Random Ramblings

This post is brought to you by Tanya, complete with non edited pictures.  This computer doesn't have photo editing software. Please ignore the messy desk.

Last Friday, I was really getting fed up with our Singer Stylist sewing machine. Richard's Janome scares me at this point  (I am afraid I will break it and we need two machines, yes technically a third machine, since I don't like Rebecca's little mechanical one).   I told him we need to do something with this machine, so we looked up the warranty information and found out parts and labor were covered for a year. We bought the machine online, but took it back to a local store. After locating the box and the second trip to the store, they refunded our purchase price and we went and bought a new machine at a different store. They only carry sewing machines online. 

Ignore the messy desk. 

Yes it is the same model sewing  machine.  Richard figured if we were buying a new entry line machine, we may as well buy something I was familiar with and that the extension table we already have will fit.  It is amazing how much easier it it to sew with a non-wobbly sewing machine.

Over the weekend, Richard quilted the purple Double Churn/Rail Fence quilt for my Step Mother's Christmas gift.    It is ready to be bound, in fact the binding is already prepped.  Here is a picture of the back,  and a close up of one of the six butterflies. One of us will post about the finished quilt in a day or two.

Below is the partial top I am working on for my Sister in Law Megan.  She claims to be a girly girl, so hopefully she likes it and appreciates the not so perfect quilt top.  Yes, it is definitely the work of a beginner.  Stuff doesn't line up like I wanted it to. I have leaned tons while make this top, like how important it is to measure exactly, iron seams correctly and also to have a real plan instead of just making random blocks I saw in a book. Making the finished quilt block a size I had a square ruler to trim would have probably been helpful as well. I think it helps to have a non-broken machine too.

Richard finished the twin sized Batik top he has been working on.  It looks gorgeous.  It is going to be a pain to baste though.  I have a bit unusual way to baste quilts, but it works great for baby or lap quilts.  We have powerful magnets that we bought at quilting show and I hang the quilt sandwich on the wall after a few safety pins have been added and baste it while it is hanging up. 

To end this post here are a two cute pictures of Julia.  Disclaimer, before you think we are horrible parents, she grabbed the bag and liked the noise it made and I thought it would be a cute picture.  She was not eating the chips and was mad we took it away before she could eat the bag.