Veteran's Day 2011

I wanted to spend today THANKING all of the military veterans AND their families.

I took this on our recent vacation to Pearl Harbor

 

For those who don't know.  

This day is near and dear to my heart.

Why?

Because I am a Veteran!!!

Front Cover of MY Army Album (not the family album)

Army Nurse Corp

HOOAH!!!!!!!!

 Not only did I serve in Army ROTC for 4 years in college, 4 years Active Duty, and 4 Reserve.

I come from a long tradition of Army Veterans.

Front page of the Family Military Album

A few years ago, my AMAZING grandmother and I spent two separate week long visits working on our family Military Album together.  They aren't incredibly fancy because we made EIGHTEEN copies.  You heard that right!  EIGHTEEN!!!

 

We included my great-grandfather who served in WWI.

My grandmother wanted pictures of each war memorial related to the family member that served.

   My great uncle Jack who served in WWII.

The information is taken from the actual WW2 Memorial Website.  That is an actual picture of his bomber plane

He was shot down from his bomber plane SIX times.  SIX TIMES!!!!!

His special card to help him cross enemy lines...I accidentally put the info card upside down...fixed it today!!  Do you see him at the top of the plane!!

Then there is my grandfather. 

My grandmother and I did chronological write ups for each of the family members

An Army ROCKSTAR.  Served in the Korean War, and Vietnam on three separate tours. 

So cool...I love looking at these photos!

By the time he had left the Army, he was a Full Bird Colonel and had an impeccable resume. 

Stud...right?!?!?

How many can say that they were on the Joint Chief of Staff?!?!?

There were some extended family members, but they weren't included in the album because we tried to keep it immediate family only.  And I have only shown you a few of the pages of each family members...there were definitely many more.

In the album...I was next in line.

A few of my ceremonies...and some shots with my little guys!

  Me...nerdy Heidi!  I can honestly say that was a very special time in my life.  I made life long friends with my college ROTC buddies. 

Some ROTC adventures....I have a FULL album of about 30 pages of ROTC photos and then another 20 of my Active duty days

We are all on Facebook and keep up with each other.  My husband and I meet up with some of them every year at each other's "spots" except for the past few years.  With some in Afghanistan and some friends stationed in Alaska...it is really difficult to get together!  But I know we will see them again.

 

A special group...FIRST ALL WOMEN'S ROTC RANGER CHALLENGE TEAM IN REGION 2!  It was a REALLY BIG DEAL!

 I also loved my active duty days.  I loved being an Army Nurse.  LOVED it!   I was stationed outside of Washington D.C at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.  I was so lucky because I was able to go to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital for training.  I met some high speed Nurses because it was D.C after all.  And if there was a high ranking Nurse that needed attendees for their funerals at Arlington Memorial Cemetery....guess what lowly officers were called on hand?  It was such an honor to pay my respects these amazing women that had paved the way for all of us women in the military. 

Some photos from Officer Basic Course and when my friend, fellow ROTC nurse and college roommate came to visit us!!

  Oh, and that yellow arrow above?  My firstborn while I was at Officer Basic Course.  I am about 20 weeks there!  Yup, I was only 13 weeks pg when I left my new husband for training, I returned already in my third trimester...WHOA!

Me with my good friend and fellow Army Nurse....yup...they come in the male persuasion, too!!!

My second was born while I was in the military too.

My friend came to visit....Do you see my little man walking?  So cute!!!

Did I mention that there is a Women's Memorial in Washington D.C. now? 

I went there a few times shortly after it was opened!  It is at the Arlington Cemetery...check it out when you are there!!!

After me?  

My brother and sister joined the Virginia National Guard.  I don't have photos of my brother...we are still gathering them for his "section"!!

My family at my sister's graduation.

My sister married her husband whom she met at AIT.....They are now the "typical" military family.  

About 2 years before they were married...so young....so cute!!

Moving where the Army calls and taking care of business.  My brother-in-law has been to Iraq and is lucky to be around for the coming birth of their second child.

My brother is still trucking along.  He was sent to Iraq two years ago.  Not only is he doing his normal "guard" duties every month.  He is also a member of the Honor Guard.  He is called to do the funerals of the many that served our country.  I am so proud of him that he does these men and women justice at their final goodbye.  I am sure their loved ones appreciate the pomp and circumstance that is so deserved!

Is there more to come in our family?

The last page in the family album

If my boys have anything to say about it, it looks like a possibility.  But I am not forcing...I promise!!

But in the meantime....

I also want to give a shout out today to Quilts of Valor.  I just found a Valor Quilt Bee blog when I was blog hopping for the Bloggers' Quilt Festival.  Remember how I said you can really find some great blogs!  This one is very special.  They contribute blocks to the Quilts of Valor Organization.

I recently found out that you can volunteer your long arm services.  I don't even have mine set up yet. But when I do, and when I know that I have better skills on it...I will definitely volunteer my services!!  I actually have some old t-shirts and sweatshirts of mine I'd like to make as a memory quilt for myself someday....

Sorry this is such a long post....I guess I had more to say than I expected.  

Thank you to all that have served our military services in small and big ways.
Thank you to all those that have sacrificed life and limb for our country

Thank you to my family for supporting me when I was gone or working.  

Thank you to my husband for "following me" for those four years.  I hope I have paid you back by following you the following eleven years so far!

Thank you to all of those who stand by their husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters.  Without you, they couldn't do what they do.

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Challenge? Game On!!!!

I have some homemade gifts planned for Christmas.

Kari at UCreate and Ana at Ana White Homemaker have challenged the craft community to MAKE TWO.

Hand make an extra gift and give it to a child in need?

No arm twisting needed at all!!!

I will link up with the party as soon as I get finished!!!

Want to join?

I DARE YOU.........

Go HERE!!!!!

So much to do...so little time

Or to be more exact...

So much to do, so much time, but I have been lazy this week!!!

I am not sure what is going on with me,  either I am worn out from the QUILT SHOW.  Or worn out from rearranging the area for my NEW GIRL,

But I have  not touched a single thing since last Thursday.

But laundry, cleaning, and some volunteering at the school took priority the last two days.

So I apologize to all of my friends that are waiting on me, and Button for not getting his highchair cushion finished!!

It does, however, look like a FREE DAY today for sewing until my heart's content!!!!
 

So here are all of my UFOs (unfinished objects in sewing speak for my non-sewing followers)

Puffy Quilt #3

I did cut out the new fabric that replaced my old choice that finally arrived at the end of last week! 

My machine will be quite busy today making my puffies and poly fill stuffing is in my future today!

Highchair Cushion

My goal is just cutting the pattern from the old cushion.  I won't put too much pressure on myself!

Cuppa Joe Swap Blocks

I have my background brown blocks cut.  Now I just need to get working on the mug appliques.  I feel like a complete schmuck that a) I forgot and b) I didn't work on them the last week....SORRY Crafty Sewing Mamas!!!!

Fall Throw Pillow Covers

I have this fabric cut out.  

I still have to take off the Halloween Covers.  Yes, I know Halloween is over, but I didn't get to enjoy them very long! 

Do you like the new fabric?  I am not sure if I am going cutesy or what yet.  I do know that I am keeping some of the larger pillows simple like I did for Halloween!

Christmas Musical Costumes

Did I mention that one of my major volunteering jobs at my boys school is to sew new and alter old costumes.  It's that time of the year again!  

So far, it looks like only alterations after yesterdays fittings!!  Last year, the three camel costumes about put me under.  I work with all donated fabrics (did I mention how ugly donated fabrics can be?) and just pray that Mary and Joseph are around the same height as last year's, because those two costumes are the more elaborate.  Luckily, I have HUGE hem allowances on most of the costumes, because middle schoolers are notoriously either REALLY tall or REALLY tiny!  

Did I mention that the musical director wants them all done by the end of next week before Thanksgiving break?  YIKES!

So if you could, can you chant?

Go. Heidi.  Sew. Heidi.  Go. Heidi.  Sew Heidi.

As always, linking this to Lee's Freshly Pieced.  It is always enjoyable to see what everyone is up to!  I have found many a favorite blog that I now follow by checking out the other WIPS!!!!! 

And it is a special day....it is her ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY for WIP Wednesday!

My New Girl

Handi Quilter   HQ Avante

She's Here!!!!  

In a box!

I promised YESTERDAY that I would tell you the who, what, where, why and hows today!

Disclaimer:  I am currently not being paid to review any products or services by any of the quilting machine companies.  These opinions are based on the my personal shopping journey.  But if they would like to sponsor me, do you think I will complain??)

My number one purpose was to shop Long Arm quilting machines at the quilt show.  Even though I really did not expect Mr. Boss to purchase one this weekend, I knew if I did not get my hands on a few, I would never really know which one I should even set my sights on!

I have been dreaming of a Long Arm for about 10 years now.  I have avoided many quilts and turned down requests from friends and customers based on the fact that doing a quilt any larger than 70x70 inches make me go crazy!  I actually start going crazy once a quilt exceeds 48x48 inches!!

I have actually never touched a machine until this weekend.  

Can you believe it? 

I have watched countless episodes on quilt TV shows.  Countless Youtube videos. And of course, have seen a gazillion finished products.

Okay...back on point.  The Houston Quilt Festival!

A little birdie (maybe my very own local quilt shop?) told me that the long arm companies bring many machines to demonstrate and some conduct classes all week.  They would prefer to have someone take them off site, then haul them all back home.  And they are used..they can't sell them for full retail to a customer.  So, DEALS, ladies....DEALS on DEMOS!!

We bee lined to the booths.  We hit Gammill, BabyLock, A-1, HandiQultand kind of swept by the others. 

First off, why did I rule out the others?  They were not on my top list after my extensive online research the past few years.  Did I mention that I used to send links of machines to Mr. Boss on occasion.  Marketing to your hubby is pretty key, especially if he is in the business of marketing, right?

Second reason for passing them by.  Basic construction.  You can literally SEE the difference in frames and machines.  Steel versus aluminum.  Bulkiness versus too simplistic.

Now to my final top picks. (Note: I was looking at 18inch throats only) 

I will give you the SIMPLIFIED breakdown.  There is so much more, but I don't want to bore!

_______________________________________

Gammill....Vision

PROS: 

• gorgeous.

• sturdy.

• smooth.

• Dazzle you with the fancy lighting.

• The oldest company in town.

• price reduced from their usually VERY high retail prices

CONS: 

• background is commercial machines.

• A lot of constant maintenance (i.e. more oiling than any other machine)

• questionable servicing/support

• no deals on demo models

• No deals on shipping

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Baby Lock Crown Jewel

PROS

• I am a proud owner of 3 machines (Symphony Domestic Machine, Emore Embroidery, and Evolve Serger)

• A little birdie told it is manufactured by HandiQuilter (kind of like Kenmore appliances being made by Whirlpool)

• Offer shortened frames...as small as 5-8 feet so for small spaces, can be an option

• Service.  My quilt shop would be my go-to guys.  Perfect support!

• Offered a "decent" deal on the demo.  

CONS

• I just didn't like it.

• It just "felt" strange to me.

• The movement was not smooth.  Maybe it was the set-up.  Maybe it was the environment.  I just felt that if you are at a show, the machine should be running at it's best...and it wasn't.

• The price was 3,000 more than the Gammill?  It was a bit perplexing.

• Only ONE demo was available.  So they were very pushy on us making a quick decision.

 

Note:  I REALLY wanted to like this one, I swear.  I just didn't, which saddens me a bit!

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

A-1 Quilting Machines

Pros

• Beautiful

• Smooth

• Actual owners were demonstrating and helping

Cons

I didn't spend much time because it was too expensive

------------------------------------------------

HANDI QUILTER HQ18 AVANTE

PROS

• Company was founded by a quilter.  A woman that wanted to make a LA for women just like me...at home, making my own quilts and a small home business.

• The NICEST salespeople ever.  Informative.  

•  Smooth

•  Sturdy construction

• Smooth (did I say that again?)

• USER FRIENDLY

• Maintenance.  Just the bobbin case every other bobbin change.

• 7 Instruction DVD videos with purchase.

•  Didn't mess around. Gave the quote right away and didn't pressure us to buy. 

• Every FMQ I did turned out exactly how I wanted it.  Effortlessly.  I was making leaves, hearts, flowers, and even attempting the difficult feather patterns!!

• Did I mention that the President of the company gave out his cell to arrange for pick up?  Then he helped box the machines up.  That kind of service is just my style! 

 

CONS

The only concern is that they were bought by an investment company.   But what sewing machine company HASN'T been lately? It just wasn't a deal breaker.

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Upgrades?  

Yes....to all.  EVERY SINGLE MACHINE could be upgraded with computers and it didn't sound like too much work (except possibly Gammill). 

I hope this helps if you are looking, searching.  I must reiterate, I have not been paid or received any special deals from any of the companies.  This was just MY experience.  I would not be surprised if someone else had a completely different experience!

Wow!

I will never forget this quilt show!!!  Ever.

Here's why......

Mr. Boss decided that we would take the whole family.  He felt that this was really important to me and that the boys should share in it.

There is some serious news...so hang in there all the way to the end of the story, okay?

As we first walked in...a quilt car. 

NOTE:  Please excuse blurry/non-focused/horrible photos.  It was VERY busy and I didn't want to annoy any of the more serious ladies that were there!!!!

My 14 year old son found these two special areas.  Apparently, I am old because all quilters need scooters....in his mind...

 And that he needed to know where the first aid station was because he felt that he was in dire need of help.

But the boys discovered that quilts aren't all flowers and butterflies....

And Bean LOVED the animal quilts.

Bunny was fascinated with this one...it made you get dizzy and the optical illusion was mind blowing!

There might have been a few yawns since we were there during  naptime...

But there were certainly some occasional giggles.....

Taken with Camera phone by the oldest.....he posted this on Facebook.....

Where else, but a quilt show would there be a "Ladies Only" sign at the Mens' restroom door!

I can't even tell you how many booths there were.  Too many that my brain was in overload.

And the boys had a lot of fun test driving long arm quilting machines.  I think they made the salespeople nervous, but they used them like pros...and it kept them busy!

And the quilts entered into the show?  Amazing.

You weren't allowed to take pictures of some of them.  But I took just a few of the ones I could.

Wearable Quilt Art Winner.

My mom would love this.  She loves all things "oriental" especially since she was born in Okinawa, Japan (on a military base..)

Oh...shopping you say?

I just couldn't decide.  But Mr. Boss wanted me to get this kit:

It didn't take much to twist my arm...we saw the finished project.

I think it will take me 10 years to finish it!

So many gadgets....

I only picked up the quilting paper, powder pounce, proportional scale, and tape measure.  They are tools to help with pantograph quilting.  They came with these.

Huge spools of quilting thread.  

Why do I need that you say?

Oh, I didn't tell you why my husband is the

BEST HUSBAND EVER?

Because I am picking up one of the demos of these...

Today!! 

My frame will be here by the end of next week!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!

I am a proud owner of a new Handi Quilter  longarm machine!!!

HQ 18 inch Avante with Studio Frame

I will tell you who, what, where, and why I chose this brand tomorrow.  

I have to go pick my new girl up!

Oh....and recover from the shock...No more gifts for the next 20 years of birthdays and Christmases!

What's Up?

 

Need I say more??

I am not sure if I can handle anymore yummy quilt goodness, especially when I am still going through all 600+ entries the Bloggers' Quilt Festival (Fall 2011) at Amy's Creative Sides.

But what can I say?

I am a glutton for punishment.......

but the upside?

My studio is clean right now!!!

What are you doing this weekend?