The Remarkable Pfaff (again)

Well, I did it. I sort of did it. I nearly did it. No wait, I did something.

You know, I forgot the most important thing when I decided I wanted that big Pfaff. I forgot to pray. In my life, prayer is a big thing. It's the way I know what to do and what not to do. And I didn't pray about this Pfaff.

So confused, I didn't even think about praying. I didn't know I didn't pray. I just kept waiting for the money to come, so I could go get that big Pfaff. The yummy one. And one day it hit me... I didn't pray about it!

And so I did. I felt that the big Pfaff was not for me. Well, not right now anyway. I took a look at the previous top of the line machine, the 2170. This top machine also embroiders, but a much smaller field of course. Re-hooping is a must. Those of you who embroider know exactly what I mean. For those who don't, it means that part of the design embroiders, and then you take the fabric out of the hoop and "re-hoop" and start the machine again. This is scary because maybe you didn't quite line it up right, and everyone will see that it doesn't go together right. But if you did it correctly, no one will know!

Once I prayed about the whole thing and decided to get the 2170--the money was there within a few days. I found a good deal on eBay and got it with a $2000 savings over my top notch sewing store.

I can hear you now... ah yes, but NOT a new one... Wrong! It's new! And my friend bought my Janome (goodby old friend) so we are two happy people. My new Pfaff is just great, does good embroidery, has the same spiffy stitches as the current new model.

Yep, in a couple of years I'll be looking (and praying) about the new Creative Vision, or its replacement, I already know that. But for now.... yep, I'm a Pfaffie, and proud of it!

ever,
Kathygirl

Another quilt festival put to bed

Oh boy, that old song is coming true. You know, the one that goes:

The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be,
Ain't what she used to be,
Ain't what she used to be!

The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be,
Many long years ago!

Yep. I'm that old gray mare. I can't seem to get my oomph back after my trek across the George R. Brown Convention Center a bazillion times in two days. New shoes please, since the soles on my iron shoes are onionskin thin.

Oh but yes, it was worth it! The colors, the quilts, the fabrics and the people! What sensory overload we had. The hit of the festival seems to have been this new felting craze, plus lots of glitz and embellishments! A close second was the emphasis of getting your quilt done fast. This makes sense, since so many women work full time, where is that precious time to make a nice quilt anyway? Today you can make a quilt that looks like it took just forever, in a very short time.

Long arm quilting machines had quite a focus this year too. They are always present at festival, but it seemed that this year the booths were bigger and there was more attention paid to them.

Lyn and Christine from Kenny's Kreation had a booth this year, coming all the way from Queensland Australia.

Here you see me on the left and Lyn Kenny on the right. Behind us is her Antique Rose quilt. If you would like information about her machine embroidery designs, go to http://www.KennyKreations.com You won't regret it.

Well, did you get to go to festival? If you did, you got to see the new Pfaff, the one with the gigantic hoop, the one with all the breathtaking projects, the one we all want! Yes, there are other wonderful brands and machines, and we all love our machines, it's true. But it just seems that my heart is set on the Pfaff.

Keep sewing,

Kathygirl

Houston International Quilt Festival

Wow! Quilt festival is here. I'm so thankful I live in Houston. I get to go every year. Over 50,000 visitors will pass through the doors of the George R. Brown Convention Center. First time visitors stop instantly when they enter and simply gape. It is sensory overload to the max.


There are well over 1,000 quilts on display, all with perfect stitches and color combinations to stun even the choosiest of quilters.

Oh but the vendors! Everything you have ever seen for sale or advertised in a quilt magazine... yup, it's there! Imagine a football field cram packed full of goodies for sale and quilts to see.

And so YES, I am going again this year. I can't wait. On Nov 2, I get to take my friend who is attending her first festival. This is always fun. That facial expression... priceless. I usually open my guest room for a friend from out of town, but this year there were no takers. I asked everyone I knew, but for one reason or another all were unable to come. So now I look to next year, where I have promises of visits.

On Nov 3 is annual pow wow in Austin TX. Thankfully my daughter lives in San Marcos and that is where I will stay for the night. Pow wow is held the first Saturday of November every year. Sadly, this is usually when quilt festival is also held. So I have to hotfoot it over to Austin either Friday night or in the wee hours of Saturday to get a decent seat. Again, a friend will be attending with me. Not her first pow wow, but her first Austin pow wow. Being Native is finally "in" and I am proud to say I am "in".... a member of the Sault Ste Marie Band of Chippewa Indians. My people are not usually represented at this pow wow, though all tribes are invited.

If you have never been to a pow wow you should attend one sometime. You might be surprised at what you see there. Not to mention the vendors of course.

And needless to say, everyone in the world should attend quilt festival at least once in a lifetime, just to see the wonderful workmanship of quilters around the world.

Maybe I'll see you there?
Kathygirl