QuiltMouse

Tutorial – Snowball Block

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Quiltmouse

All this snow we’ve been having makes me think of snowball fights. Hubby recently tossed a few with the 2 elementary school kids across the street. They were in their yard & he was in ours.

Of course, for quilters snow may bring images of a Snowball Block. I’ve made a few quilts using this block, so I thought I’d share a tutorial with a few tips.

For a Finished Block that is 6″ square (6-1/2″ square Unfinished) you need 1 square of fabric 6-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ which will be the main fabric. Next, there will be 4 squares of contrasting fabric 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ that will make the corners.

Snowball Block-Pieces Required — 1,6-1/2″ main fabric & 4, 2-1/2″ contrasting fabric

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Posted in Quilting, Tips, Tutorial | Tagged 2025, Blocks, Tutorials | 1 Comment

And 2025 has Begun!

Posted on January 12, 2025 by Quiltmouse

2025 has started out soooo cold! It’s nearly halfway through January & between vacation, holidays & snow days our daughter has only worked 2 days! Our 1st snow was about 8 inches & closed schools & businesses for 2 days. Friday’s snow was just a little over an inch. But with the ice, driving was not good in the neighborhood. At least the sun has been shining yesterday & today making the temperatures in the teens & 20’s seem better.

2 yr old D2 found his ball under 8″ of snow

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Posted in Quilting | Tagged 2025, Challenges, Fabric Cafe, UFO, Zoom Retreat | 4 Comments

Retreatcation Day 3

Posted on April 22, 2023 by Quiltmouse

Day 3 of Spring Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains is normally a full day of sewing, relaxing & enjoying beautifully prepared meals. Later in the day we usually have show & tell. I’ll have to enjoy that part virtually when projects are posted on Facebook.

At home, my Retreatcation – an At Home Retreat was a later start with some Earl Gray Tea while reviewing my meal notes & checking my emails followed by making breakfast before the sewing got started.

Ok. The one thing that does NOT happen at the Spring Quilt Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains is folding laundry! Daughter did the laundry. But I folded it!

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Posted in Food, QAL, QOV, Quilting, Quilts, Retreats, UFOs | 1 Comment

Retreatcation Day 2

Posted on April 22, 2023 by Quiltmouse

Day 2 of Spring Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains I would usually be up about 7 am and after dressing would get a cup of Chai Tea. I would have picked up the Chai Tea mix at a small store – The Bread Basket on the road to Floyd. But this year at my Retreatcation – an At Home Retreat I started the day with some Ginger Lemon Tea while reviewing my meal notes & checking my emails.

I’m not really an early morning riser, but while at the Quilt Retreat it is peaceful & relaxing to see the sunrise.

Quiet early morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains

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Posted in Food, QAL, QOV, Quilting, Quilts, Retreats, UFOs | Tagged 2023, Blocks, Camelia's Quilt Camp, Flying Geese, Mystery QAL, Patriotic, QAL, QOV, Quilt Retreat, Sewing Room, Spring | 2 Comments

What’s a Retreatcation?

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Quiltmouse

I’m sure you’ve heard of a Staycation, so what is a Staycation for Quilters? I’m calling it a Retreatcation – an At Home Retreat!

Usually in the Spring I attend a Quilt Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains but this year I wasn’t able to go. So, the next best thing is a virtual, at home Retreatcation.

It is nice in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Spring and I love seeing all the new growth & flowers. But I’m not exactly missing that as I have some pretty blooms in my yard!