Frustration

I have had my longarm machine for about five years now

and I am totally addicted, my passion for quilting has taken

me interstate ( within Australia) and overseas (Houston).

I have met some fabulous people and had some classes

with amazing teachers.

At times I have found it frustrating to say the least, doubting myself 

and thinking I am never going to master this.

I did feel at times that there was a resistance with my

 machine around the middle of the table, but just put it

down to imagining things, and needing more practice. I also felt that I could never

get the precise finish I wanted and backtracking on

the exact line..........well forget it  !!

Luckily I was explaining this to Tracey from

Constatine Quilts and she immediately said its your wheels and that 

I should try the M&M Wheels. So I thought

why not!!

All I can say is AMAZING!!!

These wheels have made such a difference and

backtracking has become a breeze. Milly and I

are now besties again whoo hoo!!

I know I am rambling on but my point is

don't doubt yourself and ask questions, I should of

asked these questions earlier and I may have solved 

this problem years ago.

I am one happy little vegimite right now!!

 thanks Tracey     :)

Happy Quilting

Mandy

Bloggers Quilt Festival and Babies

Baby quilts seem to be the flavour in my world at the moment, I have been working

on this one for a while now and am happy to say its finished ..........yay!!!

I was asked to make this quilt for a friend of a friend

I couldn't resist the car theme being it's a boy, I love raw edge applique and couldn't resist
adding this to the quilt, combined with my love of
long-arm quilting, I went to town.

 The most fun I had was the quilting , I loved doing the swirls in the small

blue border and feathering in the strips and outer borders. But most of all

I really enjoyed doing the pebbles, there is something hypnotic about

the same thing over and over I found it very relaxing.............crazy I know!!!

I have joined Amy and many others in the Fall 2012 - Bloggers Quilt Festival 
go on over and check out all the beautiful quilts. I am sure you
will be enthralled by the amazing and talented ladies out there
in blogland.

Quilt Measurements: 35" x 35"
Special Techniques used: Raw Edge Applique
Quilted by: Mandy (Me)
Best Category:  Baby Quilt or Applique Quilt

But the most exciting news I have is that my daughter (Kym) is expecting her 

first baby in March 2013, we are all very excited. So you guessed it

I am busy making baby bits and pieces. Something is definitley happening in this part of

town, as I know of about seven babies, all due around the same time.  So

it's time for me to hit the machine and get busy.

Happy Quilting

Mandy

AMQF

I was lucky enough to attend AMQF a week ago and take some classes with

some of the well known longarmers, Renae Haddidin, Vicki Jenkins and

Myrna Ficken, I had the best time and learnt a few tricks of

the trade.

Not to mention the Ricky Tims Seminar, which was an 

all day seminar, Ricky is an inspiration and a very talented textile artist and musician.

His approach to quilting  is very relaxed, his " if it feels right 

then do it" attitude is very refreshing, it cetainly has opened up my

eyes and made me think outside the box.

Anita, Karen and myself with Ricky a highlight of our trip.

The girls and I also realised we have known each other now for five years,
with one trip to Sydney and three trips to Adelaide and one to Houston, we have
done a lot together and supported each other in our quilting journies.
Thanks guys for your friendship and many more quilty adventures.

Now I didn't get many photos as I was in class a fair bit
but these are a few quilting photos I liked.

 

Myrna Ficken

Renae Haddidin
This one I love and basically came from a stencil and has
just  been filled in with background fillers, I may have
to have a go at something similar, so many ideas and
inspiration.

Renae Haddidin

AMQF was fabulous, if you get a chance to go it's definitley
worth the trip.

Have fun  

Mandy