Frank's Christmas List

Well yeah, but Brenda's studio is most of my wish list so it seems a little redundent to include it.

The obvious thing to me are the things that will keep her from screaming in frustration. Big cones of thread in black, white, and two or three neutrals. Cone holders for each machine. A case of bobbins for each machine. Racks to hold filled bobbins, and another for thread cones of all sizes. Needles, all kinds, by the gross. Marking tools and materials in abundance. Spares of all important small tools. A bottle of her favorit libation for when she realizes that she is a button shy of completeing her latest 5 year project and all the stores are closed until Monday.

NightMist

What about a design wall?

Judy from Mass

A bobbin winder for the long arm and one for the Juki.

Floor mats the length of the MQF made of sponge rubber or rubber. I think they are called fatigue mats.

A pair of small scissors on a long necklace that retracts for clipping threads as she quilts.

Silicone spray or lubricant. The spray can be used on the batting and the lubricant can be applied to thread cones. Makes for less skipped stitches and thread breakage.

Oh and lest we forget... a daily hug, one of those big cuddle up ones from you.

Kate T. South Mississippi

Jennellh and I have a great idea! How about getting her a riding vacuum cleaner? Our favorite Christmas shopping venture is going to Sears to the Craftsman section and buying the fellows on our list some good stuff. Does anyone else wonder why you can ride to cut the grass but a vacuum has to be dragged, shoved, hauled, lifted and cussed? We have around 300 active members here but more like 3,000 lurkers. I surely hope Sears is one of them. Polly

I don't have a ride-on vacuum cleaner, Polly (and Jenn!), but I do have a robot one >g< . It is really very good! . In message , Polly Esther writes

Polly Your house must be way to big if you have room to ride your vacuum! I'd love to try one of the robot ones but I'm sure it wouldn't be able to get around all the stuff of on the floor. And of course the pet hair always drifts into those little spots between things. I'm not sure how they'd do in a sewing area. Might be a problem with pins and long threads??

Marilyn in Alberta, Canada

Oh good one Kelly And don't miss the quilt shop in Canmore (between Calgary and Banff) It's a nice one. And Canmore has charms of it's own too.

Marilyn in Alberta, Canada

DD got us the 'set' both the robot vacuum (Roomba)and floor washer (Scoobe). Vacuum misses the corners somewhat as the side brush doesn't get way way into the corners, does well in the Butterfly Studio. It shuts it self down and BEEPS at you until you correct the problem that it has encountered. (thread wound on roller-- on an electrical cord that it tried to glide over-- half on/off where the carpet meets the floor.....or it's gotten itself stuck.) It's amazing how much 'fluff' it does pick up. Scoobe washes well IF you put the correct amount of washing detergent (USE what is recommended) and then dries the floor after.

We're pleased with both of them.Had had the first version of the Roomba and really weren't happy with it. But last years' version seems to have worked the glitches out. Customer service is VERY GOOD at helping you if you encounter problems with either of them.

Both are good for the 'interim's' between heavy vacuuming... and do check the corners when you use either or both.

HTH Butterfly

Okay, Thanksgiving is next week. What else do you folks want under your Xmas trees. Without input, spousal unit will get you that ...band saw, velvet Elvis painting, Mother Theresa Chia Pet that he/she thinks you always wanted. Frank Reid

Please add: Salad Shooter, bamboo steamer, microwave pasta cooker and everything Billy Mays yells about. I swear that man keeps me in excellent physical condition. I can leap

"Frank Reid" Okay, Thanksgiving is next week. What else do you folks want under

My first thought on this was a maid and a personal chef who will make sure dinner is on the table. Don't get me wrong I love to cook, but would enjoy the time to contribute to my quilting (even if it were two days a week or something like that.) My DH and I live on a small budget, but every year he buys me a gift certificate for a store. I save my gift certificate for a later date (when they have a really good sale.) I take some of my patterns and try to find fabric to use in the patterns. Last year I was able to put together three "kits" using my gift certificate.

Launie, in Oregon....who probably won't be getting a gift certificate this year. :o(

Well Frank, my specific spousal unit is very good about not getting interesting stuff like that for me as gifts. Had to really convince him that I wanted a "little red wagon" to use to bring in stuff from the car and such. Then he even built a ramp to get it up the step into the house. He's already gotten his gifts.... a faceting machine (think faceted gemstones) and a new computer.

What I would like for the holiday, or any occasion, is some more energy to get the stuff done I want to do.

Pati, > Okay, Thanksgiving is next week. What else do you folks want under

There is my problem. I got a red wagon for my 3rd birthday. I still have it. Don't need a new one yet. It is holding up about as well as I am. ; ) The ramp is a pretty sweet thing your dh did Pati.

Now that you mention wagons though I sure wouldn't mind having one of these:

Pati C. wrote:

Since I want an electric kettle that can come to a full boil in 1 minute, let us commiserate on the oddities of European vs American electrical systems together!

NightMist

Your list sounds wonderful, and about most of it I can only dream...

My list is all small stuff, but some is somewhat over budget! ;)

Here you go:

Bernina Eyelet kit: