Blissfully at home much of this winter, I am getting a lot done with little concern for cold weather.
Here is what has kept me busy this week:
1. Angela Walter's Arcs, Curves, Points with Rulers Free-Motion Challenge Quilting Along. I bought both the smaller and larger panels, so easy to work with for this class. This is the small one:
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| A variety of rulers for free motion quilting |
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| My progress for weeks 1 and 2 |
2. Natalia Bonner's free class, 99+ Strip Designs. This just started. These are the first 3 designs and one of the added Bonus designs, all to fit 2" finished strips. To start, I am just using scrap fabric with 2" lines drawn in. When I perfect a few of my favorites I will use them on a Quilt of Valor I am making for a specific Marine. I really want to perfect my Ribbon Candy, so not there yet, but her tip to draw around a penny or dime to get started was a good one. Half way across I switched to no drawn lines as I was getting in the rhythm of the design. Lot more practice is needed:
3. The Sunday Sew and Sews came over, a small group due to illness, a broken hip, family obligations. But look what they brought for Show and Tell:
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| Susan is on a mission to complete a lot of UFOs |
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| Susan made this for her husband, a coffee lover |
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| Another from Susan |
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| Susan's Sizzle, the BOM from 2019, designed by Becky Goldsmith |
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| Susan made this throw size from the leftovers of a king size Ocean Waves quilt |
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| Pam finished her Laurel Ridge in William Morris fabrics. She says she has MORE William Morris fabric now than when she started. How does that happen? |
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| Cyndi is making these delicate Log Cabin blocks from a kit, I think that ships monthly. It's pricey because they are Liberty of London lawn fabrics and she added on the "fussy cut centers" package. The blocks feel so good! |
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| Cyndi is very talented with EQ8--she often redesigns Block of the Month patterns to suit herself. This is her version of Game On! She calls it Parchisi. |
These women are very talented, giving and fun to be around. I look forward to their visits.
This week I got a package--the PRINTS KIT for the 2026 Block of the Month for TheQuiltShow.com, Game On! designed by Becky Goldsmith:
It is a beautiful collection of contemporary fabrics, the kinds I don't have a lot of. It is 17.625 yards, mostly fat quarters, and would be an excellent way to freshen up your stash--or call it your "collection".
The BEST phrase I ever heard about your "stash" vs "collection" is this:
"I am the Curator of an extensive personal TEXTILE COLLECTION". Now doesn't that sound impressive?
Available for purchase by anyone, you don't have to be a Star Member to shop in the "Store". See it
HERE for a full list of each fabric in this package.
I cut out Month 1 and 2 so I can make and use them for demos on my LIVE:
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| Month 2 ready to sew |
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| Month 1 ready to sew |
It's been cold and wet here but we have power and no where we have to go most days. I remember the 35 years I worked for H&R Block and HAD to go to work when the weather was awful--I was the office manager and those would be busy days--if people couldn't go to work because of snow they would come to us to get their taxes done. I am so glad those days are behind me!
Now I can bake bread when the weather is cold. Find the recipe for this and my other favorites up top here in the tab RECIPES:
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| Cranberry Pecan Artisan Bread |
There are a few more things to keep me busy, like working on my own taxes, but there's nothing to show for that.
I hope you are dry and warm and enjoying some good times.
Let's quilt.
Barbara
