See you on the flip side!

One minor annoyance about my beloved Handi Quilter machine has been the uneven surface where the table and the machine meet in certain places. It was nothing more than an irritation the first few years – but after learning how to use (and coming home with oodles of) long-arm rulers, it was suddenly a big point of contention.

While in Utah at HQ’s HQ, we talked to one of their engineers about suggestions, issues, etc – he suggested a fix of adding a washer or two between the support braces and the table top. It worked great for Sandy (my fellow sit-down ‘My HQ Story’ buddy). When I had my husband take a look at it finally this past week, it turned into conversations of building a larger table, etc etc. I asked for some sort of interim solution, and we seem to have solved 95% of the problem with two wooden shims.

Ahhh, simplicity. (Oh, I still need the bigger table, but at least now I’m not stuck in my head thinking that I can’t practice with the rulers.)

Also, part of my Christmas arrived today. Always the whimsical romantic, I requested a Moldex 8000 Series respirator for all the semi-nasty (but fun!) chemicals and such in my wet studio out in the garage.

Lastly, today, I would like to share with you a very important lesson about PAYING ATTENTION if you also happen to use a Handi Quilter 16 not in a frame).

Let’s say you are practicing some small circles with a ruler. You are moving the fabric and ruler together around the hopping foot to create those circles.

Now, let’s say you have a tad too much enthusiasm (aka obsession) and push/pull just a tiny bit too hard. Lets also say, that this little bit…

…the nut which holds the hopping foot in the proper position relative to the needle– well, let’s say it is a tad loose for some reason.

You WILL end up ramming your needle into the edge of the hopping foot when you accidentally pull the hopping foot out of position with the ruler. It WILL make a relatively ugly noise and it might take you several seconds to figure out what exactly happened and how– during which time, all three cats will have left the room at top speed.

Oops.

So tighten it down a smidge, and get busy.

Look for some sketching to get me back in the groove for the new year, both in a challenge and I’m also hopping in on some online workshops with Strathmore.

I’m hoping to do a variety of things come 2011– purge my studio, update my website, and some dye/paint projects with a friend. A few wiki projects are in the works as well, so the geek in me is just as happy as the artist. There will soon be home repair, which may lead to a new studio arrangement. What more can a girl in a cervical collar ask for? (well, aside from better sleep and an end to pain meds)

Did you see the pictures of the DAFA Annual show?

If you live in the Dallas area and you haven’t been by the Museum of Art to see The Mourners, you’d better get moving. They are leaving on Jan 2nd.

I tripped over a gorgeous piece today by Leslie Joan Riley. Scroll down to see Brown Plaid. Yum!

More and more on the way, as I get back to being me…

In less than two weeks, I will be the proud owner of an artificial cervical disc. I’ve been trying to get so many loose ends tied up lately that I just needed some time to play.

Today was a fantastic way to take a breather, visit with a good friend, and just relax before the craziness sets in. Lucy came down and we did some parfait dye projects ala Jules.

Batch #1 (one container) had all (all!) of the following tshirts for Luce and some Moda PFD cotton yardage for me:

Fantastic!!

Lucy suggested some monochromatic vats, and we turned out two of the most amazing pieces–

A good visit, pancakes for lunch at Cafe Brazil, and gorgeous fabrics. Now that’s an excellent day.

I’m almost finished with the binding on Crooked Courthouses. I was able to put my new pincushion to use (I needed this and I really like how fat it is! Thank you Catherine from the HQ group!). Now I just have to make sure that Thunder doesn’t try to steal it. He has an odd fascination with pincushions of any type at all. And with pins. And thumbtacks. It makes life interesting and slightly nerve-wracking!

I cleaned up the dye work area, bringing the secondary table up to counter level and laying out two fresh felt areas (one a lovely construction orange, thanks to Jules). Ikea doors as a work surface – ingenious. Year old dye splatters and spills just wipe right up. I have a few sneaky projects coming up, and now the area is ready to go! I may still break down and get a new ‘craft’ blender.

Next up I worked a little with some of the Handi Quilter rulers. First, I spent a little time practicing with the Versa-Tool. I finished up some of my retreat ‘homework’ using the 3″ clam shell, chevron, and straight edge.

Then I finished up some details playing around with concentric circles. I’m addicted to zen tangle doodles, and using the rulers to make some smooth/even shapes to then doodle inside — well, I love what this opens up for my crazy brain.

I may need to round out my ruler collection with this new one for little-bitty circles. So glad that holiday/birthday time is around the corner!

I still have to put a binding on my ‘tree’ piece for the DAFA Annual Show. I’m thinking about trying a variation of the Sew Precise Sew Fast binding that I tested the other day (I had to adjust the math a bit to use the pre-cut Moda binding). I wasn’t thrilled with the results using the two (method-appropriate) feet I have for my Babylock, so I have another on order. The price was right, and if it makes a difference in the results, all the better!

Next weekend is the Ft Worth Air Show (with family), then Houston, then company from NY… and the holidays will be here in no time. I have a great deal to accomplish before December arrives.

Hmm. But there are three cats circling my chair. It must be time for second supper. Off I go!