Last Saturday, a group of us quilt buddies took the Folded Log Cabin class from Catherine Kane of Brookside Quiltworks. What a great time we had!

Started with a center panel (I chose a class sample from class I taught last Summer) and add the folded log cabins strips around it. And we used different log cabin layouts too.  Each piece is beautiful! And Catherine was so much fun in class. She’s planning another class in March, so contact her at http://brooksidequiltworks.com/ to register! You’ll be glad you did!!

And the winners are….

During the virtual Book Tour of “Turnabout Patchwork” by Teresa Mairal, you all were encouraged to subscribe to Puppy Girl Designs blog post.  Those you did (and there were many of you – THANK YOU!) were put into a drawing for an eBook of Turnabout Patchwork or a pattern from the author Teresa Mairal.

Winner of the eBook is Lori Morris, who sent this message “Hi Lynn! I wanted to let you know that I received my copy of ”Turnabout Patchwork”. It is fantastic! I never win a thing so this is so exciting…thank you so much!”.  The pattern winner is Marie Gee of Ontario, Canada and she had this to say “Oh thank you > this is very exciting.”

Stayed tuned for more to come!

This past weekend, quilt buddy Karyn Doremann and I co-hosted a quilt retreat in southern Columbia County.

The guest quilters were from all over – several from Rensselaer County, couple from Columbia County, from Staten Island and Wallkill. There was a much of a variety of interests and skill levels. Some were really into modern quilting (with works to drool over) while others leaned to the more traditional (every bit as lovely).  We had plenty of time to stitch and chat, to learn new techniques and share experiences.  On the first night, we even watched “How to Make An American Quilt” movie from the early 1990s, in a warm living room near the fire place and plenty of throws to keep us warm. We had show and tell with the staff from the retreat in attendance!  But what was especially wonderful was the easy banter among the quilters, nearly all strangers at the beginning. Quilting has a language of its own!  By the time the retreat was done, we had made plans for the next retreat and to stay in touch with each other.  There was even talk of going to Paducah show next Spring! What a great way to spend a weekend!

On a recent cold winter Saturday, Roadie (aka Nancie Van Alstyne) and I had our own quilt-in.  We both had quilts in need of assembling and chatting together made the hours pass quickly.  During a break for lunch, I spied a small book with a Singer sewing machine on the cover.  Upon further review, I found the book to be filled with photos of Roadie’s quilts and sewn items, with descriptions of the ”who” and the “why” with each one.  Seems there was a special deal on Shutterfly to have these photos produced into a small, hard cover book that would memorialize her works.  She even selected the cover photo! It is so awesome!!  Yes, we all know to place label on back of our work, so that folks in the future will know the “who” and the “why” but this new way of documenting our works is so tangible.  Yes, it is well known among those closest to me that I prefer paper to screens and this book is a wonderful collaboration of the two.

Late last week, I had the pleasure to take a barn quilt class from Suzi Parron @  www.barnquiltinfo.com at the Schenectady Quilters guild.  I have always loved the large painted quilt blocks adhered to the sides of barns and other building.  And if you ever have the chance to take a “tour” to view barn quilts, will tell you won’t be disappointed. 

Getting back to the class, Ms Suzy was enthusiastic and delightful!  She had complete faith we were all going to have a great time AND be successful in producing a stunning barn quilt. The barn quilts were made using 1/4″ plywood, exterior paint and with Suzy’s many explanations, all of us were off and painting.

Set up of the quilt block pattern. This pattern is a basket block.

Painting of first color (red) on my quilt block. The blue is painters tape.

This process is very similar to deciding on which  pattern to select and fabric colors to use for your newest quilt.  The care you give in cutting up fabric  and sewing the pieces together, the better the final result. 

Blue centers

Mailbox completed

Some of you may remember the “quilted” mailbox I created for a fundraiser at a local historical society 2 summers ago. The Challenge was to decorate a mailbox that could be used outside as an actual mailbox.  I used thin sheet metal, log cabin blocks, exterior paint for metal and gently “quilted” it with an awl and light taps of a hammer.  As you can see, quilts can be found up high, down low and you just can’t ever tell where you might find one!  

            It’s a new year and lists of resolutions are being made – from weight lost to exercising, from organizing your space to improving finances.  There are special promotions and sales galore (which may slow down the improving finances).  How about a resolution that costs very little time, effort and money but can greatly improve your daily life with peace and creativity??

            Hand stitching is the answer!! Basic supplies are an 8” embroidery hoop ($1, maybe less), packet of embroidery needles (assorted sizes) ($2), mechanical pencils ($1.49 for package of 6), needle threaders ($1 for package of 3) and a pair of small, sharp scissors ($4). Use a gallon size Ziploc bag from your kitchen for storage of your supplies and for $9.49, you have created a supply kit for peace and creativity.  Then you select add a pattern ($8), a fat quarter of fabric ($3) and couple of skeins of embroidery floss ($.59 per skein – estimate 3 different colors for pattern) for project total of $12.77.  Added to the $9.49 for your supply kit (which you’ll use for future projects) and for a total of $22.26 you now have the making for some creative moments of peace and relaxation!!! 

            After transferring the pattern onto the fabric, you put all of your supplies into the Ziploc bag and place it where you can readily access it – in your purse, your briefcase, next to your favorite chair or at your bedside.  When you find you have a little time here and there, pull out the kit, place your fabric in the hoop and start stitching.  I can be found stitching at lunch in between bites of my sandwich, while waiting for an appointment at the doctors and at the end of the day as a way to relax so I may sleep well. You can easily stop and pick up later when you need to. I have a couple of suggestions you may find useful.  As a matter of practice, I do not leave the project piece in the hoop for extended time as it may stretch the fabric (or create a difficult crease) and put undue stress on the hoop. I also put a protective cover on my scissors to prevent getting unpleasantly poked or damaging the points. I like to use the rubber protectors that knitters use on the end of their knitting needles as a protector.  Again, only a couple of dollars or you could use a cork from a wine bottle.

            Hand stitching is very portable, quite affordable and can give you peace and great joy while being creative.  Does life get better than that??

Until next time, keep (or start) stitching!

Lynn