February 2026

 It didn't take me too long to get used to retirement. I'm loving having the time to do all the things.  And I've been very busy. Built and installed some new narrow shelves in the pantry. Made two quilt of valor quilts for two local veterans. I've almost finished my second quilted jacket, made a quilted vest, made panel jeans with quilted panels, and have a baby quilt ready to quilt. Enjoy the pictures!

     The Before:

The After:

Quilts of Valor:

Quilted Jackets

This quilt had not been washed or used in ten years.  It did make the cover of a magazine but I'd rather have it as a jacket than to not use it.  It wasn't a great size for a twin bed and my granddaughter has..so..many...quilts....

Still working on this one.  Have inset pockets to make and I plan to replace the zipper with a reversible one to make the jacket reversible!  I had to do a lot to this jacket. The fit was too big, so I took it up on the side seams then the back stuck out, so I had to take it apart and adjust the side seams of the back piece also. I added a mandarin collar, which I love, and a zipper, neither was in the Tamarack Jacket Pattern.  But the seller had lots of videos to go with the pattern so that helped a lot.  I still have to put in the inset pocets, which I dread. I am waiting on some fabric that hopefully will match the polka dot lining.

Little quilted vest

Quilt Panel Jeans - these were made from some old thrifted skinny jeans.

I do think I want to make some more of these. I have old skinny jeans to use. I may even make some in barter for eggs from a friend who has chickens.  I love to barter skills.

I also did a little genius idea to hang art in the kitchen.

The art is one of my own I painted a few years ago.

And i finally got a baby quilt ready to quilt.  Need to make another. Two friends have new grandbabies. I'm really trying to use what I have in most of my projects these days.  I feel the need to downsize a bit. To me this quilt looks very vintage, although most of the fabrics are modern; I think it's because they are mostly pastels.