What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Is it just me, or is this month flying?

No fabric in this week. The fabric declutter resulted in several yards going into donation bags. I still have a lot of fabric to sort through.

I finished the applique on the heart block. I’m auditioning colors for the motif under the hearts and deciding if I want to add beads or not.

I used Sulky 12 wt cotton floss on two of the hearts and Weeks Dye Works floss on the third. The pink fabrics came from the scrap bins. The heart blocks will all come from stash.

Fabric ...

Well, here we are again.  It's the end of October and I haven't posted anything since May.

I'm not sure anyone even still reads blogs, but I do love documenting and sharing my sewing adventures.

My "Chirp!" project is on target to be finished by the end of the year. Probably not quilted, but the top will be done.

A block update:

Numerous deadlines took up most my time the first part of the year, but I’m aiming for a more normal blog schedule now.

In February and March to date, I finished Gather, Trinidad and a small request from a co-worker. I am moving on to a new list.

I started The Short List many years ago to create goals to work toward and a way to focus. I change things up as my goals and interests change.

Project 1 (Stitching): Candle mat. This was a program at a quilt group I haven’t belonged to in years, found ...

Here is the layout for my 

Vintage Flower Sampler Quilt

Only the strawberry piece is prepped for stitching.

I washed out what I had done the previous day and started over. 

 that so many quilters online find tried and true,

 I eliminated the freezer paper.

I am using a brush to dampen the 1/4 inch seam allowance, 

letting it dry and become stiffened 

and then I am turning and pressing the edge under.

Tomorrow I hope to get the leaves prepped and ready

so I can begin hand stitching.

Hopefully ...

Wow! It appears to be about three years since I last worked on this quilt!!

And it's quite close to being finished.  So today I chose my leaves for the second panel and glue basted them down so I can hand applique them when the mood strikes. 

I did enjoy making the wool felt applique flowers.   

I'm hoping to get this top finished before Christmas and then I can add it to the hand quilting pile because I already have ideas of how I want to quilt it.  And as I mentioned a few weeks ago, our guild ...

 I signed up for a couple of BOMs this year, actually in 2022. I also may have started a couple of other new projects...

This is how I circumvented my self-imposed rule of not starting any new projects in 2023. Clever right?

The first one is "The Secret Garden" by Sarah Fielke.

The colors and fabrics I chose are completely out of my comfort zone, but I love it!

I also actually purchased some fabric for this project, which I haven't done in YEARS!

Next up is The Quilt Show's 2023 BOM, called Homeward Bound. This was also ...

My friend Deb told me about a swap she and her stitching friends are doing. 

Of course, we love that they chose Mary Witherwax blocks!

Her group has existed for years, bonded in friendship and love.   

They’ve moved all over the country and still retreat together when they can.

They all do hand appliqué and don’t have too many ‘rules’ for the swap.

Having a history of many group projects they know what they like.

Their ground fabrics will all be scrappy shirtings - each member making duplicates of the same blocks.

In the end - they will each have ...

I fell for the Merrow Croft pattern at the Festival of Quilts in 2019, where I met Margaret Mew and was enchanted by her work. My wonderful friend Michelle very kindly (and sneakily) bought me the pattern and gifted it to me later, just when I really needed something to smile about. It's taken me some time to start working on it but my plan was to finish a couple of other things first - they're getting there! With everything that's going on though I decided I really needed something that was no pressure, that I would enjoy ...

 It has been determined that this year is the year I am finishing some of my UFOs.  One of my friends agrees with me and has challenged me to see who can finish the most.  We are taking turns drawing numbers and each of us are working on each project.  Last month's project was finished last week.  This month is going to be a bit more challenging for me.

We are beyond excited to announce that we have been invited to teach and lecture at the 2022 Minnesota Quilters Annual Quilt Show and Conference in St. Cloud, MN. Registration opens for the general public on February 1, so you have time to plan. We would love to see you at the show! Take a look at what we will be teaching. And then click the link above to see what this great show has in store for you!

This elegant vase of flowers is a wonderful ...