I haven't mentioned on this blog that I recently quit my musuem job. I really have had a hard time feeling "useful". I looked forward to having time to do things I have always wanted to do___like learn about my embroidery software, clean out my closets, read a book in the back yard. Take my grandson swimming and talk to him about the important things in life. It's been about a month now and I am getting more accustomed to the easy life. I now have time most days to go into my sewing room and work at my leisure.
After the Wacky Pac Retreat last week-end, I came home more eager to learn more about Embroidery Software. I downloaded free trial versions of Buzztools Buzz2stitchs, BuzzEdit, BuzzSize, and Personalize It. Also Amazing Designs Software. Amazing Design is not as user friendly as I need. I liked the Buzztools software, but each part of the software is sold seperately and gets rather expensive to buy it all.
I own a Janome 10001 embroidery machine. It came with Customizer. After experimenting with other versions of software, I decided to go back to Customizer and see, once again, if I could make something happen.
This daisy is autodigitized--------

Not too bad, but the outline stitch look rather skimpy and it is off a little bit.

This is the same design, but I changed the stitches experimenting with the cross stitch fill and also the satin stem stitch. Not bad, but I lost the outline somewhere along the line. I can edit designs with Customizer--rotate, flip, and Change the colors. The only thing I really need is to be able to change the size--more thanthe 20% alowed by Customizer.

After not being thrilled with the designs in I created I Customizer, I stitched out a design provided by BuzzTools site that is suppose to be done in Buzz2Stitches. It really is a greatly stitched design.

If anyone has any experience with the programs I mentioned in this post, please comment. I could buy Janome Digitizer Pro, but it is considerably more money.

Fisher House Donation Quilt

The result of our Wacky Pack Quilting Weekend is a donation quilt for Fisher House. This quilt started out with making Red, Cream, and Blue blocks (with a touch of gold/tan). The center block was made ahead of time and is the beautiful applique work of Kathleen. The blocks are 12 inch finished with 1 in borders on each. We all loved it so much we committed to a swap where each will make other members a block of her choice. The center is be our choice. This is my choice. I must make 8 of these blocks by next February. Another "To DO" added to the list.

Deer Camp Retreat Starts Tomorrow

Deer Camp Retreat starts tomorrow!! Seven Wacky Pac Members will be there, machines ++++++++++++ in tow, ready to create. I can't wait!! This is the closest to feeling like a teenage since I was a teenager in the early 1970s. That has been a heck of a long time, gals!!I promise to blog when I get home. I will post lots of pics and stories of our quilting adventures.
One member's husband had surgery and she probably will not be able to come. Another had shoulder surgery and will not attend. The seven left will just have to suffer (yea right!!) along. You feel sorry for us, huh!! I want to form a group of Cyber WackyPacWannaBes. I bet there would be a million members!! Later, Ya'll

Log Cabin and Jacob's Ladder--Revealed

I am very long overdue in posting about "Antique Quilts". I have been very preoccupied with learning more about my embroidery machine. Taking a break to fullfill my promise.
Here we go-
The first quilt is identified in Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns as Log Cabin. I is most wool, with some satin centers. This quilt is my DH's family's quilt and we are not sure who made it. It could have been his great grandmother. She learned hand work from attending a female college in our small town in the late 1800s. I believe this quilt to be from that time frame, so it could have been made in the generation before her.




This quilt is fabric front and back and tacked. The fabric used here looks like 1930-40 feed sacks. One little torn spot caused me to see another color underneath-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


As you can see there is a Jacob's Ladder underneath. When a quilt was worn and began to show cotton, many quilts were incased in more fabric and tied so that they could continue to be used.
It is amazing how frugal generations before us were. They used it up and wore it out!! Completely!! They found a way to use it even when it was worn out!!

Sarah is having a Wonderful Givaway

She has made the most wonderful "Tidy Bins"! One will be given to a lucky winner. Be sure to visit and get your name in the hat. I found her blog this morning and will surely visit it again soon. If you link to the blog you get two chances to win. Hence--my main reason for this post (I must be honest!) I am desparate to win!! GO VISIT SARAH!!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

I am still in "cleaning mode". I have been need to clean and weed out for such a long time. It is ridiculous how much "stuff" I have accumulated over the 24 years we have lived in our house. Yesterday was the linen closet and another hall closet and a closet in our bedroom. Today is my cedar chest. All "keepsakes are going to be in one spot. I took 4 trash bags off yesterday.

I was not going to post today, but in my cleaning, I came across this poem written in 1988 by my mom, my sister, and me one week before Christmas. All the friends who know me know that I write poems frequently. Now you know why. My family has been doing this for years. I thought it was so appropriate for a quilting blog. I hope you enjoy it.

IT'S THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

1988

It's the week before Christmas

Crafting time is no more;

And quilt scraps are scattered

All over the floor.

Troy's lap quilt is ready

To put on the lining

Now why won't it fit?

And Miss Kitty's still whining.

I've got to get busy

And plan every minute,

but first I need aspirin

Before I begin it!!

My nose is all stuffy;

My head is still aching.

The timer is ringing---

(My cookies are baking.)

This quilt won't be easy, But I've got it to do

There'll be no excuses, Not even the flu.

I'd like to have ready Some spiced tea and fruitcake

For friends who drop in,

A short visit to make.

Am I doing so much to meet MY

expectations--

(Could Christmas be Christmas

Without Decorations?)

My collection of angels on the mantel are kissing;

Slow down and admire them--

There's so much I'm missing!

Will all of my efforts,

My planning, my stitches,

Bring our celebration

Without any hitches?

I should pause from my rushing,

Relax and forget

That there's so much to finish

And deadlines to be met.

To seasonal sounds I'll take time to listen,

To watch the lights twinkle,

And the ornaments glisten.

If the chores aren't completed,

Now who'll take the rap?

I'll decide when I wake

From my long winter's nap!!

More Embroidery Stuff

I have not posted in a while--since a day of embroidery at my house last week, I have been trying to experiment with different threads and stablizers. These western designs were done using double tread and I stitched them 3 times. The result is a heavy "rope like" effect. If you double click on the photo, possibly you can see what I am talking of.

This flower turned out really good. I love the beautiful stitches used in the digitizing. I changed the colors and am actually happy with my choices for once.

This is a design from Artistic designs. I only used the last three frames and changed the colors to try to come up with a design that resembles my husbands dog that he loved and lost last year. The large design is the original size and the small one is 80%. Sometimes a reduction is not a good idea, as the stiches will condense and you will have thread breadage and stitch buildup. Since I didn't use all frames, it worked just fine.

I couldn't get the font size for the name the right size so I decided to combine several fonts and sizes for a notebook entry so that next time I need a name I can chose the one I need easily using the names and size labels.

Ok--I have another dog design to experiment with and am on the look out for digitizing software. All I have right now is Janome Customizer. I really needed to adjust the dog designs more than 20% and couldn't. If anyone has any opinions on this PPP_LL__EE___A__S__E let me know via posting. I am looking at Buzz Edit 2 and there are lots more.

More later daulins--I cleaned out closets to day and got out all my antique quilts and tops. I took some pics so those are coming up in a day or two. All you antique quilt lovers, Be sure to check back.