Computer update

Hopefully my problems with the software will be a thing of the past in a few days time.
I will be loading a second operating system onto the laptop so that I will be able to use my embroidery software.
I cannot wait.
Its amazing how much I actually rely and use the software.
I was not aware of it.
One a happier note:
One new car coming up!!
Will be collecting it tomorrow.
Will post a picture soon
Happy sewing,
Susan

Help with computer

I have a new laptop which is wonderful........
except I cannot load my embroidery software.
I am posting a picture of my screen with error in the hope
that someone out there might be able to help me.


This screen pops up after the restart and request that I insert the dongle.

It is verifying the security device in the background but in the
forefront shows an error as follows:
"DATAGATHER
Can not find or run command"
I have to cancel the installation.
My technician says he has never encountered this error.

Please someone help!!

Susan

Up and running

The reason for no posts is ...........

a new computer!
My design wall is almost empty except for one lonely Sunbonnet Cathryn!

The sunbonnets have all their borders on and I have run out of fabric.

The signature blocks also need more blue,
so a quick trip to Hillcrest and Westville is necessary.
I am hoping to go on Thursday

Until next week
Happy sewing
Susan

Better late then never

I know it is already Tuesday but......
LIFE happens
I did take a photo yesterday of my wall
And here it is
The applique top ready for its next 4 borders.

Visit Judy and see what others have on their walls
Until next week
Happy sewing and quilting
Susan

Design wall 4 October

My blocks for an applique quilt.

All different shade of purple.

Lots of applique and just a plain sashed
setting.

I also had a tidy out of quilt tops this weekend
and discovered 8 tops waiting to be quilted.

That should give me lots of practice!
Until next week
Happy sewing and quilting
Susan

Design Wall 28 Sept

Well there is nothing on my wall today.
How sad!
I do have many designs in my head just need to get them started
I am saving a "Quilt for an Hour" project which I hope to make soon.
Hope fully next week there will be something on my wall
Until next week,
Happy planning and sewing
Susan

Mystery complete

Quick update:
The Summer Mystery top is done!
Just needs to be quilted.
Also the commission quilt (1930 repro. butterflies) is done.
Just needs to be bound.
Until next time
Happy sewing
Susan

Stash 26 Sept 2009

Judy of Patchworktimes
has challenged all quilters and blog followers
to "show their Stash".
Great idea.
Below is mine:

Boxes of fabric, I think there are 24 plus there
are 2 with PhD's.
These are nearly done.
On the right are 2 bolts.
The left-hand is approx. 50 meters of backing fabric,
enough for plenty of quilts!!
I am still busy building my stash so maybe there will be
more containers next year.
Happy sewing,
Susan

21 sept Design wall

These chicken are on an apron which I painted at Craft Club.
The straps still need to be attached.

On the left is the completed top and the right is one block.
This was done at Izotsha over the week end.
It was the most fantastic time, just what a quilting retreat should be.
No cooking, washing or ironing except whatever you are sewing.
I had a wonderful time

This is what I have made with the Triple spinning star blocks.
A table runner.

Mondays do seems to come around very quickly but at least it gets us going.
Visit Judy to see what others are doing.

Until later,
Happy sewing
Susan

7 Sept Design Wall

I love Mondays.
It allows you to see progress.
The first one is a Lone Star which I have finally quilted and it just needs to be bound.

The second is the many blocks FPP which I will have to make about 56.
I have decided to make a centre block and then add a border of blocks.
Quilt should be about 50 inches square.

I am going on a quilting retreat this weekend and will be taking these with me to do as well as an already cut and bagged mystery quilt.

31 august design wall

My latest design wall pictures

Mondays seem to come by so quickly.
On my design wall is the beginning of a Christmas quilt.
It is foundation paper pieced.
I love doing this type of block as the points are all so sharp.

These starter blocks will be shown to Grade 8 art girls at
my daughters school.
Until next week ,
Happy sewing
Susan

24 august 2009 Whats on my design wall

Actually is my table.
Strips for a Chinese coin quilt.
I hope to embellish it with embroidered roses (Hatched in Africa designs)

Happy sewing
Susan

Weekend family lunch

Mom celebrated her birthday this weekend.
We, the girls in my family joined her for lunch.






Cup cakes instead of a single cake

Nikki and Cathryn lighting the candles

Jennifer and Brandon

Jennifer and Grandpa

Not much sewing done
Susan

I have been tagged

I have been tagged by:

http://hecketyathome.blogspot.com/2009/08/tagged-listand-shed-progress.html/


Sorry don't know how to do a link. Hope This works.


ten things about me:

• I love my 3 daughters.
• I could not live without my sewing machines.
• I love chocolate.
• I drive a white car.
• I have lived in the same town(Pietermaritzburg) most of my life except for 2 years(1 year in Durban, 1 year in Cape Town)
• I love cats. 5 cats live at home, mine is a colourpoint Persian(Jasper)
• I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters
• I have a passion for anything sewing related most especially quilts and quilting.
• I would love to visit the USA again. My sister lives in LA
• Owning a quilting store would be heaven.

As I am new to blogging there are no bloggers to tag.

Until next time
Happy sewing
Susan
ps. just learnt how to link:)

Monday design wall

My design wall has the beginnings of a charity quilt.
I am using a modified EPP bachelors puzzle block.
I am not doing paper piecing and have thoroughly enjoyed this block.
Our guild leader showed it to us at our last meeting.
This quilt will go to CHOC

Until next week
Happy quilting
Susan

Butterflies and Blooms

The quilt is done!
Applique butterfly blocks from Hatched in Africa and
Center block a Paper pieced Carol Doak design.

I spent and enjoyable day in Durban on Saturday with Liese and Cara
from Hatched in Africa.
They had a trunk show and we all had so much fun.

Also got to see the new 830/820 Bernina which has just been launched here.
It is a wonderful machine and the embroidery space is huge but I love my
machines and am very content with mine.

Now that I have one quilt done I will be loading another on the frame and
hope to have that done soon.
Until next time,
Happy sewing
Susan

Whats on my design wall

My design wall is full of butterflies.
24 to be exact!
The start of my Vintage Butterfly quilt commission.
I have so enjoyed sewing these.
I would actually like to do one for myself.


Until next week,
Happy sewing.
Susan

Update on Car

Yesterday afternoon I received the quote for repairs to my car.
A whopping big R42500.00 (about US$ 6000.00).
That is more than my Hinterberg.
WOW!

Not much happening on the sewing side.
I am still removing applique paper from a quilt which will
then need to be put on the fame for quilting.
Hopefully that will happen this weekend.
Until next time
Happy sewing
Susan

Oh No!!

This is what happened to me on my way to my monthly quilting

guild:


My poor car was T-Boned.White Colt bakkie came across my path and I could not avoid hitting it.
So she has gone to hospital.
Thank goodness for insurance and I will hopefully have a hire vehicle by the end of tomorrow.

This is what I should be
showing you:
6 Baby quilts
quilted bound and with labels , ready for sale.
Until next time,
Happy quilting,
Susan

Whats on my design wall

My design wall is full of sunbonnets.
The beginnings of a memory quilt for my youngest daughter
who matriculates this year.
The dress is her old school uniforms and friends will be
sending in alternate blocks which they have personalised.



Also although not yet showable(Is there such a word)
the start of another applique quilt with butterflies and 1930 repro fabrics.
Until next week
Happy sewing,
Susan

Voyager and Frame

I am starting to bond with my machine and frame.
I have cut and stitched 6 baby quilts and have already quilted 3.
Seems like the more I do, the more I want to do.
Thank goodness I am mostly a SAHM!
I am really enjoying being at home although some days
I am more out and about than at home.

Yet I am getting on with the sewing and quilting
and have many completed tops which need to be
quilted and bound.
I think I have about 12 tops waiting.
That should give me tons of practice on the frame.

Unfortunately my cell phone and computer are not talking to each other
and therefore I have no photos to show.
Little bit technologically challenged!!

Have found the camera and this should all be fixed in a day or 2.

Until then
Happy stitching
Susan

Sisters in South Africa

Our guild, St. Matthews in Pietermaritzburg,
hosted the biggest outdoor quilt show yesterday.
We loosely based it on the exhibition held on Sisters, Oregon.
Out total of quilts hung between the trees and along the fences was more than 300,
which I think is a wonderful achievement.
We also have a few vendors and a tea garden.
A wonderful time was had by all!

Happy quilting
Susan

Whats on my design wall

JudyL at Patchwork Times has started a thread about "whats on the design wall".
Well mine is a flannel sheet really up close and personal.
My tiny sewing room which was once the breakfast nook only has one wall large enough for a design wall.
Opposite is a large window which lets in lovely light.
I have had on the wall for the past few months a UFO or PhD(Project Half done).
Wall hanging started with a centre pp block ( Carol Doak) and 8 applique butterflies.
Have since added a chain of daisies on the border and sashings.
I am now in the process of machine appliqueing them on.
Photos to follow
Happy sewing
Susan

Mothers Day

To all Moms out there,

hope it was a wonderful day.
My three daughters were all home for lunch.
Was super.

On a quilting note:
The heirloom quilt is quilted:
Just needs to be bound.
Hooray!!

Diamonds are a girls best friend

Cathryn's Matric dance theme:
Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend!
Table settings were wonderful.
Large floral arrangement with red roses and silver swirly vines.
Cathryn looked like a princess in her dress.Cathryn is on the extreme left with her friends.

Well its back to the machine for me to prepare for
Market Day on Friday
Happy sewing
Susan

Matric Dance Has Arrived

Sorry still no photos.

Cathryn and Partner Zack are at the Dance.

wonderful venue just out of town

Hope they have a wonderful time

Sewing up a storm

For the past few days I have been sewing my youngest daughter's
Matric dance dress.
While I have enjoyed doing this I will hopefully not be sewing
any wedding dresses in the near future!
Ask for a quilt any day,Please.
Tomorrow is the big day:
Hair, nails and make-up.
Even Mom has to get into the swing of things and I
have just finished a new black evening skirt for myself.
Next entry will have photos.
Until later,
Happy sewing and quilting
Susan

Progress on Heirloom quilt

The quilt top is almost done.
I just need to add the borders and then
I am ready to sandwich and quilt.
This will not be done on the Hinter berg as I will need to SID
and I have not yet mastered that in the frame.

I am off to Cape Town for a few days.
Eldest daughter is doing Half Marathon on Saturday.
I hope to meet with an agent for quilting threads for the Hinter berg.
Also am meeting friends from home for dinner.
I hope to but fabric for my stash as well.
Until later,
Happy quilting,
Susan

Busy,Busy,Busy

It amazing how life goes.
Afew weeks ago I thought life was standing still.
Then I was commissioned to do 2 quilts.
One an heirloom quilt. Lots of lace and ribbon and
the second an applique butterfly quilt.
Wow!!
Am I ever grateful.
This came at the right time.
I am no longer working for H, just 2 hours a week.
A new oppurtunity has also come up.
Rental collection for a commercial bulding plus a small set of books.
Just what I need at this this time.
Will let you know more as I progress.
My youngest daughter also has her Senior Ball at the end of April.
The fabric has been bought and will be made during the Easter break.

Poor blogging skills

I cannot believe another month has gone past.
my blogging skills are really poor.
I suppose its called "life"
I have done quite a bit of sewing and have completed my
One of a Kind quilt.
It turned out quite nicely and does not look half as bad as when it was just blocks.
It amazing what putting it all together does!
I have quilted it with butterflies and stippled around the applique.




On the non-sewing side I have been quite stressed with work
as H has not found anyone suitable
to take my place and so I am still going out to the factory every day.
Hopefully this week will find someone suitable.
Until later,
Happy sewing
Susan

What is on my frame?

I thought I would show everyone what I am working on
at the moment.
It is a block of the month quilt started I think in 2005!
It has been on the frame for nearly 2 months.
So I thought I had better get going.
It has been easier now as I am at home in the mornings
and only go into the office for 2 hours in the afternoon.
I am almost finished quilting around the flower blocks and borders.
Once done I will continue hand quilting the chain blocks.
The next thing to go onto the frame is mattress protectors to earn a bit of cash!





Until next time
Happy sewing
Susan

No fun sewing day

Today was a working day.
I had an order for fitted sheets to be ready on Monday.
They are stitched and packed ready for delivery.
So no pictures.
Cathryn is away at a sleep over and tomorrow is a family 21st braai
Monday is the start of the new working year.
I wonder what it will bring as I am no longer working for my husband
and hope to find something else to bring an income.
I am hoping I will be able to do my sewing from home,
enough to keep me busy and also earn enough along the way.
We will see what 2009 brings

Until later
Happy sewing
Susan

Still sewing ...and finished

Today was a major sewing day.
No breaks,well almost none.
I have managed to complete all the blocks and I
am now putting them all together so.....
the top should be done by tonight.
This mystery has turned out so nicely although some stages were a bit tedious
I think I will make another of the same.
Finished top photos to follow


Happy sewing
Susan
Completed top
The first for 2009!!

New Year Greetings

Good Morning all!
I did manage to stay up until the new year.
Cathryn and I watched 2 movies.
Both of us commented that we hoped this year 2009 would
not be like it(2008) ended.... both of us in tears!!
Still it was lovely to watch with her and see the new year in.
Today I am busy sewing my NYE mystery quilt.
Have already found I am 1 block short.
Until later, Happy sewing
Susan