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!

BIG DAY!

Lauren showed up a little after 10:00 this morning and guess what he's up to?

Getting Bernie's frame put together

Looking better but still not there

It's a slow process, but Bernie is at least on the frame now. Still lots to do; getting the poles put on, adding the leaders, the ruler base, and all the ratchets for the poles have to be aligned. I'll be playing tonight on this beautiful baby! 

No other quilting related activity over the weekend. The funeral service Saturday took all day. Yesterday we washed the garage door, Jim cleaned the downstairs shower head, I moved things away from the corner where Lauren is working to give him "construction" space and we binge watched movies all afternoon. 

This afternoon I'll have to put the studio back to rights, move everything back in that was taken out for construction space, and, well, actually work a little bit. 

Show Goodies

Well, I did it. I think. Still trying to get the financing end of things worked out, but I purchased a second long arm. And another no-frills piecing machine. And Jim bought me a Critter Cutter for my birthday. DW got a new set of leaders sitting here waiting for me to put on. I purchased two new patterns for Caleb and Lia's new apartment, and we got to meet up with old and new friends and customers. We stopped by moms on our way through Gladwin and finally got home around 8:30. What. A. Day!

Linda's quilt is still on the frame, but we had errands to do this morning starting with getting the girls. From there it was off to Pieces to drop off brochures, run to the produce stand for tomatoes, pick up the new (used) snow blower, stop by the butcher to get chicken breasts, and then back home to unload said snow blower out of the back of the truck. It was well past lunch time when we got everything done. 

I'm just getting on the machine now but thought I better at least share the news about the new machine coming. 

Now I have to think of two new names for these machines. I think the Elna (this machine is exactly like my Janome 1600P but cuter) will be named Ellie, but the new long arm (a Bernini Q20 on a 10' Frame) still needs a name.