What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

After the record-breaking blizzards in February 2023 in Southern California, the mountains were still snow covered more than a month later as seen from below near Ontario, CA.

For those who follow me on social media or here on my blog, you may have noticed it’s been a little quiet from our corner of the world in recent weeks. So many of you who have written, texted or emailed to check on us and I sincerely wish to thank you for your concern. Your notes of love and support mean more than you could ever know! I’ve tried ...

A photo simply doesn’t show the high winds and heavy sleet/snow currently coming down. And it is the strangest color of greenish-gray outside. 

Oh, how we appreciate the prayers and for so many of you reaching out regularly to check on us. Thank you. Prayers are coveted and we believe each and every one is heard! It is difficult to try to explain everything that has happened. We’ve gone from storm to storm to storm; both figuratively and literally. It seems we’ve been in crisis/survival mode for months; most assuredly since last fall. At times ...

There’s a Jeep Patriot buried underneath all that snow.

We sincerely want to thank you all — so many people have reached out through Messenger, texts and emails to check on us. Part of the reason for writing this update is to let you all know the status of things and how we are doing. Its difficult to respond to each person individually, so please be patient if you don’t hear from me immediately. We’re dealing with a lot at the moment.

To say the snowstorms that rocked the San Bernadino mountains in Southern California were truly historic ...

Does anyone remember the blizzard of ’78? I was a freshman in high school and that blizzard shut down Northeastern Ohio for at least a week. We lost power and my folks did their best to keep our house somewhat warm by using the gas oven in the kitchen and the wood burning fireplace in the family room. We all slept in the family room in front of the fire. It was so cold! There was over 3 feet of snow and roads were shut down for days while people tried their best to dig out. 

Fast forward to now ...

As of today, we have closed the door to a chapter in our lives and we’re looking forward to the future. Our time in Australia has come to an end, but we’ll look back with love for the kangaroos, fondness for brilliantly-colored sunsets, some challenges, and bittersweet memories mixed in. 

Now it’s time to focus on the next chapter. 

The home we purchased in Australia was settled and sold today to a wonderful gentleman who has promised he’ll care for the Roos as we did. In fact, just this afternoon he sent us this sweet photo ...

The waning hours of 2022 are upon us. Less than 24 hours to go until a new year will be ushered in to greet us all. 

Sweet Fuzzy Wuzzy, napping on the cool patio during very warm days.

Roo food, apples, and water were always on hand at Chez Einmo.

This year, perhaps more than most, I’m glad to see the end of 2022 and I’m looking forward with great expectation to everything 2023 will bring. Don’t misunderstand; there were some exciting things which happened in 2022. I think of friends we met along the way, the ...

 Good Morning Quilters!  And Happy 4th of July to all Americans!

“Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”   Ferris Bueller  

Life has been moving pretty fast here lately.  Our cabin was on the market for only five days, and we had an offer - full price.  We are talking to our kids to see what furniture they want, and are preparing for the sale. We are at the cabin right now, and I thought you’d like to see some pictures of it, as I have no quilting ...

A quick selfie with Danielle (c) and Anne (r) to kick off our “Janome Girls’ Sewing Retreat!”

Last week, I experienced the restorative power of friendship and laughter with two dear friends who came for a sewing retreat here in my mountain studio. Words are simply inadequate to express how much this gift of time and the safe space to open up, be silly, creative, and truly authentic meant to me. We talked, we laughed, we sewed, and we visited the quilt show, Road2CA for a day in nearby Ontario, CA. 

In the booth at Road2CA, Sam Fung showed off ...

Pour yourself a cup of tea and settle in for a newsy update…

Many of you have been following our newest big adventure I first wrote about last summer. (In case you missed it, CLICK HERE.) Admittedly, my blog posts were rather sparse during the last quarter of 2021 because we put our plan into motion and my husband actually made the big transition and moved down under in early November. We spent the holidays apart for the first time in 34 years, but we chose to make the season merry despite our circumstances. As for my poor husband’s ...

Let the sun set on 2021……

I’ve sat down to write a blog post dozens of times. I’ve written paragraphs, then deleted them and tried to write again. Always the same: I just couldn’t find the right words. I try to be very mindful when I do write a blog post, I never want to add to the “noise” of this clamoring world. There’s already too much negativity and nonsense being put into the universe. I don’t wish to contribute more of the same. But it’s time for an update and what better time ...

NOTE: For those folks who came here looking for the Hometown Heritage story about the Canal Fulton quilt, simply click HERE to read it. 

I can say without a doubt the past 24 hours have been some of the most angst-filled I have ever endured. At this moment as I write, Southern California, in particular the San Bernadino mountains where our cabin is located, has been pummeled by a fierce winter storm with very high sustained winds and torrential rains. Considering the severe drought the area has been going through for months, I fear these rains will cause major damage ...

UPDATE: CLICK HERE to watch MY FAVORITE THINGS!

I’m personally inviting you to join me for a FUN FRIDAY FACEBOOK LIVE event this Friday, March 19th at 3pm ET (noon Pacific) for something just a little different. 

There are so many new Janome Continental M7 owners — and many more considering making this absolutely amazing machine part of their sewing studios — that I thought it would be informative and helpful to share my most favorite presser feet and accessories with you! I’ve put together a FREE list of all these items, complete with the correct part numbers and some ...

You might remember the cabin studio “make-over” we did last April. (If not, you can check it out HERE.) In July 2020, we gave the green light to our contractor to start renovating portions of our cabin including adding a laundry room and bathroom on the lower level where my studio is located and redoing our entire deck, which needed new anchors, supports and all new boards. In addition, we had large picture windows installed in the studio so I can see the beautiful views while sitting at my desk or sewing machine to sew. These renovations were pretty extensive ...

It’s been a quiet on my end lately. We’ve been flying under the radar for the past several weeks. Because honestly, 2021 was not the “fresh start” we were hoping for to move beyond 2020. 

The week after Christmas and the weekend following New Year’s found my husband, son and I working hard to complete the renovations at our cabin which had dragged on since last July. We spent days working long hours putting in sweat equity to finish the job, followed by building a myriad of shelves so we could move everything back into the storage ...

The definition of cogitate is: “To think deeply about something; meditate or reflect.” 
I’ve been cogitating.

It’s hard to believe the last time I wrote a blog post was in May. The Covid-19 pandemic, turmoil, social unrest, and changes in our world have been truly mind-boggling in the past several months. I must admit, I’ve had to really take time (all while working harder than ever at home to meet deadlines and commitments) to really look inward and think about many things. I’ve challenged myself to examine old beliefs in new ways with a fresh perspective ...

The Southern Pacific Dogwoods which bloom in Lake Arrowhead in spring are spectacular!

Blooms larger than your hand!

How are you doing through this COVID-19 event? I pray you and your loved ones are healthy and well. If you have been affected by this terrible pandemic, I pray things improve quickly and you’re back to feeling as right as rain very soon.

As for me, I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. Several months have gone by in a flash. But it didn’t start out this way. While we were lucky to return from an ...

UPDATE! My PERFECT PINES pattern is now available as a download on my website! My Precision Flying Geese Ruler is required to make this pattern (you’ll need it to squeeze out cutting the little triangles from the leftover bits to make the pieced border trees!)

I’m excited to share a brand new quilt with you! I was inspired to make this quilt by this woodsy, mountain lodge themed fabric and my original Perfect Pines pattern. The blocks are pieced from 10″ x  10″ squares (these fabrics are from a Layer Cake by Deb Strain called Holiday Lodge and ...