with a K quilting website

i have started a blog solely for my longarm quilting. 

withaKquilting.blogspot.com is officially opened for business! 

if you are interested in having me help turn your quilt tops into completed projects, then please take a look. 

2007 APQS Millennium For Sale

I am listing this for as friend in Vallejo, California.
If you are considering purchasing a longarm, send Laurie an email. This is a great price on a fabulous machine! 

This is a fabulous machine with many extras included.

2007 Millennium.. NOW SELLING FOR $11,000!!!  Well taken care of. She had a factory spa treatment in June, 2012!

This machine has:
26" throat, 12' table
Horizontal and Vertical Channel Locks
Laser Light with Front Post
Lower Thread Cutter
APQS Turbo Bobbin Winder
Power Fabric Advance, $1350 value
Hydraulic Table Lift, $1500 value
Stitch Regulator
Needle Up, Needle Down
Edgerider Wheels

Also included are:
Hartley Fence, Ruler Base, Micro Drive Handles, Horizontal Spool Holder and
Vertical Cone Holder, Flywheel Cover and Instructional DVD by Myrna Ficken, over $800 value

Machine Set of Zippered Leaders and 5 quilt sets of zippers
Towa Gauge L Bobbin
Bobbins, Metal approx 50
Bobbin Cases 3 total
Lots of Size L Pre-wound bobbins Fil-Tec and Superior Bottom Line

Also includes packing box for machine head, Factory provided Users Manual and
assorted tools for assembly/adjustments.

I am asking only $11,000. Buyer is responsible for shipping. I am in Vallejo, CA.

Please direct any questions to laurie@finishingtouchesquilts.com

Been Quilting!

I have finished a few quilts this past month. 

scrappy crumb quilt with modern wave quilting.

take 5 quilt for a friend with breast cancer with cc quilting

patchwork squares with cc quilting..all washed and dried and for sale here.

wrestling lizards.

modern close straight line stitching in the background makes the lizards 'pop' off the fabric. This will be a pillow cover when i'm finished. 

I am working on another with frogs! 

Cindy's Butterfly quilt with Honeysuckle pantograph. Love the texture in this quilt. 

She was pleased.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

41

In mathematics

• Forty-one is the 13th smallest prime number. It is also the sum of the first six prime numbers (2+3+5+7+11+13), and the sum of 3 primes (11+13+17).  

• Forty-One is the sum of two squares, 4² + 5² .  Adding up the sum of divisors for 1 through 7 yields 41. 

• 41 is the smallest integer whose reciprocal has a five-digit repetend. That is a consequence of the fact that 41 is a factor of 99999.

• It is a centered square number. 

In science

• The atomic number of niobium.

In life

• My age 

• Tuesday was my 41st birthday and it was a fabulous day. We went to a High School Honor Band concert and out to dinner and some shopping. I am proud to be 41 and happy too! 

• Just don't tell my Mom...she said 41 makes her feel old. 

Yard Sale Saturday 2.2.2013

It is that time of the week again. Yard Sale Saturday. 

I have a few things for sale. Most of these items are listed on my etsy store too...so you can purchase there for ease of payment. Thanks for looking. 

Let's get started.

Wonderful 1 Fabric Quilts by Kay Nickols - New condition (does have a sticker on the cover from the shop I purchased it at) - $18 includes shipping to US

Debbie Mumm's Nature's Christmas - New condition - $6 includes shipping to US

Li'l Davis Designs presents Timeless Techniques by Jenni Bowlin - scrapbooking idea book - New condition - $5.00 includes shipping to US. (I have 4 copies of this book for sale. Don't ask why I have so many.) 

Carol Doak's Easy Reversible Vests - good condition, has a name written on inside cover with 1995 date. $8 includes shipping to US

Accuquilt Studio Die - PALM BEACH - $65 plus $10 shipping to US. Listed on my etsy site. I used this die once. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/110605350/accuquilt-studio-die-palm-beach

Halloween fabrics Quilt Top  
25" x 60"- $17 includes shipping to US

https://www.etsy.com/listing/114047058/sale-halloween-fabrics-strips-quilt-top

Marcusbrothers Textiles 20 fat quarters - hand dyed cotton - FQ5-009 Color Works - $48 includes shipping to US

https://www.etsy.com/listing/114046456/sale-marcus-brothers-textiles-20-fat?ref=v1_other_2

Shaggy Quilt Blanket Kit - Purple, Blue, Snowflakes - 1 kit available at $20 includes shipping to US

https://www.etsy.com/listing/109413124/shaggy-quilt-blanket-kit-purple-blue

High Desert Mystery .pdf Pattern - written by myself in 2010 - $5 emailed in pdf format

https://www.etsy.com/listing/84252133/high-desert-mystery-quilt-pattern-pdf






Please email me if interested in any of these items. Also, if you wish to make an offer...that is great too. These items MUST find a new home!  
Thanks for looking.  

Modern Twist...

Merry Mayhem's New Years Day Mystery 2013

I started the year off sewing with Madeline. I heard about the Planet Patchwork - Merry Mayhem Mystery through my friend, Dory's, blog.  Thanks Dory! I enjoyed my day with my daughter and was thinking about you sewing. I sure wish we lived closer! 

I hadn't sewn for a while and Madeline agreed that she could use another purple quilt...so we started our search for fabric. 

I love the color "Poison Green". It is my favorite color. Any time I make a test quilt block or small leader/ender blocks, the background color is poison green. 

It wasn't difficult to find the fabric in my stash for my quilt...but for Madeline, we had to go shopping. She used all the purple I had in her last quilt!

Anyways, with fabric requirements in hand, we chose the following fabrics to use for our quilts. 

After a few hours of sewing...we had completed our tops. I don't think either of us will add any additional borders. This will make a fair size lap quilt for cuddling up with in the van on long trips and will serve both of us just fine. 

 Madeline did a great job on her sewing. Can't wait to see how she quilts it. She is very talented on a longarm! 

 Mine...more true to color...but doesn't show the design very well in this picture. 

I used a chintz for one of my fabrics, and switched the values from the mystery. I like how it turned out. Although, it looks very different from Madeline's quilt. I am wanting to do something different for the quilting on this one. Squiggly vertical/horizontal crosshatching perhaps? or straight line vertical/horizontal crosshatching? 

Any suggestions??

Easy Company Part 1

I finally started piecing the Easy Company mystery quilt. I did, however, decide to swap a couple of fabrics around. My navy blue and red will be switched. I am not a huge fan of red...so I couldn't have it as the main color that my eyes would gravitate towards. I cut parts 1-3...so will need to re-cut some fabrics for part 3...then I should be back on track. I don't think i will get much time to sew on this for a while though. I am cutting a 'kit' for a friend...and hope to be able to sew with her sometime before spring gets here! 

I did manage to get part 1 all sewn and pressed. 

I am starting to re-think the placement of my camouflage fabrics too...but will leave them as is. After all, this was a mystery...and all those pieces are cut! 

Easy Street...

Quilt Mystery...Easy Street!! by Bonnie Hunter

One thing comes to mind when I hear "Easy Street"...NEW ORLEANS...aka as "the Big Easy". However, Mardi Gras colors just didn't appeal to me right now. I wanted to do something in more subdued colors. Upon further thought of the name...the following came to mind. 

My son loves the 'Band of Brothers' about the Easy Company of World War II. He can tell you which battle was fought, and where and loves Captain Winters and the men of Easy Company. These men are real life heroes. 

So, 'Easy Street' has been renamed... 'Easy Company'. 

The colors that I picked are Americana. I labeled each fabric as to Bonnie's colors. 

I love my reds and navy blues. They just scream Americana to me! I am not necessarily fond of the particular camouflage fabric I have...but since I already own enough yardage...I am going to use it. I have several background fabrics in neutrals that have stars, baseballs and other things that  can be considered 'American' in nature. There is even a piece with hot dogs at a picnic with tiny flags. How could I resist using it! The gold should tie everything as it will be a constant throughout the quilt. 

Even though I am not able to start right away on the mystery...I plan to save the steps and start over the Christmas break. 

Thank you Bonnie for yet another wonderful 'gift' this year! Your mysteries are the bomb!!

I will show my progress as I make some. 

Hitting the Road!

Trade sweetness for Strength

Trade doubt for Belief

Trade fear for Courage

Trade SOCCER...for NOTHING!!!



LADYCAT SOCCER is HEADED to STATE!!!!!


After a grueling double overtime game at Divisions...a game that lasted nearly 110 minutes (versus the usual 80)...our girls came out on top. Seated #3 in the North...we are headed to the State Championship this Friday night.  

Yard Sale Saturday!

I have been a follower of Bonnie Hunter's blog...Quiltville Quips & Snips... for a long time. She is unable to host the Yard Sale Saturday...but Suzanne at Colorado Lady has graciously offered to host it. Yay Suzanne!

I have a few items that I would like to list for the sale.

My girls are going to Divisions and hopefully State for Varsity Soccer...and I could really use the money to go and support them. 

UPDATE: The Girls won at Divisions...and are now headed to STATE!!  

Ready??

Wonderful 1 Fabric Quilts by Kay Nickols - New condition (does have a sticker on the cover from the shop I purchased it at) - $18 includes shipping to US

Debbie Mumm's Nature's Christmas - New condition - $6 includes shipping to US

Li'l Davis Designs presents Timeless Techniques by Jenni Bowlin - scrapbooking idea book - New condition - $6.00 includes shipping to US. (I have 4 copies of this book for sale. Don't ask why I have so many.) 

Carol Doak's Easy Reversible Vests - good condition, has a name written on inside cover with 1995 date. $10 includes shipping to US

Accuquilt Studio Die - PALM BEACH - $75 plus $10 shipping to US. Listed on my etsy site. I used this die once. 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/110605350/accuquilt-studio-die-palm-beach

Halloween fabrics Quilt Top  
25" x 60"- $20 includes shipping to US

Elephants on Parade 15"/5" Pantographs - $12 includes shipping to US SOLD

Marcusbrothers Textiles 20 fat quarters - hand dyed cotton - FQ5-009 Color Works - $50 includes shipping to US



Please email me if interested in any of these items. Also, if you wish to make an offer...that is great too. These items MUST find a new home! 
Thanks for looking. 

November is T1D Month

What is T1D you ask??

It is Type 1 Diabetes. My oldest son, Sven has T1D. He was diagnosed on March 29, 2010 at the age of 10. He is now 13. 

To show my support, I am asking my friends and family to check out this website allowing us to be a part of a mobile based challenge. To be T1D For a Day!

Check it out here...be T1D For a Day.

I have already signed up...will you? 

October already???

Oh my! Where has the time gone? 

The older two girls play high school varsity soccer, older two boys are playing middle school football, and the younger three are busy being kids!

I am proud of my kids. They are good students, fun to be around, athletic and very competitive. 

Taylor is feeling stronger and is running a few miles each week with Madeline at soccer practice. Lemierre's syndrome may have kicked her butt for a few long months, but she is fighting back! 

Madeline entered high school and has strong grades and is taking a woodshop class. She loves it! Wonder if she will make something for me!

Sven is managing his T1Diabetes very well. He stays active and has been busy with some research papers for school. He just completed a project on Leukemia. 

Eric is now in middle school and can't wait for baseball season in the spring. He is a bit sore right now from football! Doesn't like it as much as his brother does. That's ok by me! 

Devin is wishing she was as old as her two older sisters! She loves school and fashion. There isn't a day that goes by that she isn't trying something new with her clothes or hair. 

Cheryl is learning to read! It has been a real struggle, but she is getting the help she needs, and is starting to gain some confidence. She studies her flashcards daily and is comprehending stories she hears/reads. Math is easy for her. She is learning money now. 

Kirt is finally in Kindergarten. He likes his teacher, and is a joy in class. He listens well, and even brought a praying mantis to share with the class. And, his teacher thought it was neat! 

I have been quilting and adding items to my etsy shop. I have lots of started projects that I wish to finish, including my Orca Bay Mystery quilt. 

Bryson is doing great and is hard at work on our place. 

The pond was a success. The fish are growing. We now have 50 koi, 100 goldfish AND lots of baby goldfish/koi/hybrids too! The grass around the pond has stabilized the banks and looks great. I even had some sunflowers bloom this year. 

Well, that should catch us up a bit. 

I leave you with a picture of a gorgeous sunflower that just bloomed yesterday! Don't you just love the color?  

Been Crazy Busy around here!

I am still here. Been busy getting ready for the County Fair, family, music lessons and now soccer camp for the High School girls. Hopefully, soon,  I can post some pics of the quilts the kids have been working so hard on. 

The kids got their sports physicals completed so they play sports in middle school and high school this upcoming year. 

I have several quilts that need binding. Maybe...just maybe...I can get around to finishing them this week so that I can add some to my etsy shop and donate others to the childrens hospital. 

I have been working daily on our pond too. Planting fern/trees/seed, stabilizing the banks with hay, pulling weeds, etc. The good thing...we have gotten some quick, torrential downpours the past couple of days, that added 3 inches to our half acre pond! Sure makes weed pulling easy!

Why does there never seem to be enough time in the day to do everything?!?!

New Duffle Bags

Side Zippered  Expandable Pocket

Inside of bag 

I made these from a StudioCherie, pattern...the Travel Duffle.


The pattern was clear to understand and went together without any problems. 


I love the fact that I can easily fit 2-3 queen size quilts in each duffle. These will be get lots of use. This was the first bit of quilting I have done for some time. It sure felt good to get back to the longarm after so much time away from it. 


Baseball has been consuming quite a bit of time the past 3 months. The season is now over, and even though the boys made All Stars, there are not enough boys to field a team, so we are done for the summer. It is a bummer, but now I can get back to quilting/sewing! 

Catching up from the last couple of months.

Let me start off by saying it has been a very busy 2+ months! 


We might as well have driven across the US with as many miles as we did back and forth to Utah.











Since my last post...


Taylor ended up in the hospital for 10 days with aseptic (sterile) meningitis caused by an infected mastoid, Group A Strep and Lemierre's disease. She was one very sick girl. Her mastoid was removed and a PICC line was inserted into her arm to allow the administering of iv antibiotics.
She is also on anticoagulant shots to stop the clotted veins from increasing. She will remain on these shots for 6 months.

Ambulance ride to hospital...after the Med flight to Salt Lake.  

Two days after surgery. Her color is starting to come back...and swelling is going down in her face. She is even trying to smile a bit. 

Here she is starting to perk up a bit in the hospital. 

Happy 15th Birthday Taylor!

Here are the flowers she received for her birthday and well wishes! Thanks Aunt San, Michael and DJ.

Nurse Quincy drawing blood. She likes not having to get poked to give blood. 





Her blood clot is stabilizing. Her veins are scarring and the risk of the clot moving into her lungs is much less than it was 2 months ago. There are no signs of infection or inflammation left in her body either. She is on the mend. 

Taylor...feeling great, looking fabulous...and ready to have her PICC removed. No more antibiotics needed. We are sure glad to have our girl back! 


We have learned a lot about taking care of catheters, changing dressings, administering antibiotics through IV and giving shots. I hate to say it...but I am ready to just be Mom again! She is also home bound from school this semester. So, we have added the job of teacher to our daily schedule too. She is enrolled in online courses through the district and is doing great in school and can work at her own pace until she is able to be 100%.  We expect her to return to school in the Fall semester. 


Thanks to everyone for the prayers for our daughter and family. God is certainly good!