new clothes. Everything from last year still fits. Amazing. I did buy a new dress, in case a special occasion should present itself. I love this dress and the new shoes:

Granddaughter Stella recently went with me to a haircut. She remembers when I was "BIG", too big to get on the floor with her. She likes to remind me this is better, and she's right:

I had a chance to go swimming with Stella recently and wasn't afraid to wear a two-piece swimsuit:

I am often asked how I do/did this. Eat smart, exercise daily. Most days I start with my favorite bowl of high protein oatmeal, find the recipe in the FAVORITE HEALTHY RECIPES under HEALTH JOURNEY

A new recipe I make frequently uses pasta made from chick peas. I got to sample them at Sam's Club, they are good. This time I sauteed some shrimp and added Bang Bang sauce. Another time I add leftover rotisserie chicken and pesto--that's good too. The bottled salad dressing is G Hughes brand, there are several varieties and all are sugar-free:

At our favorite local Mexican restaurant my usual order is Mexican Shrimp Cocktail: shrimp, avocado, onions, peppers, V-8 juice, and a "special sauce" which I have been told is ketchup. It's delicious and other than being high in sodium is very healthy:

I track everything I eat using the MyFitnessPal app. I have used the free version for years and it works well for me. My goals are Protein 25%, Fat 30%, and Carbs 45%, 1900 calories, and most days I hit these goals or get close. I can eat anything I want BUT everything I eat counts.

As for the exercise, I walk about 8 miles a day, 7 days a week, it takes over 2 hours, at a 4 mph pace. I listen to music and sing, plan my day, occasionally do "walking and talking" with friends. I do it first thing in the morning when it's warm and after lunch when it's cold. If it's raining I use an umbrella. Only storms with thunder and lightning keep me indoors:

When I travel I hit the hotel fitness center from 5-6 am. An hour on the treadmill is grueling, I don't enjoy it but I do it. So I can eat whatever I want at the great places I am often taken to:

So this is my annual check-in on my HEALTH JOURNEY. Life is good, I hope to live many more years and it doesn't matter that it took me 50 years to take charge of my heath. I did it. 

Now, let's quilt.

Barbara