Merry Christmas!

Unfinished Christmas gifts

 

 

 

 

Well, this rings sooooo true with me this year.  So true, in fact, that I've given up on making anything at all and have just called it quits.  Too many things got in the way of my good intentions and I'm just not going to play beat the clock to finish projects.  Hey... I'm looking at it this way.... I'll have a head start on next year!

 

I had to "borrow" this cartoon from Liz....it's just so perfect.

Halloween?

I'm terribly late making this post....after all, Halloween has been over for awhile.  I wanted to show you some cute fabric that I won in a giveaway from Sharon at Vroomans Quilts.  The little pumpkin man is part of a panel with other Halloween characters on it too.  I just loved this one the best so I put him front and center.

 

Thanks so much, Sharon, for these fabulous fabrics.  I just LOVE Halloween fabrics and I'm looking forward to making something with these goodies....although this isn't going to happen until next year.

 

 

 

And on anther note.... Kirby's 1st Hatchday was Wednesday, December 2.  Hard to believe he is already one year old.  We are still on a learning curve....one day, everything goes quite well....then next day I'm close to wringing his neck....(not really)!  I just took this picture a minute ago for this post and you can see that he is quite the camera ham.....loves all techie goodies so I have to keep a close watch on him so that he doesn't peck the keys off of things.  He's a goof ball, but I love him! 

 

Thanksgiving 2015

Have a blessed Thanksgiving! 

Keep your eyes and heart open today...and every day....to find and recognize blessings that abound.  Let every day be a day of thanksgiving.    

Paris Attacked

 

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge.  I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed." 

Psalm 57:1

November

 

 

The first week of November is starting off with unseasonably warm weather in Indiana......with no complaints from me!

BOM

 

Just a little bit of this and that.......

 

First up is the 4th block in the Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Designer BOM.  This one is the Post Office and I just love the cute little mailbox! I'm a bit behind on the series, as #5 is waiting in my sewing room and #6 will be here in about 10 days.  Oh well..... 

 

 

 

Here's my latest eBay score..... a vintage, miniature sewing machine....dollhouse size.  It's just as cute as can be...made of metal....I'm guessing brass....with a removable plastic cover.  The only moving part is the treadle. 

And lastly, another eBay goody..... a thimble with a picture of a child's sewing machine that is very similar to the machine that I have in my collection.  Sorry about the picture....it just didn't come out well.

 

That's it for now.  I have lots of projects waiting for me in my sewing room....Christmas will be here before you know it!

 

Halloween Haunts 2015 Blog Hop

Happy Halloween!!

 

 

 

It's my day to show you what I made for this fun blog hop.  I'm sorry that I only have one project.  We had lots of time to create as many goodies as we wanted, but it just wasn't a great summer for creativity.

 

This hop was hosted an organized by Marian of Seams To Be Sew.  Thank you for taking on the huge task of organizing this large hop and all of the hoppers.  You can find the full list of participants on Marian's blog.  Today's participants are linked at the bottom of this post. 

 

So here you have it....one project....but I took lots of pictures to make it look like more!  Are you fooled?! 

 

I made a small hanging to fit my table stand and used an Amy Bradley pattern.  It's from a whole quilt of different characters but I liked the ghost best.

 

 

A little close up of the applique.  I normally double the fabric on light colored fabrics so that you can't see through them.  Because this was a ghost, I wanted that see-through look.

Those creepy hands in the picture above came from the Dollar Tree.  They are tongs...salad tongs....handing out candy tongs, whatever.  I've got to tell you that they are actually really well made.  They're solid plastic and, of course, only $1.00!  I bought a couple of pairs to place around the house.  Get em' while you can if there are any still hanging around the Dollar Tree!

And what would Halloween be without a couple of pictures featuring the Sarducci Brothers?!!  After all, Halloween is their favorite holiday.

 

 

Rat riding.....the latest carnival attraction!

 

 Please visit the other ghoulish crafters that are joining me today.  Here's a list of today's participants and links to their sites.
Featured Haunts On Monday October 19


Charm About You
Quilting Affection
Moose Stash Quilting
Gracie Oliver Arts-You are here!!
Kwilt Krazy
Debbie

And an extra bonus.....there is a daily giveaway sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.  Honestly, I had some problems with the link so I wasn't able to put it on my blog, but you'll find a Rafflecopter giveaway link on many of these other blogs.

And a final note.......Have a happy, safe Halloween!!!

Remembering 9/11

 

 

First and most important things first......

 

2 Corinthians 7:14

 

"if My people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their lands."

 

 

 

Here's the third block in my 2015 Mystery Designer BOM.  I've had this finished for a few weeks and wanted to post this one before the next one arrives..... which I think will be today.  I thought this was another really cute block.....love the little awnings.  I did change the picture window fabric from the fabric that was provided.  Although I liked the fabric very much, I didn't want it in the window.  Because they always provide extra fabric with each block, I used fabric from a previous block as a substitute for the window.

 

Kirby doing the Watusi......(or maybe he was just preening)!

God bless the United States of America!!!

I just signed up for another blog hop.... a Halloween Haunts 2015 Blog Hop.  This will be hosted by Marian of Seams To Be Sew and sign ups are open until the end of the August.  You can make any project you want and it won't be due until October... plenty of time.  Won't you join me??!!

I have another small project to show you today.  I've made a little Christmas stocking for Kirby.  He doesn't look like this, of course,  it's just a little caricature of him.  These are his colors though, even the grey "pearls" on his shoulders.

 

 Here's a close up of "Kirby."  I put him in an egg shape.... naturally .... to highlight the figure.

 

I used some purchased iron on letters for his name and I think I'm going to remove them and applique my own.  They are OK, but the gold letters are more translucent than I want.  We'll see... at least the stocking is done and if I want to tweak it.... I can always go back later.

 

And here's Kirby enjoying a little snack of air popped pop corn.  He loves it but only gets it once in awhile as it's pretty short on nutrition. 

 

Oh.....don't tell him about the stocking.... it's a surprise!  ;)

Happy Sewing!

Don't Faint!

Don't faint..... I finally sewed something.  It may not be much, but it sure felt nice to hear the hum of my sewing machine and actually accomplish something.

I haven't joined a BOM for awhile.... I got a little overwhelmed with keeping up..... but since I've had a break, I couldn't resist the 2015 Mystery Designer BOM.  I love the fabric collection and loved the tease of the blocks that they kind of showed us before signing up.  So here's the before shot of Block #1, all cut out and ready to sew.......

Isn't this a cute block!?  I can see making a whole quilt using this single block....a whole neighborhood of cottages, lined up and looking welcoming.

Block #2, cut out and ready to sew.....

Block #2, finished.  The pattern called these "apartments."  I think they are really cute too, but I think the first cottage block may end up being my favorite block when the year is up.

My LQS is participating in a Row by Row this year.  Although I don't plan to do the Row by Row, I did want to get one of the license plate blocks.  I imagine I'll put this on a zipper bag at some point... or maybe a small wall hanging.

 

Had to show you these Bali Snaps that I got this week.  The Fat Quarter Shop had them on sale for $1.50 on one of their flash sales, so I couldn't resist.  I love Bali Snaps but this one in particular is called "Cockatiel."

 

 

Kirby, my cockatiel, is insisting that I make something for him out of this fabric and who can blame him.  I'm already making him a Christmas stocking, but I guess I should find some way to use these fabrics for him. 

 

Hope your summer is going well.  We've had record amounts of rain, but it has eased up this past week or so.  Our schools start on August 11th, which seems really early.  Summer is flying by, but I always look forward to Fall and cooler temps.  Enjoy your week end! 

Featherweight Update

I cleaned up my 1938 Featherweight treasure and I'm even more delighted with her!  This is an "after" picture, although it pretty much looks the same as my "before" pictures in an earlier post.  In person, however, there is a very noticeable difference in her appearance.  She just sparkles and glistens!  I cleaned her insides, applied fresh grease to her gears and fresh oil to all of her "joints."  I didn't find much wrong with her inner workings.  I found one wire casing that was fraying but left it alone.  The wiring itself was still fine, so better off left alone.  She had been over greased at some time in her life and under oiled.....both causing her to be sluggish.  After her spa day, she ran like a top.  Secretly, I think she was happy to be loved again. 

 

 

 

When I finished her inside work, it was time for an exterior clean up.  I just took a cotton swab with water only, to reach into her crevices to remove any dust and residue.  After I was sure she was basically clean, I waxed her from top to bottom, being extra careful when I was polishing her decal areas.  Except for a few minor scratches and that minor wear on her front decals, she looks like she just came from the factory!

 

 

Here's her beautiful scroll face plate, which required no attention at all.  A little polishing cloth and that was it.

Finally, this is her first stitching after threading her up and filling her bobbin.  I didn't even have to make any adjustments to her tension.... top or bottom.  Everyone talks about the wonderful straight stitch that Featherweights make, and it's true!  As light as she weighs... around 11 pounds..... she has a very solid, strong feel to her when you are sewing.  No shaking or walking off of your table.  She purrs, just as I had hoped!

Now that she's back in working order, I'm not sure that I'd ever take her to a quilting gathering.  I'm a bit concerned for her safety and want to keep her pristine.  But even after saying that, I know she was meant to be used!  We'll see.  For now, I'm clearing off a shelf in my sewing room for her to be admired.  I'll put some of my children's vintage sewing machines with her to keep her company.  I haven't named her yet... waiting on the right name to come to my mind. 

Now.... on to cleaning up her original case.   It won't be as beautiful as it was originally, but it will still be looking better than it does now. 

God Bless the USA!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

 

 

My Newest Goodie

First of all, I'm sorry for such a long absence.  I've had a bad month+ of illness and have done little in the creativity department.  I'm feeling a bit better and hope to actually sew something soon. 

 

I do have something to show you today.  Thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, you can shop from your home and have things delivered to your door..... doesn't matter if you are sick or not!  (Did you know this?!) Admittedly, this can also be a very bad thing!

 

I've been looking for a Singer Featherweight for several years.  Many things have stopped me from getting one..... couldn't find the perfect machine for me..... too much money.... bad timing.... whatever.  I cruise EBay frequently, always looking for the machine that "has my name on it" and I finally found it! 

 

Here she is, my first Featherweight!  I lucked out finding her.  The person selling this must not have known what he could have charged for this particular machine.  It was a BIN (buy it now) auction and was only listed for a couple of minutes before I bought it.  I knew if I hesitated at all, it would be gone.  He had few pictures, a short description, and didn't even mention her best features.  I took a huge leap of faith ..........

 

She's a May 1938 model and has the wonderful scroll face plate that I wanted so badly.  Overall, her condition is very good.  All of these pictures are her "before" pictures, as I have done nothing to perk her up yet.  She needs a good cleaning, lube and oil job, and finally, a waxing to restore her full luster.  I've been watching YouTube videos that demonstrate just how to do this the proper way.

 

 

 

Backside...

 

This is the main damage that I found.... just a little deterioration of the front decal where someone has rested their wrist over the years.  This is certainly expected on a machine that is 77 years old and this wear and tear is actually very minor for her age.

Here's her beautiful front scroll face plate... it's perfect!

This is her original case, which has several condition issues, but again, it's to be expected for a machine case this old.  It's all intact and in working order.  The handle is still very functional, even though the leather handle is splitting.  Both hinges work perfectly.  Although the case has dings and scratches, much of this will be hidden after a little cleaning and TLC.

This is the original tray inside the case and the goodies that were included.  Not much to speak of except that it has an original key.  There is also an additional foot.....hiding in the upper left corner.... the adjustable hemming foot. 

 

She may not be perfect, but she is all mine!  I'll post some "after" pictures when I get her all cleaned up and running smoothly.  Which, by the way, she does run but I think she may be a little sluggish.  After her cleaning, oiling, and lubing, I'm expecting her to purr.

 

And here's a Kirby update.  He's doing quite well.... he's enjoying a tasty snap pea in this shot.  He's in the middle of a major molt..... his crest feathers are all gone and those are new ones growing in that you see in the photo.  He'll be one handsome dude in a few months!  In my last post I told you that he could say "Hi Kirby" and that I'd be happy if that is all that he ever learned to say.  Well..... he's a regular chatterbox now.  He learns new words easily and can now say "Kirby is a good boy" ..... "I'm a big bird"...... "I love you" ...... "Kirby dance" (bobs his head when he says this)..... sings "Kirby, Kirby, Kirby.... Takes me a few days of saying a particular phrase to him and then he begins to imitate me.  He talks "people" about half of the time and "bird" the rest of the time.  His "people" speaking is much easier on my ears!

Thanks for stopping by today.  At least this post was sewing related, even if there wasn't a completed project to show......soon, I hope!

Mini Finishes

A couple more small finishes today.  Two wall hangings that were pretty quick to put together.

 

The first one was a free pattern from Aurifil.  It's the Auriful Mini Quilt and there are a few in this series of free designer patterns.  I had some fabric from my stash that worked well for this.... "Cachet" by Marie Osmond for Quilting Treasures, given to me years ago by a sweet friend.  (Thanks, Kathy!)   Measures 15" x 17 ".

 

 

This one is from a pattern called Dwell Mini from Thimble Blossoms.  The fabric came from Connecting Threads..."Oh Clementine" from Windham Fabrics is the fabric line.  It was fun to decide what fabric to use on what house in what way....roof...walls...pinwheels.  Measures 13" x 16". 

 

 

And lastly, my gratuitous photo of Kirby.  Today is his 5 month hatchaversary.  His dried-on baby formula is finally coming off of his face and he is slowly learning to talk.  His repertoire so far is "Hi Kirby", so we have a lot more training to do.  Cockatiels don't always talk so I won't be disappointed if this is all that he says.  ;)

 

 

Have a great weekend!  I've been working in the yard the past couple of weeks on those nice, cool days, trying to make it more presentable.  Mow...mow... mow.... wears me out but it sure is nice to have the warmer weather back.

A 20 year old finish!

 

I finished this little wall hanging last week.  It's just 24" x 24".  It's been in my UFO's for years.  In fact, this pattern and partial kit was dated 1995.  Yeah.... it's been in my pile-o-stuff to finish for 20 years!  I don't know why I get distracted and don't finish projects.  This only took a few days.  One to cut the pieces....one to piece it.....one to quilt it.....and one to bind it.  Of course, this was only working on it a couple of hours at a time.  I suppose it could have been completed in one day if you stuck with it.

 

The pattern and kit came with about 2/3's of the fabrics needed to make the hanging.  I'm not sure why it didn't contain all of the fabric.  The fabric was nicely folded and looked undisturbed so I don't think I ever removed any of it for another project.  Oh well.  So if you recognize a few pieces of newer fabrics....not 20 years old.... that's why. 

 

The backside.  I used some of the included fabric as well as some added from my stash.

This is a little goodie that I picked up at the Hallmark store in the drastically reduced bin.  It's a Boyd's Bear little hinged box and they were almost giving it away.  I love little sewing items for my sewing area.

This inside held this cute little sewing mouse.

Here's the sweet quote that was under the lid.

And lastly, Hank Sarducci holding his new friend.

Happy Sewing.  Hope you find a UFO that calls your name this week too.  It felt really good to actually finish this cute little hanging!