Crossing the Line

Time for a new post, eh?

(That's Canada speak!)

The good news is that summer has finally decided

to make an appearance.
Whew!!

The bad news is that the weather decided to change 

just when I picked up my new....

...Janome Horizon 8200!!

It's kind of difficult to stay indoors to play

when opportunities like this beg to be taken advantage of!

But I spent a few minutes each evening

getting my new machine set up and ready to go.

Now I'm practicing my FMQing so I can start my first quilt.

It'll be a small one!

I'm finding that I do great when I'm just working

on a simple sandwich,

but when I try to quilt something pieced,

my FMQ foot bogs down at the seam allowances,

making for some pretty jerky movements.

Aren't I supposed to be able to 'cross the line'?

I'll figure it out sooner or later.

Update:  A screw on the FMQ foot itself?

Who knew?

I always keep a project on the work table

so I can pass by, sit for a minute, and take a stitch or two.

Here are a couple of For Pink's Sake blocks

I constructed,

compliments of 

The Crafty Quilter

Between paddling and working in the yard,

it took me four days to put them together,

but they were so worth the wait!!
I love them and

I look forward to making them in a different color.

Four more owl pillows

sit patiently upon the craft counter

waiting to be stuffed.

Once completed, that makes 7.

Only 5 more to go.

This Mourning Cloak

(Nymphalis antiopa)

has been keeping me company most mornings

while I enjoy my coffee in the early morning sun,

contemplating my day's activities.

It's so rich and velvety looking.

I hope you are enjoying some rich and velvety

summer days!

~karen