Suzie's gift

I got in a quilt that was pieced by a lady that wanted to give it to her daughter as a wedding gift.   She needed it done by the 1st of  November and I asked her when she was getting married and she said "last year".....I loved that comment so much I had to pass it on.  How many times do we start a project that we think we can get done "on time" and then find ourselves disappointed by how long it takes????
She outdid herself....she went with a King Size and a tough pattern, but it turned out amazing and I was so thrilled to be a finishing part to this project:

Complete top.....

Close-up....of the corner

Close-up of the front and back....I used a pano graph on this....I really like this pattern of the dancing feathers.  It is a tight quilting pattern and uses a lot of thread.  I used 13 bobbins on this quilt.  I think it turned out really nice!!

Sewing Room Remodel

Some of you may have seen the post when I mentioned that I was remodeling the garage and making that the NEW quilting room.....well, let me tell you that is a whole lot of work, but it is starting to shape up.  I wanted to have the walls textured, painted and ready for when the cupboards arrived, but that did not happen.  My brother-in-law and sister made my cupboards at a very reasonable cost, so I was thrilled when they showed with the first set and INSTALLED them.  Now that is service!!!!  Home Depot, Menards, and Lowes can't beat that!!!

Before the cupboards....walls are ready to be textured, but needing to sew and quilt, so I put that on the back burner

Guess what shows up....earlier than expected?  My sister and her husband with the cupboards they made for me.  They are so fast!!!!!

Brother-in-law, Kent, the perfectionist....making sure everything is good before adding anymore screws

I love the custom cupboards....there is a corner unit and a double door cupboard on each side.  The double door cupboard opens to one large opening....I love that.  I have 4 more on order with them and they are thinking about having them done in November....Wow, faster than ordering from a store.  They are AWESOME!!!!!
I may never get the walls finished now.  I am such a procrastinator!

Back at it!

Wow, I did not realize it had been so long since my last entry.  I can honestly say I have been so busy that time flew by---I have been busy with harvest.  I am back to working at home, so I will try to keep postings updated better.
Besides working harvest....I have been doing a few smaller things for customers in the evenings:
Judy has done this quilt top with all finished 1/2 square triangles being about 1"....

This is the back of the quilt....
This quilt was done with grey and yellow.....this was a baby gift that I quilted for a customer and it was very unique in colors....LOVED this color choice.

The back of the quilt.

This is a table topper for Christmas...she wanted something done with variegated thread on the top....so I went with a subtle thread with light green/cream/pale pink in the center, but on the border I used a green/red variegated....it turned out really nice.  

Up close with the color of threads....
Well, I guess I have somewhat caught you up on what all has been happening in the area of the world, SOMEWHAT....the next posting will be of the new cupboards being installed in my sewing area.  That has become an undertaking....remodeling, setting up a new area and trying to sew/quilt.....That is a story of all its own!!!!!   Until next time ........

Civil War Collection

 The two quilts you are going to see are from 2 different customers that took the same class.  You are able to see that the same pattern looks totally different; depending upon the color choices.  This is in a Civil War Legacies collection called "Alexander's Bean Pot".  I did not quilt these two quilts with the same motif, but did feel that there are a lot of straight, hard lines and they deserved some curves to balance them. 

Another quilt from the same collection called "Stars to Freedom" was quilted with more quilting on the stars.

The back turned out just as nice as the front.  I enjoyed doing this piece....the customer was easy to work with...she allowed me the freedom to do as I felt.  That is what helps me feel like I am an artist, being free to do as I see. 
Thought these quilts are some really neat patterns and thought I would share the book information with everyone and see what other quilters come up with....I love Civil War Era fabrics and patterns and would love to  see what others are doing.  I haven't had time to piece any for myself, but have really enjoyed quilting for these ladies!!

Big Changes

Most of you know that we bought our home a little over a year ago...well, when we moved in I had decided to make one of the bedrooms a sewing room.  The room was small, but served a purpose and it worked.  I decided that we have too many people coming and going from our home to have my sewing/quilting things spread from one end of the house to the other, so we converted the garage into a wonderful sewing/quilting studio.  I do not have the walls painted, yet and have a little more work to do, but I couldn't wait any longer.  I had to get started on moving things....and LOTS of things I have!!!

The 14' quilting machine is in the middle of the room with embroidery machine, serger and sewing machine set in the "L" shape in the corner....have an organizing drawer unit that I bought from an old Hallmark store....pretty cheap, nice and stacks nicely.  On the opposite side is the cutting table large ironing board and about 20' of design wall....I think it will be nice when I get everything done.  My plan is to have enclosed cupboards on the walls above the "L" area.

My poor room is a MESS.  Now for the re-organizing and finding places for everything out in the new studio.  This is almost overwhelming to look at.  Without the cupboards on the wall in the new area, it is tough to find a spot to put all this....better get moving, so I can get more done today.  Hate to be down very long, I have to keep business going while  in reconstruction.  Once all is done it will be fantastic!

30's revisited

This is a baby quilt that was brought to me to quilt....I fell in love with the pattern, colors and layout...
She did a nice job piecing the top and I enjoyed quilting feathers throughout.

A close-up of one block and the border

The back side..
This was a really fun quilt to work on...
Every time I get a quilt to work on for someone, I like to think about what they imagine, what the new owner will think and what the quilt will be a part of....such a great imagination sometimes.  Love thinking about how quilts comfort, warm and soothe another person or family--the memories it will bring!!!

New Friends

I have told you a little bit about 2 young ladies that we met about 3 months ago.....so I thought I would introduce them to you.  Nina and Petra are 2 young ladies in their early 20's that decided to venture to America for the first time and we are lucky enough to have met them, spent time with them and enjoyed every minute we had with them.  They are full of joy, adventure and courage!!  They came here to see how things were done in the States...we learned so much from them as they did from us too....
They love animals, but really have a soft spot for horses and loved to ride....they ride English and we are Western, but they adapted well to our saddles and gear.

Nina-on the left is riding my spouse's cutting horse and Petra on the right is riding his go to horse.....Larryetta and Tiny.  They are so happy to ride and be around the horses.....
Can't wait for them to come back....I have found that I really miss their laughs, giggles, questions and conversation--not to mention the time they spent helping me feed cattle, paint the horse barn and eating ice cream!!!!

 A picture of the Girl's last ride in Nebraska....