longarm quilting
I get asked often about my quilting machine, do I use a computer, how does it work. Enough that I thought I would do a blog post on it.
I run an APQS Millennium machine.
Millie isn't new, she's about 8yrs old now. And a total workhorse. My average is around 315 quilts/year and Millie keeps going strong.
I don't have a computer system. The only special features I have is a stitch regulator, a thread-cutter(I never use it) and needle up/down. My quilting table is 14feet long; the biggest quilt I've done was 135 inches.
90% of my quilting customers only ask for all-over quilting patterns(pantographs).
When I quilt an all-over pattern, I stand at the back of the machine,
and I 'trace' the panto with a laser light.
It looks pretty easy but there is a wee bit of a learning curve.
For custom quilting, I stand at the machine front.
I share a quilt studio with my mom.
I am very blessed to have a job that I truly do love doing. I don't always love going to work but it's a great job that I have.
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| the only somewhat current picture I have of our quilting studio. taken September 2011. |
quilt monday
Guess what?
I finished this quilt.
And as always, now I can't get enough of it.
So much so that I hung them on the door in my sewing room. The little owls just make me smile.
The quilting isn't anything special; some water stitching and some stippling. I also echoed some of the bigger applique pieces.
Just too cute!
snack saturday
2 ripe bananas, peeled
1 1/4cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup water
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp white vinegar
1/4tsp salt
1/3 cup chocolate chips
Heat oven to 350*F. Place banana in ungreased 8inch pan. Mash with fork.
Stir in remaining ingredients, except for chocolate chips. Sprinkle chocolate chips over batter.
Bake 35minutes. Cool completely and enjoy!
hello, hello!
We had the bestest holiday but it is so good to be home. There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed; or getting to shave your legs again lol.
I took a whole stack of quilts that needed the binding finished
and I didn't finish any until I got home.
Before we left, I did manage to get the binding on my Curio 9patch. I wondered a few months ago if I should pull the border off or not.
I love it with the border gone. More importantly, it now fits where I wanted it too.
I quilted it with one of my favorites, the baptist fan.
Lastly, a look at where we spent our vacation. It doesn't get much more beautiful.
Now it's time to sit back and enjoy the last week of summer. Why does it always seem to go by faster every year?
hmmmmm
I've had this pattern for so long and every few months I pull it out and debate starting it. A few nights ago, Jim had to work late.
I've had a pile of batik fabrics on my cutting table that I just haven't put away yet and thought, tonight is the night.
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| good thing I took a picture, didn't notice I had forgotten the eyes on the little owls. |
I will admit, now that it's together, I don't love it.
Maybe once it's quilted I'll feel differently. But that will have to wait, we are heading off on holidays this weekend.
love is in the air
And there are some beautiful quilts that are going to be given as wedding gifts.
First up, this lovely quilt by Yvonne.
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| quilted with Folk Heart |
I absolutely love this beauty by Carole.
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| quilted with Watercourse |
The applique is all done by hand; stunning!
Johanna made this one for her grandson.
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| quilted with Timeless Hearts |
This beautiful stack-n-whack quilt done by Shirley.
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| quilted with Bright and Breezy |
And this beautiful basket quilt by Gwen.
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| quilted with Flowing Feathers |
Do you have a favorite?
quilt monday
I took my favorite table runner pattern and changed it up a little adding a strip of the contrast strip and making the runner more into a table topper.
I love the size it ended up; not too big, not too little.
And of course I had to straight line quilt it. I love the look it gives to these.
Today is BC Day and a holiday. Looking forward to enjoying more of this fabulous weather we've been having; it's time to hit the pool!
snack saturday
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup loosely packed brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cups rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup chocolate chunks
optional: 1- 2 tablespoons milk, if dough is crumbly
Heat a small saucepan over medium-low heat and add butter. Whisking constantly, cook butter until bubbly and until small brown bits appear on the bottom of the pan – about 5-6 minutes. Watch closely and immediately remove the butter from the heat, whisking for an additional 30 seconds or so. Set aside and let cool COMPLETELY. Note: It does not need to solidfy at all, but it should not be warm to the touch.
In a bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder, oats and cinnamon, mixing, then set aside.
Once butter has cooled, add to a large bowl. Whisk in sugars, stirring until smooth. Add in egg and vanilla, whisking until smooth once again. Slowly begin to stir in dry ingredients, using your hands if necessary. If you find that the dough still won’t come together, add in milk 1 tablespoon at a time (I rarely have to do this.) Fold in chocolate chips, distributing them evenly. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Using an ice cream scoop or your hands, form dough into 1 1/2 inch balls. Place about 2 inches apart on a nonstick baking sheet, then bake for 10-12 minutes, or until bottoms and edges are golden
playtime
Thank you so much for all the well-wishes on Monday's post. I am feeling better and got back to work this week, much to my clients relief lol. Better enough that I got to spend some time puttering in my sewing room last night and made another jelly roll race quilt.
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| I thought this was In Color but can't find it on Moda's website. |
It's a bright one!
And I got started, and finished a birthday present for a special birthday I missed earlier in the week.
And the winner of my extra little wall hanging is.....
Please email me your mailing info and I'll get that off to you.
To the rest of my followers, thanx so much!!
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