Nope. He Didn't Settle

Here's some of the quilting going into the United States appliqué piece...

Wandering Feathers for a Fill

I've finished quilting this and DW still isn't settled in. Meaning, he's going back to Lansing on Saturday. Jim has to pick up some venison and chickens, so he'll swing by Gall on his way to the B's. I'll be at retreat. I have a great husband who's willing to do this for me! That's another one of the items I need to deal with today; getting DW stripped back down for shipping. 

Here's what's on Bernie today...

Mary's pretty couch throw

I probably won't be able to show you the quilting in this one as I've (once again) matched threads too well. Maybe if the sun comes through the west window later this afternoon I can grab some texture. 

At some point I have to drop what I'm doing and start getting ready for retreat. Which starts tomorrow. Haven't done a thing to prep for this except order that insert for Jay so I can do some sit-down quilting. I've already been called about picking up two quilt tops while I'm there from another attendee so this isn't just a pleasure cruise. 

Settling In

 I called my dealer about DW's basting issue and he said he noticed there was a slight issue there, but seemed to only happen to him once. He thinks after DW "settles in" it'll rectify itself. I'm not so sure. I don't want to risk messing up a customer quilt, so I have another one of mine on him and I'll work through this today while I'm frame ironing the next one going onto Bernie.

An applique of the U.S.

The "secret" quilt is done so Bernie is now freed up. Jim and I had to make some minor adjustments to his frame since he's pinching in the middle, causing me erratic quilting. Not cool.

Another rainy/cloudy day today. But we really needed this rain. We were at a very high fire possibility because things were so dry. 

Today is also election day. Jim and I will go vote tonight when he gets home from work. I need to do a little lunch time research to see where I'm going with all of this. I can't this morning as the computer has an update it wants to do and I have quilting jobs to deal with. 

Retreat Week(s)

To prepare for the two upcoming retreats I'll be attending, I needed some more leggings. And tops. Jim and I finally broke down and purchased a Costco membership and wow, can that place be overwhelming. We've learned something about Costco and that's to not go there on a Sunday. What. A. Zoo!  

But I found four new pairs of leggings, three new heavy weather tops as well as some other fun things. We'll be shopping there for Christmas that's for sure. 

Anyway. here's another block for Bee Happy. The pokey-things coming out of the top are pins and they'll be given pin heads when I quilt this piece. 

Rain expected all day today. Usually when we have icky weather I get very few customers. I'm hoping to get the "secret" quilt done today and I have to call Gall about this "catch" in the basting stitch DW is having issues with. Hopefully he won't have to go back down next weekend and it's something I can fix here.

I'm Still Here

Along with Friday's secret quilting, I worked on this block on the Bee Happy...

Bee Hive

I also received these in the mail...

So Fine! Thread

It was a good thing it came too because I needed that orange for the secret quilt. 

Yesterday we did this...

Ignore the quilt...how about the machine?

DW is back home! Ya know, every time I bring him back home, it's like learning him all over again. This time his little quirk is not wanting to really stitch long stitches with the up/down button. But his regular stitches are beautiful. ???? I'll have to call tomorrow to find out the possible reason for this. 

I threw this top on (one of mine from the October retreat) and did an E2E. I hadn't done an E2E with the new tablet yet, and I knew if DW was going to be a turd, this was the time he'd do it. 

He quilted beautifully.

He only had two or three thread breaks, and I think it was my fault for getting the backing too tight. When he's perfectly timed, this happens. After he loosens up (a few million stitches in) then he's a little more flexible and I can crank that back pretty taught. 

I'm going to get this off the frame this morning and fiddle with the little "issue" of those long stitches. I had to rethread him when we got him back on the frame. I probably messed that up since I haven't had to thread this machine in like, forever.  

Happy Halloween

And it's 66 degrees outside. I remember Halloweens where we were handing out candy in full winter garb. This year it'll be full costumes instead of those obscured by coats, hats, and mittens. 

We don't get trick-or-treaters here. Too off the beaten path I suppose. The next quilt is on Bernie...

Can you see it?

This is a secret quilt. Here's what I can tell you about it: It's next years Shop Hop quilt and the fabrics are pretty nice. It's finishing at a decent twin-sized measurement and I'm quilting this one a little loose so in case others want theirs quilted the same way, I'm not having to put in six days worth of work. I'll be working on this today and probably tomorrow. But I can't show you what I'm doing per the customer/creator of next years pattern.

In the meantime, I'll feed pics of other stuff I'm working on. Here's a small project I completed last night...

A crochet hook pouch

I'm getting back into crocheting now that I've watched a couple of dozen videos getting my head on straight about how to turn and make the rows consistent. I love to crochet. It's a lot better than playing mind-numbing games on my iPad at night. And, there are so many beautiful yarns out there! I made up this pattern based on another pouch I gave away a while ago that Jims aunt made. Turned out pretty nice considering I don't really sew-sew. Ya know?

Something is going on down the road from us a little way and it's very loud. Sounds like they are either dumping gravel or chipping up brush. I can't tell which since it's back in the woods a bit. Or, at least I think it is. 

Another One Done

Elleens quilt is finished. It's still on the frame, but the quilting is complete. 

Rays from the center star

Can you even see the quilting?

I'll off load this morning and then get the next one started while I'm trimming/billing this one. See, this is the benefit of having two long arms. I would be working on DW while frame ironing the back for what's going on Bernie next. I'm spoiled I guess.

I did work on Bee Happy last night, but the next block is a big one and I've still got four circles left to blanket stitch. Circles take forever! Another unseasonably warm day expected today (mid to high 70's), so I'm back in my summer clothes. I thought we were done with all of that for the year!?

Lunch With a Friend

I have a pretty regular customer who came to drop off yesterday. She is also becoming quite a nice friend and she treated me to a wonderful lunch yesterday. What a pleasure to spend some time away from the studio for a few hours with great company. 

She also has a long arm but doesn't find it very enjoyable. So, I reap the benefits. When she arrived she brought me presents...

Look at this!

A pretty nice thread haul, some of which I use everyday. Some of them I've never tried (Wonderfil), and she even included some prewound bobbins for both the long arm and the DSM's. I don't have a lot of friends (I'm not easy to earn trust), but what friends I do have are pretty great!

I'll be working on Elleens quilt most of the day today. I am about a quarter of the way through it but, as I've said before, getting the rhythm and the feel of what needs to get put into it is always the biggest hurdle. Once that's established, things move along rather quickly.