November 26, 2009

Waterworld on Fleece

"Waterworld" by Jodi Beamish (Willow Leaf Studio) is one of my favorite pantographs which I used on this contemporary blue watercolor looking fleece quilt.


Happy Thanksgiving


(wild turkeys on our back lawn at Timber Hill)

Today is Thanksgiving. The one day a year that gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the past year, and even the years gone by, and give thanks for all we have. There are so many things to be thankful for. So many friends and family have touched our lives. I am so blessed. Just the fact that the list of "blessings" would be quite long is just one of the many things I'm thankful for. Life is good.

I am also thankful for the opportunity to know so many inspiring quilters and crafters since I started blogging. Learning, sharing and being inspired by so many of you. You brighten my day! Thank you also for reading my blog and for taking time to leave comments. You are all very kind. I hope you are having a blessed Thanksgiving Day.

November 21, 2009

One More Fleece Quilt

I've had this fleece for a long time. Another fleece quilt completed. I seem addicted to doing these fleece quilts! I have one more bundle of fleece sitting under the quilting frame---and then I think I will quit. (maybe) :o) It's hard to pass up these sales as fleece is so fun to quilt on with the quilting machine, and they make great gifts!

I did see Joann's has Anti-Pill solid fleece on sale for $4.00 a yard----hmmmm.



November 19, 2009

Quilting a Martha Quilt


(60" x 75")

I've been doing a lot of fleece quilts with my new long arm. I'm sort of tired of those---Yesterday, I loaded a Martha Quilt top that Cora had given me and had some fun! I started at the upper left corner with some peacock swirls and twirls--swooped into some leaves and tendrils---swooped into stem of feathers and then into some ferny leaves, etc. etc, etc. All over the quilt.

I used some of the new 80/20 Legacy batting. It quilted beautifully! Not as puffy as Hobbs 80/20. A flatter look to the quilting I think, but after washing it may puff up more.



I don't spend a lot of time doing custom quilting on 'scrappy quilts' like this top. Frequently I do pantographs, but it was great to let loose and just quilt whatever came to mind.




November 12, 2009

Meet Polly!



Since "Rosie" moved to a new home in September, quilting friends have been asking what I was planning to name the new long arm...I'm pleased to introduce you to "Polly".



It took just a few quilting projects for me to decide on the name "Polly". Machine quilting has always been been fun for me---now this new machine takes it to a totally awesome level! All the controls operate so smoothly. The power take up roller and height adjustments controls just move up or down at the flick of the handle controls with the least amount of effort . The stitch regulator is so smooth that's it's difficult to tell if the stitch regulator is on, so I've never turned it off! Normally with most long arm quilting machines you can tell by the feel and sound the stitch regulator is operating---not so with the Prodigy Quilter. The first stitch is as evenly spaced as the last stitch! No slightly elongated first stitch leaving points or moving into a fast curve. In fact the Prodigy stitch regulator keeps up at whatever speed I'm quilting. No annoying sounds or bleeps, ever.



Here are a few projects "Polly" and I have finished quilting. Zoie's baby Quilt.



This medium size fleece quilt.



And this larger fleece quilt.



I have another fleece quilt on the frame and will post photos tomorrow. These are a lot of fun to do. Very forgiving. Quick projects.

As I glanced out the kitchen window this morning sipping my morning coffee, I was greeted by this beautiful early morning visitor. He watched me, as I watched him--- long enough for me to snap these pictures. The he slowly crossed the parking area and headed down into the forest of Timber Hill. Elegant!