Tidy Up Tuesday - The Longarm Edition - The Beast Finds a New Home

Welcome to another edition of Tidy Up Tuesday!!  I wasn't sure how long it would take "the crew" to install the longarm once the components were carted up to the studio last week.

SEW...

In the meantime, I decided to occupy myself by sorting some scraps.  Thanks, Diane H., for giving me something to do while I waited!!  That bag is nearly empty and everything is sorted (vaguely) by color:

What does THAT have to do with the longarm, Joyful???

Nothing, but this is a quilt blog.  Shouldn't there be fabric in every post?!  :o))

Here's how the room was left last week:

After tripping over the black metal piece in (in front of the shiny silver part) all week, SOMETHING had to give!!!

On 2/20/22, that something meant that DH and I began the (re)assembly process of my longarm quilting machine:

It didn't hurt that one of my friends texted to ask when I would be "back in business".  (Thanks for the prompting, Candy!!)  Her question flipped some sort of switch in my head, so when DH was looking out the back window on Saturday asking which yardwork project he should do first, I snapped and came back with the following:

The next OUTDOOR project you should do is the one up those stairs in the STUDIO!!!

I'm pretty sure he got the hint.

What happened next???

Nothing.  For a few hours, but then we got to work:

Before too long, it was time to cook dinner, so we took a break:

After dinner, I cleaned (with an old T-Quilt remnant and isopropyl alcohol)  the rails which were filthy with aluminum shavings (oxidation? outgassing? I can't remember what it's called) and a fair amount of dust from sitting in the garage for these last few months since the move:

When DS2 came home and assessed the INCORRECT order of operation his father and I had completed:

He  said Ugh! and collapsed in a puddle (at our ridiculousness.)

The rails came off and the carriage went on...

Followed by the machine head:

It's a happy day:

But...

I'm SEW tired and there were still a few details to finish up:

DS2 took care of that this afternoon and now I'm ready to rock and roll.
Maybe tomorrow?  I worked today and I had to get a bite to eat before this evening's
(Virtual) Evening Quilt Bee meeting.  The point is that now the machine is ready whenever I am!!

Thanks to all of you who provided encouraging words over the past few months, as I waited for this day.  I knew it would arrive eventually and it finally has.  I am oh-SEW-happy!

Until next time...

Let's go QUILT!!!

(Not So...) Mini Monday - SAHRR22 - Round 5

Welcome to this week's edition of (Not so) Mini Monday... again, a little bit early!!  The timing of the SAHRR requires that I link up each round's progress no later than Sunday night or else link the previous week's progress in the link for the current round.  Monday is release day for each new round and its accompanying Link Party.  Does that make sense?

This...

... Is how I "completed" the Round FOUR prompt of my 2022 SAHRR:

I opted to combine it....

With (the unfinished) Round Three and then I ran out of time.  That meant that when Gail @ Quilting Gail announced the prompt for Round FIVE, I was basically still back on Round TWO.  Oops!!

Which opened up a design opportunity...

That I've been thinking about since Round ONE was announced!

SEW...

My immediate reaction to that...

OMG!!  The applique prompt fits in perfectly.  I am SEW excited!!!

How will you proceed, Joyful???

With a trip to my Scrap Center, of course:

I pulled the Red basket and the pink basket...

And chose scraps for a red-heavy corner...

Along with a pink-heavy corner:

Next...

I cut the necessary background squares and took a photo for you:

Then...

All that was left was to cut some colored circles using that ruler I used back in Round 1 for the heart.  I didn't get a picture, but here's the pink with red corner:

And the red  with pink corner:

I freehand cut each successive "circle" one-quarter inch smaller than the original base circle:

Here's my intended layout:

This first stitch plan didn't work very well:

SEW...

Another (more successful) attempt was made:

But WHAT will you do with those, Joyful???

I feel sure you must know where I'm heading with this.  Don't you?

How's this???

It feels good to have all the corners filled in!  Thanks for the Round FIVE prompt, Gail!!  (You will notice there is still a gap, but...) Here's what I decided to do  with my 2022 SAHRR:

I'm SEW happy that my procrastination is paying off!!  Combining the rounds isn't something I did during last year's SAHRR, but it really worked for this part of the process.  Come back next week to see where I head from here.

Until next time...

Sew aROUND!!!

Project QUILTING - 13.4 - Mining for Diamonds

Mining for Diamonds

Welcome to The Joyful Quilter!!  And... Welcome back to the wonderful world of Project QUILTING hosted by Kim Lapacek @ Persimon Dreams!!  This post is outlining the 4th Challenge of Season 13.  Trish Frankland @ QuiltChicken is the creator of the crazy challenges that participants face and this week she went to the heart of the matter in assigning our prompt.

FAIR WARNING:  It's a wild ride, but oh SEW rewarding!

Challenges are given and start to finish you have ONE WEEK to complete your project.  PQ 13.4 can be found at THIS LINK.

Step One...

Read the instructions to see what is required of the fourth challenge.  Here's what Trish had to say:

...  Let’s face it – this time of year, the deck is stacked: you’ll find hearts in spades. But let’s go against the club and double down on DIAMONDS for this challenge.

 

There are lots of ways to get there: you might choose to combine triangles, split a rectangle, or even work your best inset seams.

 

I don’t care if you focus on the rhombus, use a quilt block that incorporates the shape (LeMoyne Star, anyone?) or instead be inspired by the facets of a true stone.

Trish also explained the following:

... it doesn’t have to be literal. If you can explain how your project is inspired by diamonds, it meets the criteria. I could envision a (miniature) double-wedding ring project meeting the brief. Or even a simple project with diamond-in-a-square blocks – I mean, it’s just a square set on point, let’s be real!

Step Two...

Emit yet another LOUD groan!!

Why, Joyful???

I just DID diamonds not SEW long ago for the SAHRR.  Well, it was sort of a (kite-shaped) diamond, but anyway it was done and diamonds are one of my least favorite shapes in quilting.

Step Three...

Review the rules:

Rule 1: use the diamond as your project inspiration.

Rule 2: You have one week to meet the challenge. Every challenge piece must be a FINISHED project seen through from INCEPTION to COMPLETION during the challenge timeline – that is, started on or after noon February 13th, 2022, and linked up by noon Central Time February 20th, 2022.

Each piece must stand alone as DONE to count toward prizes.

Step Four...

Recall the Half Rectangle ruler that I bought but haven't used and draw up a plan:

photo!!!

4A.  Remember that not ALL projects have to be completed in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge Color of the Month.

4B. Inspiration struck while scrolling through IG.  Not only is my project not required to be made using the Color of the Month, it doesn't need to be a stand alone project for Project QUILTING.

4C.  Thanks to Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts, I got REALLY excited about the possibility of ACTUALLY making something for the  Primary Improv Challenge @ Quilt Improv Studio!!

Step Five... 

Gather supplies that are far different from what I originally expected:

And toss in some of these solid scraps from Diane @ Studio Stitch:

Here is a sampling of my construction process...

(Scroll down to the bottom of the post NOW, if you don't care to see a blow by blow of the making of my quilt.)

First...

Checked my email before heading off to work on Wednesday (YIKES!) and find the February newsletter from Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts where she shared a recent Improv project.  One of the sections reminded me of ANOTHER way to create diamonds.  It's a method that I've been wanting to play around with since Nicolas Ball @ Quilts from the Attic hosted the #improvtrianglesewalong.  Silly me!  It was (one of) the reason(s) I purchased his Inspiring Improv book.  How long ago was that, anyway?  It's about time I put it to use!

Days passed...

Life happened, but no sewing on this project.

Then...

Suddenly, there was little more than 24 hours until the deadline.

WHAT?!?!

I know.  Crazy, right?

Well...

I'm ready with my scrap bags and baskets in the appropriate colors:

Let's see how the fabric selection goes...

Black and white?  Check:

Primary colors?  All present and accounted for:

Let the cutting begin!!!

Triangles for something along the lines of the #improvtrianglesewalong...

Sewing soon followed:

Diamond, by design...

Made with Improv Triangles:

After some trimming and joining of sections...

My quilt top was complete:

It didn't take long to find the perfect batting and batting scrap to use so I quilted my mini right up:

Black on white...

Or white on black for the binding...

THAT was the question for my Design Consultant.  While waiting for B to answer, I prepared this...

... As I had a feeling that I already knew what her answer would be and with her confirmation, the binding went on:

With just less than 20 hours until the deadline...

I present my completed entry for PQ 13.4 inspired by the Primary Improv Challenge:

5" x 6.25"

There is usually a reason that I participate in these challenges...

... And this time, it's because it afforded me the opportunity to participate in a challenge that I might not have found time for otherwise.  Too bad my entry doesn't qualify for submission due to the size constraints (and my inability to follow the rules!)

There you have it...

Process, product, and the REAL reason for accepting this Challenge.

Follow THIS LINK to the Season 13 overview.  Check back on the Challenge release days (or sign-up to be notified automatically) and there may be one that YOU just can't resist.

It's a SHORT turnaround time!

Depending on the size and complexity of your project, that doesn't HAVE to be insurmountable.  With a little creativity and a few evenings, you really CAN do this!  My project was begun days after the prompt was announce, but was still finished with a couple of hours until the deadline.  I'm SEW looking forward to seeing what all the other entrants made.  I joined the link-up nearly 4 hours before the 12:00 CST deadline.  That may be some sort of record for me.

Until next time...

Let's go SEW!!!

Remember:  If I can do this, YOU can do it, too!

(Plus, there's a spot to post your completed Project QUILTING inspired projects AFTER the deadline for any of the challenges.)

Linking up with Alycia

for

Finished (Or Not) Friday

and

Joining Cynthia

for

Oh Scrap!

ScrapHappy Saturday - RSC22 - Week 7

Welcome to Week 7 of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!!  This week I had some other sewing to do, so there weren't any AQUA/TEAL scraps flying around the studio.  I'm hoping you still want to see what I've been up to.

Let's take a look...

SUNDAY - A couple of weeks ago, I was excited to see that Mari @ The Academic Quilter has decided to be the temporary home of Hands2Help 2022.  Today she shared the Kick-Off POST:

It was Super Bowl Sunday!!  That has meant a number of different things over the years...

Today was a different sort of day.  Virtual Sew Day:

... And a cooking day.  Prepping for Valentine's Day dessert and making a meal so the meat didn't go bad.

MONDAY - (Not so) Mini Monday

We're not into the commercialism of the "holiday" but I dressed for the occasion:

... Made this lovely dessert for my chocolate-loving guys:

Got these flowers from one of DH's holiday-loving employees:

And...

A little pack of tasty treats:

Along with...

One single (yet oh-SEW-special) quilted Valentine received from Linda @ Art in Search and I may have just the right frame for it, if I can find it in the remaining boxes waiting to be unpacked from the move:

Thank you SEW much for this special Valentine greeting, Linda!!

TUESDAY - The Guest Blogger(s)

The fun begins...

I'm saying that sarcastically, as there will be a new neighborhood going in at the end of our street.  The heavy machinery began arriving this morning, forcing me to drive across the front lawn when I headed out to run some errands:

WEDNESDAY - Wonderful Wednesday

Wordle in three:

My roses are opening nicely:

THURSDAY - I popped into ZoomBEE just as my quilting friends were finishing up the meeting:

I did some cutting for this week's Stay At Home Round Robin prompt:

AQUA/TEAL scissors!  Does that count?

Since I worked yesterday afternoon, my weekly Zoom with LeeAnna @ Not Afraid of Color took place today:

We experienced some technical difficulties and Milo couldn't figure out what the problem was, so wasn't able to fix the situation:

FRIDAY - Design Floor Friday

I missed ZoomKNIT... AGAIN!!  Work gets in the way of all the fun stuff.  :o((

SATURDAY - It's LINK PARTY day for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge!  I hope you will join me in visiting Angela @ So Scrappy to see what the RSC Quilters have been up to this week.  You might even see fair amount of AQUA/TEAL scrap sewing.  :o))

Until next time...

Get SCRAPPY!!