Nine Years Later and Three States Up

Hello, 

It's been a long while since I last posted. Lots of changes since my previous update.

As my title suggests, we have moved from our little farm in Kentucky to northwest Ohio. Move in day was March 27, 2020, and yes, we moved as the pandemic set in and we were asked to shelter in place.

Unpacking began and there was plenty of time to do so. Grocery shopping looked different with click lists and pick-up and going to church meant watching a livestream service.

As the year progressed, I was able to get back into my quilting projects and even began to FaceTime with my good friend in Alabama for sew days on Friday mornings. We completed the Lori Holt "Farm Girl Vintage" quilt by sewing her 6 1/2" blocks from both her "Farm Girl Vintage Book" and Farm Girl Vintage 2 Book".

   My Farm Girl quilt at the Black Swamp Quilter's Guild Quilts and Needlearts Show in October, 2021.

I also discovered FlossTube on YouTube and down the rabbit hole I went back into cross-stitch. How fun that has been as I have met some wonderful stitchers and even started my own FlossTube - "The Just BeeCuzz Buzz", publishing my 30th video yesterday.

Some exciting news is I have found some wonderful cross-stitch treasures that I will be reproducing and sharing with this community. The first ones are almost ready for release and I hope to have them ready for you next week.  They are a pair of charming silhouettes of days gone by of horse and buggy rides and a bicycle built for two. Can't wait to share them with you!

Take care. Happy Stitching and Quilting.

Buzz for now,

Merritt

 

Completed and Given

Made these door hangers recently.  The pattern is in the Spring 2014 Quilts and More magazine.  

The pink and brown one was made for my aunt for hosting our annual family reunion.  The red and blue one was an early Mother's Day gift to my mother.  They are fun to make!  The door hangers are going to be a series.  Check out the Summer 2014 Quilts and More magazine.

Can't wait to get started on this one!  But I must finish one UFO before I start something else.

Buzz for now,

Merritt

Jamaican Banana Bread

A treat Just BeeCuzz ....

Yummy!!  Fuel for quilting later.

Buzz for now.

Merritt

Retreat Challenge

Just returned from our annual quilting retreat to Magnolia Park Retreat in Odenville, AL.  There were nineteen of us in "quilting retreat bliss".  We had a great time!  The food was delicious once again.  Being the semi leader of this trip, I decided we needed a challenge.  So.... I issued the color book challenge.  I purchased 2 Spring color books and challenged the ladies to choose a color page, tear it out, and interpret it into a door hanger or other decorative item.  Here are the results:

I thought the ladies that accepted the challenge did a great job!  We plan to finish them for our next business meeting in May.

Enjoy!

Buzz for now,

Merritt

First Completed Quilt of the Year!

Finished this quilt last week.  Gave to some special friends.

I'm going to have to work on my photography, ugh!  The fabrics are beautiful botanical batiks, but they don't show up very well in this picture.  

The name of the pattern is "Off Track".

Buzz for now,

Merritt

Saturday Sewing

Enjoying a day in the "Scrap Lounge".  Just finished my 8th Suzy's Sack!  These little bags are really fun to make.  Sorry for the picture quality...I'll have to work on that.

Hope your Saturday is "sew" much fun!!  

Buzz for now...

Merritt

Discharge Dyeing Class

Once again our Australian friend, Tania, taught us another fun technique.  This morning we went over to her house for a lesson on discharge dyeing of black fabrics.  The following are some pictures of some of the process using Softscrub with Bleach:

The fabric has a freezer paper kangaroo ironed on in the corner.

Tania is applying the Softscrub paste with a little bleach mixed in.

The change in color is almost immediate.

Some of our results.  It was very interesting to see the 

different colors of the background once they dried.

These were my results.  What a fun time!  Thanks, Tania!!

We're going to miss you, but have great treasures to 

remember you by.