Grace Hoop2

I have been learning how do Hawaiian Applique' quilting the last several years and really enjoy it.  To do the actual hand quilting, I have a Grace Lap Hoop that has been great.  But my projects have been getting bigger than the wall hanging size, so I wanted a larger hand quilting hoop.  Wrestling with all that fabric in my lap was trying my patience.  For the last several months, I've been toying with the idea of getting a larger frame, but had not decided what kind to get.

While browsing on eBay a few weeks ago, I saw the Grace Hoop2 with a 24-inch hoop.  The first one I found, the shipping to Hawaii was almost as expensive as the hoop!!!  A few days after that, I saw this one.  Because the shipping was VERY low, I knew it was going to come over by "slow boat."  But I got it anyway!  It's in pretty good shape, but was missing quite a few of the bolts to put it together which prompted a trip to the local City Mill.

Now I have to hurry up and finish the project I'm working on!

Olive

My son's best friend, Adam, became a first-time father the other day.  We have been anxiously waiting for this beautiful little girl to arrive.  My son, Bryan, asked that I make a "girlie" quilt that had to be all pink and this is the result.

Adam has always called me "Mama Dos" (Mom #2) so now I am an honorary grandma and Bryan is an honorary uncle.  Olive (actually Olivia) was born in the Year of the Dragon.

Here she is less than 24 hours old.  I think Bryan was a little scared of her at first, but it looks like she just fits.