۞Sweet Interruption۞ 41

I will ask. Is 10 to an inch a good gauge to go by? more or less?

Tina, sweetie, these sistahs mean what they say when they tell you they're here for you. Hang in there.

I think I heard somewhere that it was 7-8 per inch? Go to this search results. It shows stitches, and cost. One said they charge a penny per square inch.
Linda Kay

http://search.live.com/results.aspx?q=how+many+stitches+per+inch+for+hand+quilting&FORM=ADDLVD&src=IE-SearchBox

Y'all, what can I say to tell y'all how much everyone means to me! I got a UPS box a while ago and didn't realize it until BJ called me to look under my carport for a box. IT'S A SEWING MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm overwhelmed with such a gift as this! What a surprise and I thank you all so much. sniff sniff I have cried but they have been tears of joy! You know I really don't have any buddies I see here in my home town on any form of a regular basis. Being one who worked out of town for so many years really kept me out of touch with friends. You all are like family to me having close friends that just happen to be scattered across the country. I talk to yall almost every day. And so many of you I can pick up the phone and call. That's really special to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I am really glad you got it so quick! Have fun with it, but don't run away and hide with it, you have to keep us posted with your sewing projects!!!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Linda Kay

Do you FEEL THE LOVE????

Deborah... enjoy... and you have to promise to post pics of all your sewing projects...

Whoohoo! Can't wait to see the lovely things you will sew : )

I'm now taking bets on her first project...

I'll bet she's going to make a baby rag quilt for that grand baby she's expecting.

I got $10 on it.

Oh Deborah, now I really need to know your schedule as I am planning to come spend a day with you--hopefully we can do it after the first of November. I will be there to answer questions and in general encouragement. Been having a hard time not letting it slip!!!

Okay what is 70 miles with girlfriends? I have driven further than that just to have lunch with mine in Gainesville--but not much any more. Read the manuel, as if you aren't doing that already. LOL I also will have a few "goodies" in hand upon my arrival. So now the ball is in your court!!! Just glad isn't football.

Hummm, very interesting BJ. Trouble is--I'd bet the same thing. Shucks!!
LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!!!

Whoooo Hooooo! Now Deborah can share her rag purse and rag quilt projects! And actually sew up gorgeous window treatments like the ones you made without sewing (still can't believe you made such pretty things with no sewing machine).

Jaye, one of the links Marion sent me had the coolest list of quilt block patterns listed in alphabetical order - so I looked up drunkards path. That's a very unique pattern. Can't wait to see it.

See, Marion, I am using your links!

Tina, I'm so sorry you've been dealing with so much. In your case, when it rains it FLOODS! Hang in there and share any time you feel the need. We are good listeners, ah, good readers. That's what sistahs are for.

BJ, check with local senior citizens centers also. I learned some here do hand quilting to raise money for their projects. I used to think machine quilting was cheating and wasn't interested in it until I started seeing some of these mind boggling creations done today. The quilting patterns can be programed to coordinate with the quilt block pattern - like leaves, flowers, etc. I think I'll cherish the hand made quilts from my grandmother and great grandmother and have any I do done on machine. Thinking machine quilting is stronger, too.

Kathy, more babies! Congrats!

Marion... bet all you have to do is get in the car and head north... call her on the way and tell her your coming... LOL... you'll be greeted with open arms...

Deborah, you lucky Dawg! Marion coming to give you private sewing lessons? You will be in seamstress heaven!

Debra... when I took some stuff to the senior center near me, they had a quilt there that they pieced and quilted and are trying to sell on display. Sorry, but the quilting stitches were just tacky... very far apart, and you could tell they were done by about 10 different women, with 10 different levels of skill. If I'm going to put that much work into a top, I want an equally well done pattern stitched into it.
That's why I haven't made one yet. I can't (or don't want to) do a good job at the quilting part of it.

Don't blame you, BJ. I wouldn't want that either! Didn't think about that but there would be different people working on it with different skill levels. Scratch that idea!

BJ, please let us know when you check into the quilting and the quality. Should be outstanding and Jaye is correct with the stitches--10 is really getting fine, fine stitches. Have seen some with 15 but not from this lady you don't. I would really be interested in their pricing as I have several (insert many) (well make it lots) that need to be quilted.

Debra you are making me blush!! I do have a wee little knowledge but can help with some problems. To do it right she would need all of us their for a session. BTW, a lot of the patterns of the last link I sent are free downloads. That's what I like the best==also broken down into sizes.

This is the sort of dedication to quilting I would want in my quilt.

http://www.amishhandquilting.com/

MadamButterfly Deborah,

If BJ hadn't of done the group blast to everyone, I was getting ready to pack up a sewing machine for you with a cabinet to! Oh well the one you got is WAY better than the one I was going to send you. Now we'll never hear from you, you'll be glued to that machine lol.

Marion... would you share your links with me?
'specially the ones with free downloads.

What a site BJ. That is what I am looking for as some of my tops will go to the granddaughters and I want them done right.

I actually got it from the quilting/sewing thread but it is
www.quilterscache.com

That's ok, Cindy... we'll just be talking about her... she'll have to come up for air eventually to see what we're all saying.

Now, do not blame me for any trouble you may or may not get into. I am a poor little innocent bystander now.

OMG... there's way too many patterns to choose from on that site... it's going to take me a week to look at them all.

yea

Very nice site. I like several of them. But the decisions??? Like going to a fabric store, which one do you choose?
LK

again i say Yea really.

Tia,

Robynznest wants to know about the dirty santa swap

BJ, I had a Swedish quilting teacher that did 12 to an inch...painfully too!!! There's this 'rocking method' she employed that made her look like an automated machine. So you can say that Kel's aunt's a perfectionist. My ex's late mama did 3 to an inch!!! And her patterns were either waves or circles. She said they go faster when they're that big!! I'd say, you try going for more than 6. The more the stronger your quilt will be, and not to say, much more 'refine'.
I'm with Debra though. Those long arm Gammils machine do fantastic job. Maybe there's someone on DG that takes in quilting.

Sistah, sistah, sistah... your very own machine now!! Watch out ladies, Deborah's gonna be googling every conceivable sewing project and put the rest of us to shame!!!
Like Cindy, I was getting ready to say adios to my Hobbymatic and set its' way to Cordele. But BJ got a better idea!

I am so envious now.. wish I had Marion when I first learnt to quilt. Hard to understand a Swede sometimes. Get lost in translation! LOL!!
BTW, Quilterscache is a good site.

Here's a site for good quilting fabric with some at very affordable prices.
http://www.homesteadhearth.com/index.php?first=1&sortby=alpha&category=An+Online+Blowout&sc=%244+per+yard+Sonnet

Now I can safely say, that the book I got for Debra, I got one for you too Deborah. And yours is supposed to be there by the end of the month.. media mail and from Alibris. Whereas Debra's from eBay. Wow, what a coincidence .. both Ds!!!!

BJ has been a powerful organizer in making sure your prayers are answered Deborah ^_^

Tia, I suffer from that myself, but never that bad. My good wises are with you. I’m so glad you got your DGS out of that situation. Sometimes people just shouldn’t be allowed to raise kids; my DSD’s mother is one of those.

So what kind of machine did you get? tell us a bit about it please. And if you have any questions, just pop in here. I bet one of us will answer you. Just remember, to not play with the tension. they can be fussy sometimes.
Linda Kay

Dirty santa lets get it reviewed again that would be a very tricky swap with lots of things that could go wrong and I am scared. I can do it I forgot when I said we would try to do it would have to look again. It is fun if everyone is willing to be a little lenient i n how it goes.

Tia, I will help wherever I can. I think this one will be a BLAST.

Today is a day of tears, happy and sad. I just received this email from my cousin she is a nurse in Alabama and has a lot to do with the military.

GOD BLESS THIS AIRLINE CAPTAIN

My lead flight attendant came to me and said, 'We have an H.R. on this flight'. H.R. stands for human remains.

'Are they military?' I asked. 'Yes', she said. 'Is there an escort?' I asked. 'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.
Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck. You can board him early', I said.

A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.

My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ', he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words on his own. I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight dec k to find his seat.

We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', he said. He then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia . The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear.

He had asked the flight attendant if there was anyt hing that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when he asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it', I said. I told him that I would get back to him.

Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had onboard with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.

Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and this following is the text:

'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and planeside. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and planeside to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain,&nbs p;most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'

I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.' Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing.
After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us.

'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft', we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking. I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His name is private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'

We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockp it door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft. When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', I'm sorry, thank you, be proud, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.

Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.

I respectfully ask that all o f you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of America

As soon as this lump in my throat softens up a bit, I might have something to say... but I doubt I can say any more than that touching story translates to us all.

I told you it was a day for tears. When I was reading Deborah's post I got happy tears for her, Then I read that.

hey all... I hear theres a party going on over here! lol! and without me?! teehee!

Debra sooo glad you liked your machine :o)
...........is she still off reading the manual? tell her to share the instructions once she does cause I never read my manual! teehee! I usually wait til the manuals been thrown away, then need to know something and cant! lol!

Hi Sistahs! so this is where you are all hiding out huh?! teehee

BTW this is to those I sent cd's to. Who has made a patio pal? I want to see some pictures, ladies.............................

Oh gosh I got mine so so sorry I didnt post, I have not looked at the cd since, I promise I will tomorrow. If my head was not attached to my body I would leave it somewhere else. I knew I was forgetting something.

I got mine too Cindy... I'm too ashamed to hold my head up... sorry I didn't let you know... darn, I'm slipping...
I haven't had the chance to do anything with it either, but I will... promise.

WELCOME 1ANJL.... glad you finally made it here... you're an honorary sistah, anyway.. so you might as well be here... so happy you came over.

Tia and BJ, that's alright I kne you got them. I just wondered if anyone has made any yet. They came out with 2 more books.

Annmarie, how are you feeling? How's the fever? gone I hope