Hello Lounge Lizards!

I've missed chatting with you all. I've been around but busy with finishing gifts/quilts for Christmas and all. Currently I am working on the IMQE quilt. It's in the final stages of quilting so I should be done soon.

Last October I started a quilt for my daughter and son in law with help from their son. Parker is 4 and I taught him to use the sewing machine and to move blocks around to decide on a design. We made "Jumpin' Jack Flash". It is now on their couch being used! Yay!



I had a lot of fabric left over from JJF so I made this. "Happy Days". It is in my shop looking for its special friend.




I made 3 aprons for grandchildren and 4 jewelry wallets for the 4 daughters/daughter in laws. Also, check out this bread basket I made for my son and daughter in law. I think it came out pretty good! It matches their dining room colors.



Our local guild is currently showing art quilts at a local art studio for the month of January. I've got several hanging there. It's amazing to look around the room and see all the colors, shapes and variations of fabric art.

I was thinking about some lounge lizards we don't hear from lately. Does anyone know how Ritzy and Rita are? I hope you are not freezing too much in the eastern US, or anywhere! We are fine here. Cold but the snow is melting. I am sending you all a warm hug.

geneva

Is anyone else mulling over joining in on the Mandala Unplugged offering from Ann ? I’m not much of a hand sewer but it looks interesting, and it finishes at 16” square so it’s not some huge project.

PS I didn’t start a new spot for our virtual retreat for 2018. If anyone else wants to just jump in a make one, that’s fine BUT, might I suggest we don’t give it a year name but something along the lines of 'on going' started on (date) ? That would keep everything together, or does it get too extensive? I can’t remember which year I did what in, much less if I’m looking for what someone else has done,,,

Thank you Rosemary!

Barb

A Happy New Year to Everyone, and may your seams be straight and even.

Thank you, Eileen! This has been the best little tip! I have done only 2 inner corners since I saw your post but have tucked in those bits of thread with ease. Thank you!!
eileenkny wrote:

Thank you, Marilyn.
Also wishing everyone a fabulous Christmas.
Not too much snow here - had ice rain a couple of days ago - but everything beautifully white.
This was yesterday - cold and sunny with everything glistening



Today it’s been snowing off and on all day and my brother has spent a large part of the day clearing driveways and parking lots.
Am spending Christmas and most of January with my parents as my dad has been ill. Now feeling better - still very weak after they removed part of his colon in an emergency operation a few weeks ago but can now eat so we’re hoping strength will improve. We have an appointment with oncology on 5th January when we‘ll know if further treatment necessary. Hoping for the best.
My mom had a hip replacement in early November and is now also ‚mobile‘ again with only the snow and ice keeping her inside.

Wishing you all only the very very best and much joy!

Merry Christmas to all ! Here's wishing everyone a wonderful joy-filled day with family and friends !
Marilyn in beautiful, snowy Idaho

It wasn't a book it was one of her dvds. She has 2 that I know of.

How very clever to use nail polish! What is the name of her book?

Jules, I have a dvd by Elly Sienkewicz and she uses clear nail polish. The tiniest bit on the tip of her needle and she sweeps it under the inner point to prevent fraying. HTH,

Thank you for your reply, Dawn! I'm hesitant about the fray check. I used it on my first applique piece in the mid-80's and found it a few years ago with brown spots where the fray check was applied. I threw out the project... mauve & country blue with brown spots!

I've not done much on it this week. I'm using my hand-dyed fabric and have yet to find the thinnest needle to make sewing those stitches easier. I'm on a straw #11 now. I like tiny needles anyway but assume it is the hand-dyed fabric giving me the issues since pins are also hard on those fabrics. For now, the inner points I have stitched are just not as sharp as I was hoping. All is well!

Jules~

Super cute tree, Marilyn!!

To you as well, Kath! I'm not a fan of the short days and long dark periods but being in my quilting studio with good lighting helps. I forgot it was today until I saw a post on doing 120 (or some huge number) of Sun Salutations in yoga to celebrate!

Jules~

Happy Winter Solstice to the Forum Family / Virtual Quilt Retreat crew. I wish us all the very best in our lives and Happy All Your Days!

Love and light,
Kath