Still Smokey

Yesterday was pretty bad with the smoke. I had to light a few candles in the house to dissipate the bit that was coming in with the dogs. Or lack of a seal tight house. It helped.

After getting Virginia's Pickle Dish quilt off of Bernie (and all the post-quilting stuff that goes along with removing a customer quilt from the frame) I jumped on Marty and started working Ginny's third quilt; Laura Heines Houses. Here's some of the work going into the borders...

"Roads" and arcs

When I'm working a customer quilt I see every millimeter of the quilt even if it's an edge to edge design. I check for seam threads and any other abnormality that may pop up. This is what I found yesterday...

Seams pulling apart

I called to let her know (as I usually do unless it's something minor) and I'll pin and mark it for her when we ship her quilts next week.

All of today will be spent on Marty since this is taking way long than I thought. It's FPP and every seam needs to be ditched and I think I'm about 15 colors in on this one already. 

I constructed two Love Letter blocks, got row one and two together in section four and then blanket stitched a leaf block on Flower Power. DW was my next target and I was able to get the little canning table runner quilted out. I made the binding for that and had I not gotten Mike set up to work the next leaf block today, I probably would have attached it last night. Tonight maybe?

I found the next thing to go onto DW. Pressed it out. Made the back (pieced together some left over backing from previous quilts) found a batt that would work and it's ready for basting in. 

But It's A Dry Heat

I checked the temperature at Camp Verde, Arizona yesterday while my studio thermometer was climbing. They were at 94 degrees. We were at...

104 DEGREES!!!!!!!!!

Yikes. The A/C NEVER shut off yesterday. In fact, that's what woke me up this morning when it did finally shut off and the perpetual hum wasn't present (it's right below my bedroom window).

I'll be finishing Virginia's Pickle Dish quilt today. We have to run to Lansing to deliver the reunion canopies later this afternoon so there's four hours (without visiting) down and back again. It's not supposed to be as hot today, but...

I made a Love Letter block, blanket stitched a Flower Power leaf block and then removed the quilt from DW that I finished the previous night. It's bound and finished.

Once I got that put away I loaded this little table runner onto DW to go with the other table runner I'm making as a leader/ender project. 

It was so hot yesterday the guys never sprayed the lake for weeds. Can you imagine being in a tyveks suit holding a heavy hose in a 104 degrees? And people on the lake were complaining about them not coming through like they were scheduled to. Sometimes ya gotta wonder about people don't ya? 

Nearing a Milestone

I have three more quilts to long arm and I'll hit a milestone. More when I get there. 

Reunion is next weekend. Jim will be pulling the trailer out probably Sunday night or Monday morning. My life will be split between work and getting ready to go since we basically do everything that's required to run the thing. Let's not even go there. 

After getting Berndadettes quilt done on Marty (the Farmyard Friends by Lori Holt), I planned on spending the rest of the day for just me. Which I did.

While I was attaching the binding onto the first project, I had to take this pic...

There's going to be a seam in the turn

Why is it I check, check, and check again yet I seem to get a join at one or more of the corners?

Here is the table runner finished...

Welcome summer

And then, because I love binding so much 👿 I thought I'd do another one. Here's the Judy Niemeyer Woven Ribbons complete...

Woven Ribbons by Judy Niemeyer

I started working on getting the third table runner finished but after reading the pattern, decided I didn't want to production line sew 60 flappy pieces onto the pinwheels I've been building for the past month or so. I'll add flappy pieces on as I construct other blocks in the future.

All three long arms are pretty empty right now. Jim is frame ironing on Bernie for the next load and I haven't take the quilt off Marty, but there's nothing there to long arm. DW had these two above pieces removed yesterday so he's totally naked.

Once I get done with temperature blocks later this morning, something will be next on DW and it's a mystery which one will be selected. Hmmm?????

After working for the day and then receiving a [past closing time] customer for both a pick up and drop off, I finished the cowboy boot I was working on while waiting for the customer to arrive.

This one went quicker because we were talking to Andrew while working on it

I have one more cowboy boot to blanket stitch and then we can start matching up the checker board sections with the boots. 

I didn't want to fire up the iron before the customer came (no burning the customers) so moved to Love Letter block. Well, that was the last one in that row/section so now sections A, B, and C are together.

Love Letters sections a, b, and c

I may take a day off from Love Letters since I have other stuff to do today and I did so much on it yesterday. More on that in a bit. I had set up DW to do two projects at once.

Bathing Beauties

I just ran a straight line situation through that table runner (better pic later) and then I started this Judy Niemeyer table topper/wall hanging.

Getting the straight work done and now filling in

I'll work some more on that later today too. BUT, since Jim and I were out and about last Saturday and next week is the 4th, I better get the temperature quilt caught up. I also have a new quilt-along starting on Monday. It's the 9-Patch quilt-along with Natalia Bonner. She does it on a panel but I'm going to just take all the solids I have and cobble something cohesive together. 

Sort of like I did the flag bunting and table runner. Lots to do and a beautiful day to work. Sunny and mid-70's today. 

The Catalpa Tree

The Catalpa tree outside the studio window blooms for about a week this time of year. It will bloom longer if we have a decent spring/early summer but since we've been in a dry spell, it's already shedding its flowers. It started blooming on Sunday.

After working here's the cowboy boot completed...

Lightning McQueen?

I did do a Love Letter block prior to doing the cowboy boot. I moved over to DW to quilt out the flag table runner after doing cowboy boot. I was still rocking so I trimmed it up, put it on Mike to bind, and we now have a new table runner for the holiday. It's already in the dining room.

Do you wonder how many more Love Letter blocks I have to do? Well, there are 64 blocks in total, so it'll be another while since I'm currently working on section three of five. 

The quilt on Marty should be finished today if the t-storms hold out until later this afternoon. Here's crossing our fingers and toes to wish that's what happens.

It Would Have Been Nice...

...to sleep in a little bit this morning. But our friendly barking dog across the lake decided otherwise. Instead of barking through the night his owners decided we needed to be up at 6:00 this morning. I don't go to bed until around midnight, so I'm kind of tired again today.

We like to keep the A/C off as long as possible, especially since we could use heat in the morning with temps in the mid-40's of late. Having the windows open at night keeps the house cool so when we shut it up around 11:00 we don't have to use the A/C. Maybe I need to switch rooms for the summer? The other loft bedroom faces west instead of NE where the dog is. I think I may try that tonight?

Meanwhile, here's some of the quilting going into Dianes quilt...

Cross Hatch and Ribbon Candy

After lunch I rolled up the strip quilt and put it in Jims room for now. Since the machine was now free I got this prepped to baste in for maybe tonight?

Look familiar?

Since we had such a gorgeous day weather-wise yesterday, I went out and assisted Jim on this project...

Just getting started

Once we came inside for the night I made a Love Letter block and then started to blanket stitch another cowboy boot. While I'm making the Love Letter blocks, I'm also stitching and making pinwheels for this new table runner...

Picked this up at Bittersweet last week in the sale section

You can't tell from the pic but that fabric is a whole lot of garden fruits and veggies. Another day on the customer quilt above. I have guild tomorrow up in Hale so may not blog until later in the day. 

Back Home Again

The time has come to return back to a normal schedule. What an absolutely fun and laughter filled retreat we had. There were tears, in-depth discussions, information, advice, and so much laughing. Oh the laughter. I cherish the annual time with some of these ladies I won't see again until next year. 

But alas, all good things must come to an end. However, in my case, goodness continues as I get to spend the day with the big guy(s) (man and machine) who I missed terribly. Especially yesterday while I was fighting with some borders. More on that in a bit. 

Here is what I put together the first three days...

The body is complete

Yesterday I had every intention of getting this completely finished. The table and room situation had other ideas and I only got the first border on. While attempting the second border I was becoming frustrated, I messed one of them up and decided to work on it here where the thing wasn't sliding off the slippery, plastic table while trying to pin or sew. Quilting should be fun; not frustrating.

With the left over second border pieces, I made a quick Easter table runner...

Just enough for the bar during the Easter holiday

And after that was finished, I had to find something else to do. As luck would have it, I was the next name called in the raffle and there was a pillow case kit still available as a prize, so selected that to make in the time I had left with the group.

My last project for this retreat

I always leave while everybody is at dinner. I get too choked up saying good-bye and just like to sneak out before having to endure all the tears and depression. It's still sad to leave the parking lot, but it's easier without trying to drive through watery eyes. 

Until next year...

Today I'll be on Bernie continuing on with the Tilda Girls for Carla. I'll enjoy the music and hum of the machine as I do each day I'm working while watching a new light snow out the windows of the beautiful place where I create. Jim is working in the downstairs bathroom and it'll be wonderful to be able to see him all day long as I miss him terribly when I'm away. 

Flora, Flore Commercial

Jeff Foxworthy (great comedian) does this bit about the side effects of eye drops called Flora Flore. He goes through a list of nearly 50 side effects possible with the administration of the drug. Our weather is a Flora Flore commercial. This morning the temps are in the low 50's. We had thunderstorms last night and pouring rain. In January. Freezing temps and snow/rain are coming in tomorrow and the wind is howling. Again!

Meanwhile, the snowman is complete and is getting picked up this morning. More quilting that went in...

After getting that finished well after quitting time, I attached and now have a table runner for the bar.

After I was able to get that finished I started cutting out for retreat on Monday. I don't know that I'll be able to get everything cut, but I'm sure gonna try between tonight and Sunday. 

Okay, bloggers is being stupid this morning and Lynettes quilt still needs to be trimmed. Signing off for today. 

Didn't Go As Expected

Well, actually it did. Jim's mediator hearing was yesterday regarding his workmans comp and the rep for the WC said she wouldn't budge and would not grant Jim his WC. Attorneys are now involved. 

Meanwhile, quilting still occurs. Here's some more detail of what's going into the snowman...

This is the brim of the Snowman hat and his cap

Once long arming was finished for the day, moving on to the table runner in progress was next. 

Ready for binding

The binding is constructed but by the time the blanket stitching was done and the binding was made, it was time to close up shop for the day.

One more day on the Snowman and one more day on the runner before being able to start getting ready for next weeks retreat. Long arming customer stuff will still occur in the morning/afternoon but then the evening needs to be working on cutting out the next project for retreat.  

Sickness is a Part of Life

There are people all around my sphere of life who are either sick (my mom) or have acute/chronic situations (both my neighbors). My share of all of that during '25 was enough and care to not have a repeat performance in '26. 

And, today is  Jim's D-Day; the day he 'meets' with the magistrate to decide his work comp fate. The meeting starts at 10:00.

I'll be oblivious to all of it being out in the studio working on the snowman for Lynette. Here's some more quilting going into it...

Getting feathers in where possible

Snowman body treatment

I was talking to Linda about our upcoming retreat and continued to work on Lynettes quilt while doing so. Linda said she had to let me go as she needed to prepare dinner since it was past 5:00. Wow. Quilting goes faster when talking on the phone (thank you AirPods!).

After I shut down Marty for the night assembling the snowflakes was next. 

Ready to be attached

This took over an hour and a half to do

Since there isn't a long arm available right now, and since our bar needs a table runner, quilting the background on the DSM was the only possibility. Bleh I say. 

Applique in my studio is done differently than others do it. Getting the background quilted first eliminates the need to have to quilt and fit motifs around the appliqué on whatever machine is used. Now that the background is quilted, the snowflakes can be 'temporarily' attached and then blanket stitches can be added.

Pushing

I love long arming. It's my passion and I enjoy having the quilts come to life with stitches and texture. What I don't like is the pressure. I have people texting me already this morning (not even open yet) wondering where their quilts are. 

When I HAVE to do something, it puts undue pressure on me and what I love to do starts turning into a job; something I have to do because somebody else is dictating when I do it. 

If I haven't called you, your quilt is not done. I'm working as fast as an artist can work and honestly, I was dreading this Monday because I know I have quilts in the queue I've had for far too long and I'm pressured to get them done. 

Which makes me grumpy, irritable, and not wanting to actually get on the machines. My mind tries to push back the stress and fights with me on the pressure, meaning, it's less focused on doing the artistic side of quilting.

And, if I'm being honest, am thinking about not taking any more quilts at all. Yep, I have three machines. Yep, I have the business. Yep, I'm loving what I'm doing. BUT, I don't love the deadlines, the stress of having tops too long in the queue because I feel like I'm letting somebody down by not getting them done fast enough.

Well, here's what I did yesterday...

Finished!

Jim has a puzzle missing a piece on the table right now, and until he finds said piece, the table runner is a little off kilter here. 

It's back to the normal work week and I'll be cranking on a few quilts over the next seven days. I have retreat a week from today but I'll get as much work done as I can to meet expectations for others. I am only one person, and I do have other things I like to do. Remember, you're not the only customer I have, and like you I have a life too. 

Just Cloudy

For the past week, most of our weather report has stated we were just going to be cloudy. Yet, every day, we get a little snow down instead of 'just cloudy'. It's winter and winter requires snow, so I'm good with it!

After doing a crap load of errands yesterday, one of which was to drop off a quilt to Bittersweet and then of course, pick up a few things from there, we ventured in other directions and never got home until well after noon.

I did get the rest of the table runner quilted later in the day and now it's ready for binding.

Ready for binding

Hair cuts first thing this morning and now I'm headed to the studio. The girls are getting baths and Jim is going to take the tree down; the last of our Christmas duties to put the holiday to bed. 

I also realized, while Jim was cutting my hair, that I have a week before our Creative Escapes retreat at The Springs. I only have one item in the bin to work but I do have some pretty easy patterns from Shipshewana, as well as some of the fabric for said patterns, that I could work on. Hmmm??

How to Make a Sizeable Table Runner in a Day

I started this and then we took off for Bittersweet Quilt Shop. What a darling quilt shop. If you need ANY Tilda or Lori Holt fabric/items, she's your best bet to find them.  

We also did some other errands after we dropped off the quilt and are finally home. Chicken and Waffles for lunch today...my favorite!

Yesterday I had a bee up my behind to make a table runner for our dining room table. The bar also needs one and I picked up supplies for that today while at Bittersweet.

Anyway. The table runner was in the quilting process when I shut Bernie down around 8:00. I plan on finishing that today. 

Here are all the steps to completing something a little more intricate in a day. My dumb photos came in reverse as I wanted them to so start at the bottom and work your way up.

What's going in

On the frame!

Auditioning the little stars

Getting the big square together

Making HTS's (my fav...NOT)!

Pulling the fabrics

The video that started it all

I'll be working some more on this this afternoon once lunch is done and we've cleaned up the kitchen. 

Changing up the Day

I didn't get out into the studio until well after lunch yesterday. We did shopping for food and then by the time we came home and unloaded everything and made and ate lunch, it was well after noon. Jim brought me home a gingerbread house kit from his earlier trip to Lansing on Monday and I constructed that while he was out removing giant chunks of ice from our eaves...

Once that was all constructed and cleanup of said house was finished, I headed out to the studio. Finally.

Here's what I'll be working on today...

Look at all those HST's!!!

I have an idea on how the HST's are going to be quilted in my head. I have to get my preview paper out this morning to make sure it's going to flow correctly before I start this though. This quilt was made by a LQS to honor our country's 250th birthday. How cool is that?

Once I fiddled around on Bernie and got this on, I moved over to DW and removed the table runner quilted the previous night, made the binding and got it finished. It's ready to head to under the tree.

I did not feel like working on the Alaska quilt and DW had an empty frame. I noticed something I gridded out earlier this fall and decided to find a back for it (and I did), pieced said back, and started loading for the project I've been wanting to do for some time now. Do these look familiar?

Petals for the upcoming DW project

If (and this is a big if) this works out, it's going to be pretty cool. I got the idea from another long armer out there who not only quilts quilts on her machine, but uses it in other useful ways as well. I'm thinking, if she can do it, I can too. 

One customer expected today for pick up and Christmas is less than a week away. I have a LOT to do around here for gifting so I better get to work. 

At a Stand Still

I'm kind of at a long arming stand still. I finished the Sue Spurge yesterday at closing time. Now, I'm frame ironing two backs...

Bernie and Marty sitting in wait

I have the table runner quilted...

So until I pick the next project to get onto DW nothing is sitting waiting there. 

Speaking of DW; seems like every time he goes downstate for "fixing" he comes back with another issue. Yesterday was an electrical issue day. If his throat lights are plugged in, his handlebar lights do not work, and the button that selects his speed is also dead. And he stitches at about 4spi. Once I unplugged him and let him reset, he fired back up but the throat lights are unplugged as well. Guess we won't be using those anymore. 

I pieced the blocks together to make big sections for the Alaska top...

And that's where I ended last night because I had knitting to work on for the holidays. Still do have knitting to work, but the other four scarves are much smaller than what I'm making for the DIL.

We are off to get groceries this morning. We have poopy weather coming tomorrow afternoon and we don't want to go to the grocery store the weekend before Christmas. Today is going to be bad enough. 

A Happy Retirement Birthday

My best friend, my husband has his first "retirement" birthday today. It's still weird having him here all day long, but we're adjusting. Slowly. 

Yesterday was a mixture of all sorts of stuff; appointments, long arming, appliqué,
piecing, putting long arms back together, and watching the neighbors yard get torn up while it appears they are going to build a barn. The weather is a mixture as well. Six inches of snow on the ground and today it's raining. 

I finished the quilt on Marty and moved over to this one on Bernie...

Sue Spargo Woodland animals

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

Can you see anything?

After working on this piece into late afternoon, I found a quilt we needed to do a little work on. I had to get a couple of straight lines placed in an area that wasn't quilted...

Inserting some straight lines

After finishing that I finished appliquéing and putting the borders on the last block in the Alaska top...

I checked to see how this quilt top is constructed and I'm floored that I have to use a partial seam to get all the blocks set in around the center block. UGH. I like partial seams about as well as nothing. 

Jim had a b-ball game to watch so while he was doing that I found and attached leaders to the absolute perfect backing for a table runner going to the B's for the holiday. Once all the leaders were temporarily attached I loaded this onto DW...

I had a hair brained idea to knit scarves for all the grandkids, but I've got one in the works for my DIL so I finished getting everything ready for today's work and then went to work some more on that. I don't know if my goal will be accomplished or not? Just gotta keep plugging away at things I suppose.