BSR Blast!

That was the name of the class I took last Wednesday at the closest Bernina dealer. Closest being a relative term and all. For some reason I didn't sleep well the night before the class and the thought of a 1.5 hour drive down and back was not appealing to me when I got out of bed in the morning. I had been looking forward to the day, taking the class, shopping at Costco, going to find something to wear to the wedding, going to JoAnn's to get some Warm & White. I knew I was going to be driving home pretty late in the day by the time I got all that done. It is a long, monotonous and dangerous drive when you are alert. My hubby had the day off and was still in bed and I asked him if he wanted to go with me. He said well if you want me to drive you I will. Awwwwwwwwww. We were on the road about 20 minutes later. We had such a great day together, we talked all the way down and even had some time to sit and pray together before I went in for the class. To save time I gave him the Costco list, the JoAnn's list with explicit directions on where the batting is in the store and handed over the most important coupon.

There were six students in the BSR class which was being taught by the Bernina expert/certified technician. First of all, she talks way too fast. I realize when someone is familiar with everything on the machine they might assume everyone else is up to speed with them. I just felt there was not time to listen to her instructions, write down notes and look at the machine and samples at the same time. I asked her to repeat a few things and she did, but she gave me a funny look each time. I know I was not the only one that she was leaving in the dust but no one else spoke up. She kept urging us to come take more classes and such. Yeah I would do that if it was not a 3 hour round trip!

This is the baby we were all interested in using;


I think 4 or 5 in the class were classified as BSR virgins, but that didn't slow her down at all. She gave us quilt sandwiches made with muslin and instructed us to make some different patterns on it. Every single BSR in the class was making these HUGE skipped stitches. The teacher was flabbergasted! She had us change settings, no difference. She decided it was the cheap muslin that was the problem and then encouraged everyone to use the fabric we brought. My machine was still skipping. She sat at my machine and tried this and that. To tell you the truth I was so glad that it was doing this for her! At least I knew it wasn't operator error now. She sent me over to her machine to practice making free motion roses while she helped some others and fiddled with my machine. I think the class finished although no one made the project because we all ended up using our fabric for the practicing! That was fine with me because I didn't want a tea cozy anyway. It was determined ahead of time that we would have to finish the project at home but there was no instruction for that at all, just a little piece of paper handed out. The instructor then took my machine to the back room and updated the BSR. She said it showed ZERO hours. Huh, wonder what happened to the 5 hours that I stippled on my quilt along quilt. She said my machine had 20 hours of sewing (in a year's time???) and 200 hours of stand-by time. That just blew me away. I don't even see how that is possible. I don't leave my machine on or plugged in even if I leave the room (read back to last August and the lightning strike story if you need to ;) )so just the time it is on while getting ready to sew or jumping over to iron seams - 200 hours??

After she updated the BSR it worked perfectly. So right there, that was worth the trip and the price of the class. What I didn't understand is why it would not work to the standard of an UN-updated BSR. It was basically new out of the box. Makes no sense to me. I gave this information so that anyone having trouble using their BSR might see if it is due for an update. I wouldn't let this information discourage you from getting a BSR, I know that if they are working properly they are a pretty amazing little tool. I can't wait to get some time to play with mine again and try some of the free motion techniques we practiced.

Before I left the classroom I got to chatting with the lady across from me. Turns out she taught at the same elementary school I attended from K-5th grade! She was just starting there as a 1st grade teacher when I was in the 5th grade. I had to ask her about my favorite teacher of all time - Mr. Peterson. Of course she knew him and she said if she could find out anything about him she would email me. Who would have thought I would meet a teacher from southern CA in a quilting class in north Idaho close to 42 years later!

Hubby and I backtracked to Costco to have lunch. I'm a cheap date, what can I say, and I LOVE hot dogs! Then we stopped at the mall and I found a dress to wear to the wedding and a couple of tops. We chatted all the way home and had a lovely day together (even if JoAnn's was out of Warm & White).

Praise - I thank God for giving me the hubby that He did. I'm so thankful that we both became believers at the same time and that we have so many memories to share.

Prayers - For our time with family this coming weekend. That we would be good witnesses to those around us. That our words and actions would point to Christ.

One project done!

I procrastinated as usual and didn't even start the tote until late morning on Saturday. WHY do I do this over and over?? I don't know either but it really irritates me. This was the tote to be given to the gal at church on Sunday. I wrapped it and it was presented to her in a basket along with other gifts and cards. I didn't get to see her open it


Mark one off of the list. The quilt that I was going to give to the newlyweds this coming weekend is on hold. Last Wednesday when I went to the BSR class, hubby went to JoAnn's for me to get Warm & White. I told him exactly where it was in the store, how much I needed and I gave him my coupon. They didn't have any. WHAT???!! How can that be? That is like the grocery store being out of bread and milk. Was there some quilting emergency that I didn't know about that would clear the shelves of Warm & White? When he came to pick me up from the BSR class he told me the sad news. I gritted my teeth and decided I would just buy some at full price in the quilt store where I was taking the class. They only had Warm & Natural. Okay then. Project on hold. I can still finish the top (and I am almost there) but then I can't sandwich it and quilt it until I can get some Warm & White. Hmph.

I had seen an article online about grilled pizza and I was intrigued by the idea. I did some searching, read various recipes and methods and decided to give it a try. I used my new 'normal' pizza dough recipe and after the rising I split the dough in half and made two pizzas because my normal sized pizza was NOT going to fit on the grill. I know this because I measured the grill ahead of time. Well then came the tough part of doing this all on my own because I do not even know how to start the gas grill. I am not a fan of open flames, bottles of propane and lighters. I had to ask for help. Well my son said he knew how to start it so he got it going and we let it heat up. Then I chickened out and decided to get my hubby involved. I called him to the deck and explained what we were going to do. He was less than thrilled. When he found out that we were not going to use a pan or stone he lost all interest. He wanted to see someone else do this first. He was sure the dough was just going to more or less drip through the grill and make a huge mess. I told him to be adventurous! Go with the flow. This just made him a little less excited to be a part of this. He was getting close to ruining the 'event' and the dinner. College girl stepped in at that point and gave him a little talking to. She will be the first to admit that she is normally the one to 'lose it' when facing the unknown so I guess she recognized the signs and took it upon herself to talk him down. Now maybe for you grilling pizza is no big deal and you are finding it hard to believe that this sort of drama was being played out. I know.

We proceeded. Hubby sprayed some Pam onto a paper towel and wiped down the grill and then I sort of tossed the dough onto the rack. It didn't land exactly like I wanted it to so some rearranging was in order. We let the top bubble up and hubby peeked at the underside a few times. When it was browned nicely but not burned he flipped it over and we worked quickly to cover it in pesto;

Then I arranged the chicken pieces and red onion;

Hubby sprinkled the cheese on top and then shut the lid. It really doesn't take very long and it is time to remove it from the grill. Hubby used a big spatula and moved it to the pizza stone so that he could cut it.


It was soooooo good!We all really liked it. The kids started eating this one right away while hubby and I got the second one cooking. Hubby did have to agree that this was a great way to cook pizza, especially when the house is hot. I was trying to talk him into the idea of barbecuing the pizza in the winter. I would be in the house of course cheering him on. ;)

Praise - to our God for His wonderful creation. We watched a magnificent lightning storm last night, accompanied by some very loud thunder. The storms always make me think of the many wonders of God's creation.

Prayers - for the young missionary family that spoke at our church on Sunday. Their desire is to be God's servants in any way He sees fit in a very foreign land.

Ya gotta love MAIL like this!

Not bills or grocery ads or bank statements or even the latest from Netflix, no this is the GOOD STUFF!
Here are some of the wonderful things I have gotten in my mailbox in the past few weeks:
From one of Quilt Taffy's Thursday giveaways;

a cute little zippered bag that I won from Tickled Paisley for the SEWN giveaway;

A little pouch from Sue in Australia for the SEWN giveaway (it fits my camera PERFECTLY!);

The following was from Kelly at Charming Chatter, she was cleaning out her stash and was sooooo generous in giving four boxes like this to gals that participated in the quiltalong by posting progress over at her blog. Here is the bulging and very heavy box;

and here is what was stuffed inside that box;

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Shangri La - a favorite of mine but yet I didn't own any until now!

another line I have admired but didn't own. I could never decide on which prints to get!

Assorted MODA pinks - aren't they sweet?

yet ANOTHER line I have drooled over - Red,White and Bold;


Kelly was sooooo generous with her stash busting. There were assorted other prints in the box, most of them appear to be fat quarters or larger. It was like this box was packed just for me! I'm wondering what she has left in her stash if she got rid of 4 boxes of fabric like this! I wouldn't mind seeing the collections that the other gals received. Thanks so much, Kelly!!

Praise - we've had some more interest in the house we have for sale, a couple from TX came to look at it this week.

Prayers - for my hubby, college girl and son and friends that have gone backpacking today and will be back tomorrow evening.

Adding to my list

Okay, so I dream big. Is that a crime? Isn't that better than underestimating what you can accomplish?? I don't know either. I'm just saying there are more projects I would love to get done this month and so I am going to list them. This is all in the name of the Charming Chatter Charming Girls' Quilt Club. So I get points if I get these items finished and if I dont' get them finished, well I can add them to my August list.



I have this fabric already,Rebel Roses by Anka's Treasures for Henry Glass. College girl picked it out for a skirt.Since I have already made this skirt (pattern cut out,size is correct and ease of use known) then it should be fairly simple to get this done (in theory anyway).



This project I came across last night when I was looking through my pictures for something else.



Thimble Blossoms "A Piece of Cake" quilt. Blocks done. What I need to do is finish the quilt top. I have all the fabric for it. I don't have the money to get the batting or the backing right now but I can get the top done! The next time JoAnn's has a sale on Warm & Natural or a 50% off coupon I can get that part taken care of. I think I want to back this with brown Minkee so I will keep an eye open for that on sale somewhere.

GUESS WHAT!?? This is my 100th post!! I can hardly believe it. I would love to have a giveaway this month - my blogiversary was the end of June, now my 100th post AND this IS my birthday month. Let me see what I can come up with. Hmmmmmmmmmm

Praise - for the great time of study and fellowship that we have been having with 6-8 youth from the church. It is so encouraging to see these young adults that desire to know God better and to be seeking to please Him with their lives.

Prayers - hubby's hours have been cut due to a slow down. More than anything I pray for hubby to rely on the Lord, to be faithful and to not grow anxious.

Happy 4th of July!

I'm spending the day with family and friends. A BBQ, some time at the lake and some fireworks.

Praise - I thank God for the founding fathers of this country, for His protection of this country to date and for all the service men and women that have dedicated their lives to freedom, here and abroad.

Prayer - for all the service men and women that are serving the country now, for their safety. For those in position to uphold the Constitution of this country.

I've joined a club

Kelly at Charming Chatter has started a Quilt Club and I've signed up. I have lots of projects to do anyway and this is some extra motivation to get 'er done!



These won't necessarily be done in this order, just aiming to have them done by the end of July.

First up make the binding and apply it to the Old Red Barn Quilt Along Quilt.


This tote is going to be for a wonderful lady at our church who was so faithful to organize and lead the women's shelter that has now been closed. The print is by Blank Quilting and has some of the names of God on it. The colors are wonderful on this piece! The lining fabric is Moda Marbles,the pattern is by Tanya Whelan's Grand Revival (same tote pattern that I used for my sister's birthday tote). This project MUST be done by July 12th for the presentation.


Using my scraps from the Old Red Barn Quilt Along Quilt, some white cotton yardage that I found in my stash and some white Minkee that I bought for a project that it ended up not working out for, I am going to make my very first stacked coins quilt! I think it will just be a throw size and I would LOVE to give it to my hubby's nephew and his bride when they get married on the 18th of this month. DEADLINES! Of course it helps that my 'scraps' are already sewed together in strips of six! I'm pretty excited that I had everything on hand. I'm even thinking that I have some Warm & White stashed in my fabric closet too but it 'might' be Warm & Natural which will NOT work. If all I need is to get is some Warm & White that will be a pretty sweet deal.


I have never used Minkee on the back of a quilt before but I got advice from Rebecca at Our Busy Little Girls on how she did hers.You have GOT to go look at the quilt she made using the blues and greens of Ginger Blossom and the scalloped border and the Minkee back. CUTE! She said the spray adhesive would not hold the Minkee and that she did use LOTS of pins.

With that in mind I put QUILT BASTING PINS at the top of my shopping list and headed out this morning to get groceries for the weekend. I went to Wal-Mart and headed straight for the drastically reduced in size fabric department. I had already gotten one package of the pins there so I KNEW that they carried them. No pins. I could not find the pins. I saw very small curved quilting pins and wondered when Barbie and her friends started quilting. I asked one of my favorite Wal-Mart employees, the gal that runs the drastically reduced in size fabric department, where the pins might be. She said 'oh we had to get rid of those, we cleared them out'. WHAT!???? How insane is that? I joke with her all the time and asked where I could file a complaint. We lamented over the drastically reduced size of the fabric department yet again, wondered which big wig in Arkansas was deciding we didn't need regular sized curved quilting pins and then she was off to help some cheerleaders with a ribbon purchase. Phooey. I lingered. Then said Wal-Mart employee says 'oh let's look at this end cap' and lo and behold on a hook were about 10 packages of the pins!! Along with scissors and beads and some clear thread that some big wig in Arkansas decided we didn't need in north Idaho. I told said Wal-Mart employee that I loved her. :D She said she was just being a HERO today. I bought SIX packages of 40 pins. I'm pretty sure that will be enough. I hope so. I could get the other 4 packages next week if someone else doesn't need them beforehand.

I do have some other things I would love to make this month and since two of these items MUST be done by the 17th it is feasible that I could do something else. I will give it some thought and possibly post a couple more projects before the 7th. I'd better get busy!

Praise - that I am on the mend from the cold I came down with on Tuesday. I'm just fighting a ticklish cough.

Prayers - that the rest of my family would stay healthy this summer. They all have to leave the house everyday to work!

6 months behind us

Happy July! Hard to believe that 6 months of 2009 are already behind us. I have fallen behind on so many goals. Remember my pattern challenge? I think about it often and wonder if I could ever catch up at this point. Remember my reading challenge? HAH! Not even started! I have just not been in a reading mood. I haven't sewn everyday so far this year but I am pretty happy with how productive I have been in that department. How are you doing with your goals for 2009?

Do you realize there are 177 days until Christmas? Are you already working on gifts that you want to make? Have you already started your shopping? As a family we usually decide what we are going to do for Christmas somewhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Yeah, I know. Even if I start talking about it in September we just keep pushing back the decision.

It is almost 2 a.m. so no pictures to post tonight. I just wanted to give an update on my quilt along quilt and my BSR stippling problem. I tried to find solutions online, I put in a new needle, I rethreaded the machine, I changed bobbins, I threaded the bobbins differently, I changed the speed and stitch length and I UNPICKED 4 more times!!!! :( I used a sample piece and finally got the stitch to look great, no skipping, no LONG stitches so I would move to the quilt and it would skip. Do you know how frustrated I was?? I usually give up but I kept at it, sample great, quilt terrible, unpick, start over. I just do NOT understand what the problem is. Finally I took the BSR off of the machine, tucked it back into the foam in the little tin box and put it on the shelf and then attached the darning foot again. I tried a little sample piece and it was great, moved to the quilt and it worked perfectly. I stippled for about 3 hours and now I can call it DONE! Well at least the quilting is done, next step binding.

Praise - I didn't lose my temper when being frustrated over and over again with the BSR. This is a huge improvement for me!

Prayers - for three of my young friends that are in foreign countries on mission trips, two in Mexico and one in Chile (and feeling a twinge of homesickness). I pray for their health and safety but mostly for their witness to those they come in contact with and that all they do would glorify God.