4 + 4

The four quilts from last week are done and ready for pick up.

Yesterday, four more came in. The difference in last week to this week are two versus four customers.

And it seems the quilts coming in are becoming even more complex than the previous. I'll shoot and share pics as they are loaded and waiting for quilting. Maybe even some of the quilt detail if the lighting is right.

12 Nutcrackers

Detail of one of the nutcrackers

Obviously, the light is right this morning so here is quilt number one from yesterday's drop off. The customer would like a tight (smaller than dime size, but not a micro) fill behind each nutcracker. And no stipple. And the fills need to be varied for each of the 12 nutcrackers. And the nutcrackers can't be touched. AT ALL!

I'm putting arches in the outer black border and a rope-like design in the green small border. That's about all the decisions I've made for now on this one. I'm going to have to dig deep to find some appropriate fills to put behind these, which should be fun. No really, I LOVE researching stuff like this.

In between customer quilts, I've been working on Christmas presents. Here's a few pics of those in the works.

The start of a turtle for Penelope

This will need to be loaded after the nutcrackers are finished so I can get the turtle shell textured. Meanwhile, I can work on the legs, head, and tail tonight after long arming all day. And after working on Caleb and Lia's cookbook.

One for each of the kids and grandkids.

There were two more made but those were for Jim and me for the current quilt on our bed. The pillow cases I made earlier for the Stripe Me Happy quilt don't really go well, and the new pillow cases fit perfectly. We'll use the others for spares around here when people visit.

Rolling Along

Yesterday was super productive once the directional decision was made. Sometimes it takes a little while to get organized and the head screwed on right.

The large customer quilt shown in yesterday's post is about 1/3 of the way quilted. Another customer quilt is now bound (she asked if I would bind a few quilts for her), and today brings on yet another.

Work called earlier this morning and the time to go in was yet again pushed back due to the weather; which turned really bad during the course of the day. I basically have all day long to work in the post-storm sunny studio before having to go in.

While the studio is sunny, it is frigid outside and therefore, kinda chilly in here. Temps this morning: 9.

But this is the view from our bedroom window that I wake up to on a snowy morning.

Just as the sun is starting to come up

The house is popping because of the severe change in temperatures. If I put on my headphones today and just crank up the tunes, maybe I'll be less apt to constantly check to make sure nothing is leaking, or breaking, or falling apart. 

Happy Veteran's Day

A day to honor all those who had the courage to serve. They should be thanked if you know one (or several) for it is because of their bravery and dedication we have the ability to count all of our blessings in the United States. And, you're very welcome.

I'm watching a snowy day unfold and what a great day to have this "little" piece to work on today. 

Penny's Zip It top

I was going to put DW's computer to work on this piece and started setting up everything last night to do so, and then decided it needed something else. It needs a personal touch. It needed not to be edge to edged because clearly the customer has put a lot of time into make what started out a small-ish top into something rather large. 

I haven't posted much about Hazel lately so here's the latest updates on her. We went to the vet on Friday to get her annual check up and shot boosters. She's in the greatest of health (other then her food allergy thing) and weighs in around 60-62 pounds...we couldn't get her to sit still on the scale. 

She'll probably top out around 65 pounds when fully mature, but she's pretty much done growing vertically at this stage (she's now 14 months old). Isn't she beautiful?

Hazel at 14 months

Quilting Marathon

The second of three customer quilts that were dropped off last Saturday is now complete. The hope is to get number three loaded and basted in before having to take Hazel off to the vet for her annual check-up/Bordatella (sp?) vaccine. And I was called into work after Hazels appointment is finished.

Hmmm???

Let's talk about measuring our borders, shall we? This is what happens when you don't. The fix was doable, but could have been avoided. It's become a bit of a pet peeve of mine for my own quilts.

I was taught to measure borders when I first started quilting. Then laziness set in and I pretty much stopped because it takes time. You just want the darn top finished and slapping on these borders is the last stretch before starting another fun project. Right?

Then I started long arming those quilts whose borders I didn't measure. The above situation is what ensues. This is a mild case. I've seen much worse on my own quilts as well as customer quilts.

Take the time to find your centers of your tops and get those borders eased in people. Seriously. It's not that much more effort to do it and it'll make everybody's life easier in the end. I could soap box this at a much greater rate, but I'll stop for now.

Needless to say, I ALWAYS measure my borders now and long arming them is much more pleasurable. The look of a nicely done quilt is always preference to one that has pleats and tucks on all the sides of a beautiful center.

I Never Did...

...post the pic of my completed 100 Blocks. There was a legitimate reason in we had horrible weather with which to photograph the quilt until yesterday.

Yesterday provided us with a fresh new four inches of snow and the morning temps and sun provided an excellent time to snap a few pics this morning.

100 Blocks in 100 Days

Yesterday was also a good day to stay home and work on customer quilts. This was my first long arm project for the day.

Adding hook swirls in the rail fence top

Three more Christmas presents were completed and the papers were removed from my latest Jacqueline de Jonge set of circles.

Today there's another customer quilt to long arm and its very cold so a good day to basically stay in and work with the beautiful view of the freshly fallen snow.

Change is Good

Since my schedule was changed yesterday, the pleasure of just working in the studio can't even be described. Getting an outside job makes me appreciate the studio I have and the ability to create with these wonderful fabrics is so gratifying.

Yesterday I completed the customer wall hanging, but in much less time than I thought I would. I never shut DW down until around 7:30, and I didn't dawdle because I know tomorrow and Thursday at the store is going to be crazy.

Here are a few pics.

C is for Christmas by Shabby Fabrics. Pieced by Bunny.

And today's plans have now just changed since I just received a call from work and the truck is on its way right now today. Instead of yesterday (or tomorrow like I was told yesterday). Confused? Me too.

Well, at any case, at least this cutie is done.

Happy Fall Y'all

With fall comes the weather more fitting for quilting. Although, in my book, everyday is a good quilting day, but not too many other folks feel this way.

For instance, not too many quilts were coming in needing work done on them throughout the summer months. A few trickled in here and there, but nothing too daunting. Within the last five days I've received four. And I believe this may just be the beginning.

Work at DT was cancelled today and tomorrow due to a huge truck coming in on Wednesday with our hours extending to Thursday also. So I'll make the most of it today and tomorrow in the studio.

Here's what I did Saturday and yesterday, amongst other things (which I can not divulge due to family members perhaps reading my blog).

From the book titled "Imagine Art to Heart" by Nancy Halvorsen

Customer quilt today and other little projects are in store.