Updates

Today, my husband took me out on a date to the Northwest Quilters "Festival of Quilts" and then out for an early supper at a local pub. 

As we were wandering the quilt show, I came across a booth with a woman hand quilting at a frame. There were several hand quilted quilts about- including a Grandmother's Flower Garden draped over a table. I bent over it to examine the stitches.

The lady looked up and said, "That's hand quilted." 

I replied, "I know! It's fabulous! I have one at home that I keep picking up then putting down because I'm not confident about my stitching, and I was looking at this stitching to see how mine compared."

She said, "You know, there are no quilt police." 

"Ah, but there are, " I disagreed.  "I am my own quilt police." There was a stifled laugh in the next booth over. Apparently, they'd overheard me, and it rang true for them as well.

The kind lady said, "That quilt took me 37 years start to finish. I'm proud of it." She didn't add "even though there are mistakes" or "even if my stitches aren't perfect". 

I told her that I've been working on my GFG for 14 years but have been tempted to just burn it. She indulged me by looking at my photos of my hand quilting projects.  When we came to the Grandmother's Flower Garden photos, she zoomed in to look at my stitches, "Those are fine stitches! You're a real hand quilter!"

We chatted on about thimbles, other projects and the local hand quilting guild. When I walked away a few minutes later, it was with a slight spring in my step and just a little more confidence in my skill as a quilter. 

The last of my batting roll is on the long arm! 

The Berry Bloom quilt is on.... Getting some quilting done. Trying to decide how to quilt the leaf block.  

I just loaded 3 bobbins so they are ready to go. Hope to get it done today! 

I feel like it's been a bit since I've quilted this much... Like a long time! I'm happy with the quilts I've been working on and soooo excited about the mystery quilt coming up in the fall. You are going to love it... I just know it!  

I have a family vacation next week but am bringing my sewing machine along with me. My mom is too .. So  I'm not the only one ignoring everyone else. 

I've been sewing a little bit more lately. Trying a mountain block using fat quarters that were squared up. 

It's such a large block! I still have a few very large half square triangles and don't want to make the quilt larger so I'm going to make hour glass blocks with those. 

So this is the large mountain block quilt ready for backing and quilting! 

Wanted to share some news with everyone! I have semi-retired from nursing after 47 years! I will continue to work on an as-needed basis for the nursing home and hospice that I was employed with. Not quite ready to stay home all the time though! This week I will go to work with my local sheriff's department on their Senior Citizens patrol! Totally stress free environment! Making wellness checks on the senior citizens in our parish! I have 2 major quilting events coming up. Missouri Star Quilt retreat in February and Paducah Quilt show in April! I don't share a lot on the group but I love it. I read a whole lot and love all of the tutorials! Hoping to be more involved in 2024! Happy New Year!

I'm excited to share a finish!

It's a quilt top - still no long arm, so it will be a minute before it gets truly completed. 

I'm excited though about sewing something and having a finished top!