How has being in Florida impacted my quilting?

That’s a good question!

First of all, I’ve not been able to do a lot of quilting yet. I have lots of ideas but until my sis quits keeping me so busy, I’m having to scramble for moments to sew! There is just a lot to do here in the states - more than I feel is going on when I’m back home. It is quite a bit easier for me to focus on sewing and designing when I’m away from the madhouse of the store and all that is involved in this business.

Secondly, because there is so much fabric here, my mind has been a bit on overload. It’s overwhelming. Do I wish I had it all? No, not really. I aware of what I have in Poland already so I’m okay. I really am. I see a few things I’d like to take take- especially blenders, but I have so much beautiful stuff there that while I admire much of it, I am fine with not being able to take it all in my suitcase!

I cleared off this table so I could have some room to set up the machine.

Thirdly, I finally got myself a set up that I like for sewing. My sis loaned me a sewing machine (a Brother works like a charm) and I cleared off a table so I could have some space for the machine and some sewing to the left of the machine. I am currently working on a panel - making up two of them and hoping to get them both quilted for my daughter in law and my niece’s children as well. I’ll be sure to show you. I’ve not quilted on such a small machine in quite some time, so it will be a challenge, I am sure.

This is the brand new machine my sis is loaning me for use while I’m here.

My mom recovered her ironing board years ago now. It’s really cushy - and yes, I’ve grown to like a much harder surface. And this one is old, and isn’t very level.

Just so you can see what machine it is.

Otherwise, I’m taking a little break from actually quilting for now. I miss it, though! I’ll get back to sewing more when I can! When the shop is open, I’m able to interact with many quilters and find out what they are doing - if they care to share (and most do). Many have stories to tell - of their lives, their children, their jobs, etc. I love seeing the pictures of their projects and what they need help deciding with.

But what am I going to try to get done in the next little bit?

I couldn’t handle only have 4 or 5 bobbins. I think it came with 5 and I promptly lost one, so I was down to four. That isn’t for me. I had to go and get some more.

The main things are a couple of donation quilts to be used as advertising for next fall by a local insurance group that seems to have most of our town’s business people’s attendance. We found out that we can donate a quilt set to be used in their drawings as long as the theme is farm. Since we do have quite a few John Deere and other farming themed fabrics, this isn’t a problem at all. I’d like to make a twin sized set and a queen sized set if at all possible. But I have a while and if I can’t get the queen sized one done before going back to Poland, I’ll take the materials with me to be made over there.

I decided to give this panel three borders - nice and bright and bold!

Also while folding some panels, I realized I wanted to make up a couple of them into throw quilts for my daughter in law and my niece and their girls. This is where I am on those. I’m ready to sandwich. It’s just so hot down here! It finally quit getting into the 90s during the day but my mom’s house isn’t really very cool, so working with batting and such…well, it’s hard. That’s all.

Here are those tops. That really doesn’t help, does it? Yes, I’m not letting you see the tops until I get them quilted.

I’ve actually added the borders already and have the backing in my mom’s house - maybe I’ll work on it this evening. The problem is that I don’t have a really good place to do it. I’m totally spoiled with my big 8’ table in Poland that is 39” wide!

And that is my status. I’m alive and well, sort of. I was hit hard with allergies a week ago but feel a lot better now.

Be sure to check out what my sis has for you over in the store! Be sure to check it out! Our inventory is always changing, so if you see something you like, get it now!

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