Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Excuses Excuses
I am (or rather the computer is) recovering from a complete computer failure. I ended up needing to take it in to get completely wiped out and start fresh. I've lost files in the process, had to reinstall all of my programs (EQ, Artista, Quickbooks, Photoshop, and the list goes on). Two things that can really make me nuts...broken computers and broken cars. I am a compulsive "fixer" and the more I try to "fix"...the worse it becomes.
However...I did finally get to do some sewing... And then the sewing machine broke! What are the odds of that? Okay...three things that make me nuts...broken computers, cars AND sewing machines. So I took it in for repair and just got it back. Ugh! Of course when I took it in, my dealer was trying to sell me another machine. No thanks. I'm holding out for when the sewing machine manufacturers wake up and design a machine for quilters like me. I don't want a long arm. Don't have room. Don't like the feeling. Need to touch the fabric when I machine quilt. And quilt sitting down at a nice sized table that supports the quilt. Here are the specs of the sewing machine I think every quilter would want....
1. It must have at least 18" in length in the harp area (under the arm)
2. It must have at least 9" of height from the bed to the underside of the harp.
3. Automatic thread cutter
4. Feed dog drop capability
5. High speed (at least 1000 stitches per min.)
6. It must fit into a decent sized sewing table (like my Horn MultiLift)
7. It needs to have straight stitch, zig zag, and a buttonhole stitch (blanket)
8. Manual thread tension
No embroidery, no other fancy stuff, this is all I need. I really believe that every quilter would want one of these. I told that to the dealer and was told that something might be in the works ("Wouldn't it be nice for embroidery")...I don't want embroidery. That would take such a machine from around $2K (the price it SHOULD be) to (I figure)about $7K. Unbelievable. I really don't think such a machine would be that difficult. But I guess I was out when the R&D people at the sewing machine companies were making decisions. So I'll sit tight and wait. No more sewing machines till they make my dream machine.
Next order of business is to get Photoshop working on this computer so I can post pics again.
However...I did finally get to do some sewing... And then the sewing machine broke! What are the odds of that? Okay...three things that make me nuts...broken computers, cars AND sewing machines. So I took it in for repair and just got it back. Ugh! Of course when I took it in, my dealer was trying to sell me another machine. No thanks. I'm holding out for when the sewing machine manufacturers wake up and design a machine for quilters like me. I don't want a long arm. Don't have room. Don't like the feeling. Need to touch the fabric when I machine quilt. And quilt sitting down at a nice sized table that supports the quilt. Here are the specs of the sewing machine I think every quilter would want....
1. It must have at least 18" in length in the harp area (under the arm)
2. It must have at least 9" of height from the bed to the underside of the harp.
3. Automatic thread cutter
4. Feed dog drop capability
5. High speed (at least 1000 stitches per min.)
6. It must fit into a decent sized sewing table (like my Horn MultiLift)
7. It needs to have straight stitch, zig zag, and a buttonhole stitch (blanket)
8. Manual thread tension
No embroidery, no other fancy stuff, this is all I need. I really believe that every quilter would want one of these. I told that to the dealer and was told that something might be in the works ("Wouldn't it be nice for embroidery")...I don't want embroidery. That would take such a machine from around $2K (the price it SHOULD be) to (I figure)about $7K. Unbelievable. I really don't think such a machine would be that difficult. But I guess I was out when the R&D people at the sewing machine companies were making decisions. So I'll sit tight and wait. No more sewing machines till they make my dream machine.
Next order of business is to get Photoshop working on this computer so I can post pics again.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Finished
It has been so long since my last entry, I barely remembered my log in ID and password. I have learned many things this summer which I will share.
1. Summer classes are hard. The last time I took summer classes was in 1984. I was MUCH younger then and able to multitask better. I have been trying desparately to cram as many classes as possible into my schedule and I have found my limit. I started with a 6 week class in American History-Post 1860. Some weeks we had to read 200 pages. Now, mind you, this is not Harlequin Romance material. This is US History. Tough reading. I will say that the professor chose a textbook which was as readable as one could have hoped for. That class started May 26 and ended July 2. I also took a 12 week Geology class with a lab component (4 credits). That started May 26 and just ended yesterday. Then beginning July 6 I took Contemporary Moral Problems. Writing, writing, writing. Reading. and Thinking about stuff that gives one headaches. That just ended yesterday. I have spent many many hours in front of the computer. I have not touched a sewing machine since June 3. I am losing my mind. I have not dyed any fabric during these wonderously hot wonderful dyeing days this summer. I have been sitting in front of a computer writing papers.
This degree is something I need to complete. I feel very strongly about that. But I also feel that I will not take more than 2 classes in the summer again. It is way too intense. My husband says that if he had to do as much work as I have been doing he never would have graduated. He thinks that I would do better to take some classes locally and transfer them in instead of doing them online. I don't know. Take it from me...Online classes are hard. You have to be very disciplined and able to stick to a daily schedule.
Enough bellyachin'...I have finally gotten to get caught up on my reading. One of my favorite artists is Susan Shie. She has just posted a new edition of her diary which I always look forward to. Some of my other favorites are Melody Johnson Mrs. Mel has just moved to Tennessee and has a lovely new home. Then we have Pam RuBert Check out her blog and wonderful art.
Elder son got accepted to a special week for young entrepreneurs at Lycoming College. Today is being spent readying him for that experience. Beginning tomorrow night, I will be trying to catch up on our business paperwork which has gotten sorely behind due to this last week being finals for 2 of my classes. Well, I am off to iron some shirts and pants so that my son doesn't look like a slob in front of total strangers. It's a mom thing. I hope to have something artsy to show real soon.
1. Summer classes are hard. The last time I took summer classes was in 1984. I was MUCH younger then and able to multitask better. I have been trying desparately to cram as many classes as possible into my schedule and I have found my limit. I started with a 6 week class in American History-Post 1860. Some weeks we had to read 200 pages. Now, mind you, this is not Harlequin Romance material. This is US History. Tough reading. I will say that the professor chose a textbook which was as readable as one could have hoped for. That class started May 26 and ended July 2. I also took a 12 week Geology class with a lab component (4 credits). That started May 26 and just ended yesterday. Then beginning July 6 I took Contemporary Moral Problems. Writing, writing, writing. Reading. and Thinking about stuff that gives one headaches. That just ended yesterday. I have spent many many hours in front of the computer. I have not touched a sewing machine since June 3. I am losing my mind. I have not dyed any fabric during these wonderously hot wonderful dyeing days this summer. I have been sitting in front of a computer writing papers.
This degree is something I need to complete. I feel very strongly about that. But I also feel that I will not take more than 2 classes in the summer again. It is way too intense. My husband says that if he had to do as much work as I have been doing he never would have graduated. He thinks that I would do better to take some classes locally and transfer them in instead of doing them online. I don't know. Take it from me...Online classes are hard. You have to be very disciplined and able to stick to a daily schedule.
Enough bellyachin'...I have finally gotten to get caught up on my reading. One of my favorite artists is Susan Shie. She has just posted a new edition of her diary which I always look forward to. Some of my other favorites are Melody Johnson Mrs. Mel has just moved to Tennessee and has a lovely new home. Then we have Pam RuBert Check out her blog and wonderful art.
Elder son got accepted to a special week for young entrepreneurs at Lycoming College. Today is being spent readying him for that experience. Beginning tomorrow night, I will be trying to catch up on our business paperwork which has gotten sorely behind due to this last week being finals for 2 of my classes. Well, I am off to iron some shirts and pants so that my son doesn't look like a slob in front of total strangers. It's a mom thing. I hope to have something artsy to show real soon.
