iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

The last 3 of the 9 quilting bound this week. The first two are Quiltworx patterns (Masquerade and Lotus Flower). The last one is the Charming Geese pattern (works with any panel) available from Sew That in Charles City, Iowa.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

3 more of the quilts I bound this week. All Quiltworx patterns: Jungle Magnolia, Springtime Dreams, and Starry Night.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

3 of the 9 quilts I finished binding this week. The first two are the Quiltworx Prismatic Star pattern (one in Tim Holtz fabric, one in Frosty the Snowman). The last is traditional piecing and the pattern is Succulent Garden 2.0 (pattern makes 6 size options).

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Day 4 of the quilt retreat, and I just finished binding 9 quilts!

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

This travel duffel is now complete, but I’m still working on some accessory pieces that the recipient will need for carrying 2 baseball bats, and shoes with cleats. The bag’s interior has a beige background featuring baseball players in action shots. Red interior pockets. Trolley sleeve on the back.

The front features a large slip pocket, and two zippered pockets. Each end has a slip pocket as well. The detachable padded shoulder strap and short handles use a reflective webbing. The extra triangle rings are for hanging some accessory pieces that I’m still working on.

The back features a large slip pocket, and a trolley sleeve to slide over the handle of a suitcase. The interior has 3 large slip pockets on each side, plus a key leash and another triangle ring.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

First two days of the quilt retreat, I was making this large “Tools of the Trade” tote. (ByAnnie pattern). It will hold a 24” mat, your long rulers, an ironing board, and numerous tools and scissors.

Front of the tote, featuring a slip pocket and a zip pocket.

Inside! The front folds out to a full size mesh zip pocket. The back has a padded divider, a purple fabric divider, and a purple mesh divider.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

I started this quilt on Thursday during the retreat, and just finished it at Saturday Open Sew. Turned out great! The pattern is Charming Geese (with an extra .5” border) by Ana Blickenderfer at Sew That in Charles City, Iowa. This pattern works with any size panel. Size is 59x78”.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Borders are attached and it is ready for custom quilting. 68” square.

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Paul Eric @pauleric70.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Brian Allen 🚨 MAJOR BOMBSHELL: Ted Lieu says the full, unreleased Epstein files show Donald Trump R*PING children. That’s what’s being hidden. That’s why the files stay sealed. That’s why there are no arrests. Release everything. Let the truth come out. Or RESIGN! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

This is the Wishing Star quilt top that I finished in November 2023, but I just finished these new expansion borders (which are not attached yet). This will bring the quilt to 68” square! Colorway designed by Sew That quilt shop in Charles City Iowa.

Quilt top with borders made, but not attached yet.

Original quilt top as the pattern is written. “Wishing Star” by Quiltworx, 57” square

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

JFC. It gets worse every g*dd*m day.

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Nick Anderson - political cartoonist @andertoon.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Pam Bondi For @rawstory.com Follow my work and writing on Substack: nickanderson.substack.com

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Brian Cardone @cardonebrian.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Rep. Rebecca Balint (D-VT) with her whole chest out says ‘it didn’t have to be like this I want to remind everyone who supersized the ICE budget, it was Trump and MAGA Republicans in Congress, they are who did this.’ Go off Becca, speaks that truth to power‼️💥🔥💥

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 01/02/2026

BREAKING: The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.

propublica.org

Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting

The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raym...

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

New rebel alliance loon tattoo for Minnesota. The final is colored but the black-only looked pretty cool too. Custom by Jacoba Kaufman at Lucky Llama Tattoo in New Hope (near Minneapolis) Minnesota.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

A bird smacked into my window (flew away and was fine) and left behind a detailed print! View from inside and outside the house.

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Steve Schmidt @thewarningses.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

"We reject Donald Trump’s lawlessness, corruption and violence. We the People dissent." @saveamericamvmt.bsky.social

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Here is my sunflower! I will look at it tomorrow to see whether I want to change any fabrics. And then it’s time to find a backing!

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Progress on a fabric collage of a sunflower, from a Zoom class this morning. I am really loving how it looks so far!

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

My Frosty the Snowman quilt is on the longarm! The backing fabric is Rudolph’s Shiny New Year. I can’t wait to get it back and add the binding! Quilt is 80” square.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

My Frosty the Snowman quilt top is complete! Pattern is Fractured Star

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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Senile Satan, my wish for you is that you have the 2026 you really deserve.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

The center units for my new Fractured Star quilt are completed, and I have the paper removed from most of them. The fabric is Frosty The Snowman ☃️

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Maisie: paws my arm in her most annoying way. Me: “It’s 4:05pm and it’s not time for your dinner.” Maisie: walks in front of me, sits down, and begins to stare. Maisie: starts mumbling to herself, and heavy-sighing. While staring. Me: “okay, okay.” All 4 dogs: total chaos and utter pandemonium.

Maisie, a 13-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, is annoyed because she wants her dinner early. And now.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

Finished! This tote is for my niece Caitlin. Disney Villain fabrics, sparkly zippers, and Skull zipper pulls. It turned out pretty cute! Pattern: ByAnnie’s Tools of the Trade, adjusted in width to hold a light board.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

3 hours later, the seahorse is cut out from the white foundation, and pinned on the backing fabric.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

My appliqué collage seahorse is ready for the next step! I need to cut her out, and put her on the blue water background. Then I will build a little coral reef. What a fun project!

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Northern lights in Austin MN tonight!!

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

3 little zipper bags with hanging clips, to match the Backseat Babysitter that I made for a former coworker last week. Pattern is ByAnnie’s Clam Up, in small, medium, and large sizes.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Finished. Top strap goes around headrest, bottom strap on the base of the front seat. The side Velcro loops are for attaching to a stroller - the vinyl screen pocket will fold down. Pattern is ByAnnie”Backseat Babysitter”

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

I made a wallet using a faux ostrich leather. I added extra card slots and a magnetic snap closure.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

I worked on this queen-size Dinner Plate Dahlia quilt top over several years, and finished it this spring. After I got it back from the quilter, I added the binding and gifted it to a friend last week. They have it displayed on their guest bed, and it looks perfect!

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

And this batik quilt top is complete! Pattern is Succulent Garden 2.0

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Just completed this 80x84” batik quilt top, and debating whether to add a border to make it bigger. It’s been a while since I did traditional piecing (versus paper piecing) but this went together beautifully. It’s so pretty in person! Pattern is Succulent Garden 2.0

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Tonight I threw together a case for sunglasses, with a strap to clip it onto the outside of a bag. This should be useful for an upcoming trip, although once I finished it, I realized it’s too big. I need to rethink the shape, maybe a flat pouch with an opening only on the end?

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

I finished the last seams on this quilt today. It was nice to finally have straight seams at the end, after so many curves! Maisie says I’ve spent enough time in the sewing room today, and it’s time for dog cuddles. Pattern: Jungle Magnolia Wall by Quiltworx. Fabric is Tula Pink Untamed

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

My duffle bag is complete! Outer pockets on all 4 sides, a trolley sleeve, padded shoulder strap, and roomy interior pockets. I think it looks pretty sharp! Pattern: ByAnnie’s Round Trip Duffle Fabric: Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements line

Front has a slip pocket and a zip pocket. Carry handles plus a padded shoulder strap

Back has a slip pocket and a trolley sleeve

Inside has a divided fabric pocket, and a full sized mesh pocket with a double zipper. There is a removable hard bottom.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

My wall quilt won a first place and a rosette ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair, but it was displayed during the fair with the ribbons behind it. The nice lady at the pickup window took a picture before I left the Creative Arts Building with my entries!

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Today I was doing some pattern testing for a friend. Now I need to figure out where and how to use them!

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Great weather for the Minnesota State Fair today! Found my two First Place winners, and another entry on display. Almost 10,000 steps and my feet are tired.

My “Broken Compass “ quilt took a First Place at the Minnesota State Fair, but they hung the ribbon on the back. It’s high up, so they may not be able to reach it to get the ribbon in front.
It also won a First at the Mower County Fair.

My “Fourth of July Fireworks “ quilt did not win a ribbon, but it was prominently displayed!
It took a Second at the Mower County Fair.

My “Tools of the Trade” tote won a First Place! It also won a Grand Champion ribbon at the Mower County Fair.

Closer view of my “Broken Compass” quilt

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

This is a big batik quilt that is nearing completion, after only 2 short Saturdays of work. I need to add the strips in the top and bottom to square it off, then sew the columns together and add a border. It will be queen size! Pattern is Succulent Garden 2.0, and it uses 20 half-yard cuts.

Quilt blocks on a design wall, sewn in vertical columns.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

I’m making a duffle bag! I’m participating in a “slow-along” which basically spreads out the pattern steps over 6 weeks, with each step being less than 2 hours. This week’s assignment was assembling the bag front and back, with handles and interior/exterior pockets. I like how it’s turning out!

Outside of the bag front and back. Slip pockets on each, with an extra zipper pocket on the front and a trolley sleeve on the back. There’s also a separate carry strap.

Inside of the bag front and back. Divided slip pocket on one, and a full size mesh pocket on the other.

This is the pattern. Fabric is Eclectic Elements by Tim Holtz

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

I took some items to our local County Fair this week, and judging results were out today. Grand Champion on the B&W tote, Reserve Grand on the tote with purple giraffes, and a 1st Place on the wall hanging quilt. I also received two 2nd Place awards, but we can only post 4 pics.

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

This wall hanging is quilted, bound, and hanging sleeve attached. I love how it turned out!

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MNQuilterist @smolsonquilter.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

I just finished this tote for a friend. Started it yesterday morning, worked til after 11 last night, and completed it after a couple hours this morning. Pattern is ByAnnie’s Two Big Totes in size large, fabric is Tula Pink’s Tabby Road.

Front has a zipper pocket and a slip pocket, with ribbon trim

Back has a slip pocket, with ribbon trim (cat food cans!)

Zipper folds flat against the sides when open

Hard base on the inside. Bellowed pockets (to hold a water bottle upright) on one side, and a divided slip pocket on the other side

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