Hello all!
It has been sort of a crazy week here. Last weekend, as you may recall. My serger went kaput. I spent the weekend and Monday trying to decide if I should just try and do without for a while, or go find a new one. Tuesday I had a half day at work, so that afternoon I went to lunch at the restaurant where my friend, Jodi, works. Jodi just had two new grandbabies born within the last month or so. I took her the bibs and burpcloths that I had made for them, and had lunch. I left there and went serger shopping, and found a good deal on a nice used one. I am happy to report that this serger is doing well for me and I am ecstatic that it does really nice narrow rolled hems! I found the manual that they use for classes on this model on line, so I hope to sit down with it and try some of the stuff it is supposed to be able to do.
After that, I had to run my cat to the vet for her check up and shots. That's always such a treat.... ehem... Poor thing was so scared we couldn't get her out of the carrier without taking it apart. (it's made to come apart for that very reason, lol.) We took her out to the scale to weigh her and brought her back into the examining room and she crawled right back under the top half of the carrier that was sitting on the table. Poor baby. Next adventure... we get to get her teeth cleaned again... oh joy...
When I saw my friend Jodi on Tuesday, she mentioned that she wanted to me to teach her how to smock. So, I spent last night preparing bonnets for smocking. I may have miscalculated, because these bonnets are going to be teeny. LOL. Oh well, the baby girl is a preemie anyway, and well, maybe it will wind up being her dolly's bonnet, who knows. LOL. At any rate it will be a good little project to learn with. She is coming over tomorrow so I can show her how.
More later, I have to get back to work right now, lunch breaks are wayyy to short! :)
Well, I did it...
I finally broke down and bought a different serger. I think I got a pretty good deal, too. :) I know the lady that runs one of the sewing machine shops in our town and so I went to see what she had in used machines. Now granted, this machine IS used, and I think the original model of this machine came out about 10 years ago. I could be wrong there, but anywho..... I got a Bernina 1100 DA for just under $300. She said I could take it home and try it out and if I didn't want it I could bring it back, soo. I have yet to thread it up and sit down with it. I just got home with it half an hour ago. I'll sit down and play with it tonight. I have to take the cat to the vet for check up and shots in about half an hour, so. I think I'll just look at the manual until then. She said the only reason it got traded in is because the girl who had it wanted one that could do a cover lock and this one doesn't do that.
I looked at a different Bernina, a new one, at a different shop. They were willing to knock 100 dollars off the original price, but I still would have paid 600 for it, and I just really didn't want to pay that much. It did look like a nice machine, though. Hopefully this one will be an improvement over my old one. I think it will. I can't wait to sit down and mess with it.
I looked at a different Bernina, a new one, at a different shop. They were willing to knock 100 dollars off the original price, but I still would have paid 600 for it, and I just really didn't want to pay that much. It did look like a nice machine, though. Hopefully this one will be an improvement over my old one. I think it will. I can't wait to sit down and mess with it.
Kyle is at it again!
Kyle Bryant is making his second ride for Friedreich's Ataxia! I'm so appreciative of him and his resolve to help find a cure for FA. He is a very determined guy! Check out the Ride Ataxia blog for updates on his current ride.
In other news, I started working on a dress for my niece Mady's birthday. I know, I said I wouldn't do that this year, but darn it, if I don't see cute stuff on Etsy and want to make things like them. :) The bad news is, my serger crapped out.... again. I am debating buying a new one, problem is, I can't really afford what they want for a good one. My serger was an inexpensive budget model, and it seems silly to keep putting money into fixing it. It was only about $200 new, and I already have $50 in repairs on it. It just doesn't seem worth it to keep throwing money into trying to fix it. It's got tension issues. Frustrating to say the least. I spend at least half an hour putzing with it every time I try to use it. BUT... I really need one for my Etsy stuff. Anyone got suggestions as to a decent serger that doesn't cost both arms and a leg? It doesn't have to be fancy, but I would want a differential feed and the ability to do rolled hems. I am thinking about looking at used models. Anyone in love with theirs and would recommend that model?
In other news, I started working on a dress for my niece Mady's birthday. I know, I said I wouldn't do that this year, but darn it, if I don't see cute stuff on Etsy and want to make things like them. :) The bad news is, my serger crapped out.... again. I am debating buying a new one, problem is, I can't really afford what they want for a good one. My serger was an inexpensive budget model, and it seems silly to keep putting money into fixing it. It was only about $200 new, and I already have $50 in repairs on it. It just doesn't seem worth it to keep throwing money into trying to fix it. It's got tension issues. Frustrating to say the least. I spend at least half an hour putzing with it every time I try to use it. BUT... I really need one for my Etsy stuff. Anyone got suggestions as to a decent serger that doesn't cost both arms and a leg? It doesn't have to be fancy, but I would want a differential feed and the ability to do rolled hems. I am thinking about looking at used models. Anyone in love with theirs and would recommend that model?
Just a thought, and a word of caution...
First the thought....
I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in a series of smocking tutorials? Not necessarily a smock-a-long per say, but something sort of like that.
Now the word of caution...
PLEASE, PLEASE be careful with those rotary cutters! I just talked to one of our local quilt shop owners yesterday. One day last week she was working on a project. She had a new blade in her rotary cutter and yep, you guessed it, she cut herself. Not only did she cut herself, she cut the tip of her finger right off!!!! Diagonally right through the nail. So please, please be mindful when using those things. I know sometimes we take for granted just how dangerous they can be. This was a good reminder for me!
I'm wondering if anyone would be interested in a series of smocking tutorials? Not necessarily a smock-a-long per say, but something sort of like that.
Now the word of caution...
PLEASE, PLEASE be careful with those rotary cutters! I just talked to one of our local quilt shop owners yesterday. One day last week she was working on a project. She had a new blade in her rotary cutter and yep, you guessed it, she cut herself. Not only did she cut herself, she cut the tip of her finger right off!!!! Diagonally right through the nail. So please, please be mindful when using those things. I know sometimes we take for granted just how dangerous they can be. This was a good reminder for me!
Happy Hour
I finished my "Happy Hour" quilt top today. It isn't exactly like the pattern, but I like it all the same. I love the colors, they remind me of Easter and these...
Have a happy weekend!
Remembering...
Today is March 11th. Today would have been my friend, Beth's 41st birthday. I say would have because she passed away 4 years ago this past January from a heart attack at the age of 36.
Beth was one of the best friends I ever had. We met when we lived on the same floor in college. I was a sophomore and she was a junior. We shared a dorm room the next year. We were in the same major and had many of the same classes. We worked on recording projects in the studio together. We would hang out together. We would play jokes on people together. The number of inside jokes was uncountable. Beth was a music loving, cat loving, fun loving person. When my husband and I got married, she was one of my bridesmaids. She was active in the music program at her church in southern Illinois. Beth's parents were both in ill health from the time I met her and, so, Beth never married. Instead, she stayed in her parents home and took care of them. She gave of herself without ever thinking twice about it. There have been so many times in the last 4 years that I wanted to email her or pick up the phone and call her, only to remember that she's not there anymore to call or email. She would have loved to have seen our kitties, especially. I wish that I could have shared it with her when we got Aeris as a kitten. I know she's have loved her. I know that Beth is in a much better place, now. I am assured of that, but I still miss her dearly.
Happy birthday, Bethie, I miss ya hun!
Beth was one of the best friends I ever had. We met when we lived on the same floor in college. I was a sophomore and she was a junior. We shared a dorm room the next year. We were in the same major and had many of the same classes. We worked on recording projects in the studio together. We would hang out together. We would play jokes on people together. The number of inside jokes was uncountable. Beth was a music loving, cat loving, fun loving person. When my husband and I got married, she was one of my bridesmaids. She was active in the music program at her church in southern Illinois. Beth's parents were both in ill health from the time I met her and, so, Beth never married. Instead, she stayed in her parents home and took care of them. She gave of herself without ever thinking twice about it. There have been so many times in the last 4 years that I wanted to email her or pick up the phone and call her, only to remember that she's not there anymore to call or email. She would have loved to have seen our kitties, especially. I wish that I could have shared it with her when we got Aeris as a kitten. I know she's have loved her. I know that Beth is in a much better place, now. I am assured of that, but I still miss her dearly.
Happy birthday, Bethie, I miss ya hun!
My weekend...
First off let me say thanks for the great suggestions for my niece's birthdays this year. I have some really good ideas now.
I spent saturday insulating water pipes in my basement, so not much crafting going on that day. It did feel good to get some of that done, though. I have a little more yet to do, but most of it is done. I really thought I would be a lot more sore than I am from climbing up and down the ladder, but I'm not too bad. :) I also now have a ladder! :) This means when the weather gets warm enough to open windows, I can paint my living room. I have been wanting to paint it for nearly 4 years.
Sunday I finished up a little pillowcase dress for Etsy. Another scrap usage :) I have yet to photograph it, but I will try to get it listed soon.
Saturday when I came upstairs for a little break, my kitties were sleeping on the couch. How cute is this picture!
I spent saturday insulating water pipes in my basement, so not much crafting going on that day. It did feel good to get some of that done, though. I have a little more yet to do, but most of it is done. I really thought I would be a lot more sore than I am from climbing up and down the ladder, but I'm not too bad. :) I also now have a ladder! :) This means when the weather gets warm enough to open windows, I can paint my living room. I have been wanting to paint it for nearly 4 years.
Sunday I finished up a little pillowcase dress for Etsy. Another scrap usage :) I have yet to photograph it, but I will try to get it listed soon.
Saturday when I came upstairs for a little break, my kitties were sleeping on the couch. How cute is this picture!
Indecisive...
I can't decide what to do for Lexi, Mady and Claire's birthdays this year. I will probably do the same for all three, or maybe something different for Lexi, but Mady and Claire's will probably be very similar since they are sisters. They all already have minky blankets, and several outfits. Lexi has a stuffed dog and a t-shirt from Christmas. I had thought about stuffed kitties for Mady and Claire. Lexi, is NOT a girly girl, so anything "girly" doesn't work for her. Her big thing is dogs. She loves dogs. She also kind of likes her dad's race car. She kind of likes to draw and stuff so I thought about this or this. I just don't know. For some reason they are getting harder to figure things out for, but I need to get myself together pretty soon, because one has a birthday in April, and one at the beginning of May. Claire isn't until October, so I have some time there, at least.
Anybody got any ideas? Mady will be 4, Alexa and Claire will both be 7 this year.
Anybody got any ideas? Mady will be 4, Alexa and Claire will both be 7 this year.
Good Mail Day :)
I was lucky enough to get in on the giveaway that Amy Jo had at her blog. Today I got a wonderful box in the mail with all sorts of fun fabrics! There are several 1/4 yard pieces, some 1/2 yard, and a couple of larger ones.
I spent the evening ironing them and folding them to fit my stash cabinet and thinking about what to use for what. I have some ideas for some of them already.
I am thinking about using these together with some white for a quilt top. The orange I already had in my stash leftover from another quilt. Do you think they would work?
And to answer a couple of questions that have been asked... yes, I did get the fabric at Gruber's and the puppy dog pattern is from McCalls, it is m4893. It is pretty easy and a lot of fun to pick out the fabrics for them. Two fat quarters work well for it. I haven't tried the kitties, yet, but that may be coming soon :)
I spent the evening ironing them and folding them to fit my stash cabinet and thinking about what to use for what. I have some ideas for some of them already.
I am thinking about using these together with some white for a quilt top. The orange I already had in my stash leftover from another quilt. Do you think they would work?
And to answer a couple of questions that have been asked... yes, I did get the fabric at Gruber's and the puppy dog pattern is from McCalls, it is m4893. It is pretty easy and a lot of fun to pick out the fabrics for them. Two fat quarters work well for it. I haven't tried the kitties, yet, but that may be coming soon :)
We have borders...
This quilt top is done!
I had originally wanted to do a blue border on this quilt, but I couldn't find a blue that I liked that was a thirties repro print and gave enough visual texture to it, so I bought this red instead and I really like it a lot. There area couple of close ups so you can see it does have blue in it, so it works.
It has been inspected by the official inspector and apparently she likes it because she didn't want to move. LOL
I had originally wanted to do a blue border on this quilt, but I couldn't find a blue that I liked that was a thirties repro print and gave enough visual texture to it, so I bought this red instead and I really like it a lot. There area couple of close ups so you can see it does have blue in it, so it works.
It has been inspected by the official inspector and apparently she likes it because she didn't want to move. LOL
10:30 Check in
All ready for borders! Tomorrow's project is to square this up a bit and add borders to it, then this top will be finished!
We will be at church tomorrow morning so I won't be working on it until after lunch.
Good night everyone!
11:30 check in...
So far so good, but I don't have enough fabric for the side triangles, even if I did use a different color, I still don't have enough of a fabric that would work. (Note to self, buy more solid colored fabric...) So... its off to the fabric store for me, I guess. It's ok because, I have a couple of other errands that I need to run and they are all in the same part of town, anyway. I just hope I can get in and get out and be done fairly quickly. And yes, I DID cut too many 6.5 inch squares of the white which I why I don't have enough fabric for the side triangles. I think I used my original count and forgot that I had already cut some squares. That's what I get for not being very organized and having too many projects going at once! LOL. Oh well, I'm sure another project will come along that will use the squares. :)
Quiltathlon
I decided to join into this quiltathlon for at least part of this weekend. I only heard about it last night and I DO have some other things that I need to do this weekend, but it sounded like fun to join in, so here I am.
I decided to continue to work on this quilt this weekend. I got it all out and ironed it and put it up on the wall last night. I cut out the white blocks to go between the nine patch blocks last night only to realize that I either didn't buy enough white to do the side triangles for the on point setting, or I cut something wrong, as in too many of the white blocks. I ran out of room on the wall for the whole quilt, so I'm not sure yet if I have too many white blocks yet. We shall see. The blocks are finished 6 inch blocks, so the white squares are 6.5 inches. Anyone know if I can cut them in half diagonally to use for side triangles for an on point setting? Grrr... might have to make a run to the fabric store before it's all over this weekend!
I decided to continue to work on this quilt this weekend. I got it all out and ironed it and put it up on the wall last night. I cut out the white blocks to go between the nine patch blocks last night only to realize that I either didn't buy enough white to do the side triangles for the on point setting, or I cut something wrong, as in too many of the white blocks. I ran out of room on the wall for the whole quilt, so I'm not sure yet if I have too many white blocks yet. We shall see. The blocks are finished 6 inch blocks, so the white squares are 6.5 inches. Anyone know if I can cut them in half diagonally to use for side triangles for an on point setting? Grrr... might have to make a run to the fabric store before it's all over this weekend!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
