My how time does fly when you're NOT having fun!  After dealing with some health issues in my family, I'm finally ready to post an update on some of the projects I've been working on....and some new things that are coming up!

Here is a quilt I have been working on for several years.  The top was created using the English paper-piecing technique.  I finished the top last fall and machine quilted it during the long winter months.  I love this quilt, it has flannel on the back.  This one is for me to  cuddle with!

For those of you who are "Tilda" fans, here are some store samples that I made this spring.  These are free patterns that you can find on the "Tilda's World" website.  I just love her fabrics.

We celebrated two new babies this spring!  This first quilt went to my son's good friend who had a beautiful baby boy.

And my granddaughter, Rose, helped me make this quilt for her school principal, who had her first baby granddaughter this spring.

Speaking of granddaughters, I had to include this photo of my sweet little Claire at her First Holy Communion!  She is a little angel (most of the time), ha, ha, ha.

Here are some of the projects I'm working of for this fall.  First, I finally finished all of the blocks I collected from a Shop Hop (2 YEARS AGO).  My plan is to get the sashing and borders done this summer so that I can quilt it this fall.

This is a beautiful scrappy quilt that my sister made.  She has inspired me to get some of my scraps cut up.  The pattern can be found in the book, "Scrappiness is Happiness" by Lori Holt.   

And last but not least, I am very excited about starting "The Raven" quilt by Blackbird Designs.  I have completed the first block of nine (hand applique).  I am offering this quilt as a BOM applique class starting in October at Wooden Bridge.  You can reach them at (610-683-7159) to register or to get more details.

Wishing you all a healthy and safe summer filled with lots of sewing time!!!

Happy New Year

 

Happy New Year to all!  I hope everyone has a happy, healthy 2026, filled with lots of quilting time!!!  I haven't posted for awhile, so I have lots of things to share!  

First of all I have a new instructional video in the "How Should I Quilt This" series.  (See the list of instructional videos on the right side of this blog.)  The new video is call "How Should I Quilt This:  Hand-pieced Quilt."  Here is a photo of the featured quilt.  It was hand-pieced by my sister, Crystal.  It is stunning, she did an amazing job.  I was very intimidated, and I procrastinated a long time before I got the courage to quilt it.  Check out the video of my step-by-step decision process.

This is a hand-embroidered tablemat that I finally finished.  It was started with a group of good friends who used to meet monthly at a Ben Franklin store.  I miss you all very much and hope you enjoy seeing this finished project.

Here is a pillow I made this summer using a free Tilda pattern.  I had to alter it a bit to make it large enough to fit this bench.  I loveTilda World.  Check out her website if you haven't seen it.

And last, but certainly not least .... here is a picture of the loves of my life.  God blessed us with 5 amazing grandchildren.  I love you all more than you will ever know!

I am still gathering photos of some of the Christmas gifts I made in 2025.  So more to come soon!

NEW FREE VIDEO: How to add a Ruffle to a Quilt

Click HERE, or see the new "Instructional Videos" menu on the right, to learn how to add a ruffle to your quilt.  Here is a photo of the finished "Mini Dresden" project shown in the video.  This is a new pattern created by the "Kackling Kousins."  It is available to purchase at Hoovers' Bernina in Mifflinburg, Pa.

I haven't posted in awhile, so a photo of my son's Christmas gift is shown below!  We are all big Penn State fans, thus the scrappy blue and white choices.  It felt really good to use up some of my scraps.

I also completed two baby quilts in the past three months.  So much fun to make quilts for these little cuties!

And last, but not least, here are some photos from a fun class I taught yesterday at Wooden Bridge.  These ladies were so much fun!!!  Enjoy their creativity...

            Lisa

             Rita

          Millie

 Mary Jane

          Diane

    Georgia

Thanks for the laughs and the good memories!

New Video on "How Should I Quilt This?"

It feels so good to finish a project that has been hanging around for awhile.  Here is a photo of the quilt that I just finished.  There is a free video (click HERE) on how I quilted this one.  I'm really happy with how this turned out, and I already have it on my bed!

  

Here are two small quilts that I completed recently.  This first one has been in my sewing room for a few years.  I just love finishing up old projects.  It makes me feel like I can order new ones! 

This little quilt (25" x 25") is actually a sample for a "mini-a-month" class that I am teaching at Wooden Bridge in December.  Check out the class list on the right side of this blog for a list of all of my upcoming classes!

 

Time is running out for you to sign up for this fun block-of-the-month class at Hoovers' Bernina.  The Kackling Kousins will be teaching this monthly class starting on Monday, September 16, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  Call Hoovers at 570-966-3822 to register.  We can't wait to get started!

Tilda Bags

Here are photos of some of the projects I finished up this summer...

A tote, a notebook and a small zipper bag using the new "Tilda" fabrics.  I absolutely love them!

This quilt was finished quickly with the help of my daughter.  It has been sent off to her college friend who is undergoing cancer treatments.  Best wishes and many prayers were included with this quilt for Karen.  I hope she doesn't mind that Lucas tested it out first.

The Kackling Kousins (my cousin Kelly and I) will begin a new adventure in October.  Along with teaching at Hoover's Bernina in Mifflinburg and at Wooden Bridge in Kutztown, we have started to offer classes at Pocono Sew and Vac in Stroudsburg, Pa.  Check the list of classes we are offering in the right-hand column of this blog.  Or check out the Kackling Kousins' blog by clicking the image below.

Teacher Quilt

We have been busy this spring and summer with baseball, soccer, gymnastics, softball and flag football.  But I still found time to get some sewing done!

In May, my grandson asked me to make a quilt for his 5th grade teacher.  She has a 17-year-old daughter who was in a bad car accident and is looking at several months of recovery.  School was almost over, so we were on a short deadline for this one.  I decided to do a video on this quilt describing quilting choices.  Check out the videos listed on the right side of this blog.  The title is "How Do I Quilt This: Short Deadline," or click HERE.

Here are photos of Lucas, Rose and Jess working on the quilt.  It was definitely a family affair.

Here is another cathedral window tablemat for Memorial Day/4th of July (I can't seem to get enough of these).  If you are interested in making one, Kelly and I hope to teach this class again at Hoover's Bernina in December 2024.  Check back here for an updated class list or check in at the Kackling Kousins' blog site:

https://kacklingkousinsquilting.blogspot.com/

Now on to my next deadline!!!

Winter Update

Ryan finally got his quilt for Christmas!  He is adorable and such a sweet boy AND he loves his YaYa or MiMi or whatever he wants to call me, ha, ha.  This was a fun easy project.  I used flannel for the front and minky on the back.  It doesn't get any cozier than that!

Several long-time friends have decided to meet monthly at the Ben Franklin store to work on a piece of handwork.  This is our first project.  Everyone used different fabrics, this is just my interpretation.  These little hexies and hand embroidery took a good bit of time, but they all look great!  

Kelly and I (the Kackling Kousins) started teaching a new class at Hoover's Bernina, the Cathedral Window.  This design is typically done by hand, but the pattern we use is all done by machine.  It uses a charm pack and a little bit of yardage.  The first class was held in December, and we have another one scheduled for May 21.  This is a fun quick project to make for gifts.

Check out the class list on the right side of this blog for all of our future classes.

I am working on another installment of "How Should I Quilt This."  Watch for it to come out in the next couple of weeks.

Finished Projects!

Thought I'd send out an update on some of the projects I have actually finished!  

First up is a quilt for Quilts of Valor.  This is a great program for anyone who is interested in making quilts to recognize our veterans and thank them in a very comforting way.  My sister, Crystal, and I pieced this one and our sister, Jackie, quilted it.  It turned out great!

Next up is a new class being offered at Hoover's Bernina in Mifflinburg.  My cousin, Kelly, and I will be teaching this Cathedral Window class on December 4, 2023.  The entire project is done by machine, and we are hopeful that everyone will go home with a completed table runner.  This is a great way to give a homemade gift for the holidays.  And it is so addicting, you might want to make two!  Call Hoover's directly to sign up (570-966-3822).  The class is filling up pretty quickly. but we are planning to run it again in the spring.

Next up is this cute little baby quilt that I quilted for a good friend who just had her first grandchild in August.  Henry is a very special little boy and is much loved.  He posed perfectly for this photo...

And even better for this one!!!  The back of the quilt was a cute panel.  Good job Grandma!

I had a fun day at Wooden Bridge Dry Goods recently with some wonderful ladies who were excited about learning to quilt with rulers.  I hope they had as much fun as I did!

                       

And, last but not least, here is a little mini quilt that I did using a pattern in the book, "Hope's Journey" by Betsy Chutchian.  The book is just full of fun little projects and a beautiful sampler too!

New Free Video

 Oh, wow!  I have a lot of catching up to do.  I just realized I haven't posted anything since March!  I promise I haven't given up on quilting.  It continues to be my therapy!!!  Here is what I've been up to...

 I just downloaded another free instructional video:  "How Should I Quilt This, Snowball Quilt."  You can find it in the video list on the right of my blog or click HERE.

This is a photo of the quilt.

Here are photos of some of the friends I've met at my Wooden Bridge classes.  These are finished quilts from the El's Kitchen Sampler class that we just finished in May.

Sandy

Donna

Eileen

I hope your summer was filled with fun memories.  Here are some of ours...

Don't forget to check out my list of upcoming classes!