My mother is a tiny lady . . she’s always been little. She’s not even 5′ tall and has probably never weighed over 90 pounds. So, you can imagine how odd she looks with that one long arm!
No . . not that kind of long arm.
You can see she was being quite uncooperative about having her photo taken. We both had our pajamas on while quilting and it was fairly late in the morning.
My parents decided a couple of months ago that they needed a longarm and ordered an APQS Lucey machine. Mom and Dad did a great job of getting it all set up and had done several practice pieces. They all looked way better than the first few pieces I had did as a new longarmer! I think it’s fantastic that folks their age are doing something they want to do and not saying “we’re too old for that”! I can remember when I was wanting a longarm and Vince said “Is this something you’re going to be wanting to do when you’re 60 years old?” Hmm . . I’m almost there and the answer is still yes!
Because I’m a good daughter, I won’t tell you how old my Mom is but I will tell you that she was 20 when I was born and I’ll soon be 58.
Speck felt right at home with his pillow and quilt under Mom’s longarm. It probably seemed kinda strange to him though that it was so clean under there. It’s never clean under my machine . . always “stuff” under there.
Sleeping under a quilting machine is something Speck has done since we brought him home when he was about 8 weeks old. And, he’ll soon be 12 years old. He’s surely seen lots of quilts get made.
I’m proud of my parents for getting themselves a longarm machine and for learning to use it.
Karin says
I’m still trying to talk my mom into one! (I have no room for one). She said ”that ship sailed a long time ago”, but she’s only 70 this year, so I think she has plenty of time 🙂
Chris Miller at the Resort says
Thanks for sharing–how exciting for them! They’ll never grow old. (And on another note, I don’t think I was ever as tiny as your mom!) 🙂
Diana in TX says
She’s going to be busy making quilts for her great grandbaby!!
Mary C in WA says
Lucky that she has a Daughter who promotes APQS too. How fun! You can use hers while you are there visiting. It gives me hope that I will have one – someday…
Liz says
What was her reaction to the fact that she’s going to be a great grandmother? I bet she was surprised and happy…. It’s great that your parents are having fun like that and getting new hobbies.
Teresa in Music City says
One of my best friends just bought a new long-arm and she is 75. She runs rings around me!
Sandy says
I think one is never too old to learn and try new things. It is what keeps us going…keeps us “young.” It always amazes me when I see people in their 80’s and older using a computer. My mom died at 82 but she thought it was amazing I could play euchre on the computer and be able to “talk” to people. I can’t wait to see some of your mom’s projects.
Dmyers says
Yay…your mom is going to have a blast!
CindyM says
Makes me even more confident I need one NOW at age 55. That is wonderful. And we all know keeping busy (which your mom probably doesn’t have any problem doing anyway) is the best way to keep young.
Stephani Siekierski says
From that down-mood to this. Your publisher loves you, Mom and Dad are learning new “things,” and son and wife-to-be are expecting. Doesn’t get much better Judy. And you shared your fun with all of us.
Elaine says
That’s so cool! I know your mom’s gonna love it. I decided to go with the Lucey myself, partly because I figured if your little bitty mom can handle her, I surely can! I can’t wait till mine comes home. I wish your mom and I could learn together with your assistance. She’s lucky to have you! Was Lucey her special birthday present?
Pat says
That is great! I bet your father enjoys using it as much as your mom does!
Ruth Anne says
Words can not express how proud I am of her! She has the same phobia I have with cameras ! You go girls!
Erin says
That is wonderful! Speck is relaxed!!
vickie van dyken says
I just love your blog 🙂 and your Mom…shame on you for hinting at her age!! LOL LOL…Good for her…Learning and doing fun things every day keeps us young. I be your Mom still thinks she isn’t a day over 29…
Sandy S. says
I don’t think age matters one whit! I have friends of all ages—some in their 90’s—who are now and always have been creative, curious, and learning new things. They sew or knit or crochet or paint or draw or (you fill in the blank!) and use their computers and/or their iPads daily. Just because a person is old enough to be on Medicare doesn’t mean they suddenly lose interest in life and learning new things. I don’t understand why younger people are amazed at that.
Susan says
Congratulations to your Mom on getting a long arm! I know she’ll love it! And congratulations to you on becoming a Gramma!!! I know you wished the timing could have been different but that will be a distant memory when you’re cuddling that new baby :o) Enjoy this next stage of your life…..
Linda S says
How cool is that? I remember when I first got my Liberty and you helped me through my trials and tribulations. I still have never replicated the flat-tired effect I had while trying to quilt that one piece for my sister with the strange batting in it. Still don’t know if it was the batting or if there was something intermittently getting stuck in the machine wheels, but I remember that feeling of trying to drive through mud and not being able to do it. Thank goodness it’s never happened since. I’ve had a huge roll of 3M Thinsulate batting under my machine for a few years. I think it’s time I dragged it out of there and cut it up into smaller bits. I actually really like the batting.