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9857 W. Bell Rd., Sun City, AZ 85351 - 623-972-2091
Bits and Pieces
February 25, 2025
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Many of you have asked me how the rest of my gang is doing since Katie passed. I thank you for your kindness and concern. I can tell you that things are off a beat or two, still, but for the most part, I’m seeing no depression from them, no odd behaviors, nothing that I need to worry about. For all of this, I’m grateful. But when I can go swimming again, I will notice a huge difference! Katie was my one and only swimmer, of sorts. She couldn’t wait for me to open the gate so she could rush into the pool. To the second step, and only the second step. I never found out if she could swim or not because she never ventured off that big, curved step. I designed that for me, so I could rest on that step, find a comfortable spot, and read my book. Katie thought it looked good, so she’d join in and then take over the step, never sitting, but standing so her tummy feathers floated on the water along with her arm, leg and tail feathers. She gave new meaning to “Baby, shake a tail feather!”. And my book got wet. | |
The other 3 kids stayed carefully out of range of the water itself. Emi might sometimes get on the first step if she got too hot, but the two boys would just tough it out. If Emi was on the first step, she’d do her darndest to make sure Katie couldn’t get to her second step, and Katie would never object. If, however, someone was in the pool kicking and splashing in the water, Katie would not hesitate to push Emi out of the way to get to the second step in order to rescue the splashing swimmer whom she thought was in distress. She’d reach out with one paw as far as possible to try to pull the swimmer back to her and out of danger. With 3 feet firmly planted on step 2. But her back two feet NEVER left the step. A St. Bernard or a Newfoundland she was NOT, so no rescue for me from Ms. Katie. Love goes so far, in her book, anyway! It will be interesting to see what might change this summer at the pool. I’ll let you know…it could be interesting! | |
So what’s interesting at SVQ, now that our three big quilt shows for spring are out of the way? Sew Sisters is Wed., and most people will be working on Marilyn’s easiest ever bargello-style quilt. Hopefully even me!!! She has 3 samples in the classroom, this is a repeated class for her, and in the first class last month, many people nearly finished their bargello! I have my fabrics ready to cut and I hope I have no interruptions so I can join you in class. The next day, 2-27-25, Lynn M. is here with Intro. To Bags, a great class for anyone! Lynn primarily teaches from bags BYannie, and we have all the necessary hardware, suede, vinyl, mesh and more for your bag. | |
Saturday and Sunday, Andi is here with Jumpstart, a beginning quilt class. You will be focusing on a small quilt which you will cut and finish, learning most of the basic quilt steps as you go. Andi makes quilting fun and easy, and enables you to use it as a stepping stone to more diverse quilts. Learn it once…and learn it right! Buy and use the best tools to make your quilting easier and better. We are here to guide you, educate you on what to look for when making your choices. There is a lot of garbage out there, as we’ve all found out, so start out better and end up better. If you need help with binding, sign up for our short class on March 18 with Jan T., and take the mystery out of binding!!! It can be easy and look professional when you learn a few easy tricks. I do all my binding on the machine, and I love the looks of it now; when I started out, it looked like some kind of free-form edging with not-so-straight stitching. Ha…not any more! | |
When you’re in the shop, come to the classroom and check out Katie W’s scrappy and attractive In Big Woods quilt on the back wall. It gets lots of interest, and the class is March 28, so get signed up now and get your supply list so you can get started picking out your fabrics! I think it would be a great beginner’s style of quilt, as well as advanced sewists. Practice makes perfect, remember. | |
We’re still taking payment for our 4 days of QCT Camp for longarm QCT software lead by Joyce Blowers. Check on our website for more info. As to which days you will want to attend…maybe all 4. These are new classes, not just a repeat from prior classes, since it’s important to all of us that your knowledge and education continue to expand and grow with each class. Joyce and hubby Ron come to us from New York, generally twice a year, and her classes continue to get rave reviews and to challenge our skills. Please don’t miss this opportunity!!! | |
That’s it for now, for February 2025, and for big spring quilt shows in the valley. Many of our local sewing groups and clubs are still having their local shows to which you are all invited. We have many of their advertisements/bookmarks in the shop for you to take with you. Discover new areas in the valley, see some new quilt methods and meet some new people. Just always remember Who Loves Ya, Baby…and that’s us at SVQ!!! For our special of the week, let’s make it Floral. When you give us the code of 20FLORAL, either online with your order or in shop, you’ll get 20% off the floral fabrics you are purchasing!!! Remember: 20FLORAL. Hope to see you soon, have a fantastic week here in the northwest valley, and be safe! | |
Barbara and the March marchers at SVQ | | | | |
