Avoidance

OK. That's it . I have cracked it.I need a new sewing machine. I have saved a not inconsiderable amount of money and the time has come. (I have been muttering about a new machine for at least a year)

I currently drive a Janome QC something or other and I'm guessing it is eightish years old....

Short of some sewing machine company wanting to sponsor me to the tune of a new sewing machine, I'm in the market for a change.

Bernina seems to be winning at the moment.

What do you drive ? What do you love about it?

What features can't you live without

(oh and don't bother trying to sell me on quilting functions - you know I don't speak quilt)

I'm heading off to AQC on the weekend and I think I might talk turkey to some of the dealers.

What questions should I ask ?

Thanks for the depend.

Front man in the band.

(Grim Fandango's you can like them on face book and freak him out)

Too cool for school.

16

Recently purchased and took a sandwich toaster to school to toast other kids sandwiches

(for a price)

Incredible indignation at its confiscation.

Incredible indignation at most things....

Agreed (for a price) to do some test sewing.

because, as he said - "I have mad-as skillz"

"Mum ! Why doesn't your sewing machine go around corners"

Cue some instruction and lots of "I knew that "

"Wow this is cool"

"I totally rock this sewing shit"

"mum.... Mum..... F#%* My hair is caught in your sewing machine"

(quietly wetting myself with laughter in the corner)

Friday night

It was a big night at Chez Ric rac on Friday night night. The one remaining teenager was out and the scene was setMr Ric-rac could not stop smiling and I had something very very special planned

yep, Nikki's Book !

While Mr Ric-rac headed off to the boy-cave to watch football, I poured a glass of something yummy and settled in. I had dressed for the occasion in unmatched pyjamas, chenille dressing gown and socks.( I know Nikki would approve) Of course, you guys know that I know Nikki, we frequently sewjourn together where I even saw some of these projects get worked and tweaked and photographed. Rumour has it I even pattern tested something for this book. But do not think I'll be letting that friendship get in the way of a hard-hitting warts and all review ! So I have actually read this book cover to cover, I started with the dedication and finished at the photo credits. The thing I love about this book is that is almost a journey in itself. You can start at the beginning with a cute little zipper rose and work your way through the book until you are whipping up your own pattern-free clothing. Of course , depending on where you are with your skill levels , you can just jump in half way through and learn some new techniques.

Actually I think the techniques and tips are the best thing about this book - I am always in awe of the stuff we learn from Nikki at sewjourn - she often had an easier , faster and DEFINITELY NEATER way doing things, and she always has a gadget to help. The book explains some helpful gadgets and has a whole chapter on techniques.There is heaps to learn in that chapter. (She even shares the magic 3cm rule) If I picked this book up for a flick through in a book shop , I'd be impressed with the amount of step by step photos, I'd smile at the writing style - informative and friendly and then as I progressed through the book, I'd begin to imagine making some of the projects and then I'd get to the pattern free clothing section and my wallet would be out as I headed to the counter.

Then as I put the book on the counter, I'd tell the surly young man with the stapled-on eyebrow I'd say "This is a great book, actually its written by a friend of mine"

"She's an author you know" and I'd smile as he put it in a bag and sticky-taped it shut

and I'd think to myself, "Holy shit Nikki, it's a real-life actual book"

(Oh and the word on the crafty street is that Nikki's book is sneaking onto her stall at AQC next week !)

The fat lady dances

So while I am still suffering a shocking case of EITTTS, I was reminded today that it is not always so.

Sheesh , he's done pretty well for a small town postal duck hasn't he?

Milligan is in this months issue of Homespun magazine and he is in some very fine company indeed. and today sees the last working day of the school term for me, I don't have to be back at work for 19 sleeps. At approximately 3.31, if the wind was blowing the right way , and you were listening, you may have heard the faintest whoop and felt the earth tilt ever so slightly on its axis, as I danced a little fat-lady dance through the library shelves and out the door.

E.I.T.T.T.S

Yes, just like one of those nasty "social diseases" I'm afraid it's back.

My recurring nemesis in the form of crap sewing, crap decisions and all round crap crap.

Yep I have a serious case of E.I.T.T.T.S, in fact bubonic-plague-like-case my be a more accurate description. For those of you lucky enough to be immune or at least symptom free, you can find out more information here, here and here . I'm telling you , if you don't see some evidence of craft in this space by the end of the weekend, write me off as the first known fatality and make me a little plaque.

(nothing over the top of course - something tasteful...perhaps with underpants ?)

Hook up catch up and hang out

Next Saturday "Making it Handmade" is going to be shown here in Ballarat.

Anna brownfield who is from Ballarat, followed four Melbourne crafters and documented their stories and the rise of craft. There is an article about it here if you'd like to take a look.

Anna sent me an email this week offering a double pass to give away here on the blog, which I gratefully accepted on your behalf .

(Don't worry guys this weeks list of refusals has included UGG boots and rugs )

So if you can get to the screening , and want the chance to win the double pass please leave your details in the comments.

I'll pop back tomorrow and announce a winner.

I am really looking forward to it - not just the movie but the chance to meet Anna and have a bit of a local crafty meet-up as well.

What say you guys to a movie and then some coffee /cake afterwards?

Some days I think its the whole world....

and other days I'm happy its just me.

(I'll be in the sewing room if you need me)