I am so smart it hurts sometimes!

Toot toot!  Did I forget to mention that being humble is not one of my traits???  Ok, so last night while I was randomly quilting a pillow top for my daughter and increasingly getting tired of changing my stitch length at the start and stop of each line - especially from doing this...



I had a light bulb go off!  I felt like I could take on Watson and win!!!  Maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration (the beating Watson part not the part about being a pure genius).  I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner! 
I programmed the stitches into my machine! Ok, so am I smart or just late to the game???  Once it hit me I couldn't contain my excitement.  I had to tell everyone who would listen which interrupted my husband watching the hockey game and my daughter who was almost asleep.  Let me tell you they were thrilled (on the inside apparently). So now I don't dread stopping and starting while quilting.  I just leave my programmed stitch menu up and tap the stitch I want once instead of hitting the stitch length button like 4 or 5 times for each stop and start!

That was my breakthrough for last night.  Are there any other smarties out there who have had a brilliant epiphany they would like to share????  I am always open to tricks & tips!

Here is the finished pillow.  It is for my LO.

Made using Miss Print's Not Your Traditional Log Cabin Pillow Tutorial

She begged me to buy her enough Hello Kitty fabric to make her a pillow...me being the crafty mom that I am had to make it with a pretty quilted top.  Her favorite part...the back.  Oh well, lesson learned.  I could have just sewed two pieces of the HK fabric together and been done with it.   

I still think this is much cuter!

I also broke out the embroidery unit for my machine.  It's been collecting some serious dust.  It has been nice to have when I want to embroider baby gifts or wedding gifts but I don't get much use out of it.  I added this little border pattern to the left side.

I also did a little free motion in the right corner but as you can see that is well hidden in these photos. It was just shameful!  That will definitely take more practice...by the looks of it we're talking YEARS of practice!  I've read all kinds of tips on how to successfully do it but it's like my brain, hands, and feet aren't connecting when it's go time.

Happy Fat Tuesday all!