Guess what... I'm back!

I know it's been forever. I've been spending time since, last we spoke... learning new software (Quilt Path), learning how to use my new computer (which is old now) but, most recently how to post pictures. Yes, I've been learning how to use a new camera, too. Loved my old computer and camera! They made life so much easier but, now I love my new Quilt Path which has made my work a whole lot easier. So, the eye candy has it and I will try to do a better job of posting. Love to all and Happy Quilting! Sandi

The above pictures are from last weeks quilt show. Susan Calhoun's quilt and my quilting. Custom longarm quilting.

 

Susan calls this her 20 year quilt because, she started on it 20 years ago. Custom quilting.

 

The Baltimore Album Quilt above also, belongs to Susan Calhoun. During and after quilting.

 

My attempt at a 'Modern' quilt, with waves and surf circles.

 

Susan Goins quilt hanging at the show. Love the way it turned out. Curly weave quilting.

 

Chris McCarthy's quilt, with raindrop quilting.

 

Susan Goins Quilt. T-shirt quilt for son-in-law.

 

Sarah Jeanes quilt, with feather quilting.

 

My quilt I didn't get into the last show because, of broken wrist. Custom quilting

 

Sandy McCarthy's 1" postage stamp quilt with Random Clams quilting.

 

Sarah Jeanes flannel quilt with oak leaf quilting.

I'll be back with more in a day or so :>)

Getting old hurts

Just spending time learning the computer program to my long-arm. 

     Yes, getting older can have it's drawbacks when you go to learn something new. Like this new stuff on blogspot or a my Quilt Path, a new computer program for the long-arm. It's well worth the effort but, I have a long way to go. The quilt above is the last quilt I did for a customer.

    Well, maybe not (picture didn't find it's way to my blog). Still trying to figure out how to insert pictures. I'll go see if I can get one then be back to post. Well I got it finally. Think I have the gist of it so, I can do it again.

    I've had 'Shingles' the past week and a half. Fortunately we caught it quickly and the meds were started right a way. I'm better, not over it by any means.

   The above quilt is the inspiration for our quilt guild's 'veterans quilts'. We have voted to present three veterans, each with a quilt at our Nov. 2015 quilt show. They did that at the Raleigh show and it was very touching, and an opportunity to thank the gentlemen for their service.

    Well, let me get back to you with more eye candy and hopefully no more surprises (like Shingles).

Have a wonderful day quilting!

CApital Quilter's and CLA Quilt show ended

     Yup! the Capital Quilter's and the Carolina Longarm Association Quilt Show ended months ago, with fantastic attendance and a very successful three days of vending. Attendance was about 2500, the goal was 2000. The powers to be wanted 400 quilts to show and had almost 500. There were 31 vendors in 40 booths.
     It was a lot of work but, worthwhile work. Neva and I arrived at 8am Wed. morning, judging started at 9am. we both helped in the judging room, finishing around 2:30pm. Then the set-up started. most of that was finished on Wed. and some Thurs.; with vendors coming in and setting up on Thursday. Friday morning we were there bright and early. We white gloved, gave out viewer's choice tickets, patterns and door prize tickets until we decided that wasn't working and those in charge decided to change it. We were there pretty much every day from 8am to 6pm. Whew... we were very tired by the time we got back to Angela's where a wonderful meal was waiting every night. Angela's parents were visiting from Fla. and they prepared dinner, Sherri started dinner one evening and refrigerated it so, Will and Jackie could start the crock-pot the next morning.
     How very pampered we felt! Can't thank Angela and Matt enough, for allowing us to stay with them. Their hospitality was wonderful!
     Sunday, brought some time for a little shopping and take down. The drive home was long. it was 6 something before we were able to leave with quilts in hand. We stopped at Panera Bread for a bowl of soup before, leaving Raleigh. It was great, all except for the soup I spilled down the front of me. After changing my clothes, we headed home in a nasty rainy evening, arriving home about 9pm. It made for a very long week but, would probably do it again.
     I did manage to get an Honorable Mention on one or two of my quilts. It was a bit confusing since, I had a ribbon on my Victorian Baskets with both the VB and Sprigs & Twigs numbers on the back. Go figure???
     Hoping to get my Quilt Path computer installed on my long arm soon. It will make things better for me physically. There will still be much standing but, not as much walking back and forth. I plan to use the computer for the E2E and hopefully a second machine to do custom on. That's in the future of course. After breaking my wrist, I found the long arming came to a halt for 12 weeks, not good for business and was terribly frustrating for me.
      I will be having a half price sale as soon as I'm up and flying with the Quilt Path. I was hoping for April but, not sure when Angela will be able to get here to install the program so, may have to put it off a month or so.
Wrote all that back in March and it's been a bit crazy for me since. I got my Quilt Path installed and up and running. So much for this old mind to learn... but, I enjoy a challenge. I had a half price sale the month of May. Quilted a dozen quilts and was extremely pleased with QP. I'm starting a custom quilt today and will post pictures of that when finished. Next, I need to learn how to post pictures on my  MAC. Computers are not user friendly especially with the older generation.
I promise to be back soon with lots of pictures!

Happy Quilting!
Sandi

Capital Quilters and Carolina Longarm Association Show

                 Big Quilt Show in Raleigh this coming weekend!
                                          'Vintage View'
                                      March 14 -16, 2014

Friday & Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm in   the Kerr Scott Bldg at NC Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

           Featuring 475  plus quilts and some 40 vendors. Raffle quilts, door prizes, demonstrations, wearable art, exhibits &    lots of fun!
                                         Don't miss it!

SNOW! Bah Humbug!

     Yes, we had snow! Not that we needed it... we moved from Michigan 28 years ago hoping to avoid the stuff. Most winters we do so, really shouldn't complain. I argued with DH as to whether I needed to buy a coat this year. Why? when he has a perfectly good Carhart I can wear if, I really have to go out. That would only be the mornings after he has had to work all night plowing snow for the city. Then I have to walk the dog although, that didn't happen this last week. We only got half way down the drive and I decided it was way too slippery for me. Since, I broke my wrist in Sept. I've become a lot less daring and afraid of another fall.
     The snow is oh so lovely if, you don't have to go out in it! The weather has been a sticky wicket in more ways than one. I was expecting my Quilt Path computer to show up for my long-arm; it didn't and I'm still waiting. First promised Friday, then yesterday and now they say it'll be tomorrow. Then my tension on my machine decided to screw up and that's been more than frustrating. You would think that after 7 years it would get less frustrating but, NOT!
       Now, looking at the bright side the temperature is in the 60's today and the rest of the week. I (think I) have figured out the tension one more time. I get my hair cut tomorrow, yea! and got the oil changed in my car this am. 
      All I have to do now is figure out how to get my pictures from one computer to another.

From the top down is pictures of the front yard during the snow of last week, a southern snow blower, and 'Get Ready' you're suppose to wait Mira! Mira flying thru the snow and Mira just lovin' it!

I must get back to quilting and fixing supper!

Happy quilting from the sunny south...LOL

I'm BACK!

Whew! grueling few months but, I'm here and back to quilting and teaching.

My Beginning quilt class got put on hold so, the end of this month we will be getting caught up. There's a lot of that going on...'getting caught up'.

Our guild quilt show went beautifully, even tho I didn't get my quilts finished. Did manage to get a couple in and a ribbon on Victorian Baskets.

Victorian Baskets

Got some small quilts quilted just prior to Christmas but, didn't get any photos. I posted pretty much anything I had in the way of pics with my last post so, bear with me.

Bill and I got each other a wind-chime for Christmas. Just love it! Bill, built the hanging post, the Saturday before Christmas.

Corinthian Bells wind-chimes.

Bill, just got the fence done prior to my fall.

Theresa at quilt show with her first place, first time entry.

My favorite quilt at the show

The quilt that didn't make it to the quilt show

Miss Mira just back from the groomer and ready for Christmas!