March 2025
Hi everyone,
Welcome to the fall 2025 newsletter and retreat schedule. As I’m writing this, it’s the 3rd day since we changed our clocks, it’s raining and now I’m thinking of the fall ..... spring and summer hasn’t even happened for us .... crazy isn’t it. But as always, I’m thinking ahead and hope you will take time to do so.
A lot has been happening since the last newsletter? Actually quite a bit as far as business and personal. Business wise, last August I had just had my 16th quilting cruise to the Western Caribbean and we have a fantastic time! Yes the humidity was a little much, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. We had wonderful weather (for the most part), great ports to visit and of course I shared 2 brand new quilts designed for the cruise. My quilters enjoyed it all. Also I have continued with my Let’s Quilt Retreats, working with others on their retreats, guilds to lecture and offer workshops and of course the quilt shops in and around. You know me by now ..... not idle and always looking for new adventures.
This year I’ve been working since the first week of January. But I have to say, I actually took some time off to do a retreat or two with my friends. Went to ThimbleCreeks retreat with a wonderful group of quilters in Murphy, CA. I’ve known Joe and Roxie for decades, I used to teach for them when they had their quilt shop in the east bay. What fun it was to be ‘the camper’ and not be responsible for anything but me! In fact it was so fun, I’m signed up again for 2026. Also I took my annual jaunt to Fort Bragg, CA with my long time quilting buddies for the week. Our timing was really good for weather this year ..... being on the ocean you never know what you’ll get, but sun in the day and cool at night. At both retreats, I did accomplish quite a bit ..... that’s a big woohoo!
Coming up this spring/summer into fall ..... my retreats are up and running. Introducing a new location in the Sacramento area. I’ll be renting the classroom at the quilt shop called Runs With Scissors. If by some chance you have time at the end of this month to come, I still have openings. Next retreat here will be 2026 with no date secured at this time. My other retreat with openings is in Eureka on the coast .... how about you being hot and uncomfortable in the heat in June and wish to escape to the cooler coast weather? Check it out ..... can accommodate you and your friends with no problem ..... we will be sewing at a hotel ballroom.
Future cruises? Always looking to the future but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. There are several elements to cruising for me .... the right ship with a conference room so we never have to move our machines back and forth from our staterooms. The right price, dates, location to cruise andof course how many sea days and ports. I’ve been working on this with my travel agent for some time and it just doesn’t seem to be working out. I would love to do Europe but the price of airline tickets and the cruise brings the amount to several thousands. Quilters I’m not giving up ..... we will be having another cruise ..... hang in there for when and where!
Speaking of trips .... for me personally, I’ve invited a group of my friends to travel with me for a week to Bar Harbor, ME. If you know me at all, this is one of my all time favorite places to visit and it’s just a cute little town. Great walking around the town square, beautiful scenery and great seafood! Dave and I rented a house there for our 50th anniversary 7 years ago and it’s always been my thought to take a retreat there. After researching the idea, it wasn’t feasible to bring sewing machines (one plane has no place to put them) I decided to just make it a ‘girls week’ and do our own thing. There
are 10 of us ..... we all like each other and have known each other for years .... it’s exciting to see my little dream is coming together. We leave the middle of May this year and will report more on the next
writing.
Personal items from the family ...... Dave is my ‘go to’ guy as you all know. He now wears the
chauffeur hat for me, he’s always willing to take me here and there for business or pleasure. Of course
he’s still working on my quilt books and love that he does it (maybe a little disgruntled about it) but he still will do it. If he stopped, you would not like to see how the workbooks would look with my hand drawings! As you see him, please thank him for taking care of me. Cheri is my girl .... always happy and full of life. She now has 4 little loves in her life .... yes, I’m the proud grandma of 4 grand-dogs.
Her bff and her are always on adventures .... they do keep me entertained. Jim and family are still in
Bend OR. His practice is good, Courtney is staying busy ushering Elle (13) to various events and Blake
(18) will be graduating high school this June heading to U of U in Salt Lake City. This is mom and dads
alma mater ..... I think they’re happy with his choice. Now for me ..... it has been a big 6 months for me and not necessarily in a good way. In October, I had a stroke at one of my retreats. Those present were quick to act and within a hour I was in the hospital having the procedure that blasted the blood clot in my brain and to let me regain full movement of my left side and gain my speech back. Some of the moments I remember and some I don’t. I was 30-45 minutes aways from Redding so that ‘golden hour’ was very important. I left the hospital about 30 hours later on my own. I am no fool .... I know I was very lucky and I could have been totally incapacitated but because of this group, they gave me a good start to a great outcome. I did take off from work totally until January and yes,I know my limitations. I now have way too many doctors and way too many prescriptions (holy shit the prices!) ..... but hey if this makes me stay healthy and keeps me alive, I’m worth it. Here is one thought for all of you ..... I believe in positive thinking, strong constitution and the raw power of prayer. I thank the Lord every day for keeping me safe. My eyes are the same .... doing my best to keep them working for me.
So now you’ve heard my story both business and personally. Please read over the retreat schedule and see if there isn’t just one or two places you’d like to come to. I’m adding a fall retreat in Redding at The Sewing Room (new location) as well as continuing to be at Colusa, Weaverville and Harmony Ridge. I hope to see you at one of these locations.
Before I end, I wish to say Thank You for the support you give me throughout my ventures.
There are so many out there now following in my footsteps, offering retreats. How lucky for you to
have options, but ..... know I will always be happy and thankful for all of you. I do not take your support lightly. You are the best!
Enjoy!
linda@letsquilt.com
www.letsquilt.com