longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · stash busting · vintage tops · weight

Sunday Report, True Confessions


In addition to the beautiful So Fine threads I bought this week, I bought fabric.  I decided that I didn’t have a suitable backing fabric for the the lighter version of the two 9P & stripes I’m making.  I will be able to find a suitable fabric for the darker one in my stash, but with all this feather practice I’m doing, I wanted something really good for the lighter one.  I hope it turns out really nice. I bought 14 yds of this beautiful Benartex Giverny fabric for $4.05 a yd. from www.thousandsofbolts.com.  I really only needed 10 yds,  but they only had 14 listed in stock, so I figured the other four may as well come along for the ride    🙂  And while I was at it, I went ahead and ordered 5 yds. of this beautiful golden fabric, to use for the back of my Storm at Sea top, that has been finished for quite awhile.

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And, I didn’t stop there.  I bought these stencils. Ronda always inpires me with the beautiful quilting she does, and she recommends using stencils.  With all the feather backtracking practice I’ve been doing, I might be getting up enough nerve to try some pretty stencils.

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I’m still working on feathering that vintage top to death.  I’m actually feeling feather frazzled…I’m ready to get it off my machine.  One last edge to do…but man does that precision work make my shoulder scream.  I’ve been getting a little more careless with my backtracking, and some of the CC’s, trying to hurry it up a bit.  It’s just for me, anyway, and I’ve gotten some great experience working on it.  However, I now have three paying jobs coming in soon, so I need to get done so I’ll be ready for them.

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I did sew up my Wild Onion jacket, and I’m pleased with the quilting.  However, I think I used the wrong batting.  It’s too stiff, and it puffs out weird at the back of the shoulders.  I used Quilter’s Dream request loft poly.   So if I make another, what batting would you suggest?  A light weight cotton, maybe? Also, I think I’ll make the shorter version.

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Sunday weigh in: starting weight this week was 147.  Today my weight was 145, for a loss this week of 2 lbs! Total weight loss is now at 9 lbs.  I’m not sure I’ll do so well this next week.  DH was gone from Sunday to Thursday this week, so it was really a lot easier for me to eat less calories. 

So, that’s my report.  I wasn’t really good, but I don’t feel a bit bad!

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting

More of the Feather


My head did let up enough Sunday for me to finish the one feather. However, I’m having such a hectic week, that I haven’t gotten to touch it since. 😦

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Oh boy, am I anxious to get back on this! In the meantime, I’m doodling feathers whenever I get a chance.

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting

Hot Damn & Hallelujah!


After four long years, finally….

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I am so happy! I’ve waited so long to see a feather like that come from my needle.  I’m also frustrated because I have to stop there, as I’m getting a nasty headache today.  Wouldn’t ya know it? I’m off to medicate myself, and maybe I will feel like getting back to it b4 the day is done.

Before I go, I want to say how much I appreciated the input on yesterday’s post.  Thank you to everyone for your comments.

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting

Getting Closer To The Feathers I Want, But Need Some Advice


I decided to play around on the longarm some today.  I’m pretty pleased with the way my little feathers came out, shape wise.  The very center part isn’t right, but other than that, I like the way they look, from the front.

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Now about the back…I have some questions for you more seasoned feather experts.  I don’t like the way mine look on the back, where the thread builds up…is it supposed to look like this? Or do I need to fiddle with my tension some more? I’m using Signature cotton, Tex 40.

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I uploaded the pics as thumbnails, so you can click on them and make them bigger, and really see what I’m talking about. They look “messy” where the thread is backtracked.  How do I make this look better? Any advice you might like to bestow on me would be greatly appreciated.  🙂 Sorry the pics aren’t a little better, I was laying on my back under the longarm table, trying to take them.

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting

WIP Wednesday


I managed to quilt some more on my Wild Onion jacket.  I decided to just stipple around the motifs I quilted.  I don’t know whether this will turn out to be anything I will actually wear, but I’m having a blast playing around on it.  I’m having so much fun just playing with my machine and playing with the quilting designs.  It may end up a bit “busy” looking.  We’ll see.

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And a Kim Stotsenberg leafy heart. These are fun to quilt! Thanks Kim!

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I went to a massage therapist today.  I think she might help with my shoulder/back pain.  Time will tell.  It sure felt good, anyway.

More snow is on the way! More snow & more wind.  Lovely!

knitting · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts · stash busting · weight

Sunday Stash Report


  1. I didn’t buy any fabric.
  2. I started my first try at a Wild Onion jacket. I shopped my stash for the fabric, which was a total of 8 yds. If you click the link, it will take you to my post about it, with pics, and I’m asking for advice on the filler quilting.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.
  3. I’ve made good progress on my Eleanor Burns 9P & Stripes quilts.

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I’m three rows further along on the darker one.

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I have those rows sewn for the lighter one, just not attached to each other, or the rest of the top.

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I’m really enjoying the process on these.  Taking my time, and really enjoying the piecing.  They are coming together nicely, and I love it when I remember that when I am finished, I will have not one, but two king size tops to quilt.  How cool is that!? That will move a nice chunk of stash.  I’m going to try to do the backings from stash.  I’m pretty sure I have suitable backing for one, but I’m not sure about both. 

In knitting news, I completed two gift scarves, and both were well received by the recipients.  Of course, one was my Mom, & she loves everything I do 🙂  I’m still working on a special prayer shawl, and am getting close to having it completed, also.

Weigh-in report:

My starting weight this week was 150 lbs.  My ending weight this week was 148 lbs., for a loss this week of 2 lbs! Yea! My total weight lost is now at 6 lbs. I managed to work out six times last week. 

Some gratitudes:

  1. My son’s wisdom teeth extraction going so well. 
  2. My stash 🙂
  3. Having a longarm.
  4. Having a great weekend with my family.

That’s it for me this week!

dogs · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting

Playing Around Wild Onion Style


I was really itchin’ to do some stitchin’ yesterday, so I picked out some fabric, got my Wild Onion pattern out, and started playing.  I don’t know how successful my design ideas will be in the end, but I’m having fun.  I’m scattering some organic looking designs allover, in random spaces, with Autumn Rainbows, then I will go back and fill in all the  unquilted area with some type of quilting.  I am going to use a solid thread that blends well with the fabric for that.  Since my blog seems to have been running low on actual quilting content lately, I’ll throw in a few teaser pics. 🙂

I had trouble getting the colors to come through accurately.  This first pic shows the true fabric color the best, but it still isn’t quite right.

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This is another pic I took just trying to get the color right.

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What I haven’t decided, is what type of filler to use.  I was going to just keep going with similar quilting designs, echoing around and swirling, throw in a shape, etc., but now I’m thinking that maybe just a regular old stipple meander around the designs, might be best.  What do you think? Any suggestions? Or maybe mostly stippling with a random shape here & there….?? And I’m thinking fairly small on the stippling, not micro small, but small.

I think I’m going to go do some more piecing on my EB 9p’s & stripes right now, though.  I will be back later with my Sunday Stash Report and weigh in results. Stay tuned!

How about a little dose of cuteness before you go? Big sis & little sis, all cozy on Daddy’s lap.

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flat stanley · knitting · longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilting · stash busting · weight

Sunday Report


Not much to report here, this week.  I did not buy any fabric.  I did finish sewing my stripe blocks for my quilt, but I haven’t finished trimming & pressing.  I freehand quilted up four yards of fleece for a customer order.

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It’s kind of a pretty cocoa color in real life.  The final recipient will be my friend’s father.  I think he will like it.

I also sold a baby quilt.  So does that count as stash busting? It moved out of my stash…lol.

I had a pretty busy week, otherwise.  Monday, I had a sinus headache, pretty much all day.  So after work, I was pretty worthless.  I did stay on track with the exercise, pretty well, though.  I got four workouts done.  I wanted to get in a “last chance” workout yesterday, since today is weigh-in day.  That didn’t happen, as we got up and went to Amarillo, to pick up DH’s new Skeeter bass boat! So Flat Stanley got to go to Amarillo sooner than he expected, as we will be going on Wednesday, too, for my doctor appt.  It will take us a bit to get that written up for the Princess, but that will be coming in a few days.  Some of our pics didn’t come out like we hoped, so we may just do more on Wednesday.

I also picked up a new rustic buffet cabinet for the dining room.  I’ve been playing around with it this morning, and will feature it in a post in the near future.

On the weigh-in…it was hard to stay off the scale during the week, but I made myself do just that.  Weighing everyday can get frustrating, too much ups & downs.  But, knowing that I was going to weigh-in AND post it here, really did help me stay on track.  I’m not “dieting” per se, just eating more “reasonbly” and healthily.  I don’t do well with “diets” that restrict this food or that food, so I don’t do them.  I’ve also watched what I drink.  I’ve mostly drank water, milk or tea.  I keep hearing Jillian from the Biggest Loser saying “don’t drink your calories!” So, with all that rambling said…..my starting weight for the week was 153.  My current weight is 150.  I lost three pounds this week, for a total weight loss of four pounds.  I wish I had one of those scales that does the body fat percentage, too, but I don’t.  My DH told me Friday that he could tell I looked smaller.  I don’t expect to lose as much this week, as I’ve really been struggling with the 140’s for over a year now, but I just have to not get discouraged and blow it.  Oh, and this included eating bacon, eggs & pancakes for supper Thursday night, and going to our favorite Mexican restaurant Friday, and eating cheese chile rellenos.  I’m definitely not going hungry…lol!

In knitting news, I have discovered I have project-itis, just like with quilting.  I have several items going on different sets of needles, all needing finishing.  Mostly scarves, one practice hat, and a special project, a prayer shawl, for someone that needs comforting. I think working on it comforts me, too. I signed up for the knit & crochet online community, Ravelry, and got my invitation to join yesterday.  It will take me a while to figure out my way around there, but it looks awesome!

Well, that’s I guess that’s it for my Sunday Report.  I have a feeling I might not get much done today, either, but that’s ok.  I’m tired!

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts

2008 List


After compiling my list of accomplishments for 2007, I worked on my list of things I hope to work on in 2008. This is what I came up with. 

I found six PIGS. Four are actual kits, two are matching lap quilt patterns that I have fabric for, sitting in a sack.

My WOBS pile (this is what I call those quilts waiting on binding) is the largest group of all.  I rounded up twelve quilts, large and small, that need binding.

I came up with five WIP’s.  My Eleanor Burns nine patch & strips, my fall wallhanging, and old UFO with a big star in the center, a pink & white project that only consists of two completed blocks right now, and I’m counting my leaders/enders as a WIP.

Those waiting to be quilted are my Storm At Sea, and some antique tops I bought on Ebay.  I think there are five of those.

Projects I haven’t started, but have the fabric for, and hope to complete this year are a log cabin for my Daddy, my batik jewel box, and a Darlene Zimmerman Boston Commons quilt in 30’s fabrics.  A Turning Twenty for myself, out of my collection of chicken fabrics.  And I still want to make these patterns.

It will be interesting to me to see how close I come to meeting those goals, by the end of this year.  One thing I was thinking yesterday, is that I think I try to rush through too many projects, putting pressure on myself to get them finished, and move on to the next one.  I’m trying not to do that with the nine patch & stripes.  I am trying to take my time and get back to enjoying the process, and my time spent with beautiful fabrics and threads.  I’m also rethinking whether or not I want to quilt tops for others, or stay with only commissioned quilts.  I’m leaning toward the latter.  There a couple of ladies that I will quilt for, but I’m thinking that with the fulltime job I already have, I really don’t need or want the added pressure, at this point in my life.

My little holiday from the real world officially ends in the morning, as I go back to the wonderful (not) world of adult probation. It’s been great to just forget about that part of my life for these past eleven days.  It’s been a much needed break.  I only left my house once, since I’ve been off, and that was to go to my parents Saturday.  I haven’t even gone to the grocery store.  I’d make a good hermit, I think.

I want to thank you, my online friends, who come to visit and spend time with me here, at my little spot on the web. I noticed that my little blog ended the year with the most hits it’s ever had in one day.  I wish you all the best in 2008, and pray for strength & healing for those that are hurting. 

longarm quilting · machine quilting · quilt top · quilting · quilts

End of Year Report


Before I deleted my old blog, which was hosted on another site, I kept a copy of one post.  That was my list of project goals for 2007. 

These three patterns were on the list.  I have yet to even start any of these.

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I completed two commissioned baby quilts,one commissioned queen size quilt, and two commissioned king size quilts.

Finishing Starry Log Cabin was on the list to be completed and I finished it.

Courthouse steps was on the list, it is now quilted, but needs binding.

My Storm At Sea quilt kit has been sewn into a top, but still needs quilting and finishing.

I started on the fall wallhanging, and it is now a WIP.

And I started on my two Eleanor Burns nine patch & stripe quilts, making those a WIP.

I also finished DS’s lap quilt, four other baby quilts that went up for sale at my friend’s boutique, several fleece blankets for customers, and quilted a few customer tops. 

I feel like I’m forgetting something, but that’s all I can come up with for now.  Not too bad, considering how limited my quilting time is.  Now to work on the list for 2008!