Marching On ! (I missed February)

 Hello!  I will start with my sad news first.   We helped COCO over the rainbow bridge on February 28th.

She was born on Christmas Day 2009.  She always loved the snow!

She loved the February blizzard!

We had family coming to stay with her while we went on a cruise, but Coco stopped walking on her own and that was our last line of acceptance. 

A friend gifted my this sweet figurine.  I've been very sad as you can imagine.  She was a constant companion for over 16 years.  I will add more photos at the end.

I made a dolly quilt for Diane.  I've been making them for about 20 years.  Here is this years quilt.  A simple 4 patch with brown and red.

Nutmeg got in on the fun (bribed with a few treats).

I made a protest quilt in response to the ICE killings in Minnesota.  This was a human thing, not a political thing.... 

It is all paper-pieced and took me a long time!  It still needs quilting.

I have completed all the blocks for my Semiquincentennial  and in the process of piecing it all together.

We sailed away to the caribbean on our favorite cruise line:  Holland America.  We were sailed on the Rotterdam, a new boat to us.

Dining room above, and Tamarind restaurant/bar below.

the Orange Party (in honor of their home country and Royalty)

cake me away party...

Old San Juan

Dominican Republic

St. Thomas

Holland Private Island.  The water was amazing!

I even found a sewing machine on board!  They have a lot of interesting art pieces  centered around music.

If you're still scrolling through, I have FINISHED my eagle quilt top!  woo hoo!

I think it was on 2025 goal list.

Part of the backing.  Isn't it great?  Wendy and I found it in Portland.  It is an Alexander Henry print.

Signs of spring at long last.  Daffoldils.

Thanks for the visit and for all of your kind comments on FB and Instagram  about my Coco.

Until next time,

xoxo

Barb

Jolly January! 2026

Happy New Year!  (is it?) Let us hope so.  My first finish this year is a Japanese Rice Bag.

I did a lot of big stitch to add interest and embellished with buttons.

Whoopie!  Coco turned 16 on Christmas Day!

She is deaf and also probably almost blind, but still happy to go for a walk and have her breakfast and dinner.I am recommitting to my Jane Stickle Blocks.  You will note that I always use Jane Stickle, as Dear Jane was a book title....an idea.....not the quilt's name or makers name.  Her name is Jane Stickle.

In an effort not to repeat fabrics, I have selected all 81 prints I'll be using to make my quilt.  I am using the potholder method for construction.  Here are some blocks:

I have joined Cecile and Corrine's Sew Along this year.  The theme is triangles.  The rules are you have to make 16 different blocks with no two the same.

Here is my plan.  This will also be my semiquincentenial quilt to commemorate the 250th Birthday of America.   It may also commemorate the end of our Democracy, but I pray it won't be....  I am literally heartsick about the state of things.  You are free to feel however you wish, but this is my blog and my opinion.

Here are my blocks so far.

I continue to work on my Scrappy Star Sew Along.  

My wish for you is that you have lots of quilt projects to keep you busy and happy.

If you are still here,  I will leave you with these beautiful nature photos, which have been inspired by fellow bloggers Janet, Gladi and Gail.

xo 

Barb

Hello Out There!

I'm popping in to say hello and do a little catching up!  I have had the busiest year I can ever remember so I'm just going to do a little photo review.

I started a secret and special project in March and here it is in June.  

I've started making my own soy scented candles with recycled items that I thrifted.  I save money, shipping and using petroleum wax.

I did a lot of gardening with Mr. Fun this spring/summer.

I received a tabletop Solo stove for my June birthday.  How cute is this?

We were gifted this fabulous windmill from friends because their HOA would not allow it.

We had family from Oregon join us for a Danish breakfast.

Rich had lots of great sails on his boat, Manitou.

I went to wedding in NC with my oldest and best friends.

I went to Maine Quilts and Wendy and I went to the Botanical Gardens and met the Trolls!!! 

I was the Chairperson for my guilds quilt exhibit.  It was a TON of work, but it looked great!

Wendy and went to the AQSG seminar in Portland Maine.  We ran the silent auction.   Another huge job, but we had fun together.

I made Study Challenge quilt based on her eagle quilt in this photo.

It was not selected to travel......which was a little heartbreaking, but I have gifted it to Wendy and her family.

We had a great family time at the Durham fair.  WE love the demolition derby.

My two quilts won top marks 

In other news, my son, Andrew had 4 hospitalizations this year!   It started with Appendix and then a series of Diverticulitis infections.  

In early December he had surgery and we are hopeful all is fixed up now.

Among and in between all I had the most quilt teaching and traveling since before covid.  A lot of that can be seen on my instagram feed.

I am so grateful for all of the ups and downs and arounds this year.  

My last finish for  2025:  Tree Lot.  Made with blocks I won at modern guild made by guild members.

Have a Merry Little Christmas

See you Next Year for a quilt recap.

xoxo