Professional Development Time

That sounds like a bit of a mouthful doesn't it? But that is what is on the agenda for the next week or two. I had intended to do this post yesterday on June 1st, but I was so tired by the end of the day, I decided to sleep instead, so here it is almost the end of June 2nd, so getting in quick before the 3rd rolls around. Talking to my mum last night and she commented that I had not posted for days, and she did not know what I was up to this past week. And now I see that it was last Sunday! How fast the days go by, and how come it's June??

Not sure what I have done for the last week, and there is not a lot of photographic evidence to tell me. And the diary does not show up much, except a hair trim, and the carpets being cleaned. But when I have thought about it, I remember spending some time with Max doing a couple of custom quilts, and more time at the computer, getting my bookwork up to date. (Which actually means that everything has been entered, and even reconciled to May 31st, 2018!!!!!!!!!) Amazing.

Now, back to the title of the blog, Professional Development. This means I am at last going to spend some time acquainting myself with a new software programme for Max! Last July, (yes way back almost a year ago!!) I went to Melbourne to do classes with US teachers on the use of this new software. And it was released to Statler owners in August last year. The past year has been so busy, that I have not taken the time out to change what I was doing. But now I have decided it is well past the time to do it. And yesterday was the day. The new software is called Creative Studio 7, (CS7), and I have been using CS6. I am really happy with CS6, and reluctant to change, but they tell me it will be worth it.

The screen is quite different to what I have been using, although it does the same things. I just have to look in different places, and can't just stand at the end of the machine and click the buttons how many times I used to, without looking at the screen. 

So what better to learn a new programme, (in case I stuff it up?) than to load one of my own quilts?? Customer quilts are not happening for a short time, while I do some "professional development" with Max. Sounds good doesn't it? There is a user manual, and some online videos, for help, and I did do the course, back last July!

I just happened to have a few quilts of my own, in the queue, and the first off the rank is one I made last week. Wow, just imagine, pieced and quilted in 2 weeks!! Not counting the binding though. I will have to think of a name for this quilt, well, at least before I make the label, anyway. I decided to quilt this with an edge to edge pattern, just to ease into the new software. So far so good. The patterns is spools of thread, with needles and thread. (Closeup to come later).

And just look at all the threads I had to trim from the quilt top! Do you think it is any use complaining to the piecer, or adding an extra charge for the time I took to do this??

This bundle, from the whole quilt!

The only fabric I have enough left of for the binding is the plain red, so hope to cut some binding soon. It might be a good job to do next weekend during the Statler gathering here. (Another good reason and motivation to load CS7 finally.)

Now just a couple of family photos to finish this post.

First is Miss Bridie, who will be 3 in July, with a picture she drew of her mum.

And here is a smiling Miss Billie. Can you tell me where this photo was taken??

Good night, time for some sleep. Be back soon with another post.

Blessings, From Jude