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Everything is as ready as its going to be.  Rick is out tracking down a FedEx delivery as we speak (misrouted to Memphis, delays due to inclement weather, Andrea having a nervous breakdown….). 

I want to thank everyone that takes the time to come visit my little corner of the internet and for all the encouragement and kindness you show me.  It means more to me than you could ever know.

My Christmas wish for you is that you are living your dream and that 2010 is a magical, sparkly year for you.

Thank you and Merry Christmas Everyone!

~Andrea
 

I want to start researching new sewing machines.  And no, the one above is sadly not mine.  I think it is Sara's.  Or maybe Nicki's.  Then again it might be Kate's.  It was brought to a quilting retreat – that's all I remember.

I am looking for an all purpose sewing machine.  Not a ton of money.  Not necessarily meant for quilting (although quilt piecing and the occasional machine quilting will be done on it).  What I really, really want is a ruffling foot attachment.  It can't be super complicated.  I borrowed Nicki's old Bernina and couldn't figure out how to thread it, even after she painstakingly explained it to me, about forty seven times. 

Any recommendations?  Are refurbished machines an option?  Or to be avoided?

To recap:

Must be inexpensive (under $500 or am I in fantasy land?)
Easy to learn
Uncomplicated
Ruffling attachment
Ability to machine quilt (not complex quilting)

In short like this, only with a ruffling attachment:

  

I am invited to a Cookie Exchange tomorrow.  I've never been to one before but as I understand it you arrive with six dozen cookies and you leave with six dozen cookies, hopefully of a different variety than the ones you brought.

I decided to make Lime Meltaways because they sounded refreshing and a bit different from the typical types of cookies you would make this time of year.  Plus I love lime. 

I used Martha Stewart's Recipe, doubling it.  I ended up with about 85 cookies.  They were a breeze to make and my hands still smell of fresh lime zest.

The invitation said to bring six dozen cookies, bagged in groups of six.  Since I didn't read the fine print I thought I was supposed to bring six dozen in groups of 12 and bought cute little boxes and cupcake liners to bring them in.  The boxes are too big for just six cookies so I need to rethink my delivery method.

Drat.  I thought the presentation was so darned cute.