Monday, December 29, 2014

Trying to get back in the swing!

The last couple of days I've been trying get a start on cleaning and clearing the "black hole".

I went down and got the corner cleared out that is going to be my workbench for servicing vintage machines.
Here is a before pic.


Here's the after pic.


Right next to that spot is the metal shelving I put up to house my vintage (and some newer) machines.


My next area to tackle is the cutting area. Of course, it looks bad now because I put a lot of that fabric that was on the other table on the cutting table. I will be going through that and cutting up strips squares and putting the rest of the useable pieces in the strings basket to go upstairs by my treadle.
Here is a before pic.


I have already gotten most of it cleared and started cutting up fabric for the Scrap Users System.
Hopefully by next post you will see an amazing transformation of it.

I also have Easy Street loaded on the longarm. I hope to have that done by the end of the week.




I think I'm starting to get some sewing mojo back. Especially since now I'm getting to work on some of my own stuff. Although, I do need to start working on a commission quilt for a client. It will be a double sided one (same pattern, different colorways).

Well that's about it for now.
Til later,
 Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas!!!





                                                
 
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.
May you have Peace, Love, Good Health and Happiness now and through the coming year.
 
I will start new posts the first of the year. Hopefully I will be more consistent on my posting. Also, on finishing up some of my UFO's :-).
 
See you then
 
Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Monday, December 1, 2014

Grand Illusion #1

  

                                                                    Grand Illusion

It has finally started!!!
I hope I can keep up with getting everything done each week.
Here are all the parts cut.


Here are some of the blocks put together.




 In this pic I only have 10 blocks complete. This was Saturday. Hopefully I will have some time on Sunday to work on them. Check out what others have accomplished this weekend here.

This weekend I also had to finish a client quilt, make the next sample for Marti & Me, get fabric together and cut some of the blocks for the next BOM for the LQS. and piece a back for one of the commissioned quilts.

Busy, busy, busy.

Oh yes------this Saturday we had our first snowfall. Not much, but it was pretty while it lasted. Woke up Sunday morning to 17 degree temps. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!



Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Saturday, November 29, 2014

I'm Baaaaack!!!

Well her we are. It's been a little over 2 months since I've posted. Bad girl.
I've been very, very busy in the interm. This year has been pretty good for my quilting business. I've had orders for 6 commission quilts (3 down and 3 to go) as well as my longarm business. I've got about 10 or 11 quilts to get out before the end of the year. It's so nice to have job security.

I have also gone to a quilt retreat and helped a friend out at her sale at the quilt shop she has.

I've also been working on getting the "black hole" cleaned in one corner so I could put  up metal shelving for my machines. I finally succeeded in getting that done.


This is not all of the machines yet. I still have some upstairs that I need to bring down. Meanwhile the rest of the room is soooooo messy. I'll give you a little peek. Don't scream :-).


Believe me. There are messier parts of the room.

As you know in September my step-daughter was here for a visit. We did an impromptu showing of my quilts and I told her to choose any and all that she would like and we would ship them to her after she got home. Here are the quilts that she picked.










I think she did rather well.
Hope she really enjoys the quilts.

Well now that I'm back I will try to keep up with posting at least weekly progress on my works. Especially now that Grand Illusion Mystery by Bonnie Hunter has started. Hopefully I can keep up with it. Last years is still in pieces waiting for me to work on it.

Later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Busy, Busy Week

Well this is the week that DD came for a visit. I mean to tell you, it seems like the time just flew by.

We picked her up on Friday and of course headed over to pick up the machine that I showed in my last post. After that we stopped for a bite to eat then headed over to upgrade both, her phone and mine. No, we didn't get the new iPhone, but we at least upgraded to the 5.

Saturday and Sunday we just laid low around the house and visited except for the short(?) time her and I went out and hit a few yard sales and thrift stores.

Monday I had to go out to the LQS for the Marti & Me classes. I finished those up a little early and came home only to find that I was all by myself. DH & DD were out running the roads :-).

Tuesday we went to the fair and spent the day walking around looking at everything ( and, of course, eating all kinds of good stuff).

Wednesday we went to Snoqualime Falls and had a great time sightseeing.






 


Of course, since we were soooo near, we had to make a stop at the Snoqualime Casino. All in all----a good day.

Thursday we stayed home and chilled out and did some more visiting and relaxing.

Friday, we went up to the Paradise Lodge at Mount Rainier and made a few picture stops along the way.



After we left the mountain we took a little side trip to Red Winds Casino and had something to eat. We didn't stay too long to play because they had about half of the machines closed down for upgrading or ???????? You couldn't find an open machine in the place unless you just happened to pass as someone was leaving a machine.

Saturday DH said he was going to relax and we could run do some errands that I needed to do-------so DD and I left and after the errands were done we decided to stop at -are you ready- the Emerald Queen Casino. Now don't get this wrong. We are gambling maniacs (in fact I haven't stepped in a casino in over a year). We basically broke even with all the playing we did. Sheila and I like to play new (to us) machines until we hit the bonus round. We like to see what happens in the bonus round and then we move on.

Also in the evenings her and I would play Yatzee. Now she has me hooked on playing it on the phone. We can play against each other now whenever we want to.

Now here we are at Sunday. We took her to the airport this morning and the house feels sooo different now. Missing her already (big sigh).

Next week it's back to business. Lots to catch up on.

Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Goings On thru 9/12

Boy have I been busy!
The week of 8/25 through 8/31 I quilted some client quilts and did some cutting on stuff that I was going to take for working on in the motel room while I was down in Oregon (more info on the trip down farther in this post).
Then comes the first of September-----------------Dramatic music-------------. I was perusing Craigslist (I really need to stay off of there) and saw a listing for this.





Okay that's one. A Janome Jem Platinum 720.

On Wednesday the 3rd I took off for Dundee, Oregon and 3 days of  Beginning Basic Machine Maintenance classes. The first day was lecture. The second day we got to tear into the machine that we brought. Day 2 and 3 was learning all the steps of going through the machines for maintaining them. Adjustments and problem shooting on small things. By the end of the 3rd day I had gone though 3 of the machines I had taken (I took 7). We had Sunday off so I went and bought some of the tools I needed to fill out my tool list. I also wanted to try to find some more machines to work on.
On Monday we started Advanced Machine Maintenance for 3 days. Luckily our hosts for these classes had a barn full of machines so that when we ran out of our machines we could practice on theirs'.
It was a wonderful week of classes. The people were so friendly and we bonded during that week. We have agreed to stay in touch with each other.
Here is a pic of my and the person who taught the class (Ray White).



Okay----now I have to leave for home. I stopped at a Goodwill that I knew of on the way home.
I swear!!!!---------they jumped into my cart and pleaded to go home with me :-).





I had to take them home.

So--------then Thursday I had to do some house cleaning cause DD was coming up from CA. to visit.
During "union" break I was perusing (again) Craigslist, and I came upon this.

Well, when we went to pick up DD at the airport, we also stopped and picked up this little beauty.
I think I've done pretty good for the past two weeks.

DD will be here til the 21st so I don't think I'll be doing much sewing for a while.
Sew---that's what I've been up to lately.

That's it for now.
Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Sunday, August 24, 2014

8/18 through 8/24

I got a few things accomplished this week.
I don't remember what I did on which day so I'll just list the things I've done.

I had mentioned that I had done a quilt for a friend of my DH and I needed to finish one for his wife. Well that one is done.



After that I finished a client quilt. Then I started looking through the tops I had on my shelves (my quilt tops). I started putting the quilt tops that had backings on one shelf. Quilts that needed backing went on another shelf. Then I came across a couple that needed added borders to complete the top.
The first one was one of those jelly roll race tops that I just needed to put a small inner border then a small pieced border from what I had left over from straightening the sides.


The next one was one that I've had for about 14 years. Yes, I said 14 years. When I was in a guild, each of us was assigned a month that we would make up kits for members to take and make a block and return it to us the following month so we could make a quilt. I had to correct quite a few blocks before I could put it together (and I see I still missed one). At least now I have it ready to quilt.


Thursday of this week was the PTS picnic (Paws to Sew). We had it over at one of the member's house instead of here this year. We had a bunch of show and tell and played the game-Left, Right- Center. My DS also made it home that evening, after a 2 week trip to Az. to pick up the 1965 El Camino his Dad left him.

Friday I was looking on Craigslist and saw an Estate Sale that listed "vintage machines". Needless to say I had to take a run up to see and believe it or not, came home with nothing. But that was not the same story on Saturday. Again, on Craigslist I saw a sale listed. On this one it listed a "featherweight". Soooooooo-off I went.  Well, here she is-----1946, and her name is Wendy.


For the last 2 days I have been trying to clean up the "black hole". I am trying to clean out an area and take down shelves (wall shelves) so that I can set up some metal shelves to put my machines on so they won't be stored under the long-arm (or under tables, in closets, etc.). I think it's going to look a whole lot worse before it gets better. I'm getting real strict with myself about letting go of stuff.

Well I guess that's it for this week.

Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Catching Up

It's been a while since I've posted. Let me see-----where to start.

As I said I had started feeling better from the viral infection, but then I couldn't hear out of my left ear. I went back to the doctor's and found out I had fluid behind the eardrum. It took another week to clear that up and for my voice to return to normal. Whew!!!! Glad that's done.

In the meantime I completed 4 client quilts and picked up another commission quilt. I may have mentioned it earlier. It's to be a double sided quilt. That makes 4 commissioned quilts to do. I LOVE being busy!!!!

The first week of next month I will be leaving for Oregon. I will be taking a  class from Ray White on Machine Maintenance. It will be 6 days of Basic and Advanced classes. I can't wait. With all the machines I've been accumulating I need this. Sure saves on $$$$$$ by not having to take them in to be serviced.

Now for a few pics. I will be hooking up with Slow Stitching Sunday. Check out what everyone's doing.

First up, I sat here this morning watching Lord of the Ring and stitching the binding on this quilt that will go to my Dr's office.


It's even received it's CAT scan and deemed ready to go.

Next I'm working on my snowflake hexies. Trying to get some sewn together (I have a little over 40 made) to see how many more I need to build it to a usable size.


I also just had to make up one of these to see how I like it. This is another EPP that I will be working on. It Patchwork of the Crosses. I just fell in love with this pattern and have to do it. I like this first block, but I think I'm going to do the rest in brighter colors. I have chosen a WOW for the background and a turquoise for the connecting blocks (I guess that's what you call the little squares that form the separations between blocks).


Anyway---this is how I'm spending my Sunday.

One last pic of another quilt I finished this week that will be going to a friend that is helping DH build his "rat rod". (I am also doing one for his wife that will be finished this week.)


Well, that catches me up to today.
Hope your Sunday is filled with stitching of some sort.

Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Sunday, August 3, 2014

7/30 thru 8/3 Progress

Boy this has been some kind of week!
I said in my previous post that I had come down with a little something that made me lose my voice. Well--Wednesday morning I decided I'd had enough. I called and got an appointment at the Doc's office. What I had was a viral infection. When they checked my temp, they said I was running a low grade fever, gave me a couple of prescriptions and sent me on my way. I stopped and got them filled and headed home. I guess by the time I made it home the low grade fever decided to peak. I felt like I had hit a wall full speed. (All this by 10 AM.) Needless to say I was n bed ALL THE REST OF THE DAY. But at least that was the turn around. After taking the antibiotics, the next morning I was starting to feel human again. I started to go downstairs to start on a client quilt, but hubby was having none of that. He wanted me to rest at least one more day so I wouldn't relapse, so who am I to argue :-). By Friday I was feeling well enough to accompany DH on a couple of errands. AND THEN, when we came home I was looking on Craigslist and saw an ad for a yard sale near me and it said-----"vintage machines". Well seeing how it was close, I ran up to check it out. I have no will power---------here's what followed me home.




It needs some cleaning up, but I think it will really be gorgeous when it's done. It also had 2 boxes of attachments (lots of duplicates) but no manual.

So I guess that now that I've recovered, I will be going downstairs to get on that client quilt I've been putting off.

Have a wonderful day.
Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Progress Report 7/21 thru 7/29

Not much going on around here lately. Is it just me or are some of you guys in the doldrums lately? I just can't seem to get it together.
Anyway--------
Monday-had to meet with a couple of ladies to discuss making a quilt for the daughter's wedding. After the meeting (DH went with) DH and I stopped at a friend of DH's (use to work together) for a visit. Met his wife and found out that she does jewelry and beading. In fact she has an Etsy shop which you can find here. Check it out.

Tuesday-worked a little in the sewing room. In fact I did quilt a small quilt for a friend that wants to give the quilt to a breast cancer survivor friend in one of her car groups. Then I had an afternoon appointment with my oncologist. Everything is good.

Wednesday-went to meet the 2 ladies I met with on Monday at my LQS to look at fabric for said wedding quilt.

Thursday-DH and I ran some errands and I started noticing a funny little tickle in my throat.

Friday-went with DH to Good Guys Car Show at the fair grounds. We left in early afternoon and I had started noticing my voice was a little strange. By evening I had no voice.

Saturday & Sunday-spent days just doing nothing and trying not to talk.

Monday-did manage to go down and quilt a client quilt. Voice is starting to come back.

Today I went to a friends house to help her with a problem she is having with mitering a pieced border. This is a quilt that she will be bringing to me to quilt and enter it in the fair. Came home and have done nothing for the rest of the day.

I have done a little computer work. I listed my medallion quilt on my ETSY shop. This is the quilt I finished a couple of weeks ago.





Back of quilt




That's it for now
Til later,
Hugs & Stitches.
Mary

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Progress 7/14 thru 7/20

Okay no HP this week.

Monday-at LQS for the Marti and Me Club

Tuesday-went to pick up client quilt, started quilting my quilt that I have on the machine.

Wednesday- finished quilt on machine and prepared binding.


This is the quilt I quilted. As soon as I get some decent pics I will post them.


Thursday-got place ready for group meeting, applied binding to front of quilt I finished yesterday while having meeting.

Friday-went to get blood drawn for my Dr. visit on Tuesday. Delivered 5 quilts to the infusion unit while at Dr's office. Delivered more totes  to the Cancer Center by the hospital while I was out. Came home and did some prep work for moving bedroom around tomorrow.

Saturday- spent day doing a late spring cleaning and moving bed and furniture around the bedroom, cleaning windows, washing curtains, etc.

Sunday-NOTHING all day long.

That's it for this week.
Til later,
Hugs & Stitches, Mary

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Progress Report 7/7 through 7/13

Well, let's start at the beginning :-).

Monday-out at LQS for Block of the Month Club. I also took out 3 client quilts to deliver. I also brought 3 more quilts to do. Just when I thought I would be all caught up. Oh well, keeps me of the street and outta bars :-).

Tuesday-loaded one of my quilts on the machine to do. After loading that I went upstairs and spent the day doing something I hadn't done for a while----treadling. I got 15 string blocks done. YAY!!!

Wednesday-I thought I was going to go downstairs and quilt my quilt, but, I decided I really needed to get in the back bedroom and straighten and put away my boxes of inventory for quilt and craft show (I have 2 different inventories). That took me most of the day.

Thursday- ran to bank, then went to a couple of antique shops.

Friday-ran errands with DH

Saturday-made a trip to Hobby Lobby then when I got home found out there was a Harry Potter marathon on ABC Disney. Guess nothing gets done today :-).

Sunday=Harry Potter again. Oh well I guess there's next week.

Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Progress 7/1 through 7/6

I will start the report on Monday this time as Sunday was the day I came back from the Idaho retreat.

Monday-a day of rest. I really didn't do much as along with the retreat weekend I have been trying to figure out why I had been having a backache for the last 2 weeks. By process of elimination I narrowed it down to the Fosamax that I take. I gave it one more try this week and things went bad again with aches and pains. Needless to say------off the Fosamax.

Tuesday-went down to the sewing room after putting things away from the weekend and unpacking the project bag. I made 13 needle keepers for inventory, loaded a quilt on the longarm (to go to Dr's), pieced a backing for one of the quilts I did at retreat.

Wednesday-DH sweet talked me into going fishing. Spent the day at Mineral Lake just listening to music and fishing (BTW me-6 fish, DH-4).

Thursday-Had to package up 2 quilts. One I am sending to my cousin and the other is an order from a customer. Went to PO and got them shipped off.

Friday-quilted quilt that I loaded on Tuesday. Loaded client quilt and got it quilted. Loaded another quilt on ready for tomorrow. Went to friends house in evening for 4th and fireworks.

Saturday-quilted client quilt. Got my cat out of a tree (something scared him enough to have him climb that tree. I know him, and he doesn't back down from another cat.). Roasted some jalapenos and got them in the freezer (my hands feel alive right about now :-) ). Loaded another quilt to be done tomorrow.

Sunday-quilted client quilt.

I think I got something accomplished this week. Now that I have all client quilts done I think I will try next week to get some of mine done. Let's set a goal. I will try to get at least 3 of mine done. Anyone care to wager? :-)

Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

New Challenge

I am going to try a new challenge this year. If you go to Val's Quilting Studio you can read about it.
This seems pretty simple. I just need to throw my spare change into a jar (piggy bank) for the next year (along with an occasional bill) and then see how much I've saved in that year. I can then use this for quilty stuff to reward myself. FUN!!
Here is the jar I will use for my piggy bank.


You think I will be able to fill it? It's a gallon size. To get to the particular post on this go here.
If I save enough I think I'll treat myself to a new toy (like a vintage machine on my wish list).

Til later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary

Monday, June 30, 2014

Idaho 2014 Retreat Part 2

Now for the rest of the story.
Well we made it to the lodge and got everything set up and our bedroom claimed. We had plenty of time for sewing or just catching up with friends we hadn't seen in a while.
I had taken a whole bunch of projects (already pre-cut) to work on. After shooting the breeze I started in on a couple of quilt tops that I wanted to make at the request of my DH. He is building a Rat Rod and a friend has helped him quite a bit. I made a quilt for my husband with hot rod material and he really like it and wanted to know if I could make on for his friend. His wife is into horses and so we thought we would make her a horse one. Here they are (the pattern is sort of my version of the Box Trot pattern).


 


The next day (Friday) I worked on a mystery quilt that I was doing on one of my Facebook groups. Here is that one,

I finished that one and started on the next project, which I finished up on Saturday morning.


This one is called Urban Abacus.
After doing those I started working on some purses I wanted to make.


All in all, I think I got quite a bit accomplished.

The rest of the pictures are general pics of the group and at our show and tell.  The first one is one I took after a rain went through-----Beautiful!!!!!










It was a really, really fun weekend. I love these gals.

Check out Palouse Divide Lodge. They have some fun stuff coming up.

Til Later,
Hugs & Stitches,
Mary