Machine Quilting - Thistle Pods

Doris is at it again and made this wonderful Thistle Pods quilt designed by Judy Niemeyer.

 This quilt is simple yet complex - here's why: There are really only four elements - the two different blocks, the flying geese and the outer border. BUT, there is ample background space but not much area between the elements from all of the points... I honestly wasn't quite sure how to tackle this quilt at first, but after consulting with Doris, she said she liked the swirls I did on this quilt and maybe try those again.

This pattern is one of those that is somewhat deceiving to long arm quilters. When you see pictures it looks big, but when you see it in person, there's not as much room between those points as you hoped. It limited me on designs a bit, but I'm happy with the results and Doris is too and that's all that matters :)

 This is one of the blocks, I'm not really sure what to call it, maybe a sunburst...

 Here's the other block, a compass of sorts. That's it for the center, just these two blocks offset in rows.

 Then there are these awesome flying geese around the center. I quilted back and forth lines traveling from one goose to the next to separate the swirls on either side of this element. Remember that how the design looks on the back of the quilt can be as important as how it looks on the front!

 Finally, I quilted these tendrils into the outer border to soften the jagged-ness of all of the spikes. Oh, and this quilt does have a small extra border put on it that's not in the original pattern to make it just a tad bigger.

 Now this quilt ended up roughly around 103" square. Here's how it looks draped over the machine after quilting. It's big. I've had more and more customers coming to visit me and I realize that I probably haven't shared the best part of my "office" with you here. In the photo above, it just looks like a big room, right?

 Well, here's how it looks when you walk in from the house. I have these amazing vaulted ceilings that work so well to bounce indirect lighting onto the quilts as I'm working, or just to give some breathing room. It's one of those things that just makes me love my job and makes going to the "office" pretty easy to do.

 Alrighty, back to the quilt. so here's how one of the corners looks with all of the elements and quilting aspects represented.

 And because I couldn't stop taking pictures...

 Here's more to share :)

 And then there's the back of the quilt. I love how you can see all of the details!

Once again, this quilt was a pleasure to work with and I love working on Doris' quilts.

If you are interested in my long arm quilting services, please feel free to contact me at rubybluequilts (at) gmail (dot) com or check out the Machine Quilting Information page.

Also remember, Christmas is fast approaching so if you have quilts you would like to give as gifts, you can either reserve a spot or get them to me by November 7th (subject to change) for guaranteed Christmas delivery.

Outside my window

When you quilt out in the country, you never know what you may see outside your window. As of late the cows have been quite entertaining with a random empty bucket that ended up in the pasture. They push it around and tip it over and run around it, all the while it puts a smile on my face. But this last week I've had a host of other critters stopping by:

 I spied with my little eye this deer! Every so often a single deer or a small group travel through, but this one hung around for awhile all by her lonesome. I swear to goodness I can't make this stuff up, but just as I spotted her my brother called me. The conversation went something like:

Me: Hey, there's a deer out back. A doe. 

My brother: Really?! A doe? A deer? A female deer? (In the most sarcastic tone ever) (Okay, tell me you didn't read that in the tone of the song, thank you Sound of Music)

Like I said, I can't make this crap up. He certainly does make life interesting :)

 I was really intrigued by the coloring of this doe. She was this interesting mousy grey where the deer around here are more of a warm tan. Last year they were really dark, some almost chocolate brown at times, but her coloring could have been due to the rainy weather.

 I was trying to get more pictures but she snuck behind a patch of trees and then disappeared when I had my back turned. It's not like I go out there to quilt and work or anything :)

 Well, that was last week and earlier this week I had a batch of turkeys roaming the back yard. They've actually been around for a few minutes every other day or so for the last couple weeks. They were just close enough and still enough for me to get photos this time.

This grouping has an average of 6-8 turkeys with one little itty bitty in the group. No toms strutting their stuff lately, but I think the cooler weather we've been having makes them happy. They've been super active and it's nice to see a large group like this.

We used to have tons of wild turkeys out back all the time. Our area has seen a rise in the amount of predators though like coyotes and the turkey and pheasant numbers dropped. The last couple years have been more active with larger groups like this being spotted, but we used to see groups in the 40-60 range. Maybe we'll see more when the leaves are gone and the crops are cut... But not just yet. I'm not ready for that...

So, these have been my distractions this week when I'm supposed to be quilting. The weather took a turn for the better yesterday after this foggy and wet mess we've been having and I would be lying if I said I wanted to be at the machine. With the gorgeous amount of sun and the slightly cooler temperatures, I wanted to be anywhere but inside. I'm hoping today if I get done quilting early enough I may try and jog a local park I haven't been to in awhile.

Now that I've taken some me time and spent some time outdoors, I really realize how much I missed it. Even if I just walk and get outside for a bit, it'll be better than stuck inside. I'll just have to remember to take my allergy meds tonight... Well, that's it for today. What do you see outside your window? Any critters? Any outdoor activities you enjoy?

Studio Tour

So, since I've switched things up a bit, more and more quilters are coming to visit me at the studio to drop off their projects to be quilted and I thought it would be nice to give you all a tour and show you where to go.

 Here's the view of the house from the street. It's the second house south of 166 on 528 in Thompson. Really easy to find!

 It is a long drive, but no worries. It makes a great walk to get the mail!

 And when you're pulling up the drive you may be able to see the cows in the pasture next door.

 You can barely see them in this photo, but they're blending into the corn field and wood line. They're there I promise! So those are my neighbors.

 To get to the studio, pull up the drive along the house (it's on the left side). You can pull right to the back of the house.

 Just off the patio you'll see this door and that's where the studio is!

 Just come on in and I'll be there to greet you. Now, I'm going to try to be here quilting most weekdays from 10-5 ish, but I will not be here everyday. Please call or e-mail me to set up an appointment to meet. Typically if I'm not here I'll be at my home in Madison sewing like a maniac.

Then when you walk in, this is what you'll see! I've got the blinds drawn to aid in what I'm working on and this is actually a different angle that what you'll see, but I can't show you what's on the machine just yet, so this view will have to do. This is my other office and I actually need to get ready to go there now.

Thank you all for understanding the change of direction my little business has gone in. It's really helped me to relax and breathe and for those inquiring minds - no I still haven't taken a day off yet. Most of the recent days I've worked have been more creative and less stress, so it's okay. Maybe this weekend, but I don't know. I've got a nice stack of fabrics calling my name begging to be turned into a quilt!

So, come on out and see me if you can! I've also been toying with the idea of a quilting "workshop" to have a few people at a time come out to the machine and see the set up. I could show you a few things and let you try your hand at a bit of quilting. More or less to get awareness out there of what I really do and how the quilting process works. Anyone interested?