Ok gals, we have a few days left in February to work on our goals. Next month we'll have 3 more days so start thinking about the next list of goals. Great going, Salijo!!! I am so proud of you! love2quilt, Good job on making and surpassing your goal list! I think you need to add to it next month. *smile* Bonnie, As I find bits and pieces or even little blocks already made up from when just playing around, I now think "CRUMBS" woooohoooo You think your dog will know the pillow is not a toy after you cover it??? You're fortunate to live close enough to your mother for visiting. Give her an extra hug from me the next time you see her. My UFO's are sadly neglected, but I have at least one thing done on my list and might be able to start another. I hope to have 6 things done on my New list by the end of the week and have completed a Comfort Winnie quilt (32"X45") and also a Bunnies and Bears (45"X58") quilt for great-granddaughter that weren't on my list...pic's in the Gallery. SharonG/FL

Our month is about over and I've completed my goals, except the FMQ on color wheel. Might get to it yet. 1. Table runner (FOR ME) 2. Jeweled Forest pattern hanging. I didn't do it in the bright colors but did a Xmas fabric version and this homespun version. I liked the homespun best and put the other blocks away for next year. I may post this by itself since it is a pattern many have seen and might be working on. 3. Jigsaw puzzle quilt together. This will be a major FMQ job so won't get to that part for awhile. It will join my pile of FMQ UFOs for now but it's a relief to get it to this stage. 4. You can see Teddy Bear blocks above color wheel. 5. Color wheel ready to sandwich and quilt. I hand dyed the fabrics so it took a long time for the right colors and still it has colors not quite up to par. But, it's good enough to decorate my wall in an office no one else gets to see anyway. Okay Sharon, what have you got planned for December? It's a busy month so I may just work on the learning curve to get up and running on the new Grace frame. Shopping first, of course.

Pkock, Don't be discouraged and give up sewing altogether. People expect sewists to produce quality work for the same price as items that are mass-produced in foreign countries. Remember, those stores that sell mass-produced items are still making a huge profit. One reason is that the person making that item is not getting paid very much. When you figured out that you would not even be making minimum wage for the prices that you would charge, that tells you that you would not be charging enough. Sometimes you can make items out of $3.99 fleece. Every year, I make quick hats & scarves out of it for my daughter. I don't mind using the cheaper fleece because she usually wants a set in a new color within a month -- it doesn't even have time to pill! But for myself or other family, I use the "good stuff"! Take costumecarol's advice, and check into what other sewists charge in your area. They can be a valuable resource in many ways. If you truly enjoy sewing, you may find someone that could use some help, perhaps on a seasonal basis, in making items that people order from them. Most of all, continue to have fun! bggs

What Juki lock-stitch "industrial" are you using? You bought that machine from SOMEONE, what does (s)he suggest for the work you presently wish to perform? Don't waste your time and money on "home machines". Sure, many of them are wonderful, but if you're going to use a machine day in/day out you DON'T want to jack-ass around with a "home machine". You need an industrial machine, END OF STORY. Think carefully about what you want the new machine to DO. And visit dealers with samples of what you want to do. And be willing to sit and stitch. Think. And GO HOME and think BEFORE you make a choice. If you want to crank out a "professional" product, you need INDUSTRIAL equipment, end of story! Buy the "good stuff" and don't screw around with "home" machines (most of which are grossly over-priced) IMO.