On a roll, at least for today

Thanks so very much for all the comments about that wheelchair icon next to Word Verification when writing a comment. Each morning, I love to return to my computer to see what new information I've learned from all of you. The icon-clicking-action produces a weird recording that sounds like something played backward. A gal in German responded that hers repeats the letters shown, in German. It may be support for visual handicaps, as Bonnie suggested.

This "Star in the Forest" quilt has been basted and sandwiched for weeks, while I gathered up courage, incentive, creativity as to how to quilt it. Our quilt show theme in mid-July is "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" and I want it done by then. The quilt show winners are Viewer's Choice -- Viewers can be fickle so every year, there are surprises when winners are determined!

This is an example of my possible quilting designs. Between my quilt books, the dictionary, my yard, and my imagination, these are several designs I'm shooting for. I ALWAYS use curved lines, if possible. It helps me to practice the design on paper, or a Magna Doodle (kids toy) until I get the pattern in my head. Even after starting, the final quilting is much better and more controlled then the first. I am a firm believer in "DON'T FOLLOW THE LINES", but rather, get into the flow of things and loosen up. I hear from so many gals who claim they are afraid of this - my word, don't be afraid -- it's so simple, but keeping your hands steady and loose and flowing is NOT so easy. Like playing the piano, skill comes with practice. (I say that today, because my efforts are going well - but maybe not the next time for me!) The thread is a poly, variegated, which seemed to blend the best. I'm using it in the bobbin also.

I've decided to quilt each of the 8 segments in a different pattern. I sew on a domestic machine, Janome 6500, Memory Craft, and have had it for 18 months, with excellent results. Like any machine it has it's quirks, but nothing of great concern. It's a heavy machine, not for classes, and I think that helps it's stability.

I'm completed one segment of 8. Whew!

A little closer ... lots of unexpected turns, a few peculiar stitches, but hey, it's OK!