On the heels of my insanely bad day (thanks for all the sympathy and understanding), two great new things have found their way into my world and onto my list of How-Did-I-Ever-Manage-Without-This-Thing, a list that currently includes my iPhone, Kitchen-Aid stand mixer, camera, new wiper blades, reading glasses, and my iMac.
The first great new thing was generously sent to me by Epson to review here for those of you who may be in the market for a new does-everything-but-brew-coffee kind of printer. And this new printer couldn't have come at a better time. We'd recently relocated one of our spare computers to the living room for the kids to play on and we recently had a wireless network installed so that that computer would have internet access. And I'd been wanting a printer for this computer since it's the only one actually in the house.
So enter this beauty:
This is the Epson WorkForce 610 which faxes, scans, copies and prints in full color and is WiFi compatible. It was a breeze to install on our older PC with Windows XP and to prove my point I didn't say one bad word at all during the installation and set-up process. It prints photos beautifully and is quite pretty all sleek and black. I also love that you can print from a camera data card or USB flash drive without even booting up the computer (though I haven't actually tried that yet). The kids are enjoying being able to print everything they can from their nickjr.com adventures, and Chris likes that he can print from his laptop from pretty much anywhere in the house, including the bathroom and the doghouse.
To sweeten up this already sweet machine, I just saw on Epson's website that they are offering a $100 instant rebate which brings the price of this printer to just $99.99. Yes, that's a huge 50% off. So if you or someone on your list might appreciate a great new printer at a smoking fab price, follow the link above and get it in time for the Holidays.
I'm a life-long Epson fan, and currently also own an Artisan 800, Stylus R1800, and an Epson Perfection flatbed scanner. I've never had any serious problems with any of the Epson products I own and have been very happy with their performance, both on a PC and then on a Mac. Most of the photographers I know, and even Scott Kelby whom I don't know but would love to meet someday, use Epson printers exclusively. Happy shopping!
And the second life-changing piece of machinery acquired recently is this:
And unfortunately it wasn't sent to me by Viking out of the kindness of their hearts, but I did buy it virtually new-in-the-box from a very nice new friend I met through the LA Modern Quilt Guild. It took me about a week to finally open the box and set it up at Quilt Central (aka the dining room table) and let me tell you something right here, right now. It's like going from a Pinto to a Porche. No shit. It's quiet and sophisticated with all the features I'd been looking for.
I even found a Viking dealer and dropped another $150 for a walking foot, a darning foot for free-motion quilting, and a 1/4 piecing foot. I finished straight-line quilting the quilt I've been working on for my mom in record time and had absolutely none of the problems I'd been having with my older el-cheapo-they-don't-even-make-these-anymore sewing machine. Though I do appreciate everything I've learned with that my old machine and I also appreciate now much nicer this new machine is in comparison. Oh, and I should know about the Pinto thing. It was my first car. And because I've never driven a Porche I can only assume it would kick Pinto ass all over the road.
Here is a sneak peek at the quilt I finished up this weekend (mom, if you're reading this, kindly avert your eyes now - no peekies for you!):
Don't those perfect quilting lines just float your boat? (I said no peeking, mom. You're soooo busted, young lady.)
Anyway, thanks for letting me share my early Christmas fun with you. More from me in a few days.
Mmmmmm...yellow.
Gorgeous!
Congrats on your 2 new treasures, that's how I feel about the 3 DVRs in my house (yes, I said 3. lol)
Posted by: Jody | December 13, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Nice! You definitely can get around in a Pinto but a Porche gets you there without getting grease on your hands!
How is the print quality of the epson? Can you show me somehow? I'm in the market for a scanner printer.
Posted by: Rayna | December 14, 2009 at 07:42 AM
Cool new gadgets and beautiful quilt! (And I'm glad to know the KitchenAid stand mixer makes your list - I'm pretty sure that's under the tree for me this year.)
Posted by: Jennifer S. | December 14, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Such lovely gifts! I am in the market for a new printer soon, so I will have to check that one out. LOVE the sewing machine. Mine's a Janome (the rough and tumble, but reliable sunfire compared to your fancy zippy porche). Can't wait to see the whole quilt you made for your Mom. Be sure to post a pic after Christmas.
Posted by: julieH | December 14, 2009 at 09:12 AM
You are hilarious. I was wondering one thing, though. WHEN do you sleep?
Posted by: Susie | December 14, 2009 at 08:44 PM
Wow, what goodies!
Special congrats on your new machine. You'll love it and it will be fun to see the new creations you come up with.
Trust me, pretty soon, you'll have just as much fabric as you do scrap paper-lol.
Happy holidays to you and your beautiful family!
Posted by: Lisa @celebrate CREATIVITY | December 15, 2009 at 10:01 AM
lovely lines indeed! I just finished up my very first quilt... ugh. i couldnt make a straight line with the right tension to save my life. i had no idea what i was doing, but i finished it!
Posted by: ShellyJ | December 15, 2009 at 01:00 PM
LOVE that quilt (lucky mom)! The straight lines are a sight to behold indeed. Perfection.
Posted by: Valerie | December 18, 2009 at 02:47 AM
I'm totally laughing my ass off! My first machine was my mom's old machine from when she first got married. Weighed a ton, maybe more. Finally when I got married I got a new machine and it was magical, just like you described. I'm now divorced, many years later and as a gift to myself I bought the granddaddy of all sewing machines and it's love all over again. Sewing machines are lovely! Have fun with yours!
Posted by: Amy Pruden | January 20, 2010 at 09:56 PM
Those ARE perfect stitches! I'm very envious. I have a viking too, but definitely need to get the walking, darning and 1/4" feet. Thanks. The sneak peak looked wonderful!
Posted by: amber johnson | January 21, 2010 at 07:30 PM