It’s been a good week

I think I did well this week, did my morning job to the best of my abilities – everyone got their salaries on time!

I attended our little princess’ school concert on Wednesday and had both the little ones over on Friday evening.

This afternoon we went go-carting with the kids or then I watched while they did their thing.

And the best of all is that I quilted no less than 3 quilts in a week.  Okay, fair to say the largest 95 x 95” I started last week, one was really small 40 x 45” and the last I had freedom to do what I wanted to.  Here showing only the backs of these quilts.  Proud of my progress!

Trying to bounce back after the vacation

My daughter and I took a wonderful week long break to the Seychelles where I also met up with a pen pal I’ve been mailing since 1985.  An amazing experience in all, the islands are beautiful, the weather wonderful and although expensive still a rather good trip.

I got home to find my machine back after being repaired and once the laundry was done I could get quilting again but as if the universe didn’t want me to have fun, I ran out of thread on Sunday with today being a public holiday (shops closed) just before I got to finish a customer quilt.  Frustrating to say the least.

I woke up with the snotties on Saturday morning.  Still not sure but hoping it is mere hay fever but had somewhat of a fever yesterday evening, so it could be an after-winter cold brewing.  So on this lovely public holiday, seeing that I don’t have thread to quilt, I will be taking a trip to the pharmacy to try and prevent whatever is planning to invade my body.

Exercising the old brain

A couple of months ago, ah, well maybe more than a year ago as time flies I purchased the upgrade to EQ8, I truly cannot explain why as it is not as if I design quilts, I’d rather support other people by paying for their patterns if they took the time to design these.

I however saw a video tutorial by Kari Schell on designing quilts around a panel and having a couple of these in my stash and while bored took the time to actually focus, take notes and concentrate for once.

I took the very first panel I could lay my hands on, top of the drawer and decided to test the notes I took.

Now here comes the problem with having an old memory.  When I tried to find my notes believe you me I had several folders, PDF’s, Word Docs and excel spreadsheets all named EQ8 in every possible location…. The Desktop, My Documents, My pictures and even some in My Documents, Important Documents, EQ8…… really…. Do I even ever think about these? It literally took an afternoon and early evening to find just THOSE NOTES and then I printed them out for it seems the old filing method in a real file, with the ABC dividers still work for me. (Not that I have one but for a while the printed notes won’t disappear from my desk).

I just did a basic outline of the actual block and border sizes in EQ, they rest happened as the inspiration came while cutting.  I just love Steam A Seam2 for the simple fact that the applique pieces doesn’t adhere permanently until ironed.  That gives me the opportunity to move pieces to make it visually more appealing.  Here I played with triangular applique shapes on a wide border and I had the freedom to move these around for the best fit.

Got up early one morning to catch a little of the US Open tennis and while doing this ironed the triangles and cut the corner blocks and before having to take a shower to go to work I had the major pieces pinned against the design wall.

After work I could therefore just add colourful borders and now this one can be quilted….. when I have my machine back from being repaired.