Getting it together

Finally, a sense of accomplishment. I quilted my first quilt on the new quilt frame and even have the binding machine sewed on.

I had this top, called Flight School, completed at the end of November last year but I didn’t have time to quilt it prior to the holidays so it hung behind our Christmas village, as it was. But this year it will be a finished quilt. I quilted it with Floriani silver metallic thread and it quilted great. And I must say that having a quilt frame that is sturdy and level makes a big difference: so much more control.

Also this week my car was fixed and I was able to pick it up today. The guys did a great job and now it looks just like it did before the “big red truck” crunched it. It is nice to have the baby back.

Today I uncovered all of the top of the cutting table and cut fabric for backing and batting for a gift quilt (it will be my first time to machine quilt flannel), and cut all the strips for a flannel rag quilt. I also designed a second rag quilt and got all the fabric ready for cutting. I uncovered the embroidery machine and embroidered a gift shirt and I also bought 3 Christmas stockings to get ready to embroider names on: they will be an early Christmas gift for DGD and family.

After almost two weeks of pain from a pulled back muscle, it is really nice to be able to put in some real time doing what I love to do: I am so grateful. And, right now I have a whole weekend with no plans: I see sewing/quilting time on my agenda. Yea!!

Still reorganizing and Design Wall Monday

Every day during this past week I have been working. I have moved everything in the studio, at least twice and frequently four times or more. The new quilt frame, the HQ Studio Frame, arrived late Wednesday, in three large boxes (40#, 75#, and 90#).

The UPS man brought them up on the deck but I had to slide, yes, slide, them into the studio. I did make sure I had the box that said it held the assembly instructions ready to be opened but decided I would wait until the next day.

Thursday I opened all the boxes and laid out all the parts and pieces.

I then left the room and allowed myself to do a little sewing. The sewing room in still upside down but I have cleared out sewing space so I don’t get too far behind and for a little relaxation.

Pressing area

Cutting area

Sewing area

On my new design, Monday update for Judy wall (not yet covered in flannel) is the newest comfort quilt I am doing. I bought these charm packs several months ago and they just seem perfect for some boy or girl. There are really three panels but I overlapped because I have other misc. things on the wall, too, so I ran out of usable space (story of my current life).

Friday DH and I went to the Greater Gulf Coast Art’s Festival in Pensacola. Oh, it was wonderful, again. I have been going for several years and find the work of the many juried artists very inspiring. I forgot to take my camera but lots of the artists don’t want pictures taken anyway. The day was beautiful, the art was great, and all the people were happy and friendly.

But, back at home Saturday was “build a quilt frame” day. We got all the major parts done and Sunday morning I finished the take-up poles and other misc. pieces. I have to say that DH was an excellent worker, good humored and stuck with it, even when there were football games going on elsewhere. I hope to get a quilt on the frame today and see how it works but I still need to so some leg leveling first.

On the car front, we took it to the shop this morning. My DD and SIL borrowed a car from his father so I will not be stranded in the country. However, looking at the weather map, I may just stay home while Ida passes by. LOL

One last thing, while bringing me the borrowed car tonight, my DD hit a deer (with her car). She sent me a picture of the car to put on the blog, as she wants people’s sympathy, too, however, I seem to have deleted it so it will have to wait for another day.

My Life is in Shambles

I am in the middle of the studio fruit basket upset. All three rooms are a real mess (more than usual).

I do have the floor in the middle of the quilting room pretty much empty, ready for the boxes that are to arrive tomorrow. Without knowing how wide this new quilt frame is, it has been difficult to decide what can stay, but I think I have it almost ready. Just need to vacuum the floor. The other two rooms will get done later this week, or next. Did I share that I pulled a muscle in my back last Friday? That has really slowed me down.

And, well, there is one other thing that has slowed me down. Yesterday I decided to take myself out for a hamburger lunch: I had been working really hard and deserved a treat. So I walked out to the car and found this.

It seems that my DH backed his big red pickup into my little innocent silver sports car.

I tried calling him but he never checked his phone so when he got home he started to say “what did you do?” but I quickly cut him off and told him that I was never in the car and that he had done it. He says he had no idea but since there is silver paint on his bumper, we know that’s what happened. Anyway, he took it to the insurance company today and it can be repaired locally but not until next week and then they will have the car for at least three days. I must say that I was sick right after I found it and have not wanted to drive it, all messed up. Think I could put a sign on it saying that “DH did it”?

The Week That Was

So I figured that when I wrote my last post I would be ready to get back into the studio and start getting things done. Thursday was spent finishing up housework and reading as well as spending some time with the puppies. So on Friday I finally got to the studio and worked on my Eleanor Burns BOM block for about 15 min. when DH showed up and asked me if I would be interested in looking at a new car. Six hours and 100 miles later I was the proud new owner of this: a Mazda RX8.

Saturday dawned somewhat chilly but again found me in the studio. 15 min of work on the BOM when, again, DH showed up, asking if I would like to go out for breakfast and a run to NWFL, getting some drive time in the new car. While in FL we did some antiquing and I got this sewing accessory. It seems to have been made in Germany by Pfaff but I don’t think it was ever used.

And, we also made two stops at quilt stores. At Margie’s I bought this fabric. It is my plan to make pillows for DH’s “cowboy room” and some extra to see if I can either make covers for the backs of our table chairs or possibly reupholster them, if I can figure out how. LOL






At the Quilting Station I bought these beautiful fabrics.
And this t-shirt.

































Now, 30 min of sewing over 5 days didn’t seem enough so today, except for a lunch break, I have been sewing. I completed, yes, completed the BOM, appliquéd two basked blocks, two Dresden plate blocks, and embroidered labels for the last two quilts.

And, so I don’t get bored, I set up fabric for two new projects. Slow start but a roaring end to the week.