New Project

I bought a book on embroidered boxes and had to give it a try.    I love this medium, it's funky and not precise, and there are threads hanging down but what fun this was.  It took me weeks to do, as I would only do it when I had some time.  I used scraps of fabric that I had in the house, and gold thread and some old gold beads and just freeform sewing. Despite the little fiddly bits, this was a very soothing project.  

Looks like a nice holder for a nieces birthday present doesn't it? 

A new sewing machine.

While riding bikes yesterday, I realized that by purchasing my bike, with top notch equipment on it, that good tools make even the toughest job more enjoyable and easy.  My old bike wouldn't shift well, and sometimes I'd get stuck in a high gear trying to go uphill. This new bike is MUCH easier to shift, uphill...downhill and where ever.   Of course I always knew this intellectually but it didn't really hit home until yesterday. 

After this realization I made a decision.  I have been researching new sewing machines but was put off by the high price but now...after much deliberation and research and soul searching - I've decided to buy a very, very nice new sewing machine - a Pfaff Quilter 2048.  This is more than I have ever spent on anything for myself, but I am tired of fighting with my little Euro Shark.  I love to sew, and want nice, reliable equipment to use.   

Anyone else have a Pfaff?  Any advice? (on sewing, life, equipment, buying something good for yourself etc) 

I think I made chenille

Like the kind that grandma used to have on her bedspread. I took a patterned fabric and layered two other fabrics beneath it, a yellow sort of organza and a purple pattern on the bottom. I stitched parallel rows across the entire piece, then cut between the rows, threw it in the washing machine, fluffed it up and dried it. I like the way it came out, and will use it for an accent on a bag or something like that. It's almost a pity, while I like the finished piece, now looking at them together I like the non cut piece also. Well, it's an experiment, and the thicker finished piece will add color and texture to whatever I use it on. Meanwhile, my sewing machine is giving me shocks. I don't think that's good.