“Can I just stay? Please?” That was my heartfelt plea after spending two unforgettable weeks north of the border, teaching at The Blue Barn Quilt Co. in Alberta and soaking up the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. “It feels so good to be here. You folks are so nice, love hockey, practice kindness, and give one another the benefit of the doubt. Truth be told, I am guilty of being a poser in my 20's while traveling abroad with a Canadian flag patch sewn on my backpack. Simpler times...
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It all started when shop owner Linda Timms came to my Georgia O’Keeffe workshop in Santa Fe. We hit it off like Timbits and coffee, and next thing I knew, I was heading to Canada to teach at her big, beautiful blue barn. We planned it for September—when Edmonton’s crisp mornings still give way to long golden days, and the larches in Jasper and Banff (our side trip!) start to turn that iconic, blazing yellow.

We worked on numerous quilt concepts from A to Zed, including Dawn Star, SKY Grand Star, and the Ombré Table Runner. Students cut into their ombré fabrics, jostled color and value around, and learned by doing. I enjoyed giving my morning dish, where I teach design and sewing techniques, show videos, and have group discussions where everyone gets involved. I encourage them to try hard stuff! We did a Meet'n'Greet and a Trunk Show too. It was such fun! It felt easy going and there was lots of laughter as I stumbled through some Canadian slang...Toque being my new fav.

Folks work on blending the ombres, auditioning color, creating spark, celebrating the seams, doing improv within structure, bouncing the light around and eating home grown tomatoes. Drinking chai lattes with sweet treats to nibble during break time was quite memorable too. 

A double wedding ring layout uses SKY and florals to brighten up even the gloomiest days is what's on Linda's design board. She dragged it out (because I begged!) so we could get a pic of it in front of the towering sunflowers and cobalt background. Doesn't it look great? Can't wait to see it finished. Below we created a new bundle for sale in our shop in honor of the gang. It's the BLUE BARN BUNDLE! 

The BLUE BARN bundle has 1/2 yard cuts of SKY ombre and Fat Quarters of Chalk and Charcoal.

We wrapped up the week with a promise to do it all again. It wasn’t a goodbye, just a so long for now. I swapped quilts and cute sewing outfits for hiking gear and Smartwool, then headed to the airport to scoop up my sweetie for the next adventure.
​Together we set out to marvel at Canada’s wild landscapes and that glowing, mysterious light you only find this far north. The plan was to take a week to wander through Jasper National Park—hiking the Sulphur Skyline, soaking in the steamy Miette Hot Springs, boating to Spirit Island, and traveling the Glacier Icefield Parkway until we arrived at Lake Louise, where we stood in awe at water so turquoise it didn’t look real. Honestly, it has to be seen to be believed. 

If you're still reading this, you like nature too :) It's our church. Some days we began under the moonlight and ended in the chilly shadows of a setting mountain sun. The tea house hike at Lake Louise was a favorite. It started at sunrise, winding up through the golden aspen and larch trees, crossing glacial rivers and taking a rest on a porch perched above a waterfall- savoring a hot cup of rooibos tea and berry scones. Other day hikes included Opal Peak, climbing up Tunnel Mountain and arriving at Ink Pots, which are rare, colorful springs bubbling up in alpine fields.  We did see a few moose out there, but no bears! Rut season was in full swing so we kept our distance, especially after a frightening encounter years ago in Glacier National Park with the kids.

Well, I didn't pack up all my quilts...can't stay in Log Cabins without actually sleeping under them. Yum yum :)

Picking SKY colors that reflect the landscape we so loved was a must. Below shows the Ombres and C&C that best represent the feeling I have when I think about our mountain adventure. Meet the ROCKIES BUNDLE!

The ROCKIES BUNDLE has 12 half yard cuts and 6 FQ in C&C. Brand new in our shop! 

We eventually rolled into the town of Banff and spent our last few days doing more chilling than hiking. We were happily pooped and ready to indulge in the welcomed luxuries of a bustling mountain town—good restaurants, steaming lattes and the silkyness of high-thread-count cotton sheets. After years of hearing about the Canadian Rockies, finally experiencing them filled my heart. Their magnificence touched me deeply.

Part of that awe comes from knowing the Rockies are in my story long before I ever got there. My dad worked a college summer up at Lake Louise in the late ’40s, chopping wood. There’s a hazy black-and-white snapshot of him I carry in my mind: a gangly young man sitting on a log, grinning wide, oversized T-shirt stained from work, baggy jeans cinched by a chunky leather belt. He looked so free—just happy to breathe mountain air and work hard. “Go to Canada one day and see the Rockies,” he once told me... I did, Dad.  

When C&T asked if my fabric designs could work as origami paper, I instantly said, “HECK YA!” I imagined how these pretty little squares could inspire all kinds of makers—quilters included.
We teamed up with the talented folks at C&T to turn the entire SKY Ombré and Chalk & Charcoal collections into double-sided sheets, packed into a chunky book of 390 tear-out 6" x 6" papers. Designing it was a total thrill—and collaborating with C&T always is!
Keep reading to see my 5 favorite ways to use SKY Origami Sheets.

Idea 1: Make Origami
Obvious, yes—but SKY’s ombré paper takes it to a whole new level! Each fold reveals surprising color shifts that make dimensional critters and shapes even more fun to create. The book includes 7 origami projects, and the tear-out pages are ready to go.
TIP: Wrap a loose ribbon or old rubber band around the book to keep pages from flying everywhere once you start creating.

Want to try a more advanced origami project? Make the bunny! Youtube instructions here.

Idea 2: Color & Reference Tool
This book is an affordable way to explore color! Tear out pages to play with palette ideas and quickly build dynamic color combos for your next project. It’s also a great reference tool for curating SKY and Chalk & Charcoal fabrics.

Idea 3: Build Color Confidence
I learn best by playing—and this wide range of colors helps me create fresh palettes I wouldn’t normally choose. I can quickly test out combos, like the complementary palette below, and see if the idea excites me enough to try in fabric.
Many quilters cut up Kona color cards to plan, which works too—but these swatches are larger, more affordable, and ready to use straight from the book (no tiny pieces to snip!).
Confession: I’m a color stickler, and yes—printed paper and fabric can vary a bit. But this gives me a strong sense of how a palette might land.

Idea 4: Make a Glorious Mess!
Use the paper for art collaging—blend, highlight, or accent with paint, stamping, or drawing. Tear your favorite sections and layer them into mixed media projects for added texture and color play.
They’re also great for decoupaging onto boxes, furniture, or whatever inspires you. Let loose and have fun!

Idea 5: Card Making
Handmade cards are always cherished—especially now. Send a cheerful note to someone you love, and take a break from your screen while you’re at it! I recommend starting with pre-made card blanks—they look polished and are quick to finish.
Last Saturday, my friend Nicky and I had a “maker’s date” with a table full of craft supplies and a couple of pretty lavender gin and tonics. We spent hours at her dining table playing with these luxe origami papers, cutting, layering, stamping, and marking them up with paint and pens. Total joy (and yes, the G&Ts helped)!

Tip: If you love lavender, get the hand crafted gin from Los Poblanos as your mixer and they have lavender simple syrup which is delicious. For your hands, I love the Lavender Salve . I discovered this charming shop/farm in Santa Fe on my last teaching gig and I am hooked! I have lavender sprigs from my garden to garnish the cocktails and Nicky presented these oceanic, bubbly glasses to enjoy our elixirs! Soo Yummmy. 

Do you have any more ideas of what you could do with my new SKY Origami Book? Please share in the comments below. We want to hear from you. I hope you enjoyed a little behind the scenes at Studio Sampou and Friends! 

Go Create! 

It's hard to write this because the feeling of loss grips my heart and tightens my throat. Last Tuesday evening, my friend, Freddy Moran, a person whom I've admired and loved since we met at The Cotton Patch years ago, passed away. I was backpacking in the California Sierras, off the grid, and when we came back, there was a barrage of  texts and voicemails about her death. The first calls we returned were to two of her sons, Matt and Andrew, expressing our deepest condolences. We learned that her soul left her frail, 94-year-old body while in her colorful, art filled home: exactly where she wanted to be in her final moments. 

We live in a tight-knit community here in Orinda, California, where everyone knew Freddy. She and her husband, Neil, raised five fine boys who are still local. Though great sadness is present, there's also a celebration of her. She created quilts, socialized with family and friends, and even got her hair and nails done on the very last day of her exceptional life. She was revered, loved and an inspiration to all. 
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When we met, Freddy was in her 60s and I was in my 30s. Her quick wit, a full spectrum of bangles stacked up to each elbow, and her unapologetic, "rules are to be broken" approach to quilting were the most refreshing qualities I had encountered in this industry. Freddy was truly one in a million. Her vibrant approach to life was evident, committed as she was to making art in her studio every day. You couldn't help but fall in love with her. Since becoming friends, I've never been able to think of the color RED without thinking of fREDdy.

Of course, we talked A LOT about design and pet so much fabric...that goes without saying. Her stash was the most fun ever! She loved to fabric shop so I just went to her stash to see the latest, coolest, most wild stuff currently on the market from Marimekko to Alexander Henry. Plus, I would plop my new fabrics I had created on her work table. She would gush about the brights, black and white graphics, and the crazy prints I had done. (I knew to leave my more subtle prints at home...too boring for her). She was a "more is more" kind of maker...I curated my palette by taking fabrics out....We enjoyed and respected our design differences. It made it fun. 
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Full of anecdotes and wisdom, I was often asking questions about her life. "Freddy, what does seasoned creativity look like to you? How do you balance all the things in life? When do you know to carry on or finish up? How the heck did you thrive so well raising five kids?" I depended on her frank answers. She was always full of support, understanding and gave me candid responses layered with kindness and empathy when she helped me reflect on my own life. 

Freddy made my life richer, more fun, and encouraged me to be fully me. Living within walking distance from my studio to hers was a gift, and I am so grateful for her friendship. Whether we talked on the phone or saw each other in person, she always ended our conversations in her most singsong voice: "LUUUV YOOU." 

I love you too, Freddy. I know your soul is currently swirling in the prisms of endless light, slumbering where the zinnia petal deepens from fuchsia to pomegranate, and going for joyrides, tucked in the bluebird's silky, iridescent wings....with Neil by your side. You will be missed and remembered for the rest of my days. 

PS: Please share any stories or memories in the comments you have about Freddy. We'd all like to read them. Thank you for taking the time, it helps keep her alive in our hearts and when we share in the loss of a beloved person, it makes it a little bit less painful. 

SKY makes us color mavens. Trust me when I say we all learn a lot about color when we just cut up a few SKY ombres, study them, play with them and sew them back together! It's that easy. Plus it's super rewarding and so much fun. March was a a big month for teaching. Today's post is about Empty Spools seminars, which takes place on the coast of California, a world away from Santa Fe and Georgia O'Keeffe of last month. .  

I will be back to teach at  Empty Spools at Asilomar next year on April 30-May 4th, 2025. Stay tuned for information coming out from Empty Spools and get on their mailing list if you want to partake in a class. There are many good teachers and sign up is by snail mail only. Get on it early as my class tends to sell out quickly. I would love to see you there! 

Cherry blossoms are blooming from coast to coast. My first born, Tommy lives in NYC and we talk about how different the seasons are between San Francisco and NYC. But his photos and my photos this week are in synch. He spent Easter weekend with friends enjoying the Great Lawn in Central Park and we passed the time under the blooming cherry trees in our back yard. Our photos we shared in our family chat show that spring has sprung across the country! 

I just got back from my third annual five day retreat called High Desert Hues, O'Keeffe style in Santa Fe, New Mexico where Georgia O'Keeffe spent the later part of her life painting the landscape. Santa Fe has a gorgeous museum that our class visits with a private tour. We also take a trip to the famed Ghost Ranch that further helped develop her modern style. As students of the Madeline Island School of the Arts, we are privy to getting the inside scoop to all things Georgia. 

Quilt makers embark on learning about O'Keeffe, studying her art and how we can approach our own quilt making regarding color, value and sewing curved seams, using SKY ombres to capture blended textures so evident in Georgia's work. 

2024 was a sold out class with 21 students and it was enriching for all. We shared stories, techniques, ideas and good humor. Learning more about what a determined, gifted and modern woman O'Keeffe was gave us all more confidence and inspiration to follow our own path and to live the life we want. 

O'Keeffe is most famous for her florals, one simliar to this sold for over 40 million dollars. 

Our docent entertained us with stories about Georgia and "the men" in her life like Alfred Stieglitz, her mother's dedication to her excellent art education and ultimately how O'Keeffe crafted her legacy to be one of international acclaim and the most influential American female artist of the 20th century. It was an amazing week to say the least. 

Private docent tour at the Georgia O'Keeffe museum in Santa Fe had us feeling very special indeed! 

Students learn to sketch their ideas on large newsprint, sew curves, and raw edge applique to capture different textures and style. Each piece made is unique and special. We talk about quilting ideas on the last day so each person goes home with a plan! 

Chimney Rock in Ghost Ranch is a great hike for the folks who want to break a sweat after our tour, Walk in Georgia's Footsteps! 

Mary has been going to Ghost Ranch for 35 years and was so excited to create an art quilt with Mt. Pedernal in it. She reminded us that Georgia said if she painted Pedernal mountain enough, God would give it to her. O'Keeffe's ashes are spread over this very mountain, so we think she got her wish. 

Leaving Ghost Ranch....Adios! Pedernal in the background. 

Michele Wyman and Jollyne Toste, veteran GOK students worked on some pretty spicey hot projects. It's not their first rodeo! Both inspired by different works of GOK. 

We talk color, value and how to trouble shoot our work, especially come hump day. Wednesday can be a head scratcher but we work to make good decisions and continue to sew and create. 

The Marys, Sue, Carol, Donna and Jamie display their work with pride! 

A particularly special addition to the class was my sister! She loves to work with upcycled cashmere and made some big juicy flowers. I thought should put it on a hat. She isn't so sure...haha. What do you think? 

I am energized and full of gratitude for the week we had at MISA High Desert Hues. Special thanks to Charles and Annie from MISA for creating a platform for us to plan these events together. I am looking forward to next year, April 26- May 2, 2025. For 2026 I am teaching back to back weeks. The first week is for new students and the second week is for alumni only! The dates are May so stay tuned for details! Because you know, time flies. 

Now Go Create!
xx
​Jennifer

If you are on Facebook or Instagram you may have seen my posts about The Hills Quilt Along. I am so excited to be presenting my very first QAL and honored to be doing it in tandem with quilty friend, Latifah Saafir! My Hills quilt is based on Latifah's pattern, Molehills. 

I love the big arching fans and the ability to show off my SKY ombrés accompanied by my Chalk and Charcoal prints. I had started this quilt during an online class Latifah offered during the pandemic and when the quilt was finished, I was so smitten with the results that I had to share it with you as a quilt kit. And what better to expand upon the enthusiasm than to offer a QAL (Quilt Along) to all our followers, with tutorials, encouragement and group support in making this awesome quilt. ​

The Quilt Along begins next Monday, January 22nd and lasts six weeks ending on February 26th. There will be videos, pdfs and written instructions for you to get all the extra helpful tips and tricks. To join in on the fun, sign up for the QAL and receive a weekly email from me and Latifah. Latifah teaches us how to make these fans with ease and accuracy, so don't be deterred by the curve!  

For week one, you need just three things:
1. Purchase the Molehills Pattern from Latifah
2. If you like using acrylic templates over paper ones, purchase from Latifah. 
3. Gather your fabric from your stash or order a The Hills quilt kit from my shop. This is the personal part of a QAL and what makes it so exciting. I believe all fabrics will look smashing in this quilt once the concept of color and variation is considered. We are on round two of kit shipments which are expected in March, so videos will be available for months to come. We've got over 500 signups so far,  Woohooo!

Whether you have the desire to join in or watch from the sidelines, be sure to follow along on our social media posts to get updates on work in progress, participant's fabric decisions, Q&A, interesting tips, etc... We know many of you are going to blow us away with your talented making, creativity and color selections. Below are the follow along links:
#TheHillsQAL
#MolehillsQuilt
Jennifer's Facebook Group, The Pou-Crew
Latifah's Facebook Group, Sewing with Latifah

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! And we'll share photos on the HILLS QAL here as well. Cheers! 
​xx Jennifer