After two canceled flights, one for mechanical issues and one for a French air controllers strike, and a short trip to my parents to pick up Mando, at last we are sleeping in our own beds.
When I left back in June, I intentionally left social media behind. On my past cruises, I’d always overestimated what I could do. Which led to overpacking and then feelings of failure when I couldn’t get it all done. So this time I just focused on teaching my Kaleidoscope Block Master Class and enjoying the trip.
The bus tour in England, the cruise to Iceland and the catch-up with distant relatives was nothing short of exceptional. An amazing ship, incredible food, fantastic views and some very special travel mates all combined for a magical shared experience and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Karen's Quilt Circle
I am slowly getting back to business. First, in case you missed them, I had two podcasts with two very clever women go live. The first was with Kiley Feron from West Virginia, who, with her husband, has developed an app to help us record our quilts. So many of our quilts go on to other homes. This free app called My Quilts, gives you a spot to store photos and notes about the pattern and the making. What was special about the project? What technique gave you grief? Who did you give it to and more. Definitely check it out here.
The second interview was with Miriam Galadima-Benson from Abuja, Nigeria. She started a global community for making quilts out of bold and beautiful African prints. From sewalongs to the Quilt Africa Summit she is committed to teaching us all the wonderful ways we can use these fabrics. You can listen to my interview with Miriam here.
Not only can you watch the Karen's Quilt Circle podcast on my channel, you can download and listen to any of the episodes on the YouTube Music app here.
Upcoming events
Online Class
Mark your calendars for this weekend’s online class all about English Paper Piecing (July 21 at 11:00am EST). Not only is it great for using up your scraps, this is a wonderful technique to sew-on-the-go for all those waiting times: picking up kids from school, sitting at doctor’s offices and pre-boarding times in airports (ask me how I know that one).
The class is free to all members of my channel, Karen’s Quilt Crew. And you will find all the details on my YouTube channel Community page. Plus a supply list and a download so that you can cut out your own shapes before class. I will also record the class so if you miss it or want to review it, it will be available when you are.
My next Stitch’n Chat with Karen’s Quilt Crew is on Sunday, July 21st at 2:00 pm EST. If you are a channel member, you will find the zoom link on the Just Get It Done Quilts community page.
Travel with Karen
It's less than two months until my textile tour of the Netherlands and Belgium. Starting September 5th, we will be staying in the beautiful old town of Zutphen and have our own private coach as we tour around. There are open air markets, quilt stores, lace, linen, African wax prints, museums and even a couple of local sew-lebrities to join us on the bus. I hope that you can join us too. Just click on this link for more information.
Now it's time to get on with some of my outstanding projects. A bit challenging with my sewing room occupied with guests but I wouldn't have it any other way. With Mando and my granddog at my feet, I am reminded of a sampler that used to hang on my grandmother’s wall.
Travel east,
travel west,
after all
home’s best.
Take care