The Best Florida Vacation

This Fall Break, hubby and I take our daughter, Jackie and 8 yr old grandson Dakota to Daytona, FL. on vacation. Our arrival was the last of the 3 days of wind and rain folks had been experiencing. I have been in some strong winds before but to have the ocean waves come across open sections of the highway and street signs bending I would have swore it was a Tropical Storm. TS Rocky Top sounded good to us. By morning the sun was shining and a beautiful day was in front of us. I had made plans to visit my friend, Elaine at The Quilting Machine Shop in Bunnell, FL. Outside of picking up some AccQuilt GO Dies, I was going to learn about the Handi Quilter Pro-Stitcher and take on a few more lessons on how to make feathers free hand on my HQ Avante 18. To my surprise, my wonderful husband John had been in cahoots with Elaine for months and had bought me the Pro-Stitcher! I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it! But the card with it said it all!! It covered every holiday on the calendar. I think I came home with the best souvenir!! I know I did!!

Contests

Do you enter contests when you come across them in your emails?
I love contests especially,  the ones you can express your love of your hobby. Today’s contest is an example.
It’s called “Quirky Question” by Martingale Publishers.

How would you describe the bag/basket/tote that carries your project when you’re on the go?

My Answer:

I carry a flowered bag with the makings for yoyo’s.  I am working on finishing the yoyo quilt my mom was working on when she passed away. My flowered bag will always carry many wonderful and cherished memories even when it no longer carries the yoyo’s.

Visit us online: www.martingale-pub.com

Learning Curve with “TOTO”

ToTo is my Avante18. Lately, we have not been communicating very well but I am learning my lessons. Yesterday, I decided to work on a charity quilt for the Village Quilters Quild I belong to. I took the pins out and put the bottom on the frame. Being a small lap quilt I decided to float the top and batting. I found my design on the Pro-Stitcher, loaded and started quilting. Got near the end and %#2*^$^! My backing is shorter than the quilt top. I must have turn the quilt top the wrong way so another Lesson Learned!
1. Make sure to mark TOP of the quilt top, batting & backing.

Aurifil Contest

I haven’t got into updating my Blog regularly so thought I would look back to some of my best memories relating to my addictions….Sewing, Quilting, Longarm Quilting, Pro-Stitcher and now the Art & Stitch Software that came with the PS.

It took me awhile to get out of the winter funk I was in at the beginning of 2011. I was still recovering from knee replacement on my good knee. (My left side suffers partial paralysis from a childhood disease at age 10) I was in physical therapy several times a week plus a Swim Exercise Program and by the time I was finished I was too tired to do anything. I did enjoy my computer and Ipad I received to help recuperate.  It was fun reading blogs and entering contests. Like most folks to win anything makes the day.

One of the interesting contests was by Aurifil Thread. We were to make a video . This was not the easiest but when I was done I was happy. I titled it “Charge It”.   Then Aurifil had a contest to name a dozen or so really delicious threads. I named one of them Seafoam Green and was in a dead heet with another person as to who had the most votes….I lucked out and won. The prize was the collection of all the newly named Aurifil threads. This was my first use of Aurifil and I am in love! It sews beautifully.

In the meantime, my UFO’s were calling as well as some new projects….Which would win out?