Rain, rain go away

Posted on April 25, 2008 by Suzanne

The weather fun continues here in Eastern Iowa.

Remember all that snow and ice we had all winter long? Well, apparently we are going to have rain and rain all spring long. Last weekend was a total of 4 inches worth.

This weekend? It rained yesterday and it is raining (and going to continue to rain) today. Basements full of water, sewers backing up. Mud everywhere. The creek is out again, and I’m sure there will be flooding issues around the state.

On a bright note, the temps are nice and when it isn’t raining, it’s been beautiful out, plus, the grass is a gorgeous shade of green.

The thunder and rain woke Joe up before 6 and he came to join me in bed. The first thing he said was “School will probably be canceled.”

Another blooming nine patch

Posted on April 23, 2008 by Suzanne

This one is not mine: it was made by a customer that has brought me something like 4 or 5 Blooming Nine Patches over the years.

She is donating it to an auction to benefit a young mother that has cancer. The young woman is in the midst of a divorce and has 3 children under the age of about 5 or 6.

dsc05321 Another blooming nine patch

dsc05329 1 Another blooming nine patch

dsc05330 Another blooming nine patch

The quilting was done freehand on my longarm. The thread is So Fine and Bottom Line.

I know that most of my quilting friends that read this either (a) quilt for themselves or (b) already have a relationship with a quilter of their own, but, if anyone out there is looking for a machine quilter, and likes the style of my quilting, I’m accepting new customers for machine quilting. Drop me an e-mail if you would like to discuss!

And now — I’m off to get the boys weighed in for football and then to the church for choir rehearsal.

TTFN-

Suzanne

MQX report

Posted on April 21, 2008 by Suzanne

Because I taught so many classes, I didn’t have a lot of time to shop. Spent a fair amount of money at the SewBatik booth. Bought a few of cones of thread from Superior Threads. (And truly, by a couple, I mean a very few: 3, I think? Plus So Fine thread cards…so I can place a bigger order here shortly once I figure out what I really need color-wise…)

Some rulers from Off the Edge Quilting Supplies — their acrylic rulers are hot pink. Very snazzy looking. They have some interesting shapes, and I’m looking forward to doing some experimenting. I’m not typically a ruler girl, but sitting and watching the demos, got some wheels turning…

And that was pretty much it. Everything else I spent my money on was food related. Oh, and Boston Red Sox hats for the 3 boys.

I had a really nice time with a bunch of different people. The best part about the show is getting spend time with people you only know from online. I think it deepens the bonds. At least, I know it does for me, I guess I can’t speak for anyone else.

I tried to visit the quilts as much as I could. There was some really beautiful work. As I’ve mentioned, I did not take my camera. I believe that pictures of the winners will be posted on the MQX website sometime in the next week or so. Their pictures will be much nicer than anything I could have taken….

I’ve spent the morning chained to my desk trying to do some paperwork and find that I’m needing to take a break to stretch…get some lunch…maybe take a nap….

TTFN-

Suzanne

Home and wiped out

Posted on April 20, 2008 by Suzanne

I actually had a nice leisurely day of traveling (did not have to get up at the crack of dawn and had almost an hour to make the connection in Detroit). Was home before 6 and had a nice evening with the family. When I got here, the boys were filthy. And that was after they’d been hosed off. Apparently they’d been enjoying themselves in the mud. A lot.

Now, though, I’m finding myself starting to nod off, so I think it’s a sign that it’s time to go to bed.

I had great intentions of blogging at MQX (like Vicki did), but I didn’t have a camera, and in the evenings I didn’t have the energy.

I’ll report tomorrow. Or maybe the next day. Depends on how many naps I have to take tomorrow!

Suzanne

Greetings from New Hampshire

Posted on April 16, 2008 by Suzanne

Where it is warmer than it was at home.

Well, it was yesterday when I arrived, don’t know how the rest of the week will turn out.

Not much to report: my first class starts in about an hour, I still need to go get some batting. I’ll be demoing on the longarm during today’s classes.

I did not bring my camera (love the camera but it’s sure too big to haul around to something like this.) Vendors are getting their booths together and the quilts are starting to show up on display. The sheer volume of everything that has to happen at a show like this — what an undertaking.

I hope you are all having a fabulous day!

TTFN-

Suzanne