The Saga of Sandy's Mystery Continues

Remember this quilt. This is Sandy's mystery from February of this year. She sent it to me for quilting.

This is what it looked like on the back after I quilted it. Loved the pattern. Loved the thread color. Hated the way the stitches looked when finished.

Well, this is the way the back looks now.

This is the thread that I removed from this quilt. Of course it's only the top thread. The bobbin thread pieces are now on the grass in my back yard.

It only took 28 hours and 30 minutes to take all of the quilting out of this quilt. I am so glad that is over. Now, to decide what color and what type of thread to use to re-quilt it. I was hoping to have it re-quilted to take to Sandy next week, but, I am not sure that is going to happen.

More later,

Countdown is on !!!!!!

Yes, the countdown for our trip to Seabrook Island has started. We currently have 6 1/2 days left until we leave. So, with that in mind I felt that I needed to start getting ready to go.

First up would be a "Welcome" surprise. Look at these cute little boxes that I found at the container store. Aren't they just darling? I just love the color-----you knew that I would didn't you?

What do YOU think might be in those boxes. Let me assure you it is something good. I can also tell you that it is not sweet and sour chicken.

OK, have to get back to work. I have a quilt on the frame that I need to start stitching on so that my client will have it for our St. Christopher Retreat.

More on our trip later. Now we only have 6 days to wait.

New Quilt

Just took this off of the frame. It is posted on the customer page along with a close up of the back.

It's been a very good day.

Lookin' Better?

Over the past few weeks I have had a number of people comment on how this looked:

See that stack of stuff on top of the storage cabinets next to the window? This picture was taken after I had taken some of the 'stuff'off.

I decided today that I would try to do something about that. I bagged up a bunch of fat quarters and UFO blocks and took them to Jane for the Logan charity quilts. I also added 2 bolts of homespun fabric that I had purchased from the Quilted Pearl when they closed. All for a good cause.

Then I loaded up all of the fat quarter drawers with their designated fabric colors. You know, red, blue, yellow, and green. Then there are the 2 drawers for black and whites, one for halloween, one for Christmas.......you get what I'm talking about.

So this is how that wall looks now:

Looks good don't you think?

I have also not shown you what Mr. OLT did for me to get my fabric bolts off of the floor.

Don't you just love these? They store perfectly under Olivia since I no longer keep batting rolls under there. He put casters on each box so that I can move them out for cleaning the floor. Love the different colors. Told him to use whatever paint we had in the house.

Look good don't they.The long yellow one is for wide backs.

Then this is how they look all loaded up:

 Cool right? I love not having them leaning all over everything and in the floor. Plus, they stay so much more accessible.

Oh yes, back to the subject of the window wall. It does look so much better. However, Houston, we have a few problems.

What do I do with this?

And this?

And then there is this. I am just about to get a handle on this mess. The only problem that I have now is that batting has taken over my living room and dining room.

One thing for sure, is that this area will have to be cleaned out before the longarm group meets here next month. Of course, that was exactly why I scheduled the meeting here. If not for guild or bee meetings at my house, it would never get cleaned!!!!

At least I have accomplished something today. It has not been what was on my list to do, but, it made a visual difference in the studio.

Now to try to get things together for Pieceable Retreat.

Have a good weekend.



Time

Where does time go? I sure wish I could find some that I have lost. This month is passing so fast. Next week we have QSC's fall retreat.

This is such a fantastic weekend. This year over 300 quilters will gather at White Oak conference center for classes, show and tell,meeting friends we haven't seen since last year. This is one of those times that when it's over, we are all so exhausted, but, it's a good tired, if you know what I mean. We are also inspired to go home and try some of the wonderful techniques that we have seen.

Once I get home from there: it's off to Aiken to judge the quilt show for the Carolina Pines Quilters. This is a new experience for me and I am looking forward to the challenge.

This is a show at the Aiken County Museum that will hang from November 1 - 27, 2011. This is their 31st show and sure to be a good one.

So, if you are in or around Aiken, S.C., do yourself a favor and head over to the Museum and view this free show. Lot's of eye candy.



Then we have to most anticipated event of the month.

That's right.....One Loose Thread and the Frayed Knots head to the coast of South Carolina for the first Beach retreat. We will be sewing at the Camp St. Christopher Conference Center on Seabrook Island. The 'Frayed Knots' are packed and ready to go.

On the way they will be stopping in Orangeburg, S. C. to visit with the folks at 'A Stitch in Time Again' quilt shop. A wonderful young shop with so much great fabric.

Down the road a few miles they will get to Summerville, S. C., the home of 2 great quilt shops. One is the world renoun 'People Places and Quilts' and the other is 'Sew and Sew'. Totally different fabrics and totally different shop climates.

These next few weeks will really be busy. Christmas is coming up fast and I am just beginning to realize that. What to get for the Grandchildren and for Mr. OLT? Big questions to be answered. Makes my head hurt to even think about it.

New and exciting things are happening. There is a NEW RETREAT in the works for May 2012!!!!  Two fantastic teachers !! Two fantastic Techniques!!!!  Two fantastic Quilts !!!!More on that soon. Just save the dates May 7 - 10, 2012!!!!!

Have a great week. Pictures from retreat when I return.

What HAVE I Been Working On?

I have been working on this. I found this panel at Pieces and Patches. Audrey was using it for an embellishment class that was to be taught at her shop. I bought it thinking that I would do the same, embellish it with beads, etc. I still might do that, but, that is not what I used it for. You probably can't see it, but, I have done all types of free motion quilting all over this piece, all from the front of the machine. I tried different designs (Yes, even feathers!!), different threads, and also a different way of batting. This piece is double batted. I have warm and natural next to the back and Dream Poly next to the top. I used Bottom Line prewound in the bobbin. Top threads included: Sew Fine, Robinson Anton, Superior Natural Colors, and Fil Tec's Glide Thread.
I loved working with the different threads. I have decided that I love Glide thread and will use it in other projects. It will just glisten off the top of a quilt. Beautiful.

I really do like the body in the wall hanging with the 2 types of batting. It has structure that I feel is needed in a wall hanging. I may try using a request loft of poly next time or even using wool, depending on the end results that I want.

The prewound bobbin was really the 'trick' to use on this piece. I am lovin' these things. I have other varieties to try later, but right now, all I have tried are the ones from Superior. I have used both Bottom Line and Sew Fine in the Superior prewound bobbins. I have some from Fil Tec, but, I have not had the chance to try them with Olivia yet. I'll let you know about them later.

OK. Now I have a clients quilt on the frame. It will be a challenge that I will be working on over the next few days.

 I am also working on my Lone Star Quilt. Remember this:

This is Helen's Lone Star. I have added pieced 3 additional borders for this top and will spend the next few days adding them to this center. During our November meeting of Devine Quilters we are to show our Lone Star's so that the committee can determine if we will have enough for an exhibit. If so, we hope to be mounting a Lone Star exhibit at the Richland County Public Library in September 2012.

I also have this Lone Star:

This was made around 2007. Sara Quattlebaum challenged me to make a Lone Star in miniature. We were doing a class out of the Jan Krentz book. So, that is just what I did. My diamonds are 1/2" wide as compared to the 2" half square triangle block that I used in Helen's star. This piece hung at the Ashville Quilt Show and won a Blue ribbon at the SC State Fair.

I hope to construct one more Lone Star this coming year. One that is not as big as Helen's and is a good size wallhanging larger than the miniature. We'll see.

OK, enough for now. We are less than 2 weeks away from QSC's Fall Retreat. I can't wait to 'pick' the brain for Karen Kendo on how to quilt several of my tops.

Hope your day is SEW beautiful,

Great New Deal on Quilt Camp!!!

I have had so many requests for 2 days of Quilt Camp that I have put in a new listing for February 2012!! Yes, if you can't join us for the entire weekend-----then-------just make your reservations for Friday and Saturday night!!!! Two nights, double occupancy, in a cottage only costs $306.00. If by chance you want that as a single----- a cottage single is $406.00 !!!! Great deals for a fabulouse weekend.
I do still have openings for lodge rooms and registration is still open for them.
Look at the top of this page for a link to the registration form. Print it off and get your deposit in.
LET'S GO SEW!!!!