Ready to Quilt!!!

Well, the machine got moved, but it took a bunch of effort to get the rest of the stuff out of the MIL apartment. Yes, I got the fabric moved out of the cabinets. I don’t think I have as big a stash as I first thought. But it’s enough to try and figure out where it’s going to go. I ended up using the cabinet the computer was in to hold un-quilted tops and put up some shelving in the back corner behind the machine which luckily holds most of the fabric. I’m also using the pegboard again!!! I put this up a couple years ago when the machine was in this situation before, but it’s been pretty much unused since I moved the machine. I’ve been tempted to take it down, but I didn’t!!! Now I’m so glad.
All the UFOs and fabric collections are put in plastic bins and labeled. It really helps to have labels on, so I don’t have to dig through the bins to figure out what’s in there. I just use address labels. I love Mary Engelbreit things so I found a cute flower on her website and put it on my labels to make them look cute.
I also have to work around the exercise equipment, but it works out pretty well. The treadmill is right next to the design wall, which kind or works well because I don’t have to stand on a stool to reach to the top of the wall so I can get a big quilt on there.
I’ve finally gotten the “family” quilt back on the machine! I put it back on after I finished the jacket, but never got any quilting done on it because I had to take it off to get the studio moved. Now that everything is mostly in it’s place I can finally get quilting again!!!

New Year, New Look, New Direction

I hope everyone had a very nice holiday, and that the new year is off to a good start. I know that this time of year can be difficult for some of us who can't help but be reminded of how quickly time passes and how much we miss certain loved ones. Five years ago, on December 26th my father passed away. It was difficult for me to realize that so much time had passed. My girls were still little when he died, one in elementary school and one in middle school. Now my youngest is a teenager and my oldest an adult in college. I ache thinking of how much time we all missed. I can't help but to feel a bit cheated for my kids, that they didn't have him in their lives for a longer period of time. And I feel grateful for the time we did have, and blessed with the certainty that he indeed is still present in our lives, watching over us, and rooting for us as we find our way in this life.

With the new year here I found myself looking for some change. The artistic path I have been on was starting to feel too familiar, like walking a trail and passing the same tree over and over. It was a lovely path but I was ready for a little change, and so I have done a few simple things. I changed the look of the blog a bit, and added a new banner. I also changed my Etsy banner to this one and made a matching avatar. Also for the time being, I have put aside making my vintage and retro inspired gift items and have started concentrating more on illustrating and making art quilts, (which is what I use to do almost exclusively a few years ago).

I am having loads of fun with this new series of small embroidered art quilts. They are based on little, loose styled drawings that I do on my computer. The red and white one pictured above is called "Pathway" and the one pictured below is called "Extrovert and Introvert". (Also pictured below is the drawing that I based it on.) These and others can be found in my Etsy store, and I will be posting more as I make them.

Happy New Year!!!

Does anyone else have big plans to get TONS of stuff done during the holiday break???? I think to myself. . . . the 2 year old will have lots of siblings to play w/even dad will be home to play with. I should be able to finish the quilt on the LA, get the last border on the baby quilt for my great neice, and maybe even start something else fun!!! BUT NO!!!! Nothing but PLayInG, and eating way too much food, etc. . . gets done!!!

But we've had fun. Christmas Eve morning we went up in the mountains about 15-20 minutes away and went sledding. For some awesome sledding pictures go look at Amanda's Blog. She's gotta teach me how to do the slideshow thing.

In the afternoon we dipped pretzels. Oh my Goodness they were yummy. We ended up giving out the majority as gifts, but we ate our share. Most of the kiddos just bite off the carmel chocolate end and throw away the rest of the pretzel. They think it's just a handle to help them eat the good stuff.

And Then!!! You won't believe what we did on New Year's Eve Day. With a son coming home from his mission, my 19 yo son convinced us that it would be a good idea for mom to move her Long Arm machine out of the MIL apartment in our basement. So, he and big brother could move down there in February. So yesterday, w/the help of kids and hubby we moved my LongArm back into the other room of the basement!!! YIKES. I was pooped. I can't believe I even stayed up til midnight after all that work. But it's done. (Well, I still have to move my fabric stash out of the cabinets in the kitchen area. That shouldn't take long!!?!?! HA! LOL) But the big heavy stuff is moved and fits reasonably well in the new space.

Before and After Pictures. Starting w/the MIL apartment.

Here's Wishing Everyone a HaPpy NeW YeaR!!!! Luv Lauri!