considering my options

what do you think?
linking up with Show & Tell Tuesday and WIP Wednesday

a question about pinking shears

Pinking shears have been on my wishlist for years, for no particular reason other than I just love the ricracish edges they create. 

Recently, I found a use for them that I could reasonable stretch into a need for pinking shears.  When they went on sale for 50% off, I could have sqealed!  Obviously, this was a sign it was time to treat myself to a pair :)

In the picture up there are {left to right} my Gingher shears, my Fiskars shears, and the new Gingher pinking shears. 

Now, my Fiskars are nice and I  love them because those orange handles remind me of the ones my mother always sewed with when I was growing up {the ones we were never allowed to touch, under penalty of death} but my Ginghers are my favorites.   The Fiskars have a slight grinding resistance during use.  The Ginghers on the other hand have a wonderfully smooth and effortless action, and cut crisply and easily. 

I have tendonitis problems in my right hand, and that smooth & easy action means I can do more cutting and hit the pain meds and ice packs less.  I was expecting that same perfomance from my Gingher pinking shears.

Far from it.  There is enough resitance that even when I'm not actually cutting fabric, the action is difficult and slightly jerky.  My wrist hurt with the very first cut into fabric.  I was so disappointed :(

To those of you in the know, is this tougher action typical of pinking shears?  Is there a brand you would recommend? 

I'm considering bringing these back and asking to try out a different pair.  Perhaps this pair is just a fluke.

I would really appreciate any thoughts/advice you could share on pinking shears.  Thanks for putting up with a more dreary post.  I promise to be back soon with pretty fabric pictures :)

Fair Preparations {or} what do you mean I only have two days left?!?!

Hi everyone!
Can you help me with something?
I entered a couple quilts in the Deerfield Fair, and they need to be at the fairgrounds by Tuesday.  One of them still needs a hanging sleeve sewn on.  My problem is, I don't know which side is the top. 

Really. 

This wall hanging has been done for about a year and I can't decide which way it should hang, so it has been draped over the back of a rocking chair {where I can periodically rotate it}

So this is what I came up with - I had a friend {thanks Marion!} take 4 pictures of me holding the quilt, a different side up in each picture.  Leave a comment voting for which way you think it should hang.  there may be a small prize given away randomly to a voter as a thank you.  It's a surprise prize.  because I was cleaning house today and didn't get a picture, but surprise prize just sounds better.  like I planned it that way :)

Ok, here are the choices!

#1

#2

#3

#4

{see the dark diagonal lines in each photo? that is a shadow of my arm, not part of the quilt}
since the pluses aren't directional, it is really a matter of the placement of the white spaces.
If you want to read a bit more about this quilt, click here. Or here.  :)
I'll be back Tuesday morning-ish to announce the winner.  thanks for helping me out! :)