Practice

I've been practicing and making flowers is much harder (for me) than it looks.
It seems like my carriage doesn't ride so smoothly sometimes and that jars the pattern, you know? I just finished cleaning the carriage wheels and grooves as well as rotate the two rollers
that it rides on. This is really the first time I've noticed it not being smooth.
I'm also considering adding one knob in the middle to move rather than the 2 ends of the handle.
Feel like I just can't get a strong enough grip to move it where it needs to go.
I certainly am not giving up on this. I know it can be done and I AM going to do it.

Back to the practice.

I do believe I have found my problem. A dust bunny riding the carriage track. I have
removed it and things are rolling smoothly at this moment. woohoo. I hate to take the
machine off and remove the carriage to completely clean it but maybe I should. I have
a Bailey Home Quilter 13" on a Hinterberg Stretch Frame.

Where does time go?

It seems like no matter how much time I think I will have to quilt it just doesn't work out. I didn't do anything on the frame which is a disappointment. I use to have difficulty putting the sandwich on the frame but after seeing it done on a dvd the job became super easy.
I will have the usual weekend homemaker chores to do today and possibly go bowling with the
family. We decided it is an activity we all enjoy and gives us some much needed exercise.
We try to go every other weekend.

I'm going to quit typing now and go put the muslin on. I'll take a picture in a little bit just to
show you that I really did do it. I will need to draw "blocks" onto it so I can practice within
that size rather than just all over the top.

Here is the proof. :)

Debbe

Arizona sunset

I just had to share this beautiful sunset with you. I did get that quilt finished, well quilted anyway. I'll get to the binding. I need to make a muslin sandwich and start practicing some different designs. I know I can do them, just need to practice. Wish me luck.

Wow it is hot already

It isn't even 8 am and it is hot already. This is going to be a scorcher today.
We discovered a few years ago if we stopped using the main a/c unit for the
whole house and switched to window units that we could be much cooler and
it didn't cost any more. We had hoped to save money but just being more comfortable
is a wonderful benefit. I'm sure we'll hit 105 today and probably have thunderstorms
this afternoon which normally doesn't cool off anything. They are a fabulous treat
to the nose however, the smell of rain in the desert is wonderful. As the rain hits Creosote
bushes they excrete a wonderful fragrance.

I will finish the pink/turquoise quilt today. It should've already been done but I've been
getting home late and then making dinner right away. With the frame sitting in the living
room it is hard to use it if someone is watching television. All quilting machines are noisy
when you're trying to hear tv. Anyway, it will be done today and then I'll put the muslin
on to play. I'm excited about that.

A small start

I did start quilting on the little top on the frame. I was going to experiment and
after ripping out my error I had a light bulb moment. I am just going to finish this
up with meandering and then put a muslin sandwich on and practice all that stuff that
I know I can do if I just give it a whirl and practice. I hate to try stuff on a "keeper"
quilt top you know? If I just go with the muslin and some batting I can try lots of different
designs and keep at it until I feel comfortable.
Here's a picture of the one I'm working on. Nothing fancy. I just had to sew one day
and put these blocks together. It is bright and cheery. I should get it finished by Thursday
for sure.

Our heat has finally kicked in. I'm not sure what the temperature was today but over 100.
Unfortunately for my son the electricity was off for over 2 hours after a bird flew into a
transformer. I finally talked him into getting into the swimming pool so he could cool off.
For some reason he forgot about the pool. He sure felt better when he got out.

My quilting business

I guess I could mention at this point that I've started a quilting business.
I have a midarm machine on frame and have mastered meandering. I've looked
at many other individuals meandering and feel mine is very good. If you have any need to have a quilt top quilted please email me at desertdebbe@yahoo.com. Please note there
is no i in the name Debbe. My prices are currently .01 cent per square inch. Let's see if I can find a picture of my quilting for you to see. You could also check out my "finally finished" album on Webshots. http://community.webshots.com/user/desertdebbe
Now, I seriously need to get to that quilt top on the frame.

The foundation is down

I was suprised to see that the foundation was down on my son's house.
Behind it is a pile of pre-constructed framing sections. It should be rough framed by next week.

Can't remember if I said that the water faucet was replaced. My back is mighty sore from the position and leaning on something
under the sink. Hopefully it will feel better tomorrow.

I'm looking for a loop de loop type quilt design to practice before getting busy on the pink/turquoise top. Very basic 5" squares. Nothing fancy I just needed to sew something.