Rejuvenated and A Finish!

 Sometimes a change of scenery is rejuvenating for the soul. I can't believe we've been in this Coronavirus "shutdown" for four months now. Of which have found me transforming from an efficient, organized, productive human being to a total blob who can't remember when she last showered! Accept for my daily exercise routine, I've had motivation to accomplish nothing more. Finally, weekend before last, hubby and I took a long weekend and escaped to the mountains. We were isolated in the middle of the mountains and though we didn't do much, as the town we visited was in a reverse shutdown...we did find this view rejuvenating and was the "spot" for my daily stitching. Jackson also enjoyed watching all the squirrels with his "birds eye view" from the elevated deck. Never the less....

I don't know about you, but I’m about over it … over this new normal, new reality, new whatever we want to call it.  I want to go out to a restaurant.  I want to be able to go shopping and not just for groceries. I’d like to visit friends face to face. I'm so over Zoom! I think we’re all ready for this pandemic to be over especially our heroes on the frontline who are surely exhausted.

But with no end in sight, somehow, somewhere, over our four day get-away, I found myself remotivated when I returned home. After a year of no activity, I started Lizzi once again. 
I played it safe and started with quilting a donation quilt for Project Linus. 

As I began, I noticed stitches skipping. A text to my long-arm lady, a few phone calls, and a pick up by my husband, I replace the vertical encoder on my long-arm. (Not bad for eight years of wear and tear...as the pad on the encoder was torn....causing the skipped stitches.) 

Sooner than later, we were up and running with smooooth stitches once again.

I think Jackson was thrown off with my morning burst of energy as I set out to get this one done. I sewed and pinned the binding and got pictures taken...all before breakfast!

But I get to call it finished! This quilt was sewn by a Project Linus volunteer and measures 37"x72".
I quilted it with a Ruffled Rose Pantograph.

With STILL another month ahead before officials even think of starting school again and no adventures" on the calendar...I hope to get a few more quilt tops checked off the list.
Stay tuned!

With SMILES! Val

Stay-cation Day 5: Three Quilted for Project Linus

Yesterday was a Winnie the Pooh blustery, cold, overcast day.

I spent most the day running pantographs on the ol' long-arm and got three Project Linus tops quilted.

  Boy! My hats off to you ladies who quilt for a living. Whew! 

This Go-Car-Go below is my favorite "boy" pantograph. I thought the cars would be the perfect "boy" finish to this scrappy lap quilt made from 6" squares. Especially as Project Linus is always short of quilts for boys.  I also like that it's not too dense and will wash into a cozy fluffy quilt. 

For the very same reason, I like this pantograph of airplanes as well.

 Being lap-size and the fact that each of these pantographs made 12" rows, these quilted up pretty quick. So with a couple hours left before hubby got home from work, I quilted this half-square scrappy top made by the Project Linus ladies. (It was about now I starting developing quite a bit of empathy for you ladies who do this full time. Man I was getting tired.) I was truly inspired by this combination of  neutral and scrappy 6" HST though and plan to use my future scraps along the way and make one of these as a future charity quilt. Think leader/ender project.

Jackson was NOT liking the wind.

I kinda thought this quilt would be liked by an teenage girl so quilted it with a more subtle design hoping to give it a more mature look. I really do like it's overall effect, though I need to make a note to self: it's not the most "economical" pantograph as there was a lot of "backtracking",

 thus felt I used twice as much thread. 

 Well, today is a sew day and I'm looking forward to playing with my purples and Rainbow Girls.

Stay tuned...and thanks for stopping by and keeping me company during my little Stay-cation here.

This week's Tuesday Archives theme is crumb quilts.

FMQ: Play Ball!

 Many of you know I enjoy quilting for Project Linus....
And well, I thought this one made an appropriate share for Saint Patrick's Day!!

I especially enjoy when the Project Linus ladies give me a fun strip quilt like this one below.
It provides the perfect opportunity for me to practice my free motion quilting: 

I wish I took a picture of this quilt before the quilting (I need to get better at that) as the quilting, with it's wishbones, stars and spirited words, transformed this fun flimsy into a quilt some little guy, somewhere, will really love. (At least that's what the PL ladies said when I dropped it off.) 

Happy Quilting for sure.

Wishing you a little luck of the Irish!!

Click on the picture to read more about Project Linus:

On the quilt frame today...

More bubble quilting on another Project Linus quilt.

I think this was the perfect panotgraph for that cute fishy fabric don't ya think?!

Jackson and I also took advantage of our weather finally warming up to 36 degrees and
enjoyed a  refreshing four mile walk outside.

And guess what! I stopped by school on my way home and "borrowed" those snowmen from the bulliten board. I plan to play with those for the rest of the afternoon.

Stay tuned!

Click on the picture to read more about Project Linus:

Dragonfly Quilting Today

 Many of you know I keep a half of dozen or so quilt tops from the Project Linus ladies around for days like today when I just feel like practicing with my long-arm . Though it's only 18 degrees out, I bundled up to take Jackson out and get a few quick pictures.

Here's the quilt top I had on hand: 

I decided to quilt it using a variegated lime green thread called: Lime Stone by Superior Threads and for the bobbin, I was able to use up a few half filled bobbins. I love the playful Dragonfly Fantasy pantograph I had. I thought it added that little bit of whimsy that would make a child smile.

I really like this quilt pattern and need to ask the Project Linus ladies for a copy. 

It looks fun and easy doesn't it.

Hope your day is going great.

Stop by tomorrow to link up your New Years Goals.

Click on the picture to read more about Project Linus:

Bubble Quilting Today

 I spent this afternoon quilting this for Project Linus:

I used a simple bubble pantograph and a variegated lime thread.

 It was fun. It was easy. It helped me get my long-arm "warmed" up again.

I usually keep a half of dozen quilt tops from the Project Linus ladies around for days like today when I need to get my machine going again. They provide a great opportunity to practice my quilting as well. 

We're off for our daily walk.

Hope your weekend is going well.

More sewing tomorrow!!!

Click on the picture to read more about Project Linus:

Dinosaur Quilting & FREE Shipping!

 I knew immediately I would quilt this adorable dinosaur quilt, made by some volunteers from our local Project Linus Chapter, with my Dinosaur Pantograph.

 

I used a varigated rainbow thread Called: Pharach Tale by King Tut...

It's a popular design among boys especially and I have great hope it will make a Project Linus recipient smile too! To see more of this pantograph quilting click over to here:

Have you been looking for a Long-Arm Quilter?

I'm offering FREE return shipping on all U.S. quilts through  November.

 I offer a large variety of pantograph designs and have been able to turn quilts around within a week of receiving them....just in time to get those last minute quilts finished for Christmas. Here's a shortcut to my pricing page. Feel free to drop me an email at: vworksofheart@gmail.com with your quilting inquiries as I'd love to quilt for you.

With Smiles!
Val:)

Life's a Bowl Full of Cherries...

This is a quilt top made by the ladies in our local Project Linus Chapter. With my summer break in full swing, I'm getting in some volunteer time. I couldn't resist quilting it with this cherry pantograph. So stinking cute don't ya think!

                                                                       With smiles,

                                                                     Val:)

Retro Flower Quilting

 I DO NOT make him do this! I promise!

Anyhooo...today found me quilting this Project Linus top.

I chose a Retro Flower pantograph..."Groovy flowers Marcia".

I was pretty flattered when my husband came home and said, "I really like this one." (How sweet!)But I too, like the big daisies.

I don't why my scruffy guy thinks he needs to supervise my picture taking, but do take a good look, as by the time I finish another quilting, he'll have had his Spring haircut....and just let me tell you, if ya think he loves the camera now...just WAIT!!! He thinks he's quite the HOTTY when he gets groomed!

With smiles, 

Val:)