Busy Work

Busy Work, February 2026

What could be better than experimenting with blocks and using colorful scraps? This cute design uses some of my favorite fabrics plus some odd bits and pieces.

I browsed my bins of triangles to create bright color combinations to go with 3” signature cuts. All blocks were stitched on my Singer 301 Laney, making a few at a time between other projects or when I had a minute.

The result is another bonus quilt to add to the collection. After sewing blocks together, I used a sheet for backing. Quilting was done with a serpentine stitch in vertical rows, using a walking foot on the Janome. 

Busy Work seemed like the perfect name for this 48” square beauty. I finished it back in February. Of course, there are many remnants left to sew since I generate more with each new quilt. A happy problem to have, I think!

Accuquilt dies used:
55729 Signature 3½”
55818 Bowtie HST 1½”
55147 HST 2¼”
55017 Strips 2½” binding

Distraction

Distraction, January 2026

It's no secret that purple is my favorite color, even though there aren't too many hues that I don't like. I'm definitely a color lovin' woman. For this simple design, I wanted to use some large and medium florals that have been in my stash for a while.

I added pink, purple, and green scraps in coordinating colors along with a white-on-white print and black & white mini gingham. These half and quarter square triangles are easy to stitch, especially on Annie, my Singer 221 Featherweight.

A sweet paisley print in purple, green & cream was perfect for backing and binding this 50” square quilt called Distraction. I quilted on the Janome with pale gray thread, using a utility zig-zag stitch in diagonal rows, plus straight stitching along horizontal and vertical seams.

I'm off to do some more rain dancing, since we are so very dry. April showers are needed for May flowers, and we have only had 0.65” so far this whole month. Not your usual rainy April in Tennessee, despite several storms passing us by.

Accuquilt dies used:

55001 HST 6½”

55002 QST 6½”

55017 Strips 2½”

Lightly Toasted

I took a break from bright colors for this soft neutral baby quilt. A trio of rectangles in tan and cream small prints are turned on point and alternated with beige gingham squares.

Lightly Toasted is 40” square, and quilted diagonally with tan thread using a utility zig-zag stitch. It's easy on the eyes and perfect for a little cowboy's room.

I finished this one last spring, right before packing up my sewing gear. I can't believe I went more than six months without quilting, but I somehow survived. Wouldn't want to do that again, ever! Now I'm blissfully back in my happy place, quilting nearly every day.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6047 Rectangles 2” x 6” 

Accuquilt
55000 Square 6”
55001 Half Square Triangle 6”
55002 Quarter Square Triangle 6”
55017 Strips 2”

Knockout

Knockout

All these colors and circles make me so happy! It was a pleasure to design and sew this bright 50” square lap quilt. It started with a slightly different layout, but sometimes I let the fabric tell me what it wants to be.

The large Amy Butler print gave me color guidance and I pulled scraps and pieces from my stash to coordinate the prints. Yellow, blue, pink, green, melon, aqua, and lime make a glorious splash, don't they?

Simple 12” blocks made with Blue Wren's Curve in a Square 6” die made quick work of this one. I quilted in randomly spaced rows with yellow thread and a rolling wave ruler on my Janome. The backing is a solid yellow sheet; binding is wider than normal to showcase the large print.

It is, I believe, a Knockout! I'll make it again with different colors.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6602 Curve in a Square 6” quarter square
Accuquilt 55032 Strips 3” finished (for binding)

Update on the week's weather: We did not get 24” of snow last Saturday, it was more like 2” with the unfortunate 1/4” ice topping that made everything slick and dangerous. No power outage for us, however our home town had to deal with slightly more snow and twice the ice, causing nearly a week without electricity and limited travel due to falling trees, power lines, and unsafe roads. Winter in Tennessee can be a challenge.

 

Back Where We Belong

We've come full circle. I'm happy to be starting a new year in a newer home located where we began as newlyweds over 50 years ago.

2025 was a crazy, hectic, and busy year. Buying our home last January was the easy part. Packing, moving, and getting the old one shined up and sold took time, much effort, and considerable stress. 

We had long days full of hard work. We sold, gave away, or tossed out of a lot of excess stuff. We learned new skills together, took our time, and did most of the work ourselves. Not bad for 70+ year old seniors, and it's been very satisfying to accomplish.

We met some delightful people along the way. Unfortunately, dealing with delays, stupid rules, and incompetent idiots taught us a few lessons. Our patience was tested a couple of times, failed once or twice. And our stress relieving hobbies were packed up for over nine months...no quilting, no electronics...never thought we could survive that!

Still, we enjoyed most of the process of planning, moving, and settling in at our new location. Goodbye Sumner County -- Hello Cookeville!

We're here now, right back where we belong, already relaxing and enjoying life. And that's all that matters. 

Felicity

Happiness is a finished quilt. I love the entire process of sewing a quilt, but sewing that last stitch on the binding is such a wonderful feeling.

Turkey tracks block is an old design dating from the mid 1800's, with the pattern published in 1936 in the Kansas City Star. There's also an appliqued version where the pieces are curvier.

My 12” blocks are machine pieced, with dainty yellow florals, green woven, blue check print, and grey mini dot background. The white arrow print sashing ties it all together.

For quilting, I chose an ice blue thread and the which way ruler to create an allover design. Felicity finished out at 48” square.  

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6664 Turkey Tracks 12” finished
Accuquilt 55017 Strips 2½”

Ready For A Reset

Happy New Year, everyone!

Taking a look back at 2023, it seems I was a busy lady with lots going on. After checking my lists and inventory, here's a summary of last year's work:

• Quilts & projects finished: 54
• Quilts donated or gifted: 21
• Fabric acquired: 647 yards (purchases + gifts)
• Fabric used: 253 yards
• Fabric left (not including scrap boxes): 2651 yards

So, I have plenty left to stitch. It's difficult to turn down free or low cost quilting material. I'm thankful for my friends who generously share fabric and sewing machines with me, and for my sweet husband, who actively encourages me to get whatever I want, from fabric to sewing machines and quilting supplies.

Quilting is my passion! I design and sew for pleasure and to keep my brain active. I don't take custom orders, publish or sell quilt patterns. I know I could earn money selling, but that would take the fun out of it and cut into my sewing time. I just want to enjoy my hobby, not run a business. Been there, done that.

Thanks for reading and sharing my blog. Although people have asked for videos and more content, it will remain the same weekly post for now. That takes up quite a bit of time already and I don't want to expand.  

So, I've reset the counters, made a few resolutions, cleaned my studio, and started off the year sewing.

Hope you all have a fabulous 2024. Take time for yourself, and do what makes you happy!

 

Remembering Naomi

Remembering Naomi

I made this special quilt for a friend, from fabric that his sweet mom gave to me when she moved to assisted living. Sadly, she passed this year, and I thought he would like a remembrance quilt.

The design of squares and rectangles is simple but the colors of navy, hunter green, and dark red coordinate well. I added a few squares of my own fabric as a personal touch.

Quilting was done with green thread, using both straight and serpentine stitches. Remembering Naomi is 56” square. I used my restored Singer 127 (Mary Margaret, a machine gifted to me by another friend) to piece the blocks.

One of the best parts of Christmas is giving. Over the past few years I've been given lots of fabric. I believe in paying it forward, so I've used yards of that material to sew quilts which I've donated to local assisted living and senior living homes.

I got a lovely thank you note from one little lady who said, “It was like the heavens opened up and rained down pretty quilts for us.”

So, to everyone who has provided the materials that made this possible: You are appreciated!

Merry Christmas to you all, and I hope that you can experience the magic and joy of giving all year long.

Hilltop Chain

Remnants, scraps, leftovers...whatever you call them, these pieces of material have been saved in most sewing rooms for decades.

Today's quilt is the result of a cutting session with the Accuquilt Weathervane die and a big basket of scraps. I used shape B (pentagon) to cut colorful prints. Shapes A and D were cut from natural muslin. The block I sewed is a variation of a vintage one called Old Italian Block or Mountain Peak.

What a fun quilt to make! I used Rockette, my 1962 Singer 500A for piecing. This one reminds me of the simple bed quilts that Granny Hill and Granny Rose sewed. Hilltop Chain is snuggle size, at 51” square. I quilted across the muslin squares using bright variegated thread, using a multi-stitch zig zag pattern.

I am happiest when I'm creating something new out of remnants, and when I'm experimenting with quilt designs. I promise you it's been a happy, scrappy summer at my house.

Accuquilt dies used:
55544 Weathervane 8” finished Shapes A, B, and D
55017 Strip 2½”

 

Petting Zoo & Christmas Donation

This darling quilt is constructed with animal themed fabrics, most given to me by a friend, some picked up at estate sales. Cats, dogs, lions, owls, rabbits, llamas and other critters frolic with coordinating prints.

I used the snowball block, with black weave on the corners. Piecing was done on Elizabeth, my vintage Singer 404. Petting Zoo is 48” square. I quilted with white thread, adding straight and serpentine stitches across the center of the blocks.

Petting Zoo

Accuquilt dies used:
55330 Snowball 6” finished
55017 Strip 2½”

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄

Christmas donation 

This was one of a group of quilts that I donated to a local senior living facility. The ladies were so surprised when this Santa's helper dropped by. It was lovely to see those smiles as they unwrapped their gifts.

Spread some

J O Y

this Christmas

 

Blissful

Blissful

Cool aqua and soothing gray blend well together, and today's quilt features both. The fabrics coordinate perfectly even though I didn't buy them together. One or two are remnants over ten years old.

I started out with two blocks – nine-patch and drunkard's path, using EQ8 to design. After trying out several layouts on the design wall, I decided to put them on point and add pieced corners. I ended up using seven dies to cut the sections.

Blissful is 45” square after adding two strip borders. Quilting is a straight stitch in aqua thread, using a ruler and walking foot to emphasize the curves. I love the overall effect of the stitching.  Such a calming quilt!

Dies used:

Accuquilt
55743 & 55739 Drunkard's Path 9” finished
55006 Square 3½”
55009 Half Square Triangle 3½”
55018 Small Value die HST
55017 Strip 2½”

Blue Wren
6015 Strip 1½”

Charli's Lone Star

Charli's Lone Star

Baby quilts are just so sweet and happy. I make a few to have handy as gifts, but I prefer to design something personal to complement the nursery décor.

Miss Charli, the first granddaughter of my good friend, is due to arrive in June. Her room has a western theme, featuring cowhide and pink. I decided a Lone Star quilt would coordinate nicely.

Black and white mini gingham and a bandana print contrast with tiny pink roses on black and two pink fabrics. The layout was completed in EQ8 so I could preview color placement.  I added three borders to frame the star and a larger black gingham on the back.

Quilting was done using dark gray thread in straight stitch to emphasize the star design. I added serpentine stitching on the borders. Final size is 43½” square.

I presented Charli's Lone Star to her grandmother last week and the family is delighted. We're all waiting now to see how the little cowgirl looks wrapped up in this soft quilt.

Dies used:
Accuquilt
55453 LeMoyne Star (diamond shapes)
55001 Half Square Triangle 6½”
55054 Strip 4½”
55017 Strips 2½”

Blue Wren
6522 Half Square Triangle 8½”

Machines used:
Rockette (Singer 500A)
Janelle (Janome Horizon MC9450)

Under The Influence

Another scrap quilt and it's quite unique. Why? Because I cut and sewed most of it while taking pain meds after a dental procedure. So some of the seams don't quite match up. Oh well, it's so busy with color and patterns that it's hard to find the errors.

I used several dies and made multiple cuts to get the final shapes for this crazy block. First, I cut scraps on the 6½” square die. I used the wedge die to trim these into the center sections. For the side pieces, I cut lighter colors into 5½” half square triangles. I sewed them on each side of the wedges. After pressing, I trimmed them to size on the 6½” square die, lining up the corners of the wedge section.

Under The Influence - 2021 Useful Remnants

Then I sewed a 12” four-patch block, being careful not to stretch the sides. If I hadn't been taking the meds, they would have matched up pretty well. Under The Influence finished out at 61” square. I quilted in a simple serpentine stitch along the squares and across the wedges, using cream thread.

I had fun working out how to achieve the modified kite block I wanted with the dies and fabric that I had on hand. (I did that BEFORE seeing the dentist.) It is so satisfying to use those saved remnants, just like the grannies used to do. I created even more leftovers from trimming the wedge pieces that I can use later for another bonus quilt project. I don't think I'll ever get to the bottom of these scrap bins!

Accuquilt dies used:
55439 Wedge 9” finished
55000 Square 6” finished
55805 Half Square Triangle 5” finished (10” Qube)
55017 Strip 2½”

 

Color Wheels

I raided the scrap basket again. A major benefit of sewing lots of quilts is oodles of leftovers to create bonus projects. 

Only bright colors would do to create these fun color wheels. Two white and black background fabrics create shadow and add interest to each block. The wheels appear to float, don't you think?

Sewing and cutting the sixteen blocks was quick and easy with Blue Wren's die. I added a backing of colorful stripes on white, and repeated the black wheel center material as binding. Color Wheels is 49” square.

I quilted with white thread, sewing a straight stitch diagonally both ways across the quilt, one inch either side of the center hub. This one makes me happy...it may be a while before I find it a new home.

Color Wheels

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6297 Wheel 12” finished
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

C O L O R S

speak louder

than words.

Sun Dried Cotton

Sun Dried Cotton

Another scrap quilt today, with lots of pretty pieces. It reminds me of an old fashioned clothesline on a sunny day.

Can't you just picture dresses, shirts, and sheets flapping in the breeze? I'll bet if you stop to concentrate, you could get a whiff of warm sun dried cotton.

All these prints in pink, yellow, blue, aqua, green and purple were left over from other projects or small pieces from my yard sale acquisitions. I emptied a scrap basket cutting them, but don't worry, I still have many left.

I sewed twenty-five colorful Hattie's Choice blocks with a white on cream vine print as a background. Two borders frame it up nicely: one plain, another created with the same small triangles from the main block. I used plain muslin for the backing, like my grannies used to do.

Sun Dried Cotton is 48” square. To create motion, I used Angela Walter's Squiggy ruler to echo stitch large rolling waves in white thread across the whole quilt. Such a fun project!

After writing this, I feel the need to start a load of laundry, just so I can hang it outside to dry.

Accuquilt dies used:
55220 Hattie's Choice 8” finished
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Slow down enough

to savor the moments

that make your heart happy 

Turkey Creek

Turkey Creek -- Katie Scarlett Designs

I truly enjoy playing in Electric Quilt 8 using different block designs. This one started as a 12” sample of Blue Wren's Turkey Tracks die, then it grew into a lap quilt. I'm loving the color combination of navy, orange, and yellow with natural muslin.

For alternate blocks, I substituted four-patch segments with the curved center section of turkey tracks. I started out with five turkey tracks and four alternate blocks. After putting them together it seemed unfinished, so I added a border all around, extending the four-patch sets and 4” muslin squares.

Quilting really stands out with diagonal serpentine lines in medium blue thread. The backing and binding is navy with white mini dots. Turkey Creek finished at 44” square.

You'll be seeing this die again soon...I already have another vintage block laid out using some of the pieces. A quilter's brain never stops generating new ideas!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6664 Turkey Tracks 6” finished quarter block
Accuquilt
55017 Strips 2½”
55059 Square 2½” multiples
55018 Small Value Die 4” square

Thank goodness

for the instant pot,

the crock pot,

and a husband

who's learned how to cook.

Vintage Bows

Remember those sugar sack remnants from last week?

I couldn't wait to use them for this reproduction of one of my Granny Hill's quilts. The bow tie block is quick and easy in the 6” size. I added more feed sacks in yellow, red and green prints, including a scrap of Granny Rose's.    

Tan muslin squares alternated with the bow ties add to the traditional design. I framed it with two borders, a 2” navy and cream mini print and a 3” tan muslin on the outside. Vintage Bows finished at 53” square.

Vintage Bows

I quilted with cream thread using a straight stitch in a 3” grid. Backing and binding features the navy/cream print. Such a soft and cuddly Granny quilt! It looks and feels like an antique, even though I just finished it. Of course, most of the fabric IS vintage.

Accuquilt dies:
55000 6” Square
55772 6” Bow Tie
55818 Half Square Triangle (6” Bow Tie set)
55017 Strips 2½”
55032 Strip 3 ½”

Joy is

a day

spent

sewing

Rhythm & Blues

What a striking quilt this turned out to be! I knew it would be pretty when I designed it in EQ8, but the completed project turned out better than expected.

Large rings in shades of cobalt blue and white have a modern look. Rhythm & Blues is 48” square, with rounded corners on the 4” borders. Backing is pieced in three sections using leftover fabric. Quilting was done with medium blue thread in an allover scallop stitch.

The curves on this Blue Wren die sewed together perfectly...I didn't even use pins! I just matched the notches and stitched a bit more slowly than usual with the Acufeed HP 2 foot on my Janome.

This design would look fabulous in any two or three color combination, or maybe even try it with multi-colored scraps. I'll be making this again.  It's a happy quilt that makes you want to tap your toes.  Have a great  week, y'all.  

Hey, get rhythm!

When you get the blues!

C'mon, get rhythm!

When you get the blues!

Get a rock and roll feeling in your bones

Put taps on your toes, and get goin'

Get rhythm!

When you get the blues!

~Johnny Cash

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6858 Charming Rings 8” finished
Accuquilt
55054 Strips 4½”
55017 Strips 2½” (binding)

Vintage Sassy Baby

Vintage Sassy Baby

I went back to the remnant box for this adorable baby quilt. I like this simple vintage block called Periwinkle from Blue Wren. It's quick, easy and fun to sew.

The medium sized floral border fabric provided color choices for the 10” blocks. Pink, yellow, melon, green, blue and aqua prints stand out nicely against white on cream fabric. I used EQ8 for layout and color placement.

Vintage Sassy Baby's final size of 38” x 48” is just right for a little one. Backing and binding is a yellow linen look print. Using light creamy thread, I quilted free motion in a stipple pattern.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6077 Periwinkle 10” block
Accuquilt 55017 2½” strip

Thankful for the joy

that quilting brings

Thankful Anyway

Well, 2020 hasn't given us much to be thankful for. Between the election, hurricanes, and COVID-19, most of this year has seemed frantic and unsettling. It has definitely been a time for vision.

With my ever positive attitude, I am still thankful for a lot. My husband and I are both healthy. We have a roof over our heads, food, water, and paper products. We are retired, so we don't have to go out except for necessities. We can stay in and stay safe, wearing masks when we leave the house. I do miss eating out, but to me it isn't worth the risk.

I'm grateful that I truly enjoy being at home. I've taken advantage of extra time here to make a few small improvements. I've cleared out and reorganized cabinets, closets and drawers. Home to us is sanctuary; a cozy, peaceful place to relax and enjoy life.

Going through quarantines and shortages made me pause to think about what's really important. The extra solitude gave me the opportunity to reconsider what I want my life to be like. Simplicity and comfort are key ingredients; saying no to people and things I don't want is another.

I've turned off the news, listened to more music, read more books, explored new ideas, taken long walks, and had great conversations with my husband. I found that I don't need so many clothes, shoes, and accessories. My hair has grown out to a pretty silvery color and I just trimmed off the last of the blonde ends. I'm officially an old gal now, but still a feisty one!

Last of all, I appreciate having a lovely craft room with enough fabric and supplies to keep me sewing for at least another year or two. My sweetie has the full basement for his toys and projects.

So, we're good here. And thankful.

Wishing you all

a peaceful Thanksgiving