A Craft Room Upgrade and Sunday Morning Coffee

There is something about the start of a new year in the craft room that makes me want to dream a little bigger.

And this week, I did exactly that. I bought a new embroidery machine. Well, kind of a new embroidery machine. I can’t wait to share my story! And thanks for joining me for Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.

Season 6 Volume 9

About Me

A Craft Room Upgrade

If you have ever looked at embroidery machines, you know how overwhelming the options can be.

There are so many incredible machines on the market right now. They can turn photos into stitch files. They can quilt, they can sew, and they can do things I never imagined possible when I bought my first embroidery machine almost 15 years ago.

And yet, they can also cost as much as a small car.

For quite a while, I have been dreaming about upgrading to a machine with a much larger embroidery area. I wanted something that would let me stitch larger designs without constantly rehooping. I wanted the ability to convert photos into embroidery designs. And, I wanted a machine that could handle sewing and quilting as beautifully as it handled embroidery.

But every time I looked at the newest top-of-the-line models, I would close my laptop and take a deep breath. They were simply way more than my budget.

So instead of giving up on the dream, I started researching.

And when I say researching, I mean researching.

I read forums, compared features, watched over one hundred videos, and studied hoop sizes. I looked at stitch quality and I read reviews about reliability and longevity. And I learned more about tension systems and built-in software than I ever thought I would.

And then I found it.

A pre-owned Brother Dream Machine XV8500.

You know that feeling when something just clicks? That was this machine.

The Brother Dream Machine XV8500 has a large embroidery field. It has advanced design capabilities. It can sew and quilt. And it has features that feel luxurious compared to what I have been using. Most importantly, it was within my budget.

And I bought it from a very reliable dealer, Moore’s Sewing Machine, here in southern California.

Buying pre-owned felt like the smartest decision I could make. Instead of paying for the newest release with every cutting-edge feature, I invested in a machine that is still incredibly powerful and capable but priced realistically.

It feels like my dream machine without the nightmare price tag.

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am.

After watching all those videos, I feel ready. I understand the interface. I know how the hoop system works, and I have studied the photo-to-embroidery capabilities. Of course, I already have a list of projects.

This machine will allow me to do larger-scale embroidery. Think bigger pillow designs. Quilt blocks with embroidered details. More advanced appliqué work. Possibly even personalized photo-based projects that I have been dreaming about for years.

Look at the hoop sizes!!!

And because it is also a sewing and quilting machine, it simplifies my setup. One machine. Multiple capabilities. More room in the craft space. More creative flexibility.

It feels like a true upgrade.

There is something incredibly energizing about investing in your creative tools. Not impulsively. Not extravagantly. But thoughtfully.

This machine will be perfect for the next few years. It stretches my creativity without stretching my budget beyond reason. It gives me room to grow. And it gives me options.

And if you think I am excited now, just wait.

Get ready.

There will be new embroidery projects. Larger designs. Possibly some free patterns. Maybe even a few surprises that I have been quietly planning.

I truly believe that when we invest in the tools that support our creativity, we open doors to things we might not otherwise attempt.

This feels like one of those moments.

So that is the big craft room upgrade this week.

A little dreaming. A lot of research. And one very beautiful Brother Dream Machine XV8500 sitting in my craft room waiting for me to press start.

I cannot wait to show you what it can do.

I may sometimes use affiliate links on this blog, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

My Latest Project

This week’s “latest project” is really more of a first step than a finished piece.

I have been so excited about the scanner feature on my new embroidery machine, and I finally worked up the courage to try it. I did not start something brand new.

Instead, I pulled out artwork I created last year. Loose watercolor florals in pinks, corals, and oranges, outlined in black ink. They have been sitting in a folder, waiting for their next life.

All I have done so far is scan the artwork into the machine.

That’s it.

No stitching yet. No fabric hooped. Just the artwork moving from paper into the digital screen of my embroidery machine.

But I do have some thread choices!

But even that felt like a big step.

Seeing my own flowers appear on the machine’s display made everything feel possible. The idea that these brushstrokes could become stitches. That watercolor could translate into thread. That something I painted at my craft table last year could become napkins, coasters, or something entirely unexpected.

Right now, I am in the learning phase. I am figuring out how the scanner reads the lines. I am exploring what needs simplifying. And I am realizing that embroidery thinks differently from watercolor.

And honestly, it’s been a fun latest project.

Not a finished project. Not a perfect result. Just progress.

This feels like the beginning of a whole new creative direction, and I am excited to see where it leads.

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What Worked This Week

One of the absolute highlights of my week was sharing the March window wreath templates.

When I first started drawing wreaths on my windows, I had no idea they would become such a favorite tradition. What began as a simple seasonal change has turned into something so much more.

And this month’s March wreaths were so much fun to create.

The response was incredible.

Within hours of sharing them, my inbox was full. So many of you downloaded the templates right away. So many of you sent photos of your own windows. Some of you told me this was your very first time trying window art. Others said you have been following along since Christmas and look forward to each new season.

That is what made this feel so special.

The March wreaths feel lighter. A little softer. A little more hopeful. They transition us from winter into spring with simple florals, greenery, and delicate details that are easy to trace yet still look beautiful from the street.

What really worked this week was not just the templates themselves. It was the community around them. Seeing so many of you try something new, step outside your comfort zone, and turn your windows into seasonal art was the best part.

It reminded me why I love creating these.

They are simple. They are affordable. And they require nothing more than a marker and a little time. And yet they make such an impact.

March is officially on the windows, and judging by your response, this tradition is here to stay.

I did want to mention that if you ever need to find the links to the wreaths, just go to my homepage and click the “Learn More About My Monthly Window Wreath Templates” link. This is where you will find links to all the downloads, where you can sign in to your account, and more.

The photo below shows my homepage. You can see where to click the button to learn more about my wreaths.

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• Get to know my new embroidery machine!
• Spend time with my grandkids.

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And what a week it was!

• 
  A Craft Room Upgrade and Sunday Morning Coffee
  There is something about the start of a new year in the craft room that makes me want to dream a little bigger. And this week, I did exactly that. I bought a new embroidery machine. Well, kind of a new…
• 
  Spring Flower Cookies
  There’s no better way to enjoy a day than with a batch of delicious and beautifully decorated spring flower cookies. These delightful treats, made with soft and buttery sugar cookies, adorned with smooth buttercream frosting, and finished with charming floral designs,…
• 
  Easter Egg DIY – A Handmade Spring
  This beautiful decoupage Easter egg DIY combines simple materials with a thoughtful technique that makes all the difference. Using papier-mache eggs and botanical paper napkins, I created a collection that feels fresh, timeless, and completely handmade. The process was surprisingly easy,…
• 
  Floral Embroidered Handmade Cards
  My Floral Embroidered Handmade Cards are one of those projects that combine creativity, storytelling, and meaningful making in the most beautiful way. Using fabric scraps, simple stitching techniques, and a little imagination, I created a collection of stitched cards that feel…
• 
  March Window Wreaths
  March Window Wreaths mark the third release in my year-long window wreath series, a collection of monthly designs created to bring handmade creativity into your home. With nine brand new March Window Wreaths to trace and place on your glass, this…
• 
  Floral Candlesticks: A Fresh Spring Decor Idea
  As the seasons change and winter fades away, it’s time to refresh our homes with spring decor that feels light, airy, and full of life. One of my favorite spring decor ideas this year is floral candlesticks—a simple yet elegant DIY…

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I have lots of great ideas to share with you next week!

• DIY Easter Craft Pillow
• The Best Deviled Eggs Recipe Ever
• Easter Basket Flower Cake
• Pottery Barn Pillow Covers Knock-Off
• A Handmade Spring
• Spring Cocktail Napkins with Flower Embroidery DIY

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• A Baby Sprinkle – S6/V8
• A View From Above – S6/V7
• Heart Filled Girls Night – S6/V6
• It’s February – S6/V5
• Valentine’s Day – S6/V4
• A Dreamy Craft Room – S6/V3
• The New Craft Room – S6/V2
• An Exciting New Year at My 100 Year Old Home – S6/V1

You Might Also Need…

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This Week’s Top Sellers

We shared many of our favorite home items this week, and here are the top sellers!

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