Sew Blessed Machine Quilting

I love my Long-Arm!

2012-02-15T15:50:00.000-06:00

2011 came and went so fast, I'm not sure I've even caught my breath! Somehow I managed to work at my real job 4 days a week and still long-arm quilt 39 quilts for customers and friends throughout the year and 3 for myself. Needless to say, I've accumulated a few of my own quilt tops which are in-waiting for the long-arm. As I'm still working at my real job, most of my weekends are spent long-arm quilting!

I'd love to post every single quilt I have long-armed this past year, but that would be far too time-consuming. So here's a few snippets of them:

These make me smile!

Go Dallas
Cowboys!

Pretty
Sampler

Salt Water Fishing!

Hummingbird pantograph

A lookback at 2011

2012-01-19T18:45:00.002-06:00

2011 proved to be a tremendous success for my long-arm quilting business! I owe it all to my customers who had confidence in me and trusted me with their quilts. I appreciate the labor of love that is put into piecing a quilt top, and I know how hard it is to entrust a long-arm quilter (especially a new one) with such a work of art.     Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I don't know if I'll ever tire at looking at all the beautiful quilts brought to me to be quilted. It's like having my very own private quilt show! And it never ceases to amaze me at the talent we quilters possess!    But the very best part of being a long-arm quilter is having the opportunity to meet other quilters and making new friends!

This past year I have had the priviledge to quilt several antique quilts. One of these my customer painstakingly removed a shredded backing and mended nearly every single little 4" square to salvage a well-loved quilt for a family member!  Who knows how many hours that had to have taken! Then it was time to work my magic with a brand new backing fabric. I appreciate the amount of work my customer put into this quilt, and I know it had to have been returned ten-fold when she presented it to her family member. It makes me  smile just thinking about this. Here's a picture of the quilt.

Here's another beautiful old Dresden Plate quilt brought to me by my friend, Jennifer

It's July! What happened to April, May & June?

2011-07-17T18:58:00.000-05:00

I must be having way too much fun as I sure haven't been diligent in keeping my blog current!

What can I say? April went by in a blur but we did have the pleasure of having most all our kids and grandkids up to the lake for a big cookout the Saturday before Easter. May was filled with making several quilts for dear daughters, long-arm quilting for others, and of course working! Here's the two completed quilts (they're surprise gifts):

Atkinson's Yellow Brick Road

Atkinson' Lucky Stars

Then along came June. I did manage to squeeze in a portrait quilt class taught by Lola Jenkins. She spoke at our Sherman Quilt Guild and is extremely talented plus a very funny lady. Be sure and check out her web site. Although I didn't finish "Natasha" (my quilt portrait project) in class because I'm too slow and particular, I have now finished her, and she is hanging in my studio. I'm not sure why, but she seems to have somewhat of an attitude don't you think?

"Natasha" my first Quilt Portrait

The highlight of June was of course, another Quilt Retreat with my TQS (traveling quilt sisters). This retreat was held at the L&L Ranch in Willis, Texas (near Conroe), and MY OH MY were we ever spoiled by our hosts! The retreat was absolutely fabulous, and we were even able to get in a few country walks in the early morning and late evening! We ate, laughed, sewed, and ate more, laughed, and sewed to our heart's content! Here's a few photos of us at retreat:

Debbie's Red & Cream Quilt

Lori's Table Runner (Jamie's daughter)

Me and another Yellow Brick Road

Gloria's Black Birds

TQS Ring Leader Bonnie

Our TQS Ring Leader Bonnie sent me home with 22 charity quilts, so I located a good home for them at the Clyde W. Cosper State Veterans Nursing Home in Bonham, TX. I was very proud and honored to have the opportunity to deliver these quilts and to see that such a nice facility was available for our veterans.

Jamie's Quilt of Valor

New friend Ann's Pineapple Paper Piecing

Home again....for a while that is..

2011-02-16T19:31:00.000-06:00

What a great time I had in Rockport! Great retreat facility and I would highly recommend it to others! There were 12 of us in attendance and I had the pleasure of meeting two new ladies! We're calling ourselves the Traveling Quilters as the only time we can all get together is when we travel...we're spread out in Texas, Wyoming and Arkansas!

I was pleased that our silent auction items brought in a lot of money for our charity quilt project, and was fortunate to actually win two of the items! Forever I've been wanting a cute little pincushion with a scrap bag attached, and I finally won one! Thanks to Helen in Rockport for creating this darling!

Something I also have been planning to do for a long time is make my machine a cover. Mark that off my list, as I was able to bring home the cutest cover made from Aunt Grace fabric thanks to Debbie at Lake Limestone!

The baby quilt was completed and welcomed with tears of joy and we all continue to pray for baby Zane. Here's a picture of it....

Been very busy long arm quilting since I've been back. My local quilt shop (and my favorite I might add) gave me the opportunity to quilt one of their tops which they plan to take to the Dallas Quilt Show and sell kits for. If you're ever around the Lake Texoma area, check out Kaleidoscope Quilt Shop in Whitesboro, TX. You won't be disappointed!. Also quilting for several friends ....will post pictures with their permission later.....

I've got to get busy and get all this quilting wound up in time to meet with my TQS "Traveling Quilter Sisters" the end of the month in Houston. Time certainly flies when you're having fun! Seems like I just got home!

Labor of love

2011-01-22T09:27:00.000-06:00

I love meeting quilters, and I have yet to meet an unfriendly one! As a fairly new longarmer, I'm becoming more and more curious about the stories behind the quilts.  You know they all have one, and I love hearing about them. I find myself emotionally invested in each and every one, and those emotions instill in me the desire to do my utmost best work.

A friend of mine brought a pieced Oklahoma University T-shirt quilt top to be quilted.  Of course my assumption was that she was making it for a teenager, and she was. However, she shared that one of her friends lost a son shortly after he graduated from high school, and so she pieced some of his T-shirts into a quilt for his Mother. I am so deeply touched by her simple kindness and this selfless labor of love. I can envision the Mom's tears of happiness and joy when she receives it.

Another friend of mine dug out an old quilt top that her husband's grandmother had pieced by hand. This was a new opportunity for me...to quilt an old hand-pieced quilt top! As I looked over the top I could see I had my work cut out for me. There were numerous seams I'd need to repair before quilting, and I must admit I wasn't looking forward to that. But then I learned that this particular top was the very last quilt top his grandmother had made before she passed away.   The story opened my eyes.  I will quilt it loving hands and can't wait to see the joy in his face when it is done!

I'll be leaving the end of next week to attend a quilt retreat in Rockport at The Retreat House. One of the items on our agenda is to make a very special baby quilt for one of our friends whose grandbaby is seriously ill. Each of us will make a block and assemble it. Once completed I'll bring it home to quilt and bind. Another friend will present it to her just in time to take to the hospital as the baby undergoes serious surgery. We hope that this quilt and our prayers will comfort her and her family during this trying time.

When I return from retreat I'll try to post pictures of these very precious quilts.

In the meantime I've been busy trying to finish some items for our silent auction at the retreat.  We hold this auction to raise money for our "kitty" which goes toward charity quilts and memorial gifts. Here's the items I've make to take:

Chenille & So Comfy Pillows

A pair of Needlebooks - one for you and one for a friend

"Long Tall Texan"- a Patch Abilities pattern

Till the next time!

Busy as a bee, but having fun!

2011-01-10T10:22:00.006-06:00

This is my first posting of the new year, but I did manage to quilt a couple of quilts for friends before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and even made a sorority pillow for my granddaughter Paris, who is a freshman at Tarleton State College. It turned out pretty cute and she was VERY pleased!

Here's Marcia showing the quilt she made for her daughter-in-law at Sherman Quiltmakers Guild meeting last November.

Donna's Quilt

Paris' Sorority Pillow

January brings me finally back to my quilting! I just finished a quilt for my 9 yr. old granddaughter Kaylea and she made all the fabric choices (I shared a picture of some of the fabrics with you in my last posting). It is one bright, wild quilt and my poor eyes never had a moment's rest while assembling and quilting it. But, she is going to love it and that makes every single stitch worthwhile! This was my first LARGE free-motion quilting project, and I am very pleased with the results. I did a simple loop-d-loop pattern. I still have the pillow cases and window treatment to do, but the bulk of the project is complete.

Kaylea's Quilt

We are snowed in here today so guess I'll just have to get busy and quilt!

Giving Back

2010-11-21T19:17:00.002-06:00

Bonnie, one of my amazing friends who was at the Arkansas retreat is a WORK HORSE when it comes to charity work. Here she is at our retreat making a poolside toast (left-to right), Wyoming friend Albe, Debbie, myself, and Bonnie.

From January to early October this year Bonnie had contributed 182 lap-sized quilts to various charities and 104 little dresses for Africa were sent to Nancy's Notions for distribution. She does this every year, and she receives a lot of support from her quilting friends. We donate our scraps, backing fabric, and a little of our time (compared to the amount she spends). She cuts all the scraps into "quilt kits" and we assist her from time to time by putting together the kits, sewing on the bindings, and quilting them.

Bonnie graciously allows each of us to donate groups of quilts to various charities. I was given the privilege of delivering 34 quilts to the Restoration Village and Benton County Children's Advocacy Center in Rogers, Arkansas. Here's a picture of the founders of Restoration Village, David & Beverly, who have truly found their calling. This is a faith based non-profit facility which houses women and children who have been victims of physical or mental domestic abuse.

Thank you Bonnie for setting such an example for us to keep giving more of ourselves back to to those less fortunate! It truly is better to give than to receive!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Hooty Hoo!

2010-11-11T11:00:00.000-06:00

My "witchy" sister Karen lives in Arkansas, so I was fortunate to be able to spend a few days with her after my quilt retreat. Some years back she began creating "designer" witch hats for friends and of course she created one for me. This year the timing was just right and she and I whipped up a half dozen or so of these bewitching hats! Some wear them with their costumes and some use them as centerpieces. We had a really great time designing them together.

Here we are together. I'm sure her neighbors must have had a good laugh while we were taking all these crazy pictures!

These are the hats I brought back to Texas and needless to say, they all sold before Halloween except for one which was evidently the "Ugly Duckling". Can you guess which one it was?

We enjoyed our time with each other so much, and we never seem to run out of things to talk about. We met up with my high school doubles tennis partner in Eureka Springs for lunch. It always makes me feel good to be with long-time friends, and Debbie was no exception. Although our time together was short, we had a good visit. Here's Debbie, me and Karen, left to right.

I first went to Eureka Springs when my kids were little, and I've always loved it there. I love the architecture and it's whimsical nature. The last trip to Eureka Springs has been about 8 years ago when my son Brad and daughter-in-law Shelley got married. In fact I couldn't help but revisit the church where they got married.

Who wouldn't want to stay in this beautiful Bed and Breakfast? Maybe next time!

The Retreat of all Retreats!

2010-10-27T14:38:00.001-05:00

Finally caught my breath long enough to reminisce about the wonderful retreat I attended in Rogers, Arkansas. It was The Retreat of all retreats! Our hostess with-the-mostest, fellow quilter Linda, opened her beautiful home to us. Her faithful sidekick, Cyd, co-hosted.

So much time, thought, manual labor, and hard work went into this retreat. I felt totally pampered from sun-up to sun-down! These ladies really outdid themselves!

They had arranged several outings to local quilt stores, one of which gave us a private demonstration on various new products while we dined on yummy cocoa rolls (a secret family recipe) and iced tea!

Each day throughout the day was "surprise time". Our names were put in a hat and one was drawn to receive a surprise. By the end of the retreat everyone of us received very nice "surprises" which either Linda or Cyd had hand-made. I came home with a beautiful handbag! Every day we also received a homemade project "kit" they had prepared for us, so we all made personalized matching aprons and a personalized little zip bags.

Did I mention the food? Fabulous meals were prepared and presented beautifully by these two, not only at breakfast, lunch and dinner, but they even managed to fit in a poolside happy hour with wonderful appetizers! And let's not forget the chocolate! Our sewing area was well stocked with an endless supply of it. Late evenings were spent in the hot tub, relaxing and visiting.

What I enjoyed most was simply spending time with such a group of up-lifting, supportive and fun group of friends. Even got to make two new friends from Wyoming! Hats off to Linda and Cyd! Here are the Arkansewers in our matching holiday aprons!

Time flies when you're having fun!

2010-09-25T20:53:00.002-05:00

Can't believe we're on the back side of September already! The great news is a much welcomed cold front is supposed to arrive Sunday! We certainly needed the rain but these hot, humid days have been overbearing.

I took a class called Matchless Star conducted by Becky Jackson earlier this year and although I've had the top done for some time, I just completed the quilting and binding. I decided it was time to "step up" and try my hand on the free-motion side of my long-arm machine. To my surprise I really, really enjoyed free-motion quilting! I decided to keep it simple with loops and was pleasantly surpised how well it turned out.

I'm off to a much-needed quilt retreat with some good friends in a couple of weeks, and I'm really looking forward to it. It is in Rogers, Arkansas and afterwards I plan to spend a few days with my sister in Bella Vista. It will be the annual "craft fair" time in that area, so I'm sure we'll take in those. The days should be comfortable and the nights chilly. I can hardly wait!

Here's a sneak preview of one of the projects I'm taking to work on.......stay tuned in October!

Up Close and Personal

2010-09-02T19:28:00.000-05:00

In order to better showcase my long-arm quilting, I am posting some close-up pictures of some of the quilt tops I have quilted.

Above is a closeup of a quilt I just completed quilting for my friend Donna and below is the entire quilt. I think it turned out really pretty, and she loved it. It is so gratifying to see the smile on someone's face when they first see their quilt once you've completed it!

Ready, willing and able!

2010-08-29T17:56:00.001-05:00

After lots of practice I feel more than confident to machine quilt for others. This blue and green quilt is my latest effort! I love these colors and it will fit nicely on my full size bed in the guest bedroom.

I long-arm quilted a quilt for a friend over the weekend, and I will probably post pictures of it early next week, with her permission of course!

Here's the quilt my dear granddaughter Kaylea and I made together. She is so proud of it, and she had the hard part....sewing all the various strips of fabric to the foundation blocks! I simply sewed the blocks together. I'm very proud of her!

Practice makes Perfect

2010-08-26T15:57:00.001-05:00

When my mid-arm quilting machine arrived in April, I wish I could say I hit the floor running, but that was not the case. Like any beginner, I began to question myself as to why I could not get the tension correctly balanced. After several weeks of frustration I picked up the phone and called my dealer (which I should have done from the get go), to quickly learn I had a defective tension assembly (ugh). However the assembly was very easy to remove and I popped it into the mail back to my dealer. Imagine my surprise to find the new one in my mail the very next day sent overnight from California!

It was during my time of frustration that I took my last quilt top to a friend to quilt it. The top is a design I created and it is a 3 dimensional bow-tie. I loved it before it was actually quilted and I loved it even more when I got it back from the quilter.

I appreciate the fact that all the quilters I am associated with participate in various charity work.... pillow-case dresses for children in Africa, lap size quilts for children, quilts for families who have lost their homes in a fire, heart-shaped pillows for breast cancer survivors, drawstring bags for children to keep their "Beads of Courage" in, and so on. I feel strongly about giving back to those in need. So once I got out of the starter block, I began with two lap-size charity quilt tops and a simple pantograph pattern. I caught on fairly quickly and was very pleased with my work.

I then moved on to a smaller quilt top of my dear granddaughters' which is very special because she and I both pieced the top together. It turned out very well, and she is so proud of it.

I am blessed to have a great husband!

2010-08-25T19:05:00.001-05:00

It has dawned on me that I've overlooked giving my husband credit where credit is due. After he enclosed a large screened in porch some years back, he gracefully allowed me to turn it into my very own studio. Shortly thereafter he bought an old drafting table and cut a very precise hole in it to inset my Janome sewing machine (which by the way he supported me buying). The list goes on and on....a very comfortable sewing chair arrived one year for Christmas; he made me a "big board" ironing board; I needed a design board, he created one!

What had began as a dream became reality. Last April he encouraged me to buy a HQ Avante 18 mid-arm quilting machine and start my own little business! He also encouraged me to fly to San Diego for 3 days to take long-arm quilting classes! What more could a quilter and wife ask for?

I am proud to show off his hard work on my studio and I'm proud to have my HQ Avante.

Some of those UFO projects completed during my BOM phase

2010-08-23T18:10:00.002-05:00

Top to bottom: Jelly Roll Quilt, Square in a Square Technique by Jodi Barrows, Fussy Cut in Memory of Zoie, and Sanctuary.

2010-08-23T16:15:00.000-05:00

I Spy Quilt

2006 Block of the Month

2010-08-23T16:12:00.000-05:00

My second block of the month!

My quilting journey continues...

2010-08-23T16:08:00.000-05:00

Flash back to 2005, and by the end of that year I had faithfully finished all the blocks for my first Block of the Month quilt top. It would take several more years until I pieced it together and added the borders. Finally in 2008, I had it long-arm quilted and today it is one of my favorite quilts.

As the end of 2006 rolled around, I again found myself having all my monthly BOM blocks done, but like the other BOM it would take several more years until it was pieced together and long-arm quilted in 2008.

My First Block of the Month

If you're a quilter, you probably know full well why it took me so long to get those quilt tops finished and quilted! If you're not a quilter, then you probably don't understand the term UFO or "Unfinished Objects". All quilters have them because they always have multiple quilting projects they're working on. We just can't seem to stay out of quilt shops so we wind up buying "other projects". We are the queens of multi-tasking! But sometimes our projects sit for so long we lose interest in them and they either remain UFO's forever or wind up in a quilt group's "freebie box" hoping to spark someone else's interest. I've tried to discipline myself to finish every project I have (and yes I have plenty UFO's). I just haven't reached the point where I'm ready to pass any of them on.

Above are some of those other early projects which tended to get in the way of finishing my first two BOM's.

Another year older

2010-08-09T10:45:00.000-05:00

Celebrated another birthday Saturday, and at this point in my life, I'm really thankful for each and every one! Spent the weekend with our son Brad and daughter-in-law Shelley and had a wonderful time. My dear husband, James cannot usually pull off a surprise but he managed to hide a beautiful birthday cake for me which was enjoyed by all.

Some of my beginning Quilts

2010-08-05T16:12:00.004-05:00

2010-08-05T15:53:00.000-05:00

The culprit that started it all!

From one generation to the next

2010-08-05T15:35:00.000-05:00

Granddaughter Kaylea first learning to sew when she was 5!

The Beginning

2010-07-29T15:44:00.000-05:00

A little over six years ago I bought a little kit for a pieced wall hanging at JoAnn's because it was on clearance. My Granny taught me to sew when I was 5 years old, and after years of making doll clothes (which I still do) I began to focus on decorative sewing items and crafts. Never in wildest dreams would I ever guess I would become a quilter!

Once I finished the wall hanging I realized I liked the process so much that I wandered into our local quilt shop "Kaleidoscope". There I was convinced I could actually make a quilt top by simply following the directions in their block of the month program. And guess what? I DID! I began to talk about quilting and found several friends who were quilters. It wasn't long before I started taking quilting classes and joined the Sherman Quiltmakers Guild. I was like a giant sponge trying to absorb anything and everything related to quilting. Over the next several years I continued to participate in Kaleidoscope's annual block of the month program, took classes every chance I could, tried different techniques and the rest is history.

I love quilting!