My Joyful Journey: Houston International quilt festival

Sunday, June 21, 2026

TAKE CLASSES WITH ME!

Here is a quick look at where I will be teaching through the end of this year.

June 27, 2026--Lecture "A QUILTER'S LAST WILL AND TESTMENT--AKA YOUR KIDS DON'T WANT YOUR STUFF" Things we should be doing now to help our family when the inevitable happens

Colorado Quilting Council General Meeting, 10 am, St Phillip Lutheran Church, Littleton, CO

June 28, 2026--Workshop OH MY STARS! 9-4, Above and Beyond Sewing and Vacuum, Littleton CO

See the guild website here: Colorado Quilting Council

OH MY STARS

September 29-October 4, 2026--FALL RETREATERS, Hilton Garden Inn, Livermore, CA

Early sew days are September 29-30, Classes October 1-2.

I am teaching OH MY STARS October 1 and THE VILLAGE October 2. During the two Early Sew days I will be working on the 2027 Block of the Month FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE--see some of the amazing things you will learn in 2027.

The Village

Alex Anderson will be a special attendee!

Contact Debbie Stephens by phone or email NOW to register:

October 20-21, 2026--Loose Threads Quilters, Spring City, PA. Tuesday October 20 is a full day workshop, still waiting to see which great class they pick.

Wednesday October 21, Lecture "TIME MANAGEMENT FOR QUILTERS", 9:30 am. First United Church of Christ, 145 Chestnut Street, Spring City, PA 19475

See the guild website here: Loose Threads Quilters

November 11-14, 2026 International Quilt Festival Houston.

Wednesday November 11: Class OH MY STARS, 9-5:

Enrollment will open in mid-July: Quilt Festival Houston

LECTURES:

Thursday November 12: HOW TO MAKE A WINNING QUILT, 11:30 am

Friday November 13: TIME MANAGEMENT FOR QUILTERS, 4:30 pm

You can pay at the door for Lectures, no pre-enrollment required.

In 2027 there will be big changes: I am cutting back on travel. The plan is to teach at special events like EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS. Registration opened June 20, 2026 for the 2027 Sessions.

My class FULL CIRCLE filled quickly a few years ago when I taught it there. Don't miss what is likely to be your last opportunity to join me for this class.

FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 5, 2027:

Shows like HOUSTON, PADUCAH, and others like that are where I hope to concentrate my teaching time. And another few CRUISES are in the works.

In 2027 I will be teaching/assisting Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson with the 2027 BOM: FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE. I am learning things as I make this quilt and you will too. It starts in January 2027; look for TIPS and HOW TO GET READY in November. THE QUILT SHOW with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims

The BIG NEWS is my JOYFUL JOURNEY RETREAT, #7, is back. MARCH 31-APRIL 4, 2027, Red Rooster Retreat Center, Crane Hill, AL. Not just a free sew retreat, this EVENT aims to build friendships, offer TEACHABLE MOMENTS, and make it worth your time to participate. Contact me directly for more information--or to be added to the waitlist--we are almost full. bbquiltmaker AT gmail--you know the rest.

Locally, I hope to offer more classes here so I can sleep in my own bed and have more time to make my BUCKET LIST quilts.

I love teaching and hope to continue to share my knowledge with you.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Sunday, December 24, 2023

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: