Christmas is closing in fast

This is my favorite time of the year. I think it is for most people. It does have it's fair share of stress but the enjoyment outweighs that. Today I'm doing a little last minute shopping with my sons and hopefully get back to piecing the baby quilt I'm working on. It isn't a Christmas gift so I have some time.

We did our annual family tradition of picking out our tree and going to a local pizza place called Momma's. The four of us have to agree on a tree and then we can go eat. We got a lovely one and luckily the price has come down on them. We always get a Douglas Fur. It is currently up in the living room but settling in before it is decorated. Not quite as full as we usually get but it is beautiful just the same.

I'm still awaiting my first sale for the Bailey Home Quilters. It is funny because several people have bought them after spending months on my forum but never mention anything to me before calling Chuck. Anyone have ideas on this?

I'm taking vacation for the next two weeks and I am thrilled! I'll spend the first couple days rearranging and cleaning for company and then I get to sew and quilt. yippee.

Two blogs now

I now have another blog as well. The new one is just for the BHQ information.
http://bhqlongarmquiltingmachines.blogspot.com/

Things here are going well. I pray that it is for you as well. During the holidays we all tend to think more of family and memories past. I can never think of Christmas and not think of my grandmother. Every year on Christmas eve the entire family would go to she and my grandfather's house for a party. It was always such fun. There was always more food than could be eaten and sharing that time with all the family was just a great time. There were quite a few grandchildren and alternating years we would either get slippers or gloves. It was a blast to see which of us could open the gift first so the rest of us would know which year it was. I can smile now just remembering that. My grandmother always had the "new" tree of the year. The all aluminum one with the spinning color wheel was used for a couple years. My favorite was the one that had aluminum "snow" that would get spritzed over the top of the tree and fall back down and be sucked up to the top again. I am thinking that one was pink.
Although she has passed I will always remember those parties and the enjoyment she got and gave to all. I hope I have created a few myself.

Completely on another subject I just have to vent here about my car. If any of you own a Nissan Sentra I discovered over the weekend that it has an "issue". Mine is a 2007 and I love it but with 65,000 miles on it now I have just put on the 3rd set of tires for the rear end. It seems the rear alignment is "out" but it is not adjustable and was made out of spec and still installed. From what I read online by the time you figure out something is not right with it you are out of warranty. Now Nissan could make this right with their customers and install the shims that they sell for re-aligning them but won't admit any fault at all. So I and all other Sentra owners get to find a good alignment shop and spend $100-$200 having it made right. I understand many cars are made with non-adjustable rear alignment now to cut costs so you might want to do a search on yours. Trucks and SUV's don't have this issue. I guess Honda does as well but they take care of their customers.
Sorry to vent but if it saves you the aggravation it's given me it's worth it.

A new chapter

It seems my life will take a small change. I have had the Bailey quilting machine, yahoo forum for almost two years now and enjoyed every moment. Whenever I responded to things it was always JMHO and that will stay the same. I have recommended the machines to all that will listen and it has been the joy of knowing they are getting a great machine. Well now it seems my impact is greater than I've realized and I have now become the representative for the BHQ for the southern half of the U.S. I am so excited to be in an "official" capacity. 
Basically, it means I'll get something out of it rather than just the pleasure. How cool is that to be rewarded for doing something that you love to do??

As Thanksgiving grows closer I now have one more thing to be thankful for. Wish me luck in this endeavor.

Thanksgiving is almost here

One more week and Thanksgiving will be here. I just love cooking for that day. We're going

to my son's house this year and making the mess there. :) 

I truly hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. Spend as much time with friends and loved ones as

you can (stand). Usually those little moments are what you remember most.

I should be sewing and quilting up a storm and need to kick it into gear. I have a baby quilt I must have done

by the end of January. I do have fabrics picked out and yesterday I watched a YouTube video making quick easy pinwheel blocks. Think it could be the winner.

Off to work now. Thanks for stopping by.

Dang cold

I have a cold. Isn't it amazing how the thought of having a cold is passed off so quickly? Then when you actually have one it's a whole nuther matter. I don't know if my eyes or nose is running more. I guess it must be my nose because the area under it is red and sore and not under my eyes. 

Both of my sons got this thing and I watched it progress. As soon as I got the sore throat I knew it was my time.

Now I've had sore throats before but this one hurts in a place that no matter what you drink it isn't soothed. Plus most everything seems way too strong except water. After a day and half of that it thankfully went away. Then my sinus started to feel like they were filling but nothing was really there, odd. By the end of day 2 of that my head felt like it would explode. I took a Mucinex and it helped but then I couldn't sleep although I'm exhausted.

Did I mention that I've got Shingles too?? Second time for them. This has been one interesting time for sure. Ah well, it will all pass and I'll be back to my normal self again soon. In time for Thanksgiving.

I love doing all the cooking for Thanksgiving. Well not all of it, just the stuff related to the dinner itself. I gave up on making pies long ago. My family will eat a couple pieces but we usually throw away half of the pies. One apple, pumpkin and chocolate. I'd rather throw away store pies than homemade ones.

I wish I had the energy to sew or quilt. I hate being off work and not being able to do something productive.

Happy November all.

Almost November

It doesn't seem possible that it's been almost a month since my last post.
I've been kind of busy making videos for the BHQ. They have gone fairly well although
my sons think my voice makes me sound like I'm 80 years old. nice!

The Bailey company has started selling a ruler foot for the BHQ which has been sorely needed.
I have it and it's wonderful! I also just ordered their stitch regulator which I had held off on getting
mainly because of the price. I hope it's as wonderful as I'm hearing. After that I'll have no excuses for not quilting now will I? I did finish two wall hangings and need to get them bound. Am I the only one who doesn't like binding?? lol

Promise to be back sooner than later. Who has great, easy Christmas projects??

Youtube video

In case you'd like to see my first video. :)
Let's hope those that follow are better.

Just click on the title and it will take you there.
I'd love subscribers or comments.

Youtube video

In case you'd like to see my first video. :)
Let's hope those that follow are better.

You tube?

Never in a million years would I think I'd be on YouTube but it is something I am going to do.
Numerous owners of the Bailey Home Quilter have asked me to make some videos showing 
how to do some things on the machine. I've thought about it and quickly pushed the idea to the
back of my mind hoping someone else would do it. It is obvious that sometimes you have to be the 
one to step up. I'm up for it. With the help of my son, today we'll be doing one.
Pretty simple stuff, how to thread the machine. It's funny how I assume ANYONE should know how to 
do that but it is not that easy for some people. I don't mean to sound like I'm making fun of anyone, that's not my intent. Just seems as though if threading is a problem for you then the whole quilting on a frame thing is going to be riddled with problems. 
For those of you who do quilt on a frame you know the learning process initially was frustrating to say the least. You'd have problems and no idea why. Strange how after several months those things just kind of disappear and the quilting is fun. Anyway, hopefully someone will gain knowledge from one of my videos and make their learning quicker. I do have to remember to say that this is just my opinion on the video, I don't want people thinking I'm an official or anything. lol


The end of the month is the annual Tucson Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival. I LOVE going to it and 
can't wait. I hope to not spend too much money. :) I've just heard about Shiva paint sticks and would 
love to try them using the stencil method. I am hoping they'll be at the show so I can pick a few up.
Since my fabric dye is still sitting on the shelf with the fabric, looking at me, I'll try to not get carried away with the paint sticks. I was so thrilled to try the fabric dyeing and then came to a halt because I didn't have buckets. Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.


I started a couple wall hangings for my sister-in-law last week. I started the quilting on my Juki because they are small but suddenly remembered why I wanted a frame so badly. lol. I found the 
big pvc clamps from a hand quilting frame I have and snapped them over the wall hanging so that

I don't have to do all the pinning. So thrilled that it worked. The top one is the one I'm finishing up on now and then I'll do the other and post a picture of that. She has no idea I'm making them. She LOVES lighthouses so I know she'll enjoy them.


What have you been up to lately? It's finally cooling off here so I'll be getting busy piecing and quilting.

Done and done

Both quilts were finally mailed off to Susan who has received them.
She is pleased with them and that is all that matters to me. 

The split rail which she had wanted to make and her Chemo quilt.

Here is a picture of the two of them on the clothesline drying. The split rail is the first of that pattern and I like it. I think I may play with trying some gradient shades and see how that comes out. 

We're having a barbecue, swim and card party in a couple hours and I need to get busy clearing things up.

I was hoping to start a quilt this weekend, and so far I've got 2 fabrics auditioning on the cutting table. Only have 6 more to pick. lol
I could reduce it down and do the split rail. Hmm, now there is an idea.

Finally back again

Finally back to chat. My life is 50% boring and 50% way too busy. Fitting both together can be a challenge some days. I do work a 40 hour job outside the house, have 2 quilting forums, this blog, 2 sons, a husband and oh yes, I love to piece and quilt. Can you see where housework might not fit into the mix?
I know the majority of women will work their 40 hours and spend the weekend cleaning their homes. Well I came to the decision that I'm not going to be the only one in the house spending her free time cleaning while they all get to have relaxing time. Just me and I'm sure some people are appalled. 
I seriously need to hire a house cleaner but my husband does not want a stranger in the house. Any of this sound familiar to anyone else or am I alone on this one? It's not so bad that I'd make the 6 o'clock news or anything, lol.

I HAVE to get the binding done on Susan's quilt today. Also, have to...go into town, get cat food, hit the sporting goods store for fishing pole guides, pick up a prescription, do 2 loads of laundry, vacuum the majority of the house, get the dishwasher emptied and then re-filled as well as eat and play. I really want to start piecing another quilt too. I have lots and lots of patterns that I've printed off and have hanging on my sewing room wall. I could pick any of them or, hmmm finish the quilt I started long ago. I wonder where all that fabric is now? 

As you can see I'm having trouble focusing on one thing at a time, but at least I did get to update this blog for you. I hope you have a wonderful Saturday doing what you enjoy the most. 
Oh, almost forgot to share this, my sons and I went to the casino yesterday and I won $150. woohoo.
I want to fly to Louisiana to visit Susan so that will help.

Wow, I'm addicted for sure

Today I bought yet ANOTHER old Singer. It was almost free so I couldn't pass on it.
Both of the last two are 99's. That makes 4 or 5 of them now. Think I best pass on the next unless 
I just can't. Each one has been a little different so it's more fun. This one is fitted for the knee control
although I currently don't know what that does. I'm thinking push in the bar and the machine runs.
That would be really cool. Don't dare plug this one in, the cords scare me. It was made in Elizabeth, NJ

1927 model 99

99k 1934 Hand crank

in 1927.  I'll post the picture of it first and the one I got last week second. Now I know I shouldn't have paid so much for that last one, won't do that again. Seems like everyone has one in a garage or shed or closet someone left them. 

I will be quilting tomorrow. Need to get that done asap. 
I think I need to stop checking Craigslist, eh?

Things are going great

My teeth are doing well. Yeah! This weekend I'll be doing some quilting and maybe even finishing
the newest chemo quilt. The backing is on and the batting and top are being pinned to the frame.


I bought yet another old Singer. I'll post a picture when I get home. Very cute and it's my first hand crank
machine. Don't know why I'm drawn to those old machines but they are so nice to look at. I really enjoy
wondering who owned them and what kind of life it has had. You know the movie The Red Violin? Just
like that, I wish there was a trail to follow.

I'm feeling okay but not great

The dental work is done with the exception of some tweaking on the denture to get a perfect fit.
For the most part it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but that being said it is just 2 days.
I was in extreme pain this morning but not too bad now. I am learning to really enjoy jello and 
applesauce more than ever. I was hoping to be quilting but right now I just don't have any energy.

I need to take a pain pill and a nap. Hopefully tomorrow will be a great day to quilt.

It's done

I finally got the blue/yellow Wickedly Easy quilt finished. Don't know why I spend so much time

thinking about it because the actually work goes pretty quick and easy.  I know it needs binding but I have another quilt that I have to get on the frame quick like. The chemo quilt.

I'm having some major dental work done on Wednesday. I will admit to being scared but know it has to be done. My teeth are very soft and now in a condition that I need to get an upper denture. While many will tell me I should do implants I just want to get the immediate denture and hopefully all will heal quickly. I'll have 7 teeth removed which I figure it kind of major, just novacaine but my oldest son is going to drive me home. I figure anything more than 2 teeth and your body goes into a weird mode. I guess it is shock, eh? Anyway, wish me luck. I'll post again when I'm feeling better.

Chemo quilt

Here is a picture of the quilt I'm making for my friend Susan.

Please keep her in your prayers.  It's kind of hard to tell
but it is periwinkle which is the color for esophageal cancer.

Really noticed

I've spent some time today looking for quilting blogs just to compare and to learn.
I'm always anxious to learn more about quilting. Whether it be cutting, patterns, piecing,
threads, binding, etc. the whole process is fancinating. Someone will always come up with an
easier or better way to do something. What I found surprised me. There are a large number of blogs
that were started and then no one ever came back to them. Also a lot that haven't been updated in
several years. Here I was feeling bad about how infrequently I post. lol  I am trying to be more consistent and add more about my actual quilting.

I for one don't like doing applique because of all the tracing and cutting. I feel like it's such a
waste of my time to duplicate the same thing over and over. I have now seen where you can use
a glue stick and put a dot on the original cut out and attach it to your ruler. Now you only cut from
that. Of course if it a complicated pattern it isn't going to work but for those straight edge things it
sure does reduce the time.

Tomorrow is my wonderful extra day off and sadly I have 3 doctor appointments to go to. Two are for my son and the last is for me, another dentist visit. I should still find time to quilt or piece.
I would really like to try to start making at least one block per week. Wish me luck.

Just had a thought

Can you tell me what you'd like to see me add to this blog?
I see that most everyone shows little tutorials, show blocks or quilts they
are working on. What would you like to see that I'm forgetting?

I appreaciate any and all of your input. Well except the troll. :)

Got a little done

I did manage to get some quilting done on my blue/yellow Wickedly Easy quilt. I've made 2 passes and then when the bobbin ran out I stopped. The 1st two bobbins were metal and now I only have the plastic ones filled so I know I'll have to do some testing and really check the bobbin. I remember when I use to be afraid to touch that bobbin tension, actually adjust just about anything on a sewing machine. I figured one wrong turn and it would be messed up for good, or at least need a trip to the shop. Now I realize it is a machine and you can change things and not wreck it. :)

Dentist appt. this afternoon and then on Friday (my extra day off) my son has 2 appts so I'll have to get to the frame early to get Wickedly Easy done and get the one for Susan on.

Our troll is still around, trying to post messages at least once a week. So glad they can't just post willy-nilly. They sure would ruin things quick.

We should be about 103 today, typical for us in July. I do see some clouds floating around out there. That could mean storms this afternoon. Seems like they always roll in about 3 or 4 pm. Just to make rush hour traffic miserable. We don't know how to drive in the rain so everyone has to slow down way too far. I will admit that the rain will come really hard sometimes so it is almost impossible to even see the road in front of you. Scary stuff from time to time.

Another new/old machine

I found another antique Singer on Craigslist and luckily got it first. It needs some work but I'm up for it.
I really wish it could talk to share it's story with me. It was made in 1924 in Clydebank, Scotland. It is a model 15k.  It was a treadle/hand operated machine which someone converted to electric while still in Europe as it is 220 volt.
It really intrigues me, just how did it get from Europe to Tucson, Az. some 86 years later? It's mechanical parts are fantastic, almost new in appearance. Very well maintained that way. The body is a little rough, it's been bounced around some. There is no base for it so now I'll be on the look out for that. I hope to find one of the small square ones. I think they are a model 23. Here is a picture. As I said, a little rough but for 86 she looks pretty good to me. It was so much fun cleaning it up. Can't wait to find a base. I know nothing of treadles so this is going to be a big learning experience for me. Wish me luck.

I am working on another Chemo quilt. Not sure why I'm being lead in that direction but it's okay with me. I believe this is my 4th or 5th. If they bring some comfort to the user that is great. So far I have known all the recipients. This one is suppose to be terminal but I told her in all honesty we are all terminal. Right? Having a slight time line gives the opportunity to get things in order. Appreciate what you have and love everyone more.
I'm sending her pictures as it progresses and she is pleased with it. If I work especially hard I could finish it tomorrow. Guess that means I'll have to get the one on the frame finished...

Tomorrow is Friday

That means no work for me outside of the house. I have no appointments scheduled so that means...I can quilt! Yippee! Sometimes it seems so difficult to get into the quilting room. I am so grateful to have that room as well as a sewing room. Still seems like I never have enough room but I do. The sewing room is 10 x 10 and the quilting room is 12 x 14. My stretch frame is 10' so there isn't a lot of room left but that is just fine with me. I'm glad it is out of the livingroom. :)

I'll start on my quilt as soon as I get up tomorrow. I am thinking I will practice doing some feathers and other patterns and hopefully I won't mess things up too badly. This one is about full size so it will take longer.
You'll get to see pictures when I'm done. Dang, I do still have some quilts that need binding don't I??? grrr
All things in good time.

Got some plexi-glass

I see that a lot of long arm quilters use a piece of plexi-glass to try out their quilting pattern.
Got my husband to pick me up a piece at Home Depot. The cost was $13.44 for a piece 20x32
I really wanted more like 20x24 but this one was already cut and waiting for him so I said okay.
It is a tad big, not the width but from top to bottom makes it hang off the frame a few inches but that
is okay. I did practice with it long enough to use up my white board marker that looks like a pen. Since
it is an arm movement and not hand/wrist it seems like I should be able to use the thicker pens as well.

Since the quilt top I have ready to go has so many different sizes and positions of rectangles I'm thinking
doing all the different designs I saw on the LAU dvd will be way too much. I will be playing with the feathers
even if I only do 6 or 8 of them total. For me, I don't like looking at a quilt where the quilting itself is so
in your face that you really don't notice the quilt itself. You know what I mean? The last quilt show I went to
it was really obvious to me that the quilting designs were more important than the quilt piecing itself. I think the quilting should compliment not overwhelm all the fabulous piecing you've done.

Going for a whole new look

I probably never mentioned that I love the color pink did I ? The new design will be extra pleasant for me to look at. I hope you don't mind. :)

Got the quilt top all ready to go. I watched a dvd that I bought from Long Arm University it was a New Year's Day Mystery quilt. It is a lot of feathers and now I don't feel quite so scared of them. I also got a piece of plexi-glass to lay on top of the quilting area so that I can see what the design will look like. With all that I should be quilting right now shouldn't I ? Trouble is I have an ear infection and the pain is something else! I took a couple tylenol a few hours ago and they really did nothing. I did go to one of those Minute Clinic places so I also have anti-biotic drops. I did just take naproxin or something like that and I really hope the pain goes away fast. If I had a pain pill I'd have taken it already. Tomorrow will be a better day so I can handle a day's worth of pain.

I think I'll check into the other dvd's Long Arm U has who knows maybe I'll get another one.

It's windy as the dickens outside but that means our heat is dropping off a little. High 90's today but mid to high 80's tomorrow. woohoo!

 

Really getting slow

It's difficult to write when it seems like nothing is really going on to write about.
I did finally get some quilts done. I need to get the binding on them and take them
to the hospital. I have a lap size quilt in the Wickedly Easy pattern ready to go now.
If you've never made that pattern, it's a freebie from ByAnnie.com, it is really TOO easy.
You'll have a quilt whipped together in no time. I started with one, not knowing if I liked
the pattern or not, but needing a quick one for a baby. The next thing I knew I had 5 of
them done with little effort. Four of them baby size then I did the lap size in blues and yellows.
It, well they all came out really nicely. I suggested the pattern to some ladies in one of my forums and they too ended up making more than they planned. We all LOVE the pattern.
Give it a try if you're searching for something to do.
It's under Annie's free patterns. 

I see our message poster is still hanging around the site trying to post. You'd think they'd
figure out by now that the messages are being rejected. Thank goodness for that feature.


It is sizzling in the desert, wooeee. We've been 105-107 degrees every day for the last week.
It sucks the energy right out of you. Going to bed and waking up while it's in the high 80's makes
those normally enjoyable times just as bad as the day time. It really has just gotten started so I shouldn't complain. It's going to be a long summer. :) 


What have you been up to? Friday after my dentist appt. I will be hitting the frame again.
I really want to piece something but I have too many already done that need to be quilted.
When I get 3 or 4 of them done then I'll start something new.
 

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day

My Mother's Day was wonderful and I hope yours was as well. 
I did finally get the 2nd baby quilt on the frame but didn't get to start quilting
it. My plan is to start it as soon as I get home from work today. They usually go
pretty fast so I could have it done with the exception of the binding. I am going to
use some small stripped material cut on the bias. It should look really cute if the 
areas where they connect don't look too bad. I've never tried it before but hey, now
is the time.

When the 3 quilts I have done are bound I want to start assembling a red/white/black
swap block top. Can't wait to see how that is going to turn out. :)

Hope you have a wonderful day.

Weeds and more weeds

I spent several hours at my sons house yesterday pulling weeds. He has an HMO and
they don't like weeds. We've been pulling them off and on each weekend but never got all of
them and ran out of spray to keep them from coming back. Finally yesterday we pulled them
all and sprayed everything! I hope that means I (and he) won't be spending out time doing that
anymore for quite awhile. It sure looks nice now. 

No quilting done but I did clean off a section of my table and found several fabrics I'd looked for.
Hopefully, I can get some cutting done tonight. Wish me luck.

Unwelcome comment posts

It seems that someone or more than one someone has decided to make comments
that have no bearing on the subject at hand. They are merely links to sites that 
I have no interest in. Luckily, I have the blog set so that all comments must be approved
before posted. I'm sorry if it prevents someone from commenting on quilting and the like.
We should get by just fine either way.

Today it was about 90 degrees and so we have heated up. It's suppose to stay this way for 
several days so the pool will start to heat up quickly. The humidity can be so dry that it causes
most people to have bloody noses even when you're not prone to them. This week seems to be 
bad for them. It's really strange you'll wake up in the night or early in the morning with one.
All you want to do is go back to sleep. 

I finally heard from a friend yesterday. I've been worried about her as I haven't heard from
her in several weeks. It turns out she is back to having Chemo and has it 5 days a week. 
I can't imagine trying to go to work and dealing with the effects of that. My heart and prayers
go out to her. I do hope that 2010 is the year she finds herself cancer free.

Still haven't gotten the binding on or started another quilt. Just seems like I can't find the time
right now. I will though, I will.

Not heating up here

I was just telling you how we'll be heating up quickly and then yesterday we had
a record low for our high. We got all the way to 59 which is crazy cool for us. Today it
is cool again, very overcast. What the heck? For the rest of the country and maybe world
for all I know, it may be cool and overcast regularly for you but we have sunshine more than
300 days a year so it isn't the norm for us. This year we have gotten a lot of rain which is okay
because we had been in a drought for about 4 years. The drought is over and we are now above
in the water level. 

I seriously need to get that quilt top on the frame and get going. Took the day off to get it
completed. I wasn't feeling great, my allergies are really kicking in with all the rain.
Wish me luck.

The quilting continues

As April draws to a close the heat will intensify here in the desert.
It makes it difficult to do hand stitching on bindings, etc as it just becomes
unbearable to have it on your lap. For now, I will enjoy what I can do.

I finished one child's quilt on Sunday with the exception of the binding. I did
a flannel backing this time for the first time on something larger than a premie
quilt. It was trouble free, yeah! I also tried out two different bobbins that I'd filled with
my new bobbin winder. I did one plastic and one metal to see if there was any difference.
I think the metal did better so I'll stick with them. I'll have to load up a dozen in white and
go to it. The quilt took just one bobbin and I did loops, flowers, hearts and meandering.
I don't know why I can't make that next step and do something special. grrr it makes me so
mad that I stop myself.

I have the second kid quilt backing on the frame and will get the top and batting on tonight.
woohoo.

April already?

To realize that April is close to be half over already is just crazy.
I wish I could say I live life to the fullest and that's why it takes me
so long to get back here and post but my most people's standards I'd probably
be considered pretty boring. :) 
I did finish 3 small quilts that I was working on. All baby quilt size. One has already
been given away, the 2nd will get picked up today. The 3rd had an owner but it will
probably be going to a local PICU unit at a Tucson hospital. I went there to visit a friend's
little girl and found they have no quilts. The nurse said they get them only occasionally and
that seems so sad to me. I know Project Linus is a huge group that supplies quilts and I've 
always figured they had more quilts than they knew what to do with. Now that I've seen 1st
hand I feel bad that I haven't stepped up sooner. If you've considered doing it you might want
to check with one of your hospitals to see if they have enough or not. I have 2 ready to go to them
and have 2 more to be assembled and quilted. I'll do them side by side to speed up the process.

Spring is arriving slowly in the desert. It looks like it could rain today. This has been a wet winter
for sure. The farmers wheat and other grains are growing in anticipation of harvest and then
planting the cotton. I can't tell you just how beautiful it is to see a 1,000 acre field of wheat early
in the morning. The tips are lightly covered in dew and with the sun shining on it the entire field 
sparkles. I never knew just how beautiful plants can be. I also never realized just how many shades of 
green there is. Nature can be inspiring. 

I bought myself an electric bobbin winder and it arrived yesterday. I'm still trying to figure out how
to make it fill more evenly but it winds super fast and I love it. It was about $60.00 and that is great!

I think I'm becoming a collector

I found another Singer machine on Craigslist. woohoo! Now, I'm about as frugal as it
comes. I hate spending more than $20. on 95% of things. Sadly, in my mind I'd rather
have 15 small ticket items instead of 1 big one most of the time. I really don't know why.

Anyway, I found a Singer Spartan in a nice little cabinet for $20. I couldn't pass on it.
She really is sweet. Even my husband likes it but mostly for the cabinet it's in. It did require
some serious oiling but she is humming right along now. Of course I'll have to post a picture for you.

I need to get the binding cut for those 2 baby quilts and get on to something else. So many quilts
and so little time, eh? Oh, I should've mentioned that it is sunny and about 70 today. I just love
living here.

And what did I learn?

With the 1st baby quilt done the 2nd one was on the frame just waiting for me.
I changed thread and filled 2 bobbins. Off I went. Well actually I practiced a little just before
I changed the thread and all was good. 
I zipped across the quilt doing the first pass. When I rolled it I noticed some eye lashes on the
back but just ventured on. One more pass and when rolled once again I noticed a few eyelashes.
THEN I decided I was being a big dummy and I needed to stop and seriously check it out. 
And what did I learn? I will look before taking off again. It took me more than 5 hours to rip
out all of that quilting. I will not do that again. 
I'm guessing my new Bailey isn't as happy with ThreadArt thread as the 13" one was. 
Tomorrow I'll try it again, loosening the top tension and tightening the bobbin until it looks
the way it should. I also felt like the color was a little to dark anyway. 

I've read lots of forum members say they have ripped out lots before too and was thinking
all smug about it. Humility is a great thing.

Back again

I'm seriously trying to figure out how to machine quilt on the frame without
a stitch regulator. You know quilting a fan wreath or the like, something other
than free motion. I have watched a few videos and everyone has a stitch regulator. What the heck! Any of you know how to do this?? Do I just slow WAY
down?? It's really hard to see if you're going backwards so maybe that marking
thing isn't such a bad thing after all. I have thought that everyone just does it
free hand. I am wrong! 

I finished one of the baby quilts and the other is now ready for me to attack it.
I'd love to follow all the designs but feel like it will be a terrible failure and I'll 
be doing a lot of froggy sewing. Maybe my "I can't do it mood" today isn't the
best time to give it a try. I did email a lady in my forum who doesn't use a regulator and does amazing work. Hopefully she can help me. 
If she does I'll pass along any tips. 

I do have Friday off this week which gives me extra time to bind both of
the quilts. They shouldn't take too long.

Quilting room improvements

I got motivated and gently pushed my husband to help me get some improvements in my quilting room. 

I have a small sewing room, it's 10 x10. The quilting room holds the frame and is 10 x 14. My husband

actually mentioned that I am taking over the house. lol. With his help we put the 90" batting on a roller above the frame and then above that the 54" batting on another roll. Now I can just roll it off and not

have to wrestle with it while I figure out how much I need. I will be using it this weekend and I can't wait!

We also added 3 shelving units which hold 5 sewing machines. I really wanted them up off the floor as they were in the way. There is the Singer 221, Singer 99k, my serger, Euro-pro and a White machine.

My husband guarantees me that the shelves can hold the weight so I'll believe him. I also have a table 

with a cutting mat on it and a small pegboard to hold some equipment. I have one more to put up. 

The lady who bought my Bailey Home Quilter 13" will be coming in a couple weeks to pick up the machine. I know she will be very happy with it. She is from Canada and visiting her sister here in

Arizona. How cool is that? It will be cool to show her the ropes before she gets it home. I think everyone should get a lesson or two just to get a hang of things. It is not the easiest thing to master quickly.

I have two baby quilts to make by the end of March. I have the tops ready and that is what I'll be working on this weekend if my family allows me the time. :) Pictures will come when done. Nothing fancy.

Why is it so hard to keep focus?

I know just what it is that I want to do but for some reason I just can't get
going or keep going on it. Instead I spend way too much time on the internet doing
nothing. What a time waster. It use to be television but now it's just being online.
I can't be alone in this.

My dad was released from the hospital and is home enjoying life with my mom.
I think he is suffering from vertigo and hopefully someone else will figure that out.

I did get started on clearing my cutting table. Now that I have a sewing room and a quilting
room I have 2 of them to keep organized. Right now the piles of organized stuff on both tables
are winning. I need some shelves in the quilting room and hope to get some shelf brackets and
some 4' sections of wood and take care of that this weekend. (yeah, remind me of that) It should
be if I start doing it my husband will come in and take over because I don't know the correct
way. That's what I'm hoping anyway. lol

Monday is my birthday. I don't even want to think about how old I'm going to be. Wow,
it's scary.  My sons, husband and I are going out for dinner tomorrow to celebrate. I get
to chose the place. I'm torn between Black Angus and Carrabba's. I like them both.

January 2010 is nearing an end

It doesn't seem possible that January is nearing an end. I know it just began!
That ole cliche, where does time go? Time to get focused.


When I get home today I will clear off my cutting table. It has so much fabric lying on it
I couldn't start a new project if I wanted to, which I do. I do still have a partially made
Emerald Forest top and hopefully I can find the other section of it that I am pretty certain
is buried somewhere on that table. If not I still have a ways to go with that but it's pretty easy
on the construction side.

I'm embarrassed to admit I have a screw up on the frame. I had a wall hanging, just a section
of oriental fabric, that never got quilted. I changed backing after I had it all loaded on the frame
and then put a new backing fabric on, well I just didn't focus on what I was doing and now that
it's near the end I can see I'm about 3/4" too short with the backing. I can't believe it. What a 
needless mistake. big grrr here! I've decided to just finish off what I can and then I'll have to cut
off what doesn't fit. I'll certainly know about it every time I look at it. I'm thinking I will be much
more careful in the future.


On another note, my dad's in the hospital. I guess his heart isn't beating in a stable rhythm.
We'll see how it goes today. It could be he needs a pace maker.

Machine excitement with a twist

This last Monday I happened to scan thru Craigslist for sewing machines.
I try to do that monthly, just to see if there are any great machines at a good price.
This time I found an older Singer machine. Listed merely as a vintage machine for $50.
I called the number and it hadn't been sold so we made arrangements to meet. I didn't
have my reading glasses on and we were inside a garage so I really couldn't see just what
the machine was. It looked very similar to a Featherweight. I had him plug it in and run it
for me. The light switch had an issue and he said he had no thread to actually show me
that it could stitch but on faith I bought it. For $45.00 of course, have to save a buck or
two.

Once I got it home I could easily see that it is a 99K, has a cute little case as well.
Now, I've wanted a 99K but when I put in a wanted ad no one had one. Now I do.
First thing I did was clean it well. Didn't really want to take things apart too far.
Parts of it had obviously been cleaned and it has a new belt. I get it all back together,
thread it and away I go. Clunk, clunk, clunk...jam. Oh great. Now I'm thinking this
guy knew all along it didn't work with thread. I decide now to clean a little deeper and
figure out where it's jammed and why. I find a thread or two but its still jammed. I flip her
over which is difficult because it's attached to the bottom of the case, and oil and grease
all the under areas. I keep playing with it and finally the jam is gone.
I try it again and clunk, clunk..but I stop before the jam. It came with a bobbin loaded with
some super heavy duty thread so I pull all of it off. I don't have another class 66 bobbin in the house to fill. I fill it and put on some white thread and try again. Clunk..I stop.
Now I notice the needle in the thing is HUGE so I replace it with a normal size thing and try
again. She sews beautifully!! I am so excited. Eventually I'll ask my husband to replace the
light fixture but until then I'll use a clamp on light. Here is a picture of it.

Yesterday I went to work and after waking up with a headache it only got worse. I was
feeling really lousy by 10am and came home. I am just now feeling better. Don't know what it was but no fun feeling that bad especially since my brand new Bailey Home Quilter 15" arrived later in the afternoon. I never even played with it. Can you imagine? I'm going to go in
and give her a whirl in a minute. Wish me luck.

oops

I just now realized I never told you I had ordered another
quilting machine. Sorry about that. I have the Bailey Home Quilter 13"
and have been very happy with it but I suddenly decided it would
be great to have a 15". I'd love to have the 17" but that is out of my financial
comfort zone right now. Anyway, on the 31st of December I called and ordered
one. Chuck took out the money today which means the machine is being shipped
either today or Monday. I am SUPER excited. This is like being a little kid on
Christmas eve.
I've put my 13" on Craigslist and a couple quilting forums for sale. I have no
doubt it will sell. They are fantastic machines.

I got 2 quilts done

I work for a public school district so I was able to take off some time over the
Christmas break. I had almost 2 weeks which was great. First off I put a queen/king
top on the frame and used some of the backing fabric my husband had gotten me for
Christmas. This one is called Emerald Forest and done mostly in batiks. I was a little
worried about quilting it as everyone talks about the trouble you can have with batiks
but I had no problems at all. Luckily. :)

The 2nd quilt was done back in 2007 as a Mystery quilt. Once again just waiting on
wide backing and courage to get it quilted. This one was slightly smaller, more like
queen than king. The quilting went much faster. The Emerald forest seemed to take
forever to make a pass across the top. Of course both still need binding. That makes
3 waiting for that process. Hmmm, now am I just shifting them from one pile to another?
I don't see a rush to finish them as they have no new home to go to. I offered either of
them to my son for his new house but he keeps insisting that he's not a quilt person.
Ah well.

Today I'm going to get the laundry done quickly, clean the kitchen a little and then
put a smaller quilt on the frame. Nothing fancy, just 4" squares from years ago. I'm
wanting to practice different designs in the squares. I really need to kick up my skills.
I get so jealous when I see pictures of quilting ladies on my Bailey forum have done.
I keep thinking can they be that much better than me?? I know it's all about practice
so that is where I'll be today and probably tomorrow.

Ohhh! my husband just told me that the funds have been removed for the Bailey 15" we
ordered. That usually means it is being shipped! Chuck doesn't put the charge thru until
its ready to ship. I am so excited!! I just have to get the 13" sold now.

Talk with you soon.