Thursday, October 31, 2013

AYOS October "Clover"

This by far has got to be my absolute FAVORITE quilt.  Period.  The cutting is easy peasy, the piecing is easy and the placement is not to bad BUT you really have to concentrate.  It is what I would call for the intermediate to advanced quilter.  I think it would frustrate a beginner.  Its all done on a diagonal but you have to follow the pattern.  I ended up copying the paper with the layout on it and everytime I sewed a row I crossed it out with bright yellow marker...I had to keep myself straight and this was the best way to do it.  I did finish it tonight with three hours to spare for the deadline of midnight. 

Now I have to tell you, we hardly EVER get trick or treaters....maybe 2....so I figured I can sew this no problem, uninterrupted time!!!!  NOT!!! I got 10 trick or treaters.....I know, I know, that is NOT a lot, but when your trying to focus on diagonal lines, 685 pieces and fabric placement that is 10 doorbell rings!  Ten times of finding your place...you get the picture.  I only had to rip out fabric 2 times.  NOT BAD!

So without further waiting here is my Christmas Table runner.  Don't you LOVE it!!!!!

I used Wintergreen by 3Sisters for Moda.  Let me know what you think!

I will be posting a few more projects in the up coming days.....I have been really thinking about posting more then my AYOS projects. 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

A much better , Happier day!

Well I thought I would give you an update to my machine dilemma.  Well Saturday as I moped about my hubby told me to just go by a new machine of my choice.  Although I knew he wanted to make me happy, and he is a great guy, really....I was still mourning the loss of my best friend the Janome.  Silly i know that but still.  So I called around asked a lot of questions and set up appointments to sit and sample sew with a few machines for Tuesday.  I spent most of the day researching machines and their reviews online.  Mid afternoon I decided to pick up my baby.  I called the guy and told him I was going to think about thinks but I would like to pick up my machine. He said if I were you I would just sew on it until it is flatlined, just have to turn it off and reboot it, he assured me I did need a new A Board, motherboard in computer talk.  Now this is a man that took over his dad's business which was started in the 1950's.  I bought this machine from him...... I went and he loaded it in the van.  Came home and was just sick.  I decided to just plug her in and see if she would go.  Plugged her in, picked my stitch selection depressed the pedal and nothing , just her light on and motor running. But no movement at all.  I tried in disbelief thinking if I pushed one more time she would just plug along.   Nope, notta, zilch. I went to bed heartbroken.

3:00am...BOING, wide awake with an Epiphany.....it hAS to be the pedal! The machine purs like a kitten, I can change the stitch selection, switch the embroidery and back again and no problem.  Has to be the pedal.  Turn the power on again, select straight stitch, press the pedal and nothing....BUT WAIT, jiggle the cord, push the pedal, nope, move it again, tweet it again and BAM, it works!!!

Quilted three mug mats on Sunday , add binding to one of them.  Now in between this I have two sick kids, so can't do much on Monday.  Tuesday load her up take her to the new Janome dealer  we get it set up plug it in, nothing.  Take out the plug, push the start stop button, it sews smoothly. Plug in the pedal, she presses the pedal while I jiggle the cord...yep it works!  So she gets the new pedal, plugs itin and  she is back in business!  New pedal costs only......drumroll.....$39.95!!!!!  No I did not even need an A board, a $600 A board, guy didn't know what he was talking about....Purchase the new pedal and now I am back in business.  No longer in mourning, but happily quilting again....so yeah, today was a great day!

Stay tuned for some new projects posted....I have a new appreciation for my trusty friend.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is NOT a very good day.  About 13 years ago my hubby got a flat tire and had a long wait for it to be fixed.  So he took a stroll...right into a sewing machine shoppe...Janome to be specific.  Brought home a top of the line Janome MC 5700 Sewing /Embroidery machine.  Best. Flat. Tire.  EVER!   Loved this machine.  Sewed ALL the time on it.  made many many things on it...made some money on it, made the kids clothes on it, made quilts (LOTS) on it.....you get the idea. 

Well about a week ago I was sewing very happily and I stopped, picked up the final block on a quilt I was working on and pushed down the pedal and NOTHING......WHAT????  couldn't be!!!! Right????  Nope nothing.   BUT ALL THE LIGHTS ARE ON....THE MOTOR IS HUMMING!!!!!! 

Take it down to be looked at:  Oh Mrs. H, its an intermittent problem.  You'll just have to shut it down and reboot it.  Well how much to fix this problem?  Only $600!!!!  WHAT????  Will that cure it????  Well that part yes but there is no telling how long the other 2 boards will work for.....WHAT ??????????

I still decided to call around and see what is available machine wise.  Find one at Husquvarna...real nice, real smooth, BUT computerized.  They all are....Every. Single. One.  WHAT TO DO????
Call said store, do you think I can still sew on mine?  Yes, they reply.  Worst case scenario you have to shut it down and reboot.

Well Okay then I will come by and pick it up then.....I can't see spending $600 for an A Board (the brain) with the possibility of having to purchase 2 more brains.  So I bring it home , turn it on, ask Jesus to bless my machine and keep it plugging along.  Cut out fabric.  Turn on machine....good so far, humming nicely.....adjust stitch length.....good......put fabric under foot, start driving it and NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WHAT????????????????????? That's right folks....NOTHING!!!!  I can't use my machine.  SO depressed....this was my trusted friend, we were going to grow old together.  But I guess Elsie is wanting to go RIP.  My heart is torn apart.

Well I certainly don't want my hubby to have another flat tire, but I will be looking at more machines on Monday.....wish me luck. 

Hello!!!!!

Oh my goodness its been OVER a year!!  WHAT???? What happened?  Hmmmmm Facebook, Instagram and just plain life. I guess you can say I took...