Warning: Fabric diets are bad for you.

Officials (i.e me) have confirmed a fabric diet is bad for you. Perhaps I just didnt know when to stop, perhaps I didnt have enough to start dieting in the first place, but running out of my basics means I now have to stock up on these staples rather then splash out on something a bit more special, and that list of special fabrics is beginning to grow...fast.

All the time Im not sewing, Im helping myself to goodies from the treat cupboard, granted, I'm curling up with sewing books so Im learning lots but I'm also a lot colder, all that pressing fabric keeps me warm you know!

Starting my diet before Christmas wasnt such a good idea, as the money I may have saved from not buying fabric was getting spent on Christmas, rather then getting put into savings, which is what I should have done instead but I always go OTT at Christmas!

I also failed to plan for the unexpected...I decided I wanted, no, needed a new sewing machine, but I seem to have.. whats the expression - champagne taste but lemonade money.

I'm looking at a few different models and have made a spreadsheet of all my requirements and have narrowed it down to:

Bernina Aurora 440QE -(but the throat space, expensive accessories and lots of tlc the machine needs has put me off somewhat)

Pfaff Quilt Expression 4 -(which seems to have everything I want but has terrible reviews all over the web),

Janome Horizon - which I think is probably what I want most but the...

Janome Memory Craft 6600 - is probably what I will end up getting, as its more affordable then the Horizon and has many wonderful reviews.

So, new sewing machine or new fabric?. Im trying to achieve both but I'm finding it hard as patience was never my strong point... I have 3 projects on the go at once, but I have half the materials for each of them so am unable to actually finish any of them! and its not looking likely that I can start finishing them until the beginning of March....I hope all the saving for the machine will be worth it, I should hopefully be able to get it in August with a little help from my husband:-)

Quilting is definitely not a cheap hobby, but while I havnt been able to craft as much, I have been drowning myself in books and blogs, taking in inspiration and drafting out ideas. I'm also stocking up on equipment and notions and discovering new things that will help me all the time so I guess its not be all bad but I certainly wouldnt turn my nose up at a lottery win right now!

Where can I get a pastel Pink mini Iron for pressing applique?

I know I've seen one on someones blog ages ago saying they bought one for this purpose, It was pastel pink and kind of retro looking. I want one and google has been no help! and I cant rememeber whos blog it was.. If you have one or know where to get one please comment xx

Happy new year!

I am feeling pretty positive about this coming year. In the past I have felt a little blue after Christmas but I'm not feeling that way this year. The kitchen is almost done (I will show pictures when its fully finished.) The conservatory is being built as I type and I have a holiday to look forward to in May. My little boy should be coming out of the terible twos as well which is the thing I am most looking forward to! (hes a little handful but I love him to bits)





These were my secret santa gifts. I want to say a huge THANKYOU to Alison from hillandvale.blogspot.com for sending me such thoughtful gifts. The picture is minus the two candycanes for the children which they have since devoured but amazingly I have still managed to hold on to the chocolate!! I love it all especially the fabric (which I have been dying to get hold of) and the pins. Alison very thoughtfully gave a cute egg cosy to my son and a little mirror for my little girl aswell. You are so kind- thankyou..and I look forward to reading your blog :-)

Look what arrived today:



My first lot of fabric of 2011. I have a VERY important project up ahead of me. My sister has asked me to make her a quilt as a wedding present, she is getting married in 2012 so I have quite a while to think about the design. I'm also hoping to get a sewing machine upgrade this year so that will hopefully meen I can make the finish look a little more professional, and I have plenty of time to practice. If anyone sees a wonderful quilt design that screams "wedding quilt" please let me know. My sister is very specific in her likes so its a huge risk and I really hope she likes the end result.

xx