News From the Studio, Episode 1593

Posted on June 13, 2017 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio News

There’s been a lot going on around here, since I’ve gotten back on my feet. Mostly standing at the longarm, but I manage to fill in the gaps with lots of other things, and as always, interruptions abound!

You know there’s been some quilting goin’ on around here when your Cowboy walks in the house and presents you with a package of sewing machine needles he found in the driveway!

I got a new JUKI sewing machine, and I’ve been trying to get used to it. I’ve been using the same old Janome sewing machine for over 15 years, so I’m pretty set in my ways, and this new one is taking some getting used to. But so far, I really really like it!

It sews really fast, so I had to slow the speed down, so that I didn’t, as my friend, Edie, would say, “solve the mystery of how someone runs over their finger with their sewing machine.” Knock on wood, I have never sewn over my finger with any of my machines, longarm included, and I certainly don’t need to start now! Have you ever solved that mystery for yourself? I hope not, altho I hear it does happen, even to the best of us.

For practice, I started by sewing up my guild exchange blocks I was behind on, and guild meeting was last night, so it was a good time to get caught up on those. I made four of these for Sandra . . .

. . . and this Churn Dash block for Shirley:

Every year, when we go to Paducah, my sister and I choose a joint project to work on over the next year. She usually gets hers done, and I have a pile of UFOs from these Sister Challenges. This year, I fell in love with this quilt:

So I bought her the book, too, and we’re each doing one. Here’s my first block, and we’ll see if I can keep up.

Also, I must mention . . . while I was in Paducah, I bought this thing:

It’s called a Gizmo, and when I first saw one, I thought to myself: “I don’t need that, I can just keep cutting my chain piecing apart with the scissors like I always have.” Well, I’m here to tell you — I borrowed one from my friend, Jackie, at a sew day one time, and it worked great! At another sew day, I borrowed Michelle’s, and after that, I was completely sold. It speeds things up so much! I use it all the time. If you don’t have one, and you like to chain piece, you must get one — you will love it!

Here’s something I bought while I was at Quilt Market that I also told myself I didn’t need, and have already been using like crazy. It’s a Wafer Lightbox by the Daylight Company. LOVE!!!

I have a large light table, but for small things, it’s sometimes a hassle. This little one works great for tracing embroidery or appliqué projects, and I’m over-the-top happy that I bought it. They have various sizes — the one I have is 9″ x 12″. So thin — very easy to use, store, and even travel with!

Oh, and the other thing I bought at Market . . . these lovely fat quarter bundles from Ella Blue Fabrics — I could NOT leave them behind!

While waiting for my energy to return after being sick, I sat and did a lot of mindless knitting. I’m working on dishcloths for gifts for my daughters and my sister. I made this blue one, and I’m not sure I’ll be able to give it away, I love this color so much:

And now I’m working on a bunch in this color:

I’m also hard at work on next year’s Block-of-the-Month quilts for Sew Sweet Quilt Shop’s “It Takes Five” program. It will start in September, so I’m in the throes of sample making, pattern writing, and block testing. Here’s a sneak peek of the modern color way for this year’s quilt:

And a sneak peek of the traditional color way:

The projects will make their debut in July, and I’ll provide lots more information then, including how you can sign up, so stay tuned.

And here’s a little sneak peek of a block I quilted on a customer quilt. A little traditional feather wreath with some modern touches thrown in! This quilt will be in a magazine at some point, so if I find out when, I’ll let you know so you can see the entire quilt.

And in ranch news, Molly had to go to the vet last Saturday. She’s getting a bit crippled in her old age, so we got her some pills to help with that. She also has some issues with poop! As in, she needs to poop, and doesn’t realize it in time, so she just drops little turdlets out as she’s walking, poor old girl. Well, when we got to the vet, she walked into the waiting room full of people and other pets, and pooped her way through the waiting room! Kids — they love to embarrass their parents!

And Ranger is growing fast! See how long his horns are getting? And his head and neck are changing colors, as baby goats sometimes do. He’s getting more black and gray on him now; definitely coming from his mother’s side. He spends his full days outdoors now, and likes to chew on things:

He still spends nighttime indoors, and it’s become such a part of his routine, I’m not quite sure how I’m gonna break him of that. Hmm . . . will I have a house goat forever?

He also made a trip to the vet last week, and he yelled ALL the way there, and ALL the way back. Such a spoiled little baby! Luckily, we’re out in the country, so no one could hear him, or they’d have thought I was torturing him.

That’s all my news for now! I’m back at the longarm, and working on the BOM quilts in between, and this Thursday and Friday, I’m headed to the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival to have some fun looking at quilts and seeing lots of friends! If you’ll be there, and you see me, stop me and say hi!

7 responses to “News From the Studio, Episode 1593”

  1. My mom turned me onto the Gizmo several years ago, and it was the best thing since slice bread when cutting apart lots of chained pieces!

    I also got a light box like the one you showed (though slightly different dimensions, I think) when I took at class in KC two years ago. She was selling the ones we used in class for 75% off her cost since she didn’t want to cart them home. Since I have just been starting to get into some applique this past year, I expect she may see her way out of the drawer sometime soon!

  2. Barb says:

    Glad you are up and about! You sound much better.

    Thanks for all the news. See you in KC!

  3. Want to hear more about your Juki. I have a 2010Q and love it. Do you ever have problems quilting backwards. I do, but I’ve been adding oil (???) and it seems to help. You have been very busy. Spend a little time just sitting with Cowboy to give yourself a spell of quiet.

  4. Chris says:

    I have a new Juki just like yours. Loving it. Haven’t sewn a finger yet!

  5. Rose Marie says:

    I have to tell my old, old story of running the machine over my finger. I was about 15, I guess, and my Mama wasn’t home. The needle lodged in my middle finger – left hand, I guess. I had to walk across the street to the neighbor and had her pull it out with pliers. Never got a tetanus shot – although now I would. What if the neighbor lady had fainted? Oh well, she had two teenage sons – probably had seen worse than that a few times.
    Thanks Mrs. Rutledge.

  6. randy says:

    I am glad you are up and about…. I love your photos. Keep them coming…

  7. Jackie Gross says:

    Hi there, I don’t know if you do awards here, but I nominated you for a blogging award today. It’s just a neat way for bloggers to get to know each other. Your link is also posted on my page so my readers have a chance to see your awesome craft posts.
    You can either answer the questions on your blog in a post and nominate more people, or you can answer the questions on my post if you’d like. Or, you can skip it. Ha. Here is the link if you want to check it out: /wordpress.com/post/onecreativefamily.wordpress.com/3019 Thanks

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