Learning: Bonding Time

I've got a lot to learn about longarm quilting.  I've had some practice quilting on a frame with a mid-arm sewing machine, but there are so many more wonderful options with a longarm, I feel like I'm back to square one...well, maybe square two.  To get some practice, my friend and fellow East Bay Modern Quilt Guild member, Deanna Davis generously allowed me to use her quilt and a few others made for the Children's Quilts project as guinea pigs.  Deanna coordinates this huge program that donates over 1000 quilts to children in need every year!

Deanna's quilt on the frame

Deanna's quilt was made using the Daisy Janie Organic Shades of Grey organic cotton as part of an East Bay Modern fabric challenge.  Doesn't it look great with the red roses?

I'm pretty pleased with how the quilting looks on the back.  I hope Deanna likes it!

If you would like to get involved with the Children's Quilt Project, check out the information on the East Bay Heritage Quilt Guild site for the many different ways you can contribute.

*I meant to post the next couple of entries awhile ago, but I was so busy getting ready for my trip to Virginia, that I completely ran out of time trying to finish up all the orders from my Etsy shop, teaching my Split Log Cabin class, and packing!  So, here they are now...but I'll get to all the fun in VA next week!

Learning: Tricking out the Longarm

I added a couple of new accessories to my longarm!  I tricked it out with some new wheels that are oh-so-smooth.  I got some new gadgets to make loading and unloading the quilts much easier than pinning them on (I hope -  I haven't had the chance to try them out yet!).

Isn't that pin-pod the best thing ever?

But, my favorite new additions are a beautiful turquoise, oversized pin-pod and small felted orange bowl from Papaver Vert.  The pinpod fits snugly between the handle and the machine head and holds all my pins and other random pokey things - even my tape measure if I take the time to roll it up!  The bowl is attached with 3M sticky velcro and holds all the little bits of thread that I'm constantly clipping, so now, they won't get all over the floor.

Next time, I'll show you what I've been practicing on!

*I meant to post the next couple of entries awhile ago, but I was so busy getting ready for my trip to Virginia, that I completely ran out of time trying to finish up all the orders from my Etsy shop, teaching my Split Log Cabin class, and packing!  So, here they are now...but I'll get to all the fun in VA next week!

Making: Free Bee - Procrastination

I've been bad at doing my homework lately.  My blocks for the Free Bee are both being turned in late.  There's still hope that I'll be able to get my act together for May!

March's block is actually an improv strip set based on Sherri Lynn Wood's Mod Mood Quilt for Krista of Spotted Stone Studio.

April's block is a triangle based on the prints of Leah Duncan for Ethne of Flaming Stitches.

May's block is going to be based on the totem quilts of Erin Wilson.  I'd better go get started!

Adventures in Longarm Quilting

Oh my goodness.  I am SO excited!  For the past 6 years (ever since I found out there was such a wondrous thing), I've been obsessing over longarm quilting machines.  For awhile, I made do with a "hobby" frame system, a 10' Grace quilting frame with a mid-arm Pfaff set on it for quilting.  I found that I love the Pfaff sewing machine - the frame, not so much.

My old quilting frame.

After trying out a few different models at a local quilt show, I set my sights on a Gammill.   Every 3 months or so, I would go on an all night binge of searching the web for a used longarm in my part of the world.  After flirting with a couple of machines, I have finally found the one for me!  A Gammill Classic with a 14' long table and no stitch regulator.  She absolutely purred when her former owner let me play on her for the afternoon.  (Thanks, Carol!)  Ah, love.

Introducing my new baby!

She sews such nice curves.

Moving it was quite an ordeal, mostly due to the fact that I had to drive a 20' U-Haul across California.  Dis-assembling and re-assembling the behemoth wasn't too hard, unless I put it together completely backwards, which is possible.

As you can see, I no longer have a living room that can be "lived in" by anyone other than me and my new baby.  And, like many new parent/child relationships, we're having a few issues. So, for the near future, I will probably be a little more stressed out than usual, and I'll probably be tearing my hair out just a little bit...but I'm confident that we'll be purring along again soon!

Doodles and the quest for the perfect circle.

Learning: Hawaiian Quilts

I love Hawaiian quilts.  I've been flirting with the idea of making one for ages.  I've collected tons of books on the subject.  I even took a class from the amazing Jean Brown.  But, alas, the block I started in her class lies buried in one of my cabinets - a sad study in poor applique.  I'll keep trying, but I'm just not sure that it's my thing.  Oh, how I wish it was!

Recently, my family celebrated spring break in Maui.  It was a great vacation.  So many wonderful surprises.

Humpback whales...

...sea turtles (That large round "rock" to the right of me!)...

...teensy, weensy frogs...

...and quilts!

We stayed the last couple of nights in Makena, and instead of having boring resort art on the walls, they chose to decorate with Hawaiian quilts!  There was no information about the makers or the patterns, which was a shame, but the quilts themselves made me very happy.   I ran through the hotel snapping photos (sorry for the glare, they were mostly behind glass).  I spied one gorgeous, huge pineapple quilt inside a conference room that had the door cracked, but was too shy to interrupt the ongoing meeting and ask if I could take a picture.  It made me wonder what was behind all the other closed doors!

Shopping: Gingham Napkins are Hot!

I  know it's almost summer because I keep getting these wonderful magazines featuring my Peppermint Pinwheels gingham napkins!  My red gingham napkins are in the cutest table setting in this month's Southern Lady Magazine (May/June 2012). 

Red Gingham Napkins by me!

And, being a transplanted southern lady myself, I'm lovin' it!

Learning: Field trip!

A couple of weeks ago, my son, mom and I went on an outing to Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma. The gardens are set up like an art gallery, showcasing different landscape architects and designers.  Here are a couple of my favorite pieces.

Trees with crystal leaves.

These crystal and metal mesh trees were so
lovely in person.  The photo doesn't do it justice!

Garden Play

Ah, winter in California.  If it makes you feel any better, it will be horribly rainy and wet here for the next week!