Piecing Accurately by Cutting Larger

Low Volume Four Patches for 'En Provence'
A Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt Along

This wasn't the post I intended for today, but I've learned a technique that rocked my Quilt World. I've got to share it because it was so easy I'm almost ashamed to tell you--but we're all friends here. Right?

The Nasty Scant Quarter Inch Problem

The Secret to Making Lists

People have different ideas about which day starts their week. You'll notice calendars are split between which day is first at the top--Sunday or Monday. Many people make their To-Do Lists on Monday morning. It may be unusual, but Saturday morning is when I mentally set up my coming week. My weekends are more or less unstructured so I am free to sew if there aren't other commitments, and that means an extended time instead of a few minutes or hour here and there. Using that time wisely takes strategy, and I set up the rest of the week while I'm at it. I'm a serious list maker.

Black Friday: Things to Consider

When you are a quilter, and anticipating Black Friday to Cyber Monday sales, tell me what honestly goes through your mind? Great deals, gorgeous new fabric, the fresh smell? Oh, me, too! I love to shop for quilting supplies, but I have only once experienced a Black Friday in a store. It involved walking in with young kids in tow, and dropping my jaw. You had to be kidding! Where did all those people come from? I turned heel, and drove home. I know what things cost, and how most pricing structures work. That chaos is not worth the stress. Give me a comfy chair, and a lap top!

Antique Quilts & A Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is more than a feast for the belly. I have another one here for the eyes! This is one of my earliest posts, but I was reminded of it when I searched for a turkey post to link up with Val's Archives this week. I am thankful for so much in my life, but health, people and quilts top the list. Allow me to share a few special family quilts and their stories with you to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to each one of you, 

and remember on this day of thanks...

Above all, be kind.

All the quilts shown here belong to my husband's family. They were on loan awaiting a cloudy day to photograph. It gave me time to get to know them, and fall in love with this one most of all. I love every inch of this quilt! It has a lurid history that we are too proper to get in to here, but let it suffice to say, I think it's to die for. It's the ultimate Eye Candy. There's no firm date, but the family history puts it around the 1930's, and it appears to be made without a batting layer.

Clementine Flying Geese and More Traditional Longarming

All the Geese Ready to Sort

There has been a great deal of juggling this fall in the quilting studio. Both hard and soft customer deadlines, emergency jobs, and ongoing long term projects meant no linear progress anywhere. So frustrating!  A part of me wondered if I had anything to show you. As a quilter and a blogger, I sometimes lose my perspective. I see it all everyday, and it becomes old hat. But then there is a moment when a project comes together, and I say, "Wow. I like that!" That's when I know I have something you will enjoy, too. I think this is one.

Tiki Beads Update

Tiki Beads Hand Stitching Progress

The holidays are officially upon us because I am scattered to all four corners. Sadly, I disappear here when push comes to shove, but I am slowly digging my way out. I'm not telling you anything new. You know exactly what I mean because you're probably going through the same thing! It's less than a week before Thanksgiving, and 5 weeks before Christmas. 

Tiki Beads Quilt

TIKI BEADS

Even though my last post promised more details on the Super Scrap Project, I needed to clear my design wall before proceeding. This is a simple little project, and perfect to pack  for a weekend trip.

Second Chance Quilts Super Scrap Project

 Made by Irene Krall

Second Chance Quilts Are My True Love!

There comes a time in every avid quilter's life when she or he ask themselves what in the world will they do with the growing heaps of left over fabric. This dilemma hit me last year so I made the quilt below for Hands2Help. It was made entirely from scraps and stash. The beauty above was designed, made, and donated by a friend, The Scrap Queen, Irene Krall. It came to me for quilting, and I fell in love with it!

Made for the 2016 Hands2Help project.

#BraveQuilter Winner for October & New Direction

Congratulations, Sandra 

at Studio Sew of Course!

Sandra at Studio Sew of Course is the October winner for the #BraveQuilter link up. She set a goal of printing on fabric at the beginning of the month, and fulfilled her intent. She posted on Instagram HERE, and also at her blog. You can read the details, and find more information on both her posts. 

October #BraveQuilter Wrap Up Linky Is OPEN!

Someone will have a merry Christmas quilt!

The season is shifting quickly here in Ohio, and it is easy to think we will soon be in winter. The quilt above is one of two destined to be under a Christmas tree. That is a telling sign.