I Think One of My Posts is in Cyber Space!

I know I posted pictures of my new baby-Quilt Chamberlain!  But since it's not here, I post her baby pictures now!

Jeff-the technician from Innova-arrived at about 2pm on Sunday, the 23rd.  Joe and I helped him unload the truck and bring all the parts downstairs.  With our help, he said we probably saved him an hour.  I tried to stay out of his hair but couldn't help but check on him rather regularly!

All 4 girls were home, along with 2 boyfriends and 2 dogs and my dad.  Poor guy had 9 people and 2 dogs supervising!  He was such a trooper!  I did make sure he had enough coffee and water and kept him well fed!  In addition, we had Christmas Carolers come in and serenade us!  10 hours later, our newest baby was assembled!

Jeff gave me some basic instructions and I was very glad I had taken the new owners class a few weeks ago.  I'm still muddling through with the Pantovision, but slowing becoming more accustomed to it.  I am looking forward to more formal instruction with it.

I have a big learning curve with getting proficient with the machine.  My curves and circles have a lot to be desired, but I will practice until it looks good.  I decided I will do as many online classes that I can.  I started with Leah Day's Free Motion Quilt Along.  I have started with the stippling.

I had previously signed up for Craftsy's Machine Quilting Negative Space class with Angela Walters.  It's pretty good.  I was hoping it was more long arm instruction, but I do think I'll get a lot out of it.  Below are my practice pieces.

Swirls

Boxes

Circles and Swirls

Parenthesis with lines and pebbles

I also practiced my feathers.  Still not as rounded as I'd like but I'm sure it will come with practice.

I have been looking for a beginner longarm class online that gives hints on how to do things and drills to practice.  I have found one called "Skillbuilding for Free Motion Quilting" which is part of the online quilt channel QNN show, "Quilt It-the Longarm Quilting Show"  It's somewhat what I was looking for.  You need to order some pre-marked fabric to practice on.  Not sure if I'm going to do that or just practice on my own.  It's a bit sappy-sweet but I'll muscle through because I really want to get on track. 

I'm thinking Leah Day's Free Motion Quilt Along might be the best bet.  I'll let you know!

Happy Stitching!

Log Cabin Stars Top Done! Finally!

Well, it's not my favorite but the top is done as far as I'm concerned!  The picture downloaded sideways, but then again, this whole quilt has given me fits!  I took a class at Asilomar from Flavin Glover called Log Cabin Diamonds. I think I was expecting more from the class and, as my friend Ricki said, I was underclassed.  I had been at one of Jinny Beyer's seminars where we studied the log cabin block and it's variations and I was hoping for more of the same.  Didn't happen.  But I wanted to finish the quilt top.  So I plugged away, on and off, for almost 2 years.  I had A LOT of blocks that I made but didn't use.  So I'm going to use them on the back!  

So I started fooling around with one of the complete stars and built with some of the partially done diamond blocks.

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Then I pulled some of the tonal gradated blocks and really liked the result!  Maybe even more than the front!  It's looking like a double sided quilt!












To make it even I need add a 4 inch border around all the sides.












This will help keep me distracted (like Christmas isn't distracting enough) until the new Baby arrives!  The wrapping is done so I can get back to quilting!  Or should I say "piecing".  I'l be quilting once the machine arrives and is set up.  I was told last week that it should arrive this week!  It's Tuesday and I'm beside myself waiting for the call!

Happy Stitching!

Crazy Busy!

So things have been a bit wild!  Reader's Digest version:  Went to Houston.  Test drove Innova, Gammill, APQS and Nolting.  I went with the Innova.  Why?  The Innova and the Gammill were so close but it came down to Pantovision, dealer location and 24/7 tech support.

The past few weeks have been cleaning out the Lair.  I was back and forth as to put it in the basement or turn my living room into my studio.  I love my living room but I think the noise level if anyone else was in the house would be annoying.

I also have been to my new owner's class!  I won't have the machine for a few more weeks (probably when my girls all arrive home) but I feel like I can get a good start.  I've also been watching YouTube videos.  Can you tell I'm raring to go?

In addition, I got my Jaipur Star quilt back from the quilter.  She had it for a year!  I'm really happy with it now.  It has 4 appliques in the corners (I just looked at the picture that I took before I sent it to the quilter and realized when I ironed the appliques on the horse and the peacock changed places).  Anyway, I am embellishing the appliques. I have the horse done...  Of course, the pictures I just took and downloaded to the computer have not shown up yet.

Pictures to follow.

Happy Stitching!