What a fun day. . .

it started the same, wake up, shower, get kids off to school, get son to college and head over to friend’s house. By 10:30 I was playing on the computer with friend helping her organize her desktop so she could find all her embroidery designs. Well, that was easy enough (ya know being computer savy and all) and then I cut out almost 2 UFO’s while she spent time cleaning her area and pondering what projects to do.

She was also picking out UFOs to bring on our mini Outer Banks retreat in 2 weeks – hence why I was cutting projects. All in all it was a pleasant and productive morning.

Then heading to my hair dresser to get my hair done – finally – it’s been well over 6 months. Due to missed appointments and funds, just didn’t make it a priority until this payday. So with 4″ inches removed, all grays removes, auburn color and pretty strawberry highlights add, I’m in love with my hair again. It’s amazing how different you feel with a great hair cut and style. My curls are all happy and not droopy anymore…YAH!!

There’s a rumor going around, I might become a new mommy! . . . of a Viking Designer 1—not getting too excited yet, but it’s pretty much a done deal. I’ll know for show on Saturday.

I’m in a sharing kinda mood, do ya ever get that way in your posts?! I normally try to keep my blog all quilty related, but feeling a little more giddy and sharing No pictures til tomorrow.

Woooo HOooooo!

Yah for productive-ness….let’s see, first I cleared/picked up a LARGE area in my sewing area. You can now walk on the flower verses other stuff

Then, I set up my mega quilter and was SUCCESSFUL!!!!! It works wonderfully now – I’m a third way done with my charity quilt for Project Linus. Granted I still need LOTS of practice on it, but I’m very very happy!

Next, I pinned basted my baby quilt that needs to be done to present on Sunday. Finished all the quilting and started making the binding to add on tomorrow. It’s 42″ x 52″ and I quilted it on my feather weight

In between I took a break and made a new drink – doesn’t it look pretty – orange and pineapple juice, blueberry liquor (home brew) and a dash of banana schapps. mmmmmm…

Then I squared up my blocks for my civil war print project and hope to have the top sewn tomorrow.

What a groovy day!….not to mention I washed and changed my bedding too

Days off!!

And my focus over the next 2 days is to finish a baby quilt to present to my friend’s son during his baptism this weekend. I think I can do it. Just need to quilt the blocks and bind and label….should be able to finish it! But if I get bored, I also have started a quickie in between project for a table runner – using some of my civil war prints!

If you are in the Maryland, Mt Airy area tomorrow through Saturday, all our FQs are $1. We have a huge table stocked full! All our batik/flannel/oriental FQs are $1.25. Once they are gone, they are gone (and they go!). We normally cut FQs but during these kinds of sales we don’t. We only do this $1 sale twice a year!! What a way to start summer off!


You can find directions at: www.patchesquilting.com

Oh and there is still HOPE! I discovered yesterday that one of my settings for my mega quilter (machine on the quilting frame) was VERY OFF. And I think it might just have solved my thread breaking problem….so I’m going to test it out one more time today. crosses fingers

Off to start my sewing machine!

It’s Wednesday already?

Yesterday was a long day. First I worked from 10 – 7:30. Got home ate, preparing for normal evening routine……heard a loud BAM outside our home to discover a very bad motorcycle accident (he hit a turning car)….held the gal he hit until they took her out on a stretcher….came back into the house around 10:30, flashy lights finally went away by 11:35…after 4 hours of sleep, I’m very glad I have today off!

So, trying to find some calm in my world this morning, I’ve decided to forego any plan activities and remain home sewing today.

Going to give the quilting frame – one – more – try. Though I did send a charity top off in the mail yesterday to Cross Country Quilting see how well their services are. Their prices are very good and the turn around is the quickest I’ve found anywhere…3 weeks!

I know it’s not me and how I handle the machine – because I can use the demo model at the shop with no problem. It has to be the way I have it set up. So, I’ll play again today with it. Though my boss knows I’d rather just move on and upgrade to a Designer 1.

Also have many projects to catch up on, so need to pick one and get sewing!

le sigh. . .

I finally have given up on my wonderful home quilting frame system. It has beaten me and I don’t have the patience anymore to use it. It was doomed from the start.

When I first got the frame pieces back in January it was missing 3 legs. So, I had to wait 3 weeks to get the legs to fully set it up. Then, the stitcher regulator wasn’t working at all, so it took 3 months for it to be returned to me. With all this stuff over the past 5 months it hasn’t been worth the price or time.

So, being it’s still under 12 months I can take it back and get an “upgrade” to a new machine. I’m going to shoot for a Sapphire 850 and maybe a Designer 1, which means I will be selling my other machine to compensate in the price and sewing area space.

Maybe one day I will get a full long arm machine set up, but not until I have used one in person. I think I’m going to see if the boss at work can teach me the one we have there and see if it’s just me or the system I purchased. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my mega quilter and will most likely keep it for quilting, but the frame is going. It’s been 5 months since I brought it home, I’m done.

So, I’ve been online surfing to see prices and what services are available for finishing my quilts. I have so many that need to be completed. I wish I knew someone personally who owned a long arm machine.

Oh well, back to cleaning up.

Yesterday was a bust…

well, for the most part. I did get grocery shopping done, salads prepared for today’s bbq and cut things out for my first big block quilt top.

But after spending time with my quilting frame system and again ending up frustrated and angry at it, I’m strongly considering trading it back in and getting a Designer 1. The mega quilting machine its self is awesome and FAST for piecing but I haven’t been able to find the right speed, thread, needle combination that allows me to quilt one line without the thread breaking, while it’s on the frame. le sigh.

I’m going to try one more time today and reset up a charity quilt on the frame. Right now I’m using just 2 large pieces of fabric and batting to practice on.

I also plan to piece today a few charity quilts I was given in pre-cut packages.

Let’s see how productive I can be today.