Thinking out loud ....

I can't wait to be home. Every once in awhile it is nice to get away, but there really is no place like home.

Now that I have my very own sewing machine, I can't wait to start a project! But what should it be? Do I start something big like a quilt? Should I try something small to learn the machine? Should I play with the machine embroidery?

Here is just a beginning list of things I want to make with my new sewing machine:

• Embroidery some fun designs on cardigans for the office
• Make my own holiday gifts
• A wrap dress for me
• Shorts for my little girl
• Make my own purse and accessories
• Try reverse applique

Husqvarna Viking Giveaway on Sew Mama Sew

I know I owe everyone pictures of my new Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 30 Sewing and Embroidery machine - but things have been so crazy busy I just haven't had time to post them yet. I promise I will post them next week.

This week I am traveling, but as a new owner of a Husqvarna Viking I had to share this little tidbit over at Sew, Mama, Sew!(which is one of the best sewing sites ever!).

Husqvarna Viking is sponsoring Sewing Machine month and Sew Mama Sew is giving away gift certificates (I probably shouldn't tell you how many times I day I shop through the fabric starting new sewing projects in my head).

Shopping the Husqvarna Viking Sapphires

Truth be told, I am still shopping. There are so many machines out there! And so many sewing machine dealers now.

Some sell vacuums, some are quilt shops, some sell fabric, some have lessons, some have service. How on Earth am I supposed to choose where to buy from. And to make it more difficult some of them sell more than one brand.

So I do my research, think I know which machine I need that has the features I want and is in my price range. Then I get there and like a kid in a candy store I want to try them all.

Here is my latest find the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 870Q

I love this machine. Here are some of the features on this Sapphire -

• Large Graphic Display
• 163 stitches
• Pattern re-start and mirror image end to end function
• 5 alphabets
• Selective Thread Cutter
• 20 permanent memories
• Start/Stop sewing without foot control
• Electronic Self adjusting Thread Tension
• Longest free arm in the industry
• Dual lights
• Largest extended sewing surface

Viking makes two others, the Sapphire 830 and the Sapphire 850. Both have received great reviews. But I fell in love with this one.

Sew green!

Happy Monday!

Maybe.

I fully intended to do some more machine shopping this weekend, including getting some recommendations from friends.

Then the weather hit and it was 80 degrees and stunning outside! That meant yard work, spring cleaning and of course that fantastic transition of boxing up the out of season clothes.

Putting away sweaters and corduroy was highly therapeutic - but not just because it is a celebration of the change of seasons. I'll tell you a secret; I kept out a few pieces with the full intention of altering, upcycling, refashioning them! When I get a little free time this week I will jot down the inspiration into my sketch book. Speaking of which I think I need a place to store my sewing specific inspiration .... where I doodle is probably not the best place for pattern drafting, measurements and project notes ....