Sunday, August 14, 2011

A Long Overdue Finish and Machines I Love

Yes, yes, I know - it's been another month since I posted.  Where has the time gone?  Well, I am not sure where it's gone, but it blew by in a nanosecond!!  It's been like a real whirlwind around here.  DD's theater performances, my sister's visit and we're now on the home stretch in getting DS out the door for college next week.  So all things crafty have been put on the back burner to simmer.  But I do have a finish!!  Woo Hoo!


Sun and Moon
The Scarlett Letter
DMC threads and 35 ct. Edinborough PTP Legacy Linen

Now seriously, this poor piece should have been finished a month ago.  There's just not that much to it.  But, besides the time constraints lately, that border was a nightmare (many frogging issues going on with that border), and as I mentioned in my last post, if I put arrows on this thing to point out mistakes, you wouldn't be able to see the poor design.  But I'm happy with it, so to me it's a wrap - mistakes and all!!!

In my delirium of finishing something, instead of going back to something that I had been working on before (like Mary Allen - sorry Loraine!!), I started a new Adam and Eve piece since I just love those two people in Eden, so I started Ann Hall (pix flinched borrowed from the SL site):

And this is how much I've accomplished so far:


I'm loving this so far, but wonder how long it's going to take me to get burnt out on this border.  We all know that I am "She Who Hates Borders",  but so far it's been fun!

Quilting/Sewing has just about come to a dead standstill.  I did manage to get one block done for my Month 3 of the CWC quilt (and I'm at least three or four months behind).  This month I have to make four blocks (with a lot of those dreaded HSTs).  Block 1:


Block 2 in pieces because I made a mistake and the block came out too small.  Easily remedied, but still lying on the cutting table in pieces after pulling it apart:

Blocks 3 & 4 still in pieces.  What can I say?

I also started a fun project - or what I thought would be fun, but I ran into some problems with the pattern (I hate when that happens) and only have it partially put together after thumping my head against the table because I thought it was I making the mistakes, not the pattern's fault:

What is this you wonder?  Well, I'm not saying right now, but it's the beginning of a couple things - now collecting dust on the crafting table.  Sigh - how I would love some sewing time!!!  So that's it for craft things for me in the past month.  Pretty pathetic I know.  But I'm hoping that in another couple of weeks I can get back to sewing.  I really miss it.

My sister came in for a week or so and we did our normal antique/barn sale thing.  I really didn't find all that much, but something fun that did happen before she came had to do with those machines I love - sewing machines.  First a couple that I found recently, but not while my sister was here:

It's a Lindstrom Little Miss Sewing Machine.  It was made in the 30's and the little girl is suppose to be Shirley Temple.  I was so excited to find it.  It still works and is in pretty good shape.  You'll see on the hand wheel that someone wrote their name on it.  I can only make out the first name - Winoma.  Makes you wonder about the little girl that used this machine.  Then a couple weeks later, I found this tiny machine:

The hand wheel actually turns and the needle still goes up and down.  And better yet - it was only $1.00.

But the biggest and most exciting purchase was this:

A vintage 1951 Singer 301 machine!  Woo Hoo.  I've wanted one for a long time.  There is a wonderful story concerning this machine.  It involves a little bird - a little Bluebird to be exact, and a friend.  And luck was on my side in looking for things at just the right time.  I'll share that story the next time because the story still isn't over, but I was just overjoyed at my new acquisition!!  I've been so busy that I've barely gotten time to test it out (just a test run on my kitchen island of all places), but a quick run of it sounded so nice - it purred like a kitten.  And she came with a name - Samantha.  Hopefully it will be in its new home by my next post.  

Besides my sister's visit (and I'll show you my meager antique haul next time) and DD's theater performances, my son turned 18 and leaves next week for college.  To combine the two events, we celebrated both occasions with a cake.  I'd like to take credit for the decorating of the cake, but I haven't decorated a cake since my kids were young.  I left it up to the bakery:

Go Nick and Go MSU!  Actually, I was really hoping for a cake in Maize and Blue (U of M's colors), but he's going to college and that's all that matters.  Speaking of which, he still hasn't heard from U of M, so maybe there's hope in the future.  I told his sister that she really needed to give him a kiss for his birthday, and she did - notice the hand between her and her brother's cheek - so she doesn't get cooties or something:

And then her falling over after doing it laughing:

Kids - what are you going to do with them?  Anyway, I know that she's going to miss him a lot, although she did confide in me that she was going to turn his bedroom into her shoe closet!  LOL

Well, that's it for me!  Sorry that I haven't been leaving comments on everyone's blogs.  I have managed to get in and lurk around, but honestly no time to comment.  I did figure out what my blogging problems were - using another search engine.  Seems Safari decided that it didn't like blogs any longer, so I switched to Google Chrome and it works like a charm!  Anyway, after I get my DS off to college, things will settle down around here.  It's a lot of work getting these kids off to college, and my dining room looks like a disaster area with all the boxes ready to go up to school.  But he'll be gone in just 9 short days (sniff, sniff).   I'm sad and he can't wait!!  

One thing I did realize when I did have time to get into blogs, is that I'm coming up on three years of blogging!  I'm having a hard time believing that!  And now am over 600 followers!!!  Wow, where did everyone come from?  I can't wait to have some time to visit all your blogs and see what you are up to.  So in light of 3 years of blogging and the new followers, I'll probably have a giveaway to thank all of you for the wonderful comments you have left and encouragement when I've needed uplifting.  Maybe not quite on my blogoversary, but soon after.  

Hope that you have a wonderful week, and thank you for all your comments even when I do fall off the face of the earth for a while.  They do mean so much to me!!

50 comments:

Ineke said...

You did manage to do some beautiful stitching and quilting during this busy month. Next blocks of CWC quilt are more easy to do ;o)

WoolenSails said...

Wonderful pieces, I do love biblical stories in cross stitch pieces. I still need to do mine up with the cross stitch maker. Maybe I can get to that this week, want to keep them simple and epatterns so I can keep the cost down.

Debbie

Catherine said...

Great stitches! Love the quilty goodies too and - wow - those sewing machines are great!!! The Singer is like my mother's and she still uses hers!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
So good to hear from you! I don't know how you get done what you do with two active teenagers. Good luck to your son! I'm sure he will do just fine.
LOVE the sewing machines!!! I've never seen a teeny one like that before.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

barbara said...

What a gorgeous finish - congratulations on fitting it in with so many other wonderful things going on in life. :) And I love your newest start, too. :)

Myra said...

It is such a busy time of year, isn't it? My boys are heading back to college next week too - the summer has just flown by. Love your finish and there you are starting another beauty. Cute pics of the kids - you gotta just love em!

Courtney said...

hey, MSU, I went there!! I live in Lansing - if there's anything I can do to help out, let me know!!

Cole said...

Beautiful finish, and new start too!

Jenny said...

Debbie, I love A&E samplers too and I adore Scarlet Letter, so your latest finish was a real treat to see!
Have fun with the new one too.

The quilting is wonderful and love the cake. All the sudden I feel the urge to eat something sweet... LOL

marly said...

Oh my - the fabrics in the quilt are amazing together. Beautiful. The Sun and Moon gave you a frog fest! It looks great and I'll bet you were glad to finish the piece. That old Singer - was my mom's model. Good luck to your son!

Penny said...

I love Scarlet Letter and your Sun and Moon finish is beautiful. Love the old sewing machines.

BrendaS said...

Deb --
You have been a busy woman but all in a good way! Love your Adam & Eve finish. A finish is a finish, mistakes and all and it looks great to me:))

Glad you had a good time with your sister and trying to get your son off to college is a lot of work. I remember trying to get my girls off each year and all the shopping and packing and chaos before they left, but it will get better:)))

Have a great week.

Siobhán said...

Woohoo!! Congratulations on the finish! I love it. Your new WIP is gorgeous, too. I've had the chart for a few years and hope to get to it before another few years is up. ;)

Love the quilty WIPs, too! I am glad you had such a good time with your sister. Best of luck with all the stuff that goes with getting Nick off to college, and big hugs to you, too.

Mary Ann said...

I am similarly four months behind on CWC and am thrilled to hear from Ineke they get easier :-) Congratulations on three years of blogging, stitching and quilting!

Sherry :o) said...

I love your finish - and your start, Deb! And if there are not mistakes, it wouldn't be your individual creation. I read in a book somewhere that Amish leave the mistakes in their quilts because only God is perfect...

Hope your visit was good with sister - we missed you today! Got to visit with so many people I haven't seen forever (including Julie and Terri!

Good luck seeing your now 18 year old son off to school. Mine turns 18 tomorrow - sniff, sniff - I agree! Seems like just yesterday he was just going to school for the first time - now community college here he comes!

Love the shoe closet idea!

Love your quilt blockes and the pinkish/red one with tiny squares is awesome - can't wait to see what you make with them.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Sun and Moon came out fantastic! I can't tell at all that it gave you trouble. It's beautiful!

I can't never get my blocks exactly the size they need to be. Ugh! The sewing machines are cute, glad you were able to score the one you'd been looking for.

Your son going off to college is a major change for your family. It'll be different but you'll adjust just fine.

Melissa said...

Deb, love both the A&E pieces! I've written both down so one day maybe I'll get to stitch one!

What a great antique sewing machine haul you got! Lucky you!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congrats on wrapping up Sun and Moon...it looks wonderful. Hope you enjoy stitching Ann Hall as much as I did. You'll survive the border.
Love the quilt block too.
You have been busy.

Annie said...

Yea for a lovely finish despite all that's going on. The new A&E looks like a fun piece too.

And what amazing little sewing machine finds. Who knew that Shirley Temple was a stitcher! ;-)

samplerlover said...

Congratulations on finishing Sun & Moon. I know how much trouble you had with this one, but it was worth all of the pain. Hope Ann Hall is kinder to you. She is also a lovely one.
You find the most amazing sewing machines lol. I bet they all look lovely in your sewing room.
Happy birthday to Nick. I am sure that he had a wonderful birthday lol. I wish him well on his next new adventure at College. - Sandra.

Margaret said...

Love your Sun and Moon finish-- it's gorgeous! But I find it totally unfair how you always manage to find these totally cool tiny sewing machines. sigh.... Loooove them!!!! Your quilting stuff looks nice -- sorry you don't have the time to sit and sew like you want. Good luck getting your DS to college and happy belated birthday to him too!

Mindi said...

I'm with you, I totally despise stitching repetitive borders, but put up with it since they usually look great at the end. I love both the finish and the new start. I've recently gotten on an A&E kick myself.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Deb, your finish is gorgeous!

Love you sewing machines. I have one that I really don't know what to do with that is about 20 years old, a Singer. Not vintage, but old.

Glad you had a good time with your sister. Summer did go by pretty fast.

Jennifer

Andrea said...

Your SL Sun & Moon sampler finish is just gorgeous! I love that one and you did a great job on it!
Your other WIP is coming along nicely, good work! That's another one I hope to get some day.

That picture of your kiddos, too funny. Your son is very handsome, better watch out, lol!

Wow, 600 followers, you go girl!! That's awesome! Your blog is fabulous, that's why we all follow you :)

xoxo

Loraine said...

Oh Deb! What a great post. I think you've done quite a bit this month, despite your hectic schedule. Your sampler is wonderful, and I love your new start too!
Okay, I need to come to Michigan, and find a sewing machine! You have quite a wonderful collection now. Show us all of them together! I have the little one that you bought for a dollar. I've had it since I was probably 10 years old, and it's a pencil sharpener. I used it for a Barbie sewing machine. So cute.
I've got teary eyed reading about your son leaving soon. I hope all goes well for him and your family. It's a huge transition. Tell Nick Happy Birthday from me. Love the cake.
Many hugs to you dear friend. I'll write more later. :)

valerie said...

Beautiful finish, start and quilting! How exciting to find all those machines too! Happy birthday to Nick and good luck on his transition to college. How exciting!

Yvette said...

You are an amazing cross-stitcher. Beautiful work! Your CWC is coming along, those blocks are not easy.

Sylvia said...

Oh your Sun & Moon is gorgeous - no need to point out the mistakes! LOL.

You picked another wonderful sampler to stitch as your next design, and those quilt blocks, stunning!!

Gabi said...

What a gorgeous finish. Sun and Moon looks fantastic. There aren't any faults in it!!! It's the chart that's wrong.
Your new start looks as lovely too.

Your month does sound like so very busy. Wishing your son lots of fun at college. And of course Happy belated Birthday to him.
Your quilting still looks lovely. Your dust collector looks lovely too. Gorgeous color I might add.

Bertie said...

The sampler is gorgeous, congrats, and your new WIP looks to die for:)
Beautiful quilt pieces, stunning in fact:)
Congratulations on your son's 18th, a milestone for them!
Oooooh your sewing machines, what treasures!!

Quiltingranny said...

Who said summers were a time for a parent to relax? I spent more time packing and unpacking for my grandchildrens trips here and there. Love the machines! I just picked up a Singer Treadle can't wait to learn how to use it!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Wonderful finish, Deb! So funny that we both ordered the chart at the same time. So not funny that you're done before I even take mine out of the packgage! Love your new start, too! Your quilt looks great even though I don't get all the lingo.

Happy Birthday to Nick - he looks so handsome and the pic of him and Catie couldn't be cuter!

Love your new toy sewing machines -I found another one as well. And of course, your new "real" sewing machine is fabulous! Yeah, you!!

Katrina said...

What a pretty finish!!!! I love it and your new start is gorgeous :-). Pretty quilt squares too.

Your sewing machine collection is amazing!!!! And happy birthday to your son.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

If your stitching is at a standstill...I'd love to see what its like when its at a complete stop! Looks like you've gotten LOADS done and I love that finish! Love the start...and your finds are awesome!!

Giovanna said...

Congrats on the glorious finish! And what a great new start.

Juels said...

You have been a very busy girl, Deb! And it really is hard to resist a good Adam and Eve sampler, even if others call for attention first :-). CWC looks great. You are so good at the piecing. It's lovely! I am working Farmers Wife and love each block. Although I can't believe how long some take to put together!

Happy Birthday, Nick! And Happy soon-to-be blogoversary to you, Deb!

Natalia said...

Great finishes, Deb !!! I love your WIPs too. You have been busy. I have to tell you, though, that my favorite thing in this post is your son's t-shirt !!! :-)

Lois said...

Yes, I've just recently changed over to Google Chrome and seem to have finally got rid of all the blogger problems I was having. I'm still getting the hang of it though (using Chrome as my browser), every so often I go back to my comfort zone of IE for some things!!!! Great finds, lovely quilt blocks, congrats to your son on his 18th (that pic of the kiss was too funny!!!!) and well done on a lovely stitchy finish!!!!

Sherry said...

Congratulations on the finish! I love all your quilting fabrics and blocks. Happy birthday to your son!

Michelle said...

Gorgeous finish!! I've been eyeing that one for awhile and may have to start it sooner rather than later. Love your new start too. I'm sure your sewing will still be waiting for you when things calm down a bit. Happy birthday to Nick!

mdgtjulie said...

Good Lord, sounds like you have been really busy!!! I don't know what to comment on first, lol. Grats on the finish. Boy, do the apples on the tree pop. That's a great shade of red!!! And I like the colors in your new start too. That border looks great! Hopefully, no frogger problems with that this time!! Happy eighteenth birthday to Nick! I hope he enjoys college and does well, and I hope you adjust quickly. I'd bet it will be hard for you. You'll have to fill your time with other things. Like sewing! Love your Civil War Chronicles quilt blocks. They look great. And so does your surprise. I don't know what it will be, but the color is great!

Susan said...

Sometimes life just takes over, doesn't it? I love those CW blocks and am in awe of your ability to make such small, yet perfect half square triangles.

Good luck to your son (and you) as he heads off to college! The next four years will go quickly!

Sally said...

Sun and Moon is stunning! Congratulations on your finish!

Nice new start too:)

Anonymous said...

Whoa! Now that's some stitching! Thanks for stopping by Nouveau Stitch and for the Tigers shout-out! As you know every game counts these days! And a Nick going to MSU? I have one of those but by Nick turns 30 next month. I swear it was last week we dropped him off at the dorm even though we only lived a few miles away. MSU is a great choice! My alma mater too!

Thanks again for stopping by. I can't tell if you live close to me or not but I'm guessing you're not in the Lansing area....

Ellen

Quiltingranny said...

Hi Deb. Stop by my blog and enter to win a beautiful Its a Blessing Bracelet. If you don't wear jewelry give it to someone who does!http://quiltingranny.blogspot.com/2011/08/interview-with-shannon-creator-of-its.html

♥marylin♥ said...

c'est vraiment magnifique !
bisous mon amie

Karoline said...

Sun and Moon is lovely, congratulations and a great new start on Ann

Berit said...

Machine Heaven! And, congrats to the family on the milestone birthday!

Anonymous said...

Love your samplers. Those sewing machine finds are truly great!!! I have an old Sears Kenmore that's about 45 years old. I still love it.

Anonymous said...

I am working on Nora Corbett's Halloween Fairy from Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine a couple of years ago.