Still Not Sewing, and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, my friends!  Someone, and I'm not naming names, is still keeping me from my sewing machine.  He is almost 40 pounds and not quite five months old (this pic is from a couple of weeks ago), and his shenanigans are still keeping me on my toes.  Lately, he loves patrolling every toilet in the house (several times a day), just to see if someone may have forgotten to put the lid down, in which case he will help himself to a refreshing drink, stealing socks from my laundry pile and running from me when I try to retrieve them, and trying to lick the ice in the freezer every single time the door is opened.  Oh, and last week, he discovered that toilet paper has an end that can be pulled...so that's been fun.  It's a good thing he's so cute, and he's really sweet and snuggly when he's not wreaking havoc on my day, lol!

Even though I haven't been sewing, I have found that I can sneak in some design time on my computer.  It's just a few minutes here and there, but it's been awhile since I just played around with design, and it's been fun to do something creative.

Without further ado, let's check out some of my favorites from last week's party.  Sandra at mmmquilts shared this one.  Y'all know I can't resist a scrappy quilt!

This lovely muted quilt is from Kat at Scrapbox Quilts-

And this pretty star quilt is from Sew Preeti Quilts-

Okay friends!  Let's party!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

NTT Time!

Hey there, my friends!  Welcome to another Needle and Thread Thursday!  I'm still puppy-wrangling over here, so no sewing, BUT I did get to present a virtual trunk show to the Twilight Quilter's Guild in Ontario, Canada.  

Isn't technology grand?  Traveling from Tennessee to Canada would have been expensive and difficult, but with the magic of Zoom, I was able to present my newest trunk show, Show Your Back Side (quilt back ideas from my book, Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs) on Monday night, and it was so much fun!  Of course, you don't have to be in another country for me to present to your guild.  Whether your guild prefers to invite teachers in person, or virtually, I'd love to visit you!  I'm still have some availability for 2026, so send me an email and we'll chat.

As always, last weeks party was nothing short of amazing.  There were so many wonderful things linked up, like this oh-so-gorgeous quilt from Linda at Kokaquilts.  All of those prints are so cheerful!

This scrappy beauty is from Gretchen's Little Corner, and it is one of TWO she finished this week.  Visit her blog to see the second one!

I am loving this happy quilt from Deb at A Scrappy Quilter-

And this soothing quilt is from Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting.  These more muted tones are perfect for heading into autumn.

Okie dokie, my friends!  Let's get our party going!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Giveaway Winner and NTT

Hey there, friends.  Welcome to another Needle and Thread Thursday!  I'm so excited to announce that Cherie Moore, comment number four, is the winner of the Starfire quilt kit giveaway from last week's party!  Cherie, I've sent an email to you so we can work out the details and I can get it shipped to you!

Last week's party was filled with great stuff as usual, like this cheerful quilt from Something Rosemade-

Or this pretty one from Quilting Gail-

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts showed off this patriotic beauty-

And finally, Sew Preeti Quilts linked up this quilt with crisp, cool colors-

Okay, friends!  Let's do it!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

NTT and a Big Giveaway!

Hey there, my friends!  Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday.  Although I still haven't been able to do any sewing this week, I was doing a little organizing in my sewing room, and I'm excited to offer a pretty big giveaway today!  I'm sure you remember that last April, I taught my Starfire quilt at a Stitchin' Heaven Sewcation in San Diego, CA.

Since I no longer had my original Starfire quilt, I had to remake the quilt for a class sample.  You can see all of the photos of it HERE.  The folks at Stitchin' Heaven were very generous.  Not only did they send me a Twin-size quilt kit for my class sample, they also sent me a second Twin-size kit to make all of the step-outs for the class, and both kits had ALL of the pieces precut!   Obviously, one entire kit was used to make the lap sized Starfire class sample with an amazing pieced back using all the leftovers, and the second kit was used for all the class step-outs.  

BUT, because the kits were each for Twin-sized quilts, once I made all of the step-outs for class, the second kit still has more than enough pieces for a Lap-size Starfire quilt (with some leftovers!).  But do note that the backing and binding fabrics aren't included in the kit.

I have now made this quilt twice, and I would love to add the Starfire pattern to the precut kit and send it on its way so someone else can enjoy making it.  Just leave a comment on this post to enter the giveaway.  I'll announce the winner next week!  (US only. Sorry, international friends.  Shipping is just too expensive!) This giveaway has now ended.

Okay, friends!  Before we party, let's check out the highlights from last week. Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting linked up this wonderful quilt, made from children's art printed on fabric!  What a great keepsake!

This sweet little strawberry quilt was shared by Rebecca Grace Quilting-

This dreamy batik quilt is from DONNALEEQ-

And finally, Linda at kokaquilts showed off this scrap happy quilt-

Okay, friends!  Let's get our party on!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

And don't forget to leave a comment to enter the giveaway!

It's Been Awhile! and NTT

Hey there, my friends!  It's been awhile since our last NTT, and really, the only thing I can say about it is that Tucker is BY FAR the most demanding puppy I've ever had.  He is extremely smart but very strong willed, which can be a tough combination for training.  He is a 30 lb. bundle of energy (almost four months old) who sleeps great at night, but only takes short naps during the daytime.  At this point, I'm feeling lucky to keep my house in order and cook dinner each day.  So, I'll just say that I'm still going to do my very best to get NTT up as often as possible and leave it at that.  Thank you so much for your patience.  

Here's a photo of his sweet little face, which saves him from rehoming most days (just kidding...sort of, lol!). 

I did get to do something that was quilt related this week though, and it was SO much fun.  I gave a virtual trunk show for the Sarasota MQG on Saturday morning!  The guild has several members who are "snowbirds" who live elsewhere during the summer and live in Florida in the winter, and they were able to join in from around the country as well!  

Virtual trunk shows are a great option for guilds who don't have the funds to pay for travel expenses, and I love presenting them.  If your guild is looking for unique programming for 2026, I have two different virtual options available, as well as options for in-person trunk shows and workshops.  Check out my Teaching page for more information.  I would love to visit your guild, either in person, or with the magic of Zoom!

Okay, friends!  Without further ado, take a look at a few highlights from our last party. This beauty is from Gretchen's Little Corner-

This gorgeous quilt is from Kat at Scrapbox Quilts-

Jan at The Colorful Fabriholic linked up this pretty pink quilt top-

And I absolutely LOVE this one from Linda at Kokaquilts-

Alright y'all!  I know it's been awhile, so let's make this party amazing!  Please feel free to link up all of the lovely projects you've been working on during these last few weeks.  I can't wait to see them!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Apologies and NTT

Hey there, friends!  Welcome to Needle and Thread Thursday.  First of all, I'm going to come right out with a big apology to all of you.  A few weeks ago, before we got our new puppy, I had every intention of continuing to post NTT each week, even though I knew I wouldn't be able to sew.  Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans!  

We are completely smitten with Tucker.  He is precious, playful, lots of fun, and EXHAUSTING.  It took him awhile to sleep through the night without crying, and we are still working on house training (though both are getting much better), and he had some tummy trouble for the first week.  All of this is to say that NTT just didn't happen, and most days I didn't even realize that Wednesday had come and gone until after the fact.  Throw in the Fourth of July holiday, and four weeks have flown by in a flash. Things are steadily getting easier though, so I'm looking forward to getting back into the NTT routine.  I keep joking with Tucker that one day he is going to grow up to be a very good boy, but it's not looking like today!

Alrighty friends!  I've missed a ton over the past few weeks, so be sure to link up ALL of the projects you've been working on.  Before we party, check out a few highlights from our last party.  Andree at Quilting and Learning linked up this super cute floral wall hanging-

Look at this sweet tote from Anja Quilts-

This piece from Margo at MY Quilts and Crafts is so intriguing!

And finally, I love all this scrappy goodness from Viridian's Blog-

Okay, y'all!  Let's get this party started!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Submitted...With a Motive- and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, my friends.  I am so happy to report that I have submitted my manuscript for the Twelve Days of Christmas book.  Of course, that doesn't mean that there won't be additional things to do along the way to final publication, but the initial push is complete.  And I must confess that I had an ulterior motive in getting it done so expediently, which will continue to affect my blogging and sewing time.  

You may remember that last February, we tragically lost our beloved Boxer, Finn at the very young age of four, and it almost broke me.  Afterward, I couldn't fathom ever having another dog and opening myself up to the possibility of another loss like that, but I'm a Boxer lover through and through.  I grew up with them, and my mom grew up with them as well.  We are a Boxer family, and the longest I've ever been without one in my entire life is 18 months. 

Eventually, as I remembered Finn and talked about his funny antics, the tears were slowly replaced by smiles, and I realized that I truly missed having a dog in my life. So, we will be welcoming another Boxer puppy into our hearts, and will be going to pick him up next Thursday. And here he is-

Puppies are a lot of work, especially in the beginning, and I knew I needed to get my manuscript submitted before all of the puppy madness.  We got Finn during the summer right before our son started high school, so of course he lived at home and was able to help out with house training, and with general puppy-wrangling.  And then, not long after, Covid happened and all three of us were at home!  This time, I'll be on my own during the day, and I know it will be tough to get anything done (for awhile anyway).  But that sweet little face will be worth it!  All of this is to say that I will continue to post NTT each week, but I'm not sure how much sewing I'll be able to do for a little while.  

On that note, let's go ahead and check out some of my favorite links from last week's party.  This beauty is from Something Rosemade-

Deb at A Scrappy Quilter linked up this fun quilt top.  Y'll know I love scraps!

Viridian's Blog linked up her progress on this pretty quilt-

These three quilts from Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting are so cute and fully of scrappy goodness!

And this embroidered quilt is from Gretchen's Little Corner, and it's a joint project with her granddaughter (who embroidered the blocks).  So lovely, and I love that they shared this!

Okay, my friends!  It's time to get our party started.  You know what to do!

1. You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link within your 

    post.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)