Thursday, March 21, 2013

Still plugging away...

Yes, I'm still plugging away on my Grandmother's Flower Garden and I'm still determined to have it finished by the end of April...or sooner.

As of yesterday, seven out of the nine rows have been completed.  



I had to stop because I ran out of the white pathway hexies again.  This is the second batch of 100 that I've had to prep in the last five days.  Obviously math is not my forte because my calculations were way off!

Believe it or not, there are 120 hexies in the pile below.



The flowers have been prepped for ages...all 63 of them.  Only 14 remain...but who's counting?



I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel so it's full steam ahead until the finish!



Now for some exciting news.

Two weeks ago when I went to my NSLQS (not-so-local-quilt-shop) to purchase some embroidery thread to complete the machine applique portion of Darlene's mystery quilt, I happened to walk by as the owner Anne was demonstrating one of the Husqvarna machines that she sells in her shop.  I made the HUGE mistake of stopping to have a listen.

Before I knew it, I was sitting down...not that I had to be coerced...and playing and having a grand old time.

She made me an offer that I couldn't refuse but I told her that I couldn't commit before talking it over with Mr. Painted Quilt and that I would let her know by the end of the week.

You probably have guessed the rest of the story, huh?

Last Friday, Mr. PQ and I were on our way back to the NSLQS...



and here it is...my shiny, not-a-mark-on-it Husqvarna Sapphire 875.



I will never get rid of my Bernina but I think that Husky Henrietta and I are going to become close friends very quickly.  There's still so much that I have to learn because there isn't too much that she can't do and I have to remember to just take my time.  

Practice, practice, practice!


  
In the meantime, we've gone from spring with robins out in the back forty to about six inches of freshly fallen snow yesterday.  Even the bluebells that had pushed their way through the ground are now covered with snow.  *sigh*  But on the bright side, it has started to melt and I'm hoping that it'lll be gone as quickly as it came.

Ollie, Frankie and I say, "Bring on spring!"


Wake us up when it's time for dinner!

55 comments:

Terry said...

Your quilt is going to be just beautiful! And congratulations on your new sewing machine! :0)

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Your Grandmother's Flower Garden is beautiful! I admire so much your commitment and dedication to making it. I'd love to make one, but haven't been able to force myself to start yet. To tell the truth I'm a little afraid of all that hand stitching. Congratulations on the new machine. Looks like fun.

Deb said...

Your Grandmother's Flower Garden is going to be beautiful and I'm jealous! I'd like to make one but don't even know where to start, what size hexies are you using? I have two machines, a Pfaff and Bernina - I put my Bernina away last fall to use the Pfaff for a while and pulled it back out a couple of weeks ago to take to a class, and it wouldn't turn on, not at all. My Bernina dealer tells me it's a board gone bad, that will cost me $120 just for the board, which he had to order...I think the Bernina was mad that it got put away for a while!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Great hexies.....the quilt is gorgeous. OMGosh and a excellent new machine!....enjoy.

Janet O. said...

I applaud you for sticking with your Flower Garden quilt. It is looking so fresh and cheerful! I just had my 15 year old UFO out this morning. I only have a dozen flowers left to make and then I need to decide how I will set them. Don't know why I don't just do it, but there are so many other quilt commitments to keep.
So the die hard Bernina gal bought a Husqvarna?
My first machine when we married (35 years ago) was a Husqvarna--very basic model. She still runs well and has a spot in my heart and my sewing room. LOVE the name you have given yours. : )

Deb said...

Oh, your quilt is beautiful!! I wish that I could myself sit down and work on hexis when I see a quilt like yours.

And congratulations on the new machine!! You will have to give reports. I'm thinking of buying a new machine. My old Bernina is getting too expensive to take care of and is 15 years old, so I'm going to be scouting for a new one!

Anonymous said...

Locals call this late winter snow "poor man's fertilizer because it is known to set nitrogen. It won't be long now!!! The GMFG is gorgeous.
Janet, up the road in Hall's Harbour

Shelley said...

Kaaren, I was just thinking about you this morning :) Your quilt is going to be gorgeous! Your Sapphire...you're going to LOVE!!! I wish I had chosen that one when I got my Huska..the Sapphire was just out new and was only $1000 more....but at the time I didn't think I deserved to invest that much more....looking back...should have got it :) Enjoy learning all it's magic!

Sheila said...

Oh your hexie quilt is gorgeous and so close to completion , yeah ! Congrats on the new machine I am sure you will love it :-)

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Love your hexagon quilt, I can't wait to see it completed!! Your puppy and kitty are the cutest, always snuggling! I have a Viking too! Have a great day!!

Heartsdesire said...

It's a beautiful sunny day here on the west coast, but only 5 degrees Celsius, even though they say it's spring. But luckily, no snow. I so want to get out in my garden.
What a beautiful quilt your Grandmother's Flower Garden is turning out to be. And certainly worth all the work you've put into it. And a new sewing machine, how fun is that? I'm quite jealous. I've had my Quilter's Dream 6003 for almost 10 years, but I still love it. So no need to change, I guess.
Ollie and Frankie look very comfy, as usual. I love when you post their pictures, gives me a smile every time.

Anonymous said...

All new and shiny...I like! What a fantastic new toy!

Kathy MacKie said...

Once a Bernina lover always a Bernina lover but like you I bought a Husqvarna last week too. I purchased the Ruby as it is a portable embroidery machine for classes where my 830 is way too big to bring. Love the 830 and it's features but the size was a deterrent so now I have something way easier to manage for classes. Hope your snow disappears quick and give the "kids" a quick snuggle for me to.

Sharon said...

I understand the math portion of the pathway hexi's. Keep at it, this is going to be lovely. What a shiny new machine, good for you,keeps us going when we have new things to learn!

Gayle said...

wow - great new sewing machine - I love how they're making them now with a longer arm to make it more versatile for quilting etc.... do you mind if I ask how much you paid? I haven't any idea how much machines are going for these days and I'm just curious.

I'm working on two hexagon quilts right now too. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find one of the projects for a few days now - can't remember where I set it down! LOL It'll be the perfect project to take on a trip hubby and I are taking next month, so I REALLY need to find the silly thing!

GerryART said...

Everything seems to be going well. I have faith that you'll finish your "Garden" by the time your seld-determine deadline, Kaaren
Don't we just love it when we get new machines!!!!
I'm been toying with the idea of getting a serger. Maybe yes, maybe no.

O and F look content

Hugs

Dianne Mitzel said...

Love your new machine! I have a Husqvarna Designer I..had it for years. It's a great machine, but like you, my Bernina is my old stand-by and always at the ready..those 2 angels in the basket are just adorable, the way they love each other, and the way Ollie has adapted is so great..we still have no decided to get a new baby since losing our Katie, Boston Terrier, a few months ago. Sometimes I think we have to, and then I wonder if we're too old to go down that road again...we'll see. Have fun getting to know your new machine!

Lesley said...

Keep on plugging! That hexies quilt is just growing more beautiful by the hour! Congrats on the new machine...cute name, and I know you will have many happy years together! Enjoy!

Abby and Stephanie said...

A beauty and your garden will be in full bloom by time Spring arrives, for real! Congratulations on your new machine.

Anne-Marie said...

One of my very favourite things to do is to just sit and hand-sew hexies....I always have a stack standing by, ha! Your quilt is looking so very pretty and will be worth it, in the end...you just know it! We have a heavy snow forecast for tonight and tomorrow....extra quilts on the bed, methinks :)....good luck with your new "friend". x

Cindy said...

It's coming along so wonderful, Kaaren, A True Beauty!

I switch between machines quite often..like in a few minutes I'll be going to a different machine than before to do some mending on.

Such a beautiful new friend. I bet she'll make her mark in no time!!!

Hugs

WoolenSails said...

Yup, that was your mistake, lol. I did the same thing, watched too long and walked away with a creative vision, years ago. It does everything and I love it, but the store closed and I never got lessons, so still need to learn how to use all the features.

Debbie

Red Heads said...

Kaaren, Your Quilt is absolutely beautiful. Gongrats on your new"BABY". She is lovely. I know that she will be loved dearly. Mr. Painted Quilt is soo nice. Blessings:D.

Beverley said...

I still haven't made a hexagon quilt. Hope you enjoy your new machine.

Janet-Olde Crow Primitives said...

Hi Kaaren.
I love your new machine. You are probably making hexies in your sleep these days. The quilt is gorgeous. It is a lot of work, but will be well worth it when it is done.
Have a great weekend.
~Janet

Merilyn said...

Wow! a new family member huh! She looks a beauty too, sometimes it's just too hard to walk on by isn't it LOL!!! I'm sure you will enjoy learning all about what she can do!!!! Loving the hexie progress, looking fabulous.........
Have a great weekend getting to know your new baby!!!!

Carolyn Sullivan said...

Congrats on your new machine! I know you will love it! On a personal note I'm ready to kill the ground hog! All this cold weather is killing me.

Darlene D said...

Your quilt is looking awesome! So close!!!!

Carrie P. said...

your quilt is coming along.
Congrats on your new machine.

Kindred Quilts said...

Gorgeous flower garden quilt! It will be so worth the commitment when it's all done! Congrats on the new machine... my sister purchased a Sapphire last fall and loves it!

Darlene said...

Love your GFG - very sweet!

Speaking of sweet - that a sweet new toy. Husky Henrietta is a fabulous name. :-) Have fun.

Lesley said...

I'm back! I forgot to tell you that your new banner is wonderful! You have great pics of your gorgeous quilts that look so beautiful in your cozy home!

jackiero said...

Love your hexies :D
And a huge congrats on your gleaming, new, you betcha "necessary" toy!!!

Soggibottom said...

Amazing work. beautiful .. no Sprint here :-) x x x

Annette-California said...

Your quilt is beautiful. Wow you've pieced all those little cuts of fabrics. And congratulations on your new sewing machine. WOW! Very exciting.
love Annette

Jenny's Place Online said...

Finished or not Kaaren, your quilt is looking lovely :) Although not the latest models, I have always liked either Bernina or Husqvarna in the past....have fun :) Happy crafting, Jenny

Janet said...

Your GFG looks so beautiful a real classic and a favourite of mine.
How exciting to have the new machine, enjoy and have fun.

joan said...

Oh your quilt is beautiful! I know what you mean about your Bernina there are no machines that top that one in my book. Enjoy your new machine.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Sounds like you are having the same crazy weather as the UK!
Love your hexagon quilt... Very pretty! Congrats on the new machine looks like t has all the bells and whistles a girl could wish for.

:-)

sue bennett said...

Congrats on the Grandmas flower garden and the new machine. I have had Viking for over 20 years, but if I remember from your photos you have a Bernina 1080'. DO NOT give it up. I have that machine and I call it my little work horse.. It is always my return to machine. But I love my Viking products also..
Have fun playing with your new machine. I am plugging away at The Primitive Garden one stitch at a time. It is taking me awhile but I am now on block two..

Me and My Stitches said...

I think you will love your new Viking - I have a Quilt Designer and I would not own anything else! Your GFG is beautiful!

KaHolly said...

A new sewing machine, oh, what fun!! Congratulations. Kaaren, your Flower Garden is looking wonderful. I've had one in progress for a few years, my "to go" project. I hope it is as pretty as yours when it is finally finished....a few more years from now, probably!

Lori said...

Your hexagon quilt is looking awesome!!
Congratulations on the new machine!!

sue bennett said...

Kaaren,
I plan on hand quilting mine, I am making 1/2 inche hexi's.
Also test to see if you can reply now..

Pam in IL said...

Congrats on the new machine! That's alot of hexies!! Your Grandmother's Flower Garden is looking BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Sandra said...

I love your Grandmothers Flower Garden Quilt top. You are doing a fantastic job on it. Best of luck with your new machine. Enjoy!

Lisa Lisa said...

I love your Grandmother's Flower Garden! I want to make one so bad....maybe one of these days. And what a nice new machine!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Your hexie quilt is amazing! Any suggestions for a beginner?

Frankie and Ollie are adorable!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Your hexie quilt is amazing! Any suggestions for a beginner?

Frankie and Ollie are adorable!

heather said...

You will love the Sapphire esp with the extended throat space and pivot feature. I have had mine for 5 years and still am learning more about what it can do !

Ulla said...

Your GFG quilt looks lovely, and I'm sure you will love your new machine. I have a Sapphire too, and the extra space on the right of the needle is SO welcome!

Kristy said...

I love my Viking 875 Sapphire. My favorite is that when the needle is down the presser foot goes up! It makes machine applique so much easier! I also like the large space between the needle and the edge of the machine so you can actually quilt easily. I quilted a queen size quilt with mine. I did echo quilting around my applique. It wasn't easy but I know it was easier than my little Elna I used to use. Enjoy! There are lots of fun stitches too and really neat techniques you can do like Heirloom stitches. Glad to know another Sapphire sister! :-) K-

Jantine said...

I have two older Husqvarna's! When this one is doing the same as mine, you won't regret the purchase!

Smultronbo said...

Catching up on blogposts here atm. I just wanted to stop by and say GZ on your new machine. I have my eyes set on one of those too in the future at some point. Still getting to know my Opal 670 and its working out great as a course and sewingmeeting machine. ;)

Smultronbo said...

Catching up on blogposts here atm. I just wanted to stop by and say GZ on your new machine. I have my eyes set on one of those too in the future at some point. Still getting to know my Opal 670 though and its working out great as a course and sewing meeting machine.