WELL….Crazy Man is having a HUGE birthday today ! ! He asked for a quilt YEARS ago and this is the quilt he received. In honor of his birthday here is a quilt block pattern for you to make !
January has a different kind of rhythm this year. And I am trying so hard not to rush myself. “You don’t have to do everything today.” And honestly that is the way I like my life.
Living slow doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means doing one good thing at a time. Make the coffee. Sit down. Pull out a project that isn’t urgent or impressive or Instagram-worthy. Just something that feels nice in your hands. Quilting has a way of turning an ordinary day into a good one for me. Please click the links and see all I do. The Quilt Ladies Quilt Patterns
and All Beth Ann’s Books
My laundry closet took over a week, paint for an hour…let it dry…paint again if it needed before bed and then again in the morning . Kind of like me folding a quilt, unfolding it just to make sure, I love it as much as the first time folded…5 minutes before…
It’s a bit of a 70’s thing and I as usual it’s all about me, it’s now a laundry hall and it’s open to see and pretty.
In the before, I painted everything before hung, this time, removed doors and painted cabinets on the wall…a my project.
Doors all painted, out and inside.
Measuring and cutting paper.
Thank goodness only 4 doors. What a project wallpaper is?!?!?
Yes, I’m the only one to see side and they needed pretty too !
This hall turned out with the same satisfacton as pulling out a quilt and dressing up my bed with a new/old quilt to sleep under.
Press, don’t iron. Why this matters (and us old quilters will repeat it forever):
Lift your iron and press straight down. Don’t slide it back and forth like you’re ironing dress shirts.
Think of it this way: Ironing = smoothing wrinkles. Pressing = training fabric to cooperate.
Your quilt doesn’t need to be flattened into submission. It just needs a little firm guidance.
BEFORE the emails start: pressing seams open is a thing now?!?!
Pressing seams open can be useful, but it’s not always your best friend. Reasons to be cautious: The seam is weaker (there’s no fabric overlap for strength)
Quilting stitches fall directly on the seam line, increasing the chance of popped stitches
Seams don’t “lock” together when piecing, which can affect alignment
NOW I have added this quilt block pattern as a PDF for you just Click on it and it’s yours: NO SIGN up nothing, it’s YOURS
Why a PDF instead of typing it all out here? Because I’m old enough to work smarter, not harder. I type it once. You get a pretty printable, print, save, share and alway let them know it’s from ME ! Here it is for YOU
Finished quilt block is 14″ x 14″
So, my day or my week is going to be slow. Quilt a little. Rest a little. Let the world spin without your supervision. The laundry will wait. January understands. And So Does Husband. And again, HERE Is the Quilt Block Pattern for YOU to Make
Have a GREAT Week, Love yourself, Each other and Quilt, Sew and Laugh !
Please support my Etsy shop and my Quilt Ladies Books and Quilt Pattern Books
Hello, Welcome Friends, Here we are… the very end of December, standing at the edge of the New Year…2026?!?
I like to think of it like opening up my fabric stash and seeing all the potential, the promise that I had when I purchased those cotton prints. And, I always find that one fabric…
What was I thinking when
I paid money for 2 yards of THIS?!?!
To all, Health, Happiness, time to quilt, read and that one more cup of coffee. Happy 2026
A Quilt Block for You to Make
Finished quilt block
Measures 18” x 18”
Cutting for 4 Centers
Cut 4 Purple – 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 4 Yellow – 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 4 Purple – 2 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 4 White – 2 ½” x 1 ½” Side
Cut 4 White – 3 ½” x 1 ½” Top
Cut 4 Red – 3 ½” x 1 ½” Bottom
Cut 12 Red – 4 ½” x 1 ½” Left Side, Right Side
Cut 4 Green – 1 ½” x 1 ½” Right Side Bottom
Sashing to Put Block together
Cut 4 White – 5 ½” x 2 ½”
Cut 4 Red – 2 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 1 Yellow – 2 ½” x 2 ½”
Outside Border of Block
Cut 6 Red – 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
Cut 6 White – 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
Make Triangles
Cut 4 Green – 3 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 4 White – 3 ½” x 1 ½”
Sew together
Cut 4 Green – 5 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 4 White – 5 ½” x 1 ½”
Sew together
I’ve decided 2026 is going to be my year of “new time” not more time (still waiting on that invention), but better time. Time for ideas, quilts, small adventures, and moments that don’t involve running around like I’m in a fit of overwhelmedness…(pretty sure that’s a word)
And speaking of time… I’m officially drifting away from social media. Not dramatically, not with a farewell tour, quietly stepping back like someone sneaking out of a party before the karaoke starts.
Nothing I post is ever going viral, those 6 likes and not shares, I can do without, with 6K follows. So, instead of chasing algorithms, I’m keeping things simple: if you want me, I’ll be right here on Tuesdays, coffee in hand, sharing life, quilts, and whatever else pops up. Kind of back to the basics!
My plan is simple: less rushing, more joy. Less “should,” more “why not?” Less worrying about the perfect plan, and more celebrating the small wins, like finding the scissors before the third try. If I can do that, I think 2026 and I will get along just fine.
Lined Journal with My WatercolorsHow to Survive Retirement
Available NOWFun and Happy getting that Quilt DoneMaking Myself BetterThe Book I hope NO one ever needs, but I know some will50 States Quilt Block Patterns, thank you all for purchasing and loving this book as much as I do !
Thought of the Week
So here’s to stepping into 2026 with a smile, a fresh list of ideas, and the hope that our bobbins never run out at the worst possible moment.
Bring on the new time, the new ideas, and the fun that comes with starting again. Let’s make something wonderful.
Keep Stopping IN and I will Keep doing, ME… www.BethAnnDoing.com
Hello All ! Welcome !
Hope you are settling into the holiday spirit. I have the tree done, gifts shipped and Husband has the outside palm tree decorated with lights all a glow. We are over the top organized this year and I will share more later.
Quilt Block of the WeekThis weeks Quilt Block Pattern is all about it’s name, “Old Maid” finished size is 8″ by 8″ How I make my triangles tutorial is here.
I think this quilt block needs a name change to, “Powerful Women” but I don’t have a lot of pull in the quilt history area ! It’s a Great Quilt Block
This is what I worked on the past few weeks and this past week add Thanksgiving into it too ! ! My Secretary Hutch for our kitchen ! ! and I love it.
This old secretary desk came to me tired, faded, and a little wobbly ($50). Over the past two weeks, I’ve sanded, glued, repaired, cleaned, and finally painted it back into something that makes me smile every time I walk into my kitchen. It’s amazing how a little love, a little patience, and a lot of elbow grease can completely transform a piece.
I know some don’t like painted wood, this wood was not the best, pieced together a bit, I saved what I could and had a ball painting the rest. This project is the largest I have done since my library and it has reminded me how satisfying it is to slow down and bring furniture piece back to life.
Yes, I hand painted the back, it’s on art paper so IF
I want later, I can change it
I think this is what we do with our Quilts,
The most ordinary things become extraordinary the moment we decide they’re worth saving. This week, look at what’s already around you with new eyes and find joy in bringing a little beauty back to life.
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Thank you for supporting my Etsy shop and my Quilt Ladies Book
We returned from a five-day cruise last week, one of those you do and I can’t stop thinking about. It was with three other couples, our heart friends, and let me tell you… sometimes the best vacations are the ones that don’t go exactly the way you expect. The weather had its own agenda, the sea a bit rumbly, and instead of hopping off at multiple ports like we planned, we made only one stop. But you know what? It turned into one of the most unexpectedly lovely cruise trips we’ve had in a long time.
When the waves got rough, we settled in. Our days were filled with long, slow stretches of cards and games, the kind where everyone slowly gets more competitive but also laughs harder. The kind where someone always needs “just one more round,” even though we’ve been playing for hours. We leaned into it, letting the simple fun carry us.
Evenings were for lingering at the dinner table far longer than usual. The conversations began flowing like an extra course, filling the corners of the table with stories, memories, and that easy kind of friendship that only happens when nobody is rushed. We talked about everything and nothing, laughed until we cried, and soaked in the kind of connection that busy everyday life rarely leaves room for. Only for unexpected joy, good friends, and the kind of days that don’t need a schedule to be wonderful.
A Quilt Block for You to Make
Here is this weeks Quilt Block Pattern and it’s a 6′ x 6″ finished block and it’s all fun with color. Quilt Pattern is here for you.
Six by Six Inch Quilt Block Pattern
The Quilt Ladies Book Nook
Give yourself a few moments over the coming season, read a bit, quilt a bit of just be in the wonder of time and quilts. HERE
Read all about my book, both short version and complete text, both with 25 quilt block patterns HERE
Thought of the Week
I had read this in a book once, “filling the corners of the table,” and didn’t understand until these dinners. Simply enjoy who’s sitting at the table. Let this week be a reminder to lean into the unexpected, savor the simple, and let conversation and connection be enough.
PLEASE: Sign up and never miss The Quilt Ladies Weekly News on Tuesday.
No algorithms, no noise, just quilting goodness delivered right to you. I’m not must for social media, so this is the best way to stay connected and keep the creativity flowing. Top Right Corner and I will NEVER overwhelm you with anything, I am too busy quilting, writing, painting, trying and being! Beth Ann
It’s fun for me to draw quilt blocks out on graph paper. They make me happy and I love the ideas they sparks as I do them. This is one of my quilt blocks.
I have to LOVE a Quilt pattern named, “English Rose” what says quilting more than a English Rose. Complete quilt pattern is here for you, my quilt block is all abut the background fabric, you do YOU !
A star quilt block can be as simple or intricate as you like, perfect for both beginners and experienced quilters. This quilt block pattern has a finished size of eight inches by eight inches. Have fun with color as you are making yours. The white on my quilt block helps make the other colors pop or showcase them. Here to see. The Ladies on Etsy AND it’s Now in Print – Kindle and on Amazon Prime
Cut 4 Pink– 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” Cut 4 White 2 7/8” x 2 7/8” Make Triangles – How I make my triangles
Cut 8 Blue – 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 8 Purple – 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Cut 16 White – 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Sew as shown
Beth Ann is The Quilt Ladies
Beth Ann is a Quilter and an Author who decided to self-publish her books and quilt pattern books
This past Tuesday Thread was how to do quilt squares, HERE
And this is one of the best ways to learn to do square this quilt pattern is for you. This quilt pattern is easy and it’s ONLY a square. Making nine patch quilt block This is just the next step in a nine patch quilt block. Finished Quilt block is ten inches.
The simple Log Cabin quilt block is one of the most beloved and timeless patterns in quilting. Built around a central square, this block grows outward with strips, or “logs,” added one at a time. I have changed it a bit with the added squares in the colors. A Log Cabin block brings warmth, tradition, and a comforting sense of home.
This a simple quilt pattern that has a finished size of eight inches by eight inches. All 68 of “The Ladies” quilt patterns are HERE
