Shroomage!! and Vintage Quilt Tops

Whoops!! these are so fab I had to post twice..! Enjoy

hey I finally cleaned off my desk so I can find my computer!! how YOU DOIN?
No it's NOT a giant golfball....D found this when he was mowing the lawn last time .....and we have had some rain since then ( yeah SOME!!!!!) and I pesuaded him to leave it till I could get a pic of it and or cook it!! I looks like the over grown nuclear( nuke-U-lar) version of the ones you buy from the Kroger......Now I don't exactly have a "Field guide to Mushrooms in North America" and I wont eat it but damn I sure is curious about what it will look like when I slice it UP!!! ALSO....it has been a stressful summer what with the job market being a tough nut to crack but I have landed another job(finally!) this time it's a real one with the potential for the whole -range- of- benefits- package AND they feed us lunch...for FREE CAUSE ITS A 4 DAY WORK WEEK...10 hrsM-Th Fridays off...this is week 3 and thankfully they are teaching me other things besides what was originally intended..which is GOOD cuse I tend to get bored......and they've got me up and around and moving which is good to cause I tend to slip into a coma if i have to sit at a desk(which is what I was doing the first week and a half.
Here are 2 vintage quilt tops I snagged at the Shipshewana Antique fair last month. We go to my family's lake cottage for the yearly SUMMER quilting retreat when it's happening and always find some lovelies. (ssshhhhh the trick is to ditch your friends and go off by yourself if you are going to snag the good stuff cause they are looking for same!!)


Heh!

USA RURAL MADE QUILTS FOR SALE!!!!!

SAFARI BABY QUILT 42.5x51 INCHES Drapery Weight Brushed Flannel Twill (both sides)
Outline Quilted Neutral Colors perfect for any baby!! $75.00

GRUNGE PLAID PATCH QUILT ( custom matching pillow covers are available for an extra charge)83x73 INCHES Drapery Weight Plaid patches on front, garment weight flannel on back. Utility quilted in large X design. Perfect for the "outdoorsy alternative dude getting the band back together while eating pizza with the family dog in the basement " types.$ 150.00
SPRING PATCH ( custom pillow covers available for extra charge) 74.5X77 inches
Fresh, different and one of a kind!!! Would be lovely in a young girls room , yet cool enough for a teenager. Top Fabric imported from Germany, muslin backing and binding.$175.00


help
I've been partially unemployed since Mid-June and it's starting to get pretty scary around here. I've been looking and applying for jobs since then but as any of you job seekers know.....it's slim pickens out there.
ANYWAY............
I'M OFFERING UP 3 100% USA HANDMADE QUILTS FOR SALE!!!!!!!!!!
All new materials (batting and fabrics) 100% cotton ( fabric batting and thread)
Please feel free to e-mail me if you are interested in purchasing or have more questions (fatquarterquiltfarm@yahoo.com) "quilts for sale" subject heading please...... or if you would like to see more photos....(Click on photos for close up viewing..)
Thanks to CRAZYAUNTPURL and PIONEER WOMAN for all the awesome blogging love and
Thank you for supporting HANDMADE IN THE USA!!

3 APQS Demo Millenniums on Sale!!!!!

Here is an AWESOME OPPORTUNITY to get a GREAT DEAL on a
2008 APQS MILLENNIUM!!!!!!!

These are gently used Demo models ,come with a 1 year warranty and are available for immediate delivery!!Price is $16,400!!!!!!!
ONLY 3 ARE AVAILABLE!!!

E-mail me

Susan at Fatquarterquiltfarm@yahoo.com

with any questions and or your deposit information!!!
These machines will go fast!!!
Happy Quilting!!!

APQS PRICE BLOWOUT!!!!

APQS 72 Hour Price Explosion!!!

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT THE FIREWORKS WERE OVER!

Price Explosion!

$1,000 of any New or Used APQS Millenium Quilting Sytem.

Offer Valid July 9th, 10th & 11th only.

This offer is in addition to the July special of Free Freight.

Contact APQS at 800-426-7233 or your nearest representative today( THAT WOULD BE ME!!)

Susan at Fatquarterquiltfarm@yahoo.com

to take advantage of this first time ever event!

www.apqs.com

sales@apqs.com

Customers must pay for and take delivery of the machine before July 31st to qualify for this special offer.

Double Rainbow

Crazy weather this afternoon lead to this awesome double rainbow right outside my door.I've never seen one so vibrant let alone double and one that went the full half circle!

APQS Used Millennium Sale!!! also Save $1000 in June

APQS is offering a nice selection of Pre-0wned Millies for Sale!!
These machines go fast so

CONTACT ME

for current availability!!!

Susan at Fatquarterquiltfarm@yahoo.com

Used Machine Sale! Serial # 1855 Millennium (2000) $12,800
Serial # 1927 Millennium (2000) $12,800 Serial #2441 Millennium (2002) $12,800 Serial #2449 MIllennium (2002) $12,800
Serial # 2742 Millennium (2003) $13,800
Serial # 3045 Millennium (2003) $13,800
Serial #3223 Millennium (2004) $14,500 Serial #3548 Millennium (2005) $14,500 Serial #4078 Millennium (2005) $14,500 Serial $4401 Millennium (2006) $14,500 Serial #4512 Millennium (2007) $15,400 http://www.apqs.com/apqsrewards.htm
Serial #4553 Millennium (2007) $15,400
Serial #4624 Millennium (2007) $15,400 Serial #4723 Millennium (2007) $15,400 Serial #G570 Green Millennium $14,000 Serial #G1628 Green Liberty $12,000 Serial #B0114 Liberty (2205) $12,800 For more informaiton on these machines call 800-426-7233 or contact your local representative.
ALSO APQS is offering a

SAVINGS of $1000

with the purchase of a new machine.$600 in Cash and $435 in Hartly Products with a NEW MACHINE purchased in the Month Of June!(Me!!Me! Pick Me!!!)See

APQS website

for complete details!!

Susan at Fatquarterquiltfarm@yahoo.com

www.apqs.com | apqs@apqs.com | 1-800-426-7233

S!#T Job (for this I went to college?????)

Several weeks ago the Boss announced he had a "Shit Job" for us.
We were assigned 2 walls of the greenhouse and were instructed to scrub the greenstuff off the floor, pull any weeds and wipe down the plastic wall with soapy water.
You guessed it :Hands and Knees Style!
(as you can tell there was only one way to get under those benches anyway )
Naturally we had to heft out the 50 ft hoses first in order to get to where we needed to clean!( and then try to neatly coil them back up!)
Of course I was indignant. Didn't he have a crew of "laborers" to do this?????
We are the "Customer Service" crew!!! The "Annual Experts!" "Plant Professionals!"
(Ok ,so we weren't "Officially" open yet)....but people were still coming in and poking around, asking questions and buying stuff@!!@
Can you tell I've got a bad attitude towards this kind of task? I'ts bad enough doing your own down and dirty cleaning (from what I can remember) but cleaning someone elses place, business, etc always makes me feel like some sort of subservient lackey. I know !I know! Some people own cleaning services and are paid
quite well by loyal clients for a job done with, enthusiasm, speed and finesse( Hi Lauri!)
It ain't me kids. (Not to mention I wasn't getting paid a "housecleaning wage")
Anyway we plowed through the rest of the day nearly getting the entire area done, knees raw, cold wet and dirty......so lunch could be served from any spot on the floor of your choosing.


Tools of the Trade

Phyllis and Edna sucking it up and working with a smile.

Note the "Good Housekeeping" T-shirt !I didn't get that memo!!. Edna shows us her "best side!"


This is what we were scrubbing and weeding under.

Good times.

International Quilt Show, Chicago 2008

Hello again!
I have to apologize to the 3 people that actually read my blog. I was told just this weekend that I had to update cause the winter pics were BRINGIN HER DOWN!!
Well word to your Mother, Mrs. Robinson!!(and I hope she is doing well) I am here for YOU and to say Check This OUT!
For those of you who don't know, IQS was in Chicago this weekend and my friend and longarm lady co-hort Sandy and I made a promise to take some classes this year. We weren't fortunate enough to get into the AQS program in Paducah this year so we took advantage of the "proximity" of the Chicago IQS and signed up for both of the Classes Bobbie Aug was teaching.(Intro to Quilt Appraisal: insurance and fair market value and Dating Vintage Fabrics)It was an awesome experience
Here are some shots of a vintage quilt top, another quilt held by the
FABULOUS Bobbie Aug and a shot of some actual vintage fabric we were allowed to fondle and take pics of throughout the entire duration of the class.
We headed up EARLY Thursday am and arrived an hour late due to Traffic and weather. I was scheduled to help set up both APQS booths( 4 Lennis No Waiting! and the other Booth featuring George, the Millennium, etc)Thankfully the timing was just right because Jim and Bob ( 2 of the 3 Major Dudes......awesome!) were just getting there too. I learned a ton and can now say with confidence that I could assemble a machine by myself.
After taking the better part of the day to get the 2 booths set up, we took a break to find the hotel (as if!!!)check in and change into something more Adult -like for the Preview( open to the public for the first time). Now I would like at this time to point out that I am NORMALLY NOT DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED and I consider Sandy to be THE MACGUYVER OF LONGARMERS but kids, we must have SET THE RECORD FOR U TURNS on this trip!!Let's just say we experienced every possible route to and from our Hotel with in a 3 day span.
When we got to the Hotel Thursday night @ 10:30 P.M ( after exhausting our eating options at MacDonalds!)we discovered there wasn't a single place to park. Seriously, people were parking on the grass, in front of the dumpsters, at the entrance......We were SO EXHAUSTED and desperate times call for desperate measures.
I insisted we bust out the Handicapped tag( legitimate!) and park in the only spot left. ( Sandy is sure we are going to burn in hell for this one!)We were up and out of that space by 8 the next morning and did not have to use it again.( much to Sandy's relief)
I'm sure she will be COMPLETELY MORTIFIED when she reads this.
Hey Sandy!! Remember....... Tragedy + Time = COMEDY!!!!
Stay tuned for more of the 2008 IQS Saga....and Quilt Pics!!!!

(yet another ...) SNOW DAY!

This is what we woke up to today.
Forecasts are calling for a possible accumulation of up to 20 inches by the end of today.
I think we've hit that already

27 car and Semi Pileup!!!!!!!!

Here in the "Hoosier Snowbelt" I've had just about enough of this seemingly neverending winter weather!! Sure enough just when you think your situation couldn't possible get any worse ...something like this smacks you across your pathetic little whiny forehead! This happened this morning about 7 miles from where we are directly within eyesight on one of the ways we take to get to Michigan City ,In. Unbelievably only 4 people were injured and no fatalaties...These poor people!! I think I'll shut up about my pathetic situation!
I-94 27 Plus Car/Semi Pile up
Be sure to also click on the link to the video to see what I tried to post as a video clip ( with no success!!)
Yikes!!!!!

yet another Farmy Quilt......

These blocks were family made(her husbands mother?) and the quilt top was pieced by my customer. She is Putting them away for her grandchildren. This one is going to a male grandchild.

Once in a while I run across some really fabulous vintage fabrics while I'm quilting old tops. I'd like 9 yards of the brown and rust print , thanks!

Finally!!! Ryann McKenna Farm Quilt Finished!!

OK!!
Hi !!It's me blogging from the NW Indiana frozen Farmland Tundra
I know it's been quite a while.....
This is a Ryann McKenna quilt I finished a while ago for a client.
Of course I love anything "Farmy" and this one was most certainly qualifying for sure.
Almost every single piece of fabric that was fused on to create the scenes and animals was outlined quilted by me on the longarm.
I think I used more than 26 different colors of thread!!
The fabrics were all batiks
and as some of you (quilters for sure!) know batiks have a higher thread count per inch ( almost like a percale bed sheet) and will leave tiny holes where they are sewn. Another previous unexperienced situation was the compounding of the tight weave of the fabric along with the fusible web times 3 or 4 layers in some areas!!
In my opinion this would have been almost impossible to hand quilt.I would seriously doubt that the pattern would even suggest such a thing!! As I was quilting it on my
industrial strength machine...it sounded like I was quilting a DRUM!!
That was a fairly strange sensation....
All in all, it was a fun one to quilt and most of all the owner was very pleased with the finished result. Of course that is the most important concern!!

Chicken Mudbog and Dirt Dusting

Ladies and Gentlemen!!! Laporte County, Indiana is pleased to announce the first event of it's kind in 2008. Welcome to the first annual CHICKEN MUDBOG and DIRT DUSTING !!!!!The DIRT DUSTING event is starting off at a nice , steady pace....

Looks like the MUDBOG is off to a slow start.....
but wait !!!.. Here are two contestants now, testing the conditions!!


Looks like a fun way to spend some family time on an unseasonably balmy Monday afternoon in January!!!!!

Happy Snowy Farmy Quilty 08

It's snowin like a major MOJO here in Farmland.
Weather reports say an additional 4-6 more inches on top of what weve got already.
The only working snowblower is rendered useless in my polebarn due to a very frozen door.
We had planned to go out and see a movie at the nearby theatre but decided against it due to the State Police reporting some roads impassable.So it's going to be a leftover New Years DVD rental.More Johnny Depp."Deadman"
We saw "Sweeny Todd" this past weekend and enjoyed it. Those who might be a bit squeemish ( like myself) will probably want to close their eyes during the super juicy parts. I thought the makeup, costumes and just the general cinematography was outstanding. My favorite part was the "fantasy scene" of Mrs. Lovett.
Do I have to even mention Mr. Depp?????................ go on then, love!
Sooooo,........... anyway................
The snow was up to the top of my snow boots( and falling in) when I went out to let the chickens out
@ 7:30 and my foot prints were covered up by the time I got up to actually start my day.
So here for your viewing pleasure:
a customer quilt I finished a few weeks ago.....it was a big one and will be residing with my clients mother in one of the Carolinas......

Blizzard.....technically..........

last year....(I think)....... not so much.........

This year..... like today........

So ....work calls and leves me a message saying uh... I guess we're technically having a BLIZZARD so call back at 11 to see what's going on.
I was supposed to work 10-2:30.
4 hour shifts are annoying anyway..... just enough to sap you of your energy and time when you are closing in on that last minute sewing project deadline.
Obviously it's going to take more than a little snow to affect my fashion sense anyway.
(yes.... that is a dog positioned oh so perfectly on my scarf....need I say more?)

More Mancuso Quilt Show.....

yep...it has been awhile since I posted on the ol Blogger....
and I remembered I had taken a lot of pics at the latest quilt show ( for future blogging purposes) ........
So here's some more!!!
These are the examples of the antique / vintage / traditional part of the show.
I'm not sure if they had been juried in, but I was so glad they had been included!
Speaking of vintage inspired........be sure to check out Bonnie at "Quiltville"
She just finished a very cool top made entirely of recycled shirts from resale shops...AND is now working on rail fence units from the same recycled shirt source...
you can even "string along" with her on this one as she is creating a "mystery quilt"
where the rail fence units are included.
So far its looking very cool....I love almost anything with red and blue anyway....
I don't think I will be participating in this venture ( apparently I require too much sleep from here on till April.... "Wake me up when it's Spring!!!!!! or before you go-go)
but I am looking forward to seeing what everyone does!!