March 2021

Hello all, Mary Ellen here.I have terribly sad news to share today. Our much beloved Jackie Groszkowski, past president of our guild, died last evening from COVID. She had been in the hospital for a bit. I do not have any details to share; will do so as I learn any. I’m sure all of us who knew her have memories of her caring ways, her hearty laugh, and will greatly miss her. Send up a prayer for Jackie and her family. We have lost a precious soul.  

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. It’s our holiday today! And it’s the first day of spring! What a great coincidence. Are you doing something quilty or springy to celebrate? In the discussion at our guild meeting on Thursday night questions came up about using old thread. Several ladies mentioned being given loads of thread by friends who are cleaning out houses or closets. I too have been the recipient of lots of old thread. I have a lamp that has a base which can be filled with whatever you wish. I put a bunch of the spools, completely randomly, into the base. It sits near my favorite reading spot. (Bought the lamp at HomeGoods.) I hate to throw away things that I could use down the road for “something”. I’m sure if you enjoy crafting you also know that feeling of not throwing things away because “I could use that […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Before I get to the sewing bits, a reminder for the past winners of blog prizes. If you have not yet picked up your prize, I will have them at tomorrow night’s guild meeting. If you do not plan to attend in person tomorrow, perhaps a friend of yours could pick up your prize for you. Shh! Don’t jinx it but I think spring is approaching. In the sunnier parts of the yard the tulips and daffodils are starting to show. That always puts me in the mood to sew something bright and cute. I found a few freebie patterns from Lazy Girl designs that fit the bill. Maybe you’d like to try one of these. I think my favorite is the candy wrapper key chain. See what you think.  Click here. And here are 18 free bunny patterns: click here. comment prompt: Who taught […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen back again. Linda H. shared this photo of the latest quilted fashion from Paris Fashion Week. How much do you think is the cost of this designer dress? I won’t be running out to buy this–how about you?  

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Getting out my green quilts for St. Paddy’s Day. I found the pieced shamrock that I made last year and only got to enjoy for a short time. I’m thinking about making another runner or square to use up the left over green scraps from last year’s project. I think this is the pattern I will use, but I’m going to make just one or two shamrocks instead of the whole runner. Click here if you’re interested. (Here’s the link to last year’s shamrock block. click here.) Now let’s take a stroll down memory lane. If you’ve been quilting for a while you may remember when quilted clothing was the rage among quilters. Many of our quilt shows featured a Saturday afternoon fashion show with quite a few of us parading our projects to warm applause. Some of those creations now turn up at ugly […]