Shades of Blue Studio

I have been trying my hardest to avoid the sewing machine store because I just know that I will want the Janome Horizon 7700. Well I went to a jewelry store that was having a pandora event (why doesn't Pandora have a sewing machine or spool of thread or more artsy charms?) and what do you know....the store was in the complex that is home to my favorite sewing machine shop. I HAD to stop...I HAD TO. I walked in an my eyes were immediately drawn to the beauty of the red Horizon. I was hoping that the demonstration would not be as good as it was, I know that sounds terrible, I didn't want to WANT this machine. However I do want it. The only thing that probably saved me from taking it home was when I walked into the shop there were only 20 minuets left till closing time. The machine is $3000.00 which to me is "steep" however, if I traded my beloved 4800qc in it would bring it down to $2199.00 plus tax of course. I have been thinking about this for several days. Thinking a...

Let's talk a little bit about thread. I have never used cheap thread in my machine because of all the horror stories I have heard, they literally scared me into digging a little deeper in my pocket. Now I am not saying that I never fell for the Joanne fabric "so many spools for a buck or two offer" but I would never put that in my machine. Used it for securing buttons, bunny whiskers etc.......I am not claiming to be a thread expert but I have had great results with Coats and Clark Star cotton thread. I use this to piece my quilts, sew handbags and totes. I have since come across a thread that is similar and I am loving it even more, the price is cheaper and the quality to me is good, though remember I am not an expert. I am sure there is probably a whole other world out there of thread I do not know about. Anyways.... http://www.connectingthreads.com/ is a wonderful site to buy supplies, this is where I came across this thread. It is called Essential PRO you can buy it ...

 I have a bunny to thank for my love of sewing. We were at a family gathering and I saw this bunny doll fully clothed sitting on a bench I was instantly 'in love" I needed to know more. I was told that it was handmade from a pattern that I could buy at Jo-Ann fabrics. The next day I loaded all the kids in the van and headed to the fabric store! I bought the pattern and my mother in law bought me a Sears sewing machine (rest in peace) with the exception that I make her a bunny. How could I say no? She got the first bunny, boy was he a mess! One leg was on backwards, one arm was inside out, he had a crooked face and one ear was shorter than the other, but I LOVED him. It was hard to hand him over. If I can remember correctly everyone got a well dressed bunny doll that year for Christmas. I am not bragging but I got really good at making them. I also made 4 colorful bunnies for each one of my children then put their favorite baby outfit on them. I was hooked on sewing! I sewed cr...

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