Friday 28 November 2008

sewing up a storm..........

Stop all the SSCS talk.............

I have a huge announcement.................this afternoon I did some free motion quilting (hope that is what it is called)............I decided to have a go can't be that hard...........I have been putting it off for months and months and months............I had brought a darning foot as I needed that but was tooo scared.............

So I made myself a sewing mat............figured I could cover it up if bad by the machine............well prepare yourself...........here is the mat.....(fabric Autumn Journey).....(still to bind but I was too excited)

closer.........

the worst of it............got a bit lost here......

what about this....................maybe I should have had a few wines first..........you know just to relax a little..........it was fun.........definitely need some more practise.....I would sort of get into a pattern then loose it...........

....but do you have any tips to get it a bit smoother.....

We just keep getting more and more storms.............more days stormy then not........this is yesterday.........most crops in the area have had 3-8 inches of rain in the last 10 days...............gone from great to major disaster..........the mozzies came out yesterday afternoon and I am sure they are the size of elephants and they are everywhere............bring on the insect repellant I say even to hang a load of washing out..........they are REALLY BAD........

and just a little while ago we had this storm............distrupted my post while I went to check where the rain was coming in and we ended up with a gutter leaking in one of the rooms...........bugger............1/2 an inch in 15 mins........

Then there was good mail today...........was wondering if the mail men would come with the rain last night but he did thankfully.........with this little parcel from Cheryl G...........

Coasters a pattern and buttons...........thanks heaps............

Also my Fat Quarter Shop BOM and Country Threads............

Finally I have caught up with my bloglines............it has said "0 new posts".............woo hoo...........not seen that since late Sept when things went pear shape.....

......I sent a few parcels off a few weeks ago but not heard if they have arrived............hope they get there soon.........one was my polkadot and ric rac swap..........not that I have received a parcel there either..............maybe I have been forgotten............

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Check this out............there is an project in Homespun this month about Louise -Prairie Mouse........check out these tiny incy wincy dolls in beds she has made.........here, here and here............they are amazing...........

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More SSCS postings coming up really soon.............just waiting for a few more emails to confirm postage which most should have been today......I need to hear from four 3 girls and the rest seemed to be right to post by today 28 (I have to remember that Oz is early on in the time line around the world).............

Take care..........Chookyblue..............

PS Ric Rac you can keep your visitor - John............he is charming isn't he..........I reported the blog as a spammer............I feel the same way as Ric Rac.........I do not appreciate inappropriate comments..........

PSS. totally booked in for the Girls Day in the Country 2009...............anyone else going????? Leanne and Rosie do you think you can cope with us again.............

PSS how many posts do you think I have before 400????

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well done... well done I say!! Becareful... it's verrrry addictive...and not nearly as scary as you thought hey? Lx P.S: wine is good... cabernet merlot is my muse!! heh heh

Anonymous said...

Hello Chookyblue, well I did a course a few years back in machine quilting and did ok.I have a smallish quilt, to be quilted and oh so tempted, after reading your post maybe I will. Did you use Basting Spray?Regards Lyn. PS Maybe a glass of red goes along way, heh.

Anonymous said...

Well done, doddle on paper first with a pen over and over again.
Have a glass of wine or two, as well as practise 10 minutes a day just have pieces of muslin with backing next to machine and go for it.
Have fun!!!!!

Christine

trash said...

You mean the deadline is today!!!!!

Right then! Panic over. I shall now have to go and do something silly,like misplace the address;), to ensure I am running officially late. Or not ;-)

Anonymous said...

Vey good! I find gloves with a bit of grip on the fingertips really help me to keep my movements smoother. I bought a pair for under $5 from the LQS. And of course there is practice ...
Tracy

Renee said...

I've been practicing my free motion quilting too - I still find it scary. Wine is a good idea though - I should have thought of that earlier!

Kris Meares - Tag Along Teddies said...

Hey Donna! Wow! Those storm clouds look pretty impressive! After a few big storms, things have been a bit quieter here, but more predicted for the weekend. Don't mind the rain, even the thunder and far away lightning, but that horrible wind is what does all the damage. Sad to hear people have gone from bumper crops to disaster, but that's farming, I guess - I don't think I have the righte temperament!! Happy stitching - Bear Hugs! KRIS

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Great effort on your FMQ - I am a newbie to it too! I had a visit from the charming John today too....

Cathy said...

I havent tried it yet...not sure I ever will...but good on you for having a go...try the wine, sounds like a great idea!! Young Mr John visited my blog too. I know what I would like to do with his viagara pills!! Something along the lines of what Dave Rafter did in Packed to the Rafters!! Cathyx

Unknown said...

Well Done.!! on the FMQ...I'm still a learner too might just give the wine a go...might loosen me up a bit.They say Practice makes Perfect but they didn't say how long that takes.lol...
cheers

Abby and Stephanie said...

Great job...yes it's called free motion. Practice, practice, practice well help you get smoother. I don't drink but perhaps wine does help! :o) Great sky photos. I'll say your next post is 400.

Annie said...

Love your quilting. I remember being pleasantly surprised when I finally bit the bullet. I practise in staff meetings with a pen, getting my stipple pattern going. The boss thinks I am taking notes and being very professional. Love it!!

Anne Ida said...

Heeheey! Way to go on the free motion quilting! As Lee-Anne says, it's addictive *lol* - and re your question on getting it smoother... practice... it's the only thing that works :o) And a couple of glasses of wine to help your shoulders relax, some music (or a good audio book) to help your mind relax and some good quilting gloves (know some quilters hate them, I love them! But they can't be too thick, and make sure they fit!)

Chocolate Cat said...

How brave you are!! Not sure it will be something I attempt in the near future. I think you did great! Maybe a few wines would help you relax!!!! Any excuse!! We are having weird weather here too, have woken up to rain again this morning.Unfortuantly my husbands job as a Rural Financial Counsellor is looking very very safe!

meggie said...

It seems a little sacreligious to not want rain, but I for one would welcome a few dry days!
Enjoyed your post!

Lynette Anderson said...

Yes, a glass of wine and some good music will make all the difference to your quilting! Drop your shoulders and relax, take a breath and away you go.....

Pam said...

Good for you to jump in and do some free motion machine quilting. I don't do a lot of it and I am quite stiff when I start - I find I do a much better job after a glass of wine! Oh - I see someone else knows my secret -LOL!!

Trudi said...

I've been having a go at FMQ too....my darning foot goes up and down with the needle (like a walking foot) so I find it easier to stop with the needle in the fabric and turn the fabric, instead of trying to sew sideways or backwards. I need LOTS more practice too!

Cheryl said...

Good on you for taking the plunge... like everything, practice will make it easier. Try freehand stitching something that's familiar - like your name... Drawing faces is also fun, give them horn rimmed glasses and big toothy grins! You can also try loopy 'E's instead of stippling or meander. The most important thing is to remember to breathe :-), if you forget to do that, you're in big trouble....

Lily Mulholland said...

"the mozzies came out yesterday afternoon and I am sure they are the size of elephants" LOL but oh my goodness!

Well done on the FMQ! Don't forget to reduce your 'thrusting' as you do 'corners' or curves to maintain stitch length. I must do some more to keep my hand in!

Lorraine said...

Champagne (or wine) will do it!!! nice and relaxed and put the headphones on and just go for it..LOL I always practice for ages on a scrappy piece and when I have "the rythym" go onto the piece I am quilting ...and completely freeze.LOL.....you can unpick quilting tho!! ...and washing the piece after quilting also "hides" any wobbles.....and lets face it .......how often does anyone look that closely at the quilting.....mostly the overall effect is fab - and is there a "wrong" way to quilt something....?

Flutterby Angel said...

I am like you were before this effort....too scared to jump in! Maybe we could get together and share a bottle of wine and then quilt bubbles!!....lol....
I think you did great for your first effort...I'm still a chicken!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Your FMQ looks great...as for getting smoother...you need to think of it as driving...look where you are going not where you are and then you can be ready for the curves and the changes in direction. hope that helps

Judith said...

Well I think you are very close to 400 posts. I am sure

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Hey Chooky it looks fantastic...think jig saw puzzle...draw it on a piece of paper before you start so you can get the shapes in your head...

Unknown said...

Tips: gloves, practice, practice and practice.

Stina Blomgren said...

Looking good Donna... you should have seen mine...lol.. so all I can say...just keep on practising... hmmm think I need that advise too..;o)
Here in Sweden the snow keeps on coming...today we got 15 cm of snow and are having a total of 25-30 cm already..!!! :o)

Anita said...

Great job on your quilting - something I have not been game to try yet!
Sorry to hear about the crops, not good news for many.
And yes - I will be at Nundle if all goes to plan!Can't wait!