Introducing Laura

Have you ever noticed how some people name their cars? Names like Big Red and Ruby. Yeah. Not me. I drive a red Volvo and I refer to my car as "the Volvo." And when you register your iPod, there is a place to insert a name. That one stumped me because when I registered my iPod, I didn't know I was supposed to name the dang thing. I felt pressured, so my iPod is registered as "Kelly's iPod." Very original. Not. Last year I received a nook for Christmas and there it was again - a place in the registration process where I was supposed to name the device. More pressure. I named my nook "Nookie," which only goes to prove that originality is not my strong suit.

As one can see, I am not very clever or creative when it comes to nicknames for the important things in my life - and, YES, I consider my car, my iPod and my nook to be very important... one might even go as far as saying that I consider these items to be essential to my happiness. I did manage to come up with names for my kids, so I guess I'm not a complete failure when playing the name game. And all these years later, I still like the name Alyssa Jane. I'll confess that I had no say in naming my son since John William is a family name and it was a done deal from the moment my husband and his sisters were told I was having a boy. Okay, so one out of two isn't all that bad. I've named a few dogs and cats before, does that count? Probably not.

My point: I don't put a lot of stock in names because regardless of what something is called, I still find myself bonding with the things that make me happy. And in my world the words iPod, Volvo, and nook hold a place near and dear to my heart in spite of the fact that their names are not very unique. Therefore, it took me by complete surprise when three weeks ago I got a new sewing machine and I immediately began referring to her by name... a real name, not a brand name and not "sewing machine"... but an actual name. I am pretty sure that I gave a name to my new sewing machine because she is just too pretty to be called "Brother," and if I were to refer to her as "sewing machine" there is potential for a lot of confusion since I now own several sewing machines (okay, seven... I own seven sewing machines, but who is counting?).

Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Laura. Together, she and I are going to make this blog a pretty place to visit.

Laura is actually a Brother NX2000 and the model I chose was a limited release Laura Ashley design that is loaded with 460 stitch selections. FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXY different stitches. Be still my beating heart. Isn't she pretty? Come on, admit it... you like her, right? Okay, if you aren't duly impressed, don't tell me because that would be comparable to telling me that one of my children was ugly, and that would most definitely hurt my feelings.

And, yes, I do realize that Laura is not a very unique name for a sewing machine that just so happens to be a Laura Ashley design. But, hey, I get credit for moving beyond my comfort zone of name brand and/or kind of device. Plus, I love the name Laura, so there you go - I think I did good.

The projects shown laying on her extended sewing surface are two pieces that I played around with when I first brought Laura home. They showcase just a teeny-tiny bit of what Laura is capable of. Here is a close up of those sample pieces. Notice the fiber sewn on the left photo - that is a special bobbin works feature that allows me to wind fiber in the bobbin and sew decorative stitches with fluffy or textured threads:

After playing with Laura for a couple of days, I decided to make something that would allow me to use as many stitch designs as I could. I confess that I got a bit carried away. This project has at least 45 different stitches embedded within the design. I also attached a ton of fiber throughout the process. I've since learned to be a bit less manic when working with Laura.

And finally, here are pictures of the last two quilts I made before retiring my Baby Lock machine (known as "Baby Lock" in order to identify her from the other not-name-worthy machines in my house). The Baby Lock is actually still a viable member of my sewing family because she is my embroidery machine and I refuse to give up the option to embroidery whenever the mood strikes me. But for now, the Baby Lock is on a sabbatical.

The way I look at it, when it comes to "things" a name is just a name. But every once in a while, a "thing" comes along that means so much to us that there is no way around it... that "thing" deserves a special name. I've never really named a "thing" before, but I'm here to tell you that when I say Laura, every single person in my family knows exactly who and what I'm talking about. In fact, the very same people who teased me about naming my sewing machine are now referring to her as Laura, which only goes to show exactly how special she really is.

Comments

[chiara]

So glad to see you blogging again. Good luck with your new machine. I just ordered a new machine and can't wait for it to get here.

[Helena]

I used to name things a lot but for some reason it hasn't been happening so much lately. Neither of our current cars has a name. We've talked about it but inspiration has not struck.

[KATHY AHO]

Love it! I am having sewing machine envy! :) I have a un-named Brother --not a fancy one. Good to see you blogging again. Hugs!

[**MIGNONNE**]

She is lovely! Congratulations on the newest member of your family. I can't wait to see more from the two of you.

[slammie]

Love all the goodies you've been creating! I don't name things but hubby does....every hobby item has one. *eye roll*

[Laura]

And I just have to tell you it tickles me pink that my name is said in your house on a daily basis. *giggle* I love her even though I haven't met her, just cuz she does beautiful work...well her and you!