Which Sewing machine should I buy?

I haven't done much sewing - my sewing machine needs to be replaced. UGH!!

I'm debating on buying a used Janome 6500 or spending a couple hundred more and getting a Janome S5.  I'm sure there are other good machines out there - but we don't have any sewing machine stores in my area.  Although I could take a road trip.  

 The Janome 6500 is through a friend and I went to the Fresno Sewing Expo and saw the Janome S5.

Anyone have any thoughts?

My list of needs are:

Drop in bobbin

Auto cut button

Auto threader

Price around $1000.00 or so...

And I want it to sew each and every time smoothly - no nests underneath.

I've been stitching a bit on my bird.  

Today is the Last day of School - is there anything sweeter to a kid?

Last day of School equals First day of Summer.  At least it did to me when I was a kid. 

They handed out awards at school today.

Award Winning Violet:

Fastest Runner in the Class!

And Principal's List

Award Winning Scarlett

First Place in Science:

And Principal's List

And the award for wearing the correct color goes to

Lily!

Doesn't she look good in that yellow dress next to the yellow flowers?

Happy Stitching,

Linda

Lily Wandering

Lily wandering and ambling through every pink blossom!

Check out those little hands.

Now back to sewing,

Linda

FNSI - Friday Fun Update

I had a good time Friday Night sewing - unfortunately I couldn't post about it as my computer was acting up.

Here's my update: 
I found a box marked "Turtle Quilt".  What a mess of crumpled fabrics and two pattern pieces.  One cut to size and one that needed 1/4 added. Only - they were not marked that way.  So after sewing up on turtle, I realized that error and labeled the patterns.


I also figured out how many turtle shells I needed and got those cut out.  It went licky-spilt since I cut several fabrics at once.  

I have all the shells cut - and a couple blocks made.
It's a good start.  

I've taken my machine in to another repair shop. 
I sure hope this guy can do it.

Happy Stitching
Linda

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Mini Quilt

It's Blogger's Quilt Festival Time.

Just to show off, I'll enter my wall hanging.  I LOVE this little quilt because I really didn't know I could make it.  Oh, I was pretty sure I could machine applique it - but that quilting on the home machine?  Well, I thought that was beyond my talents.  However, I tried it and DID it. 

It was scary - especially at this point.

I took Kellie's (of Don't Look Now) design and had fun with it.  Embellished with beads and crystals.  

More quilts and fun are located at Amy's Creative Side

Happy Stitching,

Linda

Fan Replacement, Sewing and a Star Wars Funny

I'm now the proud owner of a new fan.  Not a new sewing machine I'm still working on that.

Our ceiling fan went kaput - remember I said I had a lot of repairs and no sooner did I get the sprinkler timer in, then the fan started moving (all on it's own) and the light was blinking on and off.  Very scary if you believe in poltergeists. 

  Ahhhh...that breeze feels so good.  

My other good news is that I've been working on my Hawaiian Quilt. Which was going to be a pillow - that is what it says on the pattern.  However, it's 22 inches!!  That's a HUGE pillow! A pillow for who?  A giant?  What was I thinking as I read the instructions?

Anyway - now I'm thinking of making it a wall hanging. It will look so much better when it's ironed. 

I started and finished machine appliqueing this in one day. WhooHoo - I was quite impressed with myself. If I had hand stitched it, I would still be working on it. And this is one project I would like finished. 

I'm pleased with the results.  

Also, I've been stitching on my little bird.

And now for today's funny.  This was sent to me from my daughter.  

Now, let's all go enjoy our day - Hope there is some sewing involved.

Happy Stitching,

Linda

Linking to:

Freshly Pieced - WIP

SuperMomNoCape - Stitchery

Sometimes life is overwhelming

Do you ever have so much stuff going on it becomes overwhelming?

Yeah, that's where I've been.  When I was younger I used to make lists.  I was so organized and so good at getting things on my list completed.  Well, one day I thought, I'm not living my life this way!  So I threw out my lists.  However, when I get overwhelmed - I revert back to my list making ways.   Lately, I've been wanting to make a list - so I know I'm in trouble.  I decided I just had to take the bull by the horns and get some of these repairs on the house completed.  (This is usually my husband's job - but he's not been well.)  

Oh and you know  - when it rains it pours - so of course everything starts to break down  at once.

First thing I did was wash my windows.  Yes, a clean and bright view of the world helps.   

Next it was time to care for the lawn. We need a new sprinkler timer - ours is kaput.

 I found and bought a Rainbird timer. We are living in droughtland (another made up word) and if you water on the wrong days - a fine can be issued.  I'm not taking any chance with that.  

So yesterday we had someone come out and change out the broken one.  And raise the one in the backyard from 1 ft high up to eye level.  I used to have to squat to read it.  How silly is that?

I'm much happier.

And we bought a low profile box spring. Sound like nothing but our bed is higher than my legs.  I'm tired of jumping onto the bed.

Not me and hubby - this pic is from Pinterest - life hack.org

So a cool $300.00 later - YIKES!  (includes delivery) and we will both be able to get on our bed.  

Next I found FINALLY some ice cube trays.  

I've been looking for months!!  Yes, really for months.  Walmart has been out and every other store has been too.  I found some today at the local grocery store.  

I've also been looking for a new ceiling fan, for a new oven, which I bought but pipes didn't fit my kitchen and had to be sent back.  Also some pull out drawer for the pans in the kitchen.   Like these - 

And mostly I've been shopping for a new sewing machine.  What a chore that is!  

It seems my Babylock is too old to fix - I'll take it to one more repair shop.  And if they can't fix it...well it will be curtains for it.

Happy Stitching,

Linda