Thursday, February 06, 2014

Mid Winter Grumbling

This has been the whitest, coldest winter I can ever remember. My Granddog Max loves the snow and can't wait to get outside to jump around. Here I am trying to get his sweater on, and just like a toddler, he is fighting me every step of the way! Maybe the sweater is getting a little too tight for this growing boy?


In order to go for a walk, the sidewalks have to be shoveled first. His legs are too little to climb through snow, so guess who is very tired of shoveling snow? Grandma! The snow banks are so high that there is no place to put the snow without lifting it higher than your waist.

It's perfect quilting weather, but because of all the shoveling, my back is perpetually sore and my arms feel like jello. 
I am turning into Crabby Maxine!
Although the weather is perfect, the body is weak. 
Boo :(

Come on Grandma. You did a great job on the shoveling, now let's go for a walk! 
More bad mid winter news for me. The part for my broken sewing machine is on back order. I am glad the part is still available, but it has to come from Japan. And that means my machine probably won't be fixed until March. That's three months without quilting on my favorite machine! How can I last?!?
Well, I have been sewing with my vintage back up machines, Sweet Baby Jayne and Blue White, but they are not industrial machines, and while they are good for piecing, they are not good at machine quilting. They both get quite hot when I've tried to work them harder.
But luckily my friend Louise lent me her lovely machine and I have been sewing these log cabin blocks while I get to "know" her (yes, all sewing machines are female according to my mechanic!)
I have it set up on my dining room table, and am almost ready to see if she will be able to tolerate my machine quilting habits!
I have been sewing while watching old QuiltCam videos on Bonnie's YouTube channel
Oh my... I just realized that my Christmas quilt is still on the wall... time to swap that out!
Tonight is a live QuiltCam at 9 pm. Just go to Quiltville and click on the link up arrow after 9 pm and you can sew along with Bonnie and all us Quiltvillians.

19 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

At least you have back up machines and how nice of your friend to loan you her machine. I like to watch Quilt Cam, too - but my furries get flustered trying to find who's talking!

Janet O. said...

You've got a boatload of snow there, my dear!
I need to go out and shovel before trying to get out of the driveway today. My back and arms are not looking forward to it. : )
What a bummer about your machine. I hope your friend's machine does the job well for you.
I like your Christmas quilt.

Cathy said...

Those blue and yellow and cream blocks that you've got started there look quite interesting. Are you starting a log cabin quilt?

Kigwit said...

I'm south of you in the Houston area and am fervently glad we don't have snow. Although I wouldn't mind a day off work! I love the log cabin quilt in the background of your photo. I've never seen one like it.

cityquilter grace said...

crabby is contagious in this weather, had a minor meltdown this AM myself...mostly because cannot shake congestion/cough and listlessness along WITH the winter of my discontent...love your bow ties!

Teresa in Music City said...

My goodness! And I thought I was suffering through this winter! :) I've never had to shovel snow in my life and I hope I never do, certainly not at this stage of my life where every little bit of unaccustomed effort hurts somewhere LOL!!! So glad for friends - what would we do without them???

beaquilter said...

blocks look great! good thing you could borrow a machine, I just gave my back up machine to a friend while hers is getting looked at too.

Lesley said...

Your blocks are sweet...such gentle colours. So wonderful that your friend came through with a machine!

Robin said...

I agree that all machines are female. My two are named the Queen and Little Sister. What a great friend to loan you her machine. Have fun sewing.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I have one machine that is a 'he', Victor the blue treadle. I agree on the snow. We have to shovel the patio and back walk so the dog can get off to take care of business.

Jill said...

Sorry about your delayed sewing part. Thanks for Quilt Cam reminder.

Jill said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary said...

I only got to watch part of QuiltCam tonight. I am sure any quilter would do the same for a fellow quilter. Glad you have a loaner machine to play with while yours in at the Spa! Good thing the repair man doesn't charge by the day.




Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

oh my you DO have alot of snow there! Our latest round was more sleet and ice on top of the snow so we missed out on major accumulation.

But your little sweetheart looks happy, appreciative of your shoveling, and just adorable! :)

Kate said...

That's a lot of snow!

So sorry about your machine, that's definitely not a fun thing. At least you have a loaner to get you by.

Barb said...

Three months is a long time without your machine...but your back up will help stay off the no sewing for three months.

Please don't be mad if I say "Stay Warm"....those words are lost around here and we live in Texas...we are cold cold cold

Sally Ann said...

Hi kathy,
so wonderful your friend came through with her machine for you. Love your Chrismtas quilt and the new one your working on. My favorite colurs blue and yellow for a log cabin!. Your dog is so cut prancing around in the snow! My golden retriever pup at 9mths is having loads of fun too! Happy sewing!

Quilting Nonnie said...

I love your blog! You are a very entertaining writer. I love the photos and comics you put in. I'm definitely a new fan and follower. I'm a Bonnie Hunter girl, for sure. She's my muse. I'm participating in the Rainbow SC also. I'm sure as I read your posts that I'm going to find much more to like about you!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a little cutie and I just love the photo of you putting on the sweater! I'm glad you have some back up machines, that would be terrible not to have one and not be able to sew until March!