Thanks for the nice comments on my projects. The flowers are pretty busy IRL...the picture seems to calm them some how. DH thinks solid fabric between the small blocks, but I will try the assorted fabrics first and see if a narrow cream sashing is enough to separate everything.

Honchey--I am so excited you found the magazine!!! Thanks for looking so hard. :) Praying each day is a little better for your mouth/jaw.

Dublb--this *is* the bestest group! I thought about posting in general on the boards, but figured I would try here first.

Jeanie--glad to hear a good update about your hand. Have a great camping trip. We joke that we live were others vacation...a "cabin" in the woods near the river.

Anael--your feathers look good to me. Great job! All that practicing is paying off...keep it up. I am guessing FMQ is one of those things if you don't do it regularly you need to practice a little before getting going each time.

QNS--so what did you do today that was "pleasing to you"? I am spending time in the clubhouse. :)

Ggal--I asked DS and he says he likes the grey/black one...showed him a picture of blue and purple ones too. Great to hear your Lone Star is coming along.

Just read the last couple of posts .... and see that you are all going to be here to talk sense into me.
And saw Anael's amazing feathers/quilting!

Yes ... I have fallen in LOVE with the S16 ... will be back to tell you all more later, and to read the 55 posts made, since I was here on Thursday!

**mutters to self**
I don't know I just don't know
Can I justify it?
There's worse places to spend my $
**mutters and mumbles more**

QuiltE, go for it. We only get one turn at life....ENJOY it!! What way would the $ bring you more joy and fun?? After all, who else would enjoy that $ that you earned as much as what you would?

Looking at the farm and home chicken tractor; its built cheap, and would probably allow racoons to break into it...maybe...it would all fit inside of the dog run since it is four wide and the dog run is five foot wide...its expensive $$$ but would not have to listen to dh yak on about building it...it would be perfect for the hen and chickens...like the cottage style the best.

Yes, Carrie I am working on the Pansy Passion II, four blocks done, eight more are cut out, ready to assemble which I am working on...will see if I like that size or want to make it larger. The purse for AIL is calling for me to construct it.... Leftovers from Red Lobster is all gone...so may have to fix some lunch today...

QuiltE flip a coin. if you are not happy with what the coin tells you to do, then you'll know!

QNS you amaze me. I wish I could come and see all your birds and quilts and fabrics and gardens. It sounds like you are in an amazing setting and you are so industrious.

Carriem you are another one who is always accomplishing something. I really like your florals. Your FFC table runner is way cool, too. Great that Honchey found your pattern.

Gardnergal, The thread cutter on my machine will remain unused as I am ok with the old fashioned way. Mine needle doesn't come unthreaded, but half the time I get a nest at the start of a seam and half the time I don't and those nests bug me . I had been reading so many people say they couldn't do without it and I wondered why. I am still wondering. :D :D

Anael, Your picture with you and Bram got me all teary. What a lucky little baby to be so loved. Precious picture , get it framed. I have a picture of me peering into my grandson's isolette and he loves that picture. He will be 9 in Aug.

Big shout out to all the rest!

I am still procrastinating on the PC, I think it's because I am daunted by the task of sewing the rows together. I really really hate that part. I am going to promise myself a large London Fog for this afternoon if I get the blocks done and one of the two up on the design wall.

QuiltE Quitcher mumbling and go get the Sweet 16. You know you wanna! What are you working so hard for if not to get the things that bring you joy????

Oh QuiltE...go for it, go for it..You deserve anything you worked hard for...Just think of all the pleasure you'll get from it..JanRN can give you lessons :) :) sorry Jan..I couldn't resist!!

Janiew, I use leaders and enders all the time and when I do use the cutter.I will either pull both threads longer and hold them so I don't get the bumps...taking the 'fix' off also helps.

Carrie, I don't want to hear anymore about what you finished this week!!!!:)

Oh and I found fabric in my stash for my 3rd MB..Ha Ha, Only I know....:)

QE--I think you have wanted a S16 for a long time and that if you've been saving for it, why wait any longer?? :)

Janie--good to "hear" from you. I find that sometimes I have to give myself motivation to get back to something...you *will* get your PC blocks together and will be so happy when you do.

Honchey--I won't share any more pictures until tomorrow...that's technically next week...right??

QuiltE, don't mutter and mumble, go for it! I would if I was living over there! So go and get it :)

Janie, I never use the thread cutter on my machine either. I think it's a pain in the ***. And I keep forgetting to use leaders and enders.

QNS, I love the stories about your birds.

Honchey, good you found more fabric :D

Ha Ha Ha Ha....You would think I had better things to do right now !!!!

QuiltE....you're talking to a bunch of enablers that would get it for themselves if they could!:o Just think of all the quilts that you won't have to pay someone else to quilt for the rest of your quilting life. I know that you've been practicing along with Jan in your dreams.

**note** I have not read posts since #2775

Hello Again ... I shouldn't have told anyone (you and others) about my expedition. :D Now I have to report back! And have been getting emails of inquiry, support, nudging, etc. So for the essence of time I will start here with a group reply for you ladies, and then onwards to any emails later.

OK ... a quick overview ...

I went to both dealers, Tiara and HQ Sweet 16. As far as I could find out, same machine. And the decision would be price and follow up service/support. S16 being the original has the better price, as they are re-selling to BabyLock to sell as Tiara. The HQ dealer has been with HQ much longer, knows their machines better, does on site servicing. Plus from what HQ has a 1-800 support line which has already been helpful to me. BL does not, as far as I know. So, no question to me as to which I would buy. I learned a lot from both.

Price ... I could send a lot of quilts out to a LAQ before breaking even.
Yes, the enjoyment, I deserve it, can't take the money with me can easily outweigh that!
Plus the immediacy and personal satisfaction that I did it all by myself, as opposed to waiting 6 wks or more for a LAQ ... and continue to do smaller items on my 6600.

Two stumbling blocks ...
**sandwiching** ... still a cumbersome awkward process for larger quilts. A LA somewhat does that for you. NO I am not interested AT ALL in a LA. Just a fact of reality and by sending to a LAQ I would avoid that issue.
**computer/laser accuracy** ... that comes with a fully-endowed LA!! I would definitely be doing FreeMQ forever on the S16 and would I be happy with the less so precision than a LA would do for me. Could I ever gain the skills to even come close?

So then I wonder about upgrading my 6600 to the 8900 (2 more inches in throat) and would I be happy?

The dealer I was at on Thursday sells both S16 and Janome. I didn't go between the two then, but I am thinking I should. Also there is another HQ dealer in the opposite direction from me that sells HQ and J, so I could also get their perspective and try both machines within minutes. They also sell Husqvarna, Bernina and BabyLock, but not the Tiara. So could be sure to get myself really confused and have info overload!!!

Now with all this being said ... I have not said how nicely it quilted and how easy it was to use it. I made feathers, and silly me, I didn't bring the sample with me when I left the store. No, they were not perfect, but they were pretty darned good, IMHO, for a starter. I did try their TruStitch (BSR concept) ... and felt I was doing as good or better without. However, that might change with more practice and a better understanding of the how to ... I'm not sure. It is an expensive add-on ... and could be added later for the same price (barring any price increases).

I know I know ... if I don't take care of me, no one else will.
Though I do have to look at this totally in the real world and be honest with the facts!!

I WILL get reading all your input later ... just need to get a few more things done before I can spend much computer time again ................