Too many pokers in the fire I guess

It seems like I'm trying to do too many things and I'm afraid not too many of them are being done successfully. :(

I haven't been doing much quilting at all. Seems like World of Warcraft is taking much of my free time. Ah well, it is a fun game and I'm enjoying myself. Today my husband and two sons are going out for pizza and then bowling. It's been awhile since we've been. I tried to make it bi-monthly for awhile but that too slipped away. It should be fun for sure. Funny thing is we'll all be making comments about sore muscles tomorrow. My youngest son and I have been trying to lose weight and have been successful there. He's lost about 27 lbs and I've lost about 20. Sure is good to get it off and hope to continue dropping some more.
I do have backing fabric and quilt tops made, just need to get something on the frame. Come on enthusiasm! Sure wish I had a local quilting buddy. I know that would get me going.

Where did the two weeks go?

I can't believe that two weeks has gone by already. I think when you fill your days with things to do, cleaning, Christmas shopping, a little party, tree shopping, etc, the days fly by and you don't even feel like you had time off. Ah well, I'll quit whining now. :) I had a wonderful Christmas, got a new computer and I LOVE it. Also got a Snuggie, if you don't own one but think you might get one, DON'T. Sorry if you love yours but they are huge, the arms are probably 18" too long as is the bottom. I have a little flannel throw for my couch and I will continue to use it. 

Sadly, I did no quilting over the break. I did do some piecing on the pinwheels. Not sure how I'll arrange them. Seems like all pinwheels is just too busy. I'll get my family to help me figure out how to do it. They are great that way.

I'm a migraine sufferer and with my Inderal I usually do amazingly well but, since the day after Christmas I have had a migraine every day. Don't know why but I'm ready for it to stop. The weather has been really cold here. It's almost 10:30 am and about 36 degrees according to my thermometer. Yikes!
I do know I'm prone to migraines when it's windy so it must be the ions or something. I've also had a sore throat for 3 days. Am I falling apart?? Maybe I just need my regular schedule of work to get me back on track.

I do hope you all had a fantastic holiday and 2011 is the best year of your life!

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. :)