Saturday morning I had the honor of attending my nephew's 8th birthday at a local movie theater. It was one of those theaters were you can sit at tables and have a real meal while watching a movie. Neat concept, don't you think? This was the first time I had ever been to this particular theater since it had been converted from the old style theater. We had pizza, ice cream and cupcakes......yummy, but a little much at 10:30 am! We saw Toy Story 3 and it was a cute movie. The kids were so wrapped up in it the adults had to remind them that they had ice cream melting in front of them.
After the movie I set out to find a few estate sale bargains. I had several stops on my list, but due to the earlier party I had to settle for two out of four. I found one that was close to the theater and hit that first. There wasn't much there, but I did find some Ball jars with lids in great condition. I took the smaller one and walked around while deciding if I should scoop up a second one. When I told the man that I only wanted it for the lid so that I could make a pin cushion, he thought I was crazy. (You have seen Vonna's tutorial on making a pin cushion, haven't you? You didn't think I came up with that idea on my own, did you???) Of course he proceeded to tell me that the jars were worth more if they had the lids. Men.......they don't get it! But, after serious consideration, I thought that I may want to keep one jar fully intact. So, off I went and got them 2 for a $1! Not to shabby!!! And, to boot, they both washed up beautifully. (The tall one isn't cloudy now, it just wasn't dry when I took the picture last night.)Feeling successful I headed towards home to hit another estate sale. Can you say BIG BUST? Yup, nothing, nada, zero and zilch. It was horrible! It was a bad imitation of a yard sale too boot. I guess you never know what you are going to find. So, since I had time before meeting my BFF for stitch night I decided to make one last stop. I went to a local "mom & pop" sewing & vacuum shop not far from the house and I looked at this:
Janome 3160QDC
That's right, a new sewing machine! Don't you remember that Hubby gave me the "green light" to start quilting? And this machine would really help me with my "finishing" too! It was a real nice machine and was comparable to the Bernina activa 220 that I looked at previously. I just don't know what to do! I don't know what machine I should go with! They are both so nice. Does anyone have any experience with either of these machines????? HELP!!!!
Speaking of finishing, I did have one small stitchy finish this weekend. I finally finished the second coverlet for Needle and Thread by LHN. I really should have finished the second fob to go along with it, but in true "Serial Starter" fashion I picked up another new start on Sunday instead. It is for the Blackbird Exchange so no snaps anytime soon. But, I will say, I'm having fun stitching on it and I think it is going to be a quick stitch. I'm sure that means that there will be another serial start soon enough!Happy Stitching!
12 comments:
I have both a Bernina and a Janome. I really like both of them. The Bernina is an Artista embroidery quilter's edition and the Janome is a low end one that I bought for taking back forth to classes. Both do different things, but I use the Janome the most. Doesn't have fancy stitches on it, but does have the buttonhole stitch for primitive applique. I think that you'd be save with either one - they're both great machines.
Congratulations on your LHN finish and you know if you're just looking for the jar lids, you can buy them at the grocery store. I saw Vonna's tutorial and just bought some lids. You should probably keep those lids with the jars!
great bargain on the jars. I have no idea about the sewing machines. I have a very old one that was given to me off of freecycle.org and works great for now. :)
love the two LHN finishes. i still need to finish up my fob, i am doing it over 1, so we shall see. LOL (actually i love over 1 stitching).
Curious to know why you stitched 2 coverlets? I can't find time to do 1 of most things but 2! Very impressive. Love Vonna's Pin cushion tutorial but think the idea was from Shakespeares Peddler.(Theresa)
Great finish and finds! Wish I knew about the sewing machines....I will just drool instead!
I have a Bernina 44oQE which I love. I can change the feet easily and quickly. Since I find screw on foot very fiddly that was important to me. The thing is, buying a sewing machine is so personal. The best thing to do is to use them both, check out the dealer closely as that makes a HUGE difference and follow your heart.
Nice stitching finish!
Beautiful stitchy finishes! Sorry I have an allergy to sewing machines..lol. Good luck with your quilting though.
Love the kids party idea, can;t wait until Toy Story 3 reaches the UK.
I collect those kind of Ball Canning Jars and they are expensive! I get my zinc lids from Ebay. The canning jar lid pincushion wasn't my idea, I just did a tutorial on how I found easiest to finish them in that style. The idea is from Theresa of Shakesphere's Peddler ;o) It's a great idea isn't it?
My mother has a Bernina and my grandmother has a Janome, and they both LOVE them. They do have different varieties than what you're looking at though. My mother uses her Bernina for mainly dressmaking, but my grandmother uses her Janome for quilting. She says that it slides through flannel like butter. (Of course, I didn't listen to either of them and bought a Brother LOL.)
Your LHN finishes are so pretty!
Congrats on your finish. Too funny about the guy and the jars. Did you know you can buy (plastic) screw on lids for jars? Good luck with your sewing machine purchase.
try! That's my suggestion, try each of the machines doing things you will use it to do...think about things that are really important to you - ignoring the other bells and whistles that will distract you! Good luck and let us know what you decide!
Same here on the Bernina and Janome. I love them both. I am sure you will find either one to work well for you and your quilting. The Needle and Thread is so nice.
Be always in stitches
Love your stitching ~ I haven't stitched anything from LHN, but they are looking very appealing.
You're lucky to have found zinc lids ~ I live in the deep south and can't find them anywhere. Might have to try on ebay.
Let me know what you decide for a new sewing machine. I have an old Singer (15 years +) with, like, 2 different stitches on it and I would love to get a newer machine. I was looking at the Janome.
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