Swirly Girls and another QOV...

Here is Elaine's first Swirly Girls Pattern...

and this is the latest Quilt of Valor...this one was pieced by Gussie and as usual a pleasure to longarm.

I am really beginning to like this pattern. As always hope the piecer feels it compliments their work.













Quilt till you wilt...we do...

Slamming Down a Monday...

Have you ever been so busy you had to 'slam down' a sandwich or maybe a on the go burger from a fast food joint. No time to sit and eat...just eat and run. Well that's today and this blog entry. Busy week end and busier week...well when you throw in two rounds of golf, one Tuesday and one Thursday on top of the regular Sunday...the time left becomes very busy.

I have one locked and loaded, three "need to be done" and more in that UFO pile I hear so much about.

Locked and Loaded

Friday found us putting finishing touches on 'stuff.' We got the recently ordered Design Wall assembled. It took about 20 minutes...the first time...from here on it will be less than half that. To say it is great would be one of those understatement things. Very portable, takes up very little space and disassembled fits in its own 'little' carry bag.

Elaine finished her latest little craft project...and it will be a welcome member to the Traveling Quilt Caravan that goes on around here...going from one Bee to another to a Sew-In to a QOV Event and in January our first Retreat. It is going to be so nice just to pick it up, put it in the Carry Case and away we go...trying to figure out where to set a hot hour...almost always the last thing to put away has been...HAS BEEN...a problem...not any more!!!

Saturday found us on the road for eight hours getting to and from a QOV Award...Moving to say the least. The photos are a little dark...there were several 'professional photographers' on site and I spoke with one that assured me he would send photos. So I can update later. For now...this was our first experience with Homes For Our Troops (hfotusa.org)

That's about all I can say about that...check out their web site...

The Award was made to a bi-lateral amputee...of course the story is heart wrenching...of course he was an amazing individual, an amazing patriot, person and another of The Few. It was again my honor and privilege to make this presentation and to a fellow Marine. The event was beyond belief...it was the Presentation of the Key to his new home...speaking was a Marine Lt. Colonel, a retired General, Governor's Representative, Executives from Homes For Our Troops and those from corporate sponsors. Like the Quilts of Valor Foundation...a whole bunch of good people doing a whole bunch of good stuff. The Retired General...CEO of HFOT...said something that will stick for a long time...In summary he stated he gets ask frequently why doesn't the government do what his organization does...His answer...The Constitution doesn't say We the Government... it says We the People...this is our response...the peoples response to thank these men and women for their service. Doesn't take long to digest that...Thank you General.

Did I mention the recipient was escorted in by Patriot Guard Riders...like 40+.

The recipient seated next to his wife. 

Some of the items received including the Quilt of Valor...quite an impressive event to say the least. Not to mention an absolutely fabulous new home built completely around his needs.

Sunday found me out riding and Elaine driving to Poqouson, VA for the Penninsula Piecemakers Quilt Guild Quilt Show for 2013. Like our Guild their show is every other year. Again they did a great job. Some absolutely fabulous quilts. I got to meet the Quilt of Valor Coordinator for the Guild and we had a good exchange. Their help is going to be greatly appreciated.

So it was a busy week end...and time to get back to work...between the longarm and the golf course I'm in for a busy week...but hey, somebody has to do it.

I haven't gotten any photo's yet...but Elaine got her first "Swirly Girls Pattern" done and I'll post some later...She did really good.

Quilt till you wilt...we do...

Just When You Think...

You'll get a handle on the 'requests' for Quilts of Valor the Foundation gets some "national" coverage. Well it was a good thought...but the requests have inundated mail boxes from one coast to the next so... back to normal...behind again...I'm thinking I'd better get used to it. If you have any extra quilts floating around you can send them my way. Speaking of quilts...here are the last two I longarmed.

Love this Pattern...

Okay...apparently I'm the only one that uses the Longarm for a "Cutting Table" It's like improvise and adapt. The rolls are easy to handle...the table is 12' long and I don't have to get down on the floor. Which is what I did until I set the roll on the Longarm Table one day so I could vacuum the floor. Duh!!!

Before cutting I draw a straight line...makes it easier to piece batting down the road...when I first started I was given a lot of batting pieces...had to cut everyone of them to get a straight edge to piece together. So I just thought why not start with a straight edge . Silly me!!!

Got to go...Golf Day...

Quilt till you wilt...we do...

The Sun Came Out...

So I went for a 300+ ride and had a great day...even rode by Sleepy Hollow on my way to a quilt store in Boydton...

The quilt store was fabulous and the owner and I discussed getting a Quilts of Valor group going...she has a great start with nearly a dozen quilters interested. The shop was quaint and really well stocked. She and her group are meeting again in early November...hope and I can get there for the meeting...kind of tough it's a 6 hour round trip. The shop is Quilter's Nook located in Downtown Boydton, VA. If you get a chance to stop by you will probably find something you can't live without.

You remember the QOV Awards we made to the couple that met and married during WWII. He having received wounds in Iwo Jima and she being his nurse...and the rest is story book. I had the honor of presenting their Quilts of Valor earlier this month and she and her husband were on a recent Honor Flight to D.C. Well apparently she would not go without her quilt.

We did a Quilt of Valor sew in on Saturday the 19th. Of course we are thankful for those that took the time to show up and it was a very productive day...but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was somewhat disappointed that only three quilters showed up. Elaine has been announcing time and place for over a month and went to a lot of trouble to get a facility that was centrally located, clean, good amenities, like a cafe on site, Wi Fi, comfortable chairs, plenty of tables, and well equipped to handle the needs of quilters. But we had a great time, got lots done and how often do you have a "design wall" built in to your meeting place...be honest. I can guarantee they were productive...I was the 'presser' and worked up a sweat. Hopefully next month we can get a few more to show up. I think I mentioned I was disappointed. Many thanks to those that made it.

The exterior and front entrance to TCC/Virginia Beach Multi Use Library Facility.

 The interior of the Conference Room

The quilters in front of the "design wall" with some of the days work...L to R
Susan, Nancy, Elaine and Kathy.

 We had some visitors stop by and got a brief

lesson on quilts and quilting from their Grandmother.

 I know it's a Pin Board but it really worked as a "design wall" and it's like 20' long.

And I'd be amiss if I didn't show you some of Kathy's work...I was fortunate enough to be the longarmer and really enjoyed working on her Carpenter's Star Quilt of Valor. 

Well the yard awaits...with a nice coating of leaves and two weeks growth time to get out the lawnmower, trimmer and blower and do a little yard work. Did I mention I hate yard work...I hate yard work. 

Quilt till you wilt...we do...

I Felt Inadequate!!!

You remember these...well...


Then I am directed to these...too cute or what...Now I feel inadequate...

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Okay so they aren't as cute...but neither am I. I have an image to uphold.

But I did find their, Kimberly and Francesca's, blog to be fun so it's linked...swinkgirlsquilts.blogspot.com And I mean really they are Innova owners...you know they can't be all bad.





You remember I sent out a distress signal regarding Quilts of Valor Requests, many and Quilts of Valor...NONE...well the quilts and blocks started coming in. Well so have more requests so I'm behind again but thanks to the help of Elaine I now have two piecers that have taken up the 'make a top' challenge. Here is the first...It will be on the longarm today or tomorrow...

Yes we are approaching eight straight days of rain...and yes I am still locked up. One golf tournament has been postponed twice...had to move a haircut appointment once, a dental cleaning appointment twice and have the golf tournament now scheduled for Wednesday...AGAIN and another one for Thursday and they are both iffy. Two motorcycle rides have been cancelled and I have unloaded all weapons. If I see one more spider lurking around my motor there is going to be trouble...just because it's parked doesn't mean you can 'web' it. 

Waiting for the rain to stop...

Quilt till you wilt...we do...

New Ironing Surface...

Well this idea, not ours obviously, but it has been floating around for some time. Well I couldn't get on the longarm yesterday so...what to do oh what to do. Elaine has her Swirly Girls Pattern on the Innova so off to Lowe's I go.

It took about an two hours with the stops at Lowe's and Joann's but all of that procrastination is finally a reality...It is 28X60, sits on top of the cutting table and will eventually have removable legs so we can transport to QOV Sew-Ins. Makes an every quilt task so much easier. OH...$40.

Quilt till you wilt...we do.

Where's Mom???

Well my guess is on the other side of that door you are trying to see through. We have two dogs...this is Lilee...I know cute...and she knows it. The male you see frequently lounging around ones feet while longarming is Nikee. You'd never guess who's dogs they are...okay two guesses...if one is Les...you're dead wrong.

Do not panic or freak out...it is not a cigarette...Tootsie Roll Pop. I really need to update some of these photos. New tool belt, tattoo, floor mats, labels on longarm not shown.
Well I was on a roll...moved on to a Log Cabin...both of which now need squaring and binding. Next...Oh wait Elaine wants to do her 'Swirly Girls' quilt...Well honestly...it is her machine I guess I can go do the grocery shopping.

Love this quilt...it too is a QOV...done by one of my favorite quilters. This is the second one she has done like this and they were both a joy to longarm. I hope I did them justice. 

So...I'm cutting batting awhile back...scissors in hand...and Elaine says, "Why don't you use this?" and she proceeds to hand me...HELLO!!!...a power rotary cutter. Another power tool...she was holding out...I promised to hang it back on her peg board and not put it in my pouch...but she has a lot of nerve holding back a power tool. Rest assured I checked out the rest of what was hanging on the pegboard.

The iron...Durathon by Hamilton Beach...under $25 on Amazon. On Amazon it only earned 3 stars...I will dispute each and every negative. Of all the irons we have had over the many years of our lives this is by far the best 'steam' iron we have ever had...we will be donating the others...one valued at over a $100 from Oreck and buying a couple more of these...well a travel kit...two boards set up one in each Sewing Room, what would you expect...carry one iron from room to room and sew ins...get real...you don't know Elaine.
Oh I did have to laugh at several of the comments on Amazon...One was "too big to get in to small places..." well you know me...buy a smaller iron. The other..."it takes a lot of water..."well duh...it puts out a lot of steam. If you are in the market for a good iron that won't break the bank...this is it. Hope you will be as satisfied as we are.


So the other day I read where someone is not happy about their Red Snappers laying all over the place. I'm assuming they also throw away the tubes when they finish a roll of batting. Keep it simple...

Quilt till you wilt...we do...

Am I On a "Roll" or What???

I couldn't help myself. One is locked and loaded

and the other is getting fitted. 

The one above is on the kitchen counter...an extremely slipper surface to say the least...Yea, I know it says Grill Press...but it is better served as a Don't Let the Quilt Fall to the Floor Prevention Device. 

Which brings me to the question that comes up frequently..."Besides your tool pouch what else made it to the Longarm Room from the garage. Well lets' see...a tool kit.

Magnets, screw drivers, clamps, WD40 pen, 

The tool belt...with necessary measuring devices, CSI flashlight, markers, some more screwdrivers, cleaning brushes, scissors...several styles, rotary cutter, Jack the Ripper, some pics all pouched up on old gun belts, the smaller pouch on the left is Elaine's and of course some marking devices. She was my first convert. 

Of course more clamps. 

The laser made it in too...

Along with a couple of straight edge measuring devices.

So I would pretty much have to say I feel right at home. Now...I need to get 'rolling.' Of course it was intended.

Quilt till you wilt...we do...