Old projects and my sewing set up

Sew, I've come a long way in 7 years. I worked that little Singer to death making blankets for all kinds of people. I tried to teach myself how to free motion quilt on that thing and nearly killed someone along the way. Somewhere on that journey, I decided I wanted, needed even, a new sewing machine. I decided I would spend the "big bucks" and get a really nice machine. I was prepared to spend around $1500. To me, that's a lot of $$ for a machine that I use to make blankets. One trip to the Sew 'n Vac and my head was spinning. I could get a low end Bernina, but I would have to spend even more than I was planning. YIKES! She showed me a newer Japanese brand that was designed for quilting and was in my price range. She showed me a few of its tricks and I was sold. Mistress Janome (yes, she has a name)came home with me shortly thereafter. She's a not-many-frills commercial grade stitcher (up to 3000 stitches per minute and mama's got a lead foot on that pedal)but she's turned out quilt after quilt of cuddly cuteness. Now, because the Mistress is sew special, she cannot be placed in a standard sewing cabinet. She's just a hair too big for all the pop through openings. My Darling Husband (heretofore referred to as DH) offered to build me one. HA, that's a good one babe, I mocked. About 6 months later, I was eating, er sewing, my words. He customized plans for a fold out sewing table that fits the Mistress's wide hips and can handle the weight (she weighs more than my 4.5 year old son... not a machine to lug to classes. Wait, I've never actually taken a class.). When folded up, it looks like a little cabinet, handy since I share my sewing room with our guest room and office. Opened up, I have about 5 feet of table space with my machine in the middle. It has revolutionized my sewing. Sounds dorky, but is seriously amazing since I used to haul everything in to my dining room and take over for the weekend. Now I can sew whenever! At least that's what I tell myself when I am sitting on the couch watching TV.

I am fairly distraught to discover that I don't have many pictures of my earlier quilts. I suspect that I was just really lazy about taking pictures before they went home, but it makes me feel better to think that perhaps they were saved on the old computer that was stolen last year. Then I am not a dork for not taking photos of my work. the photos I do have are included in this post. I'd take a picture of the one currently on my guest bed, but it is covered by fabric from two of my recent projects.

This is the wall hanging I made for my son when he was born. Features mostly applique, some freehand quilting. Titled: Luc L'Amore 2005

Made this one for a friend's daughter. Replaced scary bears with bugs. Went crazy nuts with the quilting. Sassy Princess 2005

I made this for my dad for Christmas one year. It is a log cabin pattern with large triangle blocks. Quilted with free motion loops. It's name should have been "My Amish Mistake". Can you see why? Instead I named it "Here Comes the Sun" 2007

This was for a friend's son as a new baby gift. It is a Yellow Brick Road pattern and features free motion quilting in the shape of vehicles. Since it was for a baby, I did not give it this name, but in my head referred to it as "Damn, This Traffic Jam". Officially named "Special Delivery" 2007

Same friend, new baby! Reused the log cabin/large triangles pattern and loved it much more in the brighter colors. My favorite part of this quilt was the firefly fabric at the center of each log cabin square. I bought it years ago in a little quilt shop in Seattle and saved it for the perfect quilt. Quilted with free motion loops. 2008

Made this cutie for my cousin's little girl. Same pattern as Sassy Princess above, tamer colors. I got lazy and didn't do mitered borders, though it would have looked smashing with the directional border fabric. This picture doesn't do it justice, but the quilting on this one is probably my favorite. Lots of daisy flowers, etc. All free motion quilting. 2008