FeatherWeight--

"No one is in charge of your happiness but you"  Life Lessons According to Regina

 

 

I read blog posts from Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville and she is in heaven with her sewing machines.  She is always writing about her search for Featherweight machines. 

One day it finally hit me!! I have a featherweight machine!  It was my Grandmother's and it's in the closet!  Of course, all sundry of boxes are parked on top of it, so over time I've just become used to not "Seeing" it!  If you know what I mean..............  But there is the case

and I open it up to see these goodies from my Granny. See that light blue folded paper on top?  That's the bill of sale! 

It looks in pretty good shape--haven't sewn with it yet.  I do remember that right after my Granny died, my mother gave me the machine--that has been over 30 years ago.  I really need to see if it still works.  There are plenty of places where you can get service these days.

Granny paid a total of $138 for this machine.

And she bought it in 1948--$138 was a lot of money in those days!  I'm so happy I remembered about this 'forgotten' machine!  and I'm thankful mother thought to give it to me! 

Another Set from QAL

"When it comes to going after what you love in life.....don't take no for an answer"  Life Lessons According to Regina

Okay, we have been working in our spare (!) time to build these quilt blocks!  The pattern calls for squares cut 3 7/8" and then cut across diagonal.  I always hate cutting anything at 7/8", so usually go up to the full inch, sew and then trim.

For these, the HSTs will finish at 3.5" so I found my paper HSTs to sew and away we go!

6.5" square; easy to square up

Here are my flying geese--3.5"x 6.5" rectangles.  We are through steps 3, 4 & 5.  The finish is near--just need to find more SPARE time to sew!

Am I Blue??!!

"Be eccentric now...Don't wait for old age to wear purple"  Life Lessons According to Regina

Am I Blue?!  Of course, NOT!

But, I'm seeing blue when at our last spinners gathering, Penny brought her lovely basket of yarns that she had recently dyed with indigo.

Can I say--I really really love these yarns!  Especially that one in the front with the variations!

Penny even dyed her t-shirt with indigo.  Go visit Penny at Sky Loom Weavers  She can dye you a indigo blue yarn or -t-shirt if you so desire!!

Eco-Dyeing

." Over prepare, then go with the flow"  Life Lessons According to Regina

Have you been following this 'new' trend in dyeing cloth?  Of course, there is nothing new when it comes to dyeing.  Eco-dyeing has been around for hundreds of years.  Take a look at these pins--Linda Mathews on Eco Dyeing

Rosemary had a good time doing her eco dyeing samples on wool felt.  She used a variety of plant materials

She is thinking of a jacket made from her squares.  Try your hand at this easy method of dyeing with natural materials.  Check out this Eco Dyeing Workshop

Downton Abbey QAL

"It's never too late to have a happy childhood.....But the second one is up to you and no one else"  Life Lessons According to Regina

Here is block 2 of Downton Abbey QAL--there are three or four choices but I choose medley so I have a sample of each block for the quilt. 

Here are two more blocks.

Points Do Matter................

"Get rid of anything that isn't useful , beautiful or joyful" Life Lessons According to Regina

 

 

 

Our Expatchers group is working on a French Braid Quilt as a gift.  It is a joint project with the members and sewing has been intense!  One section of the braid has been completed so it is time to trim off the points.

 

Brenda is lining up the ruler 1/4" away from the section--

She makes sure the ruler is lined up all long the length before she cuts

She has trimmed up the section

Now, to make sure it is 1/4" away from the main section--good trimming Brenda.  Points do matter.

The big reveal will come later.

1083 Stitches Later.......................

"Take a deep breath....It calms the mind"  Life Lessons According to Regina


Okay, I took the plunge--at first, I thought I would wait, but then again why wait??  Then again, I'm behind a month.. The thought just kept nagging at me--'do it!  Cast on 1083 stitches.  You can do it!'

Yes, I can!  It took several evenings but here is 1083 stitches--at least, I hope there are 1083.  I put a marker at 100 stitches to keep track and not count 1083!

This is well aged yarn that I got at Brown Sheep Factory Store.  I have three skeins--will only hope it will be enough to finish this mystery project.  If not, we'll come up with something else.  Not to worry now, we are going with 1083 stitches and February's knitting clue from Ravelry group--KOM Rivers Knitting Guild is associated with TKGA located in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Orphan Train

"Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry.... God never blinks" Life Lessons According to Regina

 

I recently completed this interesting book about the Orphan Train.  This was a part of American history from 1853-1930; more than 120,000 children between the ages of 6 and 18 were removed from slums and city streets--mostly, from New York City and taken to the Midwest. 

Very controversial program to say the least. 

I have the copy of the book if you want to read it--just let me know.

Happy Mardi Gras!

 

"Don't audit life....Show up and make the most of it now"  Life Lessons According to Regina

 

 

 

This is the BIG day of celebrations!  It is Fat Tuesday!  It comes once a year, but we party like no tomorrow!  All ends at midnight!  

Happy Mardi Gras!  

How will you celebrate before Lent?

Slow Progress

." If a relationship has to be a secret, then you shouldn't be in it"  Life Lessons According to Regina




It has definitely been a slow month for any progress on my projects!  There are so many things on the 'TO DO" list and I'm only able to check off one, which is the first block of Downton Abbey QAL by Love Bug Studios

It's a large block--20.5"x20.5"  I like working with this size--

Modern Quilt Con!

" Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about."  Life Lessons According to Regina


A group of Expatchers are heading to Quilt Con!  The conference begins February 19th and it is being held in Austin, TX.  Alas, this will be the last year QuiltCon will be held in Austin for awhile.

I know it's a good thing it is moving to West and East Coast.  But, I'm sad too!  I love being in Austin--now, I'll need another excuse to be there!

 

Sweet Valentines!

." When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile"  Life Lessons According to Regina

 

 

Sweethearts! Share time together with flowers, chocolates, dinner at a special place!  

Hope your day is filled with sweet treats!  

 

 

Here is another treat for you!

 

Cool hearts from Ms. Ellaneous Crafts a Life

Whose a scary cat?

"It's OK to let your children see you cry"  Life Lessons According to Regina

Friday the 13th, also known as Black Friday in some countries, is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday. There is no written evidence for a "Friday the 13th" superstition before the 19th century, and the superstition only gained widespread distribution in the 20th century. The fear of the number 13 has been given a scientific name: triskadekaphobia; and on analogy to this the fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia, from the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή, meaning "Friday"), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς, meaning "thirteen)


Why?? Where did the origins of our fear of Friday 13th come from?  Good Luck today!!

Memories!

"Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present"  Life Lessons According to Regina

 

 

We are in the process of cleaning up my mother's home as she has moved to Assisted Living.  It's amazing what you find in a 94 year old possession.  I've uncovered many papers, lots of magazines, interesting old photos and on the kitchen cabinet--in a corner I found this!!

 

I jumped with joy!  This was my favorite recipe box back in early 1970's.  I had bought two--one for myself (which was lost in 1976 fire) and this one for mother.   Asphodel Plantation, built 1830, was the place to enjoy a good lunch.  Oh my goodness--I remember the many times we ventured to plantation area in East Feliciana parish - near Jackson and St Francisville.  Louisiana.  Now, I learn that Asphodel Plantation is Movie Studio--still has B&B and there is a small café--wonder if they include some of Marcelle "Nootsie" Couhig's recipe.

And there is the BEST recipe ever for fresh baked bread!  Quick bread!  there was nothing like Asphodel Bread!  Once again we'll enjoy this recipe!

 

 

 

 

                                                        

 

 

Quilting With Pat

"Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present"  Life Lessons According to Regina


Quilt Along with Pat Sloan

February block is titled "Toes in the Sand" but to me it looks much like a heart--so appropriate for February!

 

Here is my January Block--"Down on the Boardwalk".  I've decided to use western fabric.  I think maybe the background is a little too busy, so it might be a redo.
Maybe, you'll want to join along.  The January block was an easy block to construct. 

 

Colorwork knitting--NOT!

"It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it."  Life Lessons According to Regina

Each month I promised myself I would try a new technique (to me).  Last month it was learning the "magic loop".  Needless, to say, I didn't!  So that will go into another month's column of learning.  This month I decided to try my hand at Colorworks knitting!  It was one of 12 hats in 12 weeks patterns from Meagheen Ryan Design on Ravelry.

 

 

Okay, I'll give it a try.  I have some grey alpaca and red wool to give some contrast.  I've marked each section so I can keep up with the pattern.

 

I just think I'm not cut out to knit Colorwork!  my inside is a mess--a tangle of red!  I tried to keep the cross over just at two stitches.  I'll finish the hat, but think I might need more practice--sometime to try in the future--

ALL Thumbs!

"Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck"  Life Lessons According to Regina

 

When it comes to knitting socks on two circulars, I have a mind block!  No, I can do it!  It just takes me some time sorting out the hows.  

I began Buttercup Heroes sock pattern from Ravelry with white (figured I can dye later) on 4 needles.  This is the way I usually begin, thinking I might do one sock at a time.  After the first clue, I know I can knit two on two circulars--okay, here's when the all thumbs problem comes into effect.  I always always get the second one on wrong!  It is never going the same way as the first one!  drats!  I need to go back to short needles and re-add to the circular,  you would think after all these years, I could get it right!

Do You Journal?

"Pay off your credit cards every month"  Life Lessons According to Regina


Do you keep a record of your daily life?  Write down your thoughts?  Save your ideas? 
As a teen, I had a diary!  oh, yes, one of those little booklets that could be locked by a small key--Yes!  But, almost anyone could open that lock with a toothpick.  My brothers could read my most inner thoughts, dreams, inspirations--oh, and heaven forbid, if mother read it! 

Today, we call it "Journaling"!  yes, it's still the same thing, but more accepted.  We can journal all day long and people think you are so insightful!

 this journal is for quilters to keep track of their work!  Me?  I never write down what quilts I made or what fabrics I used.  Probably, would be wise, but I just get lazy. 

I love this journal!  I bought it at weavers' sale one year!

And I use this one!  I saved lots of  print outs, artist cards. etc.

I've turned down pages of things of interest

This was my first journal!  I love this book!  It was given to my by a pen pal, Mary.  She wove the fabric

and made the book!

The bookmark with this journal is special too!

Bobbin lace bookmark that I keep in my other journal.

Just think--how would we know what pioneers ate, how did they sleep, what work did they do, how did they bath, wash their hair, or do any sundry chores--we had their journals to read and digest!

Let's begin a journal of our daily life--we could be interesting to someone in the future.

Handwork for Charity!

"Cry with someone.....It's more healing than crying alone"  Life Lessons According to Regina

There was several yards of flannel bought on sale.  It was time to work on the charity baby blankets.  

Once I cut the two squares for blanket, I have about 1/8 yard left, so I cut 6" squares and use them to make nine patch blocks.

One down!   I do a blanket stitches around the edges after sewing two 45" squares, wrong side together, leaving an opening go and turn right sides out.  

Two more to do--good hand work while waiting!  

Downton Abbey QAL

"You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree."  Life Lessons According to Regina

Love Bug Studios is the host for this Quilt Along.  This is for fans of Downton Abbey, that wonderful Public Broadcasting Show!  Well, I just thought I would join along with this.  Oh, did I mention, it's a mystery too!

Here is the first block of Manor House!

Since I was too late to the party, I didn't buy the fabric kit so I'm using my own stash fabrics that might be close to the actual kit.  Here is how I keep track of my fabric for each step.

Okay, this is as far as I got with the block!

These are on the pressing cloth--and then I've been running the road!

  I've missed three other steps in this mystery--but, I'm keeping the big reveal until I'm finished!! 

Prayer Shawls for Fallen Soldiers

About Prayers Shawls
PS4FS.org is dedicated to the ultimate sacrifice made by our service men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world and for the grief and loss felt by their families and friends. Presenting these families with a prayer shawl in remembrance of their loved one is a small token of PS4FS’s compassion and appreciation. This organization works directly with the Dover Program at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware to support the visiting military families. Their Friends of the Fallen at Dover have asked them to help replenish their supply of shawls, so in response Sandrasingh.com has started this Prayer Shawl KAL. We would like the shawls completed and mailed to PS4FS by June 15, 2014.
Prayer Shawls are Shawls made for centuries and are universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles. To learn more about Prayer Shawls and the blessings that are knit into them visit Shawlministry.com

Size and Pattern Ideas
The finished Prayers Shawls must be 26-30” wide x 60” long. Knit or crochet in patriotic colors such as red, white or blue or neutral colors such as burgundy, off white, taupe, green or navy, variegated yarns may be used as well and designs such as stripes or colorwork. You’re welcome to use your own pattern or one of these complimentary patterns and stash dive for this great cause.
Basic Prayer Shawl Pattern
Yarn: about 550-660 yards (500-600 meters) Bulky, Worsted or Sport held double
Needles: 10.5 (6.5mm) or size needed to get gauge
Pattern: Cast on stitches in odd-divisible multiples of three – (81 or 87 sts). The seed (moss, rice) stitch is used throughout pattern, i.e as the stitches face you, knit the purl stitches, and purl the knit stitches.
Row 1: k3, p3, to end, turn.
Continue as Row 1 until garment measures 60” long
Cast Off

Fringe: Fringe can be an integral part of the prayer shawl. Joan Johnson, coordinator of St Luke’s Knitting Ministry in Bloomington, Minnesota, says they tie each fringe to avoid fraying. While tying fringe, a knitter/crocheter prays for the recipient of the finished shawl. Recipients of the shawls often comment how much they like the fringe. Some have remarked they use the knots for praying – like prayer beads! Thus, the fringe becomes an essential part of the shawl ministry. A favorite fringe design ties three long strands (16″ long making 8″ strands) on every other row, skipping the rows in between.

This is a very basic Prayer Shawl, please feel free to knit or crochet from your heart and add designs as you feel needed. You can also visit Prayer Shawl Directions for more pattern ideas.
Finishing: Attach a Card: Using a small piece of matching yarn, attach a card to the shawl. It should include washing instructions from the yarn band. Include your name and address so the family may thank you IF they feel the need, but please do not expect a thank you. These families are grieving and may not be able to bring themselves to write a note. Just know in your heart they do appreciate the time and love you have given to remember their loved one.

Mail your finished Prayer Shawl to:
PS4FS
1481 County Road 1301
Vinemont AL 35179