Firstly, thank you all so much for the lovely comments about my afghan/rug/blanket (what IS the best word for this?  The CAL called it an afghan; I’ve always referred to these as rugs, but maybe they are really blankets … anyway, I digress).  I have already started the 2009 afghan, but will save those photos for a later post.  My blog has been a little quiet for the past few days while I’ve been visiting my parents in the country.  We’ve all had a nasty virus, so haven’t managed to do lots of the fun things that we normally do with my parents and the kids, but the crafting has continued on unabated.  Finally I have had the opportunity to play with Mum’s New Toy:

This is the Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 850.  What a lovely machine!  I’ve spent some time learning how to use it (it took me twice as long as usual to make a dress since I had to continually refer to the manual) and I am very impressed with how far sewing machine technology has come in the past twenty years.  Mum’s last machine was circa 1974 and my machine is circa 1989, so to have the joy of automatic needle up/down, pressure sensors, walking feet, programmable stitches, etc etc etc has been quite exciting (if not a little stressful).  I am yet to play with the applique stitches or to program embroidery stitches or text – after all, it is Mum’s machine, not mine! – but am looking forward to finally getting my quilt finished.  Although tonight I’ve had a little too much red wine with dinner, so it may have to wait until my next visit …