Sew much to do, sew little time - but it was worth it! New PTR link posted! ~~~~~~~~~

[DMGeurts]

Too late for you now....but for about $2.50 you can get a cute Cinderella carriage setting for your pearl from Ebay.... They come with a silver chain....

BEST money I spent on that trip!


Nini

Now, that sounds like a bargain - I might have to go search. All V got was her pearl in some sand in a bottle.

Loved your updates!

My kids totally fell in love with yours!!! You know ... I could use some babysitters. Just FedEx them to me. If they start missing you, I'll ship them back.

LOL... I am sure they'd come too.

I am so glad that you everyone tolerated Kouga & Akki. They're trouble-makers, like me, so I was worried.

I just thought you were a package deal... ROFL

And I can't believe that lady with the EQ bag just made herself at home at your table!

ACK!! I didn't even notice... I wonder if she was stalking me?

Sorry you didn't like the sushi. It was okay ... but I really prefer something like tuna instead of imitation crab. Maybe next time, we'll go somewhere nice and I'll order up a big sushi plate for the table and you can try some "real" sushi. You may even prefer sashimi or nigiri.

Totally OK - definately not your fault... We were happy to try new things.

I didn't mean to be elusive. You could have called and been like "Liddy, stop looking around like a maniac!" I think I was trying to find my DH who wandered off. I wanted him to take pictures so me and DD could pick pearls together ... but he was a goober and I couldn't find him.

If you would have asked me, you know I would have taken your camera to get a pic of that.

After we parted ways for a bit, my DD whined the entire time ... she was desperate to spend the whole day with you and your girls. She was willing to even ride Living With the Land again (in which she proclaimed was uber boring and begged to not have to ride it the first time).

ROFL! Your poor dd - I have to admit - your kids stole my heart too... they were just adorable!

It doesn't bother her at all. She prefers the cellphone in the slip pocket anyway.

Oh good... Well, if she changes her mind - just let me know.

Right now, the bag is packed away so it doesn't get ruined.

Excellent idea.

Happy you had such a fun day with Liddy and Corri's group!

It was an awesome day - so much fun!

you were brave to try the food in Japan, eww for me too! not a seafood lover and none of that looked very appetizing to me!

LOL - and I LOVE Asian food too... LOVE Chinese and LOVE Thai... so I really expected to love Japanese... I was kind of surprised. They had a curry dish on the menu I was debating on trying - I LOVE curry - so I probably would have loved that.

cool the girls got pearls...Megan got one back in 2008 and has never worn it, I should just take it

I am not sure if my girls will ever wear theirs either. Allison actually got a ring - but she is terrified she will lose the pearl because they only glue them on. I am tempted to bring it in to a real jeweler and put it into a real setting, so she can actually wear it.

looks the the whole new FP return is not working so well, maybe they will go back to how they had it....the whole idea is not to have to wait in long lines isn't it

I agree, I hope Disney modifies it soon... Even adjusting the return window to 2 hours would make a HUGE difference in crowds and FP return lines.

okay I will text you in the morning on Sat, don't want to wake up MM, then he might wake you all up

Sounds good - thanks!!! I am so excited for you and I can't wait to hear all about it!

I have one that I got on ebay, and it is cute! The problem I had was that when I got home the pearl I picked was too big for the cage. I think I got an 8mm pearl. Oh well, it was still fun!

Bummer...

So D,
I have what I think is an almost perfect park backpack. If you want I can post pictures tonight. I got it at WDW years ago and they don't make the exact same kind anymore, that I've been able to find.

I know I said it before - but I hope you'll post a pic for me, I am super curious!

Hi, found your trip report from all the way over in the UK and am loving it. Also had to go back and read your entire PTR and look at the amazing bags etc that you sew - incredible. Looking forward to reading more!!

WELCOME!!!! So glad to have you following along! I can't believe you read my entire PTR... WHOA!!! LOL

Sounds like a wonderful day in EPCOT, however I have to say that Japanese food didn't look or sound all that great. Don't think I'll eat there, but I really love visiting Japan, especially Miyuki, the Candy Lady. She's fantastic! Have you ever seen her? Her creations are awesome!

We have seen Miyuki, back in 2008... we were at the back of her crowd, so we kept moving. We didn't see her at all on this last trip. We'll have to make a point of seeing her on our next trip.

I am sorry D, but I just had to share this pic. It is one of my favorites from our time together at Epcot.

This is one of my favorite pictures too... Thanks for posting it. The only reason I didn't share it, is because I plan to use it in my Now n' Then post for this day. I've been debating if people would like to see all the pictures, then I can repost the Now n' Then photos - or if I should just keep them seperate. I loved how all the fountain pictures turned out though - so fun!!!

Back to appliqueing...

D~

 

[miprender]

Love your newest update. It must have been wonderful meeting up with everyone.

That is amazing that you have that many orders. Are you going to have a sequel to your Disney trip

 

[NiniMorris]

I have one that I got on ebay, and it is cute! The problem I had was that when I got home the pearl I picked was too big for the cage. I think I got an 8mm pearl. Oh well, it was still fun!

I intended my DD to wear the necklace on special occasions, and then when she is older have it put into a ring for her...(she LOVES pearls!) But her pearl was too big too....I am afraid she will loose it. This next trip we are doing the Pick A Pearl again, and I am hoping for a smaller one so I can trade then out! LOL!

Being a Southern girl, pearls are very important to us! LOL! (my older daughter still hasn't forgiven me for not getting her pearls for her wedding day! She HATES jewelry!)

I think I bought 4 of them for our trip in 2010...one for my Grand Daughter one for my daughter and two are packed away somewhere...


Nini

 

[nowellsl]

OK, here goes ....

This is my favorite backpack

another view

and the inside pocket with the flap opened up

Then, my next favorite is this Vera Bradley Back Sack (which I don't think they make anymore)

inside

I like the black one because of the inside organizer pocket, and the cell phone and zippered pocket on the outside.

I like the Vera just because it's quilted, and prettier. I think it needs more pockets though and an applique

Hope that helps, because if you do start making one, I would love to get one! Once you get all caught up on your orders of course

 

[nowellsl]

Here's one more, I took it with the backpacks alongside my ultimate park bag so you could have more of an idea of the size.

I still like my Mickey bag the best!

 

[DMGeurts]

That is awesome Stephanie - thank you so much for taking the time to put pictures up for me!!!

Actually, the bag I have drawn up is a cross between the two bags you showed... It's a drawstring quilted bag with a front pocket and applique, and a set of interior pockets too...

D~

 

[nowellsl]

That is awesome Stephanie - thank you so much for taking the time to put pictures up for me!!!

Actually, the bag I have drawn up is a cross between the two bags you showed... It's a drawstring quilted bag with a front pocket and applique, and a set of interior pockets too...

D~

Can't wait to see it!

 

[cogero]

This is the bag in question....

The gray on top is quilted and very soft, but the under side of the strap is scratchy. I don't know what fabric it is...kind of a webbing?? I took my 31 cinch sak backpack and it was great. Plus it helped that we had the stroller to put stuff in too. The only problem I could see with a backpack is getting stuff constantly in and out of it. I've seen packs with a cellphone pocket built into the strap, so when you're wearing it you can get your cell easily. That would be good. And I would probably have to wear some sort of id wallet on front for photopass etc. I think a quilted drawstring one would be great! Sign me up Goofy or Castle...or prettymuch anything you do. I love them all!

I agree about the strap on that bag but it is a good size. I have a brown one

 

[babynala]

All caught up after being a few days behind.

MM looks like he is getting bigger already but he is such a cutie. Glad he is working on his potty training issues. He looks so sweet all curled up in your arms.

So many great pictures from your trip. Everyone looks great in their customs and awesome bags. What a fun time V had with Goofy at Epcot. The magic of Disney is alive and well!

Your now and then pictures from MK brought a few tears to my eyes. What a wonderful way to remember your girls as they get older.

Can't wait to see your new back pack, sounds like it will be a big hit.

Oh and Cheryl, sorry that your team did not win. I hope you didn't place a wager with your DH.

And if you guys decide to bring the twins to WDW will you rent a double stroller for them?

 

[mphalens]

So... I love the latest update!

I can't quote because I'm on the iPad. My trackpad on the laptop has decided its had enough of me and refuses to work

So frustrated:-(

But on being booked through August!

I really think you should just fly to RI this summer and then drive back to NC with me. You can fly home from NC. That way you can have doughboys with Michelle & I (and go to the fabulous Just Fabrics and get to visit the beautiful state of Rhode Island) and the you can be in NC for the DIS meet here

 

[DMGeurts]

Love your newest update. It must have been wonderful meeting up with everyone.

That is amazing that you have that many orders. Are you going to have a sequel to your Disney trip

It was fun! I know, I can't believe how quickly my calendar has filled up! I am seriously considering a sequel. I really need to go on to suncountry.com and see how many points I got for those flights, and see if I earned any with it. LOL

I intended my DD to wear the necklace on special occasions, and then when she is older have it put into a ring for her...(she LOVES pearls!) But her pearl was too big too....I am afraid she will loose it. This next trip we are doing the Pick A Pearl again, and I am hoping for a smaller one so I can trade then out! LOL!

Being a Southern girl, pearls are very important to us! LOL! (my older daughter still hasn't forgiven me for not getting her pearls for her wedding day! She HATES jewelry!)

I think I bought 4 of them for our trip in 2010...one for my Grand Daughter one for my daughter and two are packed away somewhere...


Nini

Oh wow... Pretty soon you could have a whole necklace, I wonder how much it would cost to have them strung?

Can't wait to see it!

Me too! LOL

All caught up after being a few days behind.

MM looks like he is getting bigger already but he is such a cutie. Glad he is working on his potty training issues. He looks so sweet all curled up in your arms.

He is!!! Last week, I weighed him and he was 10.4 lbs, this week he was 12.4 lbs and at the vet yesterday, he was 13.6 - I don't think he gained a pound in 2 days, but I can't believe how fast he is growing!

So many great pictures from your trip. Everyone looks great in their customs and awesome bags. What a fun time V had with Goofy at Epcot. The magic of Disney is alive and well!

Thanks! It was a good time!

Your now and then pictures from MK brought a few tears to my eyes. What a wonderful way to remember your girls as they get older.

I know, it's so hard to see how much they've grown, but it's so fun to see the changes.

Can't wait to see your new back pack, sounds like it will be a big hit.

Me too... I can't believe so many people want it, and I have yet to make one. LOL

And if you guys decide to bring the twins to WDW will you rent a double stroller for them?

Only if Ginger pushes it.

So... I love the latest update!

I can't quote because I'm on the iPad. My trackpad on the laptop has decided its had enough of me and refuses to work

So frustrated

That sucks dear... I hope you get the new to you laptop soon.

But on being booked through August!

LOL I read this too early in the morning, and I thought... I booked a trip in August! Wait, when did a book a trip in August? I was gonna go in October... Oh - yes - booked with orders. Bummer, I thought I booked a trip.

I really think you should just fly to RI this summer and then drive back to NC with me. You can fly home from NC. That way you can have doughboys with Michelle & I (and go to the fabulous Just Fabrics and get to visit the beautiful state of Rhode Island) and the you can be in NC for the DIS meet here

Interesting thought.... It sounds like everyone wants me to fly everywhere? I still need to figure out if I can afford the flights, and when exactly these flights are going to be, so I can watch airfare.

I desperately need to save up for an embroidery machine... It's almost becoming a necessity. I am spending days on appliques - when (theoretically) I could be embroidering the front of the bag while I am quilting the rest of it... It could easily save me two days worth of work per week.

Those of you that have the 770 (or, I guess, any other machine)... What was your initial cost investment above and beyond the actual machine? I can easily see this costing over 1k initially.

Max had his first vet appointment yesterday. He was a very good boy - however - he hasn't ridden in the car in over a week - so he barked that squeeling bark that puppies have the whole way there and the whole way back. You should have seen Josh and I - it was rather comical - we had on winter hats and ear warmers to muffle the sound slightly, just to take the edge off... Josh's was a lilac color.

Everything checked out good. He got his next round of shots. His next appt will be the expensive one, with the rabies and neutering (if we choose to do it), plus all the shots that were "free" this time, are not free next time. I think our vet is going to love us and our $$ very soon - if he doesn't already.

I am very happy that I finished up my appliques yesterday. I wasn't planning to, but I put in some extra time on them and I was able to finish. I am still running behind schedule, so I am sure I will have to work through the weekend to catch up.

I have to work today... So, I probably won't get up to my sewing room today - if I do, not until later.

I worked on editing my Photopass pictures last night, after everyone went to bed. I am up to 1560. I still have about 150 photos to edit... Most of them are from the awesome Photopass photographer in MK that we kept running into - she was so much fun. She got a lot of awesome pictures of the girls!

Have a great day everyone!

D~

 

[VBAndrea]

I desperately need to save up for an embroidery machine... It's almost becoming a necessity. I am spending days on appliques - when (theoretically) I could be embroidering the front of the bag while I am quilting the rest of it... It could easily save me two days worth of work per week.

Those of you that have the 770 (or, I guess, any other machine)... What was your initial cost investment above and beyond the actual machine? I can easily see this costing over 1k initially.

Max had his first vet appointment yesterday. He was a very good boy - however - he hasn't ridden in the car in over a week - so he barked that squeeling bark that puppies have the whole way there and the whole way back. You should have seen Josh and I - it was rather comical - we had on winter hats and ear warmers to muffle the sound slightly, just to take the edge off... Josh's was a lilac color.

Everything checked out good. He got his next round of shots. His next appt will be the expensive one, with the rabies and neutering (if we choose to do it), plus all the shots that were "free" this time, are not free next time. I think our vet is going to love us and our $$ very soon - if he doesn't already.

I am very happy that I finished up my appliques yesterday. I wasn't planning to, but I put in some extra time on them and I was able to finish. I am still running behind schedule, so I am sure I will have to work through the weekend to catch up.

I have to work today... So, I probably won't get up to my sewing room today - if I do, not until later.

I worked on editing my Photopass pictures last night, after everyone went to bed. I am up to 1560. I still have about 150 photos to edit... Most of them are from the awesome Photopass photographer in MK that we kept running into - she was so much fun. She got a lot of awesome pictures of the girls!

Have a great day everyone!

D~

Quick cuz I'm in a hurry --

Machine was $650 and supplies were approx $200-300. I can give you better details later.

I want to see a pic of Josh in the lilac attire.

 

[NiniMorris]

It was fun! I know, I can't believe how quickly my calendar has filled up! I am seriously considering a sequel. I really need to go on to suncountry.com and see how many points I got for those flights, and see if I earned any with it. LOL



Oh wow... Pretty soon you could have a whole necklace, I wonder how much it would cost to have them strung?



I desperately need to save up for an embroidery machine... It's almost becoming a necessity. I am spending days on appliques - when (theoretically) I could be embroidering the front of the bag while I am quilting the rest of it... It could easily save me two days worth of work per week.

Those of you that have the 770 (or, I guess, any other machine)... What was your initial cost investment above and beyond the actual machine? I can easily see this costing over 1k initially.

. His next appt will be the expensive one, with the rabies and neutering (if we choose to do it), plus all the shots that were "free" this time, are not free next time. I think our vet is going to love us and our $$ very soon - if he doesn't already.


Have a great day everyone!

D~

I was just thinking if this computer were smart enough to delete the stuff I didn't want to comment on how much faster this would go!

Anyway!...

I don't know how much it costs to have the pearls strung...but I do know that when Mr D broke my pearls and I had to have them restrung I was very VERY happy my husband had paid the extra for the insurance.... it would have cost $250 to have them fixed...the string didn't actually break, but the clasp broke off the string. Of course, right now they are all sitting in a baggie...this time he managed to actually break the string and I lost at least one pearl!

I have been carrying them around for months hoping to get back to Athens so I can have them fixed!

If you register MM with the AKC, you will get inundated with offers of pet insurance....I still get at least one offer a week!

With the new machine you will need...stabilizer, thread, and good embroidery scissors!

I got my thread and stabilizers from Marathon thread. You can get the precut stabilizer in a pack...very convenient and only slightly more expensive than getting it from Joann's. I like to get the smaller sizes of thread from Marathon and then the larger jumbo size of white, black, red and yellow...the ones I use the most. (of course, if you get the larger cones you have to get a separate stand which range in price from 10 to 100 depending on how fancy you go!)

HOWEVER,,,if you get your stabilizer from Joann's you can get a small variety to see what kinds you prefer. I use mainly tear away...but some people prefer cut away. For T shirts I love the sticky back (or a cheaper version is to use the tear away and tacky spray....

I originally bought several small spools of embroidery thread from Joann's and asked for thread for Mother's Day. My DIL bought be a super duper assortment from Marathon two years ago and I am still using most of that and just supplement as I have money (because you can NEVER have too much thread!)

Scissors.... I go through scissors like crazy! I probably have over 20 pair of scissors that I use on a regular basis. For me it is all about having a sharp point. Since I have tile floors, every time I drop a pair I mess up the point! For embroidery I have the small straight, the small, medium and larger curved edge, and both left and right handed duck bill. (that part is a silly one...there is no difference in the actual finger holes, just one has the duck bill on one side and the other has it on ....the other! Just makes it easier to cut without having to turn the whole hoop around....

You can probably get all the extras for as little as $50 or as much as $250.... Of course, since you already do embroidery, the thread you have will be able to be used on the new machine (as long as it is not hand embroidery floss) and you probably already have a pair of embroidery scissors.

Don't forget...if you get the 770 through HSN you can stretch it out over 4 or 5 months.... just saying!


Nini

PS... I really wish you could invent a stylish bag that is so light I could carry it! (and of course will hold everything including the kitchen sink! LOL!)

 

[cogero]

oh and don't forget bobbins. I have been using prewounds from Marathon and love them.

I have everything Nini says I don love the precut sheets and do find I use less stabilizer that way.

After you get your 770 you will start debating whether you should learn to digitize (i really need to purchase embird my trial is up, maybe I will use my launch money for that) and you will decide you love to have a back up machine

 

[NiniMorris]

oh and don't forget bobbins. I have been using prewounds from Marathon and love them.

I have everything Nini says I don love the precut sheets and do find I use less stabilizer that way.

After you get your 770 you will start debating whether you should learn to digitize (i really need to purchase embird my trial is up, maybe I will use my launch money for that) and you will decide you love to have a back up machine

I KNEW I was forgetting something important!

I bought a gross of pre wound over a year ago and still have about half a box! I would have thought I would use more seeing as how I put a little over 2 million stitches a year on the machine! They do sell them in smaller amounts...just make sure you have enough to finish your project before starting on one...ask me how I know! LOL!


Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

Thank you ladies for all the information.

Chiara - I am not sure if I will go the digitizing route yet. If I do - and that's a big if - I would never sell the images I digitize, because I would want them to be exclusive to my bags - does that make sense?

Nini- surprisingly, my bags are light weight, but I am not sure if they are lightweight enough for you???

Sooo - I need lots of prewound bobbins? I will have to get all new embroidery thread - because I have hand embroidery floss, and all of my applique is done with regular Gutermann poly thread. I will need quite a few scissors - do you have photos of your favoriites (or links to them)...

Nini- I know you stalk HSN, if you ever see a deal on the 770 - will you let me know?

I wish I had the time to participate in the launch... I am so booked solid - I don't know when I'll have the time to do much else? Such a bummer, because that is something I really wanted to look into when I got back.

D~

 

[tinkbell13]

Those of you that have the 770 (or, I guess, any other machine)... What was your initial cost investment above and beyond the actual machine? I can easily see this costing over 1k initially.

I bought stablilizer, thread, scisssors, spray adhesive, embroidery patterns and extra material lmao. I found some thread locally on sale and bought a few large spools to do testing with. It is expensive at $13 per large spool, but is beautiful to use. I bought a small amount of a variety of stabilizers at the local Lens Mill for testing purposes and I am still going through that. I bought a 40 small spool, mixed colour kit from Threadart (better price even after having it shipped to Canada). Not sure if I would order again as some colours tend to fray badly and I have to watch the machine really closely. I think I spent around $130 on the extras.

I also bought Embird as I have to digitize several logos for DH, BIL and our racing group. That was outside of the cost above as not everyone needs to purchase it.

 

[sjs314]

Good update! I know something else DH & I forgot to do, we had said we were going to try sushi.

Love all the picks of of the girls. I meant to do the pick a pearl and somehow never got around to that either. I should have met up with you guys in Epcot.

 

[lovethattink]

I missed some update, sorry!

I'm so happy you all got to meet up at Epcot! Looks like you had a great time together.

Liddy, your dd has grown so much since last year. It's not quite a year, is it?

We haven't eaten in Japan for years. That icecream looks and sounds good. Maybe my next TR will be a food report of snacking around the world for a year?

I'm too chicken to try sushi. I'm proud you all were brave and gave it a go.

It's a good thing you were able to coordinate your fast passes.

 

[nowellsl]

If you go looking for embroidery machines on Amazon, they'll send you emails periodically with things that are currently available. I got an email this morning with this deal.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RJR5BE/ref=pe_56820_23269660_pe_vfe_dt7

I don't know if it's a good deal, but I'm sure some of your co-trip report peoples will know

There were actually several listed, but this one looked interesting to me. Not that I'm gonna buy one, but I do like to look