And the Winner is...

Sorry for the delay in drawing the winner. I had to work late last night and didn't get to it until today. Without further ado - Congrats to Kelsey Rose!

I'm sending you an email now and will get the package out later this week. Thanks everyone for joining in on the fun!

Weekend Progress

If you are looking for the giveaway go here. :-)

I got a little more than a quarter of the quilt quilted this weekend without breaking any more needles. It seems to be getting easier. Unfortunately, we have important company coming this week so, and seeing as my machine and quilt were set up in the dining room and taking up the entire space, it all had to be put away last night. I was really hoping to get more done, but the weekend flew by. I seriously don't know how it went by me so fast!

Since I was feeling a bit bummed about not making more progress (and the fact that the weekend was already mysteriously gone) I decided to take a couple short breaks later last night to do some piecing which is the most relaxing part of quilting for me. Two breaks, totaling a little over an hour, later I had this...

All the blocks for my Four and Four Quarters quilt (aka Five, Ten, Twenty), which made me feel better since it gave me a feeling of accomplishing something during my weekend.

Next goal is to get the blocks squared up and pieced together. Seeing as my job takes up most of my time now, that may not happen until next weekend. But hey, at least there's progress!

Two Finishes

If you are looking for the giveaway go here. :-)

I've gotten a bit more quilting done today, but nothing yet to show. However, I realized I never showed you the completed Fun and Feminine and Merry and Masculine quilts. Fun&Feminine measures 26.5"x34.5"and Merry&Masculine is 31"x35.5". I finished the binding of one during my family reunion and managed to get the binding of the other done during a couple youth football games while I sat and watched my sister cheer. I love having something to do with my hands during times where I only need to use my eyes or mouth. Hopefully I'll get some of my Christmas quilts ready to bind during some of my favorite tv shows this fall!

Free Motion Quilting: Attempt 1

If you are looking for the giveaway go here. :-)

Yes, one week turned into six, but I finally got around to quilting my quilt. Got it prepped and ready to go late one night after everyone was settled in for the night and I could use the floor space. It is currently on the machine as I have been quilting it little by little.

Free motion quilting is definitely something one must get used to. I'm beginning to get the hang of it, but I still have some learning to do. For instance, I'm having a little trouble with this...

That doesn't even show the first one I bent when just playing with the new machine. And in all honesty, I'm not all that far along on the quilting yet. The needle that is currently in two pieces broke off after about 65 seconds on the machine, maybe 80. Seeing that I began a new job today and am tired, I decided that was enough for tonight. I'll try again in a few days when I have some time and I'm not so worn out by my new routine. In addition to needle problems, I'm struggling a bit with the tension being correct. I'm thinking I should have started with a smaller quilt to learn on, but I will prevail in this ... eventually.

Four and Four Quarters

If you are looking for the giveaway go here. :-)

Although Robin's pattern calls for five yards OR ten half yards OR twenty fat quarters, I decided to mix things up choosing four yards and four fat quarters. And now that I have my four quarters, I couldn't resist the urge to get this quilt going even though I already started A2's quilt. Late last night I finished cutting everything.

Backing, blocks, and binding all cut and ready to go. The list of things that need to make it to the machine continues to grow!

Speaking of those Kona solids...while cutting I happened to stack the red onto the blue only to realize that the red was significantly shorter. So I measured them. My Kona tomato is a full two inches shorter than the other three colors. Interestingly, the tomato color is 44" wide which is average for fabric. I guess I'll just look at the other colors as a bonus.

While I Was Waiting

If you are looking for the giveaway go here. :-)

My kona fabric finally arrived yesterday, but while I was waiting I decided to make the best of the situation and set aside the five, ten, twenty quilt and start another of my Christmas projects.
So I finalized my design plan for A2's quilt and got to work ironing and cutting her fabrics.And then while she was at class, I managed to get some piecing done.The problem at this point is that the quilt is very light in color. I let her choose the fabrics and I think it needs a bit more contrast. We'll see as I continue, but I may need to get a solid or two to put in the mix. I actually think I may need some additional fabric for the quilt anyhow for the design and size I've chosen.

Bells and Whistles

If you are looking for the giveaway go here. :-)

Now I am sure that many of you quilters have machines that do much more than what I am about to show you, but keep in mind I am coming from this:A basic Singer that does a straight stitch and a zig-zag. I have one presser foot for the machine. It certainly has gotten a workout over the years. Well, actually mostly in this past year, but it has been a faithful worker for 10 years no matter what random project I would challenge it to do.

But now, I have this guy. My new favorite friend. To me, this has all the bells and whistles that I need and more.I have ten feet for the machine which you can see laid out in the above picture.
I can monogram, albeit only one font and size.
I have a digital screen and easy selector buttons.
I can free motion quilt.
The feed dogs drop down with ease so no more cover plate.
I can sew without my foot pedal.
I can make many pretty stitches.There is twin needle stitching.
Eight different kinds of button holes.
An extended sewing table or an accessory compartment.
The bobbin case is easily removable for cleaning.
Oh how I love this machine!