On the Design Wall---

I finished quilting the quilt that originally was for my granddaughter, but will now be a birthday present for my daughter (her mother).  I quilted it, and bound it by machine so it is all finished. Although some people really like to sew the binding on by hand, I NEVER enjoyed the process and often even though the quilt was almost finished except for the binding, it was left to languish on the unfinished pile.  I am also finding that the more I attach the binding by machine, the better my technique is becoming.  I still haven't gotten sewing exactly in the "ditch" perfected, so even though you can see the stitching on the front (I sew from the back), since I quilt by machine, the stitching actually looks like it is a part of my quilting.  At any rate, if I ever get the courage to enter a quilt in competition, I will stitch by hand, but until then-----machine is more than adequate, since I am more interested in a finish.

The picture looks like the quilt is not straight but is bowed.  It is straight though---I was holding the camera up above my head to try to get the entire quilt in the picture as it lay on the floor.

My daughters favorite color is red and her den sofa is red leather, so the quilt will look nice on the back of her sofa.  I also made her a pillow case to match, more to hold the quilt and act as a sort of "wrapping", but I think this adds a nice touch.

This is the quilt I am now making for my granddaughter.  She has decided that her dorm "colors" will be brown and burnt orange.  Not a color combination I was aware of that she liked, but it is her room.  Not my favorite colors either, but this quilt is made of batiks and I am taking license and adding some bright colors.  The border will be a really nice brunt orange/brown combination so it should be to her liking.  The size is a generous twin, big enough to lay across her bed and wrap up in if necessary.  She is a tall young lady so it should cover her adequately.  The sashing is a unbleached 200 ct. muslin that has the feel of a batik as well.  I have five more rows to go.  I started it yesterday so if I keep going, the top should be done by this week-end.  I think I will quilt it in concentric circles---a nice contrast to the rectangle blocks.  I also think I will use two layers of batting to really accentuate the quilting.  I have been reading about several quilters who do that and the quilting on the quilts really shows up nicely.  Since batik is such a tight weaved fabric, I think it should work well.

Well--this is what has been going on in my "studio".  I am trying to keep my promise to myself to blog more---we shall see how it goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

A New Tool!!!

I have blogged often about my Circle Lord.  I absolutely love that tool!!!!  It allows me to quilt wonderful patterns that would not be as consistent if I tried to do it free hand or even with a panto.  I occasionally will go onto their web site to see what Michael has created new and (of course) saw a new "giant board" I absolutely had to have.

I ordered it and it arrived today!!!!

This one is called "Celtic Braid".  I think it will be a great pattern for either modern or traditional.  Can't wait to try it out!!!!!

Quilting Update-----

I started quilting on my Granddaughter's quilt.  I really love the polka dot back.  I didn't have enough of either the big or little dots so I mixed them.   I am using one of the CL Boards...since the quilt has sharp angles, I chose one with lots of swirls.  You can't really see the texture in the pictures, but it should really show up after I wash it.

My machine is still working well!!!!!  NO problems at all although I did have to adjust the tension a little with the black thread in the bobbin.  I am still getting little dots, but there is no way you can not get them with a different color in the top and bottom.....but the stitches don't look bad at all!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Three Down---Lots More to Go!

I completed three "Flimsy's"---completed baby quilt tops---I found while cleaning up.  I quilted them, AND bound them!  All ready to give to three little babies who could use some warm, quilty love!
Everything to complete them was from my stash, including piecing batting pieces together.  The machine is still "looking" good!  PERFECT tension!

Gotta go back to work tomorrow---so I think I will take a short nap!

My "Girl" is Up and Running!!!

The "Repair Angels" came and fixed my "girl" yesterday.  A great Dad and Son team who took lots of time to not only work, but to teach, make me and my husband laugh AND they are only about 45 minutes away!!!!!

The "girl" got new shoes (AKA wheels---what girl doesn't feel better with new shoes).  The wheels were not only for the machine itself but for the "shelf" it sits on.  No more "wiggle" and lack of control.  I also got a new tension "thingy"; a new bobbin case; and a good cleaning including the rails.  He said that if I ever needed another job I should try working at Jiffy Lube since I clearly know how to oil---the good news is you can't oil the machine too much--whew!  Also gave me some retrofitting ideas should I continue to have tension problems again although he said what he did should make things okay.

He also gave me a really neat little magnet.

Not sure if you can see it in the picture clearly---it is blurred---but you put the magnet on the needle eye.   It should be pointing straight at you if the needle is in correctly.  He also said if you are having tension problems, you can also move it slightly to the right (at the 5 on a clock).  The little magnet helps you to do both.  My needle was slightly off--it is amazing how little things can impact your stitch.

 I put it on top of the machine so you could see it better.  Although it is a really strong magnet and can be stored there, I put it in my magnet tray.  I don't want to lose this tool.  Also had a lesson on bobbin tension--my tension was too tight.  I followed up with the Towa Gauge so I can make sure I get that same tension (230).

It was well worth the cost of a service visit since I am not even sure if this machine ran this smoothly when I first purchased it.  The tension is perfect even without the Fil Tex bobbins!!!!  I am now rethinking even getting it retrofitted for a stitch regulator since my stitches are so perfect now that I don't worry about tension.  I have already loaded and finished a baby quilt to see how it works--finished in in a little over 2 hours and this included time I took to drink a cup of coffee and fix a bowl of cereal....no more thread breakage, weird stitches and unintentional wonky quilting.

Hooray--I am back in business.  I have three more baby quilts to quilt (that I found while straightening up for the repair visit) so I can get them to some sick little ones.  Not sure if I will finish them all today, but I will complete at least one more.  No pressure so I can really take my time and enjoy the journey!

I go back to work on Thursday and so I am going to try to enjoy these last few days of vacation!

First Post of 2015--Recap of 2014

Well, one thing is for sure, I have posted less in 2014.  Not sure why---well I know why--"life gets in the way".  No promises for 2015, just a realization.  On the quilting front--- I completed 10 quilts---quilted, bound, etc.  Of those, four of them were gifted to others!  Unfortunately, only 2 were UFO's, so I still have quite an impressive stack I hope to tackle this year.

I didn't do any dyeing this past season and concentrated on using up what I have--and I did.  I plan though this year to delve in and add batiking to my sessions.  I am now on the look out for "tools" and a electric skillet for my wax pot.

Goals for this year:

• Complete at least 4 UFO's
• Decrease my scrap "pile" by making more of those "wild and crazy" quilts I love.
• Make at least 12 quilts for my favorite charity (Sandra get ready)---including lap quilts for the bigger kids.
• Find a knitting class and brush up on my knitting---maybe look at those Craftsty classes I have purchased and not reviewed yet.
• Shop my stash first before buying new (I am doing pretty good at that of late)
• Learn at least one new quilting technique.
• Take a class at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
• Learn to batik.

Well I guess that is enough---Goals should be realistic, attainable and measurable.

So how is my latest quilting "adventure" going:

I decided to make a table topper.  The heavier muslin should work well.  I actually have five blocks made, 2 red and 2 green.  I am going to set it on point and so I think I only need five more.  I am getting better at making these blocks --a couple of "oops" but once quilted I don't think they will be very noticeable.  If so, I will just put a bowl over it :)!

Happy Saturday!

Christmas Here and Gone!

The holidays came and went---wow!!!!  It was the perfect holiday for me.  Lots of laughter, food, love and NO STRESS!  That was my promise to myself, I had no timeline for when breakfast or dinner would be ready----disposable plates and eating utensils, and a purchased ham.  I did cook a turkey leg for my son, but other than that, the meal was also planned to be low stress.

Now I have to clean away the last remnants of the boxes, etc. and I will be ready for the new year. Got some great gifts (nothing quilt related)but I did get a neat exercise bike (with a nice BIG seat) to go with my FitBit, and of course, GIFT CARDS!

Now for a "quilty" update:   The Longarm repairman (angel) will be arriving on Jan. 5 to get the "ole girl" back up!!!!!  I talked to a friend yesterday who suggested that actually this was a good time to really "fiddle" with her to get to know her better since anything I did was going to be corrected anyway, so I may do just that!  She also suggested I video him fixing her so if she has another hiccup, I can refer to the video....a great idea  My husband, who actually is more of a computer "geek" than mechanical, is going to also be in attendance to learn.  We have decided that we are going to go to the Gammil headquarters and he is going to take their maintenance course and I will take some quilting courses.  It is funny, I have had this machine since 2007 and I still am in the learning curve!  Our relationship has been "rocky" at best!  Not sure if I had it to do over if I would get this type of machine, but I can't do over, so I am stuck for a while anyway!

I have started a new quilt!  This is a free quilt pattern on the Sew Kind of Wonderful site (looks like I need a new ironing board cover).  If you make it, be careful of your cutting.  I totally ruined the remainder of this fat quarter so I will only have one block made with this color.  It is also a bit tricky in lining up---had to un-sew a couple of times, but I like the results.  The light color is a "super muslin"---a little heavy, but the same weight as some of my African fabrics and linens I have used, so I decided to use it.  I like the unbleached muslin with the "burlap" like texture of the prints.

Well,  gotta go!  No empty promises about frequency of posting, but I will be back!!!!

I Threw It Away!!!!

No pictures-----but I did something I have NEVER, EVER done before.  I threw away a quilt!!!!!  It was on my frame---I absolutely hated it!!!  The colors were weird, the fabrics did absolutely nothing for the pattern.  Lots of seams that were very difficult to quilt over, AND my quilting was horrible---so, I took it off the frame---cut off the back and batting and folded it up to use in another quilt---and threw it in the garbage!  Why take time to finish something I absolutely hate!!!  It feels strangely good!

To celebrate, I went cyber shopping and bought a new layer cake!    Yea!

I'm BAAAAAck!

I apologize---I have been remiss yet again.  It is just that as you all know "life does get in the way"!  Lots of work going on, a bit of quilting mixed in, but always something to keep me from sitting down and posting.

So to bring you up to date----I went to my Guild's retreat.  Nothing really planned, just an opportunity to sew, laugh and fellowship.  I had a really good time.  We had it at a retreat center that had once been a college----such beautiful buildings.  Had I not known I was in the middle of Nashville, I would have thought I was on the East Coast!-----in fact I pretended I was :)!

I worked on and completed this top.  I just need to add the borders.  I think I will give this to my second oldest granddaughter when she goes away to college next fall.  She is such a "girly-girl" and the color scheme is perfect for her.

My longarm is not "feeling" up to par, so I am going to have to call in the "doctor" to do a house call.  Hopefully it can get back up by Thanksgiving and I can get some quilting done.

Still working on the "rainbow" quilt---and "puttering" around in the sewing room...planning for the Guild Christmas Party.  I and another member is in "charge" of the challenge and all that means and I have to say I am more than a little anxious.  Last year was so nice with winning ribbons and everything---I have been really procrastinating so we have got to put our "thinking caps" on SOON!

So---until next time.  I have to go into work today (Saturday) so no rest for me this week-end!  Have a great day!  Thanks for stopping by!

Checking In!

I know my New Year's Resolution was to be a better and more frequent blogger.  Life though keeps "getting in the way".  I was trying to be a good wife/mother and clean my house.  I was on my hands and knees cleaning the bathroom floor and when I stood up, totally knocked out my knee!  Don't know what I did, but it hurt "something awful".  I had to cancel my class which is something I never do!

Then I had all kinds of work I had to do, etc.....plus, quite frankly, I didn't have anything exciting to write about.  I did start another quilt though-----

This is one section.  I am using a jelly roll I purchased a couple of years ago at the AQS Paducah show.  I am so disappointed though----poor--poor quality.

This is a picture of one of the strips in the roll.  There are several like this!  I know that hand dyes have a natural color variance, but some of them look like they are stained.  I decided to write the company---Marcus Brothers.  We will see if I get a response.

I was on my way home from work and look at the sky and was absolutely amazed at the beauty---so I proceeded to take pictures with my phone.  Aren't they beautiful!!!

Thanks for stopping by!