What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

This past week, we went with friends to see the Lake Julian Festival of Lights. I love this small, drive-through light show in a small park in Arden, NC. We go most years, but I have to say I had more fun this time than ever. We listened to Christmas music, circled the route twice, and laughed out heads off at the guys popping off with comments on walking in your winter underwear, and women’s underwear.

This Christmas elf was conducting the band of three musicians from atop a mushroom. This one was animated with the conductor waving his ...

Well, here we are, the last weekend before the big day. I still have a lot I want to do! Even starting early, time always seems to run out before I have done all the things on my list. Are you like that, too? Today, I’ll give you some ideas for those last minute needs with easy solutions to make Christmas more relaxed. Most of these are fun things that I enjoy like baking cookies, making cards and visiting with friends. This past week, I made the Cranberry Eggnog Biscotti to go with the Fantasy Cookies, and gave the ...

Saturday, the Fiber Fair was held at Beginnings Quilt Shop and we set up a large booth space with quilts, quilted table toppers and runners, embroidered towels, and small items. The spectacular quilt from Pam B was on display with a placard stating that proceeds would be sent to Interfaith Assistance Ministry. Unfortunately, it did not sell. So, I am in the process of identifying a way to get it sold or raffled for the benefit of hurricane victims.

I sold a few things, but the wine inspired runners and placemats are all still available. If you are interested let ...

Our guild recently held a retreat for 11 members at Febuary Hill in Jonesborough, Tennessee, run by the owner of Tennessee Quilts. We booked several days to sew, and chat, and eat, and shop. Some of us met for lunch before the retreat began, and we drove up at the same time. Arriving in the afternoon, I set up my sewing space.

Before I went there, I had to do something fun for the group. I got out some white paper bags and my stamping stuff. I used the roller to put a swirly design on the bags on the ...

Last week I was asked to teach a class on making cards to a group of stampers. They are the Heritage Hills Stampers, meeting once a month to make cards and have fun. They have a marvelous room in their Craft House (which also has rooms for sewing and painting, plus a thrift store!) stocked with paper, stamps, die cutter-embosser and all kinds of things with which to embellish and create. They wanted to learn more about creating cards, so I put together a program on design for them. I got out my stuff and decided on how to do ...

Well, summer is definitely here, the heat is miserable. But at least it is low humidity, around 44-50 %, which was nice for lunch outside with some of the guild gals on Thursday. As I spend time watering my pots and flower beds, I am delighted with the flowers coming into bloom now. The day lilies have begun their show. This pink one is lovely with ruffled edges.

Right next to it is this one with the bright yellow throat and the dark purple, ruffled edges.

Next to the iris beds, another one with bright yellow petals and burgundy throat is ...

From time to time, I have to decrease the amount of quilted and crafted items in the house or I would be covered up in them. So, time for a sample sale, to move some things into other hands. I have some cards left as well that were not appropriate for Safelight but still fun, so those are up for sale, too. This is a great time to pick up a gift for someone, or treat yourself. Particularly for my readers who do not quilt, you can have a handmade, unique item for your decor or to give to a ...

As I mentioned on Friday, I have not been sewing in the past month. Instead, I’ve been spending all my free time (which has been precious little) doing crafting projects. I needed to finish making the cards I wanted to do for the guild show. I didn’t do as many as I had planned, but this will just have to do. The cards will be displayed in a basket for customers to look through. I made several with this sentiment, I think it is cute for a quilter.

I was excited to receive a phone call recently from ...

This past week, I managed to eek out a bit of time for some creative fun, and stamped a few more cards for the boutique. I think I’ll stop at 30 to have for sale. The great thing is if they don’t sell, I’ll have them to use myself. I love this sentiment!

Two more with a different sentiment. I put this same saying on the inside of a few other cards.

Are you in the path of the total solar eclipse? See my posts from 2017 when we were able to see one. First, Preparing for ...

At the upcoming Garden of Quilts show, the Quilt Shoppe will feature handmade items by our guild members. I thought it would be fun to make cards with sewing and quilting themes. I did some for the show two years ago and sold out in a hurry. So this time, I am making more cards and doing more variety in sentiments. One bit of feedback I got was that people wanted birthday cards, so I’ll make more of those.

I’m stamping something sewing related on pretty pattern papers, adding frames and details to make them special. Little sewing ...