Sunday, March 22, 2026

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


Thursday, January 15, 2026

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