MNQuilterist
@smolsonquilter.bsky.social
Animal lover (I have 4 dogs and 3 cats), quilter, avid reader, and a darned good cook when I’m not feeling lazy. Minnesota is home. Votes blue. She/her.
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 ☃️
December 6, 2025 at 11:51 PM
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 ☃️
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.
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.
December 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM
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.
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.
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.
Pattern: ByAnnie’s Tools of the Trade, adjusted in width to hold a light board.
November 28, 2025 at 11:22 PM
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.
Pattern: ByAnnie’s Tools of the Trade, adjusted in width to hold a light board.
3 hours later, the seahorse is cut out from the white foundation, and pinned on the backing fabric.
November 16, 2025 at 9:58 PM
3 hours later, the seahorse is cut out from the white foundation, and pinned on the backing fabric.
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!
November 16, 2025 at 6:23 PM
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!
Northern lights in Austin MN tonight!!
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Northern lights in Austin MN tonight!!
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.
Pattern is ByAnnie’s Clam Up, in small, medium, and large sizes.
October 25, 2025 at 7:13 PM
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.
Pattern is ByAnnie’s Clam Up, in small, medium, and large sizes.
Quilting truths.
October 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Quilting truths.
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”
Pattern is ByAnnie”Backseat Babysitter”
October 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
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”
Pattern is ByAnnie”Backseat Babysitter”
I made a wallet using a faux ostrich leather. I added extra card slots and a magnetic snap closure.
September 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I made a wallet using a faux ostrich leather. I added extra card slots and a magnetic snap closure.
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!
September 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
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!
And this batik quilt top is complete!
Pattern is Succulent Garden 2.0
Pattern is Succulent Garden 2.0
September 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
And this batik quilt top is complete!
Pattern is Succulent Garden 2.0
Pattern is Succulent Garden 2.0
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
September 14, 2025 at 11:57 PM
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
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?
September 10, 2025 at 1:43 AM
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?
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
Pattern: Jungle Magnolia Wall by Quiltworx. Fabric is Tula Pink Untamed
September 7, 2025 at 12:23 AM
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
Pattern: Jungle Magnolia Wall by Quiltworx. Fabric is Tula Pink Untamed
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
Pattern: ByAnnie’s Round Trip Duffle
Fabric: Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements line
September 6, 2025 at 7:06 PM
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
Pattern: ByAnnie’s Round Trip Duffle
Fabric: Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements line
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!
September 4, 2025 at 12:27 AM
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!
Today I was doing some pattern testing for a friend. Now I need to figure out where and how to use them!
August 31, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Today I was doing some pattern testing for a friend. Now I need to figure out where and how to use them!
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.
August 24, 2025 at 8:43 PM
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.
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.
August 23, 2025 at 11:41 PM
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.
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!
August 18, 2025 at 12:57 AM
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!
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.
August 6, 2025 at 12:53 AM
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.
This wall hanging is quilted, bound, and hanging sleeve attached. I love how it turned out!
August 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This wall hanging is quilted, bound, and hanging sleeve attached. I love how it turned out!
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.
Pattern is ByAnnie’s Two Big Totes in size large, fabric is Tula Pink’s Tabby Road.
August 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
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.
Pattern is ByAnnie’s Two Big Totes in size large, fabric is Tula Pink’s Tabby Road.
Quilt retreat, Day 3. Made two blankets from a new double-sided velveteen fabric by Riley Blake Designs in the National Parks fabric. Postcards on one side, shield logos on the other. Just bind.
July 31, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Quilt retreat, Day 3. Made two blankets from a new double-sided velveteen fabric by Riley Blake Designs in the National Parks fabric. Postcards on one side, shield logos on the other. Just bind.