03.22.20 New Project

by Projects
Country Star Topper
Country Star Topper

Finally, after years of not adding anything new I added a table topper pattern that I made a few years ago but did not publish. It feels good to refresh my skills with my drawing program and get the PDF ready to share. It seems right now I have plenty of time to work on adding some things to my site.

The project is Country Star Table Topper, which is a hexagon-shaped paper-pieced intermediate project.

Country Star Topper
Country Star Topper

I hope everyone reading this is well and safe. For me, I have discovered how technology can be used effectively to avoid feeling isolated. Facetime with the grandkiddos is beyond wonderful. Virtual Happy Hour with friends is the best. This week video Messenger conference calling replaced an in-person lunch with a group of friends. Text messages – individual and group – keep me feeling connected. And of course, phone calling is also an option and no longer involves ‘long distance’ charges. I hope you all have the resources to have means of staying connected with others. I also hope you have meaningful, enjoyable activities you can do to pass time. It is so important at this time. I’ve received many humorous videos and quotes, plus deeply thoughtful texts that reaffirm how resilient we are and how we have not lost our sense human compassion and hope and sense of humor. Stay well!

03.03.20 Feeling Blessed

by Inspiration

I do have to pause and feel so blessed to have people in my life that share this joy of fabric and sewing.  They are talented and stretch my ideas and skills. All have unique ideas for colors and styles, which sparks my creativity.   I have a friend who takes panels and incorporates them in to stunning wall hangings or quilts.  I have another who is fearless as she does maintenance and total restoration work on her Featherweight sewing machines.  Another pulled me in the direction of paper-piecing, which has been life-changing.  Another frequently shows us something she ‘invented’ with fabric.  Another combines colors in ways that really rock.  Another does work with wool that has caused me to acquire nearly a tub (Rubbermaid tub) of wool fabric.

Pin cushions by Beth and Marilee
Birdhouse Pin cushion
by Beth and Marilee

Along with how impressed I am with their sewing, I am honored to be able to sit for an hour or a day…or a four-day retreat and sew, un-sew, create, and share life stories.  They keep me grounded.  As we each hit the high notes and the low notes in our life we sing together, and I can’t even sing.  Not sure how I got into this group.  But I am staying.

My wish for each of you, is that you have one or more folks you can sew with, create with, shop with, sing with, hike with, kayak with, travel with, sit with, bake with, or anything else.  It’s such a joy.  It’s such a blessing.

PS. I got an email this week from Sue in Ames, Iowa, who with her sister, sew mittens for charity.  So very much using their powers for good.  See a video featuring their efforts at Channel KCCI 8 TV in Des Moines.

12.03.19 Mitten Making Season

by Winter
Mittens for Duluth
Mittens for Duluth
Mittens, Mitten, Mittens
Mittens, Mitten, Mittens
Mittens for Duluth
Mittens ready for snow!

This November I have delivered nearly thirty pairs of mittens to the Hucklebeary Shop on Superior Street in Duluth. Emily’s shop is filled with the most unique gifts, cards, toys, and Minnesota-made items. It’s an adventure to shop in her store. She even offers customers the option to create their own ‘wish list’ that is left at the store…or taken home…so the Santas in their lives can make their wishes come true.

This weekend, Saturday & Sunday, December 7 & 8, Duluth will be celebrating the winter season with the Duluth Winter Village which takes place on the grounds of the Glensheen Mansion on the shore of Lake Superior.  Visitors can browse enchanting booths set up by local shops, along with warming at bonfires, drinking hot beverages, or trying seasonal foods.

Last year at Winter Village Emily sold out of my mittens!  Hopefully, we have planned to have plenty this year.

12.3.19 Winter has arrived.

by Winter
Snowy Window View
The scene I enjoy while sitting at my sewing machine.

The past few days here in Minnesota have been wintery and snowy. I thought you might enjoy the view I have out the window from my sewing machine. I love it. I’ve had time the past days to work on finishing some quilting projects, plan for some new ones, and get more content on my website. I am excited to start developing some new ideas I have for paper-piecing patterns and posting them on the site. 

Over the years I have learned several software programs to draw and publish my ideas.   I use Electric Quilt (EQ7) and a drawing program called Eazydraw to create my patterns.  I also need to use an open source, free photo editing program, GIMP,  to edit the images I post on my website.  Recently, I have had to learn how to build my site on WordPress using and editing plugin called Elementor.  My head is ready to explode.  Many times I experience frustration trying to master the software because it takes away from the ‘creative’ flow.  Beyond finding folks who share their quilting expertise, there are many others who share their knowledge of the software programs I am trying to use.  I greatly appreciate and rely on those who take the time to post information or respond to technical questions.

12.2.19 I am finally ready.

by Uncategorized

It is about time I gave this website my attention.  I’ve had it half-way done for some time, but just haven’t given it the time its needed to be ‘perfect’, which I am trying to get over. (Notice…the site is not perfect. For me a daring step to publish this imperfect site.) And also I have been distracted. Life is good and full, so my attention wandered a bit.

Some of you may be returning after a long time while my website was missing from the internet. Welcome back. You won’t find much new here now, but I have some new ideas ready to be shared. Thanks for your patience and please return. I am slowing learning how to manage this new website. My efforts sometimes look like a disaster, but I really do enjoy the experience of learning and sharing.  For those of you new to the site, please enjoy.  I’ve tried to keep the site simple and clean so it is easy to navigate.

I have over many years learned and still continue to grow my skills from others’ generosity. My ability to set this site up is possible from amazing Youtube videos about WordPress and Elementor. My quilting, from piecing to free motion, has been nurtured and inspired by many, many sites on the internet. (I’ll share some of these later. Promise)

Please remember that what you see here is for your personal use. If you would like to use patterns for commercial efforts, including classes you teach, please ask my permission. I am very generous is granting permission. Like I have said, my skills and ideas have been inspired by others, so I understand that sharing my ideas helps others. I want to participate in that ‘give and take’ of ideas.

Enough for today. I have more work (play) to do on this website. I love feedback, so I hope to hear from you.