WHILE I'M AWAY

As this posts, I am at my Joyful Journey Retreat, #5, at Red Rooster Retreat Center in Crane Hill, AL.

My attendance there is a SECRET--only my friend and co-conspirator Kathy R knows I am going to arrive two days late. From February 29-March 7, 2024 I was teaching FULL CIRCLE at Empty Spools Seminar at Asilomar Conference Center in CA. There will be a BIG post about that next week.

So today I am encouraging you to look at this previous post from 11 years ago about the LESSONS TO LEARN FROM AN OLD QUILT--click on this LINK to find it: 

Antique Ohio Star Christmas Quilt in my collection

AND I would LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN ME  at the local class ANTELOPE CANYON DIT DOT EVOLUTION at Southern Charm Quilting in Huntsville, AL, March 19 and April 2, 2024. The fee covers two full days of class instruction full of tips to keep you straight AND THE KIT WITH ALL THE FABRIC! Don't miss this class if you love the design as I do--it will not be offered again. REGISTER ONLINE TODAY:

Let's quilt.

Barbara

UPCOMING LOCAL CLASSES

 Winter is upon us and it's the time of year for local quilt shop classes. I have been working on samples and handouts and all is now ready.

In Chronological Order:

1. Southern Super Star Saturday February 3, 2024 Patches & Stitches call or go by to register. This is my perfect "giveaway quilt", easy to make, not real expensive to "quilt by checkbook", easy to personalize favorite colors:

Southern Super Star, about 75" square

2. Quiltmaking 101 Friday February 9, 16, 23, 2024 Patches & Stitches. I have taught beginners at Patches for 35 years, This is the latest pattern I am using. We no longer do it all by hand! Learn all you need to know from someone who knows how to teach and inspire her students:

A simple border and only 6 fabrics

A more complex border and more fabrics

3. On the Lily Pond Wednesday February 21, 2024 Southern Charm Quilting call, go by or register online. A replica of an antique quilt I own, this will teach you a lot about quilt design and how to make one block easy, not hard:

On the Lily Pond

4. Antelope Canyon Dit Dot Evolution Tuesday March 19 and April 2, 2024 Southern Charm Quilting, call, go by or register online. I love this pattern and it is even better made with Dit Dots fabric. Not hard to sew but easy to get confused. Let me teach you how to stay organized and be successful. A complete Kit is available so you don't have to agonize over fabric selection:

Antelope Canyon Dit Dot Evolutions 74" square

5. FULL CIRCLE SPECIAL EVENT with BARBARA BLACK May 6-10, 2024, Southern Charm Quilting call, go by, or register online. This 5 day workshop will teach you far more than you expect. Learn skills that will carry over into all your future quiltmaking. I am teaching this Workshop nationally and it is a huge success. Don't miss this last chance to take an all-encompassing Workshop locally.

See this Blog post about the happy students who took this Workshop in September 2023: FULL CLASS FOR FULL CIRCLE

FULL CIRCLE 91" square

So there you have it. I hope to see you in classes here in my hometown. Soon I am back out on the road teaching all over the country and on the high seas. Take a class with me while you can.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

QUILTY STUFF AND CHRISTMAS COOKIES

 Colder weather gives me lots of time for quilting and baking. Here is some of both activities.

1. Bean's Baby Quilt--all it needs is the binding hand sewn in place and a label. He/she is due March 23, 2024 and we are excited for a new grandchild. Baby shower is in late January and I will be ready:

I always quilt at least one heart into every quilt I make--can you find it?

Flannel Baby Feet on the back

2. Proposals for International Quilt Festival Fall 2024--I had such a great time teaching at Houston this year and the students were exceptionally gracious in their reviews that I want to do it again. The proposal process takes time so I jumped in and got it done.  Many hours are spent at the computer writing Class Descriptions and Supply Lists. 

Acceptance letters are received in late February 2024 so it will be a while before I know if I will be teaching.  My proposals include a few new classes, a couple that are hand work, a couple that sold out quickly this past year, and Sampler demonstrations. I love to attend Samplers so hope to be a presenter this year. Here is a teaser shot:

3. The 2024 Block of the Month for The Quilt Show starts January 1, 2024. The Show that features designer Jen Kingwell starts to air December 31, 2023 and is FREE TO ALL. I encourage you to watch it, you might get excited to join in. Jen does a lot of hand work and her instructions feature that. I am machine piecing as much as possible for speed.  

I have to work ahead so I am ready to write monthly blog posts and do the LIVE broadcasts each month--the first LIVE will go up January 1, 2024, noon central time. I will pre-record it as we are now spending the day with our family. So it will be "not so LIVE". The broadcasts are always recorded so you can watch when convenient. Find them HERE

Here is my middle so far--months 1-3:

4. Now that Pick a Petal is to this stage I have to make Antelope Canyon Dit Dot Evolution for an upcoming class at Southern Charm Quilting, a local quilt shop. Sign up now if you are interested. Please support local classes if you want to have them in the future. Shops and teachers depend on it:

5. Cookie Baking time is here. Just a few of my favorites. Find ALL the recipes up there in the RECIPES tab above:

Mexican Wedding Cookies, aka Snowballs or Sandies

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti logs before slicing 

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti ready to eat--love these with coffee or cocoa

Forget 'Ems

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pecan

Old Fashioned Butter Cookies

I will probably make a few more batches--using cake mix is an easy way to make cookies. Red Velvet is up next...

Cake Mix Cookies

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, however and whatever you celebrate. My best wishes to you for a happy and healthy New Year!

Let's quilt.

Barbara