What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

 last report march 29, 2023

I try to work on these 5 quilts until they are done. Their turn in the UFO closet is over, and, they need to be finished one way or another. I decided that for 2023, rather than work a little on each one at a time, I would concentrate on just one. I still use the list to plan and look ahead. 

 This set shows finishes that seemed to take forever to finish. The new ones look more interesting to me as a set. I will be able to jump back and forth when I ...

 I turned a mistake into a new pillow.

It measures 16" by 16" with an envelope back.

This star was originally made as the center for my Flannel Plaid Star Quilt. However, I seriously miscalculated and this star was way too small for the center of the quilt. I just threw into a bin and made a correct sized center star for the quilt. When I was cleaning my office recently I found this block and decided to turn it into a new pillow for my house. All that was required was a little simple quilting and making the envelope ...

 Rail Fence Blocks have been filling my mailbox every day.  I have been sewing like mad to keep up.  I should have a couple finishes to share soon.

But I have a few other finishes to share - thanks to some friends too!

A while back, I think I had shared that I made up some donation quilt kits with fabric, a pattern and backing material.  Well, a good friend came over for a play date and sewed one of them up for me.

The last day of any retreat is bittersweet. While we are excited to go home, it's time to leave, and no one wants to go home. This retreat house is several hours away, so I had plans to leave at 1 PM, and it was exactly 1 PM when I drove out of the driveway. 

However, I managed to get a lot accomplished before I left. All in all, this was probably one of the most productive retreats EVER! I've no idea how that happened. 

This was my last day to take a walk to the lake, so ...

 I'm so sorry to be an enabler, but it's not often that a pattern comes along that I NEED to make, so I'll see how we can work those Elizabeth Hartman patterns into the schedule. Remember -- if you are pressed for time, make the SMALL version of the quilt. It's all about choices and making priorities. And if you can't do the sew along with me, there'll be another super cute pattern next year!

I'm so excited -- I was showing the short Amazon tour video to the retreat group, and then I decided ...

WOW  --- it appears that flannel is on the way out! Two people commented that they got rid of their flannel. I mean -- there comes the point when you just say, "why are we keeping all this stuff?" More on my flannel in a minute. 

And YES --- I am taking care of my feet, and I'm taking care of me. But after NINE hours of laying in bed, my back was NOT happy! So there has to be a balance. For those who know me, I'm a slug these days, and while I can live with that for a ...

 A new grandniece--a new quilt!

This is a bright and happy flannel D9P (quick and easy).

 Oh my --- what great fun we had at the virtual retreat! We had a great visit with Jenny from Australia, where it's winter! But not like our winter. And there was the usual gang of misfits! OK - maybe I was the only misfit? No, I don't think so. I love that we all get along and have some wonderful conversations, and we learn so much from each other. 

The conversations are entertaining, and you can just listen, especially when you have an ugly job to do. Before I went to retreat last week, I had an issue with ...

I'm not even sure where to start. Yesterday was a whirlwind day - yet again! How the heck does that happen? 

The two classes went perfectly as they should as I was prepared; however, I realized that not only did I not like the fabric that I had put on one block -- one of the components was turned around. No wonder I didn't like it! Once I make the new block - I'll share it with you. 

My presentation on HSTs went very well, and I squeezed a bit of picture taking between the classes and when I had ...

I took a circuitous way home from the Retreat. I had something to drop off, and I wanted to visit the art show where my friend, Helen Anne, had a couple of pieces hanging. Thank goodness for the GPS, or I wouldn't have made it! All those country back roads, some of which were pretty basic with gravel and barely a road as far as I was concerned, but it was the back way to get to The Hobby Horse. There were many trees down in that area, and that road was definitely closed after this storm. Fortunately, everything ...

What can I say besides the fact that we are so relaxed here that -- if we don't get any sewing done - who cares? We didn't spend quite so much time at the dinner table, but we had other things we needed to get done! 

We are all sleeping like babies here. Since some babies don't sleep well, is that a good expression to use? But it's so darn peaceful here; I could stay here forever. In my case, it's likely peaceful because Lexi and Murphy are not here! But then I miss their furry antics ...

 While it is always great to be at a quilt retreat, it's always fun to return home. Again the weather cooperated, and it was one of the best days I've seen in a long time. How could you not feel happy and excited! 

I did go for a short walk in the morning and decided I'd better get myself back to the sewing machine to get something done! I managed to get the center of the flannel quilt done. 

Part of the flannel quilt done!

I still have MANY squares of flannel left, and I think I ...

Mother Nature is playing with us! We've not had the best spring, as there were lots of cooler days with loads of wind and rain. It's been nasty at times. However, the last two days have been PERFECT. The temperature was warm enough to walk outside in a T-shirt, no wind or very little, no rain -- it's been perfect. So much so that it's been a challenge to stay inside at the quilting retreat. And I'm OK with that. 

Right after breakfast, I decided to go for a walk, and it's always better to ...

 I haven't been posting much lately, but the quiltmaking continues!

This is a flannel couch quilt. A dear friend gave me some flannels, and I added a few of my own to the mix. I backed it with a piece of fleece I had on hand that happened to be exactly the right size!

Old-Style Winter Print Flannel (60" x 71")

Old-Style Winter Print Flannel (detail)

Old-Style Winter Print Flannel (backing and binding detail)

Next up is a Hallowe'en Trip Around the World. I know it is out-of-season, but next October, I'll be ready!

I have a jelly roll finish for a child. it was a flannel  jelly roll I found on sale. I used 20 for the inside portion. I wanted it a bit larger so I added borders. I made this on the treadle in 2020

I used a dark blue flannel for the back and a light weight batting  since it is flannel.

I machine sewed the binding. I wish I had cut it larger, there is a lot of bulk with flannel. I hope someone will ...

 Did you know that February 10th is Flannel Day? Ya, me either, but it is. We are celebrating all things flannel at Alamosa Quilt Company today. We made up a fun flannel scarf.

I have been on a burp cloth making kick.  I had SO many cut out already.  I was cleaning in my room and decided that if I sewed up everything I had cut maybe it would make a little more space.  Hardly, LOL.  I will be destashing when I get back from NC so I have been putting fabric into bins for the big destash too.I listed the burp cloths in my ETSY shop if you are interested in purchasing one

Sometimes we have to look at our fabric and ask, “When will I use this?” If I don’t know the answer, then it is time for it go to to someone else.

What I have here is A LOT of beautiful flannels. They fill a size LARGE Priority Mail box, pressed down hard. And they can be yours. There are three quilt kits/fabric bundles, several fat quarters and five pieces more than a half-yard.

Just leave a comment here letting me know you would like them. The giveaway closes end of the day on Saturday, January 8. If ...