Keeping Busy

The sewing room have been a hive of activity as I'm trying to get as much done as I possibly can. I have shoulder surgery scheduled next week and my arm will be unusable for many weeks.
One of the girls at work did this for me for Tayla. I took it to Hobby Lobby and had it framed, love the lime green matte board. Now it's ready to hang on her wall in her room. I think she's wasting her talent working as a dispatcher. She does some amazing artwork that she refers to as doodles. I wish I could doodle like this.

I placed an order last week for a few items from Connecting Threads. I'd heard a lot of talk about their threads and decided to buy some cones of Essential Pro. So far I'm loving it and I especially love the price. While I was letting my fingers do the shopping for me, I came across this book that I've been eying off for some time now. I especially love the little quilt on the right of the cover.

Sneak Peeks of a gift that was mailed yesterday, not too much to show until it arrives at it's new home.

Another gift that's on it's way, it's been sitting and maturing here for quite some time now.

 

This precious bundle spent the afternoon/evening with me yesterday and will back again today for another visit while Mummy works.

 

These are now all stitched up into a new quilt for Tayla and it's now ready to quilt, along with a matching pillow. Today's plain is to make a start on the quilting.

It's taken almost a year to get these finished and into a quilt top. I decided it was far too big to put under a machine, even the new one, so it got sent off to the quilter last week. I changed the layout a little which meant I could have a generous king sized quilt.

Happy Stitching.
Linda

She's Just Lovely

Yesterday was Gran day with Tayla. After the initial cry, because mummy left, it was play time, followed by a bath.

Sophie wanted to see what all the squealing was about. Amazing how a nice warm bath makes a little one ready for bed.

I picked up my new machine on Monday and was itching to get into the sewing room and play.

Before I could do that I needed to get myself a new chair. What a difference it makes, being comfortable and being at the right height.

Then it was time for some serious stitching. I love the dual feed, it makes piecing a dream, and the 1/4 inch foot makes a huge difference to having nice accurate seams and well measured blocks.

Only a couple of these left to do, and then I can think about putting them together.
I haven't played with any of the other features on the machine yet, I wanted to make a start on these blocks that have been sitting for almost a year. Plenty of time for checking out all the features when I actually need to use them.

Happy Stitching.
Linda.

Stacks

Today was my last day off, it's back to work tomorrow. So while I wait for the machine to arrive, I spent some time in the sewing room prepping fabrics for a quilt for Tayla.
Lovely stacks of bright solids and pretty patterns, just perfect for a little girl.

All cut into little squares ready to stitch together.

Ready to surround this stack of flowers and elephants.

Speaking of stacks, while I was resizing the photo's this pair caught my eye. Sophie obviously decided lying on Abby's back would be a good spot for a nap, until I disturbed her with the camera.

Happy Stitching.
Linda

Lets Talk Sewing Tables

Thanks for all the feedback on the Janome 6600. It didn't take too much thinking about it to decide to buy one. I have one on order and hope to have it here within a week.
Now onto the table that sits under our machines.

I used to own one of these when I was living in Australia, and wouldn't waste the money again. I don't think there's sufficient room on or in them for a quilter. They are probably fine for the home sewer who doesn't use her machine as often as a quilter, but when it comes to quilting there isn't the space to spread out a large quilt on them.

This is pretty much what I have at the moment, an old worn out good for the dump type table. It's served me well over the years but I think it's time for an upgrade, especially as I have a husband who's more than capable of creating a good sturdy table for my new toy.

I'm wondering if a table with a sunken access for the machine to sit in is the way to go.
So here's your chance to voice your opinions, likes and dislikes about sewing tables, whether it's one you've bought or one that's been made especially for you and your machine. Even better how about sharing photo's on your blog of your tables that you use for quilting, I'd love to get ideas and I'm sure others would like to see what our blogging friends use.

Happy Stitching.
Linda

Janome Lovers

I'm thinking about upgrading my Janome 4800 to a 6600.

The thought of that extra room under the throat and the ability to machine quilt a little better has me seriously thinking about it.
I know many of you own this machine, so if you could take the time to tell me about the features that you love and those you don't, I'd be very appreciative.

Thanks in advance,
Happy Stitching.
Linda