nothing special Monday, Oct 26 2009

Good morning and welcome to fall in NJ. The color right now is just great. Be sure to look around and note the colors for a future quilt. Things have been pretty uneventful with me. The most exciting thing so far is the Yankees winning the pennant and moving on to the world series. Both AGL and I are big Yankee fans so we were up well past midnight watching the game and the celebration. 

The best part of this which relates to my quilting is that my grandmothers flower garden quilt it growing steadily and in fact by the time the World Series is over my quilt will be larger than I ever expected. I will take a picture of it later today and post it so you can see my progress. 

More later.

OOO…JAL  

Leave a Response »

 

finally back on my blog Monday, Oct 19 2009

I have finally got my act together enough to write a post. It has been a task because I have been busy with I don't know what??? Let's see what has kept me sooooo busy!

I have made a sample for a mystery reunion class that is trying to form at Acme Country Fabrics. My friend and AVDS got an idea that we should have a class reunion of all the students of my mystery quilt classes. Sounds good. So here is the plan. If you have come to mystery class and would like to join this one all you need to do is to sign up, pay $20.00 and bring a mystery quilt from a previous class.   If you have not attended a previous class you can still come to the reunion but the fee is $30.00. For this class we will review previous mysteries, answer questions and give classroom help for any unfinished quilts. Also the project for the night will be my first almost published pattern. This pattern will be officially offered for sale as of January 2010.

You will get it free of charge along with a chance to learn all about the Accu-cut Go that has had lots of buzz!  I have posted a picture of the top here for you to get excited about.  Start thinking about what your version of the quilt will look like. You can click on the actual photo to get a larger view.

 
I guess I should tell you some details ..duh!  Friday evening, November 13, 2009…6:30 pm until 10 pm…Acme CountryFabrics, Pequannock, NJ.

 Your supply list is very simple. You need 6, 1/2 yard cuts and 1 full yard cut. That is it and you will have a top that is approx. 65" square.

A perfect table cover for the holidays, Valentines day ( like mine) or  any day of the year. As many of you know I keep a quilt on my kitchen table all year round.

Please join in and learn about mysteries of the past and new things that are to come.

Now for a bit more blabbing here is a picture of another top in the works since I have mentioned that I am getting into applique, machine applique of course!

 

Isn't it cute? I just love it can't wait to start to quilt it.  Maybe a class in the spring.

Finally we went to a house warming on Saturday and just happened to have some new gift product ready for sale so Michelle and Dennis were the first to get a sampling.

We have here a 18" x 72" table runner and  guest towels. Holidays are coming if you need gifts the web site address is www.shopalwaysspecial.com. Choose what you like and call or e-mail me with your order. Yes the web site is functioning but still needs work. I guess now  know why I have been so busy.

more sooner than later

OOO…JAL

 

   

 

One Response »

 

hiding in pain Thursday, Sep 24 2009

This has been the week from H_ _ _! Have not had one this bad in along time. The worst part is it is only Wednesday.  Actually I will go back a bit and tell you that I went to visit my quilt at he PA Quilt Extravanganza last week.  My quilt was hanging next to a prize winning quilt from this show as well as Lancaster.   Made mine look really bad! Beside the fact that I walked thru all of the quilts and never saw mine because it was hung across from what I thought was the best entry in the show. Finally had to get someone to show me where mine was! DUH!!

Next came Saturday morning and the phone rang at 9:30 am and one of my very good wholesale customers called all excited about an HGTV shoot planned for her store on October 15 . She was bubbling over with ideas and requests and I bit the carrot. All kinds of black  and silver embroideries…I can't be more  juiced.  Fast forward to Monday, turn on the embroidery machine, thread the 7" mega cone of metallic thread and all hell breaks loose! Broken needle, torn fabric, pulled bobbin thread…what else can go wrong?  By 3pm had only completed five embroideries and I was nealry in tears and exasperated!

Now it's Tuesday off to do errands and get back to work on samples and more embroidery. Stop to pick up copies of routine  bloodwork  results from last week and fall flat on my back…flat out at the front entrance to the Dr.'s office becsue someone was parked in front of the entrance and I had to manuver between curb and the car and my foot got caught and I went down…it was surreal. I layed there for a minute thinking …did I fall? You can imagine the sight.  To say the least my back is sore, my heel is killing me as I turned the ankle with the spur and have been in pain since I drove home. Only to have AGL tell me home dumb I am and how I need ot be more careful!

Today is  POOR ME day I am going to do nothing but whein all day.  Now you know why I haven't written.

Here are pictures from the show to make up for my wheining! 

OOO…JAL

 

  You think I am kidding I could not post this yesterday because my typepad software froze or something so here I am finishing up this morning !  I told you this is the week from H_ _ _!!! I can't even get the pictures to line up. I give up !  The one with the bamboo and the bird is the that was across from my quilt and that's why I missed mine…do you agree it was distracting?

 

 

   

Leave a Response »

 

no pictures but good news Tuesday, Sep 8 2009

Well another week has gone by we are approaching the best time of the year for me. I love the fall more than I love spring. I can't wait to put a sweat shirt on and sit on the deck and pull out some more stitching. This quilt that I have to unsew is becoming a chore. 

I guess it is time to tell you about my latest venture. This weekend I sold my first applique designs. I am going to issue a little challenge to all the readers. The samples will be shown at the Pennsylvania Quilt Extravanga in a few weeks. Find the sample in one of the booths at the show and you will win a fabric surprise. I will give you some hints  over the next several days so keep reading regularly.

Also have been asked to make two sample quilts for a well known show vendor. Goal is to get one done for the same show so if I do I will let you know where to look.   Maybe will make a little contest out of this one too.

Hint #1 for applique blocks…….pretty print fabrics by R. P.

Another hint tomorrow.

OOO…JAL

Leave a Response »

 

packing the bag Wednesday, Sep 2 2009

Time to pack up my entry for the PA. National Quilt Extravaganza show which will take place in September in Oaks, PA.  I have tried my hand at beading and one thing I did learn is that my fingers get numb from holding the needle too tightly. 

Also learned yesterday that I may not be able to go to see the show as I am being treated for a pretty serious Heel Spur which has detached from the bone on my left foot. Little or no walking when possible especially on concrete which is how this whole thing came to a head.  How we all hate to miss a good show. Mr. AGL  suggested I get one of those scooters but I am afraid I might get to like being able to buzz up and down those aisles and play games with people. (I do have a bit of a mean streak in me!)

Here are a few pictures of the entry before it goes in the box…

              

Enough about pictures and heel spurs time to go back to work on the biggest monogram ever for a customer.   When I finally get it done you will get a chance to see it. Looking for a finish by Friday and then I might be able to do some stitiching or unstitching for me over the weekend.  There is quilt#3 in this series that needs some serious unsewing. 

More soon…OOO…JAL

      

Leave a Response »

 

missed monday Wednesday, Aug 19 2009

Sorry I missed Monday. Sunday did me in. Walked the entire day at the NY Gift Fair and my heel is killing me. It was very sad to see what has happened to the industry with this bad economy. After being part of it for the last twenty five years. So many companies have gone out of business. Soon the gift industry will not be anything like what I knew.  Just real proof that I am getting old!!

Last Thursday we had our monthly sewing fest and I took some pictures of what was going on. Here are some of the projects that showed up.    

 This one is from Mrs. Seitz for her nephew but I think she should really let john keep it. He deserves it. You should see the label for the back…the embroidered Yankee logo she designed.

#2 by Mrs. Seitz for her grandson. The monkey quilt. It is a stacked posie with monkeys look at it closely. Very cool. 

Disappearing 9 patch by Mrs. Paisley. May be the first official quilt for profit by Mrs. Diamond.

Check out this one very carefully by Mrs. Van Dalen. Cheater???

There are more but the post will be too long for today. More if I have time later. Have to go on to my small applique project and the final touches on the web site.  It is really almost ready.

OOO…JAL

Leave a Response »

 

twice in one day Tuesday, Jul 21 2009

Did you read my blog from earlier today?

As the title says…. twice in one day…yes!!   Neither myself nor my sister realized there was a mistake in her quilt. She called me at about 6 pm tonight to tell me that she found a mistake that not even the longarm quilter found. Not until she and her husband read the blog tonight did she see it.  Did you see it? 

If you find it send me a comment and I will send you a treat. Be sure to include a mailing address.  Although it is said that every quilt has a mistake this one is pretty bad and I still can't believe none of us noticed it.  I told you this morning my eyes are not happy. Now do you believe me?

OOO…JAL

 

 

4 Responses »

 

latest from me Tuesday, Jul 21 2009

I really thought I had nothing to say yesterday but now I remember that I was going to post a picture of a small quilt my older sister sent me last week. She has been quilting for several years and has improved dramatically. She had it quilted by a longarm quilter in S.C. where she lives.  It is very well done.  I wish I would take the time to make small projects like this for pleasure.  There is a basket quilt in my future. 

Earlier this a.m. I burned a CD with my entry photos for the Mancuso Show in September.  I still have a good amount of beading to do on it but I will give you a peek at it now because time is of the essence and I am not so thrilled about all the handwork it will take and my eyes are not so thrilled either.

More later time to get to work on customer orders .

OOO…JAL

 

Leave a Response »

 

monday morning Monday, Jul 13 2009

Yes it is Monday morning already.  This summer is going pretty quickly as the countdown here is to July 31 when my nephew will be married in MA. He is my older sister's son but he really is mine  but not really. As many of you know he spends more time with me and Uncle T than most nephews.  We love him but these last few months have been pretty testing. Between my sister and his fiancee it has been a  real challenge. More details as the countdown goes on.

Meanwhile on Friday afternoon my protege and friend Mary came for "sandbox" time. She brought some great show and tell. This quilt is a disappearing nine patch and she quilted it on her now perfectly running Gammill long arm. Take a look… not the best picture but I thought you would enjoy seeing it.

As for me I am working on segment two of the 5 yard challenge still and started the blocks for the new original but nothing to show yet.

Off to do some more fidgiting with things and getting ready to photograph my entry for the Mancuso show.

More soon…JAL

One Response »

 

twice in one week Wednesday, Jul 8 2009

I have managed to get the borders on another version of the Peppermint Swirl quilt. I have renamed it Swirling Around. I am not thrilled with it but quilting does make a difference. I will have to get a back and get going on it so I have a complete teaching sample.

I am now going to try to finish up a challenge I gave myself back in the spring and bring up some more show and tell and teaching projects before the month is over.

More soon…OOO JAL  

Leave a Response »