New Machine

Well I got caught up in the release of the new Singer Futura Quintet on HSN.  Needless to say I am sending it back tomorrow.  I so wanted to love this machine, but it consistently comes un-threaded.  I tried everything and then got online and read others were having similar problems.  I did a quilt block today and it came un-threaded 7 times.  It unthreads every single time the auto thread cutter is used.  It is a mess with the embroidery as well, unthreads a lot and jams up.  I had at least 3 broke needles.  I just do not have the time to deal with those issues especially from a brand new, top of  the line blah blah blah machine.  I want an embroidery machine so if you have one you love please let me know and details would be appreciated.  I am so ill about this machine.  I have seen several posts about a "learning curve"  that maybe but when you get a brand new machine you a least want to be able to finish a block or whatever with out a broke needle and re-threading it 7 times.  Ok that is my 2 cents and it is probably worth less than that, but there it is!  I am sick about it.  I feel like I have wasted so much precious sewing time dealing with this machine, not to mention thread and fabric.  Uggh!  Lesson learned don't buy a sewing machine off TV!

Opening Weekend

Well this will be a quick post because I have hunting to get to.  This is opening weekend of modern gun (rifle) season on white-tailed deer here in Arkansas.  As you may have guessed I am totally into that.  I have actually been off work for 4 days today (will have 5 days) and have literally just iron some fabric for 2 projects and printed some graph paper and made measurements for a 3rd.   I have been totally committed to deer hunting.  Hopefully this afternoon will get the job done and tomorrow I can sew and actually clean something.  I did sweep today in my defense.  I have finally picked a project for my secret santa swap on my wonderful FB group I belong to sew swapit.  Great Great group; love those ladies!!!  I have a sneak peak at the fabrics, but not the pattern cause well its a secret people!  :) 

Please do not even look at my ironing board cover!  That thing is OMG nasty!  It is in desperate need of a replacement.  I will be sure and put that on my to-do list! 

Ok I am off to the woods.  I am late on getting out there.  I like to be in woods by 2 so I am 11 min late lol!  Hoping for a wall-hanger!!!  Fingers crossed bloggy friends, fingers crossed!!!

Auction Quilt

Well I believe I mentioned that I was making a quilt to auction for a friend.  That is all done with.  I was so nervous that no one would bid on it.  Although I knew someone from my family (8 of us there) would bid if they saw my panic.  There were actually several quilts in the auction, which made me more nervous.  As it turned out my quilt went for the most!  I was so surprised, and so glad it made more than I thought for my friend.  I also had 2 guys (lol) ask me if I could make them one just like it, because it reminded them of quilts their grandmothers made!  How cool is that!!!!  I of course said no lol!  I just get super panicky and nauseous when thinking about selling one.  I just don't believe people have any idea at all what it takes to make a quilt.  They are just not willing to pay what it is worth.  Although mine brought the most money it only covered the amount I had in fabric and batting nothing more.  A king sized quilt went for $50, I about fell out of my chair.  That didn't even begin to cover the fabric, probably not even the batting.  It was a handmade quilt, done on a machine, not store bought or anything.  I think, in my area, I might decide one day to do baby quilts.  It could be possible to sell those for time and material, but nothing else.  I would rather give them away, is that bad?  Then I don't feel so bad about all the "imperfections" in the quilt that to me gives it life and personality!  Anyway that led me to going way way out and crazy and buying (on HSN) the new not even on the new singer all in one machine that does well all in one.  I got sucked into to the whole debut cheapest price it will ever be thing.  I do not have it yet, but they sold it good!  I have been wanting to try my hand at embroidery, and this machine does it (and quilts, and fashion, and well you get it all in one!)  I will let you know how it goes and a review so to speak of it!  I am going to bind my hemisphere's quilt stating tomorrow and I can't wait to show you the quilting and binding.  I am so pleased with this quilt!!!   ok enough about me, what have yall been up to?

Front

I was so proud of my corners lol!  Me and binding have a hate/hate relationship!

back

 So this is the secret garden quilt by the lovely Amy Gibson.  You can do a workshop and get the fabric on Craftsy HERE

Lots of News

Wow I have let things get away from me a little bit.  I have lots of relevant and irrelevant news.  Well maybe not LOTS but it feel like a few things anyway.  I'll start with the quilty relevant news so you can skip the rest if you like!

I have been a pattern tester for Aria Lane (well on the list for a little while) and got to test my first pattern.  It is by Megan Nichols and called Hemispheres.  It is a really cool pattern.  I will say it was a lot little challenging for me since I had never even thought of doing a curve quilt before.  I think I have done one block that had a tad bit of curve to it.  It freaked me out was exciting to try something so new.  I bit off quite a bit doing a twin size.  It seemed smaller in my mind lol!  All joking aside this has been my favorite quilt so far, because it challenged me so much!  Also the directions are great and very straight forward and easy to follow.  Another surprise was skimming through my blog reads this morning and actually seeing my name and quilt top HERE!  Megan is having a QAL and if you think this pattern is something you like, but are skeered (that is country for scared) then what better way than a QAL!

Here is the front and back of the quilt.  Not true to form I am actually quilting said quilt right now.  I am making this for a dear family friend that has lung cancer and through some other issues has no quilts at all.  That just can't be so he must have a quilt to snuggle with and this will be it!

I also decided on a WIP to make for the benefit auction for the same friend and I will show that one when it is done.  I have 2 quilts sandwhiched and one about a 1/3rd quilted.  That is big time for me!  Thanks furlough lol!




Ok  end of quilt relevance and to not relevant but my life stuff.

I am not sure if you guessed it but I am very very country and could maybe even be called redneck LOL!  I am a wildlife biologist as I have said before and avid hunter and fisher.  I harvested a buck out of my house Saturday.  Yes you read that right out of my house, the basement window to be exact (what better deer stand could there be).  I have a little food plot off the back (about 120 yds), and he walked out there and happen to be spotted.  It was a heck of a shot with a muzzleloader, and I am pretty proud of it.  He is a 2.5 year old 8 pt.  I am kinda proud of it.  Me and my daughter also go a doe last weekend so we have some deer meat for sure!

Quilting bee

Well I have never participated in a bee, but think I should.  So I searched around for one that wouldn't stress me out and make me feel like I was not good enough.  So I went with Newbee Quilter.  I am on a waiting list for Hive 7, please come and join in.  It is for new quilters, nothing crazy just good solid blocks and fun! 

Winner and request

Ok I don't know how to make to cute little insert of the whole number generator so I copied and pasted and this is what comes up lol!  Anyway Congrats Amiee:

 

AimeeOctober 5, 2013 at 4:13 AM

Sorry you're furloughed. I think a remedial Kindergarten class might be good for some of our political leaders ~ they can relearn basic lessons like playing well with others, sharing their toys, & working together. Hopefully they'll figure this out & get things back up & running quickly. I think you should give them all to one person; someone could get a nice sized quilt out of all three. 

I will send you all three, but since there were only two of you I plan to send something, maybe a couple of fat quarters to Bonnie as well.  Just seems unfair to only have had two people.  So I will email both of you for your addresses.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

True Random Number Generator Min:   Result: 1 



OK I have another project that I must get on the move with.  I have a very dear family friend that has lung cancer.  He is a family friend that has been around our family for a very long time.  He is loosing his job and with that his health insurance.   So his family his having a benefit for him and I would like to contribute a quilt.  What would be something that is quick and would bring a good price?  Help!!!  Thanks again ladies for stopping by and I hope you like the items!  

Up and running

Wow your computer crashes and its all down hill from there.  So what has been going on with me...
Well I am a federal employee and I am furloughed!  It has been the biggest cluster I have ever seen.  We had basically no guidance on what to expect, only get information from the media same as everyone else.  No paycheck and who knows when I will get one.  Also the vision, dental, and health benefits, who is paying for that since I don't have a check for that to come out of!  But anyway enough of that depressing crap.  Oh I am into pattern testing these days as well.  It is really something I am liking.  It has brought me out of my quilting box, and challenged me to try different things.  If you get a chance I would recommend it!  Make sure you have the time is my recommendation.  Ok so, I promised once I got back up and running I would have a giveaway!  So I will I have 3 turnovers from Moda for a lucky reader.  I have one for Friday, one for more sewing time, and one for my computer!  I think one person will get all 3 so you can actually make a quilt or something with them, however if the consensus is to slip them up and have 3 winners I am easy!  Just comment and let me know!  I will random number it to choose a winner or winners.  I will ship where ever so it is open to everyone.  One comment for the one for 3 winners or 3 for one winner.  Followers get another chance.  Open till October 6th, winner announced the 7th!