Progress with only one SNAFU

It was another good day in Studio B. And Brenda, I'm so excited that you are messing around with the Qult Block Wizard! I did NOT accomplish all I wanted. I knew there was going to be a snag somewhere. Things just take longer than planned, but that's OK. However, I had a very humbling moment. I was all excited about one of the samples - this is going to be perfect. And then BAM! It wasn't perfect. I am not sure I will camouflage what happened. I'm going to finish what I did by binding it, but let's just say that it was a humbling moment. 

Remember all those tools that I said were amazing? They are, but only if the operator doesn't go in and try to do something silly. You see, I had everything lined up perfectly, and then I accidentally touched one of the designs and moved it, thinking I was moving everything, but I was only moving one design, not four. Alas, it stitched out but was not lined up!

However, it was another learning moment, and since we learn from our mistakes, I think I've made all I can with those tools. I'm done now!

Anyway, I managed to get all the stitching done using the Embellishment Attachment and used up three sample stitchouts that were hanging around. Despite my error, the one I goofed on is cute. And it's a teaching moment. Yep -- I'm going to take it to Nashville with me. 

I still have two to clean up, one to bind, and one is done. So worst-case scenario, I can clean up those pieces on the move if I have to. But they are stitched. Actually, I think I need about two hours to completely finish the last three samples. 

It's time to move on to another hoop, and I haven't decided which one. 

Here's the sample that I finished yesterday. And YES -- that is entirely done on an embroidery machine, including the fuzzy bits.

My completed sample

I have to laugh when I look at this one. The fuzzy stuff for the sheep is a tad fuzzier than I thought it would be, and his face and one ear are obliterated. But that sort of fits with the quote. I might trim it slightly, but otherwise - it's done. 

This is another sample I was stitching out, and it is the one that went haywire. 

So cute and before the "storm" hit

But when it was done, I went back to the screen to see what had happened, and that's when I discovered what I had done. It's not enough to make a mistake, but figure out WHY that happened, and then you can move on. Get over it! And never do it again!

I love the project system even in sewing mode. Those projected lines are great for sewing diagonal lines, too. Why mark when you don't have to? I am sewing on the PFAFF creative icon 2.

Projection lines in sewing mode

OH MY -- I may have spoken too soon about the colorways of the 70s and how they would never come back. Look what I spotted on IG yesterday. This is from a fabric company introducing a new line. Doesn't that remind you of the fabrics from the 70s? 

Reminds me of colors from the 70s

Instead of completing the items yesterday, I did something else. I lost a bit of steam when I screwed up, but that's OK. It's good to take a break. And making mistakes is hard work! 

This is the latest puzzle I'm working on. This is another great brand (Villager Puzzles), and guess what? They are also Canadian and use only artwork by Canadian women artists! They make a lot of Canadian landscape puzzles, and I've suggested some for the prairies. Hey, the owner was looking for suggestions! I just realized that this company is based in Comox, BC. 

My current puzzle

You can buy from them online or from Puzzles Canada, and there are many other shops where you can find them. This is the company that Cynthia submitted artwork to and won! It was for a puzzle that will be sold exclusively on the BC Ferries. You will also be able to buy it online at the Villager website. I'm not sure when that one will come out.

And this is what it looks like when you open the box. There's a poster inside, which I never use, and the pieces are already in a bag. That is good -- all puzzles should come with the pieces in a bag. It's a zippered top bag so you can reuse it! That's even better. Hey, the company was founded by a woman! 

Inside the box

She appeared on Dragon's Den, and you can watch it here. The quality of the puzzles is amazing. Check them out next time you're in the market for a puzzle. 

Here's my progress so far. That was HARD, and it took almost an hour just to do that small part. I wonder how easy the rest of the puzzle will be? 

A challenge to do the lettering

I also spent some time weeding in the backyard. It's a mess. This is the before picture. 

Before

And here's the after. I only started with a small section, but already it looks much better. It's hard to see because of the sun and shade, but it looks much better - trust me. 

After

And you will NOT believe this, but when I was digging through that sample drawer, look what I found. I thought I only had one of these Dream Big panels, but NO - I have two. Of course, I have two. 

Two Dream Big panels

I have stitched a teal-colored panel, but I want to stitch another one because with my newfound skills and new tools on the embroidery machine, I think I can do a better job than I did the first time. So—that is something I can attempt to make happen this summer. Nothing like trying to get some of this embroidery done. 

At some point, I need to stop and work on quilt UFOs, not just embroidery stuff! 

This is a quilt that a reader sent to me. It's made from a quilt pattern by a Canadian designer. YES --- we have some great Canadian designers, and we need to make sure that we support them.

A pattern by Sew Fresh Quilts

The company is called Sew Fresh Quilts, and the designer is Lorna. Check out her website, as she has some amazing designs. The link for the fox is here. You cannot beat $5 for a very cool pattern. 

OH - I'm running out of time before I meet Brooke. I have a question to ask about Lorna's patterns. Perhaps we need to do one of these as a sew-along, but NOT for this year. But next. The price is definitely right!!! Which one is your favorite? 

And on that note, I'm out of here!

Have a wonderful day, and hopefully it will be filled with joyful moments, even if it requires some tough love and learning! 

Ciao!!!!

It's a great day in Studio B!

Sharon -- you are so right!!! So many of the ideas that we see today as "new" and "modern" are not new or modern at all. So many techniques from years ago have been resurrected, and countless other things. The only thing I would say that is NOT being recreated is the color palette! The harvest gold and avocado green? Although I like those colors. Even the small muted prints of the 70s are back in vogue. WAIT - I stand corrected - even the color palettes are back, maybe not exact, but close! 

Well, I am a happy camper. I was definitely in my happy place yesterday, and it was a day filled with fun, creativity, learning, and everything went as planned or better! I was in Studio B all day with my toys - predominantly the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3- and, more importantly, I had my Creativate Embroidery Software to design what I wanted to make. 

Let's just say I will NEVER give up the Projector on the Epic 3, which is phenomenal for item placement. And there is the Exact Positioning, and so many other amazing tools. I was a smidgen off on one piece of my placements yesterday, but I'm OK with that. I learned something while doing it. The more that I do, the more I learn, and well, we know how that goes. At my house, the learning never stops. 

Then you get cocky and need to push the envelope, and that's what I did yesterday. A slight (maybe about 5 mm) placement issue, but no one is going to know if I don't point it out, which I may or may not - depends on the day! 

There are so many techniques and designs (from our Creativate Design Catalog) that one could make samples for the rest of their years without duplicating anything. That's the beauty of using the software rather than buying purchased designs. I totally get it—it is not for everyone, and that's OK. I'm not into machine embroidery to stitch just for the sake of stitching; I like to stitch what I dream up! I also like to stitch out things just for fun! 

For an upcoming event in two weeks, I need to demo some specific embroidery hoops. The Mega Turnable Hoop, the Large Magnetic Hoop, the Special Techniques Hoop, and the Embellishment Attachment using yarn. OK -- so while I have samples of each, they're sparse. Since this is a product showcase for our dealers globally, I needed to up my game. 

I thought this quote was fitting for yesterday. The unknown and all outcomes are possible. I'm not so sure I entered it with grace, but since I wasn't pressed for time, I think I did pretty well. Yes -- I have 11 days to complete my samples and make a garment. Lots of time, but everything takes more time than we anticipate. However, I made amazing progress yesterday considering how it all transpired. 

The quote of the day

Samples for the Large Magnetic Hoop are done - wait - I want to make one more, but if it gets done, that's a bonus. I am NOT a fan of making samples that corporate or marketing have made. Why would I duplicate someone else's work? However, when a new hoop is released, there are usually one or two designs released with it. I might jazz up one of the designs that came with that hoop. 

And my secret weapon is Quilt Block Wizard in the Creativate Embroidery Software. I thought I pretty much knew the infinite number of designs that could be created, and then yesterday I got curious, and OH MY—the possibilities are beyond infinity! I was jumping up and down with joy at my discovery. And all it required was the curiosity to see what would happen when I made a few extra mouse clicks. 

I mentioned earlier this week that I am trying to dress up my samples. Not all my samples are a mess. Many of them are finished, but there are lots of "technical" ones that will never be finished as we want to see both sides. That means removing the excess stabilizer, trimming to size, and serging the edges. I didn't get to those yesterday as I don't need any of them for the event. 

But I have another drawer of stitchouts that I have never done anything with, and how could I incorporate those into something for this event? So that's where I started. I pulled a bunch of stuff from the drawer and a tub, and I'm working my way through them. 

Samples languishing in a drawer

 Here are three, all undergoing a makeover using the Embellishment Attachment.

Embellishment Attachment designs getting a makeover.

Here is one I tackled using the Quilt Block Wizard. I won't share my secrets, but I'll certainly explain all to my group of machine embroidery people in the fall. The possibilities are endless! And so is my level of excitement. I didn't even have time for a walk yesterday, but since I was using my computer upstairs while the embroidery machine was downstairs, I still got 14,000 steps in. I didn't need a walk outside! 

Amazing quilted textures! 

You can see the projection system on the fabric, and OH MY --- if you have an EPIC 3 and are NOT using that system - shame on you! It is the best thing since sliced bread. And NO - we do not get training on this stuff. We are given a machine and told to run with it! Thank goodness, my curious mind is in overload mode. It has taken me a while to catch on to all the components of the projection and placement systems. There are so many options that can be used alone or together. 

I might have to do another class on Epic 3 stuff in the fall. Right now? It's all about ME!!!!

Using the Projector to place a design

Then I got out my Embellishment Attachment and, using "yarn," I was into creating something so amazing and cute that my head is still spinning at how cute it is. Don't worry - I'll share it with you. It just needs to be tidied up and finished. By finished, I mean the binding on. 

The Embellishment Attachment

There were boxes of thread on every available surface yesterday. I know there are people out there that must use the exact colors that a designer has chosen. I don't think I ever did that. Unless you buy a kit, your fabric won't be the same as theirs, and so why should the thread be the same? I love the opportunity to open a box (they are sorted by color) and grab what I want. I am also NOT a fan of my thread being in a cabinet I have to go to. I love opening the box where I want and just choosing. It's not super neat, but it doesn't have to be. Want a grey? Pick one and get to the embroidery machine!

A box of grey thread

Some of my test samples are simple like this. A round ball of fluff that I stitched several years ago. But I didn't want to throw it out, so what to do with it? There is a long tail of the fluffy stuff, and every time I showed it, everyone said it looked like a dandelion fluff or a cat's bum with a long tail. The issue is that I'm also working with the placement of the design. I can't move it! 

The sample stitchout is getting a makeover.

Well, my creative juices were flowing (no, there was a tsunami going on), and I decided it was time to make something of this. And I was going to quilt around that fluffy thing! I know—that required a lot of "skill" to make that happen. And then I added more stuff to it. I'm almost finished, but not before I had to create some brand new designs in the Sketch Module of the Creative Embroidery Software. And then I had to edit my sketch. Can you tell I'm excited? So far, everything has gone amazingly well, and I'll do a test stitchout of my sample to make sure it is what I want. 

I am not prepared to teach what I'm learning as it's just by trial and error. One day, I will get it all in my head, but it'll be years before I consider myself an expert. 

Once I add that new component, then that sample will be done. I'm thrilled to bits with it!!!!

The day wasn't without a glitch or two. When I loaded one hoop, I realized after basting the items in the hoop that I had forgotten to move the backing out of the way. So I had to pin the layers in place along one side of the hoop. You can see the pins in that one picture of the green in the hoop above. 

As this piece was being stitched, I was at the other sewing machine (my old PFAFF creative icon2, which will soon be replaced by the NEW one), sewing binding on and repairing a couple of small areas that needed extra stitching on something else. 

The embroidery is still being supervised even if I'm not right next to it.

OK -- so everything is going well, and I swear I moved that long tail of yarn out of the way, but as I was sewing, I heard a crunch and a grind and ran to the machine. OH GOD - the tail got caught in the stitching. Of course it did!!!!!

Ooops!!!!

But no worries—everything is good, and you can now see the tail on that blob. 

You know me and quotes and words - I had fun searching the embroidery software for fonts after I found some amazing quotes. This is not rocket science - it's just letting your brain wander, and my head was exploding with ideas. As I started designing one, more came. 

Then it was time to work on the next sample. Actually, this is the first one I did, and I had to start it from scratch. But that looks like a creepy crawler in the hoop!

Stitching out a creepy crawler

When I got my labels out to insert one during the binding process, half of them fell on the floor. I couldn't get them back in the bag, so they went into the drawer loose, and that's OK - that's all there is in that drawer. It's the small one that fits under the table. 

Oops

And I got lucky when putting the binding on - I had one inch leftover. 

One inch left on the binding

So to tally up the day, one sample was made completely from scratch and is finished with binding and hangers. Let's see - that uses a design from the Design Catalog, the Embellishment Attachment (using yarn - chenille, so the spider is nice and fuzzy), and I used a font from the embroidery software, as well as the Quilt Block Wizard. A perfect sample because it uses lots of different things. And it's small. I could have added more space around, but I don't need or want big samples to travel with. And it is super cute!!!! Although maybe it needs two red beads for eyes!

One sample is DONE!

Then there is one sample that just needs to be cleaned up and bound. Another one needs some stitching, but only after I test it on a scrap of fabric. One is designed and ready to stitch - I just need to find some fabric and yarn. And the final one needs some design work, and then I'll stitch that. I MUST finish all of them today, as tomorrow I must move on to another hoop. Eleven days will go by very quickly. 

This is one of my samples, but it won't be coming with me because it doesn't meet the criteria for this event. I had originally bought some artificial moths at the dollar store, and they have disintegrated over time. 

My disintegrated artificial moths

So a couple of years ago, I used the embroidery machine and stitched NEW moths for it. They have been pinned on, and it was time to get them stitched in place. I had stitched them on before I went to Stitcharie, but one of them was stitched too high and was stitched onto the hanging sleeve. Of course it was! So I moved it down a wee bit, and now it's done! Although it could use a proper label on the back instead of a piece of paper. 

Another finished sample!

This is one of my finished samples, and it's coming with me. I had seen one loose piece of yarn and a loose thread every time I got it out, and it was time to fix that. It's all tidied up now. Again, there are multiple techniques on this piece, even though you may not realize it. I will rarely make a sample that works for only one topic. For those of you in my upcoming scrap class this fall, you will likely see this piece! Don't worry -- no sign-up has happened yet!

Another sample

I managed to get a new puzzle laid out the other night (not yesterday - I was too busy, and when I finally stopped, I was exhausted!), and I got the border done, minus a few pieces in the bottom left. It's going to be a challenge to get this one done, but not a big deal. 

The next puzzle

Our upcoming event is in Nashville. Nashville is a cowboy town and also home to Dolly Parton. So think western! I spotted this hat in the thrift store the other day; however, I don't need a hat. I have something special, but I won't share it until the time comes. 

A glitzy cowboy hat

And as I closed up Studio B the other night, I glanced back and WHAT THE HECK??? OH -- One of Dilon's T-shirts is glowing in the dark. 

A glow-in-the-dark T-shirt

I sent him the picture and asked if he knew that. Nope - he didn't realize!!! How funny! Anyway, I haven't heard back from him, but that's OK. Even if he gets back to me, I'm having way too much fun with the embroidery machine at the moment. 

By the way, for those who know me, I am predominantly a quilter. Well, I'm using my embroidery machine to make quilts or wall hangings. I have so many other things to test out that I won't have time to do them all. But that's OK. I have a plan for what I need to take to Nashville, and eleven days should be just fine. There is NO time for lollygagging though! 

However, I'm trying to finish reading a physical book, and I have 100 pages left. I'm not sure if it's the writing in the book, or that I haven't read a physical book in a while, but it's a struggle to read. It's getting better, but so darn depressing. And it's all about a murder in Toronto, during the summer when it's hot. I wonder how it turns out? DH said it was worth the read. I trust him, so I'll keep going. 

Speaking of DH, when I was having dinner, he came into the kitchen and said, "It's hard to be creative all day!" I just laughed because I totally agreed with him. But I asked what he was being creative with. "Words," he said, as he seems to spend a lot of the day writing creative contracts or something - I have no idea, and I don't get involved! 

And on that happy note, I'm out of here!!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Me and my machines

What a whirlwind day! I got so much done, and I had three machines going simultaneously! I actually worked later than I had planned, and I HATE when I do that because if I don't get my 8 hours of sleep, I'm tired, and it takes me a while to get moving. Note to self: DO NOT miss that bedtime hour - it's bad news for the next day!

The day didn't get off to a productive start, as I was on the phone until lunchtime! That was NOT in the plan, but it was all good and was work-related for the most part, so I didn't mind. Then I got busy and worked away in the afternoon. 

I laughed as someone sent me a text asking if I had spent the day in the gazebo. I wish! While I don't have a full-time job in an office, I have a tremendous workload with all the freelance stuff, and I would bet that I work way more than 40 hours a week at my "job." However, that's not every week, I get many days of vacation, and I have tons of flexibility. By the way -- they meant that as a joke! Well, I sure hope they did!

Before I show you what I did yesterday, here's my situation on the Virtual Challenge for the Pacific Crest Trail. I've just crossed the Bridge of the Gods from Oregon to Washington. 

Crossing the Bridge of the Gods

I'm now in the LAST state before I hit Canada. I started this walk on August 25, 2021, and I gave myself ONE YEAR to complete the walk. At my current pace, I should finish before that deadline, but there's still 740 KM to walk. 

I've read several books about the PCT, and everyone mentions the Bridge of the Gods. I had no vision of what it looked like, but I checked it out as I crossly it virtually. Amazing what Google and the yellow peg man can do. Here's a picture of the bridge. 

Bridge of the Gods

Once I'm done with the PCT, I'll get to choose another walk! I'm going for the long ones first and then onto the short ones. There's another long challenge in China of about 3,500KM. Then I'll evaluate what is left and pick the next longest. This way, I'm getting good value for my money! 

I'm not going to share all that happened with you today, but you'll get to see it as the classes/clubs occur. 

Here's a peek at Studio B yesterday. The PFAFF creative icon 2 was doing embroidery, I was quilting on the Husqvarna Viking EPIC 2, and the long arm (AQS Millie) was also working. 

The workspace when I'm working!

It was great fun and not complicated to keep all the machines running. A bit crazy, but not difficult. This side of the room was busy long after the long arm was finished. 

Here's the customer quilt that got done yesterday. I used black batting since the front and back are both very dark, and this fabric and panel are very cool with a night sky on them. NO -- you can't see it in the picture. 

Customer quilt - DONE

I needed some yarn for what I was doing on the embroidery machine. And chenille works perfectly for the design, and chenille happens to be a big thing right now, so I now have a wee collection of chenille yarns. I knew I had that intense pink at the top of the photo, but do you think I could find it? Well, I took a deep dive yesterday, and I found it! Now all the yarn is together. 

A collection of fuzzy yards

I randomly chose an embroidery design and then wondered what yarn colors to use to make it look decent. OH MY -- wait until you see what I did. It looks so cool. I have to finish it this morning as I ran into a problem last night, and it was already past my bedtime. Something to figure out this morning. 

I got out the table for the deck, and I had lunch and dinner out there. It was so beautiful out that you wanted to be out, so I was, but not for as long as I would have liked. 

Look at my green wall in the backyard. It gets thicker every day. That wall is worth every penny we paid for this house! 

The edge of my backyard

And there is one tree in our backyard with long-reaching branches -- as I sat near the house, those branches may provide a cover one day! I doubt it, but it was neat to look up and see how far they are growing.  

Long-reaching branches

Is anyone familiar with this author - Carol Dean Jones? She writes quilt mystery books - nothing too earth-shattering,  not like the current novel I'm reading by Paula Hawkins  - A Slow Fire Burning, which is a page-turner! 

Anyway, I found this one book the other day at K&A Quilt Studio. My library doesn't have any of them, and I do NOT want to buy the series. So if anyone close to me has any that I could borrow? 

A quilting mystery by Carol Dean Jones

I really did NOT need to buy these panels, but they are beautiful, and I've been to many places on them, and they are CANADIAN. This one is about parks in Canada - one per province. 

And this one is of places in Canada -- again, I've been to many of them. They are digitally printed and absolutely stunning. I also got these at K&A Quilt Studio, and it's called Canadian Road Trip if you want to find better pictures online. 

I also vowed to NEVER buy more bicycle fabric, but this one is very cool. So I got a half meter. Sigh...........

Bicycle fabric

Well, loads more to share, but that's all the time today. 

I have one presentation tonight on What's new in the world of PFAFF! And there is a lot to share, so I'll be prepping for that today, and I've also got other work. It's all fun and games!

Have a super day!

Ciao!!!