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Hello all, Mary Ellen here.So…have you gone on any road trips lately? Now that I am fully vaccinated, I’m feeling a bit braver and am venturing further afield. (Don’t you hate it that nearly everyone starts their sentences with the word “so” these days?) Last weekend a friend and I drove out to the Iroquois Wildlife Preserve (Alabama swamps) to eagle watch. We were quite lucky to see about 5 bald eagles and 2 nesting sites. There are having “eagle watches” at the Cayuga overlook each Saturday through April. Volunteers have spotting scopes out and are very friendly in answering questions. Nice relaxing day. Another nice road trip for some of you might be a drive to the Material Rewards quilt shop outside of Dansville NY. I used to pass by it on the way to visit my mom. And since I was going right by it, of course I […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here.There was a very nice article about our beloved Jackie Groszkowski in yesterday’s Buffalo News (Thursday, April 1, 2021). She contributed so much to the community–she will be missed by so many. Perhaps since she was our community service shepherd we could all remember her by contributing a block or two to the community service block lotto this month. Here is this month’s pattern. While you’re stitching think about one of your happy memories of Jackie. Perhaps you could share one of those memories in the comments after this post.

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 […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen back again. I’m finally off all restrictions after my cataract surgery. As limiting as they were, I must admit I didn’t mind being spoiled. This was a good time for me not to be allowed to do any snow shoveling! And it gave the teenaged godsons work to do. I also was able to get the boys to carry lots of things up and down my stairs for me. Being treated like a princess is not a bad thing. Last night’s guild meeting was my first Zoom meeting. (I’ve been doing FaceTime on my mac instead throughout the lock down) It was fun to see so many faces and hear what some of us have been up to. I’m looking forward to our meeting in March–in person if all goes well. I hoping to have my first vaccination by then–isn’t the process of finding a vaccination […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. I had my checkup from my first cataract surgery and am good to go for the second eye. Had the COVID test yesterday. Second eye is scheduled for this coming Monday. Will be glad to be done with this, although I must say it’s been easy. I’m enjoying be treated like a princess–not allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds, nor to bend over–for 3 more weeks. I am allowed to sew, read, embroider, quilt, knit. Pretty good deal. I’m looking for an easy “something” to make for my nieces for Valentine’s Day. I’m thinking a mug rug would be good. I’ll share these links to patterns I’ve found so far. heart blocks: click here. heart mug rug: click here. heart mug rug: click here. later addition–carol doak crazy patch heart : click here. Heading up to the scrap bins to find pink/red valentine fabrics. […]

Hello everyone, Mary Ellen here. It was so nice to see many of you at the museum on Thursday. I hope you are enjoying your prizes. Since we will not be having a February “in-person” meeting, I will pick another day in February for museum pickup for those of you who did not get your prizes. If you would prefer some other way to get your prize, contact me and we’ll see if we can work something out. In my last post I talked about a patchwork basket I am making for favors for an upcoming shower. It is using up fabric and bstting scraps both. Here is the link to the pattern (Click here. ) and here’s a photo of one I’ve finished. It measures about 3 x 4 x 5.5.   Fill in the blank: When I sit down to piece, I always have _________ on my table. […]