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What to post, oh what to post?  I don’t want to waste lucky #13 on something drab and boring, I want it to be spectacular, awesome, full of the amazing.  So much pressure…

I suppose I will introduce the most recent additions to my Happy Sewing Family and blather on and on about all their glory 😉

#1 – my birthday was last week and although not planned as a birthday gift, coincidentally I purchased my brand new Juki TL-2010q.  I was initially looking at a Juki due to my foray into the Amy Butler Weekender bag.  I was sure none of my current machines would handle that baby.  As I continued to research, I realized all the other great benefits of the workhorse that is the Juki.  
I think my 2 favorite features (I can’t choose just one!) are first that when you stop sewing (lift you foot off the presser foot) you actually stop sewing.  The machine stops on a dime.  I don’t get those extra stitches past where I thought I’d stopped that you sometimes (read: ALWAYS) see on the computerized machines.  

My 2nd fav feature is the knee lift.  Oh. Me. Gee.  I had never used one before but it is a seamless addition (for me) and bursting with the awesome.  Imagine stopping (on a dime, mind you) and being able to lift the presser foot (up to 12mm) while adjusting the fabric, with both hands, at the same time!  It’s magical.

#2 – labor day was also last week(end) and that means sales.  Lots and lots of sales.  It’s no secret that I’ve wanted a long arm machine FORever.  I blogged about it here, describing my LAQ class experience and lust for a machine.  Wellllllll, they were on SALE last weekend!  36 months with zero interest to be precise and I bought one!  Not the top of the line, like I wanted, but rather the middle of the road, with some room to grow.  

Say hello to my new Tin Lizzie 18, LAQ machine!




I’m so excited about this baby that I just might pee my pants!  I got her with the Phoenix frame, which is the sturdier IMO and has room to grow, should I decide I need more throat.  I don’t yet have possession of this beauty but am told she will be delivered some time next week.  I can’t wait  *Swoon* 


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So I maaaay have played hookey from work at some point and then maaaay have taken a longarm quilting class at a local quilt shop.  I maaaay have LOVED every minute of it and maaay be obsessing (at this very moment perhaps) about how I can get my hands on a LAQ machine of my very own.

I quilted what I’m calling Faux Feathers (I couldn’t seem to get the shapes right on the “real” feathers) …

… something the pattern we were working off of called “Water” (though it looks more like spirals and scribbles) along with some stars, a heart and some curly cue meandering along the perimeter of the star block (this is the back of the quilt).

Then I did some pebbling and guess what?  I can!  This style is nearly impossible for me on my home machine but with the LAQ it was easy peasy.

Here is my pebbling from the back of the quilt.  I’m really quite in love with it. 
This pattern was called “Olives” and you can really see why.  After lots of practice on the dry eraser board and my pimentos came out almost perfectly.

And last but not least, here are my “Roses”.  Sort of a spiral beginning with some petals around them.  Kind of a fun design, right?


Now I’m just left with one question.  How do I justify (and afford) my own???