Embroidery machine

Well I have a new toy!!

I bought myself an embroidery only machine - Janome 300E.

I was really happy - the shop where I buy my fabric had a great deal and as well as getting $450 off the cost I got over $800 of freebies with it!!

Have been having a little play with it and love how easy it is to use. It just burbles away in the background while I am doing something else and I only have to change the cotton colour every now and again.

I have a lot of different ideas for quilt using embroidery blocks; I also want to make one using soft coffee colours as a hierloom type quilt. Of course this means I will have to live to 250 now to finish all the new projects I have in mind.........

Bearded Irises

My favourite flowers are Violets and Bearded Iris. I decided to make a quilt using Bearded Irises and in 4 blocks. Each block was made using a different technique - reverse applique, raw edged applique, hand painted and finally quilted.

This first block was fiddly to do but I was pleased with the result.

The second block was easier to do because I like raw edged applique and have done a lot of it.. This is the final 'picture' on a sheet of teflon before I ironed it onto the background.

The third block was hand painted and for the final block I drew the image lightly onto the background fabric and then quilted it.

I put the blocks together with black sashing between them and added a border of the background fabric then a final border of black to frame the whole 4 blocks. I quilted it in the ditch.

I am happy with the end result - there are a few things I would do different but overall it is pleasing.

Still have a little more quilting to do on it and then have to bind it (in black). It is a nice size to hang on the wall so now have to think about where to put it once it is finished.

Treadle Sewing Machine

I bought an old Singer Treadle Machine on Ebay recently. I did some research and also contacted Singer to find out when it was made and discovered it was made in 1926 at Clydebank in Scotland.

I have spent a few weeks restoring it. I only have the drawers and the inside top wood work to finish. Also have to clean up the bobbin winder; it is a bit tight and doesn't wind the bobbins very well at the moment. I am really pleased with it; it is looking really good, almost like new except for the lovely aged wear. The decals are in pretty good shape for its age.

I have got the tension working perfectly and it sews very well. I would like to make some quilt blocks with it and see how it goes. That will be another project for me once I finish with the restoration work.

Coffee making

Recently I won a coffee machine on the radio station I listen too. I am a fan of a show on Foxtel called "Coffee" and have been watching it for a few months so it was great to win a machine that I could play with.

I have been experimenting with grinds and tamps and having fun. My husband is loving it because he likes his coffee. Think I make a mean Latte now and want to try some Latte artworks.... will post a pic if I ever get one to work.

Still not happy with the amount of Crema I am getting but I guess that comes with lots of practice at getting the grind and tamps right.

My kitchen looks like a coffe shop; I have several containers with different beans; a grinder; tamper; thermometer; SS jug for milk frothing; SS cups and latte glasses. Got all the gear - just need to learn to make the perfect cup......

Books to read and shows to watch.

Just finishing the latest Jeffrey Deaver book - Cold Moon. I love his Lincoln Rhyme series, even loved the movie adaptation of the Bone Collector (probably because of Denzil Washington). I have my next book to read waiting patiently - Kathy Reich's latest -Break No Bones.

I have seen an ad on the TV that this week start a series called Bones based on her books so it will be interesting to see how it translates onto the screen.

Last night I watched the premier of Criminal Minds and really enjoyed it. It is on again tonight so will see how it goes. I don't watch much TV - usually just a few favourite shows - LOST (which finishes this week); Spicks and Specks, Coffee, Simply Quilts, Dr Who and Rosemary and Thyme. Will have to add Criminal Minds and Bones to my list now.

I have another book ready to read - Terry Goodkind's Phantom - it is the penultimate book in his Sword of Truth series - it will be hard to say goodbye to this series after 10 books. I love fantasy books when they are done well. Of course Tolkien leads the list but I love Terry Book's Shannara series; David Eddings; Raymond E Feist, Anne McCaffrey and J K Rowling. And of course who can dismiss Terry Pratchett's wonderful Discworld books, they are a warped as I am.

My friend Alison in New Zealand has told me that her husband suggests I give Nelson de Mille's books a try - he think I should enjoy them so I will keep my eye out for them when I go to the library next.