September 2025
Hi everyone,
Here we are going into a new season according to the calendar and yet the actual weather does not prove to show that it’s fall. As I’m sitting here the temperature is 100 degrees, but we must continue onward and look to the future! So onward and upward my fellow quilters.
The newsletter is my time to talk with all of you and let you share whats happening. Usually I’m pretty wordy, but you’ll find I’ve covered quite a bit in a short amount of space. So here goes!
What I’ve done for the Let’s Quilt Retreats/Linda Ballard & Co. is always a fun time for me. I did introduce a new location in Citrus Heights, CA at a quilt shop. It’s a wonderful location, lots of light/space/and a fun shop to play in. I will be offering another retreat there in March. Also, my Trinidad retreat was moved to Eureka and we had a marvelous time there at the hotel. Lots of great light/space and you get to make up your own hours. I will be repeating this venue again in June. Also came up with another retreat in Redding this fall held at The Sewing Room. Yes, I will be using Sew Simple in March, but wanted to offer you, my quilters, a chance to play with me at this newer location. As always, all the retreats I offered these past 6 months have been well received and I look forward to 2026.
I had many private retreats .... many are closed but some are always open to anyone who wants to join in. These retreats are not sponsored by me but by others who hire me. I come and offer my talents to them. I always love doing these because I get to do what I love and not have all the planning and arranging ..... I get to run the retreat and facilitate it so they can enjoy the time themselves. I actually love doing these! I have done 2 retreats for my friend in Fresno (always open to anyone, just celebrated our 15th year .... my 5th Rendezvous in Reno in a couple of weeks and it’s always open to anyone .... annual retreat with Oroville, with Moonlighters guild which is another retreat that is open to anyone. Now there have been some private retreats that are a group of ladies who lucky for me like what I do and I get them 2 times a year. They are very good to me and I love being with them. Of course I’m always hoping for something new, if anyone wants my services I’m always ready and willing to jump in and help!
My future is looking busy for 2026 .... several trips to Southern CA for guilds I’ve been to in the past few years. When a guild hires me back after 3-5 years, I know they liked what I offer and I am pleased they want me .... pretty good for my soul. I also have plans with the retreats for Let’s Quilt as well as the various private groups. Again, always looking for more people to share my love of quilting with.
These past months, I’ve finally taken a few more outings/get-aways for myself. I went to Murphy’s this past Feb with a fun group of gals, and had such a good time I’m doing it again! Yes, I was a retreater not the facilitator ..... felt very pampered. Thanks Joe and Roxie. I also did my annual trip with my buds to Fort Bragg for a number of days and look forward to this once again. And of course, if I can squeeze in something along the way I will do my best to ..... I just have to remember that I’m not as young as my head tells me .... sometimes the body says ‘not happening’. After the stroke last fall, I’m trying to be better to myself .... life is too damn short!
One highlight for me was my trip to Bar Harbor ME with 10 friends. We rented a darling house only 2 blocks from the town square for a week. We had a great time! Poopy weather coming and going but the Lord looked after us during the week and gave us beautiful weather for walking and taking excursions daily. After all is said and done, we’re asked if we would do it again? Well we had a terrible flight coming home and for that reason we say no to the east coast for awhile ..... but who knows, maybe we’re out for another adventure, maybe it will be all or some, you never know! But, I love Bar Harbor and I would go again, maybe it should be Dave this time.
Speaking of going, I’m planning my 17th quilting cruise to Hawaii in 2027. Too early for the particulars but look for it sometime in the spring, I will keep you posted as my travel agent gets info to me. I would love to have you join me, it’s so much fun! I haven’t done this cruise in a lot of years, anxious to go back. If you’re interested in another destination, let me know .... this is how many of my cruises get started, I listen to what you’re wanting and try to make it happen.
So the family and what’s happening with us ......
Dave - thank goodness for him, he’s my driver as most of you know. He had to renew his license and thank goodness it’s good for another 5 years. If he couldn’t drive we both would be up _ _ _ _ creek! Otherwise he’s good. Moving a little slower but who isn’t? He just finished a new workbook for me and I guess I need to give him a breather BUT ..... I’ve got a few more I want him to do. Need to keep him on my good side so he doesn’t say no.
Jim and family - probably the biggest news is Blake graduated from high school in June is off to college at U of U. He’s settled in at the dorms, haven’t heard as yet how it feels being on his own. Hard to believe he’s gotten that old. Elle is 14 and she is the only kiddo home now, think she’s going to miss him. Mom and dad will be busy taking her here and there ..... Blake was a big help in that respect.
Cheri - loving her life and of course her 4 legged kids. They are so funny when they come to visit us ,,,, it’s like ‘oh boy’’! They racing around the house and yard. She’s a good mommy. Don’t see her that much so that tells me she’s busy and happy.
For myself, I pretty much shared what’s going on with me. No change in the eyesight. Will know the first of the year if there is something I can get for my eyesight. There has been no further symptoms of another stroke and that’s major news. Hard to believe it’s been almost a year since it happened ..... I really don’t want to repeat that again, thank you. My creative juices are still flowing thank goodness! I have so many ideas it’s hard finding time to write the directions. I’ve done quite a few new patterns this years and love each one .... some easy and fun and some have a little more ‘meat’ to them. All in all, life is pretty darn good I would say!
As I always say at the end of the newsletter, THANK YOU for your continuing support. I appreciate all of you in helping me grow my business over the 35+ years. I will always do my best to make your experiences with me a success, fun and you wanting more. There are more and more shops/individuals offering retreats and I appreciate any time I get with you all. You are the best!
Enjoy!
linda@letsquilt.com
www.letsquilt.com