A Girl and Her Machine

   MJ at her Gammill August 2014

I finally put up a little web site for my quilting. www.maryjoleonard.com
 It is small and simple, but who really buys Longarm Quilting online? It has info on me and my Gammill Longarm Quilting Machine, how to contact me and some pictures of my work. More of a "branding" thing than a commercial site. Check it out :-)

I loved this Facebook post from Juanita Baker. When I think about it, this is exactly the rhythm I use to machine quilt. I am standing as I quilt so the motion comes from my hips as I walk along the quilt frame.
Thanks Juanita
Mary Jo

"Juanita Baker‎Quilting

1 hr · 

I would like to share something to all of our quilter friends but especially to those who are new to machine quilting. I taught machine quilting for years, before the long arm era. I have seen several posts lately where people are having difficulty and becoming frustrated because the back tension is not as neat as the front with loops and pulled areas. I would like to share what I used to tell my students.

Before they would begin, I would tell my students to close their eyes and imagine themselves on a lake in a rowboat. I would tell them to imagine the sway of the rowboat, back and forth with the rhythm of the water. Once they could feel that rhythm, I would tell them to open their eyes and begin machine quilting, using that same rhythm they felt in that rowboat. Another thing I pointed out was that during the process they should not pull on the item they were trying to quilt or try to move it faster than the speed of the needle. Eventually, you build up your own rhythm and you and the moving needle work in harmony. It takes practice but eventually you get it and realize it wasn't so hard.

All of my students liked the rowboat analogy and told me years later that before they started a project they would still close their eyes and picture themselves on a lake in a rowboat before they began quilting. Also, the key is to never get in a hurry when machine quilting. Let the process flow naturally and you will find everything works out properly with beautiful results.

I hope this helps everyone."

Quilting deadlines

The Asheville Quilt Show.
It's time for a little perspective. At this time last year I was still not finished with the quilt above, yet I finished in time for the September drop-off date. Whew. So no reason to sweat that this year's entry is still in pieces on my design wall. Right? Nothing else to do, right? LOL.

Okay...off to the studio for some power sewing.

Better Than Moving

Mikey

I may be on to something here. See, Mikey likes to hammer and saw. He lives for it and should not be denied.  He likes big projects, remodeling projects. I like the results, but NOT the noise, dust and inconvenience. It interferes with my beading, quilting, knitting and general peace of mind.




 So the solution....acquiring rental property nearby where he can easily go hammer and saw.  And we end up with income. Here is the latest. A lovely family moved in last weekend. 

 

 

Cute new rental

So my plan for long-term happiness is to keep on beading and look for a few more projects for Mikey. Life is good.

Twisted herringbone necklace with big amethyst Swarovsky button.

 

Happy Trails
MJ

Last Minute Plans

Hiya!
Sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men can go asunder. Take this weekend for example. The grand plan was for my daughter (the Amazing Kristin), her hubby ( Captain Marty) and their youngest (The Morganator) to arrive at my place. Then Kristin & Marty would go off for a few days of R&R while I spoiled Morgan. Then when they got back, Marty and Morgan would go off hunting wild creatures and Kristin would hang with Da Mama.

Marty got sick. He's all better now, but plans had to change because no sailing vessel can be without its captain for long. The vacation is postponed.

This means Mikey and I are heading to Florida to party with our friends as we fling open the e-doors of their new company. Watch for the video and get updates of when & where at:

http://lockyourspot.com/maryjo

Carpe Diem.
MJ

Everything is relative

How much snow is too much?


An inch? Yes, in NOLA. They have no idea what to do when it snows.


A foot? Yes, in Asheville. Mountain roads are trecherous in ice & snow.


A Mile? Never a problem in McKeesport PA...OMG


This is my old neighborhood....and why I am "FROM" there.

Gotta Love it!

MJ

Fantastic stuff from a Sister, somewheree

I can't take credit for this, but I do not know who the author is. Still it is wonderful.
MJo

BEST POEM EVER
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE . a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SH OULD HAVE .. one friend who always makes her laugh.. and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE a feeling of control over her destiny..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOUL D KNOW... that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.... how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.... where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table.. or a charming Inn in the woods.... when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. What she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

AND REMEMBER: GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE STARS. YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE THEM, BUT YOU ALWAYS KNOW THEY ARE THERE!!!!!!

Be yourself...everyone else is already taken