Tomorrow night, August 11th, will be the second and the largest of this year's three Supermoons. This evening I accidentally saw the almost full moon rising and hope to see the Supermoon just a little later tomorrow evening.
If you also enjoy watching the night sky it should be a good one to try and catch if the sky is clear in your corner of the world - what a beautiful sight it should be.
Sharing at SkyWatch Friday.
Sitting very happily on our antique family side-table is my brand new sewing machine, surrounded by my essential everyday tools (laptop, Ott-Lite lamp, pincushion, pens, quick unpick, scissors, glue pen and my box of chargers and cords). Most sewing is done on our large dining/homeschool table only a metre away but there has also been a little sewing happening right where she lives.
Over recent weeks I have researched my options as the quilting limitations of my 29 year old Janome (SL.2022) had become increasingly frustrating. In the end I chose not to buy yet, and to continue using my machine until it would no longer work. This deadline came sooner than I had anticipated - last week Tuesday.
After seriously considering the Janome 6600 and the 8200 I thought the 8200 would be the machine I was most likely purchase one day. However after speaking with three Janome dealers (on the phone as we have none in our town) each one highlighted a variety of reasons as to why the Janome 8900 is a better long term choice. The day my machine broke I began to relay to my husband the information I had gathered and before I had progressed far he said "buy the better machine".
Three days ago my beautiful new Janome 8900 arrived and I have been constantly delighted with all I have discovered - and I've only just begun to explore all her capabilities. The most striking feature is her larger size, which is marvellous for quilting. The onboard lighting is excellent, the speed control is very responsive, it is very quiet to operate, has a needle up/down stopping option, a presser foot knee lifter, a convertible free motion quilting foot and so many other features which my old machine didn't have. With an onboard start/stop button you can even operate the machine without the foot pedal. She is a total pleasure to sew with!
The basic operation is similar to my old Janome, making threading, winding and inserting the bobbin all comfortably familiar. As with my old machine there are onboard storage compartments for all the feet and little extras - beautifully designed.
I feel like all my Christmases have come at once. As I sit down to sew I am grateful to my husband and also excited to know there is greater scope than ever to enjoy the process as well as to further develop my sewing and quilting skills.
It was totally unexpected - a wonderful "I'm thinking of you" gesture. Each day I watched, trusting the buds to reveal their magical beauty in the fullness of time. Today was the day of their opening, and lilies being lilies, I know I will be enjoying their majestic presence, and Erin's thoughtfulness, for many days.
No response, followed by a flicker of life which blew the single light bulb. Mmmmm, not good. Last Monday my 29 year old Faithful Janome was having problems. I had nearly finished quilting Royal Whispers (more on that soon) and was half way through a small quilting commission when the light went out last Monday. After a trip to Lincraft for a replacement bulb there was a flicker and then all was well. Some more quilting ensued that night. All was well.
Early Tuesday morning I had hoped to make some more progress before needing to clear the dining room table for our homeschool lessons, but there was no life to be had in Faithful. So this looked like the end, time to say goodbye. When I last had her serviced, four years ago, there was mention of another problem, not terminal at the time. I have struggled along with her limitations in my newfound quilting directions, hand quilting the centre of Sunlit Treasure, my largest quilt, as it wouldn't fit through the centre/harp space of my machine. Any precise sewing and quilting was best done by daylight or with a lamp positioned behind Faithful as the the machine light was not the best etc.
Many times I have looked into buying a larger quilt-friendly sewing machine but always have chosen to persevere, to be content and grateful for the one I have. She has served me well over the years - clothes for myself, many baby items, dresses and skirts for my six daughters, household furnishings, scrapbooking and card making, general repairs and alterations and over the last four and a half years, quilting.
But now it was time to say goodbye to Faithful.
When I told my husband and children the news, there was a playful look of joy in their eyes. "So are you going to buy a new one?" they asked, for I'm not one to spend money on myself.
"Yes!"
"Good, it's about time!"
Well I guess there was no need to convince them, it was I who was waiting for the right time to make this move, until there was a genuine need.
So which machine will replace Faithful?
She hasn't arrived yet, but I will introduce you in due course, after I have made her acquaintance.......
I have a new appreciation for the beauty of our small local airport - or more precisely, the rural setting of the airport.
Our regional airport is ten minutes drive from the edge of town. It was dark when we left home at 5:30am this morning, however it wasn't long until the sky was lightening in the east. Only two planes were on the tarmac, one had engines covered to protect from the near frosty predawn air.
The other was being prepared for a journey to Sydney.
Only yesterday Miss E (22) returned to Sydney for studies, an eight hour drive with friends. Today it was Miss N's(16) turn to make this journey - she was provided with a ticket to fly to attend three days of intensive cricket training at the SCG.
Miss G (16) and little Miss E watched as the plane disappeared into the distance with promises of a beautiful (yet slightly lonesome) winter's day ahead. There are certainly benefits to living in a country town, one which is large enough to even have its own little airport.
Sharing at Our World Tuesday, SkyWatch Friday.
