First Real Quilt

I quilted the first real quilt today on this wonderful new machine. I had made this top almost a year ago and dreaded doing the stipple on my Janome. It hurts my back and is just plain hard work.

It went very well. I loaded the quilt the wrong way with the seam on the backing. It made a little tuck but did not effect the rest of the quilt.

I am in love with this machine and look forward to lots of Quilts of Valor. I do everything free motion from the front as I have no pantos or any fancy stuff for it. It is amazingly easy to use.

Quilting Success

I am just having the best time with this new machine. I went to a quilt shop that sells them to ask a few questions. The lady is great and going to a training session soon. I signed up for a class that meets once a month for all long arm machines. Here is a picture of my machine all set up with the practice quilt.

There is a picture of a little house done in free motion. It is fun and I will just get better and better. The tension seems to be good and I have not gotten puckers. I am close to using up this piece and then will load a real quilt top.

Sweet Machine in HOME

We took the trip to Virginia and I bought the Hanquilter 16 long arm quilting machine. It was fun chatting with the lady who owned it and getting a lesson on stitching. The picture here is not mine but a friend in Florida. This is just to give you an idea of what it looks like. The machine is the same one--the frame a little different.

We got it set up and I am now learning how to work this wonderful machine. It was heavy and ackward but my husband managed to do it without any swearing. It about takes up the whole spare bedroom where we put it. The bobbin tension was way too tight and produced eyelashes on the back. But I knew how to fix this as I had done it on my regular Janome sewing machine.

I have loaded practice fabric and am happy to report all seems to be going very well. It will take lots of practice to get good at it. Such is everything in life. It will be sometime before I do quilts for others as I cannot imagine ruining theirs. But it will be wonderful for my Quilts Of Valor. I struggled with a big quilt under my sewing machine.

This is a dream come true and took a long time to find at a price I could afford.

Quilts of Valor

I am excited because our local guild has a speaker coming to talk about Quilts of Valor. I will bring 2 quilts with me instead of asking for a destination from the National Headquarters.

I hope it will be a motivating one as we have many members who could make quilts for this wonderful organization. It is miles away from any political leanings and crosses all party lines.

Dreams revisited

I have always---since becoming a quilter---- wanted a long arm quilting machine. I checked out our local Craigs list and there was the EXACT one I wanted as a really good price.

I have a hard time spending money once I get it in the savings account. It is ever harder considering the current economic conditions. I have to analyze everything a million times--then decide. One of my favorite sayings is jump and the net will appear. I was reminded of that by one of my online quilting friends.

So my husband and I will travel Sunday to see and probably buy this wonderful machine. I will look back on this and remember that is was the start of a new phase in my life. I will be able to quilt for myself and others for money.

I really had hoped that Oprah, Dr. Phil or Michelle Obama would have bought it to me after reading the letter from the soldier who received one of my quilts.

I had the quilt in the picture done by a long armer because it was so big. Now I will be able to do it myself.

Try Not To Worry

Matthew 6: 28
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these" came to mind as I wandered from one flower to another, admiring their beauty.

When we are scared of all the news of today---go to the manual for how to live.

Start your day with gratitude in your heart. Find joy in the simple things. I see lots of tiny flowers in the lawn. Some would call them weeds.

The beautiful child I take care of finds joy everywhere. His whole body lights up with his Mom comes home from work. He has fun with me but his greatest joy is the one who created him.

Take a Breath

We have had several days of rain and the sun is beautiful today. It is chilly but promises to be warm later on today.

There are so many people angry, offended and just plain nasty. I am appalled at the names people call our President and not just because of who it is. I thought it was just as bad with Bush. What does that make us look like to other nations? I am sure it is always the way it has been done-----but does that make it right?

When you want to say something nasty---take a breath---and hear yourself in your head. Is this how you want to be remembered? Is this the example you want your children to follow?

The picture is a stuffed bear made out of scraps a quilting friend sent to me. I was tempted to toss them out but decided to make this little guy.

When life hands you scraps----make something beautiful out of them.

Wondering????

I forgot where I read this--but saved it to my computer.

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

Where is your Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our
Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

March Weather is Like a Rollercoaster

The weather here in S. Maryland can change very quickly in just a couple of days. We had a big snow storm on a Monday and then on Friday is was 70. Now it is cold again and rainy.

This is really like our economy. Up and down and all over. I like what Dave Ramsey says about the stock market. "The only time you get hurt is when you jump off. Just hang on tight to the end."

Fear Not about anything you see and hear. This was told to us long ago and is still the Truth today.

The Simple Joys

They miss so much who do not know

The simple joys of long ago.The quiet hour, the easy pace,

A path to walk, a day to face.

A small white flower, a bird that sings,

The Happiness in the little things.

The patience for a task, well done,

The gift of rest at set of sun.

The thankful heart, the lift of care,

A friend nearby, a time of prayer.

How much they miss who do not know

The simple joys found long ago.~Amy Perrin~

Hospice Quilt

One of the wonderful ladies in the quilt guild I belong to----is helping with the new Hospice they are building in our county. We are trying to supply quilts for the families who will be using this facility.

I will make one for them but decided to go through the quilts I have already completed. I found a perfect one to donate for them. It is called Front Porch and is by Eleanor Burns. I just love this lady and am sure she would love to know one of her designs in going into this cause.

New Class Project

I had a wonderful group of ladies in my last Beginner Class. They bonded so nicely and said they felt like they were back in time at a quilt gathering. Many wanted to repeat the class. I think there is a lack of connection sometimes with all the technology in our world today. We need flesh and blood togetherness as women. We need a place to just be ourselves and talk about things of our heart. There is no judgement here and no cattiness. Put down the handheld stuff and sit with each other. I love these ladies and look forward to having them in my next class.

I needed to come up with a new project for them but also that would teach the others joining the class. I decided to do a fusible project. This was fun and designed by me after remembering something similar from Simply Quilts TV show.