Catchng up

 So.... here we are almost halfway into 2022. I'd like to say I accomplished a lot of quilting during this past year but alas.... I have not. Our life was focused on my dear dad whose health was declining day by day and so naturally he and my mom were our priority. We were blessed to have him in our lives as long as we did. Very sadly he passed away last December, here at home, with us at his side, at the age of 91. So since that sad day we been all about catching up and helping my Mom. Happily she is doing well and life is starting to look a little more like "normal" again. Whatever normal is. I am actively working on preparations for posting some new YouTube videos for you. Hopefully that will happen in the next month or two. 

Here is a link to my channel  https://youtu.be/UeQJ6oGR-Awor

 I hope you are enjoying playing with fabric. From the amount of orders we're getting I'm guessing you are! 

Live creatively,

Linda

 

 

Stitching your way through the pandemic

It's National Quilt Day and it almost got past me. Oh my! Yes, besides updating the tutorials here on my blog, it has been way too long since I've posted. I am ashamed to say that it took a horrid pandemic to spur me on.

That said, I am going to forgive myself for not doing it sooner.

You are most likely one of thousands upon thousands of people that are hunkered down at home. Sadly, perhaps you are out of work. Maybe you are working from home, and you may have children home from school too. Whatever your circumstance you may find yourself getting things done, or doing things you used to do a long time ago. You might be cooking more than you did, or taking more walks, playing games with your family, calling old friends, volunteering, maybe even sending notes via snail mail, and of course picking up that quilt project that you started some time ago. I just happen to have a few of those around. Hahahaha.  Whatever it is, you may be saying "why haven't I fit this into my life before?"
Well, we are a busy and active society.
It's all too easy to set aside some of the small and simple pleasures of a silly game, a call to friends, a family meal together, the appreciation of fresh air.
But, right now we are all on hold. We don't know for how long, and that's disconcerting, but when life begins returning to the way it was maybe we should try to keep some of those forgotten little pleasures in our lives. So forgive yourselves too when you find yourselves saying "why didn't I do this sooner?".  So, while we are all in limbo......dig through your quilt projects that are patiently waiting for you and take pleasure in your craft.
Stay well and be kind. Share your toilet paper 😂 We're all in this together.

Yippie ~ It’s here!

Woo - Hoo !
Spring has arrived and I’m coming out of hibernation.
You’d think that I would have had plenty of time to blog throughout the winter but it just didn’t happen. I guess I’ve been busier than I thought keeping my parents healthy and entertained through the dreary winter months. When it comes down to it, that of course, is most important and a more precious use of my time.
After 3 years of residing back here in Wisconsin, and learning to embrace winter, I’m happy to see winter losing its grip. Spring is here at last, at least according to the calendar.
Just when I finally mastered tying my winter boots with winter gloves on! Not easy, LOL
My hubby and I are doing very well at snow removal. You get pretty good at it when your driveway is 300 feet long.

 

I am getting ready to finish up several quilts that I tinkered with over the winter. I must say, quilts for warmth and cuddling in are much more in need up here in Wisconsin than they were in south Florida.  In Florida, quilts tend to be more of an artistic decorative nature. No matter what their purpose, I love them all. My little snowman looks like he could have used a quilt.

I'd like to say that I finished all sorts of new quilt patterns this winter, I said I’d like to say it, but I can’t. Oh me, oh my.
I did finish a cute new pin cushion pattern that incorporates string piecing and some simple hand embroidery. It's called “Strings and Stitches” and you can order it on my website or my Etsy shop.
I used the Project Red fabrics by Sweetwater for Moda. I paired them with a natural linen for the front and back.
I do have several kits available on my Etsy shop, so hurry on by and scoop one up.

New Pincushion pattern ~ Strings and Stitches

Thanks for stopping by, I'll have more to share soon. Enjoy the Springtime!
Linda

Bake some tasty treats for your quilty friends

It's Autumn and that means cozy plaids, soft cuddly sweaters and scarves, the bringing out of more quilts to keep off the coming chill, pumpkin spice everywhere, and slow stitching days with friends.

I got the baking bug today and wanted to share this super easy cookie recipe that is yummy, easy and pretty. It' a great recipe when the baking bug hits you but you don't have a bunch of baking ingredients on hand. The refrigerated pie crusts are easy to keep on hand. You can whip these out in a jiffy for those last minute impromptu gatherings.

Jelly tarts recipe from Thistledown and Company

Jelly Tarts
1 package of pie crust ( the kind in the refrigerator section, it's pre rolled in the package.
1 small jar of seedless strawberry jam or other preferred flavor. Apricot and current are also great choices.

Powdered sugar
Parchment paper for baking/ cooking
Round cookie cutter about 3-4"

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line cookie sheet with baking parchment paper.
Unroll pie dough on a lightly floured surface.
Cut out shapes from dough with the cookie cutter. Gather up the remnants of the dough and roll out again and cut more shapes.
On half of the cookie cut outs, cut a circle out of the middle.
Place all of the cookie shapes on the parchment lined cookie sheet and bake about 12-13 minutes or until barely golden.
Remove from oven and spread the jam on the solid cookies. Top with the cut out cookies. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Serve with a nice cup of tea, coffee or cocoa. Mmmmmmm!