I'll not inundate you with posts but will do one more for today!!!

This is another "Jim quilt" called Snow Village..As you can tell, there is a lot going on in this quilt including "bling" which will be hard to see! I hope some of you will have the opportunity to see this one in person!  And a special note, Jim does ALL of his own Applique Designs!  Such a talented guy!!!

More catch up tomorrow!!!

Afternoon!  I can hardly believe I haven't posted since the end of December!!  Where does the time go???

I'll start off with a quilt I made for a close friend of David and mine!  There are times in life when the "unknowns" leave a person (and their family) topsy turvy as in this case, so I decided to make him a Comfort Quilt to wrap up in!  I named it "Inner Strength", represented by the Celtic Symbol for Inner Strength.  

I just happened to have on hand a set of Moda Cake Mix Recipe sheets!  I can highly recommend having some of these handy when you want to knock out a quilt in a hurry (or faster than normal)!  I decided that I wanted each block to be a different fabric so off I went!  I didn't realize until I started cutting things apart that each sheet made 2 blocks with the same fabric so I have enough to make another quilt (which my Mother has called dibs on!)!  

David & I wanted this to be a warmer than usual quilt so I used Hobbs cotton/wool blend batting and a flannel backing!  

One of the many joys of quilt making for me is gifting a quilt to friends and family and when I have the opportunity to give it in person, it is icing on the cake.   I know this quilt expresses the love and support we have for our friend and his family and will give many hours of comfort.  

 Until next time,
Happy quilting!
Leah

Morning!!!

Just wanted to share a couple of quilts I've finished recently!

First up is one I made for us while on vacation in September!  Yes, I spent time sewing in the condo at the beach!  What can I say?!!!  I picked up a FQ pack at The Sewing Center Around the Block in Ft. Walton Beach.  If you are in the area, be sure to check out this shop as well as Coastal Stitches in Destin!  After finishing the main project I took with me, I was still in the mood to sew so I did this quick small lap quilt for TV watching!  I used a Hobbs cotton/wool blend batting for winter warmth and this has been washed!

Next is another "Jim" quilt as Eddie and I like to call them!  It's a Razorback Flag!!!  WPS! As I've mentioned before, Jim Gatling lets us know (in detail usually) how he wants his quilts quilted!  He told me this turned out just as he had envisioned!  Whew!!!😅

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!!!
Until next time,
Happy Quilting!

 Morning!

This is a quilt I finished Friday for a new customer!  She told me she has only been quilting (and sewing) for about a year!  I think she is off to a great start!  She even pieced the backing!!!

Until next time!
Happy Quilting!

Morning!

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving!

I wanted to share a friend's (also a customer) quilt that I finished yesterday.  Many of you know Jim Gatling -- artist, quilter (the King of Scrappy quilts), decorator, wedding planner, teacher...well, the list goes on and on!  Jim has been on a mission to have his 100++ quilt tops quilted and just between Eddie Landreth (Arkansas Man Quilter) and myself, I'd say we are still well under 50 tops being completed!

Initially, Jim invited Eddie, Melissa (Eddie's wife) and me to his home in Morrilton one Saturday (about two years or so ago) to discuss/plan (and divide) his first group of tops.  We left with a total of 22 quilt tops!

Now, Jim brings them in groups of 4-5 tops and says "here you go"to one or the both of us!  Each bag has its own instructions for quilting designs, thread color, etc.  Fortunately for us, Jim is open to our opinions for quilting ideas which was important for the one I'm sharing!

The one pictured here had these directions:

"Amish Crazy Quilt, over the top quilting, for me to hang at house, use Black Thread Bobbin & Top"

First I had to clarify what "over the top quilting" meant!  Over the top quilting to Jim meant ignore any blocks and do something different in spaces all over the top - not "do an all over design i.e. pantograph"!  After getting that settled, the next step was having him rethink the black thread!  Luckily he agreed to a dark gray called Storm by Glide!  Last but not least was sharing my vision for the quilting design vs his!  Maybe I wore him down, but he finally gave the okay for a "whatever you think"!

So what do you think?  I felt that we should continue with the Amish theme, so I went with traditional Amish quilting motifs, i.e. split Log Cabin motifs of feathers and rails, and opposing border designs.  Jim said "I love this" when I sent it to him so I think we did good!!

Until next time,
Happy quilting!

Here is a BIG customer quilt that I completed today!  When I say BIG, I mean BIG!  120 x 120!  Maxed out my frame but I think it turned out nicely!  Obviously, I couldn't get a picture of the whole quilt but you get the highlights!  This job came to me via another long arm quilter - Tiffanee Noack!  This quilt was too large for Tiff's frame so she called me to see if I could handle it!  We longarmers are happy to help out whenever we can!!!  Thanks Tiff!

Until next time,
Happy Quilting!
Leah

Here we are at the end of my first week of retirement!  It's been a busy week!!!

Day 2 was spent quilting 2 customer baby quilts!  One was a cute dinosaur flannel and the other a sweet panel!

Day 3 was another customer baby quilt - You & Me Always

And last but not least, days 4 & 5 is a customer queen size quilt!  I couldn't get a picture of the whole quilt but these are the highlights?  This is the Disappearing Hour Glass pattern that has been demonstrated online by Jenny Doan of the Missouri Star Quilting Company.  If you haven't already, be sure to check out Jenny's videos on UTube!!!

I know I won't be this productive all of the time, but it felt good to get these done!!!!
Happy Quilting!
Leah

Just finished a customer quilt on my first day of retirement!!!!

This is a Charlotte Angotti design called Palmetto!  Custom quilted to set off the design elements!

Good morning friends!

I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything new but as of this morning, I am starting a new chapter in life!

I have chosen to "self-retire" after 40+ years of getting up and going to work everyday!  November 1 (Friday) was my last day of work and I can honestly say, it was VERY strange not getting up at 0245 this morning to get ready for work!  It will be an exciting (and admittedly scary) adventure, but one I am looking forward to beginning, starting today!  I will be able to devote more time to my family, friends and quilting/sewing and all other things important to me, and am truly looking forward to it!

I will endeavor to be a better "blogger" and share more pictures and news!!

My first news release--I purchased a new long-arm in April at the Paducah quilt show!  I am now the proud owner of an APQS Millennium or "Millie" for short!  I am very happy with my new machine and am enjoying "getting to know her"!

My studio (aka the master bedroom or quilting room) definitely has a new look!

I hope you will join me in my new adventure and as always,

Happy quilting!!

Leah

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