I will be there in spirit, Lois! Wish I could be there in person!!

Nancy

Rita,It's just the best present of all to get something that makes the sewing and quilting process more inviting. I am so much more productive since I have a better space. Now that I've worked in my space for a little more than a year I just rearranged everything. I had to work here for a while to know what would be better. The new arrangement makes my work even easier. And now I have a new quilting friend with whom I can travel to guilds even though they are farther away than I would enjoy traveling by myself. She is eager to join me in my sewing room on her day off from work. We have the first sewing day scheduled for Monday. I am so happy. I have 3 machines set up all the time. She won't even need to bring her machine because one of mine is the exact model she uses at home. Who else among you want to join us. Enjoy your new table, Rita.

So happy for you, Rita.

Congratulations, Rita. It has to feel really good to start getting different functions into the same room with this new cutting table (ask me how I know ). The Stentorp design is really nice in its simplicity, it won't overwhelm any room no matter how you set it up, it will always look good! You are right, the height is just right and I bet you can pin your layers there too. Enjoy!

Oh happy day!!

Woo Hoo Rita new table to christen.

Good for you Rita! I'm happy with you for your new table. Have fun!

OMG Margo, that is so perfect for her. Only problem is that it would need to have been posted on the 3rd December to get her for Christmas. But I will have a look at Amazon UK and see if there is anything there. What a great idea. There are other quilterly jigsaws too which look great. Perhaps I will get her a collection. And Renata, you were truly a cosmopolitan babe (probably still are. )

I got my new cutting table today from Ikea. It is the kitchen island called Stentorp. Beautiful size and height, two shelves underneath and an area at the back for storage too. I will post a photo when I can - just off to oil the beautiful wooden top now.

I'm amazed he has the time. Or is that what we are all getting this year down the chimney

I like the block he is sewing

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Rita, get this puzzle for your Mom to put together, then frame it for your new studio!!

http://www.amazon.com/Newsome-Quilting-1000pc-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B001YJYPHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355320386&sr=8-1&keywords=quilting+santa+puzzle

My parents lived in Vienna for a few years because of my father's work. Both my parents spoke German so I am sure they had a great time in Vienna in those years. My paternal grandfather was German and my mother grew up in a part of Italy where schools were bilingual Italian and German under the Austro-Hungarian Empire so she fit right in when they lived in Austria. Many years later, I became U.S. member of a negotiations team that took me both too Geneva and Vienna on a regular basis for a few years. So that is how I rediscovered my birthplace and Café Sacher!

Well Renata, I will certainly keep an eye out. I find Sacher Torte a little rich too, like Lotti. I love my chocolate, don't get me wrong, but I find chocolate cakes just too rich. But maybe it will be different in the home of the original. I am sure my DS will have to have a try as he is a big chocolate fan too. So Renata, did you mean you were born in Vienna by sheer chance or was it while eating some sacher torte that your mother gave birth to you in the Cafe Sacher?