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 ...

I felt antsy. Nothing has peaked my interest or seemed really fun to work on lately. Has that ever happened to you? Oh sure…..I have lots of projects-in-progress (in the quilting world, we call those UFO’s — or unfinished objects.) But I was really looking for a challenge. 

with Danielle Ross

Before I moved to Australia a few months ago, my friend, Danielle, and I had cut out all the bits and pieces to create a Tumbleweed Toiletry Tote from Blue Calla Patterns with the intention of making it into a hobby or sewing tote. (You can read about ...

Hello, everyone!

Thought I would pop in here to share an update about a couple of fun things I currently have in the works. 

First, remember those Shoo Fly blocks I requested when we found out we were moving to Australia? I want to sincerely THANK YOU everyone who so generously sent in a block (or blocks!) Many of you also wrote beautiful handwritten notes, or sent small gifts (some even sent handmade gifts for the kitties, which were greatly appreciated!) As the blocks arrived, I carefully stored everything in a bin and shipped it to Australia in April. Well ...

This past month has been a whirlwind and I finally feel as if I’m coming up for air. So I invite you to pour yourself something to sip, find a comfy chair, and let’s catch up!

Last views of the Lake Arrowhead area the morning I left.

Saying goodbye to the cabin was more emotional than I thought it would be! A few tears were shed.

Three weeks ago early on a Monday morning, I said goodbye to our cabin and drove to Las Vegas to help launch the fabulous new Janome top-of-the-line, combo sewing machine; the CM17 ...

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 ...

Bon Jour!

A few weeks ago you may have seen a short little video I posted on Social Media about a new line of fabrics from Timeless Treasures called Bon Jour! I paired those pretty prints with several of my Solid-ish fabrics to create a “curated collection.”

Miss Tater graciously decided to “model” the fabrics.

At the time, I promised to show you the project I had planned for those scrumptious fabrics. 

“Maraschino” from my Solid-ish line goes particularly well with Bon Jour…

…as do Mist, Stone and Black (shown from left to right next to Tater, above.)

I’m ...

Cheeto (aka, Janome Cat) joined our family almost three years ago when he came to us through an amazing foster family through CARE Rescue LA. This sweet, young couple is very involved in rescuing pets in need to help them find their furr-ever homes.

Cheeto with his three siblings when they were found with their Mama at about three or four days old. (Cheeto is on the far right.) Mama was a very large cat….and the kittens all grew up to be big kitties, too.

Cheeto’s foster Mom, Kelly, and I have stayed in touch through texting and ...

Happy Anniversary!

April 1st is a very meaningful day for a variety of reasons. First and most importantly, it was three years ago today I became the National Spokesperson for Janome-America, Inc. In my 25+ years in this industry this is one of the biggest honors I could ever have dared to dream; and it is a roll I cherish very much! Janome is a company I believe in down to my core for their products manufactured with the highest quality materials and engineering, and for their ease of use and responsiveness — and attention — to their customers.

But it is ...

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 ...

The 2021 CHEETO’S WORLD calendars have been ordered and will ship in early December! Don’t wait — there is a very limited number and now is the time to order yours!

We want to support two awesome pet rescue organizations this holiday season! So proceeds from the 2021 CHEETO’S WORLD calendar will be evenly divided and donated to CARE Rescue LA (the rescue where we found our beloved Cheeto!) and A Pawsitive Approach in Anaheim, CA, (where we found our sweet Dodger and more recently, Remy and Tater!) The good folks who rescue and foster these kittens, cats ...