Sabbatical

Sabbatical (from Latin sabbaticus i.e., Sabbath, literally a "ceasing") is a rest from work, or a hiatus, often lasting from two months to a year.

Sometimes I feel the world is full of overcommunication - mobiles, emails, facebook, twitter, blogs - I could go on. I don't do social networking as I think it is slowly breaking down the art of conversation, but that's a whole other post. A well earned break is as good as a rest. I spent the summer relaxing, horse riding, smelling the roses

Merlyn; my trusty steed for summer jumping
league at Tullynewbank

Work started in September and was like a steam train of sleeping, travelling and working, So here I am after a techno break. I've done a few craft fairs and a little sewing. I have a few projects brewing and I will be touching base more often with what's going on.

little parcels

A pretty parcel, about to go on it's way to a new home.

Charms, Jellies and Quilts

So I took the head staggers, and ordered some lovely fabric from Hulu. Vicky from Hula sends out lovely email newsletters. While scrolling down I noticed some pretty fabrics. I have been having quilt hankerings for a while, so I thought I would start off the easy way and ordered some moda charm packs and jelly rolls from the Califona Dreaming range.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with them. Quilt blogs here I come.

New bags

Some petite baguettes have finally reached the shop.

I really love the short, chunky chains.

A small victory

Monday night saw my first ever horse jumping competition at Tullynewbank Stables. I had horses most of my childhood, but I never competed, as I'm just not that brave. So when I signed up a few weeks ago I wasn't entirely sure I would go through with it, but I did and I jumped all the fences without knocking any down. I did this in both my rounds and gained a double clear.

To say I was proud was an understatement and I got a rosette for my trouble. A truly cherished item.

Having faced a big challenge, I feel empowered. I have signed up for the next competition but it really is all about taking part.

A splash of colour

A little summer brightness in the kitchen. Pretty gerberas

The box is open

So I finally opened the box... and it contains a new sewing machine. Yes, it has been sitting under the stairs for many many weeks unopened. I think the problem is I don't want to stop using my old work horse, but the time has come.

I have ended up with a Brother 350SE.

This was the machine I have wanted for a while, but when I went to go and buy it, I was told that they didn't have it. When my husband went to pick up the machine I ordered, they give him the one I wanted from the start. It is a domestic sewing machine, but is definelty more up to the work load than the current one. It has lots of fun features, but the biggest thing is that it is quiet, very very quiet.

It has lots of fancy stitches, most of which I will use only occasionally but I am very excited by the lettering function.

I'm not really sure why this is so exciting, but it really does appeal to me. The possiblilities are endless.

So my first project is was a roller bag. I could just have used the old machine but I clearly needed the word "Rollers" on the front of it.

I really love this owl fabric by Michael Millar, but the owls were just a little big for most clutches.

Still lots of experimenting to do, just need some projects to do....

Don't worry about my old machine. I am going to get it serviced and use it for sewing the bottom seams and as a general back up.