I don't know about you but I'm just about knee deep in holiday preparations and it's only December 1st. The month of November flew by without my realizing it.

Maybe that's because I was sick with a flu bug when the month started and then traveled to Mary Koval's Quilt Shop in Bedford, Pennsylvania.

I was able to attend 4 classes with the wonderful Di Ford Hall. There was also a beautiful luncheon in Di's honor at the Bedford Springs Resort and we were enjoyed Di's lecture in the evening. It was a whirlwind of activity. I saw some old friend and made some new ones too. You really can't ask for more.
She is such a wonderful teacher with a wealth of information she willingly shares with her students. Di, Mary and her staff all worked very hard to make this event extra special. Thank you ladies!

From Pennsylvania it was on to Shipshewana, Indiana for the Just Takes 2 Quilt Retreat.

Ann Holte was our teacher this fall. She taught classes and presented a lecture on the fantastic Lancaster Diamonds quilt. There is much to be learned about this unique quilt, it's family connection to "sister quilts" and she shared some great construction techniques.

Di Ford Hall and Linda Collins

Next fall's retreat will begin two years of international teaching by these two lovely ladies. In 2016, the amazing Linda Collins from Quilts in the Barn will focus on perfect machine piecing without pressing! I've seen her work and you won't want to miss attending her first U.S. classes. In the fall of 2017, Di Ford Hall will join us to focus on her exquisite applique and broderie perse techniques. Di is working on a new book and has two more fabric collections coming out soon. Check the retreat web site for the dates, mark your calendars and be sure you've signed up for the Sentimental Stitches newsletter so you'll know when registration opens for these events. There's a link in the sidebar to sign up for the newsletter.
Registration is now open for the April 2016 retreat and we look forward to seeing you again! Shipshewana is beautiful in the spring time.

Now for today's important business. It's the final installment of the Benjamin Biggs quilt. You're getting both Block 24 and Block 25 today.

Block 24

I think this is one of my favorite blocks in the quilt. I just love all the leaves on the curved branches. The only information I found on the block maker was that she was born in 1827. The 1850 census shows her living with Benjamin Tayman, a farmer in Washington, DC. I believe they moved there from Maryland where they were born.

Susan Tayman
1848

Block 25

Anna Mary Hoke
Oct 1848 Emmitsburg
Md

You now have everything you'll need to complete the Just Takes 2 Benjamin Biggs quilt! The blocks I've seen so far are wonderful and I can't wait to see some completed quilts. If you've missed any of the blocks along the way you can order them HERE.

There WON'T be a Just Takes 2â„¢ Block of the Month for 2016

Thank you for your support over the last four years. We hope you've enjoyed the quilts presented and will continue to visit Sentimental Stitches and Dear Jane to see what's happening.

Sentimental Stitchesâ„¢ is celebrating it's 20th anniversary in 2016. I have so many wonderful things planned to share with you that I need to go over the list and narrow it down to what I think we can manage even if we celebrate for 20 months! It's also the 10th anniversary for the web site and I want to be sure to honor and thank all of you who have followed me through the years. I'll be back in a day or two..........or maybe three to share with you some of what's going to take place. I have to save a few surprises!

Just Takes 2â„¢ Benjamin Biggs Quilt Block 24 - Click here

 

Just Takes 2â„¢ Benjamin Biggs Quilt Block 25 - Click here