It's Too Early

Even my computer is misbehaving this morning because it's too darn early. 

A fun new border treatment

Following the lines for quilting

I"m having fun playing with the piece I'm working yesterday and today. Diane gives me free rein and so I get to experiment with new motifs. Once work was done I continued with what I started last night. 

I got all the white (background) cut last night topping over 600 pieces. 

Time for some fun. This is the fat quarter bundle going into the next project. The sun last night was shining through (well, trying to shine through my very dirty window) onto the pressing table. At the angle the autumn/spring sun beams fall every wrinkle in the fabric is visible. 

I started using the Acorn on the fabrics to pretreat but found it wasn't doing a whole lot. I mean, it was easing the very light creases, but those deep creases were not coming out. 

Science experiment time (while I had the sun in my favor), I got all my pretreats out to see which one worked the best on fat quarters that have been folded and squished into that cellophane for who knows how long? 

Let me tell ya, this is one of those examples where the most expensive isn't always the best. That $1.49 can of starch outdid the other two by almost double. I know starch gets a bad wrap (attracts bugs, sticky, etc.) but I"m not planning on going on a picnic with the quilt I'm building and quite honestly, after the first wash, the stuff comes out of the quilt so it's not going to be there forever. AND, we don't have bugs in our house since we treat for them every other month. 

I'm kind of disappointed in my findings actually. I was hoping the Best Press would have been the winner since you can get it in so many scents and it's not as gummy on the dispenser as the Acorn. It was the last place winner. Unfortunately. 

Okay, why am I up so early? I have a very busy day. Right now I"m heading to my annual physical. Once home, I'm heading to Au Gres for a fabric sale a fellow guild member is having; $2/yard . We have to get groceries tonight, Jim has food pantry, and we have an appointment in Midland to look at a pontoon at 5:30. I'll get some quilting done in between all of that. I hope. 

Date Day

Jim and I still try to date. Sometimes it's nothing more than getting groceries and then a mini mixer after at Culvers. We had a hot day on Thursday when we went to get groceries and so Culvers was out. Last night he took me to the Country Corner (I think that's its name) and we got an ice cream there. It was very yummy!

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

Those echos take a long time to work

Each of the echo's are a start and a stop so they take a while to get in there but they are so worth it. The customer who stopped by yesterday was in la-la land admiring them. 

After working all day and going to the ice cream parlor afterwards we came home and I did a Love Letter block. I was also able to get in another pinwheel. From there I did this cowboy boot...

Out in the desert

I was able to get the binding finished on the puppy quilt for Paul...

Woof!

Once of my fellow long armers located in Canada is doing a block-by-block quilt along over the next 19 weeks. Sam and I quilt nearly identically and she's a relatively new find in my long arm world. She's basing this quilt-along using grids with the blocks and solid fabrics as her background. Guess what I pulled last night?

Angela Walters has a quilt-along she's hosting also starting in July. I have to purchase the panel to play along but I just don't have the money right now to do that. Which is unfortunate because this one is a feather-featured quilt along and if you know me at all you know I love to do feathers!

Jim is off to do some volunteer work at the food bank this morning. He was able to get my bell polished yesterday while he was in town. Doesn't it look marvelous?

I'll be playing ALL DAY in the studio. First, I'll be making those 12 1/2" blocks out of those solids I pulled. I'm going to do some long arming on DW on the Fireworks top, make a Love Letter block, do a cowboy boot and then start piecing the quilt-along blocks together. 

I won't be able to get that on the frame for a while, but each block needs to be pre-marked and that takes some time so I'll be ready in a few weeks when I can jump in and catch up with Sam on the quilt-along. 

Projects

The neighbors to our south had their barn erected over the last week. I don't know if it's entirely done, but it's a new structure. We are getting a new set of stairs going down to the lake. This is our current going-to-the-lake situation...

Not real safe

The trees you see to the left are Oaks. They leave acorn caps all over the yard and are very ouchy when trying to get down to the water. We have it staked and the lumber (seen at the top of the hill) ready for Joe to start probably tomorrow.

In my construction world, I'm still working on the Floral Felicity on Marty. Remember, this is an eight-day  project on the long arm. I'm just past the half-way point. In other projects, I've saved the Pineapples for retreat work and have started something new on the sewing machine.

Remember this?

Jim picked this up for me at Seven Sisters in Carson City a few months ago. I read through the directions now twice (which I never do) but it's a different type of quilt than I normally construct. The suggestion was to make a test block first...

A test block

Since I figured that out pretty well, I was confident I could move forward. I cut all the quad and arcs out last night and I'll work on the wedges later this afternoon after I get done with long arming for the day...

The dark at the top is actually a very dark green

No customers expected today. Jim has finished skinning Virginias quilt meaning we need to get to Pieces tomorrow to see if we can find a replacement wide back. The deck on our back door needs to be replaced to he'll be working on his material list for that. 

We also have to head to East Lansing to pick up DW. They think they have figured out his issue and I'm going to spend a good amount of time on him to see how he behaves. Hopefully he'll be able to come back home with us. Afterwards, and on our way home, we'll pick up the lumber for the back deck. 

Getting Mom To Ireland

Mom leaves today for her adventure in Ireland. We have to run in and take her to her pick up location. This way, her car isn't sitting outside for 13 days, unattended, at the parking lot where she is to get on the bus headed to DTW. And, we have other errands to do ourselves.

I did get my Temperature quilt caught up to date and this is what it's looking like so far...

I love how the warm days are integrating themselves in here

I picked this pattern up last week at Elm Creek...

I'm planning on working on this during the retreat next weekend. It's a gift for the neighbors little boy who just got a puppy a few weeks ago.

And they say making a quilt is easy...

All the backgrounds, ears, noses, tongues, and bone fabrics are cut. Each dog is going to be a different color and I'll start those later this afternoon when we return home from our errands. Since I'll be out of the studio all of next weekend, I'm making a Sunday exception today. 

And, for the first time in a month, I did not turn one of the long arms. I feel like I'm slacking. 😜

An All Marty Day

Despite my good intentions of working partially on Bernie yesterday, that didn't happen. I was on Marty all day working through the Stars and Shadows. The day didn't start out well though.

The passive aggressive text received Friday morning was still on my mind and when long arming, you are provided with a lot of 'windshield' time. Truckers go through this same thing. The mind wanders and it's work that doesn't require a lot of concentration.

Apparently mine did because before noon yesterday I had to pull three sets of threads back out of what I was working on. I don't think I've pulled threads three times all last month, let alone in one morning. 

I did get Diane's quilt set on Bernie though...

Cute giraffe top

Designs are still being formulated in my head. I have some of it worked through, but have some areas that I haven't settled on yet. I'll think about it while I work on Marty some more today. 

After work I did my strip, made a caddy, made three scrappy goodness blocks, prepped the next jelly roll for more scrap happy blocks, and then I was done with what I wanted to work on. I have a pattern I've wanted to get started for a while. 

There is a LOT of prep work in this top...

I'm going to make the largest setting (4 x 5) the pattern offers instead of this throw they show on the cover. I want to get the checkered blocks done before moving along to all the appliqué stuff. BUT, I misread the directions and thought one fat quarter bundle (20 different fabrics) would be enough. I actually need two fat quarter bundles. 

And of course the Riley Blake fabric I used for the checkers is already out of print since it was created in 2022. Meaning, I'm going to have to improvise somewhat. I'll see what I have in my stash before heading to the quilt shops. 

Something New

Aside from our new grand daughter entering the world, I've tried something new piecing-wise (the Luminary) and I wasn't all jazzed about the process. $15 wasted on a pattern that didn't bring me joy. I googled scrap/striped quilts yesterday and ran across this pattern...

It's not as pretty in black and white (I opted to not print in color), but stunning when completed.

The pattern cover

The pattern was relatively inexpensive, and it's a scrap buster for sure. I'm choosing to do mine in red, white, and blues, although, will probably make another once I figure out and feel comfortable for the way I'm putting it together.

Some initial pulls

I've only ever done one block using freezer paper in the FPP method. I'm a very avid FPP-er and have even taken classes (Judy Niemeyer) to solidify my love for the craft. However, burning through needles using paper, which dulls them, and removing all the papers, which is another step and hassle, wasn't the best part of it. 

Social media kept pointing me towards using freezer paper. I printed out all the blocks (37 of them) and then transferred what was printed onto freezer paper using good old fashioned pen and ruler. I watched a few videos on how to do this as it has been a while since trying it last.

The results are much more satisfying and here's the first block...

A win!

I've already started my second block because I think I'm hooked. I love working on this (unlike the luminary blocks) and was excited to get into the studio today to work on more. It looks like a simple string block, but if you look at the pattern, it's much more than that.

Here's today's Evelyn picture from Germany...

Isn't she just the cutest?

She definitely has her daddy's nose but looks a lot like a miniature Lia (her mom). 

Not a Quick Project

The sewing machine is constructed in three parts. Some of these parts are tiny, tiny, tiny. Between Saturday afternoon and yesterday morning, I was able to get 2/3's of the first three machines assembled. There are 12 machines in all and these are the easier blocks to make (according to the pattern writer). 

That's okay, I'll just keep chipping away at it a little at a time. I'm in no hurry. 

So not my colors but I'm loving them regardless

More work on Patty's quilt today. It may be a done situation before close of business if I really hunker down. I need to get it finished before leaving on Thursday.

Oh, did I mention that? Our second annual Cincinnati pilgrimage is Thursday. Mom and I go visit my brother instead of him having to come up here all the time for the weekend. We are cutting it a day short this year because of her pacemaker appointment a week from today.

So, logistically it's my Wednesday this week. But Happy Cinco de Mayo if you celebrate it!

Just Couldn't Resist

The last thing I need to be doing is making another quilt top. Despite my previous blatherings about not starting something new before the Pineapple quilt was done...well...

This is a must

The quilt on the far, south wall of the studio has been up nearly a year now. It's time to replace it. This one is perfect and while I love the Tilda fabrics, have never made anything out of them. Pieces had a kit with all the necessary fabrics and I dove right in after lunch. We never did make it to Bittersweet but I got a fair amount of books to get me through the summer from the library sale. 

I have the top portion of the sewing machines all constructed; the easiest of all the segments needed. All the background pieces are also cut for the entire sewing machine area and will only have to cut the colored pieces as I go.

The neighbors are getting a new roof and it sounds like we've walked into a Latino party with the music they are jamming to out there. Don't know if they'll be working tomorrow since it's Cinco de Mayo. 

Taking the Girls

We had errands to do after getting morning chores done and we took the girls with us. Something we haven't done in a while, but we weren't going to be in any one place any too long. They were so tuckered out when we got back home they were very quiet the rest of the day. They get so excited going bye-bye.

One of the stops was Pieces of Thyme to pick up some background fabric for this new project...

The newest project

After lunch and a movie or two, I headed out to the studio to read the directions for this project and started cutting the background pieces...

Backgrounds all cut

Jim was out in the workshop cutting and making shim pieces for the two north/south long arms. DW is wearing his latest "heels"...

A new set of shims

During our second movie the medium I had purchased Friday for the Girl with the Pearl Earring was applied. Here's a before and after treatment with said medium...

Before

After

Yep, just some fabric medium on those InkTense pencils brings out the life of the party.

Not sure where I'm headed today but it'll be low-keyed. 

Bobbins

I had a bobbin in my bobbin case that was empty and used that to wind the thread I needed for this quilt (I didn't already have one of that color in the case). I can always tell when I need to replace bobbins because they start "crunching" when getting down to about the last 1/3. I then realized I need to order more bobbins because all of mine are becoming dated and questionable. Jim asked me how they go bad and I couldn't give him a decent answer other than they are made out of aluminum and are exposed to high speeds/heat so eventually they just conk out. 

I did work kind of late last night, and then I came to a section eluding my creative juices. I thought I would think about it while working on another Koala. I have since come up with a partial idea, but still stuck on the center portion. 

Meanwhile, Here's some of the quilting going into Lindas quilt...

Top Section

Working my way down

I haven't even hit the one-quarter way mark and I have two sets of customers coming today. Yesterday's customers rescheduled for today since we received a "freak" snow event that made roads a little dicey. 

Once my foot begged me to get off of it (yes, still dealing with that) and I ran out of quilting ideas, I started on the second Koala and managed to get him completed.

Now there's two!

Aren't these just the cutest? If I run out of stuff to do at retreat, these will definitely be going with me. I'm kind of getting it down to a system already, but noticed I did not cut enough of one of the backgrounds. Good thing I have enough left overs to remedy that. 

Speaking of retreats, I thought I had two weeks before leaving and as it turns out, it starts Wednesday. Like in five days. Oops. Now I'm really feeling the pressure on the quilt above. Nails this morning and then between customers I'll be working this late again I think. 

Deadlines

I've addressed this subject before. Deadlines are an artists enemy. They create undo stress and we find ourselves trying to cut corners when trying to meeting those deadlines. Maybe putting a motif in, while nice looking, may not be exactly what should be put into the space it's being placed because it takes longer to work. 

I try to avoid this situation. I check and double check my queue sheet to make sure all that needs to be done is done with plenty of time to do it. Except recently. Something slipped through the cracks, and while I haven't exactly missed my deadline, it's looming quickly and I've found myself in a bit of a stressful situation making sure I've met what is expected of me.

So, Bernadettes quilt on Bernie is on hold until further notice. I quickly quilted out Anns train quilt...

Trains galore!

I downloaded this E2E pattern from Urban Elemenz and it turned out so stinking cute!

Trains, tracks, and a crossing signal

While that was stitching out I worked the Yoder Sisters on Jay and cut for the first block in the Koala quilt top...

New Project

Here's the first block...

Number one of 12

I wish the leaves showed up a little better on that background, but it is what it is. While I was working this last night I was frame ironing and setting up for that imminent deadline quilt...

Linda's Twisted Tapestry

This quilt is done in Kaffe fabrics and will be stunning once it's quilted...not that it isn't already. I've sketched most of the center section out (taking it from this exact pic), but I still have to work the border areas into a cohesive motif with what I've planned for the center. 

Two customers expected today to pick up. These two are very friendly and we always end up visiting for a spell. That's probably why I'm up early and plan on getting some quilting in on Lindas quilt before they arrive. I may be working super late over the next few days. Maybe even Saturday. 

Unexpected snow overnight and still this morning; about an inch so far but the temps have risen to above zero at least.  

Anybody Out There?

I posted the milestone (ya know, 100 million stitches) on IG last night and absolutely nobody responded. I find that odd.

Oh well. The long arm clinic went well yesterday and lasted until well into lunchtime. I started in on Bernadettes quilt on Bernie right after lunch and in between heater runs I loaded the next quilt onto DW (will post later) and picked threads out for the Yoder Sisters for sit-down work. I also started picking fabrics for the next project (I'm not going to do the Pineapple scrap quilt just yet). 

Here's some of the work going into Millies dresses for Bernadette...

Love the texture

The Yoder Sisters are under the needle...

Getting them quilted down

And here's the next project in the very beginning stages...

Another Elizabeth Hartman pattern

I picked this up at the rummage sale in Shipshewana this last November for $2. I couldn't pass it up and since I'm deeming 2025 'Shop Your Stash' year (I guess a few others out there are doing this too), I'm going to use up some of the many batiks I have in-house. The background is a nice medium teal with lighter leaves woven in and ALL of the fabrics are right here in the studio. No need for any monetary outlay and all I've gotten into the whole thing so far is the pattern. Yay!

I have a new customer coming this morning. She has a memory quilt I need to look at made out of denim. I may not take this project on. I'll have to take a look and see what's what with it but she indicated it was made from her late Uncles jeans. Hmmmm?? 

Frigid temps again this morning. Minus 2 at daybreak with a southeasterly wind that's becoming rather brisk. So blessed to have a warm house/studio to keep us comfortable and all of us safe. 

Brrrrrrrrr!

It's snow crunching cold out there this morning. This is one of those weeks where I'm glad I don't have to get bundled up, warm up the truck, put on clothes I hate, and have to brave the weather to go to a useless job. 

I'll be working more on Anns quilt today. I'm nearly half-way completed with it and now that I have all the motifs decided upon and got my groove, it should go faster.

Jim and I discussed the whole heater-placement-near-Bernie thing and we've decided to just leave it. I'll have to do alternative work the six minutes it runs every 45 minutes or so. We have dedicated plug issues and the esthetics of the room would be severely compromised. 

After working a little late, and while the heater was running, I was planning for the next project. I got fabrics pulled and cut before turning Bernie off for the night. I did get a little Foster time in there as well, but that quilt still isn't finished. 

Here's the next project I'm going to do...

Isn't this cute?

We live on the outskirts of a huge Amish community and have used them for much of the supplies in the new studio. There is piecing and appliqué both in this decent sized wall hanging. I've already pieced the first block the girls are "looking" at, but the appliqué portion is going to slow me down as there is a LOT of detail in there.

Another One Ready

I have three tops to make at retreat so far...

Doesn't look like much, does it?

The third set of blocks I was working on Friday and Saturday was finished yesterday while Jim was watching his Spartan basketball game. Not sure what I'm going to start next. Mom bought me a couple of things for my birthday, but I'm lacking supplies for both (fusible and some base fabric). 

I do have another small appliqué thing in my bag-o-projects that I may delve into since I have enough fusible (or rather, the right kind of fusible) for that project.

Misty Fuse isn't going to be an option for the first one mentioned above. It's expensive and I need seven yards of the stuff. Not to mention I've noticed the fabric frays with it. I don't want this to be stiff (ruling out most paper-backed fusible), and I don't want it to gum up my needle. I'm going to ask Sharon next time I see her what she recommends since she taught the class over at Bittersweet. 

I'll be working Anns quilt on Bernie today and hopefully finishing the one I have on Foster after the work day is done. 

Another New Project

My husband, Jim, loves to do puzzles. Now that we have an actual dining room table (only used about three times a year) he has a surface to work on. He has two Spartan puzzles from last year and this year both to work. I asked him if he liked starting them or finishing them; what was his favorite part? He said all three phases (start, working, and ending) were enjoyable.  

I'm the same way with my quilt projects. I love all the facets of working a project from picking fabric, to cutting it out, piecing, quilting (probably my favorite), and yes, even binding (least favorite). 

Here's a new project I started yesterday after going to Pieces and getting that dark, dark blue I needed for the background colors.

This is going together fast!

I'm going to work that some more today while Jim works his puzzle(s). We should go in and visit mom, but I just need a day to "play" and relax. We're eating our New Years crab legs today (we were still both sick to eat them earlier) and going to snuggle with the girls while watching it snow every so lightly out the living room windows. 

Undecorating

The house is officially undecorated. Jim still has lights, a wreath, and some giant Christmas bulbs to remove outside, but the inside is put back to rights. Except for moving the computer which I'll do here shortly. 

I did start a new project Saturday. I didn't have enough fabric to do anything larger than a baby-size quilt top, but here's the center sections...

Pineapple type of quilt top

I'm using Kona snow for the background and a Kaffe Jelly Roll for the colorful sections. This is going to turn out so pretty.

And, it's back to the normal schedule today. I'll be on DW working on Janice's quilt. I'm still not up to my usual long days on the long arm so I'll work as long as I possibly can and take plenty of breaks to try to get back up to speed. 

Haven't had a pic of the girls in a while so here they are just relaxing this weekend...

Pretty girls

Lucy looks less than impressed, but I finally got a decent pic of Hazel. She often will not cooperate when I bring out the camera. 

That Time of Year

About this time of year I start collecting fabric and patterns for quilts I'd like to make throughout the winter since I seldom go anywhere during the cold months. We took advantage of the beautiful day yesterday and headed over to Elm Creek to see what I could find for more background fabric for Bee Happy. And pick up anything else that caught my eye.

Here's my haul...

A few goodies

A new pattern book for a Double Wedding Ring, which is one of the last quilts on my bucket list. I'm going to attempt one. Background fabrics for Bee Happy, and a pattern/jellyroll/background fabric for a cool star-like quilt. 

I've been picking up things here and there. The Produce Section is one of those examples and what I hauled yesterday is another. I should have enough to keep me amused through about April. Or just about anyway. 

Saturday, after coming home from the art show, I met the mailman and my box arrived with the thread order placed last week, so DW is going to be cranking most of today. Well, it depends on which of the two quilts (DW's or Bernies) are from the Oscoda group because I have to head up there tomorrow night. I'll take with me anything I can. 

Screaming

Last night, just before heading to bed, I let the girls out. I always go out with them to look at the stars, look for auroras, see what wildlife is prowling down at the beach, and to make sure the girls don't get face to face with a skunk. 

Talk about screaming. And then a slight purring sound. It was on foot because it was going back and forth near our two docks. Once it realized I was out there, it scooted down the beach to the north. I researched this sound to see what the heck it was. 

Apparently our fox is still in residence. It was her calling out for a mate. I guess they don't actually mate until December or January, but they establish territories and find their potential suitor so when the time arrives, he'll be in the area.

But her scream was enough to keep me up very late last night. I'm a little bleary eyed this morning, but alas, I've already gotten chores out of the way and am already heading into the studio. Kathy's quilt is done and I'm frame ironing for the next one; Judy's Pickle Dish.

Still no thread, but I'll track the order at lunch to see where it is. While frame ironing last night I worked on the "new" version of Lori Holts Bee Happy top. Here are the blocks, side by side showing the interfacing method and the Misty Fuse version...

Left...ick! Right...Very nice!

I still wasn't through Judy's back, and Jim was out working on the ice guard on the east side of the studio, so proceeded with the next three blocks...

The left one is a little far apart, but I'll take it

I'm not in any hurry to finish this quilt, so I'll take my time working on it. I received a distraction in the mail yesterday though...

A long-time want

I've eyed this quilt for almost a year now. When the pattern came, I received two of them for some reason. I have to check my invoice to see if I inadvertently selected two instead of just one. Otherwise, somebody coming through will grab the extra. 

Didn't Get the UofM Quilt Done

And MSU only won with one second left on the clock and a field goal to give us the W. See...bad juju. However, Michigan lost and so maybe it isn't such bad juju after all.

I started on this while Jim was watching the game... 

Lori Holt's Bee Happy Quilt

I've had the fabrics for over a year, but hadn't gotten the templates to work on this. Tina, from Bittersweet Quilt Shop ordered them for me and Jim picked them up on Friday. Unbeknownst to me, I also needed some bias tape makers, so I ordered those yesterday via Amazon. There are other blocks I can make without them though.

I'll still continue to cut out pieces for the cottage quilt. That's one of those projects I can take to retreat next month because it's relatively mindless sewing/piecing. I did complete the 25 partials from earlier this week, so now I have more than 40 made. 

Unfortunately today I will not be in the studio at all. We are leaving here in about 45 minutes for Lansing to celebrate Bens birthday. That's a whole day shot in the arse. It's a four-hour turn and then the time at the restaurant with all the kids/grandkids. We will probably end up over to their house after we eat, which is more time away.