I haven't been quilting

The latest and last book in the "Earth Children" series comes out on Tuesday, March 29. I have been reading until my eyes cross to get through the previous 5 books. I will be able to download number 6 tomorrow morning on my way to work. I cannot believe that this is the final book in the series. The Clan of the Cave Bear September, 1980 The Valley of Horses September, 1982 The Mammoth Hungers Fall, 1985 The Plans of Passage November, 1990 The Shelters of Stone April, 2002 The Land of Painted Caves March, 2011 Knowing this author she may just have another book to add to the series. I will have to wait. In the meantime I have picked up my new Baby Lock Serger and need to find just the right place to put it into my Craft Studio. I have several UFO's that are crying out to me that they need to be finished. Have a great day.

March Friday Night Sew In

I am signed up again this month. Tonight I will be restoring my sewing room after the trip to Pigeon Forge, TN and setting up for Friday.

There are several possibilities to work on. I could layer the penguin quilt. I could work on one of the quilts I started a A Mountain Quilt Fest. I could work on some things for my grandson.

So many ideas and so little time. LOL

Have a great day.

A Mountain Quiltfest -- Pigeon Forge, TN

Well, I finally made it to Quiltfest. What a great time.

Monday I signed in at the Pigeon Forge Convention Center (PFCC).
Tuesday I had a class with Sally Collins -- Flower Basket.
Wednesday I had a class with Melinda Davis -- Ohio Star
Thursday I checked out the quilt show at the Music Row Convention Center (MRCC).
Friday I had a class with Sally Collins -- My Stars.
Today I am recovering.
Sunday we head home.

The classes were fantastic.

I learned how to use the Square in a Square ruler and got the second edition of the SnS book as well as two books free about the inventor of the ruler. I am working on a scrappy Ohio Star quilt top.

In Sally Collins classes I found out my weaknesses in quilting. I need to be more accurate in my seam allowances and not to accept a single thread width error. I also found out how to avoid these errors by measuring and validating every seam before continuing to the next seam.

I can find SnS uses in the miniature quilts that Sally teaches and shows in her collections.l

There are many pictures for me to post, but I cannot load the pictures onto this computer so will have to wait until I get home to post them.

There was an excellent piece of advice that I got from Sally Collins. She chooses fabrics for color combinations and then picks gradient colors from the fabric to determine what she will use in the next quilt top she is planning. She also uses pictures from nature; the example she had was a picture of yellow roses. This may be a way to start my quilts in the future instead of having someone else pick out my fabrics for me.

My sewing machine and quilt supplies are already in the car for the trip home. Today is DH's day totally. He hasn't had much attention from me this week and I need to change that!

Have a great day.

An awesome husband

Wednesday evening I totally broke my traveling sewing machine. The bobbin would not work at all. DH asked how much a new machine would cost. I told him between $100 and $8,000. His eyes bugged out.

Thursday I called my LQS to ask about Baby Lock sewing machines and they recommended three that would be good starters. We discussed features and price.

Later that afternoon DH went into the LQS and talked to them. He bought the one I had decided I would buy after I had escrowed the money. He also warned them I might come in to buy the machine and to lie through their teeth to keep my from purchasing it.

When I got home DH sent me down to my studio for a totally different reason and I discovered my new sewing machine. He had purchased a Baby Lock Molly for me. Last night I got real familiar with Molly and I am ready for my road trip.

Road trip you say. Sunday we are leaving for Gatlinburg for the Mountain Quiltfest and I have two classes with Sally Collins. Molly is going to be the star of the show for me.

Have a great day. Mine started out with sunshine and happiness even though it is raining outside and we have a flood warning for the Ohio River.

FNSI

Although I never posted any pictures of my progress on Friday I will note that I made a canvas tote for carrying wood in from the wood heap to my fireplace. I have used it twice and it was a good use of the fabric.

I also sewed on the side of the backing for the penguin quilt. All I have to do is open some batting and let it rest and then layer the quilt. My friend has agreed that for now the quilt will be tied. Later I will quilt it on the machine.

FNSI was fantastic and I really enjoyed myself.

Have a great day.

Friday Night Sew In

I have a list of movies to watch while I sew. I cannot wait.

I will try to take pictures as I progress.

I will sew tonight!

Have a great day.

Firm Foundations with Jane Hall

I just had to sign up at Quilt University for this class. Unfortunately my usual procrastination means that lesson 4 is posted and I am just starting lesson 1. Last night I spend time on the first foundation in the class. I decided to make two identical ones at the same time. Twice I cut off the wrong piece of material and had to unsew and put fabric back on the seam.

Foundation Piecing is still a mystery to me but I find I am enjoying the learning experience. I am going to have to spend more time in my studio and less time in the living room.

Yes, my studio. It is no longer a family room. I have put up one of three book cases purchased just for the studio. I also have a desk to assemble that I will put my desktop computer on. I have a quilt designer table and a sewing machine table that has a drop area for my machine. I purchased a iron pad that is rectangular and have put it over my old sewing table. There is very little left in the family room that needs to be kept, filed, recycled or burned. I have so much shredded paper that I can start several fires in the fire place and keep warm.

My quilting frame will be going up shortly. I will be using one of my older machines for in place of a true short/mid/long arm machine. I need to start an escrow account for the mid arm machine of my dreams.

Have a great day.