Hello everyone! How are you doing? Are you going a little stir crazy with the limitations on our mobility these days? Feeling isolated by the lack of social contact? We're all in the same boat... if that's any consolation. Rather than feeling "trapped" think of yourself as "Artist in Residence" - doesn't that feel better?
So how are you doing? And what are you doing? Tackling some tidying and organizing in your sewing pace? Finishing up some UFO's? Starting a new exciting project? Or maybe all of the above?? Or maybe just chillin' out and enjoying some overdue R&R? Reading some good books... catching up on Netflix?
I heard a new word the other day.. SEWOPHRENIA - can't stick with one project, can't concentrate, many things on the go at the same time. That seems to be me lately - I'm having trouble settling on one project. Perhaps it's a sign of the times, the stress, the uncertainty...?
If you are looking for something new to get you through the weeks ahead, here are a few suggestions. ALL classes on Bluprint (formerly Craftsy) are FREE until April 9!! There are many classes in quilting, sewing, knitting and crocheting, baking, cooking, photography, etc. So, now that you have time on your hands, take advantage! mybluprint.com
If you are a Bonnie Hunter fan, you may want to join in on her new Sew-in-Place Quilt Along. Read about Bonnie's idea for helping us all keep busy "together but apart" here. It starts tomorrow! (Mon. Mar.30.) She has posted her colour choices today, you can see that first post here. A new clue will be posted on her Quiltville blog each Monday. Sounds like fun!!
Perhaps you are an Edyta Sitar fan. She has started a Mystery Quilt project on her blog Laundry Basket Quilts. It is well underway (10 of 15 blocks already posted) but you could still join in, you'll just have some catching up to do. A new block is posted each day, all blocks are 6.5" (6" finished size.) and each one will be made 4-8 times for a total of 100 blocks. Edyta is using a half yard bundle of her fabric collection Super Bloom, but of course you could pull from your own stash. There is a link to each block on her sidebar, start at Block 1 and proceed at your own pace, if you truly want it to be a "mystery." None of the blocks are difficult, this is appropriate for any skill level beyond absolute beginner. If you are going to join in, be sure to print the directions (or save the PDF) for each block as they will disappear at the end of the mystery quilt along at the end of the coming week.
Buttermilk Basin has started a free Spring Sew Along - a Block Of the Week "Peter Cottontail's Carrot Patch" in wool and cotton - click and print off the free blocks each Friday and Tuesday. Each block is available until 1 week after the last block is released. Three blocks up so far.
There is lots of inspiration to be had on Facebook with many quilters posting their progress or finished projects. New groups are springing up.. The Lockdown Quilters is one such group; it was started by Ellen of Ellie's Quiltplace of Belgium. It already has several thousand members from all over the world!
Aurifil Artisan Shannon Fraser has started a 7 day Scrap Sorting Challenge, and she promises "small steps everyday." You can check it out here.
Ricky Tims is starting live streams each Sunday, Tuesday and Saturday. Today's is a concert and chat, streaming at 4 p.m. local time, I believe. Catch it LIVE on the Ricky Tims "Public" Facebook page, or watch on The Quilt Show with Alex and Ricky YouTube page.
Upcoming: Tues. Mar.31 - Virtual quilt show - Miniatures from Ricky's collection, Part 1
Sat. Apr. 4 - Virtual quilt show - Miniatures from Ricky's collection, Part 2
Sun. Apr. 5 - Musical interlude/casual visit/Q&A
Tues. Apr.7 - Let's Make Dancing Squares Tutorial
Sat. Apr.11 - The Lizzy Albright Quilt and Fabric Line Reveal
You should have received an email re. an upcoming order to Karen Neary for Aurifil thread. My apologies to Andrea at Ridge Machine Quilting. I should have included this link to Andrea's Aurifil inventory. Of course we all want to support Andrea, our own local supplier. My email was aimed at those of you who are looking for something beyond what Andrea has, thread colour or thread weight-wise. My order will be sent on Tuesday morning, so get in touch if you need something. We don't want anyone to run out of thread during this stay at home and sew period!!!!
Above all else, remember, you are not STUCK at home, you are SAFE at home. We are staying in so we can go back out. We are staying apart so we can get back together. Seriously, this is what quilters dream about and long for- uninterrupted SEWING TIME!!!!!!! Get at it ladies- we're going to have one amazing Show and Tell when this is all over!!!
