dbams

Naw, Gator,  I'm a tough old Duck! 
dbams: thanks, I appreciate it very much.
 

Thanks  Hieid, as of now, I'm getting butterflys  In my stomach.  rofl
We have things to do and places to go, everyday between now and then,
I'm trying to crochet dish cloths,  not doing it very good, but it keeps my hands busy.
I passed the Pre op with flying colors.
Today I have the 6min walk test.,  don't  know why they call it that when it takes half an hour lol ;o)
He will fuse C1 thry T8..I will get a Buster Brown hair cut high  on the back and let the hair grow in with the brace.
They fitted me in the brace which I'll have to wear for 3 months, and I won't be able  to nod or shake my head at all. 
It,  goes from my jaw, down to mid chest, and in back from middle of head/and down , I think he said to about  t11 or t12. 
I have to shower with the brace on.
Living this way for 3 months is going to be a VERY DIFFERENT experience, and I WILL, WILL, do it.
Christmas blessings to all,  may it be Healthy and Safe.
God Bless all,
Rita


 

Well, I have my pre surgery work up today, And if the surgery will go on.l l
I'm feeling better all the time, and am still tiring much too soon.
Lightning strike damage to my quilting computer and drive is Not getting  fixed yet.  They have had the
machine for about a month now, can't get a reply to emails, phone messages returned.
I'll not trust another small personally owned company with much money.
The saga of things going bad,  he had to replace the water heater, $800.00  I can't believe something that's not made to
last more than 8 years, costs so much.  We didn't pay over $250 for the last one.  hee hee we had it 9 years.
Pre-op today so heading out. 
Prayers and hugs to all,

Rita, I can totally relate. When you are in constant pain, and you feel like your never going to get any relief, staying positive isn't always easy no matter how hard you try. I have issues with C5 & C6 vertabraes in my neck that is pinching nerves. The constant pain runs down my back and left arm to the tips of my fingers. I had shots last year and the pain subsided for nearly a year and a half. The pain returned in late August, early September, and I tried to treat it myself with ice packs, pain meds when absolutely necessary and exercises they taught me last year. Nothing worked, so I had to call the doctor. I just had my second shot today. I'm hoping I won't have to have the third because these shots are expensive. I can say that the doctors are wonderful and very understanding of my pain. The last resort is surgery, and they try everything possible before it comes to such drastic measures. I really really do not want surgery so I follow their instructions to the letter. I told my doctor today that I really needed this shot to work because my Christmas present was setting in my house waiting to be set up on Sunday. He asked me what it was; I told him that I'm a quilter and my present is a APQS Millennium or Millie Long arm quilting machine. I described it to him and told him that it has been my dream for more than five years to own this machine. He was so nice asking me questions about quilting and trying to help me relax and take my mind off the procedure. He said he just might have to get me to make a quilt for him. I told him I'd be happy to make a quilt for him. I wish all my doctors were this wonderful. I really hope you get some relief soon Rita, and I will continue to pray for you.
Merry Christmas 
Carmen

Cagey, I reakize the post you resoponded to is about a week old.
One of the Dr.s and I were talking about my future, and he said with the  COPD, Plus the Mersa virus , the surgery would be
delayed to let my lungs heal another few weeks.
I wasn't being negative, just stating the facts.
I came home (fnallly - lol ) yesterday, after 10 days as an in-patient.  11 days too long.  ;o)
 I do think once this cervical pain is gone, I will be a bit nmore able to heal quicker.  Pain does tear one down.
  I have been, and will continue to pray that the surgery be His will, and for the staff who will take care of me, that they be of
His will and choosing.
I know how negative some of the posts sound.  I try not to mislead, to find a way to soften the words, and some times it just
doesn't work.
I see it is well beyond shower time, and I'm needing a short nap, so on into the day.
This IS the day that the Lord has made!  I shall rejoice and be glad in it!
Amen.
 

So Sorry for all you are going through. Keep fighting, and tell your body that too. Praying this morning for you and Landon as well. God is hearing our prayers!

It sees there are days when no matter how I try, I can't sound cheerful, and I'm full of complaints.
Yesterday was one of those.   Today sounds like another, but these really are just comments..
 I've been in here 8 days and they had to put in 7 new IV's, so far.  Not fun, and am running out of
arm locations. It just won't work, nor will the BP cuff, on the bad arm.
Were I to be here much longer I'd request a pic.  A lot less mess and pain I'm sure.
Just to keep this one open, I had to lay flat and not move the arm.  then it was needing slow flow, so by the time It was done
it was nearly time to start the next.. Within about 10 min.  An hour bag took 3 - 4 hours.
Ive not had a hot, nor cold meal when cold was needed, since I got here.  Anyone like cold eggs, (?) and fried potato's with
no seasonings and with them cold?.  Not me!   rofl..  yukko.
I was coughing so hard, nearly constantly, with no  production, that I refused any more Mucinex.  I feel so much better!
 
Update:  Dr. was just In and they think  I have finished the IV meds that were needed for the merca and copd.  Thanks to the Good Lord!
Talking of going home in a day or two after they see how I do back on my regular meds.  If OK, then I go home and learn to loaf a bit.
A big thanks and continued prayers for all of you.
HugS, Rita..
 
 
 
 

ROFl, yesterday was a real mess.  Didn't get to eat either hot meal, nor the cool one at the right temperatures.
Now today I can't call out on the phone, to order breakfast, so they brought a diff. phone,  it won't hang up.  LOL
They say there is a new phone coming up from supply.. hmmmmm should be?
I did get some decent rest last night, so that helps.
I have a penthouse view, so I can enjoy watching cars that look like Tootsie cars.
It looks so pretty out, still having some leaf color, sun is hazy bright but am told it is just plain cold out.
 

May the Lord Jesus heal your mersa and make you ready for your surgery, May his spirit rest upon you and bring you Peace.  Love and prayer to our Sweet Rita. 

Rita
 
Isn't it wonderful knowing that the greatest healer/physician of all times will be in the surgery room directing all the doctors and nurses and yet holding your hand and comforting your husband and family all at once.
 
Seems like the peace He promises us has already found you.  Our prayers are with you.

I will have pre-op on Dec. 20,
Hubby turns 81 on the 23 rd,
and I will have surgery on the 28th.
 
More to tell but I keep losing the print.
 
I  Thank All of you for your prayers and good Thought,
 
Please pray for me and all involved with the Surgery.
 
 
God bless you all, have wonderful holidays and stay safe and healthy.
 
 
 
 

Hi,
It has been a long hot summer and my grass is green again.
It is time for you to think about what Circlelord products can do for you.
Such as just making life easier, and more money from your quilting business.
 
Let's hear from Circlelord users about your experience, good , or bad.
Even if you have sold your CL tools and have gone to a computer system.
 
Please tell new longarmers how much help a couple of Giant boards will be to your
ego, and get your partner off your back about the "big investment". You know he
wanted a boat!
 
Thank you,
 Michael

Thanks!  My machine is an older one - Ultimate I.  I have used it since 2007 and am the 3rd owner, so don't really know how many quilts have been done on the machine.  Right now it runs fine, but I have to adjust the needle bar height every few times I warm up the machine -- a little drag sometimes.  Fixable, but a bit of a bother.  A few days ago I noticed that my hopping foot has a little movement to it now when doing ruler work.  Never noticed that before.
 
I had been debating about whether to upgrage to the latest Millie, but decided to keep my current machine since it still works great.  I think a spa treatment will be just the ticket to get it all performing perfectly.  Hope they still service the Ultimate I machines.   

WOW, Terry, that looks great!  Beautiful job on both the piecing and the quilting.

Hello I am finally done (except binding) and ready to introduce Ellie and Squeak.
It is a pattern from Violet Craft called Elephant Abstractions. I have done a custom 
quilting on it I am called Bohemian quilting.I am not sure what that means but that is what I am calling it. I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I enjoyed making it. I have included a front back and before image. Thanks for looking.

Very nice Bonnie, it has a Versace feel to it, although I'd like yours!

C:  If I were buying a new machine it would be an Innova.  That being said, I'd be pretty happy with an APQS, A-1, Gammill, Nolting, or Prodigy.  There are things I like about each, and things I don't like.  I have an APQS Ult 2 ca. 1997, and a 2000 Gammill Classic.  Both were unregulated machines when I got them.  Helen and her husband Tony came to my house and studio in early 2011 and installed Intellistitch regulators on both.  The Intellistich regulator is great, and I'm happy with both.  The only thing I've had to do with them is replace a couple handle switches.
 
You might ask why I say Innova, and there are a few things unique about them that I like.  First the head turns on the Innova, so it can be removed from the table without removing the take-up roller.  I think maybe the Prodigy's head might also turn.  I also like the Lightning digital stitch regulator.  I like the table configuration as well, but I'm not quite so sure about the wheels.  I don't much like the "erector set" look of the table frame but that just cosmetic.  Now I must confess I've only removed the head of my Ult 2 from the table a couple of times, and never on my Gammill, so maybe the turning head feature really isn't a real winner.  I don't know about their service, but I've been told the machines are quite problem free.
 
APQS.  I don't like their horizontal wheel system.  It seems unnecessarily  complicated.  They've improved it somewhat by using linear bearings on the rails in their Bliss system.  But it is expensive.  I like their 4 roller system table.  I don't really like the batting access system (or more precisely lack of).  Their roller configuration accommodates it to some degree.  Also on models other than the Millie, there seems to be little adjustment capabilities on the rollers and rails.  What I DO like is their customer support and service.  It's absolutely great.
 
Gammill:  While their tables are well engineered and robust, the batting access system is a joke.  I don' think it was designed with how we quilt today in mind.  It could be improved, and made simpler by going to a 4 roller system like APQS.  The Gammill is strong and dependable.  I've heard people refer to them as the Mercedes of quilt machines. But I'd classify them more as the Peterbuilts of quilt machines.  
 
The A-1 is a nice machine, maybe the perfect size.  The table is very well built, but like the Gammill it's a 3 roller system which requires more adjustment, and adjustment mechanisms that wouldn't be necessary with a 4 roller system like the APQS, Innova or Prodigy.  Maybe it's the most user considerate table of all the makes.  I don't know much about their service though.  It's probably good, but pretty dependent on their MO headquarter.
 
The Nolting Pros are good machines.  They use Intellistitch regulators on this line, and the I/S is great.  Their tables are well made, but not nearly as refined as the A-1.  I think their service is probably quite good.  They've made pretty much the same machine/table system for quite some time, so they've had a long time to work out any issues, and I think it's pretty sound.
 
The Prodigy is a nice looking machine.  They have a very nice user friendly table.  Nice manual lift system (it can be power if you'd like).  The one thing holding the Prodigy back as far as I'm concerned, is their rigidly sticking to the L bobbin system.
 
I personally wouldn't consider any other manufacturer.  All the machines I've referenced are industrial quality machines built to last decades.  While I don't know first hand about support, I think all is pretty good.  I can't say that for some of the other machines out there.
 
Size is an interesting issue.  It probably has more to do with how and what you quilt than anything else.  I personally wouldn't want a machine that wouldn't sew at least 14 inches front to back.  Seventeen would probably be better.  You have to look at individual machine set ups to see what a machine can actually do.  Some smaller measured machines will actually sew a bigger field than other "larger" machines.  It has to do with the roller configuration and the "harp" shape of the machine.
 
You can feel pretty secure buying a used model of any of these machines.  If there's something wrong with the machine when you get it, it can be repaired and put back into excellent service, but probably there will be nothing wrong to begin with.  These machines don't break.  Pick a price point, and buy with confidence. 
 
This is my personal opinion.  I'm not promoting one machine over any other.  What I've said reflects the experience I've had, how I personally quilt, and my own personal likes and dislikes.  I'd probably be happy with any of them.  Jim

So, here is the update on the stitch regulator problem.
After replacing the motor brushes and encoder wheels, there still wasn't any improvement in the east/west movement.
Then I started checking the mushroom handles to see if it was a control button problem... nada.  But underneath the rear handle, there was a cable connection not quite tight.  Plugged those together and POW!!!! Even the needle up/down slowness has been cured.
 

Lucey is here!  I have had it for about a week and have had a great time.  A quilting friend came over and we were able to get it installed.  It took us several hours since we are both new at this.  I have had a great time learning and playing.  I have so much to learn!!  I tried to post a picture but I can't figure it out.  LOVED the red bow she was wearing when delivered.
 
edited: Thanks dbams.  Here is a picture.  Love her!!

Well, I did it!  I ordered a new Lucey with Bliss rails, and it will be here soon.  Would have loved a Millie but the budget was already stretched.  Thank you all for the help.  I'm really glad I chose APQS.  Now to get my space in order for the big day

Thank you all for the warm welcome! Lenni is scheduled to arrive tomorrow afternoon!! My sewing room is organized and ready!

Hi all!
I am a new Lenni owner! I have owned another longarm for about a year, however I went to a road show recently and I fell in love with Lenni!
I am so excited I cannot wait for Lenni to arrive.
I have been reading the forums and I am looking forward to getting to know you all!
Thanks
Beth

Bonnie, I have used Bubble Jet Set to treat "regular" fabric that I want to use in my printer, and it has worked well for me.  After I iron the fabric to the freezer paper, I zig zag across the top edge before loading it into the printer, because I had issues before with fraying and separating in the printer.  The Bubble Jet Set makes the ink permanent.  I haven't used it lately, so I don't remember the process real well, but I just followed the directions on the bottle.
 
When white fabric works with my project, I use Printed Treasures.

All great tips.....I watched Renae's video and really found it helpful.  I think I am going to go with the Red Snappers to begin with and see how that goes.  I'm sure almost anything is
better than pinning.

I call myself the 'cobbler with no shoes'  because I quilt for everyone else except me!  
So my goal was to make a quilt for our new house,   our new bed....
 
I wanted calm neutral colours reminding me of sand or pebbles.....I made this quilt  using the pattern "Sweet Garden" from Carolina Patchworks.    I was intending to make the entire king size with this pattern -  and I did.  Then I hated it, so I chopped 2/3s of the pattern off and added white for some neutral breathing space.  
 
Simple quilting in between the blocks.   
And then I got carried away in the white.     [