Can I just brag on my quilters for a minute? Yes, I consider them mine as I feel I created them. I went to see Jill last month and I couldn’t believe that barely 2 years ago she didn’t sew and had no idea how to make a quilt. It is just amazing to see how much she has accomplished over the past year. I love seeing how excited she is looking at new fabrics and how easily she sits down to free motion a top without any lessons at all. She just amazes me. I wish I had a picture of her sewing.

Then there is Marilyn and Pam. WOW. They have taken to quilting like fish to water. I love seeing them learning new things but also being so excited about a quilt once it’s done. I especially love seeing they don’t settle. If it isn’t right they stop, take it out and strive to do the best they can to make it perfect. They have started heir women of the bible quilts which will be a big endeavor. Both have decided to use Christmas fabrics so it can be displayed in their home once it’s finished. Here they are last month showing off block one – Eve.

Tonia just joined us this year but I think she’s a quilter at heart. She’s working on her 4th or 5th one already. I love seeing her open new fabrics and you immediately see the wheels in her head start turning wondering what she’ll make with that fabric. Here she is playing with her original machine, a 1950’s Singer 99. She has an ungraded Juki now but I hope she keeps the 99 as it will last forever.

I’ve been quilting a lot for the ladies in my local class so I don’t piece as much as usual. But I love it. I get to see how much attention and care they are putting into each quilt top and I love seeing how excited they are once the tops are done and they can admire their work. It makes every minute of it worth it.

I have 3 new ladies at the church group that just started this month. I’ll see if it’s ok to take and post their picture. If so, I will introduce you to them next month when we meet again. Marie was an absolute hoot and Claudia took to quilting like someone that’s been quilting for years. She even has a sweet vintage Bernina (private joke). Angela wasn’t able to come to the first group but she’s already started on her top. Can’t wait to see what they accomplished.

After having it for several years and never taking it out of the box, I am experimenting more with my instapot. The ziti is even better than making in the oven and you can’t complain about any meal that you just dump it in and cook for 5 minutes. It was delicious. My favorite however (don’t have a picture) was risotto. I love it but don’t make often as it requires standing at the stove for 40 minutes and stirring while you add broth. But hello instapot. I almost didn’t try it but 10 minutes later I had some of the creamiest, most delicious risotto I’ve eaten in a long time.

Here is the pic of my ziti. I made it for the last ladies craft group. I’ve also been trying some new recipes just for something different. The smothered chicken was unbelievable and this potato, while a bit weird, was actually pretty good. It’s a baked potato topped with cheddar cheese, grilled chicken and a drizzle of homemade alfredo sauce and bacon. How can it be bad, it has bacon?

If you know me, you know hexagons aren’t my favorite to make. However, it’s only because I struggle so much to get them sewn correctly. So when I saw this fabric I decided I will once again try my hand at a one block wonder quilt. The newest idea I’ve seen in one block wonder quilts is using a panel in the middle and building the hexagons around it.

When I saw this fabric I knew I wanted to try and use it and the coordinating panel. I’ll show you the panel as I get started and have some “in progress” pictures. I think the hexagons will come out pretty cool. This is the fabric I used and some examples.

Someone asked me the other day why she never sees many quilts on my blog anymore. Well, I haven’t gotten a lot finished and I don’t like posting till they are done. I can tell you, I just quilted 2 this past weekend and once I get the binding added I will post them. I also have one more basted and 2 more heading to my dear friend Marilyn who does the basting for me. But no sneak peeks.

Here are the fabrics for a couple I hope to start soon. They are both fabrics I’ve had for some time and couldn’t decide what to make with them. I bet you can guess the one cut into strips will eventually be a bargello.

I finally got a few minutes to add to my blog. Life is pretty quiet, thankfully, and I don’t have a lot to blog about. I did finally get to go see my amazing, sexy sister Jill and her awesome hubby Mark. I honestly can’t think of any people I would rather spend time with than those 2. They are just priceless to me.

We had a great dinner with Jill’s family to celebrate her birthday and then another with their friends Gayle and Debbie. Hope I spelled his name right. What a neat couple and super friendly. It is so nice to just spend some down time visiting, cooking together, etc. And of course, I got to visit with Ms. Maggie the Diva. She has discovered her love of sweet bell peppers.

Of course Jill and I did take a run to the local quilt shops. I found a beautiful floral that will one day likely become an octagon quilt and in the smaller shop I fond a jacket pattern I have looked for over the past 2 years. I want to quilt the fabric then hopefully try to make this. I haven’t sewn clothing in almost 20 years so we shall see how it goes.

While there Mark ordered me an early Christmas present, which was way too expensive but I love it. It arrived in the mail about a week after I got home.

I just can’t wait till November when they come visit. I love those two. Isn’t this one sexy piece of tanzanite jewelry. I will love it forever and wear it almost every day.