Longarm Training Academy

I had the opportunity to attend the Longarm Training Academy in Houston, Texas. It was awesome. Carrie and Tom Dugan with Texas Quilt Machines hosted the academy. They did a great job and had a great line-up of teachers from all over the country! I met lots of neat quilters and learned a whole lot. The down side is I lost all my pictures of classes, teachers and beautiful quilts! I am just sick over it! I was able to do some "line dancing" with Diana Phillips! Line dancing is a machine quilting technique based on repeating a single design line that follows a continuous path across a block or quilt top using the piecework as a guide. The class was called "Fun with Shapes -- The Leaf Version". This was a lecture class with lots of pencil quilting. What an entertaining and good teacher. Diana is from Michigan.

I attended two classes taught by Jodi Robinson of Pennsylvania. What a delightful and talented lady! She taught us "Less-Stress Feathers" (a hands-on class) which taught formal style feathers without the stress of backtracking. The second class was "Quilt to Fill" a lecture class with pencil quilting teaching freehand quilting. I truly enjoyed Jodi's classes.

I attend a 2-hour class called "Threadology" presented by Bob Purcell, owner of Superior Threads. Now talk about fun! Bob is funny as well as very knowledgeable about threads! He even tied us all up together!!! No really, he did -- with threads!!! Bob dispelled the myth about "polyester thread" cutting into your cotton fabrics. We learned about all types of thread, thread construction methods, needles, tension, thread delivery, thread breakage problems and much more! There is lots of info on his website so go take a look. I even received a diploma!!!

DeLoa Jones from Michigan taught the class "Got Stencils? Use Them!" I have lots of stencils but hardly ever use them. I now look at stencils in a whole new light thanks to DeLoa. DeLoa gave a very interesting presentation and then we had 'hands on' using parts of different stencils to create our own quilting pattern. What a fun class!
I took three different classes from Lisa Coker. Lisa is a good ole Texas gal from Commerce, Texas. The first class with Lisa was "One Start, One Stop Borders". Lisa did demonstrations on the longarm machine of different borders using traditional curling feathers. The second class was "Now You're In Business". Lisa shared the basics of business and how to handle those PITA customers, the importance of ALWAYS using a work order, pricing, advertising, etc. The third class with Lisa was "Elegant Formal Feathers" where she taught us the basic stitching pattern and shape and how to give these feathers motion and make them come alive.

It was a great training academy and well worth the $$$$ spent. My 'feather knowledge' has really grown and I think those feathers in my brain may be fighting each other -- LOL! As an extra bonus, I was able to stay at my childhood friend's home and do lots of visiting in the evenings. Thank goodness she only live a 15 drive from the training.

Just remember this:

I hope you enjoyed my overview of my recent training. I'm just sorry I don't have the pictures of all those beautiful quilts!!!!

SEW, It's Been a While.....

......yes, it has! I've not posted on this here blog in a while. Here's a quick update!

I entered some items in our local county home economics show and won 5 1st place ribbons, one best of class and first in the Go Texan Quilting category -- so my quilt will advance to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo competition. Pics to come......

This past weekend, I attend the Longarm Quilting Training Academy in Houston. It was AWESOME. I took LOTS of classes, met lots of neat quilters, learned lots of stuff, saw and touched lots of beautiful quilts and took LOTS of pictures. Now thats a LOT of stuff in one sentence. BUT, I have LOST ALL THOSE LOTS OF PICTURES! I'm not happy. When I turn on my camera it says "reformat card?" and it says the same thing when I put the memory card in the computer! If I reformat, I lose everything, but I still can't access those pics? Anyone out there have any remedies???

Stay tuned to my blog as I will be sharing more info soon.......TIME, that's what I need is TIME! LOL! Here's hoping you all have a blessed week......

.......MORE TO COME.

SUPERWOMAN..........

I AM NOT........................I have finally resolved myself to this fact. I cannot do everything! Thank goodness I have a wonderful retired husband who cleans house and does laundry while I'm at work.

I have so many things I want to get done....so many quilts, BOMs, embroidery, etc.....so little time! LOL! I know, I know, I'm preaching to the choir. I think all quilters feel this way. I haven't posted on my blog in over a month, I'm trying to learn EQ6/7, a new digitizer program, I love to read, I love to decorate my house, and just everything else.

The last weekend of this month, I'm going to a Longarm Quilting Academy in Houston and am so excited about what I'm going to learn. Stay tuned....I really will try to post more often.

A Mother's Day Funny

My oldest son just called me on his way home from work to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. Heath is a Houston Fireman so he works 24-hour shifts. He said yesterday his wife sent him a text message around Noon that she had just got out of bed! Jennifer is a 3rd grade teacher and also manages three kiddos who seem to be involved in EVERYTHING. I don't know how she does it!

When I asked how she managed to get to sleep till Noon with those three kiddos, he laughed and said that she told the two oldest (ages 9 & 11) she wanted to sleep late and for them to be quiet. They were to fix cereal for themselves and their little brother and stay in the house and watch TV. I told him I knew they could do it, but what about that wild little 5 year old.

My son laughed and said, well, she didn't have any quality sleep, because the 5-year old kept coming in the bedroom saying "I'm hungry". Finally, the mom told him if he came in 'one more time', she was going to bust his little butt. Now, you gotta know this kid -- he is some kind of funny -- you never know what he will say! He stuck out his bottom lip and said "but Mommy, I just want you to get up and cook me some pork chops!" LOL! Sounds just like him. Mom may not have got a lot of sleep, but she did get to just lounge and relax in the bed!

Here is that little 'pork chop hungry little boy'. Don't let that little "posed" smile fool you but how can you resist that little "Eddie Haskell" looking face!

He is a clone to his Daddy, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa!!!! It's really kinda scary because he acts just like them too!!! LOL! A pure Joy in my life.

Happy Mother's Day!

The Lord Blessed me with two wonderful sons who have grown up to be wonderful young men. I am so proud of them.

Here is a picture of my oldest son, Heath, and one of my favorite pictures. Heath is a Houston Fireman and a Farrier. He is married to a wonderful woman and blessed me with three beautiful grandchildren.

The following is a picture of my youngest son, Josh. This is also one of my favorite pictures. Josh is a graduate of Texas A&M and works for the U.S. State Department. He is married to a wonderful woman and is currently living overseas.

Great Mail Day!

I have been having a tough week. It is the first week of the month and I have my month-end reports due. On top of that, we have been having vehicle issues (I work at Senior Services/Transportation), and then tomorrow is our county-wide Annual Senior Citizens' Appreciation Luncheon where we will be honoring 300+ senior citizens. WOW! I've really been busy, busy, working some overtime trying to get every thing done.

I came home today to a GREAT mail day!!! First, I received my apron from the Flirty Apron Swap. The theme of our swap was "Polka Dots". It came from Heather and she sent me the cutest apron (below) and the Farm Chicks Cookbook. The picture does NOT do the apron justice. It is Twirl Girl apron and is just precious. I will be sitting down tonight reading this cookbook. I've been wanting this one, but had not bought it yet. Thank you HEATHER! May is not only the month to celebrate all the Mothers of the World, it is also my birthday month! My son and daughter-in-law, Josh & Patience, sent me some Polish Pottery serving pieces. It is beautiful. J & P live in Germany and J picked it up while on a trip to Poland. I received hand-painted plates a couple of years ago for Christmas from J & P. I absolutely LOVE what they sent me for Mother's Day and my Birthday! wooo hooo!

A Feathered Frenzy

I have always wanted to make a Feathered Star quilt. When I would see the quilts and look at the patterns, I was just always so intimidated and overwhelmed -- all those points!!!!!

My quiltin' Sista, Molly, is the Feathered Star Pro in our group. She has made several and is even a 'pattern tester' for Masha McCloskey. Below is a picture of Molly's FS quilt. The picture does not do it justice. It is absolutely beautiful!!!

SEW, after some asking and begging, etc., Molly consented to teach us the Feathered Star. Us means our Wacky Sistas. So we set a date to go to the Fryer Deer Camp and the five of us would make the feathered star.

Molly was nervous about teaching us -- and rightfully so!!! We can be mean and outspoken, and sometimes just plain ditzy. But boy did we surprise her. We were all very studious and paid attention, did our pre-class work and we were even nice to the teacher!!! LOL

SEW, on with the class, here is our teacher "Molly, Molly, Molly".

Molly convinced us that if we look at the block as a 9-patch and tackle each little section and treat it as a quilt, we would not be so intimidated. She was right!!!!

Now I don't remember what she was telling us in the picture below, but I'm sure it was very important. She was either telling us "get your hands around just one section at a time" or else, "I'm going to choke you if you make any smart comments to me". Not sure which -- LOL!

The one thing that really helped me was to use the diagram of the block, letter the pieces and then put a snippet of fabric on each area to help keep me straight.

Then the cutting of the pieces began:

It is important to put your pieces in baggies that are numbered so you don't get them all mixed up.




Here is my work station. Having the flannel board also helped to lay out my block.






We did it! We completed our blocks! We all used the same pattern, but different fabrics. Look how different they all look.





And here is the group with our feathered star quilts.

L-R -- Annale, Kathleen, Rhonda, Me, and kneeling is the teacher, Molly.

And, finally, my finished top. I ran out of the original background fabric I was using, but I think the fabric I found to put the block on point works. Now to get this baby quilted!

Remembering My Daddy

I am remembering my Daddy today as it would have been his 87th birthday. Below is a picture of Daddy standing in front of his TV van. Don't you just love that turquoise color? The picture does not do it justice. What you don't see in this picture are his crutches. My Daddy was crippled and wore braces on both legs and walked with crutches. He was in constant pain, but he never let that get in the way of providing for his family. He had a TV Sales/Repair Shop in Humble, TX. Not only did he repair TVs in his shop, he made 'house calls' where he would go into homes to repair TVs. Now days, we just throw away the TV and buy another. I remember when color TVs were available, we had one! People would come to our house to see the TV 'in living color'. I wonder what he would think of the TVs we have today -- hugh ones, flat screens, high definition, digital, etc.?????

He loved his kids and he loved his grandkids. He liked to take the grandkids to "the little store" so they could buy candy. Daddy was a veteran and served our country in World War II. He was also a amateur radio operator and at one time was the Civil Defense Director for Harris County Texas. He used to perform "telephone patches" via his ham radio so that servicemen could talk to their families via the radio.

He had a heart of gold and would give you his last dollar if you needed it. He had a rough life on this ole earth but now I know he is one of God's Angels and is now pain-free, running, and laughing. And I'm sure he is pulling tricks on the other angels and telling all those corny jokes. I love you and miss you terribly Daddy!!!!

Plantin' Trees

I have planted two more trees in the Tree Time BOM designed and hosted by my Wacky Sista and Friend, Molly. If you haven't joined in this great BOM you are truly missing a treat. Go over to Molly's Place and check it out! It only takes a little bit of time, fertilizer (materials) and your excitement will reach a very high level with this project. Come on......join us in the fun....it's time....Tree Time!

Sew, here are my trees:

Block #4

Block #3

Block #2

Block #1

This is going to be cutest lil quilt when it is all put together......Thanks Molly for such a fun project!

Happy Easter!

Good Friday

Tyler Quilt Show

Sew, here we are ~ in all of our splendor! L-R -- Rhonda, Molly, Annale, Jan (Kathleen's sister visiting from Michigan), Kathleen, and Me!

Our own Molly is going to teach us how to make a Feather Star so we were all interested in quilts using the feather star. Molly (aka Marsha) is a 'tester' for Marsha McCloskey so she really 'knows her stars'. However, after trying to get us to complete the project may result in her "tarring and feathering all of us"! Here are a few pics of Feathered Stars.I really liked this one (below) using western fabrics -- very unique.
Sew, as it goes when you are a quilt show, there comes a point that you just have to go visit the "facilities". Thank goodness there was not a line! As I came out of the stall, this lady with a camera hanging around her neck is the first thing I saw:

Well, I thought it was just funny....like she was ready to snap a few pictures. Of course, crazy me, began to laugh and asked if I could take her picture. She looked at me like "have you lost your mind?" I explained to her that I would like to put her on my blog. Still somewhat bewildered, she consented for me take her photo. It was all in fun (especially for me).....I still think she thought I was NUTS!

Here is a family tree quilt that I thought was quite interesting and different.

The picture of the following quilt does not do it justice. It is just a simple 4-patch with alternating with a plain block. The quilting was very nice and made the quilt.

This was the cutest little rabbit quilt:
I am NOT a lover of cats, but I thought this was a really cute quilt.

I've always wanted to make this quilt....maybe someday!

I still have more photos.......stay tuned!

Gettin' All Purdy!

Tomorrow morning it will be time to get all "purdied up" so I can go with friends to the Tyler Quilt Show. It is sponsored by the East Texas Quilt Guild and is a 2-day show that began today.

I've got my camera charging so I can take pics of all the beautiful quilts, clothes ready, and my excitement level is extremely high (a quote of my friend, Annie's, grandson)! Stay tuned for further reports of fun and beautiful quilts, and who knows what I may buy!!!!!