BLOCK BREAKDOWN

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Feels like Forever...

I just realized it has been over a month since my last post. I never shared my favorite quilts from Houston, perhaps one day, but lately there just hasn't been any time. I know we all struggle with time and balance -- it is so difficult for me lately.  I thought maybe I'd try and catch everyone up on my little goings on over here. So here goes...

My one machine went away for service for over a month. That really put a giant dent in my client work schedule. I usually have one machine for the standard schedule and the other machine is for rush jobs as well as my own work. So you can see how losing one really messes things up. I managed... barely, and very far behind schedule. Since then, the machine is back, things running smoothly -- well, as smooth as possible. When you are behind schedule every little thing turns into the dreaded snowball effect.

Wonderlust will be at her final competition during AQS Quilt Week - Albuquerque in January 2015.  She is truly one of my favorite quilts and has had a wonderful journey.  She has appeared in several Gammill Quilting ads, as well as being on the cover and background of their All Product Brochure - an extreme honor!!

Originally all those rings and arcs were supposed to intertwine and weave through the large applique shape. I just couldn't get it to work, and after multiple tries gave up and conceded to just the applique shape over the intersections. To this day it still bothers me and I (one day) might have to tackle that idea again on another quilt. Hmm... not sure I ever shared that before?!!

So, if you've never had the chance to see Wonderlust in person, and you might be in the Albuquerque area, this would be you chance!

I wrote a cool article about saving a botched fabric painting on behalf of Gammill for the AQS Quiltviews blog.  Click the photo to check it out!!

I tried to finish piecing a quilt before Christmas... and I'm really stressing the word tried. Needless to say, it will not be finished for Christmas, but hopefully soon!  I really can't wait to quilt this one - but must finish piecing it first! Here's a peek at the fabrics:

Did I tell you guys that we got a puppy? Yes, we got a puppy... Yes, we are nuts... Yes, she is bad (also known as being a puppy)... Yes, she is growing like a weed! 

Oh... if you're going to be at Road to California in January 2015, make sure you look for Outta the Loop and also Down the Rabbit Hole -- they were both accepted!  If you're there please send me some pics!

On another competition note, True Colors (aka White Lines) was accepted to the World Quilt Show - FL Competition, yet another show in January!  I'll be at that one!

And I'm sure you all know by now that I have started teaching!  You can always find my teaching and travel schedule on my website, here's the link!  Here's what we have so far:

January 2015 - East Coast Gammill/Statler Conference - Richmond, VA
April 2015 - MQX Quilt Festivals-New England, Manchester, NH
May 2015 - Machine Quilters Showcase (MQS), Cedar Rapids, IA

There's some more dates coming, I'll add them as soon as they are finalized!  Hope to see you at one ore more of the events!!

I managed to attend two out of three Christmas parties - not too bad.  Three would have been better, but we'll take what we can get!

My Journeys Thru Art project deadline is quickly approaching and I have yet to truly start on the project. Unless you count picking up the fabrics and moving them across the room starting then I am really behind!  Hoping to get started on this (as well as finishing) in the next few weeks!

I think that catches everyone up... now, if only I could catch up!!