Under a Blue Moon

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.

 
 

Urban Outfitters Watering Can (for sale! Cheap!)

That is the sound of December hurtling by.  Where did the year go?  Each year they seem to go by quicker and quicker.

I used to hate Januarys.  They were cold, wet and after the excitement of the holidays they were a letdown.  But as I get older I've come to appreciate the abrupt slowdown of pace and the chance to just snuggle in and not do anything.

Well, anything more taxing than reading decorating magazines with all their tips for organizing (all January magazines have this theme, have you noticed?) and dreaming over gardening books. 

Minature Garden Shoppe

Since my gardening is pretty much confined to pots (says the person living on 5 acres) I've been fascinated with the idea of Minature Gardening.  I think it is kind of like setting up a dollhouse only outdoors. 

I remember seeings some fabulous examples at Wisteria Antiques & Garden in Soquel.  The examples were planted in wide, shallow pots and had the most exquisite minature details.  Little cobblestone patios,  teeny gazebos.  They were so incredibly detailed.

So as December, and the year wind down to a close I am really looking forward to January and a brand new year.  2009 was not very kind to us so I'm not sorry to see it end.  I have a good feeling about this new year though, a sense of optimism that has been sorely lacking this year.  

Okay ~ enough dreaming about the future!  I have a stack of presents a mile high that are not going to wrap themselves and bushels of cookies to bake!  Wait until you see the cookies I'm making….in my oven that works!