Sew Simple Quilts,LLC

Hello,
I know, I've been neglecting my blog. I've STILL working on my machine quilting business. I've gone to an LLC which was recommended by my bank. This is all taking so long. I've completed or as close as I can come to my Business Plan. Boy did that take a while. I've started the paper work for my sba loan. There has been a lot of prayer in that.
Good news though. Even though I've been a Christian, saved since I was 14, baptised w/ water and baptised in the Holy Spirit, I re-dedicated my life to Christ on Good Friday. There are reasons: of course with our flesh there are always reasons! I left the church, but did not leave God. I told HIM that I wouldn't step foot in another church for the rest of my life! I'd had enough! I was tired of the "Church" hurting other Christians. Why do we "shoot" our own? I'll leave that question for later...something to ponder over... Well anywho, I told him this and then felt guilty and then rescended my statement to include.."well, unless YOU (GOD), tell me to go back to church". I love how we bargain. So, HE has been gently nudging me for some months and finally went to church with a girl that works for me. After that, I was "lead" to go to a Passion Play" a little over an hour away. That night, I rededicated my life and am back in church.
God is good! He is good to me that is for sure! Well, that is all for now.
Love and Piece,
Carolyn

Busy on my new endeavor

Hello All,
Been really busy on "Sew Simple Quilts" business. Every thing has been going real well. Time consuming. Can't believe how long things take. I've redone my sewing room into a "Studio" thanks to Interweaves' new magazine thru Quilting Arts Magazine. If you haven't read it yet, I recommend it. I ordered it over the internet and it cost $5 more so I called my local book store and asked them to carry it and they have.
I am almost thru with my business plan. The one I am doing is 25 pages long and as soon as I've completed it I will set down with a Financial Officer at my bank and see what can be done. I've had so much support from family and friends that it is overwhelming. I really wasn't expecting that. I've been researching and researching. I've attended the APQS seminar that came close enough for me to attend and have decided that the Lord willing, the Gammill is for me. Until then, it is just me and my Viking Huskvarna #1. Looks like I will get double the workouts until then. One in my workout room and the other, pushing and tugging quilts in the sewing machine.
On a more personal note. I know that I've not said anything, but on January 6th I started going to a dietician. Monday was my monthly check in and as of that date I've lost a total of 43lbs. I've went from a 20-22 pant size to a 16. I really feel great and healthy and I have all of my energy back. Before I started this, I was tired all the time and just couldn't get going. It seemed like it took everything for me to do day to day functions and make it into work. Also, my husband was against me loosing the weight, said that I didn't need to do it. Well, he is working out now with that new guy craze "P90X".s
Well, that is all for now. I know it has been awhile since I've posted and I will try to remedy that.
Piece,
Carolyn

More Designing

Hello All,

I will tell you this, I will try to always post pictures, etc to the blog as I like to see what others are doing instead of just reading. Sorry, I am a visual gal. I FINALLY registered with Superior Threads and am eagerly awaiting my package. I usually stick with Masterpiece thread, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE to piece with!!!, but after ready some TQS reviews I've decided to step out and try some other threads that they offer. I looked up their Threadology School and all they had posted was for February, which by the way is almost over. I survived my oldest daughters Birthday this month, she's 22. How can this be? I feel so young.

I promise as soon as I get her cleaned up, I'll post pictures of my quilting room. Just don't be disappointed. We've been remodeling our house FOREVER and I mean FOREVER, so half of my floors are not done and so too the walls. This is due to adding on to the house and I couldn't wait for my Jamie (DH) to finish so I just moved on in. But, we'll get to that project later.

Now, for some pictures:

Here is the feather circle that I had done and previously posted. gail.designs noticed that I had made a booboo. BUT, I didn't read the blog UNTIL I'd added diagonal lines AND permanent marker. So, guess what. I am chalking it up to being artistic and creative.

I thought you guys would like to see my lightbox. A few years ago we went looking for a lightbox and this is what Jamie decided to do for me. The only thing he did different than what I asked for was the single bulb. I wanted him to put in 2 rows of stick lighting. He thought this was best.....I still want my stick lights. He is a wonderful guy. You will find out later with the Quilting room picures what all he has done for me and my room.

Conquering Fear

Hello All,

I don't know why I fear quilt design, but I do. I've tried { I guess not hard enough } before to do this and was unsuccessful. I really didn't like what I came up with. I've bought the books and took some classes. Well, the way the economy is, I've been raiding my UFO's to see what I can come up with. Well, Boy do I have some work to do.

Yesturday afternoon I decided to takle a Christmas wall hanging that I completed the top to YEARS ago. Took the class from Claudia Edmonds when she had her shop called "The Cherry Tree". Since then she has gone out of business and I miss her shop and conversations when I'd visit. I got everything ready and was ready to baste it when all of the sudden I had an IDEA!! I am going to draft/draw my own design and machine quilt it!!!! Man what was I thinking?

The drafting supplies that I bought years ago came out of their packaging and I went off looking for freezer paper or parchment paper. Well, I couldn't find any, so off to the store I went.

When I got home, I started to study the wall hanging and see what I wanted to do that wasn't going to be to difficault for me. Started taking measurements of certain areas and cutting and taping freezer paper.

Low and behold......I find that I LOVE drafting these patterns! So, there goes my mind into daydreaming about a Quilting Business again. Selling Fabrics, Notions, Customizing quilt patterns for customers etc......

I know good and well that I'd have to have money set aside to start a business. So, I come on down to the real world from where I'd been traveling to. My daydream was good while it lasted. I am sure I am not the only one with this affliction. Man, the shop I'd have...............

Piece,

Carolyn

Blocks for U.Eddie

Here is a couple of blocks that I've been working on. Caitlin did a PowerPoint with all the blocks so far and we can't get it to go thru the e-mail or get it up on this site.

I've got more done than this. Once I am done it should make an excellent shroud. Only U.E will get that joke.
Unfortunatly there are some that I got to looking at that need a little tweaking. Go figure. Well, I guess I can get off of here and see how this goes.