my Sweat Shop..

So, Gertrude and I have been together for almost a month now!

I have FINALLY rearranged my "sewing room" into a usable space for Gertie! My hubby bought me an awesome sewing table (Joann's had them 50% off for awhile!) which will support her weight!

Check it out!! With her embroidery module attached, she takes up the whole width of the table! What is even more amazing is that I can now embroider at FULL SPEED! Whaa hooo!

Needless to say, I have been spending all my free moments in this room working away. It's my own little sweat shop. (Sometimes literally since there is a heating vent in this room.. I've had to close it so I don't die up there!)

So, here is what we've been working on...

Bumpers for a friends baby Girl! 

Awesome Foxy Wallet

Inside said Foxy Wallet

Foxy Zipper Pouch

Are you sensing the theme here with this adorable Fox fabric?! If you must have it, it is Acacia by Tula Pink!

Made myself a cute ironing board cover! P.S: That is my awesome new Green Iron! 

Free Motion Quilting a lap top sleeve

And of course embroidering one of above said Foxes!

As you can see I have been having a Grand 'Ol time in my sewing room with Ms. Gertrude! I'm trying to cram in a bunch of sewing time now because all of my babysitters (aka Grandparents) are going on vacations and I will have significantly less free time to sew during February!

Hopefully I'll get a chance to chat with you all some more before February blurs by!

Happy Sewing,
Enjoli (and Gertrude)

A Few of My Favorite Things.. about Gertrude

Oh my! Oh my! Gertrude and I have really hit it off.

I find myself wishing for more time in the day, and sneak up to my sewing room (aka: my converted walk-in closet) to scheme and just stare at her! Sometimes I manage to get something done.

Right now I am waiting for hubby to either build or buy me a table..I think the later is more likely since we both have severely limited free time with three little munchkins running around!

So, whilst I wait (not so patiently) for my table, so that Gert can have a place to be set up all the time, I figured I'd share a few of my favorite things about my newest, most wonderful machine!

Number 1: The sheer size of her is AMAZING! 

The fact that I have so much space to the right of the needle is the biggest difference from my previous machine (not that I didn't love her..but..) and one of the biggest reasons for adopting Gertrude!

Number 2: Hover Function

No, she does not magically hover downstairs to my dining room table so I can sew, but she does have a setting programmed into her that allows the presser foot to hover when I stop sewing. So, when I am chain piecing or pivoting during quilting, she will stop needle down and raise the presser foot so that I can either go straight into sewing my next piece or turn directions while quilting.
It. Is. Awesome!

Number 3: Automatic Cutting

I knew this function would be nice to have, but I didn't know it would be LIFE CHANGING! I Freaking Love this function! It has cut (ha ha get it!) my piecing time a lot and made me really appreciate having thread cutting done for me!

She will cut automatically when I sew decorative stitches and use my pattern end button. She will cut embroidery jump stitches automatically. And boy does this function save time and energy when you are quilting and want to jump from one spot to another.

Whew! I am still so excited about the addition of Gertrude to my machine line up that I've thought of like 6 more things typing this. I'll save them for another day, I've got to head back up and keep on sewing!

One of these days when I remember to take some photos, I'll give you all a glimpse of where the magic that Gert and I make happens! (Gotta have that table set up first!)

Happy Sewing,
Enjoli & Gertrude!

P.S:
Apparently others are not so thrilled with my attempt to spend more time with Gertrude!

Avalyn does not seem thrilled with her sister's form of entertainment while Mommy sews! 

Welcome Home Gertrude!

The anticipation is FINALLY over.. Gertrude has ARRIVED!

It has taken every ounce of self control that I have to not forget that I have children (human ones that is) and just play with Gertrude!

Though I do have to say..My oldest told me, "I love my new sister!", last night when we took Gertie out of her box!

Gotta give her a Kiss!

Ascher couldn't miss out on the fun either!

I told myself that I'd wait until the kids were all in bed to get Gert out, but hubby could tell the suspense was killing me, so he cooked dinner while Alia and I unpacked her! She is currently living on our dining room table since I don't have a big enough table for her yet! (Not to worry, its on the to-buy list for this weekend!)

Once the last kiddo was FINALLY in bed, I spent some quality time with Gertrude.

We bonded over a late night hot cocoa and of course, took our first "selfie"! 

I'm so excited that she is finally home, I've already put her to work on some new curtains for my oldest daughters room! She has decided that anything Mickey Mouse is the best thing ever now, so we're transitioning her room from Cat In the Hat to Mickey Mouse! New curtains are the first step, then a coordinating bed quilt. I'll be sure to share once they're done and up! 

I am off for more Adventures with Gertrude! I can tell already that we're going to have a great time together! 

See you later,

Enjoli & Gertrude!!