My saddle stool arrived this morning, Don put it together and I used it all day today.
Why did I wait so long?????? No back pain, no knee pain. Like the energizer bunny, I could have gone on and on and on and on!
Pictures soon!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
A beautiful Day!
I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day. We had a great day! It was even a little cooler ( 90) and a great breeze. We took the boat out for an incredible sail in the Gulf of Mexico. It was perfect! 15-20 kts of wind, 3-4 ft seas, and all the sunshine you could want! The water is such a beautiful blue-green, I never tire of it. And today we we treated by several pods of dolphins skimming along in our bow wave....3 with tiny babies!!! A perfect day!
And just so I have a picture...this is my family postcard for May. It is on it's way to Mary. I used brown silk for the background, wool felt for the base flower,leaf, and stem; Angelina fibers, and beads for the center. The butterfly is sequins I picked up at MQS attached with a brad.
.Hope you had a great day too!
And just so I have a picture...this is my family postcard for May. It is on it's way to Mary. I used brown silk for the background, wool felt for the base flower,leaf, and stem; Angelina fibers, and beads for the center. The butterfly is sequins I picked up at MQS attached with a brad.
.Hope you had a great day too!Sunday, May 25, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
And the good stuff keeps rolling in!
Yesterday the UPS guy brought yet another of my MQS purchases....a bundle of 108" wide marbled blenders that I bought from Marshall Dry Goods at the show. 52 yards in 9 beautiful colors! Yummy!! And they are so soft! These will be hard to sell to my clients for quilt backs....I'll be struggling not to keep these for myself!!! OR.....maybe I will keep them!
Hope you all have a fun and safe holiday!
I'm still waiting for my saddle stool...latest delivery info says next Wednesday.
And this is the latest postcard in the MQR swap from Margie...thanks! Mine were mailed yesterday. I'll hunt up the picture later.
Hope you all have a fun and safe holiday!Thursday, May 22, 2008
More new stuff!
This is my latest new piece of equipment, thanks to Gina E. It is a great magnifier that clamps onto the handlebar of my machine. I have tried several, from the magna vision to JoAnn's version of this one. This beats them all hands down!!! It fits the crossbar, has a long flexible arm, and the magnifying lens is large. There is NO vibration with the machine running, no nausea or motion sickness using it.
And I can see!
This background fill isn't all that tiny, but I had to try it out. This will be a sight saver to be sure when doing micro fill!
And when you don't need it, if easily moves out of the way and has it's own sweet little cover to protect the lens. Goes on my list of best tools. And it was $39.99 with shipping! A bargain.
Now when my saddle stool arrives, not only will I be able to see, but I'll be able to work comfortably too! Life is good!
And I can see!
This background fill isn't all that tiny, but I had to try it out. This will be a sight saver to be sure when doing micro fill!
And when you don't need it, if easily moves out of the way and has it's own sweet little cover to protect the lens. Goes on my list of best tools. And it was $39.99 with shipping! A bargain.
Now when my saddle stool arrives, not only will I be able to see, but I'll be able to work comfortably too! Life is good!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Product reviews
First of all, thank you all for the nice comments on my win at MQS. I think I'm finally caught up on my sleep. And now I'm beginning to try some of the new things I bought there.
These clamps are great. I float most all my quilts, and usually pin them along the belly bar. You put these along the belly bar instead of the pins. Works great, and is much easier than pinning.
I got them from Tomorrow's Heirlooms. They came in a bag of 20 for $10.99. Well worth it!
And these are the bobbin genies...I have been meaning to try these for a long time but just never got around to it. So yesterday, I took out my anti-backlash spring and put in one of these. Works fine, good stitch quality, and sure easier to clean out the lint!
I also bought the new open toe hopping foot from Gammill, will put that on later in the week. And today I ordered the saddle stool. I tried it in the A-1 booth at the show, and I think it'll be really nice for those long hours doing little background fill.
These clamps are great. I float most all my quilts, and usually pin them along the belly bar. You put these along the belly bar instead of the pins. Works great, and is much easier than pinning.
I got them from Tomorrow's Heirlooms. They came in a bag of 20 for $10.99. Well worth it!
And these are the bobbin genies...I have been meaning to try these for a long time but just never got around to it. So yesterday, I took out my anti-backlash spring and put in one of these. Works fine, good stitch quality, and sure easier to clean out the lint!
I also bought the new open toe hopping foot from Gammill, will put that on later in the week. And today I ordered the saddle stool. I tried it in the A-1 booth at the show, and I think it'll be really nice for those long hours doing little background fill.Monday, May 19, 2008
Getting back to normal
Well, after all the excitement of MQS, things are starting to get back to normal here. I loaded a quilt yesterday and have been working on that today. I am also working on both my MQR postcards, and my family postcards. I sent a bunch of stuff out in today's mail to Mother, Mary, Ann, Maureen, and Nancy.
So first I need to catch up with pictures. This postcard Mary sent me and I received it the day before I left for MQS. It was an anticipation piece of our time together there. And we had a ball!
So first I need to catch up with pictures. This postcard Mary sent me and I received it the day before I left for MQS. It was an anticipation piece of our time together there. And we had a ball!
This beauty is from Gayle, part of our latest MQR exchange. The theme is "Recycle" and this is made from some really cool vintage bark cloth. Thanks, Gayle, I love the texture.
This is from AnnMarie...I think she put the recycle issue "in your face!" just where it needs to be! Love everything about your card AnnMarie, from the stuff to the shape.
And this one is from my Aunt Nancy, part of our May family exchange. She said she saw these cats and thought of me. Thanks, Nancy, I love it!!! It definitely is me!
And then just 2 photos from MQS...the first was taken by Trayce Q...love ya sweetie! It is of Mary and me at the MQR get together...we had a great time meeting with all our MQR pals!
Do ya know who's who???
And finally, for those of you who haven't seen it, this is the quilt I won the 2nd place ribbon with. It is the raffle quilt for my guild this year. I designed all of the applique and pieced setting triangles. The 9 patch blocks and flying geese units were the ideas of 2 other guild members, Susan Slaton and Donna Vogel. I pulled it all together in EQ, and the guild members did the piecing and applique, and I did the quilting and all the embellishments.
And, I'm still tired, but had a great time. That's it for tonight. Thank all of you who have taken the time to send congratulatory notes. I appreciate them all.
This is from AnnMarie...I think she put the recycle issue "in your face!" just where it needs to be! Love everything about your card AnnMarie, from the stuff to the shape.
And this one is from my Aunt Nancy, part of our May family exchange. She said she saw these cats and thought of me. Thanks, Nancy, I love it!!! It definitely is me!
And then just 2 photos from MQS...the first was taken by Trayce Q...love ya sweetie! It is of Mary and me at the MQR get together...we had a great time meeting with all our MQR pals!Do ya know who's who???
And finally, for those of you who haven't seen it, this is the quilt I won the 2nd place ribbon with. It is the raffle quilt for my guild this year. I designed all of the applique and pieced setting triangles. The 9 patch blocks and flying geese units were the ideas of 2 other guild members, Susan Slaton and Donna Vogel. I pulled it all together in EQ, and the guild members did the piecing and applique, and I did the quilting and all the embellishments.
And, I'm still tired, but had a great time. That's it for tonight. Thank all of you who have taken the time to send congratulatory notes. I appreciate them all.
Later, gators!
Have a great night.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Home again!
I got home from MQS about an hour ago. Mary did finally make it Tuesday night around 10pm. We had an absolute blast!
The classes were great, the quilts were gorgeous eye candy, the vender's were great and I got a 2nd place ribbon in the theme category! And many of my friends won too. Congrats to all the winners!
I met up with lots of friends, both from here and from MQR, had a great time visiting with Mary.
Spent too much, slept too little.....and generally had a ball!
I am totally exhausted tonight, but will have more details for you in the coming days.
G....ya shoulda stowed away in my suitcase!
Night all!
Email me!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
I'm here, BUT....
Mary is not. Her flight was delayed in Virginia and we did not meet up in Atlanta this morning as planned. So, I flew on to Kansas alone. I just got a call from her and she finally made it to Atlanta. Now she'll sit there till almost 6:30 when her new flight leaves for Kansas. She should be here a little after 8pm IF things start going the way they're supposed to.
At any rate, I'm checked in to our room and have dropped off my little quilt for the auction, and picked up my class stuff. So now I'll just rest up till Mary gets here. Then we'll hit the bar for a drink and some dinner.
Fortunately, we don't have a class until 1pm tomorrow, so we'll be able to rest tonight and sleep in a little. My day started at 4am, but at least my flights were all on schedule. I feel for Mary.
Later, gators!
Email me!
At any rate, I'm checked in to our room and have dropped off my little quilt for the auction, and picked up my class stuff. So now I'll just rest up till Mary gets here. Then we'll hit the bar for a drink and some dinner.
Fortunately, we don't have a class until 1pm tomorrow, so we'll be able to rest tonight and sleep in a little. My day started at 4am, but at least my flights were all on schedule. I feel for Mary.
Later, gators!
Email me!
Monday, May 12, 2008
MQS...It's GO time!
I'm packed, and ready....71/2 hours till I leave for the airport. That's right...4am..ick!!!
But the good side is I meet Mary in Atlanta a little after 9 am and we make the rest of the trip together.
Undoubtedly, we'll be in the bar at the Sheraton tomorrow night, so if you're there stop by and say Hi!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Starting to get ready!
Got the big suitcase out. And picked out my shoes. This is it..Crocs for me . Fortunately, I do have them in wonderful tropical colors to match the theme at MQS this year! So you can tell from my selection of shoe colors, I'll be wearing pretty bright clothes! Mary probably will die when she sees these shoes! LOL
This is my little quilt for the auction. I sunprinted the fabric with Dyn-na-Flow paints; cut my shapes for the fish, coral and shells out of fun foam and placed them down where I wanted.then out in the sun to dry. The covered areas dry much lighter than the areas exposed to the sun. I used 2 battings; warm & white on bottom and airtex on top. Signature cotton thread in "mint" for the background quilting, and Superior King Tut in "Fahl green" for all the detail work. A little fun fur couched on and hot fix crystals for fish eyes added the final touches.
The backing fabric is one I hand dyed a couple years ago. 
This is my little quilt for the auction. I sunprinted the fabric with Dyn-na-Flow paints; cut my shapes for the fish, coral and shells out of fun foam and placed them down where I wanted.then out in the sun to dry. The covered areas dry much lighter than the areas exposed to the sun. I used 2 battings; warm & white on bottom and airtex on top. Signature cotton thread in "mint" for the background quilting, and Superior King Tut in "Fahl green" for all the detail work. A little fun fur couched on and hot fix crystals for fish eyes added the final touches.
The backing fabric is one I hand dyed a couple years ago. 
So I'm collecting all my class supplies, trying to find power cords for phone,ipod, laptop, and camera batteries. It won't be long now!
Friday, May 9, 2008
new stuff!
Ok, Though I am hesitant (not)....I will share with you PART of my joggles order for this week. The first item...knitted metal mesh....what a find!!!! It is soft, stretchable, sew able, and comes in quite a few colors. If you pull it the edges ruffle. I can see flowers, seaweed, sea fans, and a host of other possibilities for this stuff. So much so, I'm ordering more..in all the colors. It is $7 and change for a 3" by 1yd tube. You can cut the tube and get twice the width. VERY cool stuff...I need more...LOL.
And then in the sale page, she had these cute brads! Well they are so cute I went back and ordered more today before they're gone. Yes, Mother....I ordered some for you too! For those of you who don't know these are scrapbooking brads... but they work great on fiber postcards. That's what I use them for.
I did receive other items too, but lest you think I'm totally out of control, I won't post the rest.
And then in the sale page, she had these cute brads! Well they are so cute I went back and ordered more today before they're gone. Yes, Mother....I ordered some for you too! For those of you who don't know these are scrapbooking brads... but they work great on fiber postcards. That's what I use them for.
I did receive other items too, but lest you think I'm totally out of control, I won't post the rest. Who am I kidding???
Hope you have a great night, and weekend.
4 more sleeps till MQS!!!!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The latest finish
This is my latest finish. A cute retro bow tie. My client wanted pretty, but not too much quilting. It is for her granddaughter's graduation. I'll deliver it tomorrow.So I did motifs in the plain blocks, continuous curve in the bow ties, a ba bump feather in the green sashing and beadboard in the outer border.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Plugging along
A couple days without posting...I'm busy working! Trying to get the last couple quilts due before I leave for MQS. I'll have pictures of those efforts this weekend.
My little Harry senses somehow that I'm going away...he is sticking to me like glue! Fortunately Don is going to be home so they don't have to have a sitter.
I talked to Mary today, we are getting very excited about the trip to MQS. Both from the standpoint of seeing people and just having the time together. 6 more sleeps till we go!
Email me!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
New postcards
Yesterday, I received the first of our "family" postcard swaps. It is from my sister Ann, and it is the cutest thing I have ever seen! And for those who want to know the details...she did the applique by hand...isn't it just too cute?!
And then I finally finished the top of my Mother's day postcard for Mother...hope your not looking....Mother! I used felted wool for all the applique and then beaded the center. Now to finish the edges tomorrow and get it in the mail!
And I finished a special quilt today for a client. Can't share all the details yet, but here is the back...
and a tiny snippet of the the front. More details later...like late summer...lol.
Hope you are having a great weekend, and looking forward to a wonderful week!
And then I finally finished the top of my Mother's day postcard for Mother...hope your not looking....Mother! I used felted wool for all the applique and then beaded the center. Now to finish the edges tomorrow and get it in the mail!
And I finished a special quilt today for a client. Can't share all the details yet, but here is the back...
and a tiny snippet of the the front. More details later...like late summer...lol.
Hope you are having a great weekend, and looking forward to a wonderful week!
For me, it is getting hard to concentrate...9 more sleeps till I leave for MQS...to spend time with Mary, and soak in all the fabulous quilts, take a couple classes to learn some new things, shop, and see old friends and new! Can't wait!!!!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A good family news day
It was a day for good news in the family today....my cousin Heather had a healthy baby boy today...Mom and baby are both doing well. And yes, she is MUCH younger than I...close to the age of my kids...happy now?! LOL
And Chesty, Mary's little fur baby, is finally getting better...poor little boy was so sick the last few days
And since I should post a picture...here is a quilt I finished the end of March for a client...new quilter, but it was impeccably pieced. they have been sailing in the Bahamas on their sailboat the past few months and will be home in a couple days..then she'll pick up her quilt.
I have to say, since I do primarily high end custom, I don't often get a turning twenty quilt...actually this was my first....may be my last, who knows. But the fact that she used batiks and a lot of solids, made my kind of quilting stand out on it. We'll see if she likes it. Her only request was fore the piano key border, and that it look tropical. Do you think???
And Chesty, Mary's little fur baby, is finally getting better...poor little boy was so sick the last few days
And since I should post a picture...here is a quilt I finished the end of March for a client...new quilter, but it was impeccably pieced. they have been sailing in the Bahamas on their sailboat the past few months and will be home in a couple days..then she'll pick up her quilt.
I have to say, since I do primarily high end custom, I don't often get a turning twenty quilt...actually this was my first....may be my last, who knows. But the fact that she used batiks and a lot of solids, made my kind of quilting stand out on it. We'll see if she likes it. Her only request was fore the piano key border, and that it look tropical. Do you think???Only 11 days left till we leave for MQS...YEAH!!!!
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