Friday, August 26, 2011

Leah Day


 An Incredible Young Woman!
  

Do you all know about Leah Day?



I have been out of the “online quilting world” for several years, but upon researching youtube.com videos, I came across Leah Day.  She is a young woman in her early 20’s. She is an up and coming star in the quilting world.  I know most of you non-quilters think that quilters are mostly in their 50’s and older, but I am here to tell you that there is a whole new generation of quilting talent out there and Leah is at the top of the list!  In fact upon doing a google search for “Leah Day”, there is over 59,000 results!   As a hand-quilter, I have not kept up with sewing machine quilters, thinking it was only possible with a long-arm machine, but Leah’s free-motion videos prove me wrong on that one!   She has hundreds of videos that include free-motion design tutorials and they are all FREE!  I am just in AWE of this young woman!  She is just such an inspiration in so many ways, both from her personal story, her artistic talent (which is so incredible) her life’s insights and her pure determination. 

Some pages written about her:

Working It: Leah Day



Case Study: Leah Day Brings Free To The Quilting World




So, if you have not spent some quality time with Leah on her pages and blog, I wholeheartedly encourage you to get a cup of coffee (tea?) and sit a spell and enjoy the world of Leah Day!  It will be time well-spent!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

New Sewing Machine Is Here!

UPDATE regarding my sewing machine dilemma : 





I got my NEW sewing machine today shipped UPS, from Sewing Machines Plus.  This time the box was completely different in how everything was packed inside.  It was obvious that this one had NOT been opened prior:  strapping plastic all around the outside, everything was packaged and sealed in clear plastic, sewing machine needle was wedged with Styrofoam, silica package was attached with packaging tape.  All completely different then the first time around.  No marks on anything.  No smudges.  Just beautiful!  The machine seems to sew great, although I have only done one test of straight stitches.  I am thrilled I got a new one and got a fresh start!  Woo hoo! Now maybe, just maybe, I can get busy sewing on the cowboy quilt!!  Only 6 weeks before it needs to be finished!

Cowboy Quilt Progress

Here is my current progress on the cowboy quilt:  All pieces are traced, cut and ironed in place.


  

The quilt top is laying on the floor to photograph.  It is square and straight, even though the picture shows the grass crooked, it is not. 


I did have a couple of problems.  I have a problem with the hand on the left side.  The black 'hole' of the guitar shows through the flesh colored hand.  What to do?  Not sure.  Did not notice it until everything was ironed down good! Also when steam pressing the sticky stabilizer, "Steam a Seam", my pressing cloth evidently had something on it.  When I took away the cloth, I had some light, reddish-orange streaks on the face!!  URGH!  Had to fiddle with the hairline to cover some of it.  Also when I embroider the eyes, it should cover a little more.  No matter what,  I guess this little cowboy will have a bit of dirt on his face. :(  The applique is now ready for stitching down but I have been waiting for my new Juki and that obviously was a big delay.  Hopefully now, I will have  some time to practice first with the different stitches and then full steam ahead on the quilt!


How is your week been going?
Hugs,

Monday, August 22, 2011

A Better Week!

Well, the first thing I did this morning was flip on the computer to read my emails and what did I see?  An email from Annie of Ruby Slipperz!   http://rubyslipperz106.blogspot.com/   I WON last week's Five Fat Quarters Giveaway!  It has been a LONG time since I won anything and now I have won FIVE fat quarters!  Woo Hoo! This week is starting off GOOD!  Thanks so much Annie!!

And regarding my sewing machine dilemma, I gave up waiting for a phone call from Sewing Machines Plus in San Marcos, and phoned myself, once again last Friday.  This time I asked to speak to the manager and explained in great detail all the things wrong with the machine I had received and the reasons I thought it had been a used one, damaged and re-boxed for sale.  After a back and forth discussion, he still did not think it was used, but agreed to exchange it for another one!  YEAH!  So, spent Saturday morning carefully  boxing it all up, making sure all the pieces and parts were included, took it to UPS and sent it on it's way.  Now, let's see how long it takes to travel 100 miles and a new one to be delivered.  Keep those prayers going!

More later,



Thursday, August 18, 2011

Another Day...

Another Day

Well, I still have not had any decision from Sewing Machines Plus in San Marcos.  I was promised a phone call yesterday and I waited all day with NO phone call.  I will call them this afternoon!  I guess I need to put on my “assertive Linda hat”.  I just hate conflicts!


We decided to go with a different little cowboy for the baby quilt I am making.  I only have 6 weeks to make it and if you knew how I sew, I usually plan at least 4-6 months for finishing a quilt, mostly due to my caregiver schedule and the fact that I hand quilt everything.  This time, I will be forced to do some kind of machine quilting. 


Here is the design I chose and my hubby’s enlarged version.  You can see some of the pattern pieces I have cut out for the appliqué process.  I will be using my new Juki for the appliqué.  I need to figure out what kind of stabilizer to use as I zig-zag stitch.  I tried just copy paper on a sample as I had seen on a youtube video.  NOT!  I could not pull the paper off without destroying the stitches!  Any suggestions?
pieces and parts...


Sewing Machines Plus Update:  Just left another message on their answering machine for the manager to call me.  Pray for a satisfactory resolution to the dilemma at Sewing Machines Plus.  Thanks!

Adding..... another giveaway here at PS I quilt!  http://www.psiquilt.com/2011/08/sponsor-giveaway-green-fairy-quilts.html

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Juki Exceed F600 and a dilemma



NEW or USED?

Well, after much research (weeks, actually and many, many hours), reading reviews, searching online, I decided on a Juki Exceed F600 for my new and much needed sewing machine.  It was within my budget and did everything I needed in a sewing machine and more.   I phoned around and visited several sewing machine stores and no one in my local area carried the Juki.  Two hours away, in San Diego county,  I located a store that carried Juki's: Sewing Machines Plus in San Marcos, CA.  I spent a couple of hours with a sales woman and finally made the decision to purchase one.  Keep in mind, this is my first new machine since my purchasing a Janome Jem Gold in 1998!  Since we were staying out of town, I was unable to un-box or set it up until two days later, so you can imagine how excited I was to set her up!  And then imagine my disappointment when I discovered as I un-boxed it,  that the machine sold to me appeared not to be perfectly new!!

The Exceed comes with an extension table and the box it was in had been obvious re-taped.  AND the table had some red scuff marks on the top of it.  There were some other indications the sewing machine had been out of the box, including a missing accessory out of the accessory box!  I immediately phoned the store and spoke to my salesperson and after another day of waiting, the owner of the store denied the box was ever opened. (at least it was unknown to him).  So they asked for pictures, which I sent.  Another day with no response.  I don't feel I should pay retail for a 'used' machine, yet now, I am having to prove what I am saying is true.  It also had a sticker on the outside of the box, that it had been at a quilt show that was a few weeks ago. I had intended to post a glowing report about this shop, since I was sure I was going to be jumping with joy over my new Juki, but because of this dispute I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this store.  Also, the bobbin winder is not working correctly and I have been promised it is an easy fix, that can be done over the phone.  However, it has been two days, and I have yet to receive the call from the service person, so I can fix it.  I am not a happy camper right now.  :(  Why does life have to be so difficult sometimes?

Quilting hugs,

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

It's a BOY!


Well, yesterday we found out that we are having a new grandSON, due end of December!  I am so excited, since our son and his wife have a 3 year old daughter, so our son was hoping for a boy!  The quilt I made for granddaughter, Grace is shown here.   Now, I must get busy on a NEW quilt ASAP.  My DDIL is decorating with baby blue and chocolate brown colors and our son wants something having to do with a cowboy on the quilt.
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This is the picture of the bumper pad she purchased through Pottery Barn and the colors she has chosen.



 I have made several "cowboy boot" quilts in the past and might do a baby one if nothing else works, but we had an idea!  When our son was young I made him a Precious Moment Boy quilt and our DDIL suggested doing something similar for this new baby.

So I began researching up a storm and found this coloring page....
My hubby could draft something similar, changing the hat to a cowboy hat, keeping the guitar (our son is an avid guitar player) ....no puppy, no glasses....  What do you think?  Then I would have to draft pieces and parts so I could applique.  When I made the quilt for our son I made the whole applique about 3 ft tall but it was for a twin sized bed..  But this would be crib-size, so maybe  a 2 ft applique?  Would I do some kind of patchwork surrounding the applique?  Decisions, decisions.....  Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Happy Quilting!