One of those days...

I started machine quilting a quilt Monday afternoon and had more than a quarter of it done. When I got back to it yesterday afternoon, things were going great - no problems with thread or anything! I had plenty of time - no rushing. I though I could finish it. I was watching the clock and decided that I would quit at 5 PM for dinner and then re-evaluate. About 4:40, my machine stopped. Yup, for the third time in a little over a month, it died again! The first time was a fuse, the second time was a belt. This time the needle will not go up and down - there is a whirring noise. 

Can you see how close I am to finishing? The unfinished area still has the safety pins.

Here's a closer picture. The area is roughly 12" by 12".

Well, the machine is not getting fixed anytime soon because we are ready to leave for a few weeks. Suitcases are packed and set to go. 

So sometime in September, I'll take it in to be fixed (?) once more - I really do think the handwriting is on the wall - it is dying! And I think I'll be much closer to buying that new machine when I get home. Quilt Camp is coming up at the end of September so I better have a good working machine in place by then! 

Now I just have to be sure I have money left when we get home!

A fun weekend with grandsons

Grandsons Mack and Griffy came to visit all day Saturday and stayed over. We had a great time!

On Saturday morning, they painted. It seems that they paint or make cookies every time they come!

When painting, they usually wear one of my old t-shirts as a cover-up.

They played on their scooters. We had to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. We also went for a walk and played with bubbles.

When Grandpa finally got home, they checked out the secret passage between the trunk and backseat in my car.

We headed downtown for lunch and then went to Pilgrim's Pantry for their 10th anniversary celebration. After a fun hayride that included balloons, a noisy tractor, a bumpy ride, and meeting some really cute kids, the boys went to see the new calves with one of the new friends.

Then it was time for homemade ice cream. The boys didn't want pie but Ray couldn't pass on the pecan nor I on the bumbleberry!

We went back home for a nap and some quiet time. Then more playing, dinner, and a night out at the local library movie night. We sat under the stars on a gorgeous night and watched "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". They both managed to stay awake for the whole show!

Then it was time for bed - on the floor in the family room. We had two very tired boys who even slept in Sunday morning! It was a wonderful time and no tears! At one point, Griffy told me it was okay to hug and kiss him! 

We are so glad that some of our grandchildren live close enough to have a sleep over. 

FMQ Project - Cucumber Vine

The free motion quilting design this past week at the Free Motion Quilting Project Quilt Along was Cucumber Vine. 

For some reason, my mind wrapped around this design and the pattern just made sense so it was fairly easy to stitch with one little glitch - I had to travel stitch on those curved lines - I found another place where I need practice! 

I took Leah's advice and quilted a small quilt instead of another practice sandwich. So I also finished a small quilt which I'll totally reveal at the end of the month!

Christmas Table Runner Finished

I began this table runner at the Christmas in July Quilt Camp a couple of weeks ago at Lucky 2B Quilting. It is a quilt as you go pattern and quite easy ... if you have a walking foot. 

That day I had my Singer Featherweight and no walking foot. So I cut out all of the pieces and went on to other things.

This past week I decided to finish this runner. It is quilted as it is made. I finished the binding  by hand - my preferred method. 

I love the modern look!

Vitamix update

Our Vitamix arrived in late July. Since then we've been home a grand total of 5 days! So we are whipping things up like mad! 


We've had smoothies:

Banana Blueberry Orange Smoothie (above) from Vitamix cookbook (I used milk instead of water and added yellow squash) Good!


Summer Blush Smoothie from Vitamix cookbook (I used milk instead of water and added yellow squash) Good!


Our Own Smoothie (milk, Greek yogurt, banana, strawberries, blueberries, yellow squash, chia seeds) Good!


Watermelon Smoothie (watermelon, Greek yogurt, sugar, ginger, almond extract, and ice) Good!


Banana Mango Smoothie (mango, banana, milk, honey, vanilla, I added Greek yogurt. ) Good but not a lot of taste. Next time I'll add some pineapple.


Carrot All Day Smoothie Recipe - (carrots, cucumber, apple, cashews, OJ, salt, yogurt) looked good but I don't think we are into vegetable smoothies!


We've had soup:

Broccoli Cheese Soup from Vitamix cookbook. (made with cauliflower due to my broccoli allergy) Good! We had steamed cauliflower pieces in the soup also.


Harvest Cheddar Soup (above) from Vitamix cookbook. Good! Next time I'll add some texture - maybe some chunks of potatoes and celery. We didn't have the bread bowls like in the above picture ;(


We've also tried:


Apple Pancakes from Vitamix cookbook - Good!


Donut Muffins from Vitamix cookbook - Good!


Peach Spice Scones from Vitamix cookbook - Good!


Peanut Butter - from a Vitamix video - Good!


Ground whole wheat from wheat berries - we have ground all of our wheat flour for these recipes!


The Vitamix Lady lists five magic vegetables that can be added to fruit and other drinks and the taste magically disappears - you don't know you are drinking vegetables! The five are cabbage, spinach, carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini. Just use 1/3 to 1/2 cup of whichever one(s) you'd like. It really does work!


We've started adding chia seeds to many of the things we blend. There is no taste and if we ever get tired of them, we can grow some chia pets!


We are learning. We are eating healthier - even more whole foods. I am spending more time in the kitchen. And most of the time, we are enjoying whatever I make! 


I do love my new gadget!

2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge August Update

This month at the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge, over at Insights by SewCal Gal, Wendy Sheppard is our expert. She does beautiful work!

Wendy gave us a "simple but fun quilting motif" called Jester's Hat. Well, first I tried to draw the design. Then I tried to draw the design by copying the website drawing. Oh, this gave my very left-brain brain fits! I was drawing the design in the air when I woke up, on the shower wall, on my church bulletin... My sketch book has pages devoted to this "simple but fun quilting motif"!

Today, after church, I was ready! I decided to sew on a square that will eventually become part of  a QAYG quilt. I had to stop stitching often to think about where to go next. But it worked! I do like the texture this design gives and with practice (maybe lots of practice) I think I could do a whole quilt!  

Thanks Wendy! Using one's brain is good!


Problems:
All of that thinking! I also had some trouble with my machine speed which you may notice in my stitches - I can't wait to get a machine with a start button so I don't have to rely on my nerve damaged foot!

and the rest of the story ...

Or make that the rest of the great week...


We traveled to Springfield, Illinois yesterday. Our younger son and his family arrived at the motel late last night. We met up this morning and enjoyed some pool time. 


This afternoon, we were honored to be at the Illinois State Police 2012 Awards Ceremony. Younger son received Trooper of the Year for his District. This is the second time he has received the award. Proud parents = us!


After the ceremony, younger son and family left on vacation - a day late. Ray and I decided to do some shopping so we went to the year-old Scheels store. OMGosh, what a store! At 200,000 square feet, it is rather incredible! There is a full size Ferris Wheel in the store. Also an airplane. And an aquarium. And a fudge store. . . And the selection of all things sporting is amazing.


Tomorrow is travel home day. Since my Friday and Saturday sewing plans have changed, I hope plan to sew at home! 


Yup, its has been One Great Week!