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!!

Red and Yellow Log Cabin #2 DONE!!

Yeay!
One of my favorite parts of quilting( besides the sense of accomplishement when it's finally done!!) is when it gets unpinned from the machine and falls into its own new shape, free from the tension and constraints of the frame.

I also got lucky today because the weather was photo friendly. I'ts also nice to be able to stand back and view the quilt as a whole, instead of the right under my nose perspective.
Plus!! the timing is finally right and I will be able to deliver it and show it( with the owner) at Guild tomorrow night.

Greater Chicago Quilt Exposition II

Well we survived it again this year!! Thankfully this years event was "targon free"
which just added to the enjoyment.
I would like to start with the above quilts "Digital Shibori" ; by Tricia McKellar.
These were by far my favorite of the contemporary entries. Her shibori images are transferred digitally and manipulated to create a collage on silk.
Upon close examination, the image is made up of several "pieced " pieces of the image that has been transferred to silk. Very interesting,some sort of abstract, minimal and serene. Elegant in only the way a tractor tire image on silk would be .
The next day , a synopsis has to be discussed ( as any mumsy and daughter would do) and mumsy concluded she didn't like the show and that there weren't more than a handful she wouldn't care to wipe her #@&! on!! ( no need for alarm, she is taking a much needed vacation very soon!)
That being said, it was no wonder she ended up in the bar later that afternoon.
My friend and I had decided to call it quilts for the show.
The concrete floor had taken its toll on us!
I had brought the 7 Lb lunch to drag around for most of the day, and she was positively exhausted from the 30's fabric shopping session I orchestrated for her next project. ( LOVED!! spending her $ for her!!)
She insisted we search out beers at the mystery "bar" we had been hearing about throughout the day. Heard they had "hot food!!.....
Lo and behold what did our weary eyes spy but a very lovely and posh bar complete with lime green patent leather lounge chairs and quite the industrial beaded curtain!!
( for you quilt show newbies......THIS IS NOT STANDARD AT ALL QUILT SHOWS!!)
WELL!! this was just what the quilt Dr. ordered!! We proceded forward with a lovely pilsner each of Sam Adams SUMMER!! ale on draught and it was heaven!!( not a sam adams fan normally but this was a surprise and now a new favorite) too bad I have to wait only 6 months for another one!
A few other quilt cronies wandered in for a late bite of lunch and I proceeded to chat them up about my favorite subjects and ones they are knowledegable in :the appraisal,restoration and historical studies genre'.
I was interrupted by a phone call from my farm hand regarding the possibility of burning the pile( he had spent the day with our friend "the pyro") and inviting some friends out to do so. I agreed but only if he clean a couple specified areas of the house.Well I dodged that bullet cause he called back later and said the party had been moved to my friend and her husband "the Pyro)s house.Good for me , not so thrilled was she.
Meanwhile, my friend had orderd us another round and was treating us to some calamari!..and
next thing you know, Mumsy and her (*our) cousin, show up looking for a bit of refreshment themselves.We proceded to harass the bartender( like only a gang of old lady quilters can do) and generally make a nuiscense of ourselves until the cops showed up and hauled us off to the pokie where we taught our fellow cell mates the art of bad vest making!

Ha! Just kidding about that last part...making sure you were paying attention.

I cannot stress enough the difference this bar made in my quilt show experience.
Usually towards the end when the old ladies are pooped , we have to settle for a folding chair if we're lucky, most of the time it is a piece of carpeted concrete floor, while waiting on friends or the bus. Had I just heard about it and not experienced it for myself I know I would have been skeptical.
This show wasn't on par with the major players like Paducah or Houston/Chicago ,but was worth the trip if one was in the general vicinity. Not to mention, Shaumburg is a shopping mecca complete with IKEA and any other possible retail experience one may hope to find.
Next up;: more photo worthy quilts from around the world..........

Log Cabin #2 and QUILT SHOW ALERT!!!!!

I've been working on this:
the second yellow and red log cabin for a new customer. The two matching quilts are for her grandchildrens beds at her home.
The first one was finished just as she was coming to pick it up and went out the door without pics ; I didn't want to post anything until she saw the final product.
I have to say I've really enjoyed quilting these also. I've just fallen in LOVE with this color combo and want to somehow do something for myself in these hues.
I'll just ADD IT TO MY LIST!!!
QUILT SHOW this weekend in Schaumberg,IL at the rennaisance center(?).
My Guild is taking a bus full of ladies up for a big fat day of quilt related
festivities and stash enhancement....... You know!!!!!
F.A.R.T. !!!!(fabric aquisition road trip)
Unfortunately I will have to be satisfied with just drooling and fondling( maybe some sniffing?!FOR SURE SNIFFLING!!) only........
(See previous blog regarding large shiny expensive necessary equipment.....)
So So Sad Schnoobie!:(

More fun.........

Old, wornout, funky and gunky....

New! Shiny! Gut Wrenching Expensive! Looks Like a Thermos!!!

again... a chance to say goodbye......

Let's look at them together!!..sort of a "Generational Portrait".........


What's long, shiny silver and costs more than my Mortgage???????
That's RIGHT kids!!!!

I'ts a brand new, shiny and VERY EXPENSIVE Well Pump!!!!!!!!!!
wow!! Just when you hoped things wouldn't any worse.........
( I had a very long and drawn out post documenting the inhumanity and blatant disrespect at the job yesterday but lost it due to god only knows)..
Lets's just say it was a 2 beer evening and exactly 2 hairs away from being my "previous job"......
And then today!!......(I thought my shower water looked extra dirty last night??..)
Good morning!! Your water is very murky!!!
We called a well guy and he diagnosed it over the phone pretty accurately.
He showed up with his crew in the afternoon and confirmed the horror.
(I guess it could have been worse...like needing a new well dug!)
Thanks anyway this will do just fine for a second runner up.
I guess they last 10-15 years and it looks like we're right on schedule folks.
According to the date on my well tank in the basement its 15 years old.
So after much wailing and moaning and gnashing of teeth ( that was just me..)
the new shiny silver pump complete with new pipe and wiring was installed in less than one hour.
One very painfully expensive and shiny hour.
Did I mention my ETSY shop?? 2 quilts for sale....also ...
Farm Fresh Organic Brown and Green/Blue eggs...... Organic Catnip for sale ...
Donations accepted.........

Safari Baby Quilt Done!!

Finally!!
Some Quilt Content!
Today was the "Perfect Fall Day"!; clear and crispy !!
I took advantage of the gorgeous colors and took some photos of the trees turning at the back of my field and the new (old recycled metal!) roof that Doug was installing on the chicken coop just in the nick of time.( next up blog....)
I was especially pleased with the majestic Fall sky and the rich contrast of colors in the backdrop of this shot against the neutral quilt.
I've had this Baby Quilt quilted for some time now....just needed to pull threads and put the binding on.
And now its done!!!!!Just in time for the upcoming Holiday gift shopping season.
So now I've got 2 (count 'em wooo hooo!) QUILTS FOR SALE in my ETSY shop.(see link below!)
Selling on ETSY is something I've been wanting to try for a while now, but I've been concentrating on "Guaranteed Income" like quilting customer quilts.
Selling on E bay or ETSY has always been "iffy" for me anyway.
Kind of like a bonus or extra credit ....or something.....?