Well, I am now officially a long arm quilter!  I bought a very heavily used HQ 16 this summer.  It was filthy when I got her and I took her for a thorough cleaning at my local HQ Dealer, Quilter's Haven in Olathe, KS.  They are WONDERFUL people and have gone above and beyond to help me get my baby back in great working order!  I have taken 3 classes.  I learned a lot and practice quite a bit.  I have done a lot of quilting on her.  We had to modify the carriage as my frame was larger than the span for the wheels on the carriage.  We are still tweaking that so I can use the stitch regulator.  By the time that happens, I may not need/want it.  We can only hope.   I currently have a t-shirt quilt on the frame a friend of mine asked me to make and quilt.  It was fun, I actually did 2 for her. 

I have been busy since my last post.  I just finished up my term as president for the Missouri State Teachers Association.  MSTA represents approximately 44,000 educators in the state of Missouri.  That was a blast and I would definitely do it all over again.  As part of the convention, I made and quilted 30 center pieces for decorations at the president's reception, made 4 wall hangings for my officers, and 2 quilts for the CEO and the Executive Assistant.  Somewhere in my free time,  also made 40 fabric coasters for various other people.  It was a lot of fun and time consuming.  I'll have to post pictures of what I did remember to take pictures of.  I am so bad about not documenting my work.

One piece I quickly did was a wall hanging for my grandfather.   I made this string quilt in honor of his Honor Flight in October.  It was during the government shut down and luckily, the contingent from Texas made sure they got to see their memorial, rightfully so!

Ummm.....better late than never!

I guess once a year isn't too bad for a blogger right?  I definitely don't call myself a blogger.  Life is crazy with 20 days of school left.  The BIG state test is next week.  I am looking forward to summer and the time to complete the projects I have floating around in my mind.

So what projects do I have floating around? 

*I have been asked to complete 2 t-shirt quilts so I need to start planning those.
*I joined a block exchange at my quilt guild.  The theme is pumpkins.  You can do anything pumpkin as long as it isn't Halloween.

*I am finishing up my term as Missouri State Teachers Association so I have several gift to make as thank you's for the help and support of my officers and some of the staff members.
*I'm making - I think - the center pieces for the convention.  I picked up some really neat patriotic fabric off Craigslist really cheap. 
* I also have my plethora of UFO's to complete. 

One of my UFO's

I am currently painting our spare bedroom so I can set up a longarm quilt frame.  It's the ONLY space in the house large enough for it to go.  I don't have a longarm machine, but will use my Janome 6600p in it.  I am excited about that one.

As for the scrapbooking I mentioned in previous posts, I think I may be giving that one up.  I'm not quite ready to let go of all the stuff.  I'm planning on doing some switching around in my craft room and get the quilting stuff out and more accessible.  It's a mess in there right now.  I also need to paint that room.  Man, it seems like I spend my summers painting!!

Until next time!
Misy

Ice Storm

Well, I don't think the weather people were expecting the ice that we got last night and today.Here are a couple of pictures from around the house. The snow is moving in now. Church was canceled today. This is the third time since Christmas. Now I am wondering about school tomorrow!

The New Year has begun!

Welcome 2010!

Here in the midwest, we have been enjoying a series of snowstorms. I have only been back to work 1 day and that was for a teacher workday. We have now missed 5 days due to cold and snow. I so love the snow! Everyone around me is like " I am so ready for Spring!" and I am like bring on the SNOW!!

I need to start thinking about doing more scrapping done. I have created some simple titles, but I have no clue how to upload them to share. I guess I am going to have to ask the experts. I also should be getting started on a recipe swap. I have until the end of the month, the theme is chocolate. I have soooo many different recipes to choose from so I just need to make that decision and get it done.

God Bless!

Misty

New Year's Resolution

So, Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year! Ever wonder about New Year Resolutions? You make them and break them, but traditions says you make them. As I look back over the last year and see all that has transpired, I think my resolutions will be:

1. LOSE THE WEIGHT - Turning 40 this year and know I am entering all those higher risk parts of my life.

2. KEEP TAKING TIME FOR ME- Teaching is stressful and I need to take time to de-stress so the I can be a better person.

3. PAY ATTENTION TO THE LITTLE THINGS - The little things are what makes the big things possible.

4. BETTER ATTENDANCE AT CHURCH - I started back to church this year in March. I have probably missed 12-16 Sundays since going back.

5. PERSONAL AND PRIVATE - These are goals I have for me and, no offense, am keeping to my self. These are those little things that I need to work on on a personal level.

I hope that isn't too many goals for the year, but I think they are all possible.

I will update the February post later. I TOTALLY enjoyed my weekend in California with my mom. I got her into scrap booking!!! It is contagious!

Happy New Year to all!

Misty

It's February!

Happy February!

It has been a while - I told you I wasn't good at this. I have been keeping busy finishing up some of the UFO (Unfinished Fabric Objects). I completed the baby quilt I started for my niece when she born - she is 5 now, but I guess better late than never! I also finished the Moda U quilt I started in '07. It was a Block of the Month project that I just didn't get finished. I now have the top complete. I will have to post pictures later. Right now I am working on a recipe swap in scrapbooking. I have to get those out this week so they aren't late. I have a quilt planned to do next and need to have it to the quilter's by April so I can give it to the recipient in May.

I am posting a picture of a quilt I did for a brown bag challenge. My best friend and I managed to get each other's bags. This is the wall hanging I did for her. She had admired the pattern at the quilt shop were our group meets. I bought it and made it for her.

I am looking forward to March and May. My sister-in-law and niece are coming to the house for a scrappin' weekend. Neither one of the m scrap so I am looking forward to sharing my love for that with them. I am also going to spend a few days with my mom at a Mom & Daughter type retreat. I will have to tell more when I get the details.

I am hoping to start putting more pictures and gsd files (gsd files are used by the Wishblade to cut paper - think printer that cuts rather than prints) soon. I just never seem to have the time.

Later!
Misty