Longarm class

Yesterday I took a class at a local quilt shop called Sew Fun in Folsom, CA. They have a longarm quilting machine ( the Mega Quilter 18 x 8 by HUSQVARNA VIKING) there that they rent out the use of, but first you have to take the class on how to use it.

First you learn how to set up the machine. Isn't that just the loveliest quilt top ever :)

Then you learn how to use the computer. Thread it, tension and what not. 

Then you learn how do set up and use the pre-installed designs. You can also create your own designs or buy the designs and use a usb to put it on the computer. This is the one I picked, I did two preloaded designs in one block. I also did other like borders and nesting. Look at the last picture it see it all. 

Then you start learning free motion quilting. See there is my name. 

I also did some funky designs, some stippling, some loops, and so forth. 

You can even use the machine to set up designs in blocks of your quilt. 

There are lots of other options too, like a free motion setting where you can trace your design and then set where it goes and the machine will stitch it out for you. Fun right! I didn't really try that because I had no idea it would do that and didn't bring anything to trace. 

Then you are done. And you get to take the final product home and can sign up to use the machine to do your own long arm quilting.

I had  a lot of fun. It was a great b-day present from my husband. He knows me so well. I do need a lot more practice to get good, but I am sure this will help with those larger quilts that I am not willing to tackle on my home machine. 

Here are a couple full length picture of my long arm class quilt :) 

And some close ups. 

Look a little butterfly and a bunch of mess, star was a programmed design.

Some fill. 

I did start to get better right at the very end... 

Suzie seems to think it should be her's. 

I am looking forward to the next time I get to go do this. It was a lot of fun. If you have the option to take a class like this at your LQS I say go for it, it is a very enjoyable experience. 

The only problem is now I want one for home! Ha! Like that is going to happen anytime soon. 

I am off now. Have fun! 

Linking up to:

Work in Progress Week 21

Another week a lot of progress this week. So that is a good thing :)

Completed Projects:

Long arm quilting class. More to come on that. 

New Projects:

So I had completely forgot about a project I started a while back. It is a kit I bought to go with a moda bakeshop project. You know those ones, where they show you the project and then say hey you can buy the kit here. Well, I went insane and bought it the day it posted. Then started it and kind of forgot about it. 

Ongoing Projects:

Orange/blue commissioned quilt -  All the blocks are done. I just need to do some sashing. 

Embroidery 101 Quilt Along -  I finished making 6 of the 9 blocks. 

The other three just need the last outside round of fabric. 

You would think I would take more time to press before pictures, but nah I am running late. 

Kaleidoscopic quilt along - Change my mind on fabric. That counts for progress right? 

Completed tops awaiting quilting:

You would think I could get to these already. I think I may be getting to these really soon as I signed up for a long-arm quilting class at a local quilt store. That was my b-day present from my husband :) what a kind loving husband I have. 

Posh Quilt 

Loves Road

I didn't do anything with these:

Sacramento Modern Quilt Guild's Kona Challenge - I have decided to add one more row, just haven't got to it yet. 

Doll Quilt for the Sacramento Modern Quilt Guild Challenge. Still to finishing binding it. I made a silly mistake in binding it and I just haven't fixed it yet, it really would only take me 5 minutes to finish. Ok maybe ten!

Skill builder sampler - 

 

Now I am even more behind. Oh well. That's what I get for tackling so many projects. 

UFOs -

Scrappy Bear

Halloween Quilt

Christmas Hexagon table runner and pillows.

This week's stats:

New projects: 2

Completed projects :  1

Currently in progress - 13

Linking up to:

Cruisin with Riley Blake!

Did you all hear about the contest using Riley Blake fabric?

Now I just adore Riley Blake Fabrics, and last time I didn't get to enter because the contest was for apperal. However, now the contest if for Quilts.

I just entered this quilt.

It is Logan's All Star Quilt. I just love this line of fabric. I searched all over etsy just to get the fabric collection.

Here is a close up. Sorry for the slight over exposed picture, this was taken before the good camera :)

See all that straight line quilting. I never thought I would finish.

Quilt Stats:

Name: Logan's All Star Quilt

Size: approx. 56" x65"

Fabrics:  All Star by My Minds eye for Riley Blake Fabrics 

Binding: All Star brown stars 

Quilting: Straight Line, both sides of the seam, so fine in brown. 

Anyhow, go on over. Enter the contest if you have any quilts made with Riley Blake fabrics. If not you still have time to make something. You could win a bike or some fabric and all entries are automatically entered to win their ultimate cruise giveaway.

Monday Madness

Awwh it is Monday. That means I had a whole weekend to get things done. Ha... Ha ha ha.

My mom is still up here so I spent much of my time with my family. I think she got more done while visiting me then I finished.

I worked on my Embroidery Quilt Along blocks. 

I have been having the worse luck with this quilt along. It is all me not the quilt along. First I messed up cutting my first cut, so I order another fat quarter of that print. Then for some strange reason I cut 5 inch blocks instead of 5 1/2 and even pressed the interfacing on the back. Luckily I had extra interfacing and I made the little bit of the extra background fabric work for me. Then my machine decided to go crazy and have major tension issues. I took it all apart and finished those blocks above. 

I also decided I wasn't happy with this fabric that had chosen for my kaleidoscope quilt along. 

So I went and got this. 

So much for using from the stash. It is fresh linens by fig tree. I think it will make me a lot more happy. I will just keep saving the nautical fabric for something else. 

Another interesting thing about today is the weather. The weather has been so strange here in Northern California. This afternoon for lunch it was 87, then by 3:30pm it was 94, then when I went outside for pictures it was some what sunny still, but by the time I went back in it looked like this. 

It was windy and getting cold. 

My roses sure like this weird weather. 

And so does my magnolia tree (first time it has bloomed)

However, I am not sure how I am feeling about it. 

Hope you all had a great Monday. I am doing something fun with my b-day present tomorrow. I will take lots of pictures and tell you all about it tomorrow.

Oh yeah by the way. I got the last of my b-day loot yesterday. My mother in law got me two presents.

Do you see that underneath the book. Yep that is a Moda bella solids card. I had so much fun playing with it. Now I want more solids. 

Sorry for any odd lighting in the photos, the weather sure was weird while I was taking these pictures. 

Jenn 

Linking up to:

Quilting fun with Mom

As I said before my mom came up to visit for my b-day. We have been having some fun quilting together in my sewing room. I haven't worked with anyone else in here before, but it seems larger enough to fit the two of us very easily. I may even be able to fit someone else if I really wanted to. That is a good thing to know.

My mom has been working on her prairie blocks  she finished the one from the class we took together before coming up here. 

However, she wanted to try it with a black background so she made this one. 

What do you think? I like them both. 

I have been working on my blue and orange commissioned quilt. I have finished all the blocks. 

Here are some pictures of the blue blocks.

The orange blocks.

The blocks all mixed together. 

Now I just need to get sashing fabric, batting, and backing and I should have this done pretty quick. 

We also did a bit of quilt store shopping. I was much better this time I only got a few yards of Bella solid that was on sale. 

Hope everyone is having fun!

Jenn 

Happy Happy Un-birthday to me!

I had a great birthday yesterday. Thank you for all the kind b-day wishes. They kept me smiling all day. Also thank you to all my new followers from the giveaway. I hope you enjoy reading my random ramblings about quilting, life, dogs, and teaching.

This week I got lots of presents. 

Ok fine this wasn't really my present pile. I wish all these were just for me, but they are not. I am a tech ex person for my district, basically I am a teacher who is dedicated to using technology in the classroom and I teach other teachers how to use technology in the classroom. And I have been in professional development for the last 3 days. The first day was Google educator, the second day was document camera and digital photography, the third day digital video and ipod touch. I didn't get paid to attend the training but those of us who attended did get lots of fun toys, I mean learning tools, for my class (not for me, they are the districts). I can't wait to start using all these tools in the classroom. Oh the projects/products my students can come up with. Gotta love 21st century learning. 

Anyhow, back to my b-day. Although I was was in professional development yesterday during my b-day, we celebrated my b-day after work. My mom came up from LA and my husband and I, joined my brother and his family for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. 

I really like this place. If you are ever in Rocklin, CA you should try it. We had lots of appetizers that I forgot to get a picture of and my brother, my hubby, and I shared Kabobs for 4. My mom had a little bit too. It was fantastic, but we couldn't finish it all. 

However, I did have my favorite rice pudding. The ran out of the pretty ones, but the owner got me a to go version because he knows my love for it. Yes sad, he knows us, but my brother has a lot of food allergies and this place is great about making things he can eat. As I said you should try it if you are ever around. 

So what did I actually get for my b-day. Well, as I mentioned yesterday my husband got me a gift card. It is just enough to take long arm classes at a local quilt shop. I am signed up for the 28th. So I will be telling you it all about it after then. 

My parents got me this lovely quilt kit from cotton and chocolate in Thousands Oaks, CA. 

Here is a picture of what it will kind look like.

Ok, so I may have picked this out myself. And I probably should have taken a better picture of the one hanging in the window of the store. It was so pretty with hexies and Kaffe Fassett fabrics I just fell in love with it.

That's it! Just two presents, but two that I really wanted. Thanks Mom and Randall you are the best! And thanks James for joining me for dinner. Love you all! 

Now on to celebrating one lucky winner. 

Congrats!

You asked for the mini set so it will be on its way to you soon. I hope you have fun with the new ruler and something special in the package. I will be emailing you soon for your contact info.