Category Archives: longarm quilting

Swirls: The New Meander

  Didn’t you know? Swirls are the new meander.
 I just finished Ellen’s quilt. She requested swirls and she was in luck because swirls are my new specialty. I think they look pretty awesome.
Here is a shot of the back. They really show up on the solid backing she selected.

Free Falling

 Isn’t Barbara’s quilt beautiful! She made it for her Aunt. I say,” Lucky Aunt!”
Barbara has actually made two quilts with this pattern. She put faith in me to “custom” quilt the first one for her. Up to that point, I had not really “custom” quilted anything. (I forgot to get a picture of it, but I will)
 I didn’t do as much quilting on this one as I did on the last. I did an all over free motion swirl, flower type thingie (technical name) on it. 
It’s the first time I’ve done this on a quilt and I love how it turned out. Who am I kidding, this is pretty much the first time I’ve done anything on most quilts. I know I shouldn’t admit this, but I am literally and totally winging it here. I have been pretty content to stay in my little “meander everything” box until now. Suddenly the pressure is on to step out of that box and I am free falling. So far I have landed on my feet. I joke with my friends that I am learning to longarm quilt by watching videos about it on youtube. I’m soooo not kidding! A big thanks to all these people who post these videos. I don’t know why you do, but I’m soooo glad you did!  Have I done a good job of instilling faith in you to give me your quilt to finish? Ha ha. My confidence is building everyday and one day I might not look at my work so critically. I think the fact that I’m so critical of myself is helpful. Unlike most things I make, I can’t mess this up. (well I could, but I’d make somebody pretty mad) Other things you can just tear out and start over, or scrap it all together. People are giving me something that they have spent a lot of time and money on and I respect that process. I want to make sure they are happy with what I do to their work.  Man- I just went off on a random rant. I digress. I have been enjoying being creative, challenging myself and all of the positive feedback I have gotten. Everyone has been so encouraging and supportive.
I am really enjoying my new “profession”…. can you tell. -g

Quilting Away

For the last couple of weeks I have been busy in my glamorous basement quilting away. Today I got Paula’s quilt finished. I did an all over swirl on it. I have not perfected the art of taking good pictures that show off the quilting. I’ll have to work on that. The good news is that I will have plenty of opportunities to practice taking pictures. I have plenty of quilts to get done and I am so grateful for that.

Taking Care of Bizzz-nasss!

So yeah…. I guess as of about 3 days ago, I seem to be officially in the quilting bizz-nass. Surprised? Yeah- me too! It has been in the works. It’s kinda one of the other reasons I have been taking a break from blogging. (to practice, practice, practice)  My goal was to really start full force around the beginning of twenty-13, but things have snowballed rather quickly. So here I am…. ginabean quilts (queen of the meander)!  Fancy that, ya’ll! I have to say, it’s a little overwhelming, a little stressful, a little crazy and  I’m.lovin’.it! What is it that Life Is Good says? “Do what you love, love what you do.” (I think that’s how it goes.) So, if you need me… I’ll be here, in my little sewing “studio” (really a converted garage in the basement with concrete block walls and a concrete floor, but studio makes it sound totally glam). Livin’ the dream, baby…livin’ the dream!