Exciting Acquisitions

The last few days have seen a couple of exciting acquisitions for me! On Friday I brought home something in this little box. Can you guess what it is?

Yep! It's a featherweight!

 

 

It is even has the manual and a few attachments.

 

 

 

This machine runs nicely and I can't wait to use it for a whole project! The carrying case stinks a bit and so we're airing it out to try to see if that helps. After some research, that the drip pan pad on the base of the machine may be the culprit and by replacing it and letting the case air out in the sun may solve the problem. Now, if we just had some sun.  :-)

 

I've been feeling the desire for a featherweight and treadle for quite a while, but have not actively searched for either of them. I think it's funny and pretty darn cool that this machine just "showed up" and presented itself to me and now I own it!  

 

So, yesterday Lynn called me and asked if I knew anything about a sewing machine named "Damascus Grand" because her sister-in-law had one she was putting in the community garage sale. They knew nothing about it except that it was in a wooden stand, it was old and looked pretty cool. Lynn wondered if I was interested in buying it. After a quick internet search, I found out a little bit about it and told Lynn that if it was in decent shape, the parts moved and there was a bobbin case I'd be interested in it. We discussed a price (really low) and told Jess that if someone offered her more, take it.

 

Look what Lynn and Ty brought over today!

 

 

 

I now have a Damascus Grand treadle sewing machine!!!

 



 

We had to play with the chain to get the machine to open up properly and once that was fixed we were able to examine the machine a little more closely. As you can see, the stand needs some work and the whole things needs a good cleaning. We know it needs a new belt and I'm sure a couple of other things but I'm excited.

 

This has a lot of attachments and it even has a manual for using them.

 



 

Isn't it really neat that both of these machines appeared within a matter of days? I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time reading about these machines and learning a lot. I've found a number of websites that should help and I think I'm going to check the library and Amazon.

 

Did I tell you that I'm excited about these machines?

Design Wall Monday and More

I threw some leftover flying geese blocks from my Totally Decaffeinated up last night and started playing around. I'm not sure if I'm going to use them, but I have five or six star blocks left as well. I'm done with both the top and back of the Totally Decaffeinated quilt and it's ready to be quilted this afternoon, but for some reason I never took a picture of the finished pieces. I guess I'll just post them after it's quilted.

Here are two potential layouts so far, although I don't really like either one. Just remember that I'm playing here and don't ask me why there are only six flying geese on the bottom right row....

 

 

My thoughts here for the first picture are that more flying geese would be added to the sides to create "boxes" that house the star blocks. I have the geese, but just didn't put them up. In the bottom picture, I thought about the same "boxes" but not including the stars. In the open space I would quilt something special.

 

These are all scrappy and anything that I add would probably be as well. Any thoughts? I'm open to suggestions.

 

And now for the MORE mentioned above...

 

I am so blessed! 

 

I told you HERE and HERE about the wonderful packages I've recently received in the mail, well I was completely blown away on Friday when I received another one. Check out what Alice sent me.

Ten fat quarters from Andover Fabrics Fairmount Park collection!

 

 

I met Alice last March/April while I was attending the Judy Niemeyer workshop at Tennessee Quilts. She and I sat next to each other for the last two sessions and I really enjoyed talking to her. We've "messaged" each other on Facebook now and then, but it's been a while since we've even done that. (Any by the way, she does a wonderful job of piecing quilts and has a great color sense.)

 

Alice sent along a very nice note that touched me very much. It's almost like she knew that I've been fondling some of the greys and muted fabrics in my stash trying to decide what to do. When these arrived, I just knew it was a sign to get something going. I have narrowed down my ideas and hopefully will start some cutting later this week. I'll keep you posted. THANKS ALICE!!

 

As I type this, I have two dear friends dealing with loved ones who have some serious medical issues. I feel pretty darn helpless in being able to do something for them, but I also feel so fortunate to not be facing the same type of situations with my loved ones. I know it's easy to forget about the fragility of life, but these two situations have really grounded me. I need to step back and recognize that it's not the end of the world when that big piece of fabric I bought to use as a backing has a major flaw right down the middle. Really, it's not that big of a deal when you put things in perspective.

 

I have a wonderful family and great friends. I have a passion for quilting that just keeps on growing and overall, LIFE IS GOOD! I sure hope you feel the same way. And remember that if you or a loved one is struggling, there are people who care.

 

Check out what other quilters have on their design walls today.

Go to Judy L's Patchwork Times. 

Inspiration!

I've been playing around a bit trying to organize my work area better and I like how I've added a few inspirational items. I've had the picture of Mom on my sewing area since it was given to me but it has often been pushed to the back and not visible.

I really needed something to contain the cord around my light (which my brother Jerry gave me for my birthday) so the controller is easier to use and the big flashy diamond ring from Mom is the perfect solution. See the flower in the pencil holder? Mom made that for me a few years back and it's the top of a pen. I use it frequently and since the flower is removable, it's easy to transfer it to a new pen when needed.



 

I have a picture of Dad close by too. It's on the left side of the sewing machine just under my embroidery thread. I've always like this picture!

 



  

Maybe it's because Mother's Day is fast approaching, but I sure do miss Mom, Dad and John. This little set-up is helping me feel like they are close by, providing even more inspiration and are my constant sewing partners.

Another Squishy Received!

Getting the mail the last few days has been really fun! Even though there have been some bills in there (YUCK!), there has also been some squishy goodness.

I don't often buy kits, but about a week ago, I ordered and received a kit that I ordered from Creative Quilt Kits.  This is an Alphabet Soup Quilt pattern by AD Designs and I had some contact with Alicia DeBello, the designer. She was really easy to deal with and if you'd like to see all of her patterns click here. She'll gladly e-mail you a pdf catalog.

I added the black fabric because I'm thinking about using that instead of the little grey and red squares that are in the center of the letters. We'll see. I have a couple of people that would really like OSU quilts and since I have another pattern also, they won't get the same quilt. YEAH!

Remember this post when I showed my winnings from Loris at Lucky Pup Quilter? I just started reading the book and am enjoying it so far.

If you can believe it, yesterdays mail included more fun stuff! Check this out.

 

I won this from Cathi at Quilt Obsession during her April Showers Blog Hop giveaway. Be sure to check out what she made using the fabrics above by clicking HERE.

 

I know the squishy goodness mail call has come to an end (unless I get busy and order more kits), but it sure has been fun. I hope you get enjoy some goodness soon too!

Mail Call

Look what showed up in my mail today.

 

I won this last week from Loris - Lucky Pup Quilter. I can't wait to get reading!

 

Thanks Loris!

I sure hope you get a surprise, good news, or at least no bills in your mail today. :-)

Design Wall Monday

I subbed today and forgot to take a picture last night so this post is kind of late in the day. It doesn't really matter, since the project is still up on the wall.

I'm working on the backing to my version of Totally Decaffeinated, which has the borders on but is too big for me to get a picture right now. Here's what I have so far.

 

I like the design, but really dislike that light fabric. I'm not sure where I got it or when, but it is so thin that I've decided I can't use it. I'm really disappointed because I had enough of it and I wanted to use it. I just know that I won't be happy if I continue on with this fabric, so I guess some of tonight will be spent looking for light/neutral fabrics. 

 

Check out what other quilters have on their design walls today.

Go to Judy L's Patchwork Times

April Showers Blog Hop Winner!

The random number generator has picked #75 as the winner of the half yard of baseball fabric that I am giving away as part of my April Showers Blog Hop post.

 

Congratulations

DeAnna S. who said...
           Really cute mug rugs! The baseball is great and a perfect coaster size. Thanks for sharing
           and for the giveaway chance.

An e-mail has been sent to DeAnna. Thanks to everyone who played along and enjoyed the wonderful mug rug creations.

Check back here often, as I plan to have more giveaways.