It's more fun when there are more!

Hello friends. Its been months since I last posted a newsletter/blog and now its December.

This is what happens to us creatives in the fall. Our busy season is packed with class prep and workshops, new patterns to write and all that behind the scenes stuff that needs to be done. Not to mention time spent if we long arm for others as well. You get the picture. The good news is I’m pretty much all caught up, until my phone rings or I look at my emails!

I have lately been noticing a general vibe in classes, workshops and gatherings of quilters lately. Now I don’t know if it’s some kind of return to normal for us or maybe a kind of rekindling but. They come to class with exuberance. A want to learn new things, and most of all get together.

As more classes arise, they are bursting to see old friends, excited to learn new techniques and just a general feeling of loving being with others. This my friends, is why, we as instructors, do what we do. Even for me, teaching has allowed me to meet so many people, make new friends and learn from all of you.

I guess my message here is, as winter descends upon us, we can find light and joy in the gathering of quilters. Whether it’s at a guild, in a workshop or gathering at a retreat, we have come back to the place that find those who understand us and our addiction to the art of quilting.

Recap of the last few months

Let’s start in October, where I had the pleasure of teaching at a week-long workshop in Winter Harbour Maine.. What a great group of quilters. Quilters from all over the US gathered to learn the tips and tricks to making my Catch a Scrappy Star quilt and Criss Cross. The organizers Bev and Irene were the best. Each day we had a new little notion or themed blueberry surprise at our table as we started our quilting adventure. With having 5 days to teach a quilt was such a relaxed atmosphere. The students were allowed time to absorb the techniques, and I had time to get to know all of them.

Debbie was able to get all here blocks completed and up on the design wall. Helen did a super job on her blocks as she was well on her way to finishing her quilt. Linda sent along a picture of her finished top. Way to go gang. There was even time for a lesson on the proper way to each Cheezies while piecing.

Mid November saw the quilters of the Sudbury Quilting and Stitchery Guild join me for a fun day exploring value and design all the while making a slice and dice technique, I call Flip and Stitch.

The day flew by as the quilters stitched and sliced and flipped their way to more possibilities then they could muster. We had a hoot of a time seeing old friends and making new ones. Can’t wait for the pictures of the finished projects ladies, so. Send them along for us to see.

Visiting “The Loft”

Fall is a busy time here for the loft, as groups of friends come to share, create and laugh the days away in my cozy quarters on the shores of the French River. The groups were busy piecing and lots of chatting and laughing. I had the pleasure of hosting a new group to the loft this fall as a longtime friend brought a new friends Sharon Fisher, Sharon Gardening Mum and Barb Attrill, The Needle and Thread Emporium for a weekend of stitching. There is nothing like seeing first-hand the pleasure in sharing and doing a craft that one truly enjoys. Sharon is teaching this year at CQA in Toronto, so if you’re interested in honing your skills in stitchery may I suggest joining her in June. You won’t be disappointed. Of course, stitchers would be lost without their specialty thread so accompanying this group was Barb Attrill of Needle an Thread Emporium. Hubby and I are quite used to assisting in unloading sewing machines and coolers of food, but this was a few trips of buckets of thread in multiple colours and sizes.

The stitching was so beautiful that I, myself may have to be a student in one of Sharon’s classes at CQA.

As I mentioned the groups in the loft have a hoot of a time while staying at the loft, so much so that it brings out the girls in all of us. What a better way to pass the evening and have a few laughs then to do some bonding with facial masks. What goes on at “The Loft” stays at “The Loft”, unless you send me a picture! Love it, and thanks for sharing!

It’s not all fun and games as “The Lofters” do get projects completed. Always a pleasure to host such wonderful creative people. Thank you, friends, for sharing.

In the Studio

The studio has been consistently busy with quilters coming to learn new skills and just sew together. From baby quilts to curved piecing runners, everyone enjoys the companion ship of other like-minded friends.

Quilting Unscripted:

Our next episode is Wednesday December 4^th at 7pm and Lynn and. I will be hosting a special Holiday edition. To view, head on over to my Facebook page: Quilting by the river or Lynn Wheatly Quilter.

But wait! There’s more

On December 5^th at 7pm we will be hosting a special live with Michelle from Quilting Adventures by Michelle to discuss all the details for our upcoming cruise. This is an excellent opportunity for us to answer your questions. So go check out our cruise Elevated Quilting, a Quilting Cruise in the Caribbean on the Celebrity Ascent, April 6-17, 2026

I’m off to England

The Hubby and I are off to England to spend time with our daughter and family for the holidays. The studio will be closed but I will still be hard at work planning out my next quilt for submission to Island Batik and the Mystery Quilt for the Cruise. We are experiencing a Postal Strike and with my upcoming absence, my Etsy site has only my PDF patterns available. I will be back Mid January, when at that time all will be up and running.

Well, that’s it for now. I’d better get to tying up those loose ends. Until next time, Thanks for dropping in. From my house to yours, Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year.