Excellent News!

Aside from fun quilting things to post, I need to share something a little personal. The FLTF has been in a lawsuit with a group who stopped our dam construction about 13 months ago. During the suit, the FLTF (the folks responsible for getting the dams fixed) had to put a stop to construction due to possible court outcomes. 

There is, obviously, a LOT more to this story, but the bottom line is, after five courts, the little group who stopped all the progress were, in their last court attempt (the Michigan Supreme Court of Appeals) denied their hearing this morning.  

What does this mean? We will finally get our water back. We will finally be something more than a river but rather a lake again. It will take time; an extra year lost due to this little group of agitators, but the water will return nonetheless. What. A. Relief!

Between the two sets of customer visits, I'm working on this quilt today...

Evelyns Flowers

It's a great quilt with lost of starts and stops and will be easy enough to receive people as they come and go.

I'm frame ironing on Marty and have discovered the clearance between the idler and take up bars is not as good as it was on DW so I think maybe I might have to pin the backing to the take up bar leader in the future. The Red Snappers are taking up another good 1/2" which doesn't sound like much, but when doing a large quilt, it means a lot. 

I was hitting the quilt back yesterday with my ruler base and causing the machine to actually stop dead in its tracks while trying to free motion. It makes it hard to do feathers when the machine is balking at you so a change needs to be made for future quilts. 

Obligations

Isn't it sad when you feel obligated to contact family because you haven't reached out in a while? My parents have always been extraordinarily independent and during our upbringing, weren't the huggy, touchy kind of parents. They remain this way even more so in their elder years. When I don't hear from them in a while, I feel like I have to touch base and check in to see how life is.

Dad was this mornings call. Now I'm back onto work stuff.

Here's where I'm at on Sue's quilt...

One more roll after the one I'm working on

I have to get a hold of Gall this morning to discuss DW's issue of the new hopping foot mechanism. I also want to touch base about this...

His halo light was ruined during his trip

Jim said he had this side away from the back seat of the truck, so chances are it got damaged in the delivery truck or more likely, the van he was transported in from Grand Rapids to Lansing on Monday.

This is an expensive add-on (around $75) and now it's useless. I really depend on that light with DW because his on-board lighting isn't really the greatest. First generation and all that happy crap. 

The sun is peeking out this morning, but the weather app said it's supposed to be cloudy all day? I'll take the sun, but I'm not holding my breath about how long I'll have it. 

It Feels So Good

When I'm away from the big machines for a while, it feels so wonderful getting back on them again. Marty is a dream to quilt with. He's so quiet and is working like a champ!

Here's some of the quilting going into Sues quilt...

Feathers galore!

Each fabric color gets its own thread color. 13 color changes per roll. And, since Marty is a Q20, that means I'm only getting about 18" of quilt space in there. On a 96" quilt, that means a lot of thread changes. But it's easy on the Bernina long arms making it not a real issue. 

I called Gall Sewing about DW's new hopping foot/needle mechanism that was installed last week. It's sitting a little too low and raising it only causes skipped stitches. I asked Jen if it hitting the throat plate in the back was going to injure the machine. She said it wasn't doing it any good and she'd talk to Jason about it (he was in GR yesterday).

So, I'm not using him at the current time until I get an answer on that. After getting Marty all set up (there's lots to get set up on the machine when you first turn it on) I was able to get two full passes done after my drop off customers departed. I'll be working on this all of today.

I have one customer coming to drop off after lunch. We are getting light snow currently and winter has returned. I'm okay with that. I'd rather have cold weather and snow than muggy weather and bugs. Is it really already Wednesday? 

At Last

That Nat King Cole song comes to mind, At Last when I saw Jim pull into the driveway with both of the "guys" with him.

Here he is bringing DW in during a snowfall...

I'm glad I married a manly-man

Once DW was set onto his carriage, I started getting everything put back on him (side light, Command hook that somehow got lost during his trip downstate and back), and getting everything plugged in. Then came Marty (did not get pic).

We had a LOT to do once the machines were back on their carriages. The frames needed to be leveled. Marty's frame is new and had to be "pole" adjusted which was a feat. Jim had to run into town to get a different carriage bolt for the dead bar. Then Loring (the tech who was here Thursday) called Jim and told him to just knock off the spinner and bolt it instead. He ended up doing that because the bolt he went and fetched was not long enough.

Now to re-level again. During all of this I was frame ironing a back on Bernie and making this for Marty...

A Tool Bowl

Each of the machines has their own tool bowl so when adjustments need to be made I know exactly where to go.

Once DW and Marty were set, frame ironing immediately started. Long story short. Hers is what each of the boys are wearing now...

Sue S's Log Cabin on Marty

Evelyn's Flowers on Bernie

My Scrap Happy on DW

Evelyns quilt is basted in. The Scrap Happy on DW is basted in and started. Not without some issues though. While basting in I kept hearing a "click" with each stitch and upon investigation, found his new hopping foot mechanism was set too low. The back side of his foot was hitting the throat plate. Jim helped me raise the foot one turn.

That wasn't the right thing to do because then he started skipping stitches. Back down the foot goes and I'll have to call Gall today to see if hitting the throat plate is going to become an issue. Regardless, it gives me very little clearance on the layers.

Sue S's quilt is not basted in nor has Marty even been turned on yet. But here he is all tatted up and ready to work today...

Welcome Marty!

Did not get time to make a video with the studio all situated. I've managed to lose a pair of scissors and a compression glove in all of this. They'll turn up eventually. I hope.

Dentist appointment first thing this morning. Customers coming shortly after I get home to drop off a top. And then I can relax, enjoy the "new" studio and get back to work. It's been a long five days!

New Airbuds

Jim got me an early anniversary gift and purchased some Air Buds to surprise me. They are so very terrific! I've listened to some music, talked to Jim, and am listening to the rest of my YouTube clip after doing my morning walk. 

Speaking of my man, he's taking today off to head south to pick up the boys. He's actually already there since he left at his normal go-to-work time. So excited to see the frames filled back up again, which, if all goes well, should be later this afternoon or early evening. They are all currently empty.

I worked on the dungarees yesterday and was able to finish them while Jim was giving the girls a haircut. They are NOT figure flattering but oh, are they comfortable!

See, not figure flattering at all

But something that fits me loosely during those few blazing hot days we get is what I was going for.

Meanwhile, I have my Friday student texting me already this morning and I have to get the studio heated up (set the temp low this weekend since we were going to me mostly gone on Saturday) to start my week. I was to have had a customer drop off and pick up later and then go to lunch, but she just called and is sick today so will not be coming over after all.

It's snowing this morning but I don't think it's supposed to continue much longer (although the grass is already white) so winter has opened its door again. A great day to get the studio put entirely back together and a new, updated video shot of what the studio looks like when it's finally right! 

Class A Success

I was able to finish my coat in class yesterday. Well, I need to press the inside arm seam but I have a finished product and here it is...

Was it worth it?

This coat received glowing reviews from the shop owners, the fellow students, and customers in the store shopping. I guess it's a win. I love it! Jim even said he loved it and that it was cute. 

So, on to my next "garment" project. I can no longer show my knees. My over-sized thighs (thanks skating days) are heading south and heading towards my knees. They are UGLY! Summer is coming and while I do have a few pairs of capri jeans, it would be nice to have something a little cooler and freer flowing in those unbearable 90-degree days.

I love my bib shorts, but again, they show my knees. I tried ordering capri bibs and there are only a few available out there and what is available are ridiculously expensive. 

YouTube produced a vast number of bib overall/coverall/dungaree patterns and then I stumbled upon two Australian ladies who teach beginning garment sewing and how to draft your own patterns. I have hit pay dirt I think.

I have my pattern pieces drafted and cut out. I pre-washed some inexpensive fabric I picked up yesterday at Material Mart from their sale section. I got enough for four pairs of "dunga's" for under $60. One of the few pair on-line I liked were $89 without shipping. 

I was so excited I kept on going. I have the pockets made, the straps and loops made, and will be continuing on today while Jim is trimming the girls. 

Pieces of dungarees

We had a wonderful dinner yesterday after class at Lucky's Steakhouse and just before we left yesterday morning, Jason called and said both the "boys" were ready to pick up. But they were in Grand Rapids. Ummm...no. I have plans and can't make the trip before you are finished with your vendor event. 

Jim is going to take tomorrow off to run down to fetch them in Lansing. Yay. The studio looks empty with two vacant frames, and now nothing on Bernie's frame either. I have a HUGE work week ahead of me I think. 

Life Long Learner

I'm the first person you'll hear say something like, I did not know that or Hey, that's a really cool thing you did. 

My student yesterday came up with a motif I had never really seen occur in the quilting world before, so here's a pic of what she ingeniously invented...

The bottom motif

I like it!

I have a garment class today I'm attending and Jim is heading in with me to do our weekly errands. We're going out for our anniversary celebratory dinner after class.

The girls have already had baths today and while we were getting around for our trip into town Jim noticed two calls from Grand Rapids. Well, two means somebody is trying to get a hold of us. Jason had called from the Plainfield store and said both machines (DW and Marty) were ready to be picked up. BUT, they are in GR not Lansing.

Jim is going to take Monday off and run down to Lansing to pick up the "guys" instead of us having to run the additional two hours to get them. And, quite honestly, I won't be doing much on them this weekend because we're going to be gone all day today...and I don't long arm (usually) on Sundays. 

Do You Remember?

Your parents told you something fun and exciting was going to happen and then because of weather, work, or car issues, it didn't happen. Remember how let down you felt? Yep, that's kind of what happened yesterday.

First, Gall Sewing and Vac showed up with their van to deliver Marty, his frame, and to take Foster away. Oh, and to take DW down for servicing. Well, three of out of four isn't bad.

Foster is gone, DW is heading for repairs, and the frame is up...

He's here!

The new frame is up. 

See the box on the left. That's Marty in that box. But when it was opened I heard the installer utter an "Uh, oh". 

No, no, no! No uh oh's! 

Apparently, the head wheels come with the Bernina frame. I did not get the Bernina frame because a Q20 only has an affordable frame up to 10'. I need 12' so we found a Grace frame that would work. Grace does not provide the head wheels. Obviously.

And Gall forgot to include them in the shipment. sigh

When I go to pick up DW next week (hopefully, Tuesday) I'll be getting Marty's head as well with his wheels attached. Meaning, we have to set him and adjust him on the frame ourselves. Not to mention, the "helper" the installer was to have with him had "fish poisoning" and couldn't make it. 

Guess who had to help unload and reload that box truck?

Since this was such a CF and after talking to Jason on the phone at Gall, we decided it would be okay for me to run down and get both of the machines (and them not have to come back up to finish their job) in trade for the ruler base for Marty (a $300 option). I don't think Jason was even told about the helper not showing up for work. I'll be mentioning that during my visit. 

All in all, I probably couldn't have played with the machine last night anyway. I was up early yesterday (oh and today too) and was feeling it around 5:00. The leaders that came with the Grace frame did not have the rod sleeve sewn in for my Red Snappers so I had to sew a double line down each 12' leader (three of them) which took over an hour. 

I had to put the studio back together, and Andrew called in amongst all of that. It was nearly 7:00 before we finally shut down the studio for the day. I was frustrated, let down, exhausted, my feet were killing me, and yet I was not in a bad mood because I'm one step closer to getting this studio perfect. 

Among all of that, the electrician showed up to figure out why we didn't have electricity in the garage (which meant no door opener and the chest freezer (which is full) was not working). Oh, and the Bellers' facia was flapping in the high winds so Tim was out to deal with that as well as help my long arm tech pick up styrofoam and cardboard he stupidly left outside the box truck when putting the long arm frame together. 

Today is going to be better! I'm teaching a one-on-one long arm class here. I have no other customers coming. I am down to one machine (Bernie) which isn't good but I won't feel overwhelmed next week to work 13 hour days, and we'll be using that today for class. Oh, and it's sunny and not blasting wind. 

Today is the Day!

Say good-bye to Foster...

Getting ready to leave

I really, really, really tried to like this machine. And he was great the first week he was here and the first week he came back after getting serviced. But then he started slamming, crunching, and started having electrical issues. I didn't feel like we were gelling all that well.

Marty is on his way to replace Foster as "we speak" and I'm so excited. 

Yesterday was spent on Ronda's quilt. After shutting down around 5:00 I had to move some more stuff in the studio to make way for today's arrival. I also had to prep backing and fabric swatches for class tomorrow. Once that was done, three more Pineapple blocks were made. 

In amongst the machines leaving (DW is going down with Foster for service) and the machine arriving, I'll be finishing Rondas quilt as I only have the two sets of borders and the side sashing to finish. I could have done that last night, but I didn't want to dive into a whole new quilt while the guys were here asking questions and making disrupting noises.

I've gotten to where I'm getting pretty regimented and while I'm happy about Marty's arrival, it does disrupt my day and I need to focus when I'm starting a new quilt top so I thought it prudent to keep to what I know for the work I'm doing while they are here. 

Yesterdays weather started out with about an inch or more of snow. That changed to freezing snow/rain. Near lunch that changed over to thunderstorms, then it rained and was very windy the rest of the day. Ahhh...spring in Michigan. Another windy day today, but the sun is peeking in and out of the clouds. No precipitation is expected so the guys will be dry while running in and out of the studio. Can't wait to show pics of the studio all put back together tomorrow!

It's One Of Those Days...

...I'm so grateful and thankful I work from home and don't have to go out into the weather. Windy. Snowy. Cold. Bleh!

Here's some more quilting going into Ronda's quilt...

One of the pieced blocks

The customer that had an 11:00 appointment just called to reschedule for next Tuesday so I'll be able to finish this piece (hopefully) today. 

And then I have some finagling to do around the studio to prepare for Marty's arrival tomorrow as well as the class I'm teaching on Friday. I've already got notes and handouts roughed in. Making the practice piece will be done later after finishing Ronda's quilt along with moving furniture and things around.

Bad Storms

Apparently, living in the center of lower Michigan has its perks. While we don't get as much snow in the winter, or rain in the summer, we also miss the erratic weather throughout other parts of the state.

Southern lower Michigan received tornadoes on Sunday. Northern lower Michigan received freezing rain which coated everything with 3/4" of ice. We received a 20 minute thunderstorm with some high winds. Yep, that was about it. We seem to be the only ones with electricity.

Working on Ronda's quilt all yesterday and today. Here's some of the quilting as promised...

Pebbling the background

Feathers in the dark green borders/sashings

I'll be continuing on with this quilt all of today while enjoying the sunshine before another round of weird weather comes in tomorrow. And...tomorrow I'm supposed to have customers but I think I need to let them know about the icky weather headed our way. They are coming from a ways away and don't think her table runner is worth the trip if the roads are stupid. Happy April Fools Day!

Rest Day

I didn't do a thing in the studio yesterday. By the time haircuts were done and cleaning thereof, and by the time we finished morning chores, it was time to prep for lunch. 

MSU lost last night but at least we made it one step further than Michigan. 

I'll be working on this piece all day today...

Lots of work here

Since I really only have one working machine right now, this is going to be my entire focus for the next day or so. Pics of quilting to come tomorrow. 

Class, Quilt Show, and Moving

Class was very fun and I have all the pieces cut out for the quilted jacket. Talk about an emotional thing to do; cut up a completely finished quilt... 

A repurpose exercise

The coat in chunks

So, after we were finished with our class (around 2:00) I wandered over to the Midland Quilters Guild show at the Midland Center for the Arts. What a beautiful venue and what a great show! Several quilts I've worked on for customers were displayed and it was nice to see them in their full glory instead of laterally on the frame. 

I purchased a quilt kit from a quilt shop in Chesaning related to our lake and talked to a LOT of people during both the class and the quilt show. I have one business card left and I had zero intention of doing that. 

After getting home around 4:00-ish I inhaled some lunch and then Jim was able to show me what he did while I was gone. 

Getting ready for Marty on the east wall

DW is now facing the garage

The room looks kind of empty on the east side but only until Thursday morning. Haircuts this morning first thing and then I think I may piece a little before lunch. 

Now We're Moving

No, we're not moving away. But the studio is getting a shift in long arm placement. Quickly before I head off to my class...

Stripping DW down

Disassembling Foster

Jim has to run to get the moving dollies from our neighbor and I'm going to class. DW should be moved by the time I get home since he's going to where Foster was.

Marty will be going where DW is currently at since he'll be my new primary machine with Bernie. DW will be strictly used for my stuff and ONLY digital edge to edge for customers. 

Saying Good-bye

Saying good-bye is very sad. Usually. In this case, hugely. We will only see Caleb and Lia one more time before they depart for Germany in two weeks. He's stationed there for at least three years.

Such great kids!

Not sure how I took this pic, but it's cute

We are going to miss them so much. 

Subject change. Karen's quilt is through the custom work and now I've rolled back to the top and will begin the E2E maybe later today. I think we're going to move DW over to where Foster is so I need to get Karen's quilt off the frame. 

I also have to start to prepare for a class I'm taking tomorrow in Midland. I need to find one of my own quilts or purchase an old quilt from somewhere to cut up and make into a coat. I'm going to hit a few of the shops in Gladwin this morning after my nail appointment and see what I can find because cutting up one of my own quilts makes me shudder.  

If I can't find something in town, I'll hit Pieces of Thyme on my way home and see what kind of panel/backing fabric I can throw a simple E2E on. If that doesn't work, one of my own quilts is getting murdered. 

So, I have a busy day ahead and didn't sleep worth a poop last night. Well, I did sleep well actually, once I got to sleep sometime after 2:30 this morning. Note: Don't get into intense or heated discussions just before going to bed. Your brain will oft times not want to shut itself off until much later. 

Moving

The little kids are getting ready for their big move to Germany. They have to be out of the apartment on 4/1 but everything has already been shipped out so it's basically a cleaning game. And getting rid of things they aren't going to transport with them; cleaning supplies, boxes, etc. We are meeting them downstate tonight to get some of that stuff. 

It's going to be hard not talking to him every few days. I'm getting sad thinking about it, so let's change the subject.

Here's what DW is wearing...

Karen's Christmas Quilt

Here's why I do not like packaged batts...

Letting it relax

This batt was packaged and it's a cotton/wool blend by Pellon. Karen probably purchased it at JoAnn's. It's full of wrinkles and one end is very crumpled. While I was washing her backing this hung to try to remove those long arm hurdles. It didn't really do much and when I loaded it six hours later.

Meanwhile, this was loaded onto Bernie...

Ronda's applique top

I didn't have much time to work through how I was going to quilt this but started out with the borders and worked my way in. I now have a quilting plan for both of these and will work them simultaneously since Karens quilt body is E2E with the borders being custom. 

It's funny how one can amuse themselves when between projects. I finished Linda's binding right after lunch and then had to wait for the back of both of the quilts above to be ready to load. With that time I: 

1. Cleaned both machines and their carriages. 

2. Selected threads for the bobbin and top. 

3. Updated the computer queue to match the written one

4. Cut up the blocks on the design wall for the Pineapple top

5. Started getting stuff off Foster for his trip next Thursday

6. Snagged a pic of Rondas quilt to make sense of how it was going to get quilted

7. Reset the design wall since it was now empty from the previous project

After working until about 6:00 last night, I played with some more Pineapple blocks. I have a customer coming today to pick up and will be 'closing' early to leave to meet the kids later. 

Empty Long Arms

Here is some of the quilting detail that went into Linda's quilt...

The front

The back

I have it all trimmed and ready to bind for her. That's this mornings project. Bleh. Before I can bind anything though I need to get out the queue sheet and get something on the two empty machines...

Here's what's on DW😧

Here's what's on Bernie😔

All three machines are currently not loaded with a thing. Foster is holding onto Linda's quilt until I move it over to the sewing table but he's not getting anything loaded anyway since he's leaving a week from tomorrow. I finished Lynettes quilt and need to get a hold of her later to let her know it's finished. 

So today is a bit of a change from the norm, which can be good. At times.

I constructed three more Pineapple blocks last night after doing work stuff then all of that needed to be cleared off to make room for this morning's binding task. Funnily enough, todays IG prompt is 'binding'. I'll be snapping pics to post for later. 

Digitized Edge to Edge

I have a computer (the Pro Stitcher) that drives all the edge-to-edge motifs on customer quilts. If they request it. I don't like using it. I'm not in control, and whenever I leave the room, the thread will break and then all that's happening is hole poking. 

I'd rather just drive myself and have the control I favor over robotics. However, sometimes I can't convince a customer to just let me drive (they want a specific themed motif or whatever) and so the Pro Stitcher is called to duty.

Today is a Pro Stitcher day. I've gotten up early and will be starting said machine as soon as I get the blog done. I have to sit and babysit DW while the thing is running so I can correct any errors during stitch out. UGH. Not my jam that's for sure.

Meanwhile, Lynettes Tilda Snowmen are just about done. I have one small border to finish and will get that done once I'm convinced DW is going to behave himself during his time at work.

After "working" I was able to get my bag done and here's the result...

I love, love, love this bag!

Here are all the dividers and my zippered pocket inside...

See the zippered pocket?

I started two more blocks on the Pineapple top but that was about it for my day. I got pretty tired even before 7:00 (????). I think this cold, windy, snow weather was getting to me?

Mom is stopping by later today after her art meeting and she'll just love the noise DW is making while he's stitching out this quilt today. NOT! But that's my job and she'll just have to accept that fact. Maybe that's why she doesn't come over more often?

A Little Bit More

I'm up to the construction portion of the main bag and lining. This is where things always go a little sideways for me...

Ready to sew together

It won't be this step or the boxing step that will throw me. It's when I have to put the two pieces together. And chances are that won't happen tonight.

I have a customer coming this morning. The wind is howling and we have to take the girls for their annual heart worm check and physicals later this afternoon. We received about an inch of snow last night; I miss how pretty everything looks after a snow during the summertime. 

I'm going to get Lindas top on DW basted in and set up to go first thing tomorrow. After that's done, I'm going to continue on with Lynette's Tilda Snowmen on Bernie. I can't chance starting the E2E on DW because of the winds and the chance of losing power. 

And MSU is on to the next round of tournament play beating New Mexico last night. Go Green!

I Don't Know Why...

...on the weekends I really don't like to piece. I love to long arm, but Foster is "put away" until Marty arrives in another week or so.

I also love to make smaller one to two day projects but before I could get out into the studio we spent the better part of mid-day getting phones transferred, music moved, phones deleted, and cases ordered. What a pain in the rear. 

While we were spending time doing all of that this arrived...

I finally have a clock in the studio

After getting the phones back to where everybody wanted them I wandered out to the studio to see what I could drum up. This is what I found...

I could use a summer bag

I've gotten to page two on the four-page set of instructions. BUT, I'm going to modify the inside to include a zipped pocket. This should be interesting since I don't really know what the heck I'm doing. But hey, this is what YouTube is for. 

Wish me luck! Oh, and Go Green since we won our game on Friday. We are up against New Mexico at 8:00 tonight and hope the Spartans can keep it going. 

Happy 39th Birthday and Technology

Our eldest turns 39 today. Actually, he turned 39 during the MSU game last night while in Cleveland since he was born at 12:56 a.m. and the game never started until 10:00. 

Andrew is the one on the right. Caleb is left and as usual, Ben is in the middle

While they were headed to Cleveland for said game, Jim and I were at the Verizon store getting our new phones. What a pain! We actually closed the store because the first phone they brought out for me was defective (locked itself). 

I have just transferred all the apps from my old phone (which Jim now has) and have to get ready to transfer the music library from the Mac. UGH, I could think of better things to do today. 

New phone

I need to check out the pattern for what I need to do for next weekends coat-making class once I get through all of this who-who. Not sure what the rest of the day will entail, but I'm sure something sewing. 

Happy First Day of Spring

It's sunny. The birds are singing. And the temps are at 29 degrees. Yep, early spring in Michigan. 

I have three sets of customers coming today. Thankfully I've gotten the Floral Felicity done and can chip away at the Tilda Snowmen on Bernie between appointments. 

One Final Pic

I do have the back frame ironed and the quilt is sitting in wait for me to get the E2E set on DW. This is a big quilt (104"-ish) and will take some time to get stitched out.

Isn't this gorgeous?

Today is the first day MSU plays in the NCAA tournament in Cleveland. I'm wearing my lucky Izzone sweatshirt and hopefully we can advance to the next bracket. Go Green!

Day Five

This will be our final day together. This Floral Felicity will be finished and of course, on a cold day, I'll be switching back over to Bernie while I frame iron the next back going onto DW. You know, more furnace runs with cold weather. Oh well, more breaks I guess.

It's actually snowing outside. Anyway, here's another block framed in before getting the inside quilting done...

Final Floral pic (until the next one is loaded)

Yesterday's IG prompt was thread. Actually, I later discovered it was tools, but thread is one of my favorite tools, so here's a few of my threads...

So Fine

Glide and Bottom Line

Glide

I only use three types of thread now. So Fine! and Bottom Line by Superior Threads and Glide by Filtec. I not only long arm with So Fine, but I've switched to using it while piecing. The Bottom Line and Gide 60 weights make great bobbin thread. I do have to have some smaller spools of Aurifil for Lilo (the small retreat machine), but these are all I use anymore. They are little to low lint and they perform well in ALL my machines.

Remember yesterday when I said I wasn't expecting any customers. HA! The phone and the Ring were all fired up yesterday with people. I received three more quilts in and I have three appointments for tomorrow. I'm not going to say anything about today. Nope. Not gonna happen. 

Day Four

Yep, I remember now that these Floral Felicity tops take about five days total to complete. Today is day four, but IF nobody comes over today, I may be able to get her wrapped up since I've been working an extra two to three hours a day on it.

Here's some more eye candy...

Without the center sections quilted

I hadn't yet quilted in each of the flowers, but here's one of the backgrounds quilted out. Same routine today. Isn't my life exciting? Actually, it may not be exciting, but it's damn rewarding and very relaxed.