Finally Cobblestone Lane is on the longarm. I'm still not sure of how to quilt all the parts, but so far have used in-ditch, 1/4" parallel lines, and some curves.
That cord has children's scissors attached. I put them around my neck when at work. Some use an apron with pockets for their various tools, but this works better for me. The thing that isn't working is my body -- doing ruler work makes my shoulders sore -- at least until I remembered to put some tape on them so they don't slide as easily.
No, I've not died or moved out of cyberspace... just busy. Some of that busyness is quilting progress on this 101" wide by 75" deep quilt. The sky and most of the sea is done, as is the "sun" --- so I'm working on the rocks and the foreground water. After that is done, I still have to applique leaves on the sky and then quilt them. To see a full view, click here. This is a big project, so I'm about ready to make more postcards!
Ami's quilt is on the frame, and the first little bit was not too bad... quilting in the ditch while holding a ruler to guide the machine feels awkward, but it works. However, when it come to doing some feathers... well, let's put it this way: they are a bit ruffled! Nothing is more humbling than trying to learn a new thing and realizing this is going to take a while!
I did practice on a white board manipulating the marker the same way the machine is moved (well, sort of) and that is a good way to practice. The feathers were not any easier and I just got tired of drawing and erasing. This is a baby quilt after all... and I know, that is no excuse. I will practice some more before I tackle it again. The feathers are on the flying geese, and the fabrics are prints, so if no one turns this to the back... (sigh) No photo, maybe tomorrow.
On a higher note, my daughter liked her gift bag so much that she (and two others at the table) tried to convince me I should go into business and make these for sale. She was really excited about it. Me? I cannot imagine a person with attention deficit sticking at a production line. Even if every bag was from a different set of fabric, my attention span would fold up after maybe four of them! At least it made me feel good.
Thanks for your comments. I am having a great time with this machine. I worried about the arm being only 16" instead of huge like the machine I had a lesson on, but no problems so far. I am also a doodler, so the hours go by without me noticing the time... I need to start setting a buzzer. Otherwise I have to stop because my throat is dry and my back is sore! LOL.
I'm also chuckling because my hubby, who goes to bed early because he gets up early for work, now drops by before retiring to watch me quilt. He's never done that before! Any bets on how long it takes for him to ask if he can try it?
