This year, 2020, has been especially challenging and will not likely be a Trip Around the Sun we will forget! We made it half way through so let’s celebrate! I virtually pat you on the back and cheer for you in getting through the first half of the year. Challenges can strengthen us. I cried. I was depressed. I was fearful, worried, and downright shocked by the behaviors and reactions of many. But, this too shall pass. I understand and fully believe that we will come out of this year stronger. So I’m celebrating the half way mark and counting my blessings. YOU are one of my blessings.

The sun comes up, the sun goes down.
This old word keeps spinning ‘round and ‘round.
Blink your eyes and it is done,
Another Trip Around the Sun.

The tide rolls in, the tide rolls out,
an unchanging pattern there is no doubt.
Count your blessings, one by one
And enjoy each Trip Around the Sun.

 

Poem Excerpt, Another Trip Around the Sun, by Billy Clyde (requested permission to use a portion in advertising)

Introducing our new Trip Around the Sun Block of the Month pattern! The quilt quadrants represents some of my favorite elements of the seasons. Each appliqué corner extends and reaches to the next season. Between the seasons are appliquéd peel blocks that repeat the bright multi-color palette of the Trip Around the Sun. The center sun appliqué uses warm and cool tones to represent the season’s climate change.

Pattern Highlights:

• 12-month Block of the Month pattern that is broken into four parts: winter, summer, spring and autumn. Pattern is written to start in whichever season you choose!
• Find 39 color pages with detailed graphics and instructions. Reversed appliqué templates are included. Plus, enjoy extra-large, 19” x 13” insert sheets for appliqué positioning.
• Pattern techniques include piecing, paper-piecing (summer apples), and appliqué.
• Patterns are available NOW!
• Kits are available soon. Reserve your kit by contacting Lisa@Materialgirlfriends.com
• Quilt measures 60” x 60” finished size. Fabrics used are Marcus Fabrics Primo Batiks by Material Girlfriends.

To celebrate getting through the first half of 2020, I removed all shipping charges from our SquareUp store. Shipping is free for any of our kits and patterns. If you purchase your Trip Around the Sun kit, I’ll ship it free mid-August or as soon as my bolts arrive.

The fabric line used in creating Trip Around the Sun is Material Girlfriend’s Primo Batik Collection by Marcus Fabrics. The fabrics will be shipped to quilt shops in August. Shops across the US will be running Trip Around the Sun as a Block of the Month program, including Keepsake Quilting!

I’d like to thank the Material Girlfriends testing and proofing team for their thorough work on Trip Around the Sun! They are the reason we have such a great reputation in error-free pattern writing (not my blogs unfortunately!). Thank you Diana Garnhart, Doris Garnhart, Katheline Monnier, Nancy Huffman, Jennie Castner, Nicole Castner, Kim Matsumoto, Cindy Croll, Linda DeMarco, Barbara Neumayer, Linda Perricone, Irene Sena, and Joanna Crimmins. I count this team as a huge blessing.

As you reflect on the past six months, I hope you recognize the times you over-came the challenges. Remember to count your blessings. There is so much beauty within each season. Let go of fear and worry and hold tight to what is good and beautiful. Before you know it, we’ll be celebrating 2021! Here is hoping the second half of 2020 is full of blessings for you.

Absewlutely,

Lisa Norton