My "Newest" Singer

  I just have to show you my latest little Singer sewing machine.  I don't know if sewing machines 'find' anybody else, but they just seem to be drawn to me (as opposed to the other way around:) 

My pictures are a little off today - please excuse.

Well, this sweet little gem came to me pretty dirty.  It is the size of a featherweight and in the cabinet.  The handles on the cabinet are not original, but it is in overall good shape.  Rather than the foot pedal or treadle, it has the knee pedal - which I admit, this is the first one I have that way.  In case you didn't know, you can go on the singer website here and follow the prompts to date your machine.  They will even print out a certificate with your name and the serial number of your machine on it.  This one was made in 1910.  Now, I need to do this with a couple others.

I just have to show you a couple of the before shots - you know before the half of container of q-tips and alcohol and soap and water etc.

Yes, I know the hammer is down in the photo - I was working with the tension; the tension plates were stuck shut!  After I cleaned it, the stitches were perfect!  I can't wait to actually make something with it.  If you have a Singer, I would love to know what you are stitching on.

Baker City Quilt Show

I'm Baaack.  Just have to say it that way to wig you out a little:)  Baker was a blast as usual.  We arrived Friday morning and didn't even put our bags in the room.  We headed straight to the quilt show.  Many beautiful quilts.  First, we began by purchasing raffle tickets for the work of art behind us.  You can't really see the appliqued center, and this isn't the best picture of us, but it is the only one with all of us.  Oh well, we never claimed to be all together all together.  The two gals with name tags are Grace  & Virginia.  Both have been featured quilters and are highly deserving - very talented ladies.  The quality at this show is always remarkable and this year was no exception.  I was a little surprised at the number of "simple" designs this year.  It seems to go in waves.  I have been there when the complexity of nearly every quilt was over the top.

This is one of the quilts I voted for.  The applique would 'knock your socks off' so to speak.  Aaaand, the quilting truly enhanced it.  The quilt that received peoples choice was a different quilt made by the same maker. (Inez Lange)  Wow! 

This years featured quilter was Jess Berry.  He does fabulous work.  Mostly applique with piecing as accents and all hand quilted.  I adored the two little quilts with urns above.  He photographed then printed on fabric a couple from his collection.  They were hanging a little high, and I am somewhat vertically challenged so the view is not straight at them.

And I just thought this one was cute and merry.  What I didn't get a picture of was my own quilt - guess I thought I could look at it any ol' time.  I will have to get the camera out.  Also, a picture worth looking at was the trunk of the car.  Not another fat quarter would have fit, and that's with the quilts in the back seat.  Our bounty was plenty:)

I hope you are having a beautiful day.

JoeyLea

Berries, Babes, and Bags

Good Morning,  I just had to share a couple of things with you.  First, I found these adorable little dolls in John Day at 'A Little Bit of Europe.'  They were made in Germany, and I just couldn't resist.  I'm not entirely sure just what I will do with them yet, but finding 3 that are the same is so rare.  That was my find for the day.  

Theeeen, I picked a few raspberries.  It took a little while, but I did it.  They are now all safe and sound in their freezer bags - except for the ones that will be eaten soon.  If your screen were only a scratch-n-sniff.  Okay, wait.  That makes for a disturbing image, funny, but disturbing:)  A really quick recipe for summer. 

Bramble Berry Pie: About 4-5 cups raspberries, black berries, blue berries (whatever you have.)  Mix in 1 container strawberry glaze and dump it all in a graham cracker crust.  Chill for about an hour.  Top with ice cream or whipped cream.  MMMmmmm

Lastly, my bags are packed, and I'm ready to go. Watch out Baker City.  Here we come!!!  Quilts, fabric, stitching, antiques, mocha...  Does life get any better than that?  

Wishing you all a fabricilious weekend,

JoeyLea

Just a quick blog on the run.  Over the weekend, we kidnapped the niecelings and took them to the King Tut Exhibition in Seattle, Washington.  We all enjoyed it - highly recommend it while it is in the US.  We then brought them home to pick on, spoil, enjoy, and share time with.  
On a little more sober note, please say a prayer for those fighting and affected by all the lightening fires.  Another last night - as a large portion of the state is burning, my brother and sister-in-law were called out to help fight a fire last night and got in this morning at 6AM.  At least, this blaze is now contained.  I am meeting them half way to take the nieces home today, a little later than planned so they can sleep on the other end.  
On a lighter note, 2 more days until Baker City quilt show.  Counting down:)
Tootles for now,
JoeyLea

Wool Crazy Quilt

Good Morning.  I hope you are all recovering from the wacky holiday week.  I am so happy; I finally found some crazy quilt blogs.  As I said to Pat from Pat Winter's Gatherings, "I knew I couldn't be the only crazy one."  I am nearly finished with one crazy that I thought would be simple, but has turned into quite the challenge - more about that one later.  The one I am anxious to continue on is the one in the bag.

Yes, this is the bag.  To give you an idea of the actual size, it is the bag for my printer (like anyone would pack around a printer???) 

I have the blocks made-up.  They are 14 or 16 inches square (can't remember off the top of my head.)  I made them using all wool, solid colors, recycled/upcycled garments.  I did dye a few of the pieces to get a little  more color variation.  I couldn't resist.  I started stitching on it.  My thing is that I don't use the same stitch on any two seams within the same block.  

 I know that one is smaller than the others:(

 Another thing I did when making these blocks, is use red in the center - represents the hearth of the home.  I like that.  I will be adding 'pictures' to the blocks, but that will be the last thing I do, because I will want to lay all the blocks out and see where the pictures need to be and decide just what kind of picture will need to be in that space:)  Just a me thing.  I have began my own journal of stitches in a real journal given to me to write down my inner most thoughts - stitches work!  I have a few crazy quilts to refer to and jot those stitches down as well as ones I come up with out of necessity.  There are a few books that I just cherish also.

'An Encyclopedia of Crazy Quilt Stitches and Motifs'  This is a great book for beginners.  It has a lot of the basics and I use it often to make sure I have the needle turned just right or just to remember something I should know. 

'Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stitches' is amazing!  This was my birthday present to myself a couple years ago.  Love it!

And 'Elegant Stitches' has a lot of embellishing for the finer side as well as ribbon embroidery and some stumpworkish sort of stitching.  This one is a little more advanced, but has great illustrations for making even basic stitches.  You could use this book from beginner to advanced stages of stitching.  Okay, so this really makes me want to go thread my needle.

So, until next time - happy stitches.