I DIDN'T PLAN TO DO THIS NOW

It's one of those: A funny thing happened........... I was on line and looking to purchase a few new things for Olivia.

I mean, who wouldn't love a new bobbin case or a shiny new oil bottle for the new year?? I was cruising through the internet and stopped at Pat's Calico Cottage just to see what was going on. Then it happened. My mouse (bad, bad mouse) clicked on previously owned machines..............Yep, you guessed it. There it was. Just what I wasn't looking for.

Nice, well taken care of, Gammill Classic with Statler retrofit, on a 14 foot frame at a very reasonable price.

 Who knew you could make a decision so fast? I talked to Pat and found out who the machine had belonged to and that was that. Purchased in a flash and on it's way to my house. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! on it's way to my house??? Where the ____________ am I going to put this? Olivia and my sewing space take up all of the room in the studio. Being the brilliant person that my husband is, he didn't even blink when I told him that the living room furniture was going into storage and I was taking over the living room and dining room space with a new machine. AND.........oh by the way honey............will you please cut a large hole in the wall at the end of the dining room so that I can combine my studio with this new space?? I really don't think Mr. OLT cares what I do in the house as long has I don't make use of his den or our bedroom. After all isn't that all the room you need for day to day living??? Well, there is the kitchen, but, he hasn't found batting in the oven....yet.

So, the new machine is here and boy do I feel over whelmed. Russ spent 2 days in training with me and I tell you I thought that my head would explode. Now, I am working by myself and this really is a whole new deal to quilting. It's going to be a blast to use, once I really feel comfortable using her. Russ said he had named her Joanie, but I will change her name after I work with her for awhile.

I put my first solo piece on her this morning. It is the first of 19 charity quilts for Devine quilt guild. Funny that some of the fabric I donated appeared in this top. The size is good, 49 x 72 is a good size for a lap quilt for a child.

I picked out a really cute edge to edge pattern with stars and swirls in it. Set it up on the computer and ran the first pass........not successfully either. OK worked through that and set us the second pass.........not so good. So, I decided to junk the entire file for this project. I took a sharpie and marked off a kids quilt in the area that I had not previously quilted on. Set up a new pattern and away we went.............SUCCESS!!!! every row lined up as it should and I was able to complete my first solo quilt on my new system.

This is the top now. It is somewhat smaller at 31 x 42, but, hey!! it's quilted.








This is the back. You might be able to see the quilting on this picture.

So, you need to be careful about surfing the 'WEB'. You just never know what might get under your mouse and come to your house. No, I am not getting rid of Olivia. My plan for the future was to get a computerized system so that I could concentrate on my custom quilting more. I really want to get better at that. I had just not planned to do it for at least another year. No, all of my edge 2 edge (pantographs) won't be done on the new machine. Some people just don't like their quilts done by robotics. I will still be happy to 'walk' a pantograph for a customer.

For now, I have a lot of new technology to learn. And to think some of my friends want me to get a 'smart phone' too. If I get anymore 'smart' stuff right now, you may find me sitting on a beach somewhere with several cold adult beverages in my hand.

Alright, I just wanted to clear up a few 'myths' and bring you up to date with what is going on. I do hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Slammin' New Year. If you win the lottery, please remember that I am your friend.

Let's go sew,

May Mester #2

May Mester #2

Thursday May 1 – Sunday May 4, 2014

Camp Gravatt Conference Center

Aiken, S. C.

4 days and 3 nights of quilting fun with the Frayed Knots of One Loose Thread.

 You may choose from 3 weekend classes taught by wonderful instructors. They include:

Karen Conley, Certified Judy Neimeyer Instructor

Cathi Gainey of Shakerwood Woolens

Donna Royson, Certified Quilt in a Day Instructor

Classes will begin after supper on Thursday night with 2 hours of prep and instruction. They will continue with 6 hours on Friday and 6 hours on Saturday. Class instruction will conclude on Sunday morning with 2 hours of ‘wrap up’ between breakfast and lunch. That’s 16 hours of professional instruction!! Where else would you find that except at a One Loose Thread event!! In between class times it will be ‘free time’ for working on your class project, a ufo, or reading or walking around the beautiful retreat site or just taking naps, as you choose.

Lodging will be provided on site. You may choose from a quaint cottage room that shares a bathroom with the room next door or a lodge room with 2 double beds and its own bathroom. I have set aside just a few single rooms for this event and they will be first come first served. All other rooms will be doubles. If you can’t find a roommate, I will be glad to try to pair you with someone that will be compatible for you. With very few exceptions, all rooms are on the ground level.

All meals are included in your registration fee and will be prepared and served by the fantastic kitchen staff at Gravatt. If you have special diets or food allergies please note that on your registration forms so that we can address those. I promise that you won’t go hungry during your stay with us.

Each class will be set up in a singular location depending on the number that register for that class. However, all classroom space will be close to lodging and the dining hall. I usually tell everyone the longest distance to the dinner table is 100 yards. All classrooms are on the ground level, so no steps to climb.

Check the top of this page for the links to all of this information.

SC Girls with Longarms---Our 3rd Birthday!!!

We are having such a good time together. Professional or beginner. Business owner or hobbyist. Makes no difference. If you live in South Carolina and quilt on rails, you are welcomed into the group. Want more information? Contact me.

Have a great week:

Make your own free ecard

TRICK OR TREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! What fun!!

I have some fantastic customers. One of them is Mary Pease. She entrusted her appliqued halloween quilt top to me to be quilted. Well, it took 7 days, but it is finally completed. She has some things to add to the quilt and the binding to do, but, my job is finished.  I don't understand how some longarm quilters can do a quilt like this in 2 or 3 days. Many times it takes that long for the top to talk loud enough for me to hear. Anyhow, here are a few pictures taken of the journey this quilt and I have been on.

This is where we started

The 'feathers' in the circle are actually some of Jamie Wallen's Bat Wings. Cool huh?

 Mary had embroidered smoke coming out of the chimney, so, I tried to emphasize that with the quilting. Take note of the quilt hanging on the house. There is a secret under it.

 This is one speedy witch.

I did stitch in some crooked siding on this house. And tried to give the impression that the witch was shaking her feet.

Cool Crow.........Tried to add a leaf in here.

I did add a weather vane at the top of the barn. Every barn needs one right? There is also someone staring out of the hayloft???











The school house was a challenge, but, I did manage to give some texture to is just by following the fabric. So many times it is the design in the fabric that leads me to what I will stitch in an area.

Not much done except ditch the bats and do some 'straight-line' piano keys.

You really can't see black border on this quilt, but, I used more of what I learned in Jamie Wallen's class on this.

The Pictures are all over the place thanks to Blogger, but, I am going to leave them the way that they are. Sort of 'whackie', like this quilt.

See, I told you there was a surprise under the quilt on the house?? Also, please take a look at how I treated all of the grass. This was something that I learned in a class with Linda Taylor during MQX in February of this year. Jamie also introduced me to the bat-wing feather that I used in the candy corn border.

I think I have used something from every teacher that I have had this year in this quilt. Even if I can't remember who taught it, my brain must have absorbed it. I firmly believe in taking classes when I can. I watch every video I can get access to and read constantly to expand my knowledge of longarm quilting and quilting in general.

That's it for now. I have one more custom top in line, but, won't get to it for a while. Time to work through some pantographs for some customers and to work on my longarm challenge quilt. So for now:
Let's go Sew!!!

Fundraiser for Devine Quilters of Columbia, S. C.

Devine Quilters will hold their Annual Fundraiser (sale and auction) on Monday, October 7, 2013 at Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia (607 Woodrow St., Columbia at the corners of Blossom, Woodrow and Devine Streets in Columbia, SC).  Use the entrance facing Devine Street and ask at the security desk for directions to Davis Hall on the first floor.

The sale portion consists of pre-priced primarily sewing related items (fabric, precuts, books, patterns, etc.).  The auction part will be conducted by the locally renowned storyteller and quilter, Jane Gold.  The main auction items are described below.  There will also be tickets on sale for a chance to win a basket of fabric (must be present to win).

The sale and social hour starts at 6:15pm.  After a short business meeting, the live auction will start at approximately 7:30pm.  Bring your checks and/or cash, and help Devine Quilters raise funds to bring in a national teacher. 

Questions?—Beth Karr  nebulosa@sc.rr.com   

Main Auction Items are but not limited to:

1.       A week at a three bedroom condo in Myrtle Beach, timed to coincide with the annual Myrtle Beach Quilt Party.  Monday to Monday, Jan 20 to 27, 2014.  Check in 4pm, checkout 10am.  Carolina Grande   2505 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC  29577.  Two king rooms, one room with 2 double beds, and a pull out sofa.  Two baths.  Balcony, kitchen, laundry.  Microwave, iron and ironing board.  Hot tub on roof; parking garage with 1 designated space, and overflow parking.  For more info on the location:   http://www.bluegreenvacations.com/resorts/sc/carolina-grande.  Donated by Helen Brown.  Minimum starting bid:  $500.  Gather a group together and have a great week of fun!!!

2.       A legal package:  simple will, living will and Health Care Power of Attorney.  A $300 value, minimum starting bid $50.  Donated/provided by Angela L. Kohel, Esquire.

3.       Fiber art by local artist Susan Lenz, a professional studio artist.  “Circular Church Angel III”. 

4.       Wood inlay box with star quilt pattern.

5.       Embellished quilted wall hanging.

6.       A fixture from the old Quilted Pearl:  a wheeled, triangular display rack. The triangular base is 26” on a side.  Each gridded panel is 21” wide by 72” tall, and the 3 sides fold flat or separate for transport.  They can also be laid against or mounted flat on a wall.  The grid square openings are about 1.5” square.  Included are 44 grid hooks and a few other hanging devices.  This is a terrific way to hang your rulers, cords, tools, etc.  It could also be a great organizer for a spouse with lots of tools.  If you are the top bidder, Beth Karr will deliver it to your house (within a 40 mile radius of DQ’s meeting location).   Minimum starting bid is $50.

ONE MORE TO GO!!!

I have really been covered in Lone Star quilts for the last 2 months, but, I only have one more to go. It's not a custom quilting order, so, should not take to long.

Let' take a look back at what has been accomplished:

I still have one more to go. I'll add Jodi's when it's finished.

September 3, 2013
OK, here's Jodi's. That's all of them for now. I have really enjoyed working on this project. I have learned A TON from each and every quilt. I appreciate the trust that each one of these quilters had in me when they said "Do what you think is best.". I did and now I can sit back and wait for the exhibit to be hung at the library. Then I can go and ohh and ahh just like everyone else. There should be 15-20 quilts in this small venue, so, it will really carry a punch.


 My Scrappy lone star won't make the exhibit, but, I think I will be well represented by my customers. Oh yes, I will have one entry. This was done in 2005 and is 16" x 16". This was a class taught by Sarah Quattlebaum at Carolina Quiltmaker and she challenged me to make it in miniature,which I did.

These are just a few of the great quilts that will hang in the exhibit at the Main Branch of the Richland Library. I'll let you know when they go up.

By the way.....there are only 2 sewing slots available for Spring Quilt Camp. If you want in, you need to let me know NOW!!!!!!!

Until next time....................

SPRING QUILT CAMP : THINK SPRING 2014

One Loose Thread - Spring Quilt Camp 2014

February 2014 - Quilt Camp

Come Join Me and the ‘Frayed Knots’ for a weekend of fun, food, and fellowship. All campers are invited, but not required, to participate in the weekend mystery. There will be NO STRUCTURED SCHEDULE with the exception of meals. What a great time to try a new technique or ask for opinions on a design problem. With all level of quilters, problems can be solved, and many opinions will be available.

Where: The Bishop Gravatt Conference Center, Camp Gravatt, Aiken, S.C.

When: February 20 – 23, 2014 Check-in time is 1:00 PM or later on Thursday with Check-out on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 2:00 PM.

Cabins have 2 adjoining rooms that sleep 2 per room with shared bathroom.

Motel rooms sleep 2. This room has its own bathroom

  August 17, 2013:  ALL SINGLE MOTEL/LODGE ROOMS ARE TAKEN.

Nine Wonderful meals prepared by the Gravatt cooks. YUM!!!

What I have planned:

·       Nightly Show and Tell with an on-going quilt show

·       Weekend Mystery with “Master Sleuth” Beth Karr

·       Request that certain techniques be shown in the evening

·       Full hour massages are available from Licensed Massage Therapist-for an additional fee

·        GOOD SURPRISES

Register early:

One Loose Thread Quilting, 630 Planters Drive, Columbia, S. C. 29209

Attention: Joyce Greer

630p@bellsouth.net

P. S. Also mark your calendars for

Sewin’ at St. Christopher – October 31 – November 1, 2013

Maymester #2 – May 1 – 4, 2014

Sewin’ in the Summer: August 14 – 17, 2014

Jamie Wallen and One Loose Thread

Imagine, 3 full days of classes with the 'Amazing' Jamie Wallen..............Yep, that's what I did last weekend.. Karen Kendo, Margaret Caughman, Liz Florum and I traveled to Taylorsville, N.C. to the home of Quilting Solutions (Jennifer Kay). Jamie walked us through over 30 hours of longarm design work. He is one of the best teachers that I have had on this subject.

Me with my "Quilting Hero".
The classes were awesome. I learned more in those 3 days than I had in the last 3 years.

Karen picked up a lot of pointers and I know that we will see lots of new designs on her custom work.



Margaret took a much needed rest from house moving and learned a lot too.

For some reason I don't have a 'face' shot of Liz............she will have to send me one.

August 2, 2013: And Liz did send me a picture so here it is. Thanks Liz.

She was always busy at the machine and on the drawing pad. We did LOTS of drawing.

 This is the 'set-up' that Liz and I played with all weekend. The two 'Homesteader' machine performed flawlessly with all of the abuse they received. We quilt fast and they kept up. Thanks Jennifer for bringing Jamie to the Southeast and supplying us with a great learning environment. Oh by the way, the food was fantastic too!!!!

I came home and went back to work on my Lone Star for the Devine Exhibit at the Library. I have about 3 1/2 days of work in the quilting and probably at least that much more to do. I am using some of the designs that I learned over the weekend on this, so I am getting plenty of practice.

Guess I better get back to work. Lots to do between now and 'Sewin' in the Summer' Camp in just 7 days. OH MY-------------ONLY 7 DAYS!!!!! So much to do, so little time.

Have a great week,

LIFE IS GOOD!! WHEN YOU ARE A LONGARM QUILTER!!!

I know, I haven't been a good blogger lately. Times passes so fast and really tends to get a way from me... Let's see now, what has been going on??

1) You know I went to Manchester for MQX. that was in April........seems like yesterday. Oh yes, did I mention that Jane Gold and I won a Second place at MQX??????

2)  You have seen the beautiful garden that we have had this summer:

As off today it is much fuller than it appears in this picture. However, Columbia and much of South Carolina has received copious amounts of rain this summer. All of the rain has caused the garden to basically drown.

We did manage to get a dozen or so ears of corn, a really good crop of potatoes, and some really good green beans before all of the rains came,

South Carolina has been in drought mode for a couple of years. After this summer.......that should be over.

3)  Pat and I spent a few days with other members of QSC at a "Summer Sew-in". Pat was pretty sick, but, she hung in there for the 4 days. Other than her being so sick, we had a blast. That was actually the first sewing I was able to do since Quilt Camp in February.

4)  June (the month) sent me to the beach to spend a few days and 'Just sew'. Pat and I took a couple days and did nothing but sew and eat. It was great! I finished 3 projects.......now to only find time to quilt them,

5)  July has been vacation time. I did give Olivia a week off and I went to the beach to spend time with my children and grandchildren. The weather did not co-operate to well, but we did manage to have a little fun. The night of the 4th I watched 3 hours of constant fireworks at the beach. In one direction I could see the show from Surfside. In another I saw them from Garden City. In between the houses I could watch the shows from Murrells Inlet. It was amazing!!
             My Knight Bee buddies and I had a Pineapple party at Judy's house at the lake one Friday. What fun!! Dee gave us a class on how to use the Pineapple Trim tool. Alexis has asked for this for Christmas.

I don't know if this will stop with 9 and be a wall hanging or if I will continue on and make her a full size quilt.  She really could use the wall hanging. We'll see.
              Now this week............Classes with the Machine Quilter of the year, Jamie Wallen. I am so looking forward to these. This has become the year of continuing education for this longarm quilter. My head is about to explode with all that I have learned.
              Next up will be the One Loose Thread's 'Sewin in the Summer 2013'. This session features CI Karen Conley teaching several of Judy Niemeyer's patterns. We always look forward to our retreats and this one promises to be extra special.
               I'll finish up the summer by taking a large group to see 'Lion King' in Charlotte. Personally, I am looking forward to that.
                In the meantime, I am still quilting for customers. It has been a wonderful summer and I am looking forward to a fantastic fall.  I'll try to do better and not let Facebook take up so much of my interest.

Hope you day is filled with fabric,

The Gardens May 30, 2013

Just wanted to share how the gardens are doing so far this year. We have had a wonderful spring with cooler temps and plenty of rain. We added an additional container so that I could try some asparagus over the next few years. I also convinced Mr OLT to try raised beds in the big garden to try to cut down on his weeding time. He did build them, but, he wasn't convinced that they would work. He is now.

I hope to be digging a few potatoes within the next 2 weeks. We should also have tomatoes by that time too. I have been harvesting lettuce for weeks and finally pulled up the chard 2 weeks ago.

This is such a fun time of the year watching everything grow.

A free slideshow design by Smilebox

Hope you have a great day. I'm going back to the studio and load a Christmas quilt top (Tree Skirt actually).  See ya later!!

T-Shirt quilts

I delivered this beautiful t-shirt quilt last night. Congratulations Megan!!!!

I have done several of these for this graduation season and still have several more to go. Thankfully, they don't have to be done until early summer.

Have a great day.