Vacation Work

So I booked another time to bond with the longarm machine on Saturday. I decided to get a solid cheap fabric so I could practice some of the cool stitches I see around. I marked out blocks to practice in on my kitchen island using my favorite chalk marker..

Here's a picture of the special bobbin winding machine you have to use for the longarm bobbins. It supposedly winds the bobbin tighter and fuller than an ordinary bobbin winder. I don't know if I'm convinced, but it's the rental rule.

 I started out filling in each square with a different design, but I was going to run out of time before I ran out of squares so I meandered a large space and then went on with the squares.
 Here's the fabric I used on the back side.

 I got all done with all the boxes, and only ran over a little bit on time.  I learned a lot by doing this quilt. I learned that one speed does not fit all, but this longarm machine when not in Auto stitch regulator mode only runs in the set speed. I can adjust the speed, but I think the auto stitch regulator is the way to go with small, detailed ideas.

 Look I can write!

 I broke the bobbin thread a bout 100 times, usually because I wanted to make sharp corners and when you do that the machine continues to stitch in the same spot and saws through the thread. Deep Sigh! I was getting  a little frustrated, but it was another learning.

 All done and washed up, ready to use!

 Isn't it amazing how much better things look after a good wash and wrinkles make it look very cozy.

 Easter dinner was awesome. I made Pinterest Salad aka Strawberry Cheesecake Salad. I found the recipe on Pinterest and thought we should try it. It was pretty good. I think I'll try it sometime with only yogurt and no whipped topping. Not a big fan of whipped topping.

One note about this recipe.  The the bananas and marshmallows should be added right before serving, but the remainder of the salad can be assembled earlier in the day.

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad
Serves about 10

12 oz. whipped topping
1 small package of cheesecake pudding (just the powder, don't add the milk)
3 (6 oz) strawberry yogurts (I used Yoplait)
1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced
3 bananas, sliced (add just before serving or they brown)
miniature marshmallows (add just before serving)

Thaw whipped topping and in a large salad bowl stir together whipped topping, yogurts, and pudding powder. Let this set up in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. Wash and slice strawberries. You can add strawberries to salad or wait to add them with sliced bananas and marshmallows just before serving. Keep refrigerated. 

 

 So you remember this vintage quilt? YES! It's all done! I made some bias tape for the binding and finished it up today.

 Here it is before washing...

 And here's the washed and wrinkled quilt all complete. It didn't wrinkle as much as I would have liked because it had been washed. But that's the deal with vintage-you never know what will happen and overall it came out great. I did have some issues with wrinkles in the backing, the front was kind of frayed, so the corners aren't very square, but it's really a beautiful, and imperfect quilt.

Love it! It will be going back to Mom-it was her quilt top remember?