Oh what a feeling!

I have never ever had a brand new sewing machine before. I've had three machines... but they were never mine from the very beginning. I had Janome Memory Craft - who passed away a few months ago at the ripe old age of 35 years. Then I had a Pfaff - which had a broken bobbin mechanism and would cost so much to get the part replaced - so we just didn't bother. She was in her late 20's.

Then I had just a plain ol Janome - who clunks along. She is nearly 20 years old. She's still going mind you and I am not giving her away until she gives up the ghost. She will be on hand for when one of my girls want a machine to learn on, or if I need a second machine for whatever reason. So these are the machines I have had... until now.

I need a machine that is more capable of quilting stuff. It's not exactly a hobby that I've gotten sick of over time. I'm planning on doing this until I die, or my arms fall off... I read reviews online and ummed and ahhed about it. I dreamed of the REAL quilting machines, but knew that isn't possible for us until the kids leave home. 

On Sunday my husband took off with my Spotlight $40 off if you spend $100 voucher and came back with a brand new machine. A Toyota Quiltmaster. It was half price in Spotlight - and then we got an extra $40 off that half price. NOT BAD I SAY!!!  Yes my hubby rocks! I guess we figured this one will tide me over until I can afford that 3 grand one when we retire! LOL. What's the occassion? Only that it was Awesome Wife Day. I know... I'll keep him. 

I've not had much time to play with this baby yet, but so far so good. It has all the attachments a quilter could want (darning, walking, 1/4" foot etc) and it runs so quietly compared to my clunker before her. My only humph is that it doesn't have a thread cutter. WHAT modern machine doesn't have one of those??? So I have to use my scissors when I want to cut thread. But I can live with that. Especially as this machien is sooooo pretty! And brand spanking new!! :D

I have a quilt basted and ready to go. I will give her a good go then. But for now I have a secret squirrel project that I need to wrap up - THEN I will have a good play. More about that later.....

It's nearly EOFY - and that only means one thing..

It's nearly July. And that is when I go into full blown Christmas planning and making. I know it seems premature, but if you make lots of stuff like I do, then you HAVE to be organised earlier in the year.

I have a small list so far of the things I want to make as gifts. When July comes around, I will have a list in my side bar of my plans and my progress. For now I am trying to look on Pinterest for inspiration  and trying not to annoy anyone who follows my feed with too much Christmas stuff!

But honestly... this is how I am feeling now that Christmas planning is approaching....



Planning is half the fun I reckon!

Experiment

I am an avid Pinterest fan. I love to be inspired what other people are doing all over the world. I love to experiment or have a go at one of the pins every now and then. I repinned a pin from THIS WEBSITE which said you can regrow spring onions from the otherwise wasted base. I had a crack at it.



This is 5 days after I popped them in this small pot. I'm pretty impressed!! :) I don't think I will be buying many spring onions anymore!

Advent Blog Along # 14 - Dear Santa

I was tagged by Little White Dove to participate in a fluffy blog post called "Dear Santa"

So here goes...

Dear Santa,
For Christmas this year I would like the following...

Peace!

Today's creativity is a little different but in no way less fun! My son, the middle child as ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) as you may know and we are often making things for him to help him cope and function in our world. My son is a visual learner, so we often have signs and posters up all over the house to teach him or remind him of things. He has a morning routine, and afternoon routine posters up, to keep him on task and remind him of what he needs to get done. 

Today I worked on a different kind of poster. This one is about behaviours in the home. I saw this idea on Pinterest and I decided to adapt it and make it our own. 

I got out my textas and began to write and draw and had a grand old time! I think this will not only suit my son, but my other two children too. That way they can't use the excuse "I forgot!" It's there in black, purple, red, green, yellow and blue!!

Giveaway - Vintage Fat Quarters

**Photo from RikRak**

RikRak are having a giveaway in honor of their first Blogiversary:

20 gorgeous vintage fat quarters. They look so bright and cheery. So head over there to enter to win!

I am already envisioning what I will make if I win... :)

I never win anything....

....but today my luck changed!!

As part of the Holly Jolly Blog Bingo daily prize, I got given a $25 gift certificate!!! :)

I'm one happy Skipper!

Holly Jolly Blog Bingo

Have you signed up yet?
It's not hard - just bingo - but the prizes are amazing and it should be lots of festive fun!!!

Join up here