OH HAPPY DAY!!!

I am giddy...yes I am. BECAUSE.......I am putting a real quilt on my machine this afternoon. Not a practice one, a real one for my grand niece who is a year old. I actually made the top when she was about three months old.

Then I do the one for my granddaughter. And then the one for my husband. How wonderful.

I am so happy when I am in the studio. I haven't had a great deal of time to write on my blog. But once the holidays are over I am going to create my way through my library just like I promised a few months ago. I am rededicating myself to my art. And my resolution will be to post more pictures so that others can see the progress.

IN THREE DAYS TIME A COUPLE OF HOURS GREW!

I almost seriously injured myself three days ago. All I wanted to do was extend the frame to my long arm. I looked at the long arm when it was only crib size and thought...."It won't be hard to extend this baby". I mean, I was thinking that it would be just a couple of hours before I would be good to go. Yeah, well......

On the first day I evaluated all that I would need to extend her....ahh yes, I put the tools that came with it in this drawer....yup there they are! Where the hey did I put the pipe extenders,...ohh yes, right here. This is beginning to look good. I need to pull the pipes from under the long table and line them all up and I am ready to go.

Have you ever seen a forty pound sewing machine come at your face while you are on your knees holding up the back leg of the table while the front one is collapsing? No?...well let me tell you it is a very scary feeling. See, I thought that I would be able to extend the table without taking the machine off. All I had to do was just unscrew a couple of screws and then swap out the front leg that slanted for the one that is straight. I was there for 10 minutes trying to hold the entire rig together while calling (ok, I was screaming) out my husbands name. The dog who is a puppy ran for his life down the stairs whining the entire time. Finally I realized that I had to make a decision and fast. I managed to put the sewing machine, now cradled in my arm, and place it on the trunk nearby. I got the frame stable and I ran down the stairs to find Jay. He came running while the entire time chastising me for not waiting to ask him for his assistance and helped me stablize the entire thing. You bet there were hugs and kisses!

Day two was trying only because the holes didn't want to line up. OK, so I put the end together backwards. Who knew?!!!! I was so tired but determined to get to a certain stage before I left the studio for the night. I need a drink!!!

Finally day three helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. When I left the studio that night I had the entire thing up and balanced. I must admit that it is truly a thing of beauty and I love her.

But if you think for one minute that I would do it again?.......I would but next time I will take the darn sewing machine off the frame.

THINGS ARE GETTING BUSY IN THE STUDIO

I made a decision to extend my longarm so that I can do king size quilts. Unfortunately, that means that my studio is a disaster. It also means that this week I am going to spend trying t clean up the mess.

This month has been a busy one. I became a member of a wonderful quilt group in Delmar and went to the Saturday Art Quilt Study group that is a spin off. These women are amazing and their art is something to aspire to. I came home feeling invigorated and ready to create!!!! They are also the reason for my deciding to extend my longarm.

Well, as always I have lots of things to do but it is Sunday night so I am just going to sit here and knit.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY

The weather here in the Catskill Mountains is unbelievable. It is warm and the woodsy smells make me feel so wonderful. It has been a high energy day too. The weather has taken me out of the studio and into the garage where I am painting and staining in preparation for my friend Annie who is going to help me build a sideboard tomorrow. We are both very excited.

Last night was knitting with the Mountain Top Knitters. I love going because we get so much knitting done. Monica came in with a beautiful afghan that would have taken me two months to do but it only took her one week. She is amazing. But she isn't the only one. I really got lucky when I moved to this road. Karen loves to sew and Ruthie loves to knit. How more wonderful can it get.

Well, back to the garage to paint some more.

THE PLIGHT OF THE UFOS

I am told that having several unfinished projects is part of the artistic process. I must be really creative then because I have more ufos than I care to admit. Christmas is coming, grandchildren to knit and quilt for. Holy cow.....I feel guilty sitting here writing in my blog instead of working on my projects. How do others handle ufos is beyond me. Sometimes I swear that I am not going to work on another project until I finish the ones I started. Trust me, that hasn't worked. Neither has denying myself a sewing goody until I finish something. Maybe I should just pick up the first one I come to and get it done.

I think that is what I will do.

A WEEKEND OF CREATIVE ENERGY

My friend Cate and her husband came up from NC for a visit. It was terrific seeing her and fun to go to the Rhinebeck Wool Festival. There was so much to see and so much wool. There were spinners and weavers. I almost bought a pair of glass knitting needles for $60.00 dollars. I really, really, really wanted them but couldn't convince myself that they were something I couldn't do without. I am proud of myself because I didn't. I am on a diet and eye candy is on the "do not buy" list!!

Cate spins. brought me some wool and silk that she spun herself. Her spinning wheel is so wonderful. They make electric ones now. Just doesn't seem right does it. Well, anyway, Cate tried to teach me how to spin. It isn't as easy as you think but I can see how relaxing it can be. She makes it seem so effortless and fun. My other really good friend, Karyn came over and tried it. She looked like she was having fun and seemed to pick it up quicker than I did. I really enjoyed the three of us being together spinning and knitting.

Cate's visit really got my creative juices flowing and I spend a couple of hours in the studio today working in the studio. I finished the hat I was making. Yeayyyy!!!! The only problem is that my middle finger joints are locking up. If it isn't one thing its another. Just one more thing to have the doctor check out. Hey, did you know that drinking alcohol keeps Rhumetoid Arthritis at bay? Like is good.

IT IS OCTOBER ALREADY!!!!!!

OK, I know I don't need to remind everyone that winter is approaching. You wouldn't think so though if you were here on the mountain top. It is beautiful and warm; a healing place for sure. Even though it has been quite awhile since I posted it doesn't mean that my studio has been quiet. Quite the contrary; It has been a wonderful place of activity.

Jay and I were married in our back yard. We have lots of pictures. Friends and family made up family/wedding albums as gifts. It is so awesome what you can do with the help of the internet.

WEll, I guess I had better go because I have a chair to refinish.