Prior to the NJS, those particular individuals I was referring to had got me pretty pumped up about entering... and then winning. I didn't win of course. After seeing the winning entries, I certainly don't feel a tad jealous. WOW - still can't believe I was in the ring at all! So why was part of me still feeling quite disappointed? It's not like I made the dress for that show. I didn't really lose anything. So why did I feel a loss? I had to really think about where these feelings were stemming from. When it came right down to it, I did not enter to win a ribbon. It become clear to me that I got all wrapped up in the idea of owning the big prize: "$1000 worth of Janome product". In other words - a brand new computerized sewing machine. 'What if?' ...and away I went in my head. I have Fiona, my back up Kenmore that I bought second hand off kijiji. (It came with ketchup chip crumbs in the bobbin case. GROSS ME OUT.) A new Janome... I began to fantasize.
Finally I decided that getting my Prairie Dress into such a prestigious event in the first place was worth celebrating. Why not buy a new machine? Last time I was at Creative house, I noticed all the red sale tags. I went back to inquire. I found her! A 12 pound computerized machine (My Horizon is 27 pounds!!), has auto threader AND auto cutter which is completely magnificent for threadpainting. I LOVE auto cutter, but haven't seen it on smaller machines until now. I took her for a test drive and it's a PERFECT second machine to the Horizon. PLUS their sale right now is rockin'. So... I bought it!
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| Me and Bea - WHO'S EXCITED!?!?!? |
Move over Fiona. Meet... Naomi Janome? haha. Bea? (As in, plan B). Actually, I may just call her Bea. We'll see. My 7700 and my 3160 look like Wilma & Betty when they are side by side. I took her to the thread class on Friday afternoon, and she's just perfect. I'm not sure I'll bother dragging the great big machine out again for teaching or classes. This is just perfect for me. It even came with a quilting pack: walking foot, 1/4 inch foot, quilt in the ditch foot, lots of bobbins... I'm happy.
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| Janome 3160 aka "Bea" |
They could tell I was excited, and as I stepped out of the store, I let out a big loud "WOOHOO!!"
21 comments:
Congratulations - I'm happy you celebrated your wonderful achievement!
Nice machine Monika! I hope it works really well for you!
yep retail therapy works every time...congrats on your new purchase...congrats on your entry in to the show...
Good for you! And yeah, auto thread cutters are awesome... Who knew it would be something I've decided I can't live without?
What a cutie - and the machine looks good too :)I always reward my accomplishments, no matter how humble; you've had a big year and this machine can take you further along your journey. Congrats!
your new machine looks a bit like mine - not surprising since they're both janome! terrific products, imho. i'm glad you celebrated your accomplishment with a 'treat', although tools to create can hardly be considered to be frivolous when you're creating the quality of art that you are!
and yes, auto thread cutters are wonderful!
cheers!
molly
HI Monika,
I know how you feel about Quilt Canada. i entered a piece as well, my first time for doing so. I was excited yet figured that I would not win anything yet, your mind runs away with "what ifs". I did not win either but I think that I will try again too.Enjoy the new machine.
Ruth
Congrats on the new baby Bea!! She's beautiful and I'm sure you two will be stitching up a storm in no time.
How exciting! Good for you, you will love taking her when you are teaching classes too!
Congratulations on your new baby Monika!! I'm so excited for you. You deserve it! As for the Prairie Dress not winning a ribbon...it wins in my heart! And remember that it is an honour to have had a piece selected for the show in the first place... :)
I find your honest reflection quite lovely. I always hate to admit that i'm disappointed to anyone. And good for that you rewarded yourself with the new machine. It is quite an accomplishment to even be in the show!
Congrats!
How exciting! Congrats on your new Janome. I'm still kicking myself for buying my used Pfaff instead of saving up more for a Janome. I'm hoping to eventually get a new Janome, but need to save up more $$. FWIW, I'm still spankin' new (like your baby) to the art world, but the contests I've seen so far seen to be the definition of subjective. I rarely agree with the judges, but hey, I guess that's what it's all about (Hokey Pokey song in the back ground).
Wow, look at all those stitch icons on it!! Makes my machine look pretty lame. :(
Monika, your new machine is great and you deserve to treat yourself . I have to tell you I just came from the Quilt Canada show and I was absolutely thrilled to see your dress in person and if I were the judge in that competition you would have won hands down , seriously your dress is stunning!
It's loverly...have fun using it:)
Congrats to you for buying yourself a new machine. On one hand, yes, it's a lovely reward for all your hard work. But on the other hand, this is the tool of your trade. This is how you make your wonderful art, so of course you should have wonderful tools. Love and congrats - T.
Congrats on your new baby!
Oh wow, congratulations! Keep us posted as you get to know this machine. I'm itching for a new machine ;)
I saw your lovely Prairie Dress in person this weekend in Halifax and it more than held its’ own in the center of the display area with several other pieces of fibre clothing!! Congratulations! Your stitching is really wonderful!!
I am so glad for you! Your dress really was lovely.... judging is so hard, and is very subjective... I just always keep in mind, that to get into a juried show is to win=)
What are the 4 direction arrow buttons for? Will you use those stitches in your thread paintings? Does it have an actual blanket stitch? I never seem to get those on my machine and it would be so handy for appliqué.
It certainly is a big bundle of capabilities in only 12 lbs.
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