Monday, April 26, 2010

Block Swap

I am working on my blocks for the swap! I think I will be finished today; then priority mail to Doodlebug University!
This is what thy will look like. Whadda ya think? I am supposed to sign them; and I think with a first name like I have maybe that is enough. Besides that, my last name is veeerrryy long and probably wouldn't fit! :o!Pretty, huh? I thought so. Now I only have about 8 more to make!! Get sewing, girl!!

I went to my friend's house Friday and saw her new machine. An HQ Avante with the Studio Frame. A very sweet set up. It took any thread we threw on it, and we didn't have to fiddle with the tension. It also made beautiful stitches! Now, I have an APQS Millennium that I love and would not trade for anything; but I quilt for a business. She only quilts for herself, and now she has this honey of a machine. I can't wait to see what she turns out next!! All her quilts are gorgeous!
Off to my blocks! Thanks for looking!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Here I am again!!

Working on a totally different project today. It is just too late for "My Maria".
On to working on my Trees quilt for Columbus show. Meanwhile, back at the ranch; I should; I say SHOULD, be working on those blocks for the swap. Yea, I'll get to that!! I promised Doodlebug, so I havta!
Here's a picture of my trees. What do ya think so far??



Tension is giving me 9 fits today. Only 9?? Yea, well, more like NINETY!!!!! Maybe it's the warm weather and sunshine. Maybe my Big Baby (APQS Millennium) got used to the gloom and doom of Northeast Ohio!! I sure hope not. Anywho, my thread is breaking every few inches, and the tension is off, so, I say, "What the HE-double-hockey-sticks is up wit this??" In other words, forgetaboutit, in my best New jersey accent! ha!
Here's another....... are you ready for the close-up???I love leaves. Leaves are my friends. Leaves are a wonderful thing!!! Wunerful, wunerful!!

Ok, so back at the ranch, time to saddle up Silver and hi-ho on outa here!!

Monday, April 19, 2010

My Maria


Ok, so I had really given up on this art/pictorial quilt. I am trying to get it finished in time to put in a show. I was told it would be challenging; and it is, but not so bad I feel like I'm frustrated. This is how she looks so far!! I think I need some gold and silver lame! Never in a million years did I think I'd say THAT!! Can ya tell that is supposed to be water behind her?? And sky? Now I have lots, and lots of thread painting and quilting to do!!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Day two, part two


Since I'm so short............I had to shorten a tee I got last year (or the year before) at Coldwater Creek. Then it was too low cut, so I added pieces from the bottom to the neckline. Like this with all the pins still in it. Then I tacked it down by hand so it wouldn't move. It was kinda floppin around til I tacked it! Yippee! Now I can wear it!

Day Two!

Here we go!
I have to bitch this morning!! Grrrrrr! I've just spent the last 2 hours frogging. For those of you who don't know it is ripping out stitches. You know, "rip-it, rip-it, rip-it". And the stitches were 13 to the inch!! I ripped it out because it was not pretty. I did not like it at all. Now I have a new plan, though. And it IS pretty!!! Ok, done bitching. You know 10 minutes of machine quilting means about 2 hours of frogging!!! Please forget the tip that you can cut every fifth thread! It doesn't work with tiny, teeny, weeny stitches! HA! I cut the ones I can get my ripper under.
It's cold in my studio this morning, but it is going up to 80 degrees today; so I will suffer for a bit! Maybe I need to play outside in the garden. I think it's warmer outside than in here. Brrr. I'm wearing a sweatshirt, still cold.

I have to tell ya, I should be working on my Senorita Maria Rodriguez Gonzales. She's calling me. The quilt show people are looking for pictures! Help. No time! Or maybe time wasted! Who knows?? Who cares?

I also have to make 12 blocks for a swap by April 30th!!! I think I am spending waaay too much time on the 'puter! Humph. Who'd a thought??

More later!!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Day One!!

How exciting! Me, the technologically challenged doing a blog!! Stay with me; it will be fun and informative and creative!!
I am Linnea, wife to Gary, and mother to Jimmy!
I love, love, love to sew. I've been sewing since I was 5 years old. I particularly love to quilt and machine quilting is my passion. It's what I think about when I go to sleep at night and what I think about when I get up in the morning. Thanks to my wonderful DH, and my father-in-law; I have a nice, well lit, warm studio that is 17' by 25'.
I spend all day out here, occasionally going in the house to check on my 93-year-old mother! But, believe me she really doesn't need checking! She vacuums the house, dusts, (thank goodness someone does!) does the dishes, folds clothes, and starts dinner for me! It is wonderful to have her with us. We are making memories together that I will cherish forever! Sometimes we do pick at each other, and my hubby gets mad; but I just tell him that's the mother/daughter thing!! And I really think it is!!

I entered a small quilt show this year for the first time. I've been quilting for almost 25 years and longarming for about 5 years. I won a BLUE RIBBON!!! After my initial shock I thought for sure they made a mistake and were going to call me back. Then I looked on the website; and there was MY name!!!! Holy quiltin, batman!! First place, small bed category!!