Welcome to Winter

Ugh......That's the best (polite) word I can come up with at this point....

They say timing is everything and I'm sure glad my Open House was before the snow hit!!! 

Of course we could live a little further north and this weather would be inviting.  It's all in the perspective of where you live!!  I'm wishing all those in Buffalo, NY (and surrounding area) are safe and the snow goes a way quickly!! 

I kind of like the snow.....what I don't like is temperatures below 35 degrees.  I prefer them to be higher...but as long as it doesn't get below 35 I'm ok with winter.  

My husband and I try to ride our motorcycles at least once a month.  Yes you heard me right....once a month, that means all months.  Normally November isn't hard because the beginning of the month may be cold, but never snowy.  We will take advantage of the first nice day because you never know!!

December through February can be a challenge, but we have made it so far (since 2009).  I have to add at this point, I'm not as dedicated as I once was, but hubby hasn't missed.  Although, I have been known to take the ice pick and pick a path out of the driveway the width of the tire.....just to go for a ride.   We both so enjoy those bikes (ok some could call that  crazy and I guess I couldn't disagree) and it's hard to wait til spring. 

Heidi found these snow bikers and gave them to me as a present...I turned them into a quilt....I think this one could be me.....

I did name my longarm W. Harley, W standing for winter.  Handle bars are handle bars and I can honestly say that I'm happy whether is nice or yucky out!!!


Ok....back to the present.....Since the open house,  I've been settling into my new digs and loving my Studio!!  I'm pleased and excited from all the new people that are stopping by to "check me out". 

Having 3 machines is awesome!!  I'm getting to know my new Autopilot and it's able to make short work of my customer quilts!!  My bestie has named him Ka-Chow after Cars Lightning McQueen.  It has Lightning Stitch.  

I call him my best employee!!  I still get to load hand guided quilts on my other two machines, which makes me happy....hand guiding is what I fell in love with....so now I feel like I have the best of both worlds!! 

I don't know if I mention to you all....I'm renting my hand guided machines.  I am so excited about this program!  It gives everyone the opportunity to do their quilts themselves if they want. I wish I would have had the opportunity to rent a machine when I first became aware of longarms!! 

Today, I'm working on....this blog, and Kathy's quilt!  It's a beautiful bright quilt.  I love Kathy's color choices.  I've done a few of her quilts and love her use of bright colors and fabric design choices!

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Back of quilt.   Thankfully no one walked in as I was laying on my back under table to get this picture   :)

I'm also taking this pile of fabric:

and turning it into:

I love Quiltmaker's Patchpal patterns!!!  This cute monkey is being made for a customer as a gift for her nephew who will be entering the world next month!!  

So....I need to end this blog and get busy sewing!!! 

Happy Sewing!!

Jill

What A Journey

The last few months have been an incredible journey!!

What started out as what I thought was a funny idea....blossomed into a dream come true!!

Once my husband and I decided to create this studio.....the support and guidance we got from Valerie Schlake owner of Virginia Longarm Network, www.virginialongarm.com was unbelievable.  I truly admire and can't say enough about this woman!  Her business sense is phenomenal not to mention her talent and her willingness to provide help to others.  I have learned so much from Valerie over the short time I've known her....I always walk away with something new to use!! 

Next on my thank you list is Michelle Eno!!  Michelle is a fantastic teacher and is also willing to share her knowledge with you!  She has great insight on things and is very patient (I need someone who's patient.....lol).  She is always positive and never gets stressed!  She has taught me a lot, professionally and personally!!  Ok enough of that....this is the part when I start to get teary eyed and overwhelmed with emotion.....usually that's when people start to run.....  :)

Duane and I jumped in head first and once we found a location, we worked many long hours to get ready for our Open House!  Our friend Bruce also pitched in and showed up pretty much every day and lent a hand!!  Thank you Bruce!! 

On one day when we figured we should start adding the class room furniture....we decided to go to IKEA. I love IKEA.....it was a great trip and we got pretty much everything we needed.

Note the space between the tire and the fender......this was the Element prior to loading it......

Note the lack of space between the tire and fender....this was after we loaded it with our IKEA purchases.....

(a picture says a 1000 words)  LOL

We got busy putting our new purchases together.

Duane being quality control.....

 

Classroom all set up and ready for students!!

 

 

Windows done and we got to the big day!!!! 

 



Time to cut the ribbon!!  I love this picture!!  We all worked so hard to make this day happen and we were happy doing it!!  Can you say TA DA!!!

What a great turn out!!  We had a nice group of ladies to share in the ribbon cutting....

Shortly there after the place was buzzing with activities!!

I had so much fun and got to see a lot of people I know and got to meet a bunch more quilters!!

Every hour we had a give away.....

First winner was:

Sherry .....she came down from Angola, NY!!

Next up.....

Noreen.....from what I understand from several of her friends.....she always wins something!!  I'm glad she was one of my winners!! Noreen is a beautiful person and I'm glad she is in my circle of friends! Let me side track a second and say Happy Veteran's Day Noreen!!  Thank you for serving!! 

Third winner.....

Deby can run...but she can't hide....LOL  just kidding!  Deby wasn't at the studio when I drew her name...but I knew I'd see her at the guild meeting!   I look tired....LOL  well I guess I deserve to be a little tired ....but I'm getting my second wind back....watch out world!

Last but Never least.....Cathy is such a sweetheart!!!  Really fun to be around.....

See the ladies in the background....they were back there planning a retreat!!  Those are my life line buddies that I retreat with twice a year.....family and friends....but all are considered my family!!

I do believe all had a good time!

Here's my hubby getting caught with his hand in the cookie table...LOL  I have such good friends!!  They made such yummy treats!!  What a great bunch my friends are!!  And my bestie Melly....truly out did herself!!  She is not only a wonderful friend but she also bakes like nobodies business!!!  I'm so thankful she is in my life!! 

Annie and my Aunt took a turn playing with the Innova!

 

Annie taking a turn at Pantovision. 

I think Anut Martha was having a great time running the machine!! 

Another person I need to stop and thank........

Jeff Benedict from Accomplish Quilting www.accomplishquilting.com !  He is also a very important part of this dream coming true!  He stopped by to check out the festivities and I was so touched that he did!!  I know I'm thankful that I stopped by the Accomplish Quilting booth last March.....not sure he knew what he was getting into....LOL   Between Valerie and Jeff....I have learned so much and am so thankful....words can not express it.

But I do know two words that kind of says it all for me these days......

 

Hope to see you all at the studio very soon!!

Happy Sewing!!!

Jill