May 1st brought welcome news in that my husband does not need surgery at the present time and his next appointment was scheduled for 12 months out. This means travel is back! The companion pass we’d set aside in case we needed it to travel to Houston for medical care can now be used for a fun getaway instead! Mackinac Island perhaps? Time to dust off proposed itineraries, consult our calendars, check the budget and see where we might visit in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the month of May brings a wind down to therapy dog visits for this school year. It also means crunch time to get the Block Party exhibit ready for the June quilt show. So far, I’ve received 21 entries, with a hard deadline of in my hands by May 15th. I planned for 25 blocks. We’ll see what the final number turns out to be.

Our local artisan/farmer’s market opened today for the 2026 season. Sadie enjoyed one of our favorite Sunday morning rituals of visiting with the vendors, sampling water bowls and getting a pup cup from our favorite independent pet store. She also met lots of new friends today. It was great to see a handful of regular vendors we hadn’t seen in several months. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the numerous booths selling trinkets this week. We’ll see if the trend holds. If so, we’ll be switching to nearby farmer’s markets operating on Thursday and Saturday instead.

My backyard garden is planted. One of my cherry tomato plants already has fruit on it! The blueberry bushes are loaded, but I’ll bet the birds eat the berries before they ripen. I’ll be lucky to get a handful to eat. I’m thoroughly enjoying this blissful bit of perfect weather between pollen and mosquito seasons!

By the way, I made 20 additional potato chip blocks from all the 2-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ rectangles cut from leftover jelly roll strips and other scraps. In total, thirty-five (35) 12-1/2″ blocks came from my scrap fabrics. That’s the equivalent of a 60″ x 84″ quilt top!

Happy Spring and Happy Sewing!

Planning for a staycation quilty summer? Me, too! Let’s make the best of it.

Just for fun:
(1) Visit Shop Hop, Inc. to see if there’s a shop hop for your region or state. Buy a copy of the magazine and join the fun. You can visit participating shops virtually to make a list of the ones you’d really like to visit. Plan a daytrip or a weekend away to knock out your list and collect your shop hop stamps and free gifts.

(2) Paint a Barn Quilt Block for your sewing space. Search YouTube and online for a tutorial or order a ready-made kit from Covert Creations. Check with local craft/paint studios to see if an in-person class is scheduled near you.

(3) Search for summer quilt shows within a 2-3 hour drive. Research nearby quilt shops that you can visit as part of your trip.

Virtual QAL possibilties:
(1) American Quilter’s Society is kicking off a FREE, 7 week QAL that starts this Wednesday, April 8th. The quilt design features triangle in a square units to make spiky stars. Get all the details here. I really like the quilt design. The materials list specifically mentions the V block ruler from Studio 180 Designs. There are tools avalable from Bloc-Loc and Creative Grids that will also allow you to make these same units. I tried a set of Tri-Recs rulers found in my ruler stash. Tri-Recs rulers will work, but you have to be exact with your cutting, sewing and pressing. I opted to purchase the V block ruler because the ruler is way easier for me to hold in position while cutting versus using the Tri-Recs rulers. I’m also a member of team oversize and cut down. I have three other Studio 180 Designs rulers that I frequently use.

(2) 4th & Main Designs is offering a FREE, 12 week QAL that starts May 25th. Get all the details here. It’s a monthly sampler quilt where the blocks could easily become a door hanger, pillow cover, table runner or other seasonal decor in your home.

(3) Looking for something to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday? Check out the offerings from Fat Quarter Shop and Riley Blake Designs, especially the Firecracker Quilt, if you’re looking for a free patriotic quilt pattern.

(4) Need other options? Be sure to visit Moda Fabrics or visit your favorite designer’s blog to create your own QAL from a previous project that catches your eye.

One of my CraftLAB students gifted me the candle at Christmas. I waited until I completed my first quilt in 2026 to light it. Totally worth the wait. It has a lavender and spicy vanilla scent. Smells REALLY good.

The pattern is Clippings from Thimbles and Needles out of Australia. It’s the first project quilted on my new Elna 782 using the stitch regulator. I’m still learning how to tweak the settings to best fit my hand movements. I’ll try a spiral variation on my next quilt.

Life is happening. My instincts told me not to plan any major travel for 2026. I’m glad I listened. I’ve had my medical drama for this year. Sadie currently has an indolent eye ulcer and we have a visit with the specialist tomorrow. My father-in-law recently lost his battle with Alzheimer’s and I’m helping with some of the more complicated estate stuff. My husband has his big appointment at MD Anderson at the end of April. Surgery is a very real possibility. His last surgery meant two weeks in Houston followed by a 2-3 month recovery period. We *might* be able to go somewhere in the fall. I have several itineraries on standby.

Meanwhile, I didn’t enter a quilt in the June show and I’m okay with that. However, my CraftLAB students have completed their blocks for the show. That’s even better! I’ll be working at the kid’s exhibit booth during the quilt show, plus I get to spend one day working the jurying side of things before the show. Looking forward to it.

The next two months will be spent winding down the school year with regard to therapy dog visits, gearing up for the quilt show and doing what we need to do to make sure all three of us (Sadie, hubby and me) are healthy and engaged in doing what we like to do best.