Day 5 Final catch up post....for the moment!!

My best buds, Eddie & Melissa Landreth (aka Arkansas Man Quilter), and I took a road trip in late July to our good friend Jim Gatling's home in Morrilton, Arkansas.  As many of you know, Jim has been making quilt tops (over 100 so far) from scraps people have given him and has decided to start having them quilted!   When we arrived, we found two "stacks", each bagged with quilt tops/backs and information.  Jim's work room/studio has large tables so we were able to lay out each top and discuss what would be best for each top.  Melissa was our scribe and really did a great job of taking notes for each!

We began with the "stack" he had labelled for me to do - I don't mind saying, at first is was pretty overwhelming, but we got in the groove and things moved along well!  My stack ended up with 9 quilts of various sizes and a mix of custom and all over designs, four of which need to be finished by early December.  We moved on to Eddie's "stack" which ended up having 8 tops to be all custom quilted!  Between us, we brought home 17 quilt tops...

We ended the day with a "show and tell" aka "quilt this one or not, show worthy or gift, or maybe some day" and lunch at a local cafe.   I can't say we made much of a dent in Jim's inventory but at least it's a start and we had a good time!!!

I have managed to finish 2 of the 4 that have a deadline...

Wall hanging with "rustic" quilting

A bright, fun floral, incorporating Blooming Things (Anne Bright) in center with custom borders 

I was able to finish one last customer quilt prior to leaving on vacation. 

Design - Curlz by Urban Elements

Until next time, stay safe!!
Leah

Day 4 Catch up

The month of July was filled with a work in progress type of quilt!  It is a large hand appliqué quilt that I am doing in three steps (quilting, marking, quilting).  All of the appliqué outline quilting in 4 thread colors has been completed and now the fun begins!  I am going to be doing a grid background behind all of the appliqué which means A TON of marking!  The quilt is off the frame and I have done the initial grid work and now just have to mark the design with the base grid.  I will post pictures as this progresses!

This is the general grid plan for the center but there will be tweaking as I go!!

After removing the above from the frame, I needed to kick it in gear and finish some other jobs that have been patiently waiting!!!  Between Aug 5 & 12, I managed to knock out 5 quilt jobs!  Fortunately they were all over designs and small to throw sizes!  And, when you can load and quilt 2 at a time it's a win win!!!  These first four are by the same customer who always does a good job piecing!!!!

I've always wanted to try doing this and I was lucky to have the perfect two to do it with!  I used different but similar patterns for each one, both had same thread (top & bottom) and once I figured out how to side tension the "inner" sides of each, things moved along at steady pace!!!  

This design has loops connecting the daisies

This one has leaves with swirls connecting the daisies

Quilting Design - Damask by Urban Elements

Tumbler quilt

Quilting Design - Chantay by Anne Bright

The last one for today is a cheerful throw quilt using a very versatile design called Pearls Desire by Anne Bright.

Until next time!

Leah

Day 3 catch up - time frame is late May to June....

This is a large quilt for my Sister-In-Law Debbie's, Sister-In-Law Nancy 😊 who lives in Maine.  It is a batik top with an all over design called Blooming Things by Anne Bright.  I really love this versatile quilting design!

Love these colors!

Next was a top utilizing a panel with added elements.  I used the motifs of the fabric as the focus for the design.  I was pleased with how it turned out!

This next job was fun but a challenge!  It is for a customer's husband, but she doesn't care for dense quilting or "pointy" design elements.  She designed this quilt herself and did a fantastic job with all of the appliqué and piecing!  The first step was outlining all of the appliqué with the necessary thread color changes.  I used Glide thread for the first time on this project and I am a fan!!!  (That's another story!).  Keeping in mind the name for the Wichita State's athletic team - "Shockers", I incorporated a wheat motif in various blocks and the border while keeping the rest as simple as possible.  We both were pleased with the outcome and her husband loved it!!  

"WuShock" or affectionately known as "Wu"

Thanks for taking this catch up journey with me!

Until tomorrow!!!
Leah

Day 2 catch up brings us to March!

The month started off with this custom job pieced by sister-in-law Debra York!  I love French General Fabrics and Debbie always does a great job!!!

Then....what should have been a simple endeavor turned in to a major episode!!  I took the longarm in for it's annual service and 6 weeks later, it was finally usable again.   I believe the first 3 pictures are from the second time I brought it home - didn't think about taking pictures the first time!

 Then the third....

Of course, this quilt was an "I need this as soon as possible" quilt!!!

 Then the fourth...

 I was frustrated to the point of starting to shop for a new brand of machine, but my service gal persevered and finally got it right - or at least as right as that machine is going to get!!  From what I understand, this machine model/year was one of the first ones made (~2010).  Timing for the early models is different than the newer models being manufactured so what works now doesn't work on mine!  Sometimes it doesn't pay to have the "newest toy" I guess!  

I was able to finally finish the ASAP quilt from above on May 11 (and silly me didn't get a picture of it!)....right before we left on our spring vacation!  

I am thankful to my wonderful customers who were so understanding during this difficulty!  You guys are the best!!!!  

Until next time,

Leah

  

Wow!  It has been a long time hasn't it??!!!!  I was thinking maybe it had been since February!!  Little did I realize but time is fleeting - especially the older we get!!

Where to start?  As they sung in the Sound of Music..."Let's start at the very beginning.."  2017 that is!

I try to keep a "photo" record of all of the jobs I do and it looks like I finished the year up with this one...

 And started the New Year Off with this one!

The next one I started went on and came back off after discussion with the "quilt maker" - it was decided that the border needed to be changed to a different style so it went home for a remodel!

Next up was this baby - and when I say "baby" it isn't referring to a crib size!

I have a 12 foot frame and let me tell you, this took almost every bit of it!  And if you are wondering, this is to be custom quilted!  When I have a custom job, I have to study on it awhile - even if it takes several days!  And yes, some will say I'm losing money by the minute with the quilt just sitting, literally taking up space!  I can only say, I'm not in it to make money - my goal is to (hopefully) give the quilt top an added dimension, to help bring it to life for whomever may be receiving it!

So, you can decided if the goal was accomplished with this one!

                              

 

This takes me through the end of February - stay tuned for the continuing saga!  😊😊😊😊
Have a wonderful day!!!