Looking Forward by Looking Back

About seventy-bazillion things have changed over the last 5-6 years and are continuing to change in the foreseeable future.
That sounds wonderfully dramatic doesn't it?  But... change is a terrifying and difficult thing for me - I don't "do" change well... even when it's good change!

So here I am on the verge of several BIG changes and for one of the first times in my life I recognize excitement outweighing the fears.
This is really a God thing in me - and I know this for several reasons that I'd love to go on and on about because it just never gets old to really SEE how God is moving in your life -  however as this is a quilting blog and I have a regular blog for life stuff - I'll leave it at God is bigger than any fear and He moves in ways that are beyond amazing and I'm continually humbled by His love and care for me and my family!

This morning I spent some time going through photos of work I've done since moving to the 'sticks' of NH. This move was a heart thing and has been wonderful even when it's been hard at times.  This place allowed me a sewing room and then a quilting machine, then a studio space and my long-arm machine... all because God has blessed me with an amazing husband who loves me and supports my passion for quilting.

So in looking back:

(Photo heavy!)

I think it's safe to say that I'm practicing my way into my new adventure!  Applewood Quilts may be ready for the 'real' world of paying customers - Lord willing/blessing. 

I'm off to the studio to get busy this morning ...once I finish my cup of tea and some real life laundry.  Have a joy-filled and quilty Monday everyone!

~Deb

Still Quilting!

Hello Blog-o-sphere!
Long time no post... like years!

I'm still quilting, my studio is FULL and life is even more so.  My beautiful Lenni long-arm is over a year old and I'm still feeling like I'm a newbie - though I know I've learned a lot and my quilting is leaps and bounds better than when I began machine work 4-5 years ago.

Hopefully I can get back into the swing of blogging more often - I have lots of projects and regular day-to day life keeps me busy as well.

Ivy

Remy

These cuties joined our family during the past year and fur-babies are always a welcome addition!

Blessings on the quilty journey all!
~Deb

Silence - in photos!

There has been silence here as I've been relocating my studio for a few months.

It was a labor of love from my dear husband as he re-configured space above our detached garage for me.  He added TONS of new LED lighting, built custom furniture for my needs and purchased me a beautiful new APQS long-arm quilting machine.

Now I'm organizing, folding fabric, learning how to use Lenni and considering what projects to begin in my new space!

A new journey begins!

Be Attitude Gift

I found this book quite a few months back and had it on my 'wishlist' at Amazon.  Finally I decided to splurge and buy it.
It's a pattern book of 12 blocks - all applique (meaning shapes cut out and layered onto a background, fused/stitched down) these also have some embellishment of buttons and embroidery on some of the designs.  The entire pattern is for a quilt but I chose a few to create a wall-hanging as a house-warming gift for a friend.
First I played with shapes and placement.

Once I had fused the shapes down I decided that I needed to make a practice block to try out some machine applique stitches and even played with a bit of embroidery (which I've not tried before).

After this little side-trip, I went back to my project and pulled it all together from my stash fabrics.  I quilted it - some pattern, some freehand.  I've never done a project like this before so I was really going with whatever seemed to work as I went along.

in process of quilting

back of part of a block

I've only done a very small amount of applique before now and this was so much fun that I've decided I'm going to make the entire quilt for myself at some point.  I think that there will most likely be more wall-hangings from this pattern as well.  The individual blocks lend themselves to that sort of thing very well and there is lots of room to personalize and even re-word (as I did on the owl block) to suit individuals.

All cotton fabrics, warm & natural batting, quilted by my on my Janome 1600P & New Joy Gold frame with various King Tut variegated threads from Superior Threads.