Let's Not Do That Again...

Image ©Disney

 

 Some days, it just doesn't go by the book. 

My plan was to use wool batting between my quilt layers, merrily stitch out my quilt design, and have my piece ready to bind by nightfall yesterday.

Destiny hates wool (who knew?), to the extent that she blew her automatic cutter, and possibly chewed up her bobbin case. Dang! 

So, I thought I'd let Jane give it a go. Apparently, my semi-industrial machine can pitch a fit, too. She decided to just hang out in one place on my quilt and weave her own thread nest on the back of my quilt. Well, as that wasn't in my original design, I told Jane to go on break before she injured herself (or I did something I'd regret later).

I unpacked my Janome 3160 QDC ("Q", standing for QUILTING!), and she did the same darn thing! I guess they all had a plan to boycott wool batting. Word spread quickly. I was miffed, to say the least. 

 

Last night, I spent about a half hour unstitching what I had managed to accomplish before my machines decided to contract Sewing Machine Flu. Why? Because I give in. I'm switching out the wool to replace it with an organic cotton batting. We'll see if anyone will deign to produce a beautiful stitch for the front and back of my "Song of Spring" quilt today. Wouldn't that be nice?

Winner, Winner...

Oh, my goodness! This was HARD! There were so many wonderful names, but you know...I had to pick one to win my Grab & Go Clutch. 

  Congratulations, Laura Dowdall.  My machine will now be called "Jenny Janome".   I'll be sending a Grab & Go Crossbody to The Midlands, UK for you!   Now...for the great news. You didn't win? Don't feel bad.  

 

As a small token of my appreciation to everyone who posted a name suggestion for me, I'm going to send a small gift to you. 

 

Please make sure I have your address (and in some cases, real name instead of screen name), and I'll have yours on your way next week. (I have to make them yet.)

If I don't have your name and address, I can't send your gift to you. Laura, if you haven't moved, I have your address. To everyone else, if I've had your address in the past and you haven't moved, I've got you covered. If you're not sure, please take the precaution and send an email to me with your current information. Send to me via the "email me" link in my sidebar (Do not leave in a comment here.)

Thanks to everyone who participated!

 

Tattooed And Still Nameless...

My Janome Wearing Hibiscus Urban Elementz Tattoos

I need help. Seriously. You know that I usually name my sewing machines. I know. Silly. Even so... This machine still doesn't have a name. She does have her new tattoos, though, and she's rocking 'em, if you ask me.

Janome, Before Tattoos

Here she is "pre-bling". Pretty, but a little plain. She'll be my travel sewing machine as we travel back and forth between the farm and Florida, so the hibiscus flowers will be as appropriate for our southern home as they are for Hawaii.

Janome, Wearing Her New Tattoos

I was careful to avoid any seams, attachment points (for screws, freearm cover, etc.), or moving parts. I did try to add them to areas where they'd add the most "pretty".

Janome - Power End - Leaves and Hibiscus Flowers

I even added leaves and swirls to areas I rarely see when I'm sewing. These removable decals are easily attached to my machines, and they smoothly move around rounded edges. While they're removable, they are not reusable. You can take them off, but you can't reposition or put them onto another machine once they're taken off the machine they're on.

Janome - Back Side

Many of the ladies with whom I sew in Florida have this exact machine. (I love her, so I'm not surprised.) It has many of the features of larger, more expensive machines, but it's easily to take out of the house.

When I'm in group sewing events, I won't have any trouble finding my machine now that's she's decorated. Now, I need to name her.

Janome - Right Side

 

My sweet blog friend, Jacque A. of Brown Dog Prims blog (and who I hope to meet in person in September!), named her Janome "Naomi". It's such a perfect name that I can't get past it. I think it's that perfect.

So, I'm going to ask you for help. Do you have any ideas? I think I'm going to make this a little contest. I'll give the winner (chosen by me) a Grab & Go Wristlet. So, think of something fun and give me your best shot. 

 

Leave a comment (and a way to reach you) on this post. If I can't reach you, you won't get your prize, even if I choose your name for my machine.

 

Enter as many times as you want. This contest winner will be chosen strictly by how much I like the name. (I won't be using the Random Number Generator this time.)  If you're out of the United States, you'll be responsible for any duties or fees, so don't enter if you aren't prepared to pay your country's levy on a gift with a $45 value.

 

Urban Elementz - Hibiscus Tattoos

 

Just in case you're interested in getting your own machine tattoo set, you can find them HERE. Have fun browsing.

 

A Little Getaway...

Brynwood Needleworks - Training Day At The Ranch

 

I hope you had a nice weekend. We sure did! Handsome and I packed up Tag and Bella, a few clothes and headed over to the other side of the state for the weekend.

It's always fun to visit with our friends, Mike and Joann, and a training day for Bella is always a great time. The weather was hot HOT, so her workout was short, punctuated with water work to cool her off. 

 

I injured my foot recently, so Mike's assistant, Rene' took me from field to field on the "gator" (atv). Then, he made sure I had a chair and umbrella whenever we stopped, so I'd be comfortable and have some sun protection (in addition to my "stylish" hat) while I watched the dogs work. After he dropped me off, away he'd go to set up for Mike's training exercises.

After all the dogs on the truck got their training for the day, we headed back to the house for "movie night". We'd brought a dvd with us (Roy Orbison's A Black & White Night concert, which is a true classic) and then we watched a movie that Joann picked up (A Royal Night Out - a comedy based on Queen Elizabeth II and her sister, Margaret on VE Day, marking the end of World War II). Sarah Gadon was delightful as the young Elizabeth II, and Bel Powley was a hoot as her younger sister. You can click HERE for a short trailer from the movie.

Destiny is still at the spa, so I've set up my Janome 3160 QDC until she returns. I'm teaching a quilting class today, but my Janome and I will be back to work later this afternoon. I'm looking forward to a busy week!

Hello, Darcy...

Brynwood Needleworks - Janome 3160 QDC

I promised to show you my newest machine today, so may I introduce "Darcy"? I've chosen this brand new Janome 3160 QDC sewing machine for a number of reasons.

Brynwood Needleworks - Janome 3160 QDC

This little lady will be carried to sew-ins, Nifty 50s gatherings, retreats, and when we travel in the Flying Cloud. She only weighs twelve pounds, but she's big on features.

She has sixty stitches, including 6 one-step buttonholes; needle-up/down features, one-hand needle threader; auto thread cutter; a free-arm; and many other features found in full size machines.

Brynwood Needleworks - Janome 3160 QDC

Additionally, she has an included sewing table, so that I have more space when working on quilt blocks, or other items where having the extra area will come in handy.

Did I say she only weighs twelve pounds? That was a huge motivator for a number of reasons.

Now, in case you're wondering how I came up with her name...My initials are "DC"(too), and my nickname around here is "Deece", but I wasn't going to have a "Deece, Jr.", so I had to come up with something different. "Darcy" came to mind, and I kept coming back to it. It seemed to suit her, so "Darcy" she shall be.

Brynwood Needleworks - Coffee Pouch

What to make for our maiden project? As luck would have it, I got a phone call yesterday morning. I had made a few zippered pouches as Christmas gifts a few years ago.

I was told that this gift had been used every day since as a makeup carrier, was much-loved, and that the zipper had finally broken. Would I please make another?

Brynwood Needleworks - Coffee Pouch Interior

Well, when I'm asked a sweet request like that, how can I possibly refuse? (No way!) I pulled out my fabrics (she asked to stay in the same theme as last time, even though it was for makeup), and Darcy and I went to work.

I'll mail this out today, with a tiny love note tucked inside (see the label?). Darcy and I are going to get along just fine!