Little by Little

November 23, 2020November 23, 20203 Comments

Here’s what it looks like at the farm on this blustery, gray, cold morning. The bit of blue makes it beautiful.

So…with a month and two days of time between now and Christmas Day, it seems that every little moment counts if I’m going to reach my quilt project goals.

Cindy helped me finish my string quilt top, while Ms. G. quilted it. The binding has been attached, the giant gift bag has been purchased and now only two tasks remain: afix the label (created by Cindy) and wait for the giftee to be sprung from her kindly by none-the-less prison-like nursing home. We’re relieved to know that a suitable apartment has been found for my mothers’ friend and she will be moving in to the new place on or about December 1. I can’t wait to see what she thinks of her new bed quilt.

I’ve attached almost all of the borders for 1 of 2 Canada quilts. I have two more wide borders to complete and it will be ready for Ms. G. and her magic long-arm. This is the teal/navy version for the older of the two girls.

Queen-sized version of Cindy’s Garden Gate Pattern

I am super happy about how it is coming together! My only concern: I’m about to run out of thread! Seriously, I’m going to buy a truckload of this stuff, because I can’t make it through the last months of quarantine without it! It has been a lifeline.

I’m hanging out at the farm for a few days so I can help mom isolate before we get our small family together for Thanksgiving dinner. It is certainly not the holiday we hoped for, but everyone is safe for now and that is all we can wish for during this trying episode.

I am offering thanks for all the scientists and health care workers who are giving their lives to save ours. Let’s all stay inside and sew so we can help save the world! Happy Thanksgiving week!

Jobs to be Done

November 9, 2020November 9, 20206 Comments

Time is both standing still and slipping away at the same time. It’s some kind of weird end-of-year phenomenon that happens every November and December. I’m sure Cindy is calmly approaching the holiday somewhere in Ohio, but I’ve got lots of work-work to do, and plenty of quilting to try to complete as time performs its slippery two-faced performance.

I’ve been sewing the tops for two queen-sized Garden Gate Charm quilts. I am in love with these colors! The quilts are Christmas gifts for the granddaughters of a dear friend. They must be quilted and then mailed to Canada. Since we’re past the US election, I hope the post office has worked out the kinks so that gifts can arrive on time.

There is a third, smaller quilt required for the toddler cousin of the Garden Gate Charm quilts recipients. I don’t even have an idea for this quilt….I think I’m going to be late.

After Cindy helped me finish the Karen String Quilt, Ms. G. the quilter worked her magic and fixed all of my piecing errors. Really, that women is a quilting pixie. Now I’m looking forward to a night or two of hand-sewing with a good light and a glass of wine at hand so I can finish the binding. The really good news is that this recipient has found an apartment and she’ll escape the nursing home where she has been trapped because of Covid. The quilt will be a combined house-warming gift and Christmas present.

I’ve been walking a lot on the farm and I’ve been practicing my Hamilton poses. I am not throwing away my shot!

It’s been a rough fall, hasn’t it? Stillness and reflection are important to healing — I hope this picture from the farm helps you as much as it helps me.

We Made It!

January 5, 201811 Comments

Sandy and I made the “Best of 2017” list on FaveQuilts!

Our Garden Gate Charm quilt made the Top 100 Free Quilt Pattern List that FaveQuilt readers fell in love with last year. We were thrilled to hear so many readers loved this pattern!

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You can download the pattern by clicking the link below:

Garden Gate Charm 03 14 17_final

Now is a great time to start planning your quilt projects for 2018. You are sure to find just the right FREE pattern on FaveQuilts.

Need a quick project for a last minute gift? You are sure to find a free pattern on the FaveQuilts site. Do you enjoy paper piecing? They have lots of free patterns to choose from! Are you an advanced quilter or maybe just a beginner? Find inspiration at FaveQuilts.

But wait, there’s more! FaveQuilts is constantly adding new patterns from many talented quilt designers. Sign up for their free eNewsletter, Piecing It Together, to get free quilt patterns delivered directly to your inbox.