My resolution lasted a week - go me!

This week, I've been doing some hand piecing, even though I now have a sewing machine again after almost a month. I should backtrack a little and explain the sewing machine situation. I have a Juki HZL-K65 that I've had for about a year. I love her, her name is Shelley. Well, a month and a few weeks ago, I started having a problem. When I lowered the presser foot, the light on the start button stayed red instead of turning green, and the machine wouldn't sew. I re-threaded the machine, cleaned it, everything. Finally, a month ago, I took her in to the dealer. Their repairman worked on her for a while, then decided she needed to be sent back to the company. The problem seems to be the motherboard or some other computer part. So, Juki is going to send me a new machine. The process usually takes 4-6 weeks, so I might have a new machine next week! In the meantime, I have a loaner machine from the dealer, an HZL-K85. It's almost like Shelley, only it has a lot more decorative stitches. I do have other machines, but I've been spoiled by Shelley. My first machine is a Singer Wal-mart special. It was a start, but not my favorite. I also have my Grandma's 1964 Kenmore. She actually sews better than the Singer, but she only sews a straight stitch. So I've been sewing a new top, kind of a peasant-blouse kind of thing, on the loaner machine. I've also been trying to finish a quilt top by hand-piecing. It was originally going to be for me, hexi flowers made with 2 honeycombs of Honeysweet by Fig Tree with cream background. Then I found out that the head of one of my SCA households is going to have surgery, and I'm a big believer in blankies, so I'm finishing it for her. Actually, she just had surgery yesterday. So far, she's doing well. I just wasn't in the mood for partial seams on the machine, though, so I'm piecing the last few hexies to fill in the edges by hand. This has been the worst week for news! I know two people who have passed away, and someone else who lost a baby due to complications in her pregnancy. Making a blanket for someone doesn't seem like a lot to do in the face of so much loss, but it's what I can do. Since it's summer in the South, I'm going to use flannel for the backing and no batting. I have an old quilt I made that way, and it's the perfect year-round blanket. There's a household gathering in a few weeks, and I'm hoping to have it finished, so I can send it with her husband.