a decision! a Janome!

     I have not posted for some time, as my mother in law passed on April 11 and we headed off to Saskatchewan.  She was 93 and had a great life.

     Traveling back across the prairies, I checked out 2 quilting stores - one in Mundare, Alberta that was just fabulous.  Lots of fabrics, pre-cut quilt kits of all kinds, tons of samples.  They were selling tickets for 2 quilts - one for Cancer that was a lovely pink number.  The other quilt was a queen sized jewel tones marvel.  My SIL and I bought tickets on both.

     The other store was in Edmonton on the south side ( Earthly??) sorry - I couldn't remember the name.  It was a fairly small but extremely busy store.  It seemed like classes and workshops were a major focus.  In both of the stores, I looked for wools and wool patterns, but neither carried them.  Hmmm.  In fact in the Edmonton quilt store, I finally asked the clerk, and she showed me a small basket of wool knitting skeins. Ah, no.
 
      So the decision - after much research, I decided on the Janome 6600.  My heart is thumping at spending that much money ( ok, my old Kenmore cost about $189.00 and was bought in 1979 or so ) but I am thrilled and excited.  I have saved for a long time.  The internet is great for opinions and forums when you are considering spending your funds.  The machine is being shipped on the bus on Monday and should be in my house by Wednesday. Whoo Hoo!

 

Sew and Tell Friday - a thrilling Tell only!

     I have finished two of the Spring runners now, and I think I will save them for Mothers Day gifts.  Those special occasions seem to arrive quickly on the calendar, and now I feel prepared for once!
     I am working today and it is my long day, which means I am gone for 11 hours, so there won't be any sewing done.  I do have a TELL though and I am truly thrilled.
     Krista Hennebury ( poppyprintcreates.blogspot.com) had a 75th "post " giveaway and it arrived today in the mail.  It is just lovely - Krista sent her beautiful little needle case, a couple of Canadian Olympic stamps,  an aboriginal design Olympic key chain, some needles, the nicest needle minder ( badly needed - I am always dropping them when sewing on the binding backs) AND two gorgeous pieces of batik fabrics.  I hope the pictures show as great as they are!  THANK you so much Krista!

The mailing package even had a sticker of a cow - a quilted cow!  How did she know that I love cows!!!!!

Spring Runners

I finally decided to make 3 table runners out of the very Spring - like Moda fabric - April Cornell.  I rather like the way that they turned out, and I am starting to realize I badly need a new sewing machine.  I fought and fought with this one.  It is about 28 years old and I am tired of fighting with it, ripping out and resewing when the tension goes all haywire.  I have been looking at a number of machines online.  The closest store is 5 hours drive away, so it will not be a quick " go see and try out".

I am thrilled to have won Krista's  ( of Poppyprint ) beautiful 75th post contest and I will be sure to post pictures when it arrives - she does beautiful work.

I have finished this one runner and have the two remaining ones to do.  They will all be the same, so I am thinking they may make nice Mothers Days gifts, with one for me!  We are very very busy finishing the painting of all out kitchen cupboards - huge job!  There is not much sewing time available, except at night when it is too dark in the kitchen to paint carefully.  We are putting 5 -6  coats of paint on, so it does take time, and I am only doing one section at a time so that the whole kitchen is not torn apart.

  It is not much fun getting a house ready to sell.