AQS Grand Rapids Show Pics

Friday I headed over to Grand Rapids for the AQS Quilt Show.  This was the second year for the show in Grand Rapids and it was wonderful again.

I bought some fabric to make a quilt for ME!  I know, I don't have a quilt on my bed so it's high time I do.  I cut out the pieces yesterday and started piecing it before I got distracted with housework.  I'm hoping to finish piecing it by the end of the week.  It all depends on how things go with my new job.

In the mean time here are some photos of the quilts I liked best at the show.  I'll spread the pictures out over the next few days, so you don't get too boggled or bored, whichever comes first!

These first four quilts were part of the Accuquilt Challenge.  Make sure you're sitting back from you monitor to properly view the fourth quilt (it's a dog!).

The next group of quilts are from the Master Pieces exhibit.

I believe this one is by Dianne S. Hire.  Anyone else remember if I'm right?

Libby Lehman:

Velda Newman:

Ricky Tims:

Sue Nickels:

Close up -- amazing!

That's enough photos for today.  Time for me to get my things ready for work tomorrow.  I've got some paperwork to complete, clothes to pick out, and then I'm off to bed early.  No more staying up until 1 am for me!

A Most Enjoyable Day

I spent the day today with my grandson Denver, babysitting while Holly and Mike were at work.  We had a super time and there's nothing like watching someone blossom.  He is so bright and not just because he's my grandson.  He can count to 10 in English and Spanish, recites the English alphabet and can imitate just about any sound a bird or mammal would make.  He won't turn 2 for two more weeks!

Tonight my friend Sue called me with news that my favorite fabric designer, Marcia Derse, is ending her own fabric line, selling her house and moving to Washington state in anticipation of the arrival of her grandchild.  At first I couldn't believe she would want to leave the home she had coveted for years prior to purchasing it a few years ago.  Her fabrics are beautiful and so successful.  How could she leave all this?  Simple -- a grandchild brings so much joy to your life that you would do anything to be near them.  This must be the case for Marcia and her husband.

Tomorrow I'll be up early again and head off to have my drug screening test for my new job before I trek across the state to the AQS quilt show in Grand Rapids.  I'll be snatching up any of Marcia's fabric that I manage to score before it's all gone!

Good News

I found out today that I'll be starting a new job on Monday.  Yes, next Monday.  I've been hired by a company in Ann Arbor, which is quite a drive but beggars can't be choosers at this point in the search.  I lost my job just over a year ago after nearly 28 years at MetLife and if you had asked me then, I never would have guessed I'd be out of work for so long.

I did work a contract job for three months after leaving MetLife and that was good from the standpoint that I learned a few new tricks but I never brought personal items to my desk space.  I am planning on taking a box of things to my new job, maybe on Tuesday, once I'm sure I'm staying!

For now, I've got to hurry up and get all the remaining things done I had planned to complete while I was out of work.  I'm going to be very busy over the next several days.

Cooking Up Something Good

I was busy cooking in the kitchen last weekend.  It's nice to have a few meals prepared ahead in case the week gets a bit hectic.  With a few appointments, interviews, cleaning, and sewing scheduled for week I knew stocking up on dinners would be good.

Saturday I used a recipe for Coq au Vin from Cooking in Cast Iron, a book I purchased at Sur la Table last week.

I started by sautéing onions, carrots, bacon, and garlic in olive oil, adding seasonings including Herbs De Provence, a new one for me.  Did you notice the cute little chicken sitting on the side of the French Oven??

It's not only adorable -- it's functional!!  I love it!  Another great find at Sur la Table!

While the vegetables were cooking I seasoned the cut up chicken pieces:

I removed the vegetables and then braised the chicken pieces, a few at a time so they wouldn't be crowded:

Next I added some dry white wine and organic chicken stock, and then the vegetables back in, and lastly some heavy cream (not in this pic).

While the Coq au Vin was cooking I made another recipe from that book for Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onions.  What a great dinner!

Sunday I made another pot of The Pioneer Woman's Beef Stew.  My roommate seems to be enjoying my cooking -- every time I open up the leftover containers they seem to be disappearing.

Another Anniversary

Today is the fourth anniversary of my father's death.  I did my crying last night and shed just a few tears today.  I met my Mom for lunch at Billy Sim's Barbecue restaurant near the cemetery.  We had a very enjoyable lunch, touched on Dad's death just a bit.  Mom said she didn't want to go to the cemetery.  I thought that was odd since we were just 2 miles away but whatever.  Today she faulted the hospital for not calling her when he was dying and that if she'd known how bad he was she would have stayed with him at the hospital the night before.  Who knows what they told her.  My guess is she either didn't hear them and chose not to have them explain, didn't understand what they were telling her or she was just tired and wanted to go home and sleep in her own bed.  Maybe it was a combination of all three options.

I just know I am glad I was there with him when he breathed his last.  He went so peacefully and his suffering was finally over.  Miss you Dad.

Unexpected Find from IKEA

Last week I saw a post from someone on Facebook about a sewing machine they bought at IKEA.  IKEA???  I wondered:

a.  why I didn't know about this

b. could it be a decent sewing machine

c.  how could they sell it for so little

I checked around on the web for reviews and while it's no Bernina, it seemed to be holding its own considering the price.

Thinking it would be nice to take a lightweight machine to my sewing retreat last weekend, I zoomed over to my local IKEA store and picked up the machine.  And a few other items.  As usual.

The box has the name Sy on it -- but I think I'll call it Ziggy!

It came with three feet:  regular, zipper, and buttonhole -- pretty bare bones there.  It did have several bobbins (although I've found I can use my Bernina bobbins too), several Organ needles, a brush to clean out the lint, a seam ripper (not that I need one :*) ), a thread spool pin, felt pads for the thread, and a snazzy screw driver.  It also came with a couple of instruction books, including how to oil the machine.  I had read that earlier purchasers crabbed about not getting proper manuals so they seem to have corrected that.

When you remove the tools in the storage compartment, you get a pretty nice free arm to sew narrow items like sleeves in baby clothes.

The needle plate is marked with both centimeters and inches -- centimeters in the front and inches in the back.  Sometimes machines have them overlapping and it's tough to make out the measurement you need.

Nothing fancy with the stitches -- straight stitches and zigzag in a couple of different lengths and widths, a few decorative stitches and a 4 step buttonhole.

After testing it out a bit at home I took it on my retreat.  It sewed a decent 1/4" stitch while piecing my Tumbler Block pieces.  While it isn't fancy and I still have to tweak the upper tension a bit, I have to say I am quite happy with this baby.  I can see myself taking it to workshops and other events where I don't want to lug my Bernina or Juki.

Weight???  Price???  I can hear you asking all the way from Royal Oak.  

Ziggy weighs in at less than 12 pounds!!!  And the price????  Amazing --- $69.99 !!!!  I think this would make a great machine for:

a. college students

b. new sewists

c. older sewists

d. workshops/retreats

e. auxiliary machine while main machine is in the shop

f. supplemental machine when zigzag or buttonhole is needed and I don't want to set up my Bernina

So do I recommend this machine?  Wholeheartedly YES.  As long as you aren't expecting a $$$$ machine I think you'll be satisfied, too!  Your price may vary -- I've seen it priced from $59.99 to $79.99.

Relaxing Weekend

This weekend I've been relaxing with friends on Lake Huron. Eating, sewing, shopping and taking photos. The weather has been stellar - no complaints.

This morning I was up at 6 am to await the sunrise. Once I am home I'll do some editing and post more pictures but for now here's one I snapped on my phone.