Thursday, December 16, 2010

Madame Bernina runs the ultra marathon


Yes you have read correctly. Moi and the Grand Dame of the sewing room decided to do an ultra marathon together  this week.
Now there is no love lost between us, but I felt an epic journey together would help us bond.


 



I have been practicing for a week , executing many deep lunges and squats into the unfinished projects Pile of Death and felt ready to tackle this event.
Equipment was assembled and I solemnly promised to Madame Bernina not to utter one single profanity .A quick pre race prayer by Moi to seek some divine intervention, and we were ready.
The drink stations were well stocked.



 Extra nutrition was available.



The first 10 km. went well at a slow and steady warm up pace. Two Ornies for my sister's pink basket were completed.



During the next 10 km. we ran together, but maintained a respectful silence as we put a Xmas cushion together. However it wasn't long before Madame Bernina started complaining about an injury. Apparently an incorrectly inserted bobbin was affecting her stride and causing her cotton to tangle. She's always banging on about something being sore or niggling.



At 30 km. Madame Bernina was clearly trying to sabotage my event. Usually at this point in a race I've settled down, am pacing well and have zoned out into my own happy little world. However I was trying here to attach the binding to my quilt " Meg's Garden " by Kellie Wulfsohn of Dont Look Now. which DF Amanda from Sea Breeze Quilts kindly machine quilted for me.




I must point out here that I am a runner first and a logical quilter next, and so it was here that I hit a big  fat road block.
PASS THE POWER AIDE PLEASE !!

I've spent many months hand stitching every single little flower onto this quilt using tiny little button hole stitches and with Amanda's lovely quilting it looks 3 dimensional and spectacular. And I wasn't going to let Madame spoil my fun here. A quick whisper of the word Janome in her ear and all was well again. Amazing what a threat will do.


From 40 km. on it became clear that a regular training regime needs to be established if we are to continue competing together. The borders were put on my hexagon pillow so I can now quilt it  BY HAND !!





A  Christmas Tree  by Hatched and Patched was also completed at this point .



Madame Bernina and I finally limped home together after a gruelling event.
She threw herself into her sewing cabinet loudly declaring she did not like competing with LOOSERS !!










My Medal came via the Postman who delivered me a wonderful new stash pile.

Thanks for dropping by,
please leave a comment as I value your visits.
CHEERS,  KAREN.



 


20 comments:

  1. I love your work. Meg's garden is beautiful - my favourite.

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  2. Haha, well done with your ultra! You are extremely creative! 2011 is an up Comrades. Have a good weekend!

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  3. Hi Karen,
    Awesome job on your stitching marathon! I love that you had a fantastic stocked drink station:) You do such lovely work, you are so talented..I am just a wee bit jealous. I know that there is no way in hell I could that:) You are amazing!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  4. this is my kind of marathon.........so pleased you both survived......lol..........you crack me up....

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  5. That was a fun blog post to read - I will be checking back for more light hearted comment. And I love your "Meg's Garden" - I really do want to do that quilt. Sew many projects - Sew little time!

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  6. Oh so funny! Glad you both survived the marathon...and thinking perhaps my stash would benefit from this type of event!(especially looking at your prize at the end hee hee)

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  7. Just what I needed..a good story to lift my spirits. You are declared the marathon winner!

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  8. Oh well done ! Any blisters?
    I think I heard you muttering, "Come on you can do ....keep going....not far now! "

    ( hilarious! )

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  9. hahahahahaha well written... great work xxx

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  10. Sehr sportlich du und deine Maschine!

    Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland von Wilma

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  11. Whew...so glad you made it!
    I must remember that a little threat may help from time to time..
    Julia ♥

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  12. Well done you. See you Tuesday. How come I haven't seen that Christmas cushion.

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  13. Congratulations! Sounds like a gruelling event for only the most strong-hearted... well worth the effort... very funny too. Thanks!

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  14. Pretty stuff! I am so impressed by your marathon! I think of you as the hand stitcher. From now on though you will be the Bernina girl in my mind. Well done!

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  15. What beautiful projects! This post impressed me and made me laugh. What an apt comparison. I make our family's Halloween costumes, and it IS like a looooonng ultra the last week before Halloween.

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  16. Phew! I got tired just reading about your marathon! Well done to the both of you on completing so many projects. It's a nice feeling. One I hope to feel myself one day.... LOL.

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  17. Funny post. A stitching marathon is an impossible adventure for most of us. But .... where is the bib?
    Merry Christmas to you and family from Italy.
    I have sent something to you I hope that it arrives before Christmas.

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  18. I am exhausted just reading about your marathon effort. Well done.

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  19. Love your finished garden quilt and the Christmas cushion that I have proudly shown to every one. Getting withdrawal symptons though from the lack of blogs

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