Thursday, September 30, 2010

Fall Into Fall Quilters Blogs Giveaway!!!

 This giveaway is now closed!  A winner will be announced shortly!

With the help of http://www.random.org/ and lots of counting over and over (wanted to make sure I counted right), a winner has been chosen to receive the $25 gift certificate for I Have A Notion.  829 comments were made so I wasn't able to reply to the comments but I hope I can find the time to check out all the blogs. 

Congratulations to Monica!  The following comment was the winner.


Monica said...
My blog can be found at http://diaryofaquiltmaven.blogspot.com


Since I have to work tomorrow, I am going to go ahead and post my giveaway this evening.  I just want to make sure my giveaway is ready for tomorrow.

First off, a big thanks to Debi at Quilting With Debi for hosting this great event!  It is incredible the amount of bloggers participating!  Make sure you go over to the Fall Into Fall Blog and visit all the blogs having a giveaway!  I can't wait to see what everyone is giving this year.

So here goes!

For my Fall Into Fall Giveaway, I searched high and low trying to decide what to give one lucky winner.  Everyone has such different tastes and of course, things they want, so it was a really hard decision to make.

I thought maybe someone would like one of the Hobbico Irons that I had posted about before.  But then I thought maybe not!  So I kept looking!

Then I saw these greats Bendable Bright Lights for your sewing machine.  Neat idea and what a practical gift!  But no, I just couldn't choose that!

So I kept looking!  Then I seen this great craft organizer that would be perfect to take to a retreat.  But I didn't choose that either!  So I kept looking!


Then I seen the new rulers that have been introduced lately.  I know you have seen them too.  The ones that sharpen your blades as you cut.  But what size would be good?  Such a decision to make so I didn't make that decision.  So I kept looking!



I looked high and I looked low and finally found the perfect gift to give to one of my friends in the blogging world!  So simple!!!!  Yet so much fun!!!!  I hope you will like what I have chosen!

So are you ready to see the prize that I am giving to one lucky reader?   Are you sure your ready?  What if it could be any of the above items I mentioned?  Well it can be!

I am happy to announce that I will be giving away a Gift Certificate to a great online shop called I Have A Notion!!!  The winner of my giveaway will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to purchase something they would enjoy.  I am sure you will be able to find the perfect item for you in her online shop.  Kelly is sure to help you in any way.  Her great service is something that keeps me going back to her website!

This giveaway is open to everyone!  International entries are welcome!
Non-reply comments will be automatically disqualified unless you include an email address to be contacted at.
The winner will be drawn on October 15th and notified by email.

So let me tell you how you can get some entries for this $25  I Have A Notion Gift Certificate giveaway!

For each entry you MUST leave a separate comment.  ALL COMMENTS MUST BE ON THIS POST ONLY!!!

Entry #1--Just leave a comment on this post.  Only comments on this post will count towards the giveaway!

Entry #2--Follow Kelly's blog over I Have A Notion Blog.  Make sure you leave a comment here on this post letting me know.  Her blog posts are very informative with a great deal of humor thrown in!  If you already follow, just leave a comment letting me know. 

Entry #3--Follow my blog.  If you are already a follower please leave a comment letting me know.

Entry #4--Leave a link to your blog!  If you don't have a blog, leave the link of your favorite blog!

Entry #5--Post about the Fall Into Fall Quilting Bloggers Giveaway on your blog.  Spread the word about all the great giveaways!

I think that is about it!  5 chances to win $25!   lol  I don't think I will be able to respond to all entries.  Don't think I am ignoring you or don't think you comment is worthy, but I do have a job and occasionally get to the sewing room!

I hope you enjoy falling into fall this great way!

See you tomorrow!

Rhonda

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

And The Winner Is!!!

I had hoped to draw the winning entry early today but got quite busy and just now getting around to it!

So the winner of the FQ's and Suction Cup Grip Handle is:

Needled Mom has left a new comment on your post "Today Is The Day For A Giveaway!":

Please enter me too.


The winner was selected at random by random.org.

Thanks to all that participated!  Hope you will return Friday for the next giveaway!

Hope you had a great day!

Rhonda

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Last Chance!

Today is the last day to get entered for the giveaway!  I will draw a winner tomorrow morning.  If you are looking for it, you just need to go here.

I haven't been able to respond to all the comments for the giveaway and I don't know if I am going to be able to!  Wow!  Lots of comments!

Don't forget the Fall Into Fall Quilters Blog giveaway starts Friday.  I already have my giveaway planned and I know you will want to check back to find out what that is!!!  There are going to be loads of giveaways starting that day. 

I have not managed to get anything through the machine tonight!  Haven't even gotten to the sewing room yet.  Noticed I said yet!  I did get my last 2 blocks finished for the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt done last night.  I am planning to start putting that together later tonight.

I have managed to fix dinner, do a load of laundry, and chat with a good friend Joanne tonight.  So I have accomplished some things. 

So anyway, I am heading off to the sewing room to see what trouble I can get in to.  Tomorrow is my day off so I am heading over to Craft Town Fabrics.  I know I will probably get into some trouble there.  I just plan to get some backings but you know how that goes!

Hope you had a great day!!

Rhonda

Monday, September 27, 2010

Log Cabin Quilt

If you are looking for the giveaway, you can find it here.  I will be drawing the winner on Wednesday!

So I worked this evening on getting all my blocks together for my Log Cabin quilt.  Now I just need to decide if it needs another row of blocks down each side.  At this point, it measures 70" x 84" without the border.  If I add a row down each side it would measure 84" x 84", which is more the size I would like.  I plan to add a pieced border made out of the darker fabrics so that would add some more inches. 
I just can't decide!  So I will let my blog friends decide for me!  Leave me a comment telling me what you think.  On Saturday, I will count all the comments and do what you, my friends, think. 

So here is a picture of it in its current state.


Please tell me what to do!!!

Hope you had a great day!

Rhonda

Sunday, September 26, 2010

I got quite a bit done today!

If you are here looking for the giveaway, it is here.

I finally got all of the 24 blocks I needed done today.  All I need to do is sew them together and add them to the blocks I already have put together.  But, I am not sure about this quilt.  Every time it seems that I am getting closer to the finish, it starts acting like it wants more!  Have you ever done a quilt like that?  I am thinking now maybe this one needs another row down each side.  I would definitely do that but I am not sure I have enough fabric left.  What should I do?  Well, I will just have to worry about that tomorrow! 

See ya tomorrow!  Have a great Monday if you can!

Rhonda

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Another Saturday!

If you are here looking for the giveaway, it is here.

Not much happened around here today.  I had a few errands to run this morning so I didn't make it to the sewing room until about 2 this afternoon.  I did manage to get a few more blocks finished but not all that I needed.  I am heading back in there as soon as I post this. 

We went to a 25th Anniversary Surprise Party for DH's sister and BIL tonight.  It was a really nice party with lots of good food!  Of course, the bride and groom were late because the groom was in the field combining.  Half of the party had started eating before they even got there.  That is life in the country!  lol  It was a good time though seeing all of DH's relatives and meeting new people.  There was a lovely older couple sitting across from us that will be getting married in 3 weeks.  I don't know their names but they were so nice!

Anyway, I am heading back to the sewing  room to see if I can get some more of those blocks made.

See ya tomorrow!

Rhonda

Friday, September 24, 2010

Sneak Peek

First, I would like to thank all of those that have commented on the giveaway.  Thank you for being followers and your subscriptions to my blog.  I will try to respond to all the comments when I have a day off tomorrow.

**If you are looking for the giveaway, it is here.

I wasn't able to get any sewing done last night so I just want to give you a sneak peek at what I have been working on.  Maybe by the end of the weekend I will be able to give you a better view.


Hope you are enjoying your Friday evening!  See you tomorrow!

Rhonda

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Today Is The Day For A Giveaway!

Don't you love that title?  Say it out loud!  It rhymes.  Thought that was fun but what do it know.  lol

So today is the day for the giveaway that I promised.  I got a couple of things for one lucky winner.  So here is what is up for grabs in this giveaway. 

First we have one of the Super Grip Suction Cup Handles that I picked up at Menards last Saturday.  It works great on your acrylic rulers.


Second, you will also win this decorative metal basket containing 15 coordinated fat quarters.


In this giveaway, you will have 4 opportunities to enter.  International entries are welcome!  The deadline for entering is September 28th with the winner being announced on September 29th. 

Here are the 4 ways you can get an entry in this giveaway.  Each of the 4 ways requires a separate comment!

1.  Leave a comment on this post.  Only comments on this post will be entered.  Non-reply comments will be disqualified unless an email address is contained in the post.  I have to have some way to get in touch with the winner.

2.  Become a follower.  Leave a separate comment letting me know you are a follower.  If you are already a follower, you will need to leave a comment letting me know.

3.  Become a verified subscriber by email.  There is a box to the right that will enable you to do this.  Just add your email address and click subscribe.  You will get an email at the email address so that you may verify your subscription to my blog.  You will need to leave a separate comment letting me know that you have chosen to subscribe.  (I really like this feature on blogs!  Every time a post is made it goes right to my email.)

4.  Post this giveaway to your blog.  You must leave a separate comment letting me know you have done this.

So that is it!  I am looking forward to hearing from everyone soon!

Rhonda

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

It is Day 21!

I did it!!!  I posted 21 days in row.  So what does that mean?  According to some guy a few years ago, when you do something 21 days in a row it becomes a habit.  I say at 21 days in a row, it is time for a giveaway.  So tomorrow make sure you check back to see what it is!

I had planned to show what my latest project looks like with all the blocks put together.  I got sidetracked!!  lol  I did get quite a few put together but no more blocks made.  Plus I decided to add a couple more rows so instead of needing 4 more blocks, I need 24. 

I also remembered today about the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along that I started a few months back.  I still need to finish up blocks 11 and 12.  I thought I only had 3 projects going on but I guess I have 4.  Probably more than that if I would look. 

I did manage to get to the bank and get groceries this morning.  So I guess I accomplished something!

See ya tomorrow!

Rhonda

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Some of my favorites!

I got home from work early today and manage to play around with the quilting machine for a couple of hours.  Sorry, no pictures.  Really nothing worthy of photographing.

I have been working on some log cabin blocks for a few weeks now and did get a big part of those finished last night.  If I work really hard tomorrow maybe I can get those put together.  Still need to make at least 4 more yet.  I hope to get those done tonight.

So tonight I thought I would post some of my favorite websites to shop at.  A couple are local and I really like to visit those in person but when I can't get time, I know I can order online.

http://www.shiisaquilts.com/
http://www.crafttownfabrics.com/
http://ihavea-notion.com/store/
http://www.electricquilt.com/
http://www.allbrands.com/
http://www.alleyfabrics.com/ 

Have fun visiting these great places!

Rhonda

Monday, September 20, 2010

Great Mail Day!

NO BILLS!!!

It is always a Great Mail Day when you don't get any bills.  But you know they will come.  Every month like clock work!  

I did get a great package in the mail today though!  Debi from over at Fall Into Fall Quilters Blogger Giveaway and Quilting With Debi sent me an awesome package today!  Debi is also hosting the Fall Into Fall Quilters Blogger Giveaway and it isn't too late to sign your blog up! 

Do you want to see what she sent me?  And no it isn't the sewing machine!


It is a Sewing Machine Mat and I just love it!  It has 3 pockets in the front to keep all my essential tools handy!  Thanks Debi!

Hope you had a great day!
Rhonda


Sunday, September 19, 2010

Day 18

Today is the 18th day in a row for posting to my blog.  At day 21 I will be letting you know about a giveaway.

For today though, I am just going to show you some things I purchased on my trip to Menards yesterday.  And I also want to show you what I have been doing with the quilting machine and PC Quilter.

Here is one of the things I purchased at Menards yesterday. This kind of reminds me of the plumbing snake you use when you have to clean out your pipes but this one is for your sink.  No, I don't have stopped up sinks but at 99 cents I thought it would be handy to have around.  You never know but it could come in handy for other uses.


Of course, I picked up a couple of the suction cup shower grips.  Don't need them in the shower but rather on the acrylic rulers I like to use.  I did pick up a couple for some patients of mine also.  They aren't something they would purchase but I think they could really, really use for their showers.


Today I got busy and loaded some practice fabric on the quilting frame.  The PC Quilter came with a book that contains a lesson along with a lesson CD with the necessary patterns.  It really shows you more what this PC Quilter can do.  So here are some photos of my lesson that I worked on today.

This is the beginning learning how to flip, rotate, etc.


This is the same design but creating 8.


This is the same design element but used 20 times.  I don't have to stitch each one out separately.  I just add a number to the command and it does the rest.


I was afraid that there would be a thread nest at the middle of this but there sure wasn't.  Looking forward to tomorrow when I might be able to play a little more.  Or is this practice!  It is just fun!

See you tomorrow!

Rhonda

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Today!


I made it to Menards today but have been really busy all day so I haven't gotten a lot of photos taken of my purchases.  While in the big city, I did go to Hobby Lobby also.  When I say big city, any place is bigger than Deputy.  My DH actually gave me $$ and told me to buy something I wanted.  After walking around Hobby Lobby for about an hour, I did purchase a quilting book with my 40% off coupon.  Didn't really need anything else so I saved my $$ for another day.

Free-Motion Quilting Made Easy by Eva Larkin.  I know you are probably asking why would I need this book since I have the PC Quilter.  Because it has a lot of amazing block designs in it that only use 8 basic shapes. 

Are any of you having trouble with blogger?  It really has been a pain tonight.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Rhonda


Friday, September 17, 2010

Are you ready?

For the weekend!

I sure am!!!

I am heading out in the morning for one of my favorite places.  Menards!!!  They always have some good deals going on.  This is what I will be on the lookout for!
I know it says it is a Safety Grip Handle but you all know what I will be using it for.  Going to pick up a couple for some gifts for my quilting family this year.

So I hope you have some great plans for the weekend!  See you tomorrow!

Rhonda

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Do you love to paper piece?

I absolutely LOVE to paper piece!!!

And lately I have been working on some paper pieced blocks.  But it wasn't until the last couple of weeks I started using something I had purchased months ago.  Can you guess what it is? 

It is one of these--the Hobbico Sealing Iron!


I have it sitting on a snack tray table beside my machine.  No more getting up to use the iron that sits on my ironing board.  Of course I use with one of those reversible cutting/ironing mats that you get at Walmart.  But I have to tell you, this iron is handy.  Gets super hot!  Is so much lighter than my regular iron!  Takes up very little space!  And best of all saves me so many steps!  I heard it is also great for applique.

So if you are a paper piecer like me you might want to check into it.  I know Kelly over at I Have a Notion carries them as well as the Accuquilt GO that have become all the rage.  I haven't been purchasing fabric lately but I do enjoy going over to IHAN and checking out all the great gadgets.  Great prices and great service.  Let her and her co-workers know I sent ya!

And no I am not affiliated!  Just found her website great to order from!

Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda 

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Fall Into Fall Quilters Blogs Giveaways!!!

Have you heard?  Debi over at Quilting With Debi is hosting a Fall Into Fall Quilters Blogs Giveaway!  She is looking for participants right now.  All you have to do is have a blog giveaway starting on October 1st with the winner drawn on October 15th.  If you are interested go here and email her that you would like to participate!  Debi is hoping to get 200 bloggers to participate.  So hurry over to her blog and help her out please!  I know I am!

Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Dawn's quilt

Before my sister Dawn passed away back in July, we tried to finish up her quilting projects.  Dawn and I with some help from her friends, finished up a quilt for her friend Anne.  We had discussed another quilt project she had started at the time also.  That second project didn't get finished until a couple of weeks ago.  With the help of my great friends Penny, Olivia, Paula and Shauna, we were able to get the quilt finished.  I am posting a photo of the quilt, but please don't tell my sister's son Raymond.  It may be a while before he receives it even though it will be heading south in the next few days. 

Dawn chose to do strip pieced blocks for the entire quilt.  She wanted decorative stitching on each seam in the blocks.  Plus she wanted a summer quilt containing no batting.  This is what she got. 

A huge Thanks to all the ladies that were so helpful in helping me finish it!


Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda

Monday, September 13, 2010

Giveaway Alert!

Debi over at Quilting with Debi is having a great giveaway!  Head over there and get your entries in!

Rhonda

Was I surprised!

To start off today's post I just want you to know that this is Day 12 or 21.  Won't be long before we have a giveaway!  Don't know what yet, but I am sure I will find something.

I got off work early today since I didn't have very many patients to see.  So I was home about noon when my doorbell started ringing.  We only have a doorbell on the front door and no one we know ever comes to the front door.  I went to the door and I couldn't believe it but there stood our Rural Mail Carrier with a box in his hands.  I knew I hadn't ordered anything so why was Jimmy delivering a box to this house.  Maybe one of the kids had ordered something.

So after I thank him nicely for bringing it to the door, I look at the address label and find it is for me.  The return address was from my dear friend Joanne over at Splitting Stitches(Make sure you run over to her blog and see what she has to giveaway to some special person!)  Joanne used to live just a couple of hours from me until her and her family moved to New Hampshire last year.  Usually I know when to expect something from Joanne.  It wasn't my birthday!  It isn't Christmas!  So what could this be! 

It is Mama and Daddy Mucinex that had come to visit their babies! 
  (The babies had arrived quite a while ago in another package!)  So Mama and Daddy will be joining the 5 mucinex babies living in my sewing room.  That is until I get a chance to mail something that needs some packing materials!


But that was just the start of what was in that box!






It is Christmas afterall and I am totally behind on my shopping!  

Not really and I am so glad!

So I ripped into that Christmas wrapping paper and what should appear--not any reindeer for sure!  So what can be better! 

A Moda Bakeshop Sampler!


Aren't all these little 2 1/2" squares just yummy!
 So Christmas came early to my house today! Thanks Santa Joanne!

I am even going to keep the box!  You always need a box for shipping out prizes in a giveaway!



Hope you are having a great day!

Rhonda

Sunday, September 12, 2010

My First PC Quilter Quilt!

I finished quilting my first quilt on the PC Quilter a few days ago.  For the first one I don't think it turned out too badly.  The quilt design is a BOM from Block Central.  I like my quilts very densely quilted.  This one is definitely that.


Here are a couple photos of portions of blocks.  You can see the dragonflies in the black really well.


Here is a photo of the quilt, minus the binding.  Binding is the least favorite part of quilting to me. 


This photo is a portion of the back where you can see the design better.  The backing is actually black so I don't know why it looks gray.


So that is my first.  Now I need to practice some more!  Found that out really fast but too late!   lol

See ya tomorrow!

Rhonda

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Big or Small & Log Cabin Blocks

I am one that doesn't make a lot of small quilts.  I have made maybe 3 or 4 wall quilts in the 30 years I have been quilting.  When I finish a quilt it is quite an accomplishment.  So you probably won't see a  lot of finishes here but rather a lot of in the process.  Right now I would have to say I have 3 major quilts in the process of piecing.  The one I worked on today is a quilt using log cabin blocks.  I LOVE Log Cabin quilts!  The log cabin block has to be one of my favorites.  There are so many different patterns that can be achieved using a simple log cabin block.  So what do you prefer to make?  Large or Small?

I did finish quilting the quilt I have had on the frame this last week.  I would show you a picture of it but what would I post tomorrow?  It still needs the binding on it.  The quilting turned out great!  You can't even see all the mistakes I made!!!  Now that is good quilting!  lol

Please remember those who died just 9 short years ago!  Bless those families who lost loved ones, I can only imagine their grief even now after 9 years.

Hope you are having a great weekend!  See you tomorrow on Day 11! 

Rhonda

Friday, September 10, 2010

Day 9! I better be thinking of something to giveaway!

I had hoped to post a photo of my quilt that I have been quilting.  I ripped out 2 rows yesterday evening and once I resew those I will be able to post a photo.

Other than that all I did today was work.  Not real exciting huh?  It has been a dreary rainy day today.  I stopped into the office this morning for the first time in two weeks.  That is more frequent than usual.  I stopped to see Ronda in Medical Records and visit with her for a few minutes.  Actually I had to grab a snack size candy bar out of her desk drawer.  You see I have been trying to lose weight.  I have actually dropped 4 pounds in the last 2 weeks so I thought I would reward myself with a little chocolate.  I got one bite off that candy bar as I was heading out the door.  Then I dropped my planner onto the wet pavement.  When I bent over to pick it up, I dropped my candy bar!  That sucked!!!  No using the 5 second rule this time!  I was so looking forward to that second bite!  I guess I didn't really need it after all!

Hope you are on your way to the start of a great weekend!

Rhonda

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Day 8! Yeah!

 
All I can say about that is, I hope I can go!!!
Rhonda

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

One week!

Can you believe it!  I have made it a whole week of posting everyday.  Nothing today about the quilting machine.  Sorry!  Still working on that first quilt, and working, and laundry and pool closing! 

I did pick up a quilting magazine the other day while grocery shopping.  I haven't purchased a quilting magazine in quite some time.  I already have so many and didn't really see a point in buying another.  But!!!  The quilt on the cover just screamed at me!  I just have to make it!  The colors are fantastic!!!  So which magazine am I talking about?  This one!


I just love the color in this quilt!  This one is definitely on my list to make next.  That is after I finish 3 or 4 of the ones I have started already!

See ya tomorrow!

Rhonda

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Day 6!

I have gotten some of my quilt done on the frame but not even close to being done.   Maybe I should have practiced more before starting out.  Yesterday I had to start a row 3 times before I finally got it right.  So I have been doing some ripping!  I plan to do a few more rows this evening but not sure I will get time.  We are in the middle of closing the pool for the summer.  You know that is a job!  The water was 70 degrees this afternoon and way to cold for swimming.  I don't think it will warm up enough to swim so it is time to cover it up and leave it until next summer.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!  I hope it wasn't too hard for you to get up this morning and head out to work!

Rhonda

Monday, September 6, 2010

Day 5

Can you believe it?  I have now posted 5 days in a row!

Not much to say today because I have been diligently working on a quilt I loaded to the frame yesterday.  Got loads to do today before I go back to work tomorrow.  

Hope everyone in the states is having a 

Great Labor Day Holiday!!!!!

Rhonda

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Day 4

I am on a roll!  Day 4 of my 21 day leading to a habit! 

Not much today though.  I spent yesterday afternoon playing around with the quilting machine again.  I did another practice piece.  This is the front side.  You can't really see the quilting, but there is a feather design in there somewhere.


This is the back side.  You can tell the design I used better on this side.  I think I did pretty good on my spacing, if I do say so myself!

I had a comment yesterday that I wanted to reply to here on the blog.  It was a comment asking about skipped stitches with my quilting system.  I have only had a time or two that I had an issue with skipped stitches and then a needle change took care of that quickly.  Hope that helps!

Until tomorrow!

Rhonda

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Day 3

So this is Day 3 of my goal of 21 days!  In my last post I said I would do a giveaway when I posted for 21 days in a row.  Keep me on track!

I had a couple of comments asking what exactly was the carriage that I posted about yesterday.  So I thought I would explain in better today.

I few years ago I purchased the GMQ Pro Grace frame and Janome 1600 machine.  The Grace frame came with a carriage like this.



When I purchased the PC Quilter, the carriage had to be changed to this.


 I didn't have to change the machine or the frame, only the carriage.  After I got my machine on this carriage, I plugged the PC Quilter carriage into my Janome 1600 machine.  This is what that looks like.


 Then I have all these wires going from the machine to the computer.  I will tidy those up after the excitement wears off.  Looks like a jumbled up mess doesn't it!


Only one of those wires goes to the computer.  Others are power supplies and such.  That one wire goes to a USB port on the computer.  Don't look at the mess!


You load your quilt on the frame just as you normally would.  My frame was altered slightly.  I had an issue with the poles bowing inward when a quilt was loaded.  So my dear husband was so nice to slide a piece of electrical conduit over my poles and then screw the conduit to the poles.  No, we didn't think of this on our own.  The woman I purchased the PC Quilter had already done this to her poles.  So here is my frame all set up with the PC Quilter.  If you are wondering how the carriage is moved, there is a timing belt that runs from one end of the frame to the other.  It can best be seen in the second photo or the photo below.  The timing belt goes right through the carriage.



Yesterday evening I loaded up some fabric that I had found at one time really cheap and this is what I did with my machine and the PC Quilter.  This is just a practice piece but I hope you can see the design.  I still need practice too but you will be able to tell that! 


Pretty neat, huh!

Hope that explains it all better!  I am off to load another piece to practice on.  Already got the groceries this morning, did some laundry, and did the floors!  I think I deserve to go play now!

See you tomorrow!

Rhonda

Friday, September 3, 2010

2 Days in a Row

I once had to attend a training session on organization for the job I was in at the time.  We were taught if you were to do something for 21 days in a row it would become a habit.  So I am on day 2 and we will see if I can make it to 21 days.  If I do, I think a giveaway would be in order, don't you?  So if you see I am slipping give me a nudge in the right direction!  lol

So I ended yesterday's post leaving you hanging.  I don't want to leave you hanging any longer.

I purchased a new to me quilting toy about a week and a half ago.  I had two quilts to tack before I could even think about my new toy.  Wednesday night after that second quilt was tacked and finished I couldn't help myself but to start putting it together.  It wasn't until last night that I actually had it together and working correctly, I think.  No, it wasn't one of the Accuquilt GO Cutters that everyone but me is winning.  No, it wasn't a new quilting frame and machine.  Well, here it is!


You are probably saying, so what is that?  It looks like a new machine and frame to me.  My new toy is actually the carriage.  You see that carriage also links in to the computer sitting out of view.  Do you get it now?  I have computerized my Grace frame and Janome 1600 with the PC Quilter.  Last night I actually stitched out a little something.  I would show you what I stitched, but the photos are still on my camera.  I know, why don't I just download them on my computer.  Why?  Because I can't find the silly cord that will allow me to do it!  How great is that!  I have been taking photos with my cell phone so I might just have to keep doing that.  lol

Anyway, so that is the new toy and I am now off to turn that baby on and start playing!

Hope you have some great plans for the Labor Day weekend!  See you tomorrow!

Rhonda

Thursday, September 2, 2010

OK Joanne! lol

Joanne from over at Splitting Stitches has been on me lately about updating my blog.  Yes, it was April the last time I made a post, but I have to tell you, I have been really busy.

Where do I start!  Let's see.  The first part of May, Jill and I took a quick trip to North Carolina.  Fayetteville to be exact.  Went to see my sister Dawn and her family for a few days.  There was a very important reason for me to go too.  We needed to finish a quilt Dawn had started for her BFF Anne.  She actually had a couple of quilts that needed finished but that trip we mainly worked on that one.  We got it all done except for the border.  I brought it home, put the border on it and quilted it.  It then made a trip back to NC with my Mom.  Anne received and loved it.  Dawn was the designer on this one so put on your sunglasses before viewing more than 2 seconds!  lol


Of course by the time all of this was done it was June.  Time to open the pool.  Pools are a great way to enjoy the summer and stress you in ways that you have never been stressed before.  Dealing with chlorine levels, ph levels, acidity levels, etc.  And then sometimes the just plain extremely hot weather does a whole new number on the water.  In June the pool looked great as you can tell by the next photo.  Don't you just love the turtle!  It is a good thing I got this picture because pond scum led us into the month of July.  But all is well now and water is clear and cool!

 
 Then came the month of July!  What a hectic month that was!  Since I had a long weekend that month, I decided we needed to start on a home decorating project.  Cody and I painted all that weekend. The hallway, the family room, the dining room and kitchen.   You know once you start you can't stop so new flooring was added to all those rooms plus the laundry room.  Love the new laminate flooring and I am so glad the carpet is now gone!  We waited on the living room so we would have something to do this winter.  lol  Actually it isn't a living room anymore but where I keep my Grace frame and quilting machine.  So once the flooring was down there were new curtains to hang and furniture shopping to do.  We went from plain white walls, tan carpet, hunter green and burgundy curtains and green furniture to walls painted Faded Denim, Roasted Garlic and Pumpkin Bread, laminate flooring, blue stripes and orange and red curtains and leather furniture.  Big difference!  Here are a few photos to see how it ended up.  Don't look at the couch potato or recliner radish!  We still have some things to do yet but hope to get those little things done in the next couple of weeks.




 While we were in the middle of all these renovations, my sister Dawn took a turn for the worse.  Dawn was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer in October of 2007.  She passed away on July 29th, 2010 very quietly with me and Mom by her side.  She was an amazing woman and is missed greatly.  So another trip to North Carolina for the visitation and memorial service then back home for another visitation, funeral and burial.  There are still times when something funny happens and I reach for the phone to call her and tell her.  We always enjoyed a good laugh!  Sometimes too many!  But I know she is in a better place free of the awful pain she had to endure on this earth.  Miss you little sister!!

So now we come to August!  August was a month for finishing!  Finishing the some of the work on the house we had started.  Finishing quilts!  I have managed to finish 2 quilts in August.  The first finish I can't show you right now.  It was one of Dawn's and will be going to her son.  After he receives it I will post a photo but not now.  The second one was actually a repair.  My dear SIL, Lisa, asked me to repair a quilt for her quite some time ago.  She said it was her sick quilt and it sure is ugly and I have to agree with her there.  She used it when she was sick to curl up on the couch with.  Anyway, the backing was almost gone as well as most of the batting.  The top was in good condition but you know the double knit fabric lasts a zillion years.  Yes, it was pieced out of double knit fabrics.  So I left what was left of the batting and backing and added a new layer of batting and a new backing.  Tacked it at the seams and put a binding on it. 
If you have a weak stomach don't scroll down any farther!  Here is that masterpiece!


 So do you know what else happened in August?  Stay tuned tomorrow when I update you on the rest of the month of August!

Bye for now!
Rhonda