I’m doing a little series of posts that feature old blog posts. I have been going back and looking at them. It’s been fun. I started blogging in June 2009…WOW—over fifteen years. Today, I’m still playing catch-up, so today I’m telling you about October of 2015.
I finished a quilt top that a blog reader sent. You can read about it HERE.
I was working on other donation quilts too.
I was lamenting block of the month projects. I am never good with them.
Worst…Kelli got the same block of the month quilt. Neither of us was finishing ours, or for that matter, even working on them. Eventually I finished both of them. It was several years later when I did. It was actually 2020. I looked up the post. You can see both of them finished in THIS blog post.
I was challenging myself to finish some Bonnie Hunter UFOs before the new mystery came out. Grand Illusion became a top. You can read about it HERE.
We were invited by CT Publishing to be a part of a Fat Quarter quilt book. How exciting!! The book came out in October of 2015. You can find the book HERE.
We are only part of the book. There were other designers too. We took a churn dash block and made several quilts, all different, using the block. This was our main quilt.
It’s still a favorite quilt. I’d love to go back and make the other quilts from the book.
Here is another quilt that was in the book that was designed by us. Again, it uses a Churn Dash block. You can read about this quilt HERE.
I had a little boo-boo when I was longarming my quilt. I ran out of backing. You can read about the disaster and redemption HERE.
If you are interested in the pattern, it’s in our book Country Girl Modern. You can find it HERE.
I wrote a blog post about handling scraps to make them usable HERE. That has been a popular post.
Kelli and I finished and wrote the free pattern for this quilt. You can find the pattern HERE.
I was busy working on the quilt Santa Fe String Star. I came up with my own way to make the diamonds. You can read about it HERE.
I made a really good sausage and apple stuffed squash. YUM! You can find the recipe HERE.
I wrote a post about “spending out”. It’s a good post, and it was a great reminder to me to use what I buy and not save it for good. You can read it HERE. It was a popular post.
I also made the family favorite Pumpkin Bread. You can find the recipe HERE.
If you remember, we had moved into the house in January of 2025. In October, we were still working on things outside of the house. I was busy planting flowers from our old place to our new house.
Kramer was busy planting trees. My willow tree is the one on the right. It was just itty bitty.
Here are those same trees now. That shows 11 years of growth. They say if you plant a tree, you might not get a chance to enjoy it. I don’t believe it. We are definitely enjoying our trees!!
They are already giving us some shade.
It’s about time to trim the willow tree again. I’ll admit, willow trees are messy…but worth it! HA!
That’s the happenings here in October 2015. I wish I’d get caught up on the Blast from the Past posts. My intention was always to post one a month and have the post be from ten years ago. Right now I’m on 11 years ago. Oh well.
I read your spending out blog post. It was very good, do totally me. I’m going to order the book. It gives me much to think about. Thanks.
Good morning Jo. I hope this message finds you well. You are such a happy and inspirational person to me. Jo you are always positive and have a bright smile on your face. I really appreciate your blog and can’t wait to read it every morning and evening (when available).
The Civil War Tribute quilts (2) that you made are gorgeous. I wish I would have known about the block of the month – I would have been onboard!!! I love reproductions and that is my main fabric of choice. Do you by any chance have the pattern remaining in your quilt pattern collection? I would like to purchase, if I could, either yours or Kelli’s pattern if that is a possibility. Please let me know. My email address is: quiltingprettyquilts@cox.net.
Thank you so much for your consideration Jo.
Have a wonderful, blessed day. Be sure to beat Rick in a few pool and dart games today.
Blessings and hugs.
Hi Debra. I do not have the pattern. I have been asked at least a dozen times for the pattern. It was poorly written so at least you are missing out on that too. HA!!
My Mom “brain washed” me growing up about saving things for good. At age 83 3/4 years, I have decided that good is now! My prayers continue for you each day Jo. Take care.
Your post really touched a lot of memories for me. I just read about spending out – and was reminded of how, after my mother passed in 2004, I took her special occasion china – used only at Thanksgiving and Christmas – and made it my every day china. It’s all white, in an antique pattern, so everything tastes great from it! Also – that bit about wearing old undies … there was the morning I was rushed to the ER and kinda rued that I was wearing my newest. There I was, barely conscious on the gurney, and I hear someone say, “Oh, pretty panties.” [snip, snip, snip] Never saw those again – but thank goodness
it didn’t really matter!
I do a lot of saving the good or the ones I like with the fabric that I have!! I’m 72, no more need to save, but am trying to use it up and enjoy that fabric in some quilts!!
I always enjoy seeing the blast from the past. You made lovely quilts and oh, the food looks so yummy! I do wish I had family dinners so I could set a pretty table and enjoy the good china. I miss those days.