Embroidery Software

While spending a few days in Florida during Christmas, I went into a quilt shop "Keeps Me in Stitches" in Tampa, FL. It was a small shop; however, they were a Janome distributor. I was able to find a foot I had been looking for, a new Creative Grids ruler (size I didn't have) and a package of bobbins. That was it! All for this shop. BUT WAIT.....while at the checkout counter, I looked up and saw this software. I have heard a lot about the Designers Gallery Software and became intrigued. The clerk began to share with me the things it would do. She was quite the salesman! I walked out with Studio III and SizeWorks. Now I wish I would have also bought the LetterWorks.

Studio III is a platform program that allows me to organize all of my many designs as well as color management. It will allow me to sort the color changes so I don't have to change thread so many times, and much more!

The Size Works will allow me to change design sizes proportionately with the correct density adjustment. I can reduce designs by 50% or enlarge them by 200%.

LetterWorks will allow me to add lettering to designs, etc. I'm thinking I really need this component -- LOL! Time will tell as I can always order it online.

I am very excited to learn this software. If you use this software, please comment and let me know your thoughts.

A Cheap, Hot Mama!

Are you a Cheap, Hot Mama?????? Go over to the Hot Mama Apron Swap Blog and check it out.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I hope all of you are getting ready for the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that I am. The tree is decorated, gifts wrapped (well some of them), and I can't wait to see my grandchildren's eyes when they open their gifts.

I didn't do much decorating this year. In fact, not much at all as I have done in the past. Years ago, my house always looked liked someone had "vomited Christmas". LOL! I just wasn't "in to all that decorating" this year. I lost both of my parents during December and that always puts a damper on things.

Last night we had our Christmas with my hubby's family. It was fun. I made quilted Texas flags framed under glass for the brother/sisters. They loved them. I didn't get pictures made of them though -- shame on me! They turned out really good and now I have two people wanting one. I'll get some pictures to post.

Well, all you folks have a wonderful Sunday afternoon. My hubby is going to watch football and I am heading out to my studio to do some serious sewing!

Catching Up!

Oh My! It has been 'a while' since I have posted!!! I need to do a little catching up. Here goes:

Our precious granddaughter, Camryn, spent the weekend and we spent some time out in the quilting studio. Here is Camryn:

Here she is with a completed project that we made for her Dad. It is going to be a Christmas present. She did all of the blanket stitching and helped with the finishing sewing.

The following is some frame quilted art -- the Texas Flag. This was a fun little project to make. The flag is 11x14 and was great fun to make. Somebody "may" be getting this little gift.

I participated in the apron swap "Hot for Chocolate". The following is the apron that I sent to my partner along with some 'chocolate goodies'. I can't reveal the name yet as I've not heard if she has received her package yet.

The following is the apron I received in the swap along with all the goodies. Cute apron and I really like it!

Here is a table runner that I made sometime back, but had never finished it. I finally got it quilted and now just have to add the binding.

A close-up picture.

Here's wishing each of you a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you have a great time with family and friends. I will be celebrating with my brother/sister-in-law and their four daughters and families. It should be a WILD THANKSGIVING!

Cross Country Christmas Blog Hop

Gudrun has lined up 12 fabulous quilt designers for a Cross-Country Christmas Blog Hop. There will be great free projects especially designed to be quick to make for christmas, either as gifts or for yourself. Go check it out!

Ja-no-me?

Did Ja no me got a new baby????? I did! I have a new Janome machine to sit with my Janome 10001 and keep him company! Now I can have one machine embroidering while I sew on the other. Here are my babies:

My Janome 10001 that I purchased at International Quilt Festival in Houston in 2004. I just LOVE this machine!

Here is my new baby, Janome Sew Precise. It is a good little machine and I plan to be really putting it to the test in the next week. I have been looking at the Janome Jem Platinum 760 and then I found this one. Since I really DID NOT need another machine, I went with the Sew Precise as it was about half the cost of the Jem. I have a Singer Featherweight and a Husqvarna Viking #1+ too, so you can see I didn't need another machine -- LOL -- but whoever said NEED had anything to do with WANT. LOL

Happy Halloween

Hope everyone has a safe day/evening and you get lots of TREATS and not TRICKS!

It's About Time.........

It's about time....that I got back to blogging. Life has not been the greatest at my house. Some of you know that my husband mysteriously contracted a staph infection (MRSA) in his knee joint and muscles of his leg. It has been a long haul, but we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. After three surgeries, LOTS of physical therapy (and PT continues), he is SO MUCH BETTER. He can drive now and isn't near as dependent on me. It was/is a joy for me to be my hubby's nurse as he is definitely my best friend. Working full time and then coming home and taking care of hubby, taking care of the house, laundry, etc. has been very demanding. I've hardly done any sewing and it's quite obvious I've not done any blogging. Why, it has been 6 weeks since I last posted. In fact, the last time I posted was on September 11th, the day he came home after a 16-day hospital stay.

I have missed all of you!!! I've not been visiting blogs or posting what I've been doing. Well, we now have a "new normal" and life is getting better. I will be posting more and sharing more of my activities. I will be going on a retreat in about a week -- oh, how I need one! SEW, ya'll all stay tuned as the Humble Quilter is 'COMING ALIVE'.

We Will Never Forget!

Same Kind of Different as Me

I just read this book, Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It is a true story that takes place in Louisiana/Texas about an international art dealer and a modern day slave from Louisiana. It is a heart-warming story and a great read! I have read The Shack and I rank this one right up there with it.

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day to all my Blogging Friends!

Hubby is still in the hospital -- day #13 -- but they have finally found an antibiotic that the infection is responding too so he is getting so much better. Still a long road ahead, but we are making progress. God is so GOOD! Thanks to my blogging friends for their comments and prayers.

A Give Away and A new BOM

Go check out Dorothy Baker Designs for her give-away and her upcoming free BOM. I love stitcheries and can't wait to see these designs. The link is also on my side bar.

First Friday Freebie

Come join the fun! Karen at the Painted Pony is offering a wonderful freebie pattern each Friday. Thank you Karen for your generosit.

Tough Duty

Sitting at the hospital is tough duty, but hey somebody has to do it. My sweet hubby and best friend is in the hospital with a really bad staph infection in his leg. Today makes day #8! The doctor thinks we are heading in the right direction and perhaps antibiotic #3 is the one! The infection is very difficult to treat and often resists antibiotics.

Thank goodness I remembered to grab my laptop (which has become another appendage to my body -- LOL) and bring it to the hospital. It has been a lifesaver for me and has kept me occupied when not doing things for my honey. You see, his leg is so swollen that he can't bend it, can't walk and is pretty much bedridden. I've been reading blogs, Facebook, playing games, etc.

I am doing lots of reading and embroidery. I'll get some pictures posted after we get home since I don't have my camera with me.

Parade of Roosters

DUH....It seems that instead of 'saving' my post of my roosters, I published it on August 20th. No wonder I couldn't find it. Sorry about the confusion. Just scroll on down and take a look......

Retreat at Alford Inn

I am "finally" getting around to posting pictures from our recent retreat at Alford Inn in Van Alstyne, Texas. Here ya go.......in no particular order.

Rhonda was diligently working on a commissioned quilt for a lady. She was really concentrating and focused!

Kathleen was determined to get some of her WIP's completed.
The following are the BOM's from the internet that Kathleen has been working on. She is really doing a great job "keeping up".

Of course, we have to EAT while we are at retreats! This is the group at the Durning House Bed and Breakfast. The placed was really neat and I loved their decorating.

The following is the group at a local Mexican Food Restaurant (don't remember the name right now). The food was "okay" but the margaritas were to die for!!!!

Kathy and Molly loving those 'ritas!


MARSHA, MARSHA, MARSHA! 9/16 inch, 9/16 inch, 9/16 inch. We kept hearing someone muttering these words over, and over and over. We realized it was our Wacky Buddie, Molly. Molly is a pattern tester for Marsha McCloskey testing a new feathered star pattern. Here she is working on that block. Lookin' good Molly!

TA DA!!!! The block is done!

And here is the completed block. Way to go Molly! We are sew proud of you!


Of course, you have to drink a glass (or three) of wine while retreating. Here is Kathleen enjoying the wine. Really...she drank it out of a glass and not straight from the bottle but it sure makes a great picture!

Here is a picture of a Halloween table runner that I was working on.

Annie was busily working on her nickel square project.

Molly and Rhonda are taking a break from sewing and checking out the world wide web.

That's all for now folks.......I'll get some more pics posted later.

It's a Parade of Roosters!

Cock-a-doodle do! How are you? Want you come in and join the Rooster Parade. Here are pictures of some of my roosters. The pictures really aren't that great (surely it WASN'T the photographer) so I apologize for that first. I hope you enjoy your visit to my coop.

Notice the metal rooster on the shelf of this quilt rack. My Hubby made the rack years ago.

The rooster candle holder and shade sits on a really OLD ice box. There is also the rooster picture on the wall and of course the chicken wallpaper. Actually, this wallpaper has been on my walls FOREVER. I'm ready to change the walls up but still keep the rooster/chicken theme. Any ideas????


Rooster lamp sitting on the cabinet in my kitchen. I bought this lamp on one of my "shopping adventures" in the Hill Country.
Simple little rooster holding a chalkboard that I purchased on EBay.

Another "Hill Country" purchase -- Americana rooster which hangs on the side of my cabinet.

The centerpiece on my kitchen table is made from an old plow blade with the rooster feet. It really looks better than the picture shows. BTW, that's a candle with fruit around it.

A rooster in the corner of the cabinet, a rooster picture frame, and a small rooster hanging from the cabinet knob. Also, please don't be offended by that cookbook -- it stands for Babe In Total Control of Herself -- a gift from a quilting friend who has at the big quilting bee in Heaven.


Rooster rug at the entrance to my kitchen; there are several more througout the kitchen.

My 'prim rooster/hen" sitting in the basket.

A simple metal rooster than hangs from a beam in the kitchen.

My favorite rooster -- Jim Shore -- it stands about 2-1/2 feet tall.

Here is a crooked picture of the rooster that roosts on the mantel.

A big metal rooster that sits on the floor of the kitchen.

A set of soup bowls and soup tureen (isn't that the word?).

This rooster hangs on the door that goes from the game room into the kitchen.

My rooster chandelier that hangs over my kitchen table.

These are some signs that I made "many moons ago".

A whole string of roosters that my buddy, Kathleen, gave me.

In my kitchen; my hubby made the cabinet.

Another view.

.......That's all folks! Thanks for stopping by...Now I'm off to see the rest of the parade.