Baby Cassandra's Quilt...and more.

I can finally show you this baby quilt that I finished about 2 months ago.  It's for Baby Cassandra...a sweet little baby girl whose Mommy works with me.    I used fabric from Erin of Why Not Sew? and Cathy of Turtle Hill Quilter, plus a few I had...all small prints along with Kona solid in Snow.  The backing is a pink and white checkered flannel.  So soft!!  I quilted it with diagonal lines both directions.  (These first pictures aren't the greatest.  Sorry.) 

 

 

Here's a photo of Baby Cassandra (8 weeks old) with her new quilt.  Look at all her hair!  She is as cute as a button.

I finally got thread for the orange quilt.  Hope to get that one finished, as the baby is awaitin'! 

Hope you all have a great weekend.

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Later.  

oops...I forgot about the '...and more' part!
  
Lookie who came to live with us...meet Naomi Janome's cousin, Serger Sue!

 Naomi and Sue have been spending time catching up on all the news...and the upcoming exciting news we have to share!  I haven't done a test-drive, yet.  But, I did read the instruction manual!    

                                   

      
Here's the story:  I had a serger years ago...used it a lot.  Until it froze on me.  I wasn't doing much sewing then, so it wasn't a big deal.  Then, when I started sewing again, my sweet friend, Brenis, sent me a 'found' serger.  It looked almost new, but was seriously messed up.  I could never get the tension right...and it had a few other issues...and then I didn't use it.  When I moved last summer, it found a new home.  Little did I know where my path was leading me.  Now, in need of a serger again, Serger Sue came to the rescue!

Yes.  More news.  Coming soon.

    

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Couple of Things...

Most importantly...Allegra is not feeling well. She has a fever and has been having a few problems. The last few days, she has been exhibiting some bizarre (yes, even for her) behavior. She's not barking, either. For those of you who know her, you'll understand how much she doesn't feel good by that statement alone. I took her in late this afternoon and we're sending blood and urine off to the lab. I'll keep you posted...am very worried about my little girl.

Other news...I got the quilting frame all set up on my spare table in the sunroom today. Here's when I had the frame and track all set to go. The leaders are on the poles (just muslin...the top and backing are pinned on to them).

In this photo, the Big Bad Boy is all set up and rarin' to go! See how it works? Rollers ride the tracks and rollers of the piece the machine is on rolls forward and backward. With a ~9" throat, I'll be whipping these quilts out faster than you can say "Big Bad Boy Janome"!!!
See the paper pattern? There's a laser to follow the lines of the pattern. It'll take some doing to get that under control. haha. One doesn't need to have a pattern...just if you want.

The quilt that's on the frame is not mine...it came with the set up, so I'm using it to practice.

See this cute Scottish Highlander baby??? Larry (of Larry & Lois that I bought this set up from), sent me this photo...his son and DIL (or is it his daughter and SIL?) have a farm where cattle, sheep, chickens, etc., etc., are raised. See their Christian ministry here.

The Big Bad Boy has arrived....

Meet my new (to me) machine...the Janome 1600P DB.

He just does straight stitch - up to 1600 stitches per minute

(though I hardly think I'll be going that fast)!

wheeeeeee!!!

He brought all of this with him.

I should have everything set up tomorrow.

Hopefully, I'll get in some play time!

That's all for tonight.

It's been an exciting but long day.

Time to sit and relax.

Home, Sweet Home.

As happy as I was to be in Eau Claire with me Mum during Ray's surgery...I am really happy to be home. The pups are happy, too! Course, Allegra had to tell me all about her ordeal of being kenneled for 3 days...poor thing. Bark, bark, bark, bark, bark...the entire time from when she saw me until we got into the house. whew...she had a lot to say!

First things first. Ray is doing very well. Was in CCU after surgery...they had him up and sitting in a chair 2 times already on Saturday. Respiratory Therapist comes in every 2 hours for 15 minutes. He was moved out of CCU to a regular room late yesterday. All are pleased with how well he is doing. Praise God. And, thank you all so very much for your thoughts and prayers.

I left early this morning...my sister, Jill, will be over there tomorrow into Wednesday. Not sure when Ray will come home, but sometime late this week. No lifting of any kind, but small chores are okay. For 4 weeks. We'll see how he does with that. Rest, rest, and more rest.

I was able to spend a lot of time with my BFF Janer, too, which is always good. Did not take any photos (except of the Janome) while there, though.

ohyeah. The Janome. Oh. My. Gosh. It is simply amazing...the difference between my Janome and my old Babylock. Now, the Babylock was not the cheapest one available at the time I bought it about 10 years ago (I think), but I was becoming increasingly annoyed with it. Next to the Janome? It is nothing...absolutely does not even compare. Not. Even. Ya know?

I am so very fortunate to have the friends I have. I think I complained long enough and loud enough to everyone how unhappy I was with my Babylock...couldn't do all that I wanted to do with it...skipped stitches, tension problems, couldn't do stippling...etc., etc.. One of my good friends offered a short-term loan...so I started looking for a new machine. Online, shops in the area...no one had what I wanted for a price I could afford. So, next best thing...a used machine in really good shape. Well, Brenis found this Janome 6260 QC on craigslist (read all about it HERE)...and it was up by Eau Claire. And, I was going to Eau Claire! Carol is her name...she upgraded to a Janome 6500P, so was looking for a good home for her first Janome. We ironed out all the details...she came to me Mum's house on Saturday and spent over an hour with me. Demonstrating, talking...you know. I very happily handed over some money and the Janome became mine!!

Here's Carol...

I played with my new Janome a bit, but then had other things to do. But, yesterday, I had a few hours to try everything out. It comes with a gazillion feet, has many wonderful features and the stitch quality is awesome! Sews through several layers of fabric and doesn't skip a beat. The fancy stitches are exciting...cannot wait to use them! Walking foot, darning foot for free-motion quilting, 1/4 inch foot (now all my quilting seams will be perfect!), etc., etc.. Simply put, I adore it.

Janer and I went to The Calico Shoppe and I walked out with this 'just dreamy' collection of fat quarters. Am thinking to join in on the zigzag quiltalong...the one that is following the Old Red Barn Co. Quiltalong.Also, I picked up another Kansas Winter charm pack. That's the fabric I used on the quilt I screwed up with the quilting. I love that fabric.

For the rest of today, I'm just gonna hang with the pups, get unpacked, do a bit of laundry...just get everything in order. AND, play with my Janome!

Again, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. I'll keep you all updated on Ray's progress.

What's This???

No time now,

but when I get home tomorrow,
I will tell you all about it.
I promise.