Thursday 21 February 2019

My early birthday present.

Mission accomplished. I've been to Lincoln and bought a sewing machine from Couling Sewing Machines, situated in the High Street, there is parking outside the door. A nice young lady served me, she was very helpful, and demonstrated my chosen model. It's a smallish shop but they have a large selection of most makes of machines in stock. They also have a Facebook page

And this is the young lady who served me today.



I got a bit lost coming out of Lincoln. I was going to go back on the same road that I came in on, because there's a Tesco and I thought I might as well get some food shopping done. Never mind, I hit the ring road at a different junction and missed Tesco, so I carried on back to Scunthorpe. I pass my usual store anyway so I might as well pop in there.

It was 4.30pm, too early for the final markdown of the yellow stickers so I didn't expect much, I had a look in the veg department to see what there was. I was amazed, there were tons of food, they must have over stocked by such a lot, and although it only had two stickers on, not three, they had knocked 90% off.
I was in heaven. Plenty for everyone. This pile cost £5.04p, and even then, I got a further reduction of 38p, because there was a, buy 3 and pay for 2, offer. 

Prepared fruit, mushrooms, salad leaves, mixed veg, vegetable bake, baby potatoes, baby sweetcorn, broccoli, diced onion, spinach, Italian pasta salad, fine green beans, salad bowl. This will keep me going, some will be frozen, some will be given away. I hit the jackpot.  ilona

25 comments:

  1. Happy early Birthday big time!!

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  2. I have a Janome Illona and it is brilliant. I'm sure you'll be pleased with it.
    Briony
    x

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  3. Its great to treat yourself now n again.Glad you got fixed up and how nice to get it from a Family run business.You dont see many places like that these days!.I bet you have felt lost these last couple of days without it being there on the table...n now you have your brand spanking new one!.A good haul of yellow stickers there Ilona.It looks like you have had a great day!,xx

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  4. I look forwards to hearing about all the adventures you have with your new machine!
    Arilx

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  5. Well done one the yellow stickers Ilona! And I hope you spend many happy hours on your sewing machine. A friend of mine who quilts says “what’s better than a sewing machine? Two sewing machines”😉have a lovely day, Fi

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  6. I hope you enjoy your new machine and start sewing again soon. I also have a Janome machine which I've had 35 years; it has a metal case and heavy and denim is no problem. I know the Couling shop through Ebay as I've bought from them 2 or 3 times in the past 5 years. Can't wait to see your first sewn item :)

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  7. I am so pleased you brought your early birthday. It's a good make and you will have lots of fun with. Look forward to seeing which you make.
    Hazel c uk

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  8. That's the same model I have and it's a great machine. I use mine mostly for quilt making. I'm sure you will have alot of fun with yours (Happy Early Birthday btw!!)

    Brilliant haul of the yellow stickers.

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  9. Happy Birthday. I always say you get to celebrate the whole month of your birthday....so I hope you are living it up.
    I'm a quilter and have hosted a sewing group at my house for years. I have 3 Janome sewing machines. There is the Gem Gold that I've had for 15 years. All my sewing friends sew on this little machine. Have sewed many many quilts and also made hundreds of bags for a missionary that takes them to Ethiopia filled with rice, chicken food, scarf for ladies, and ball cap for men. It is a manual machine and bottom of their line I believe. It still sews great. Paid $135. Also, bought Janome professional computerized machine 10 years ago and I love it when it sews right. Have had many problems with the tension being off and have had it 'fixed' many times. Bought another Janome for when my expensive one doesn't work. It's the manual Janome Magnolia. It's one of their inexpensive ones but a step up from the Gem Gold. Had that one 5 years and it never fails to get the stitch correct. I'm a big fan of Janome manual machines. Will never purchase their computerized one again. What I paid for the high end one I could buy 8 Magnolia machines. The biggest and most expensive, with every doo dad, is not the best. If you know how to sew, an inexpensive one will do everything you need and you can't tell the difference in the finished product. (Just some inno for anyone thinking of purchasing a machine.)
    Iona, you are an inspiration for me to get moving. I do stretching in the morning and walk as much as possible. Also, try to follow a veggie diet but occasionally eat meat. What do you grab if you get the munchies? Pretzels or cinnamon cereal is my go to if I want something sweet or salty. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
    Remember to party all month!
    Patty McDonald

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    1. This last month I have really cut back on nibbles. I've stopped buying cheese. I have a few savoury crackers, maybe a slice of seeded brown bread with butter. A banana perhaps. I try and hold off snacking knowing that I have some lovely healthy food to put on a plate at meal times.

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  10. wowy i know the feeling i get like that when i see massive markdowns and less than half price specials on the things that i eat,
    you buy ur new machine n then go n save on food like that :) wat a wonderful day and HAPPY BIRTHDAY i just had mine 2 days ago we are still here n injoying ourselves arent we :)

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  11. Beautiful machine. Glad you got a new toy/gift for yourself.

    re the food...WOW...shocking amount for shocking little. Impressed no end. I hope it all sells to folks like you who will use it. --what you did not take that is..

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  12. WOW - that was quite the haul - good for you! And that is a beautiful sewing machine - can't wait to see what you make with it! Enjoy.

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  13. You really did hit the jackpot! Fantastic. And the machine is really lovely! I'm so looking forward to seeing what lovely things you will make on it.
    Happy Birthday!
    xx

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  14. I have a Janome purchased several years ago from a small local shop which I thought would be handy if it went wrong! Sadly, the shop has now closed but fortunately, the machine has proved reliable although I've probably jinxed it now!
    I heard that Scunthorpe and Hull were the warmest places in the country yesterday. I was positively hot on my walk yesterday - no gloves, hat, fleece or coat - have to keep reminding myself it's only February still!
    Looking forward to seeing how you get on with your new machine.
    Vicki in East Yorkshire

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    1. Hi Vicki, it certainly has been warm here, lovely.

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  15. Happy Birthday Ilona, that was a good treat to yourself. I enjoy your blog and looking at your craft work very much. Being a non driver I walk miles, live a twenty minutes walk from the bus stop, uphill on the way back,bit of a struggle but it’s just a way of life for me,and I like to think it keeps me fit in my old age.





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  16. Just to verify, my new machine is an early birthday present, like three months early. Thank you for your birthday wishes.

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  17. Coulings have always proved really useful when ive visited them

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  18. Dear Meanqueen

    I bought my much loved Janome from Couling Sewing Machines too (about ten years ago now) and they have been really helpful over the years. Occasionally, I even remember to take it back to be serviced! I hope you will have many happy sewing adventures with your new machine.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  19. We have his and hers sewing machines in our house. Mine is top brand with fabulous features and although serviced several times, cannot sew evenly. The man has a cheap one from a no-brand supermarket that only does basics. Sews like a dream. It is so important to find the right machine, good luck with your new buddy.

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  20. Wow what great reductions! Enjoy your new machine I'd be lost without mine. x

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  21. Catriona said: It looks a super machine and look forward to seeing your many makes from upcycled fabrics.

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  22. Janomes are wonderful machines!

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  23. You are so positive - your machine is lovely - I gave mine to my daughter as I thought I was too old to sew and my eyesight would fail me. You never think these things you just get on with it and get stuck to your projects . Hope you enjoy it .

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