WIP Wednesday - Ooops!

Somehow I forgot to finish the update post last week, so now I get to look like I was actually productive!

Next project!

WIP Thursday - Halfway Through January!

I knew this month would fly by, but this is kind of ridiculous!

Purse of Doom is in progress!

Sewing Machine Review - Brother PQ1500SL

I'm not sure if I was wearing it down, or just trying to sew too fast, but lately I've been pushing my Janome HD3000 to the limit and it was complaining.  Still was sewing pretty good and I'm not getting rid of it, but I managed to tear up 3 needle plates in a year and even with filing they weren't salvageable.  (Torn up needle plates leads to uneven stitches, fabric catching, and even thread breaking).  At $20+ a pop, it was time to decide what my next machine would be or what I could do to prevent that from happening.

I'm calling this one Captain Jack...Harkness or Sparrow is yet to be determined. Also, he's already getting blinged up!

I've been eyeing all of the 'professional' (not industrial) machines for a few years now, and avidly following every time someone asks for suggestions or reviews their machine.  There are a few that are mentioned a lot, the Brother PQ1500S(L), Juki TL2000Q(i), Janome 1600P, and now the Janome HD9.  The HD9 was what really got me interested, until I saw the price.  A lot of the machines have the same features, straight stitch, faster speeds, more room, and more power.  It really came down to price for me.  The Brother was the lowest priced and had some great reviews, plus a thread cutter (oh how I've missed that!), extension table, leg lift lever, and tons of feet!  It also has a pin feed system, which I'm hoping to try with some of my slippery fabrics.

Tools of the Trade - Steam Press (Iron)

I'm a sucker for a good tool that will make life easier, but when they are as pricey as a steam press, I don't rush out and buy one.  That being said, this is a life changer for making purses!

A steam press in its' natural habitat...a messy craft room

WIP Thursday - STILL (almost) on target for UFO July!

I'm not going to set a HUGE goal for this next week's UFO, my youngest had her birthday this week, and that means this Saturday is going to be her party with anywhere from 9 to 25 people...and since it's going to be at our house, that means extra cleaning!  I almost have the UFO for last week finished, just needs the final piece of the closure and the sides sewn!

Strike sewing for Moonbeam Textiles current round!  Awesome fabric!

WIP Wednesday - Mini Break

As much as I really do love sewing and crafting, sometimes I just need to take a break and read a book or watch a movie, or do something that is not productive to give my hands and mind a break.  I have deadlines to meet, but I'm actually on track so I decided to give in and read a few books that were calling my name!

Tiger charms ready for purses!

WIP Wednesday - No Time For Procrastination!

There may be no time for it, but I still manage to do it!  Last night's procrastination was actually cleaning and organizing, so I can finally see the top of my cutting table again!  In the process of cleaning I also ran across several more half finished projects...so now I have a Next In Line (NIL) pile...

Probably the last time I'll see the top of my table until mid February...

WIP Wednesday - Sewing Soon!

At least I hope to be sewing again very soon...  The craft studio is starting to come together, if you ignore the giant piles of boxes in the center of the room...I've already rearranged it 2x and I think this is probably still not the final set up. I'm forcing myself to use the entire room, not just along the edges with one thing in the center. 

The important things...Amazon music and tula pink fabric