Happy Fourth of July!

250 years ago a fledgling country was born.  On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by representatives of 13 colonies of England.   

The Declaration starts "“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”  Yes, for the time it was exceedingly radical. 

As Heather Cox Richardson wrote in her 'Letters from an American' on July 3, 2026 "America was founded on the radical idea that all men are created equal."

But over the years America has made great strides to live up to this concept.  I remember the joy and happiness of the Bicentennial in 1976. We weren't perfect. For instance, it wasn't until 1974 when the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed allowing women in all states to take out loans or open a back account without having a man co-sign.  I was surprised to see that date as I started my own bank account in 1969 when I started college. It turns out California was way ahead of the curve by allowing women to have control of their own bank accounts from 1862. 

Today I do not feel great joy and happiness. I am wary of where the country is and where it is headed.  I honor our country but not our leaders. It is time for everyone to read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to see what we should be doing. If we want to continue living in a democratic republic that truly believes in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution we must act. Start by registering to vote. Become informed citizens. Learn about what people actually stand for. And plan to vote and encourage others to vote in November.  

In honor of the United States of Ameica I am showing all the patriotic quilts I've made or been gifted.  Most have been on display in our house since before Memorial Day. 

I made this many years ago, probably in a class. 

I made this one within the last ten years. This one Block Lone Star pattern  is from Debby Kratovil.  

This was made in 2022. It was a mystery block of the month by Sherri McConnell.

This was given to me over 20 years ago by Juliann Phillips. We had been secret pals in a Prodigy quilt activity.  It is hard to see but it is sitting on a small desk that was about the only piece of furniture that my grandfather kept from his youth. 

I made this banner a while ago.  There is no label on it so I don't remember how long ago it was.  (Reminder -- label your quilts! Do as I say, not as I do!) 

A table runner made many years ago.  The color isn't as bright as this shows.  But, it does a great job decorating our dining room table. 

I have another table runner in the works that I shared the beginning of on 6/29/26.  Just scroll back if you want to see the start. I'll be showing the whole thing one of these days.  

Have you been making patriotic quilts?  Enjoy your fourth of July. And remember to vote in the fall. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings -- June 29, 2026

I hope all of you are safe and healthy after all this bad weather that has been spreading across the US over the last few weeks. Local weather people keep saying we (the greater DC area) were going to get heavy rain.  We all need it. But, as usual the clouds seemed to split over our area and go north and south. We did get some heavy rain this week but it was no where near enough. I'm sharing our 9 day forecast via Apple's weather app on my iPhone. It'll change every day, or so it seems every week.  I'm just hoping the days with 100 as the high actually changes to lower temps before the days arrive. I'm not holding my breath on that happening though.  And this doesn't show the humidity going sky high also.  It's going to be humid too. My basement studio sounds really good this week. **The weather has changed overnight! We'll have 2days of 100+ temps, and rain only on Monday. I expect it will continue to change everyday. Sigh. At least 7/4 is "suppose" to be dry instead of rain! 

Here's what I accomplished this week. 

6/22/26 

✅Start quilting Fall Blocks (June ufo challenge project)— first part done. 

✅✅Finish two more Veronica blocks✔️✔️ and 4 additional ones cut out. 

✅Keep checking project boxes or zippered pouches to free them up for other projects — one emptied. 

✅Work on Snowman #2 — worked a couple of hours on this one. 

✅Knit a beanie — finished one and started another. 

✅Start table runner for retreat — cut out, some sewing done. 

The only pictures I got of worked-on projects were of the table runner I am making for retreat. We rent a house in northwest Virginia and I will be leaving it at the house for future renters. The pattern is Heart Strings designed by Tricia Lynn Maloney for Villa Rosa Designs.  It is a very versatile pattern. It is 16" x 60".  The table I'm making it for is 15" x 60" and it's been easy to make the change so it will fit.  There are 5 blocks like this in the runner.  It took me longer to cut out the fabrics than the time spent sewing.

Here's an upclose picture of the fabrics I chose.  All of these came from my stash. The blue with white will be the backing and binding.  I hope to finish it Tuesday. I'll be quilting it with stars of some sort. 

And this week I'll be working on these goals: 

6/29/26

Finish sewing table runner together

Quilt another section of June UFO project 

Work on Snowman #2 

Start clearing out “stuff” to prep for new carpet in bedrooms 

Sew more Veronica blocks

Make more string blocks 

Enjoy 4th Of July party in neighborhood

The only non-quilting item on the list is clearing things out of closets and dresser tops.  We have been doing some updating of our house. Before the new carpet comes in the master bedroom and bathroom will be painted.  Here's a pic of one of the new counter tops in the bathroom. We got rid of the previous counter tops -- builder's grade that was turning yellow.  We have two sinks/cabinets in our bathroom. So two new sinks and quartz countertops have been installed. Plus we also replaced the granite (that was pitted and rough) in the kitchen with a similar looking quartz.  

It is going to be interesting getting everything moved out of the guest room closet -- it's packed floor to ceiling.  Hopefully some of the stuff will be given away.  But I do need to start working on it now! 

I've changed my mind about making more new kits to worked on at retreat.  Currently I have 2 kits ready to go.  But I'll need a lot more projects. I've gone through some of my project bags and found several that I could work on at retreat. Here's a pic of the string blocks I've been working on. These blocks are finished and ready to sew together.  I have another group that are sewn but not trimmed. And I need to get 7 more made, preferably before retreat.  I've pulled several other project that are partially done to finish up at retreat. 

Another week with 100% of 15 minute stitching! Whoopee! 

Week ending 6/28/26:  179 days of 2026.

  179 stitching days out of 179 days. 100%

And, here is the last quilt Sharon quilted on Ruthie when she was here.  

The blocks were made by quilters from Faithful Circle Quilters who signed up for this swap. They all had a yardage of the same fabric that had to be used in each block. Sharon chose the setting with the stars and added the border. Here are a few close ups. 

 

I believe Sharon said these were done during covid.  I'm sorry I don't remember which block was hers.  Sharon chose Bright Lights edge to edge by My Creative Stitches. She chose a dark green So Fine thread from Superior threads. She reports that she's got the binding on it. I think she said it's all sewn down by hand. 

Remember to visit these Linky parties to see what quilters are working on all over the world. 

Stitching Time 

Oh Scrap

Quilting Patchwork Applique 

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musings

Because I've enjoyed seeing pictures of flowers that several bloggers share I decided to include a coupe of our flowers. First, I will admit we aren't big gardeners.  But lilies are pretty easy to grow.  So I'm sharing a couple pics of ours.  I have learned I can cut them and bring them in the house. But, they don't usually last long, except Cala Lilies. We don't have any in the yard but I hope to add some this year. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 6 - 22 - 2026

Happy Father's Day -- at least here in America. We were able to spend part of it with our son and his family. I hate to complain about the weather so I'll say we've had some wonderful days with low humidity and reasonable summer temps. We may have a lot of rain this week.  My weather saying is wait a few days it will change! Do you say that about weather where you live? 

Here's what I got done this week.  It was satisfying to move forward on all of these goals. 

6/15/26

✅Bind 1 quilt — Done.

✅Cut one quilt kit — Done. 

✅Make more ✔️Veronica blocks and ✔️✔️Hollow 9 patches — 3 blocks were made. Another two are started. All the blocks for Hollow 9 patches are finished. 

✅Baste Fall Blocks top (June ufo challenge project)— Done. 

✅Check a couple of project boxes, empty, and put away fabric if project is finished — One zippered pouch was liberated. 

Here's the finished quilt with binding. My grands helped me out with holding the quilt.  You can read more about it here. 

Before we left for our son's house I was able to finish pin basting the fall quilt.👇The blocks are old -- 10 or 12 years old. Last year I put the finished blocks into a quilt. And then I let it sit for a while. I did put it on my 2026 UFO Challenge I do with Sharon.  Its number came up for June.  

At one point I was thinking of doing some more applique blocks but decided I probably couldn't do the hand appliqué as nicely as I did the original blocks.  And, we have a quilt hanger over the fireplace where this would fit beautifully. It's about 38" square. I will be quilting it with my domestic machine and a walking foot.  My preliminary plan is to stitch around each square but in the black and gold fabric. I'll stitch in the ditch on the outside of the small gold border. I will probably do something in the middle of the black border. You might notice I'm not talking about the rust rectangles. 

Well, lazy me says stitch in the ditch and call it done. The more artistic me says, maybe some parallel lines 1" or so apart. Or a checkerboard on the diagonal.  I will probably do some parallel lines using whatever size masking tape I have to mark them. But it is going to take way more time than this last week of June!  I'll try to keep you posted on my progress. 

I have way too many projects started and am using way too many project boxes and plastic zippered bags. I did check one of the boxes and found it full of fabrics with an ocean theme. I know I've made one quilt from the fabric but there is a lot more. The quilt kit I cut was made from 5" squares of the same fabric. It will stay in the box until I make some more quilts out of it.  It's going to take a while! Plus there is another project in the box that I didn't even look at but I think it is also ocean scenes. Oh my!

Here are my goals for this week. Wait, how did I get sooooo many items on the list? 

6/22/26 

Start quilting Fall Blocks (June ufo challenge project)

Finish two more Veronica blocks that are already started

Keep checking project boxes and/or zippered pouches to free them up for other projects

Work on Snowman #2

Knit a beanie

Start table runner for retreat  

I may not get to everything but I hope I can get some of each of these projects done.  

I did sew everyday this week including spending some time this morning finishing the pin basting before we left for our son's house. I'm glad I did as we stayed later than planned and I was unmotivated* when we got home. (*I admit I fell asleep on the couch while trying to read!) 

So I was successful on sewing every day this week. 

Week ending 6/21/26:  172 days of 2026.

  172 stitching days out of 172 days. 100%

I notice I often make mistakes on the info regarding sewing every day.  Last week was a big one when I said I'd stitch 158 of 165 days.  OOPS! I'll try to proofread better but don't hold your breath! 

Now another quilt my friend Sharon quilted while here last week. 

This is her version of Cheryl Brickey's Magnificent Mystery.  You can see my top here.  It's amazing how differently they look but they are the same pattern.  I'll get around to quilting mine someday! 

Please spend some time checking out these Linky Parties.  Lots of fun pics and info about what quilters around the world are doing. 

Stitching Time 

Oh Scrap

Quilting Patchwork Applique 

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musings

I've got 3 more weeks to get ready for retreat with friends. We rent a house in the Shenandoah mountains and sew for 6 days. So, lots of projects need to be readied.  I generally take about 6. I think I have two or three ready so far. I think I'll check some of my projects that are sitting around waiting to be worked on. That's better than starting new projects for sure.  We also need to plan a dinner with another attendee.  I have it easy as I usually do dessert and a salad while a friend does the main dinner. Dinners are very good. We bring our own breakfasts and lunches. It is a great week to spend sewing times with good friends I don't see as often. 

How is your quilting going? Do you keep a goals list or just tackle what ever you feel like each week? I hope you get a lot of stitching done this week. 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Monday Meanderings 6 - 15 - 2026

 What a week of fun! My friend Sharon is visiting and we're sewing up a storm. And talking. She's on her 3rd quilt on Ruthie, the long arm. And both Ruthie and Sharon are doing a great job. I'll share a picture later in the blog.  But let's look at my goals for last week first. 

6/7/26

✅Bind 2 quilts — one done. Second one is trimmed but still need to make binding and stitch it on. 

✔️Knit more kid-size beanies — one finished, one more started. 

✅Stitch on Snowman #2 — he’s coming along well. 

Cut one quilt kit — nothing done. 

✅Make more ✔️Veronica blocks, ✔️Hollow 9 patches, & ✔️E Quilter blocks —  made some of each type. 

First quilt bound. I'm calling this one Bubbles and Squares -- the blue is dark and light blue squares. I'm not sure what I plan on doing with it but it will be put to good use. 

Here are my Veronica blocks. I made three more and almost finished a fourth one.  This pattern is very easy to make and I was lucky to have these bright 10" layer cake pieces to make them from.  I'm probably going to make a decent size throw quilt rather than a bed quilt. You can buy Preeti Harris's pattern here. I can see a lot more of quilts in this pattern. 

Here are the 12 blocks I made for Pat, this month's E Quilter. The blocks will be going into kids quilts she will be making and donating to various organizations.  There are all sorts of ways to arrange them. I liked this one best but I would probably fuss around with them so all the 'characters' are facing up.  I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of any quilts she makes. 

Here are my goals for this coming week.  I plan to attend the Caroline County Fair Thursday afternoon to help with the booth Va. Star Quilters will have there. I haven't been to this fair before but it should be fun.  There will be several of us there. I am hoping to get a hat knitted while there. 

Here are this week's goals.  Hopefully I'll get more of them done this week. 

6/15/26

Bind 1 quilt

Cut one quilt kit

Make more Veronica blocks and Hollow 9 patches

Baste Fall Blocks top (June ufo challenge  project)

Check a couple of  project boxes, empty, and put away fabric if project is finished

I've continued my 15 minutes of stitching this week:  

Week ending 6/14/26:  165 days of 2026.

  165 stitching days out of 165 days. 100%

Sharon and I have been having a lot of fun. She's finished quilting 2 quilts. Tomorrow she'll finish her 3rd one.  I will try to get a picture of it and her first one for next week. Below is the quilt, Happy Hues, she finished on Ruthie today.  It is stunning. Here is the link to the quilt along directions.

Check out these linky parties this week. 

Stitching Time 

Oh Scrap

Quilting Patchwork Applique 

Design Wall Monday

Monday Musings

Pat and I are celebrating our 53rd wedding anniversary on Tuesday.  Boy has the time flown by.  I think we deserve a dinner out -- now to decide where to go! 

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie