Love.

I love this new quilt top.  I love that I made it using my new sewing machine.  I love the new sewing machine!  I love that I took this photo using my new camera lens. 

The quilt top was made using 2 charm packs from the Arcadia line by Moda and Kona Cotton solids in Sable and Snow. 

Quarter Century

 

Today I turn 25.  Earlier this week, a friend told me 25 was her best year yet.  It looks like I have a lot to look forward to this coming year!  :)

My New Baby(lock)

The plan was to go purchase the new sewing machine this weekend.  However, my husband surprised me and brought it home last night!  So exciting!  He is so good to me! :)

Hello, my new friend.

After extensive research, I decided on the Babylock Quest Plus.  I never intended to get this caliber of machine.  I originally planned to purchase a nice middle of the row, general purpose sewing machine.  While I was at my local sewing machine dealer, I was eyeing the Janome 6600p.   The large arm, the quick stitch speed, built in walking foot, etc all had me.  In all honesty, compared to my current sewing machine, any of the ones in the shop would have been likened to a Cadillac and I would have been happy. 

Giant extension table

Feature to feature, the Janome and the Babylock are about the same-  automatic needle threaded, stitches up to 1000 stitches per minute, needle down, knee lifter, extension table, independent motor for bobbin winding, more stitches and presser feet than I'd ever need, etc.  The main differences are that the Babylock has a free arm and the Janome has a automatic thread cutter.  I figured that since I currently have a free arm and have used it, I would miss that more than the automatic thread cutter which my current machine definitely does not have.  I shall continue in ignorant bliss regarding the thread cutter. 

My machine also came with a workbook that contains more detailed instructions on how to use a lot of the features.  I suspect that this will come in handy.  

Now it's off to play with my new toy!  So exciting!

9 Patch Top: Finished!

Yesterday I was finally able to finish the 9 patch top and snap some photos to share.  I love it!

It is so bright and cheerful!  I can't wait to quilt it now.  It is so much larger than any other quilt I have done.  It should be interesting.  Good thing my husband is very good to me and is taking me to get a very exciting birthday gift this weekend!

Sneak Peek

I have every intention to finish this quilt top this weekend. However, our power inexplicably went out on Saturday from 11:30 to 8:30. Not cool, my friends.

I spent a good chunk of last night working on it instead.

I was making good time. I finished sewing the sashing on, making the strips of squares for the border, sewed those on. I was really making progress. My goal of finishing the top before I left this weekend to camp with Shawn's family looked like it might happen.

Then I realized I was out of white muslin and it was too late to go out and buy some more. Looks like this isn't getting finished until next week now! Darn!

No Sew Sundays

In an attempt to maintain balance in my life, I started what I'm calling "No Sew Sundays" a few weeks ago.  I realized that I just needed a day designated to spending time doing other things I am responsible for.  It can be enjoying quality time with my husband, cleaning, reading, going for runs, or enjoying outdoors.  It has actually been quite nice to have that day set aside for other things.  Surprisingly since I love to sew so much!


This Sunday I took a bike ride to a nearby park to do some reading and to enjoy the beautiful Michigan summer day.  It was so peaceful because I was the only one there!

I eventually went and sat in the play structure to get out of the sun.  I ended up taking a little snooze while listening to a podcast.  Oops.  :) 

 On another exciting note, last week I picked myself up one of these:

Robert Kauffman Kona Cotton solids swatch cards from Pink Chalk Fabrics.  I'm loving it!  I do most of my fabric ordering online so it is difficult to pick out coordinating solids for my quilts.  I feel so liberated! 

 

I already have an order of solids on the way from the Fabric Shack.  They by far have the best prices around.  Just an FYI.  :)