Sunday Scripture...

2 Chronicles 7:14

 

Mulling Things Over...

This month's theme for Jan's ATC Swap is "Fabric". Have you ever had so many choices that it ended up paralyzing you? You couldn't make a decision? That's where I am right now. Should I quilt my next ATC? Should I do some stitching on it or save that for a later exchange?

This is what I pulled out an started thinking about. I could use this fabric as the ground for anything else I do. Or should I piece fabrics together into a small ATC-sized mini quilt? Should I add needlework to it? Right now I'm completely stymied.

I could make ten small garment cards. Do you remember the one I did for the Blissful ATC Swap so many years ago. Here. I'll refresh your memory...

This one was actually secured to the cardstock I used for the card. If you'd like to see more photos and the inspiration, click HERE. Maybe I should make a simpler garment for this month's theme? Maybe something in flannel to go with the season? See? Now I'm off in a different direction completely! In the imagined words of Scarlet O'hara, "Whatever shall I do?"

Do you have any thoughts or suggestions to help me trim down my criteria? I'm always happy for the input. Otherwise, you know I'll keep on thinking about this for a while until something hits me between the eyes. Just to be safe, don't plan to stand behind me for a while.

Let The Extended Birthday Festivities Begin...

Look what came on the "Wells Fargo Wagon" for me yesterday! When my mixer decided to swan dive off my pantry countertop, I went to KitchenAid's website to explore. While there, I set up an account and signed up for emails for special sales, etc. The first email I got was for 10% off my first purchase. I set that email aside for possible future use.

Last week, I got an email with a big sale on the heavy duty machines. I showed it to Handsome and we discussed the state of my current machine. I used it last week, and there are a few more issues I discovered. The problem is, I've tried and can't find anyone who is licensed to work on them, and KitchenAid customer service told me they don't even make parts for it. That means that if it needs a part, I'm out of luck. While it still works, I can't use the splash guard because of the lift malfunction, and my dough hook was destroyed in the accident. He told me to order a new machine to take advantage of the great sale price, and I said it could be my Birthday/Christmas gift for this year. 

So, I went back to KitchenAid's website. The big sale was a $230 reduction in the base price, and I could still use my 10% off coupon! It was a deal worth taking.

When it arrived yesterday, I unboxed everything and set it up on the counter next to Old Faithful. My previous machine had a 5 quart mixing bowl. This one is 7 quarts.

My previous machine came with three attachments - the flat blade, the whisk and the dough hook (which broke in the fall), and I had ordered the attachment with the soft blades for scraping the bowl about a year ago. My pour guard is a two-piece part.

The new machine came with the elliptical whisk, a soft blade, a dough hook, a flat blade for mixing eggs, etc., plus a pastry blade. They also tossed a bowl scraper in the box. Best of all, my pasta maker attachment, my grinder attachment, and one other all fit the driver in the head of the machine. Also upgraded in the newer model is a nice grip on the bowl lifter lever. You can see and compare them in the photograph. This machine has a heavy duty motor, and I chose a basic "Marshmallow" color (timeless), rather than choose a trendy color that may later date it. The finish is almost pearlized.

I washed up all the accessories and assembled the bowl and pour guard. They're now situated on the pantry counter - with a KitchenAid non-slip mat under it. I took Old Faithful and carefully packaged her up in the box the new one came in. I'm still going to try to get her looked at to see if we can fix what ails her. If so, then I'll gift this to someone who can use it (Handsome's idea). While I'm a happily generous sort, letting her go will still be difficult. Then again, I'll be using the new one - also a gift from my sweetheart - and that will ease the anxiety of parting with the machine that's served so well for the past 37 years.

So, you know what that means, right? The Birthday celebrating has officially commenced for this year! I'll let you know the official closing date. (I'm such a spoiled brat.) 

I haven't used the mixer just yet. Handsome is a little under the weather, so I'm not going to tease him by making his favorites when he can't enjoy them. I think the first thing I'll make in the mixer will be some sort of bread or dessert, though. He can't wait. He's nearly as excited as I am to see it in action. Now, what shall I call her? Ideas anyone?