Monday, July 2, 2018

Quilter with Commitments



Yes, it's good.

Did you ever have to practice musical scales when all you wanted to do was play the new song? I feel a little like that with learning EQ8. I wasn't proficient with EQ7, and didn't get a lot out of the money I spent years ago. I think I believed that playing with the program would be enough to get it, and I was mistaken. I needed real lessons, and never got them. This time I prepared better, and bought the books. I'm roughly halfway through the Beginner Lessons, shout out to Anja, and this is definitely the way to go. I do not always feel like doing the lessons, but I am committed.



It's HOT here, too. 

The main topic of conversation everywhere I go is the heat. When will it end? Do ya'll have air? Etc. Most days are mid to upper 90's, and a few top 100 F. The studio is hot, but the dehumidifier makes it tolerable. It switches to an air conditioner also, but it's not like central air.  I quilt a while, and then home to cool off. I still have so much quilting to do this month so I keep plugging away at it.

This half-hexie quilt is in right now. I needed a few UFO's to leave the Pile of Unloved Projects, and it was actually on top. 


The little Cabin Under the Stars needed a border before quilting. What a difference it made from this picture below!




Backing and Border Fabric
From Stash



Early Morning Walks

This is the cemetery in Gnadenhutten. We are the oldest surviving settlement in Ohio, and the oldest gravestone is here. The first Caucasian child in the Ohio territory was born here, too. So many interesting Moravian stones and insignia. 

My other commitment, and maybe the most important of all, is to my health. I have asthma, and finally found a medicine that works, and I can tolerate. It's been a real battle the past several years, and feels positively wonderful to be exercising again! This little town is so beautiful in the early hours, and I've missed walking so much. 

I'm grateful to all the quilters who post pictures of themselves out there walking, running, and doing things to preserve their health. You inspire me! Thank you so much, Sandra from Quilting at the Cro's Nest and Anja from Anja Quilts. I think of you both every time I put my shoes on.

I'm linking up with Tish at Tish's Adventures in Wonderland where she's writing about the same thing. Yes, the fabric projects are pressing, but we are our most important UFO of all. Amen.






Gnadenhutten was settled in 1772.
Ohio became a state in 1803.



Any spring in the heat...

For you really citified folks out there reading this, you'll be shocked to know there are people in the country that still fill drinking jugs from springs like this. There might not be a place to buy a drink for many miles in any direction, but this water is free for anyone or horse that might need a drink. We did. 

I hope you're finding good ways to stay cool and committed where you are.

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.

Linking up with~

12 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I have not gotten my money's worth out of EQ7 either - I can't stand trying to learn a program and I never should have gotten it. I had an earlier version that was better for me but somewhere along the way with new computers it disappeared and I never found it. I got the new 7 and thought I would like it - it had changed too much and I didn't. Good luck to you to learn it - it was not for me.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

I haven't dived into EQ yet. But I have the beginner book. I thought I'd have time while recuperating, but all I've done is sleep and watch movies. ha ha ha I can't wait to get back out walking/running. I picked up a new pair of sneakers today. I won three pairs of New Balance in a contest. Yeah me!!

KaHolly said...

Good luck with learning EQ8! I’m not very good with things like that either. Sorry about your heat wave. It’s anything but hot up here. What a difference a border can make! It’s adorable!

Angie in SoCal said...

What an interesting post. Love your quilting. Love that cabin star quilt too!

Stitchin At Home said...

I have learned my way around EQ8 by playing...maybe a book would have been a good idea. I just want the heat wave to end with all the humidity it has been horrible.

Lisa J. said...

I've been coping with the heat by restricting my going outside to early in the morning and then in the evening. I really want to take advantage of outside time in the summer. In the summer we sleep with the doors open (nobodies walked in yet, the screens lock)But mostly we have a lot of trees around our house which keep it bearable. You are working on beautiful projects.

Barb Neiwert said...

I really do like your Cabin Under the Stars quilt! And I had to laugh, because I have the books for EQ8, but I have never taken the time to start the lessons. I'd much rather spend time sewing/quilting/scheming. And with my husband retired now, my quilting time is getting narrowed. Congrats on getting those early morning walks in! Fantastic way to start the day!

audrey said...

I'm glad you've figured out a better method for properly using EQ8. I bought EQ7 years ago and never used it much at all. Total waste of money for this quilter! I guess my brain just doesn't want to quilt via computer. lol

Rebecca Grace said...

YAY, Julie -- I am so proud of you for doing the EQ8 lessons! If you ever get stuck with something, please feel free to reach out to me. You have certainly helped ME with enough quilty dilemmas -- I would love to be able to help you! Also I adore your log cabin/star quilt. Glad your asthma is under control and you are back in charge of your health!

Rebecca Grace said...

...By the way, did anyone tell you about the way to fix your Blogger account so you get emailed with comment notifications again? Log into your Blogger account and go to the Comment Notifications settings. In the field where you have your email address listed for comment notification, DELETE your email and turn OFF the moderation notification, and click SAVE SETTINGS. Then REenter your email address and click to turn comment notification/moderation back on, and click SAVE SETTINGS again. This will cause Blogger to email you an invitation to receive comment notification from them, with a link that you click on to "SUBSCRIBE" to the new comments as they post to your blog. It's a way for Blogger to prove they have your permission to send you emails about comments on your own blog. Once you accept that invitation, you will begin receiving email notifications for every new blog comment just like you used to before Blogger mucked around with it.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

In Northern Indiana we waited until the middle of May to have Spring weather. it never came...just jumped right into Summer. The air is too thick for my husband to breathe. The weeds are a jungle in the back quarter where we try to provide a place for critters and birds. Wrens have built their nests on WEEDS!!!

I hate practice which is why I have never reached perfection in my stitching. i keep going and never say the "P" word. I'm getting better.

I loved the part of this post that talks about the history of your town. I love thinking back to what my bay area on the St. Joseph River was when the Indians made this their home. I love looking at the stones in a small cemetery next to the rail yards when I wait up to 20 minutes for a train to pass. Lots of Amish/German names. I'll have to try to find the oldest stone.
xx, Carol

Kate said...

I've taken the approach of learning what I need when I need it when it comes to EQ8. That's worked so far. The border really frames the log cabin blocks. Happy stitching this weekend, stay cool if you can.