Hello Everyone,

          Now that the trip is over with, my bags have been unpacked, the laundry done, and things are settling back into the humdrum everyday life, I had to make some decisions about this next year and what I will be doing. First let me tell you that while I have enjoyed doing these writings for Ann The Gran, I had to make a few changes in my life. I am sorry to say that doing more of these writings is one thing that has to go. For no other reason than life changes and so must we. Now don't feel sad, because it is not a sad thing, at least for me. I will be moving on to some things that require my full and undivided attention.

          First let me say Thanks to all who have read and written into the comments. Supported me in many ways, and helped me in troubled times. I will miss each and every one of you. Don't think that I will not be checking back in either, as I will, likely in the forums and in the comments of the blogs too. So although I am sure some would like it, you're not rid of me that easily.

          I also want everyone to know that I have purchased a new machine, thanks to (CK). Sorry,  she will know, but she would not like it if I blurted out her name for all to see. I bought a Brother 4000-D, and all the parts that came with it. While it is not the new one, it is new to me and I have had fun (well sort of) learning all the new features that it has. It has only been a week since I picked it up, while the first few days were sort of crazy, it is now coming more naturally to me. I have had to re-learn everything as the Janome that I have is so old , it still had a black and white screen. The new color screen just tickles me and just makes me smile.

          When I went to pick it up, she showed me all the stuff that went with the machine and I was floored. When I bought my Janome it came with an instruction book and two hoops, so this was all new to me. Even though it has only been a week, I am starting to feel more at home with it, after making a quick phone call to (CK) to find out some things, only to realize that I was not threading it correctly (Imagine that). Then it dawned on me that I was feeling the way any new person would feel trying to learn all this stuff so they could sew a design on a piece of cloth. Oh My! I am a newbie!  I then sat down with the manual, started going through it page by page, thinking that this thing had more instructions than an airplane. (which by the way looks like a runway when in action)

          After realizing that I didn't really want to sit and read, I thought I would sew out a design to see how it sewed. Whoa! Wait a minute, did I just see that machine cut the thread, move to the next section, then start sewing again? I really thought I was dreaming when I saw this, not to mention it is self-threading. Holy smokes, what will they think of next? I could not imagine this, after all, my old machine didn't do this. So now every time it does that, I just giggle.

   First Design

          This one went so smoothly that I figured I would try another one, since Christmas is going to be here soon, what the heck, I had a few things to sew for gifts. So here is the second project I did. He is cute and he came out great.

          It will take me some time to teach myself all the quirks to this machine, but the verdict so far, is wonderful. I never dreamed I would ever have a machine that does so much. Now if I just had a little elf in the closet to come out and change the thread for me then all I would have to do is watch it sew. I used the Ann The Gran Stabilizers of course, and that always helps things along as well. No matter what happens in the coming months, rest assured that I will still be using the products I get from the ATG site. As well as the design pages, like Vermilion Stitchery, Ken Parsons, and the ATG Alphabets, and Sudberry House.

          So far I love all the new features that the new machine has, and some that I haven't discovered yet. I love the fact that I can hook it to the computer and download right to the machine, as well as change the size, add lettering, and do a lot of editing right at the machine, instead of running back and forth. Now all I need is a laptop dedicated to just the sewing room and I would be all set. Hmmm, maybe that should go on my Christmas list, then again, maybe the machine is enough to ask for. So I'll save that one for my birthday.

          As I mentioned, the manual to this thing is like reading a novel, 237 pages long, but filled with information. Not only do I not have to trim jump threads any longer, but it also has features for quilting, (which I love) and even has patterns to do the fancy quilting stitches throughout the quilt. I can also design my own stitches, move the pattern, rotate it, change the colors in a stitch-out, and so much more that is to me is simply amazing. Not to mention that if the power goes out (which it does frequently in Florida), that it will start back up where it left off. I have never had that luxury before.  All of you 4000-D owners know what I am talking about.

          So I retired the ailing Janome, and it is getting a well-deserved rest. I have sewn thousands of designs on it, and it has served me well. As with all things, it is tired and getting old and outdated (like me). Now it is time to move into the future, with the new machine, that I am sure will last me for many years. Likely by the time I am ready to retire this one, maybe they will have robots that will come and change your thread colors for you. (Well one can hope, can't one?)

          Again I want to Thank each and every one of you who believed in me and have supported me, as well as the decision that I have made to discontinue these writings. As I said, I am on to do some different things with my life, which includes the start-up of a new web site and business. It should be up and running soon, and it needs not only my full attention but also deserves that as well. For those of you that wish to stay in touch with me, you can do so through this site. As always, just click on the contact button on my profile page and I will receive it. This is not a good-bye, but a see you later. I will be popping in and out of the site, even though you may not know I have, or maybe you will.

For those of you who are Orchid people, this is one a neighbor gave to me before they moved back north, she said it never bloomed for her. Hmmm

          This was taken last week, it now has over 10 blooms on it.

          Take care everyone, have a great and Blessed Holiday Season. Know that I will miss you all, but hope you will stop by the site when it is up and running, you don't have to buy anything, just pop on and say Hello.

          Thank you and God Bless,

                        Judy

   Remember to KISS someone you love today!

          Suzy's Tip Of The Week>>>    Whenever you have several fabrics that you are using for a project, I like to mark all of it first, re-stack it and cut it all. It saves you time, rather than switching back and forth continuously. As I cut them, I stack them in the order in which I will be using them, especially if I am using the same design on several pieces, I can then embroider all the same ones, then move onto the next design. It just makes sense to do this opposed to constantly switching designs. When done embroidering, I simple stack them in the order with which they are to be sewn. This works especially well with quilt designs.

 All photos were submitted by: Judy Alcumbrack.