HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing EVERYONE Love, Peace and Happiness in 2010!

Sewing Machine Salvation

I collect sewing machines!  I love sewing machines AND I love to sew!

About a week ago, I picked up a treadle sewing machine.  Unfortunately, the base was rusted and broken; and the cabinet was beyond repair.  I was able to save the machine head...

The decals are silver and some are missing.

The wheel could not/would not turn.

All I can say is...Yuck!

And, after a couple of days of cleaning, so far she looks like this...

She looks so much better!

A great site for information on your vintage sewing machine is ISMACS.  I found a little info on her:  Minnesota Model A - manufactured by Davis Sewing machines and sold thru Sears & Roebuck thru 1910.  The "Minnesota" was a vibrating shuttle model manufactured by the Goodrich Sewing Machine Co., of Chicago, Illinois.  Made at the company's Kankakee, IL plant.  This 1890s machine used a New Home type shuttle, a Domestic styled bobbin winder and resembles a National.

The wheel turns now!

With a little more cleaning and some new decals, she could look like new!  Treadle On was a great resource on how to clean and repair vintage machines!

Now, all I need is to find decals and 'how-to' put decals on a machine.  And, a treadle base and table.  I had fun learning how-to salvage a machine in 'this' condition.  This was my first attempt, to this extent...EVER!  I hope to get as good as some other vintage machine collector's who clean, repair and restore machines!

Have a Blessed New Year!

Merry Christmas...

and thank you! Blessings to you, all and your families!

Alyssa and a Handcrank

As a lot of you know, I've been teaching my 6 year-old daughter to sew.  I originally had been teaching her on my Morse and New Home electric machines.  When I purchased my first handcrank and let her give it a whirl, that's the ONLY machine she works on!  My husband purchased another handcrank for Christmas for me and Alyssa replied, "that's great!  Now, you have one to work on!"

 

She made a fabric ornament for her teacher, all by herself!  This weekend she made her first patchwork project, a pillowcase!

Keep creating, Alyssa!

The BEST Christmas Present...EVER!

My beautiful grandson, Gabriel!  Born December 15, 2009!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My Early Christmas Present

I've been wanting and waiting for this machine!  Isn't she pretty?!  She is a 1890 Frister & Rossmann, Manufactured in Germany.  A handcrank with a Transverse Shuttle.

 

It's an early Christmas present from my wonderful husband and I am so thankful and delighted!

The day she arrived, I literally jumped out of my seat when the delivery man rang my doorbell!  Just like the children on Christmas morn running to gather in the living area to open presents!  I was so excited!  She was wrapped and packaged very well!  So much so, that it maybe took me a good 20 minutes to get to her!  Really, I broke out in a sweat!

She runs like a charm!

Until next time....

Cozy Kitten

I Don't Wanna Leave...

Quick Gift Idea

 I made these little coin purses for my sister's stocking stuffers and Secret Santa gifts!  They measure approximately 7" x 3" and lined.  This is a good fabric scraps buster, also!

I used a shape from a stencil; cut two of coordinating fabrics each; sewed each piece, then inserted the lining  fabric into the main purse; pressed selvedge edges down and sewed all around the edges. I couldn't decide on a closure (velcro, button, snap, etc.).  No zippers...it will not work for this purse!  Anyhow, I need to have these in the mail today!

HAPPY GIFT SEWING!

Happy Thanksgiving!

As everyone knows, I am expecting my first grandchild!  Now due, any day!  So, when I found out about my daughter's pregnancy, I knew that I wanted my friend to create a blanket for my new grandbaby!  Near completion of the blanket, Charlie, left me a wonderful message letting me know the blanket is a gift from her to the new baby!  **SURPRISE**  We received the blanket this past Friday and it is beautiful...I feel honored!  My friend, Charlie has an awesome etsy shop, "ImSewCrafty" with cute crochet and other crafty items!  Stop by and browse Charlie's, you'll find cute Christmas gifts and/or stocking stuffers!

 

Beautiful...I love the colors!



My next surprise is that I won a giveaway!  WoooHoooo!  I had NEVER won any giveaways!  Boy, I was totally surprised!  Oz Material Girls carry quilt fabrics, supplies and patterns.  I stop by their site frequently and drool!  Anyway, they were contacting me to let me know I had won either fabrics or a pattern from the site.  Of course, I picked fabrics!  Aren't they pretty?

 

Thank you, Oz Material Girls for the opportunity to enter the giveaway and for my beautiful fabrics!

I really enjoyed reading a beautiful email and blog post from a fellow blogger, WannaSew.  She is thankful for her sewing friends' help, advice and support!  Please click here and read the post.  I am thankful to you, JC for your inspiration and beautiful spirit!

And, last, but not the least, I am thankful to my followers for coming to visit and read my blog and for your comments!  Thank you for your support!

Not just for today on Thanksgiving, but EVERYDAY I am thankful!

knitting and sewing...

I finally finished the Hooded Baby Wrap that I've been knitting for our first grandchild (who shall make his appearance soon)!

This is a free knitting pattern from Lion Brand.  So cute!


Here's a sneak peek of my version of a quilted Christmas Tree Skirt tutorial from one of my fave blogs, Piece N Quilt!  It's still a work-in-progress - got a lot more to do!  When I'm done I will send to my sister!

 

I've got more knitting and sewing projects to finish before Christmas!  Until next time...

HAPPY KNITTING and SEWING!

A few things...

I love vintage!  Stopped by my favorite used book store a couple of days ago to see whatz new!  I picked up these 3 books:  "Boutique (fashions to knit and crochet)" by Bear Brand and Fleisher Yarns; "How to Make Sleeves - Instructions for Plain, Raglan, Epaulet, Shirtwaist, Cuffs", published by Singer Sewing Machine Company; and "Vogue's Book of Smart Dressmaking", copyright 1942, The Conde Nast Publications, Inc.

The Vogue book includes a free pattern for a new dickey that I will definitely try!

After leaving the book store, I made a stop at the local thrift store and look what I found!  A handmade weaving loom!

And, there was a project already for me to work on!  I found a website that gives advice and suggestions on weaving.  You can check it out here!   I will continue working on this until completion...in between my Christmas projects and other UFOs!

Speaking of Christmas...I finally finished a lap quilt for my Mom!  I've only been quilting just under 6 months and RESISTANCE is FUTILE!  I love it!  A true fiber artist to the marrow!

Check out this Christmas Tree Skirt Tutorial from Piece N Quilt blog!  This is one of my next projects this week.

It  was good getting out of the house and around this week, and finding treasures!  Until next time,

HAPPY SEWING, QUILTING, KNITTING, CRAFTING!

Life, Sometimes...

...happens right in the middle of your creative process!

Hello my friends!  It's been a while since my last post.  Life happened and here's the recap:  daughter's baby shower; mom's visit; and the household having swine flu and the recovery process.  It's been a trying month, but we survived and we're back in stride, again!

Here's mom with the grandkids

I have been working on several projects lately.  Most are Christmas presents.  I recently finished these spa slippers for my father-in-law.  I used a brown microfibre fabric (sooooo soft) and brown braided trim that goes all around the slipper.

 

I've also been working on hand embroidered items like this cloth napkin with strawberries.  Haven't decided who will get the napkins.

 

I'm also still knitting a cotton baby wrap and finishing up a quilt.  It seems that I can get back into my creative world for the moment...until the baby comes!  Hopefully, I can finish my presents in time!

HAPPY CRAFTING!

A Beautiful Weekend With Family

On Saturday morn, we set out to have a picnic and enjoy a day at the lakefront.  We even brought out my oldest daughter (she looks so cute and will be a wonderful mom)!  My 16 year-old daughter was hanging out at Universal Studios with her friends (which beats the lakefront)!

Sandwiches and fruit; sprinklers, playground and watching the boats!

Simple and fun!

Thrifting and Such

Hi all!  It's been a while since I last posted.  Busy helping my daughter prepare for my first grandchild!  I am so excited!  Her baby shower is within a couple of weeks and I'm sewing a special dress for her to wear!

I've also been practicing sewing on my treadle.  There is a sort of coordination and foot rhythm to sewing on a treadle.  Great exercise!  It's so much fun and I think I'm ready to sew a quilt on it soon!

I've also been thrift and antique shopping, and visiting estate sales.  Resistance is futile.

My husband and I had a wonderful day, today in Historic Sanford, Florida!  We ate brunch at a quaint restaurant.  This place is so 'old skool', that plastic (credit/debit cards) is NOT accepted.  Cash or check, or the owner will let you sign an IOU with trust that you come back and pay him.  And, the food was awesome!  We then walked down this cute cobblestone street and visited the antique shops and thrift stores.  We had a blast!

I could not resist this vintage sewing machine in one of the thrift stores.  I took it home, cleaned and oiled it; tested it and it works like a horse!  Someone took very good care!

Last week, we visited another thrift store and I found all kinds of goodies:
I have 3 of the Knifty Knitter (top pic) at $1.99 each!  I need to find one more...one for my middle daughter, the baby daughter, my niece and one for me!

...small container of stones for .69 cents.  Don't know what I'll make, but they will not go to waste.  Large container has zipper pulls of all colors for $1.99.  I can definitely use these!

...pajama patterns for little ones and big girls; and zippers.  The whole lot for .69 cents!

...some wood pieces; balls, napkin rings, thread spools, etc.  This whole lot for .69 cents, also!

...lastly, yarn; both for .25 cents!

I am currently knitting a pair of fingerless mittens in a pretty chocolate, minty blue and brown multi-tonal yarn for a customer.

Thank you for visiting!  HAPPY THRIFTING!

Labor Day Weekend Chill

...and, we did just that, chill!

We took the two youngest fishing. It was so quiet and peaceful at the lake. Maybe, four other people were around.

And on Labor Day, my sewing friend Peggy blessed me with a treadle machine! She and her husband were at my door this morn with two machines. It was perfect! I am teaching my 6-year old how to sew and the Morse (sewing machine) will be great for her and my 16-year old. I spent most of the day, cleaning, oiling and practicing on the treadle. I had fun playing! I realized that sewing on a treadle is going to be a mini-workout!

It was a great ending to a Labor Day Weekend Chill!

Okay, back to reality! Preparation for school tomorrow.

Hope your Labor Day Weekend was relaxing!

A Quilt Story

I am a virgin quilter! I've always wanted to learn to quilt and about a year ago, I borrowed "Kids Start Quilting" from the library to learn the basics. I was able to complete a piece quilt and it came out great!

Last week at my sewing group meet-up, my friend Peggy taught me to free-motion quilt! I was so excited and I worked on my practice piece the rest of that weekend! Now, quilting is becoming one of my sewing addictions!

I worked for Goodwill about 2 years ago, and in that time I met some interesting and crafty people (customers). On their regular visits, we would share all sorts of craft and sewing ideas and projects. An elderly lady who regularly visited wanted to give me her hand-sewn blocks for a quilt. We met each other for lunch and I accepted her offer.

I'm sure the fabrics used were 1960s and 70s. Colorful and bright, and a lot of polyester!

I sewed the blocks together, in the order she had them laid in the basket and then sewed the rows together. 9 blocks per row, 8 rows. Now, all there's left for me to do is batting, backing and knotting.

I am happy I learned the basics of quilting in order to finish this quilt in her honor!

HAPPY SEWING!