So, I've been talking recently about a huge investment that I've made in my business... Well, here it is! I've bought a long arm quilting machine. I'm so super excited about getting it but nervous as well. And I say "nervous" because I could have bought a small car for the amount of money I paid for this thing! Yikes!
It's a Tin Lizzie 18, and I purchased the 10 foot wooden frame seen in the picture. It's being delivered tomorrow and it will be going out in my sunroom. It's just the perfect place for it and I'm excited to try it out. The men delivering it are even going to give me a training session so I won't have to worry about figuring that all out on my own.
The purpose of purchasing this machine is first and foremost so I can branch out and quilt larger items. Every table runner and baby blanket I've made has been quilted on my sewing machine. And that works just fine for small projects but makes quilting a larger blanket next to impossible. I also plan to offer quilting services once I become proficient enough. I don't imagine it will take long since I have been quilting on my sewing machine and understand the concept. I plan to offer long arm quilting through my
Etsy page and perhaps even through the gallery who represents me (
The Stillwater Art Guild Gallery), as I have some quilted items there.
I'm discovering that growth is so scary and exciting at the same time. But I think I'm more excited and optimistic that I can really create something.
On a side note, I recently marked some paintings down on
Etsy to $1!! There is absolutely nothing wrong with them, I'm just trying to make room for new work.
Hope you're having a great week!
This week's item-of-the-week is an Adoring quilted table runner, for $26 plus free shipping.
It's a Tin Lizzie 18, and I purchased the 10 foot wooden frame seen in the picture. It's being delivered tomorrow and it will be going out in my sunroom. It's just the perfect place for it and I'm excited to try it out. The men delivering it are even going to give me a training session so I won't have to worry about figuring that all out on my own.
"Jovial" Rag Quilted Table Runner
"Ready Set Snow" Rag Quilted Table Runner
"Fruitcake" Rag Quilted Table Runner
I just thought I'd share what I've been working on the past couple days. The table runner above I made today. The fabric is all from the "Grand Finale" line by Moda. And it was my very first attempt at applique. I did some little leaves and acorns. It definitely takes a bit more time to do, but it was fun and it's different. This runner is listed on Etsy for $32.00 if anyone is interested.
These are a few cards that I made yesterday. I use my decorative painting style when painting these cards, much like I use for my cigar boxes. I had several of these listed on Etsy but no one seemed interested, so I took them to the gallery instead. I've sold quite a few, so I thought it would be fun to make some more. I don't know about any of you, but I still like to send cards. We are all so much into technology now that people don't send letters and cards like they used to. Maybe I'm just old fashioned. :)
"Sunkissed" by Moda 
"Origins" by Moda 
"Prayer Flag" by Moda
Just a few other things.. The gallery (the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery) is having a trunk show that will run all December. This show will take place in the River Room and some of us artists are including some of our reduced price art. I will be adding some table runners, hand painted cigar boxes, and maybe a few other things. 
Woodland Holiday Table Runner
12 Days of Christmas Table Runner
North Woods Botanical Rag Table Runner
Fruitcake Rag Table Runner
I thought it was about time I got a jump on my holiday quilts for Etsy and I can't believe people are purchasing them already! I thought for sure that I had a couple of months before I needed to put them in my Etsy shop. I've sold 3 holiday table runners in the past 24 hours. The worst part is that I haven't assembled them yet! Oops! I bought doubles of the panels above and never got around to putting them together. I thought I could list them, and assemble them as soon as I received the order. I didn't expect that to happen so soon. 
I've added yet another item to my Etsy shop - embroidered table runners. These feature a piece of embroidery in the center, with borders sewn around it. Of the current table runners available, there are embroidered flowers, a hummingbird and a butterfly. I am planning on doing holiday ones and several more like the ones that I already have. Perhaps even some with several different embroidery designs in the same piece. Choosing the colors of the embroidery threads and fabrics to match is so much fun; I love anything to do with color! I've searched Etsy and there isn't anything quite like these on there. I think these would be really fun to collect!
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