Our "throw away" Society

Need a little venting space!!!

My beloved Husqvarna machine, which has served me so well, is on the fritz!!! It won't feed the material and so I have taken it to 2 repair shops.... so far. I am on a mission!!!

The first said they wouldn't even look at it, that it's TOO old and they can't get parts. The owner actually said I was lucky it lasted as long as it has and at my age, if I buy a new one, it will last me the rest of my life!!!  The second guy, very nice, said it's a circuit board issue and he's old school and hasn't been trained in that. He was very apologetic and understanding. Of course, he doesn't SELL sewing machines and didn't have ulterior motives. I've now called 3 different people today, one won't even look at it, one will but said it's doubtful he can get parts and I'm probably looking at a new machine ( he also sells machines) and I'm waiting to hear back from the repair guy at my local JoAnns, but not feeling very hopeful.

The long and short of it is...  I don't want a new machine..thank you very much. I am extremely comfortable with my old machine; it has been my sewing companion for 28 years and I know all its ins and outs. Is 28 years old really that old in sewing machine years? I have a Featherweight from 1952 and it still purrs!!! In fact, I have been using it while my Viking has been ill. I know the newer machines are made with plastic, not metal, and the computer features are wonderful but evidently don't hold up. It just seems that everything today is made for planned obsolescence. Now truth be told, this wouldn't bother me as much if it was a vacuum cleaner or dishwasher but it's my Viking..my good ole buddy, ole pal!!!

So, I will continue on my mission to save my friend. Please keep your fingers crossed for me... and thanks for allowing me to vent! Will keep you posted!

Stasi

Mums the Word.............

So, I said I'd be back with a cute Halloween piece, so here I am!!!

I have had this chart in my stash since 1997...always wanted to stitch it..never did! Then, last year I found this adorable "coffin" at Hobby Lobby after Halloween (80 % off) and succumbed to it. It's been ruminating (yes my 12 years of Catholic school has paid off) around in my mind for awhile as to what to do with it. Then, the proverbial "light bulb" went off a few weeks ago and I remembered Scary Scraps-the Mummy from Mosey N Me.  I did some figuring and knew I had to stitch over one to make it fit. The original was stitched on a  27 count hot pink fabric, but I didn't like the way that looked with the orange ribbons on the box. So, I had a piece of 28 count lime green R&R (don't know the exact name) that would work perfectly. I changed the overdyes and used ones I had on hand and totally left out the metallics that were called for. I also added an inch of stitching to his legs so he would taller and fill the coffin better--he's about 2 1/2" X 5 1/2 ". I made a mattress style liner for the coffin with some black dupioni silk and teeny orange buttons. I also added a moon button to the mattress and a bat on Scraps head, both from JABCO. I am so tickled with how it all turned out--he's so darn stinkin' cute!!!!

Here's the original on pink

Outside of coffin

Inside of coffin

Scraps

backside of Scraps

Scraps in his "bed"

Scraps will definitely be part of my Halloween decorating from now on!!!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

Quaker Sewing Roll Finish

 I did manage to get the Travel-sized Quaker Sewing Roll  by Catherine Theron put together. However, the fabric was so stiff, it didn't want to "roll", so I've just folded it and tied together with the cording. I love the colors on this--very traditional Williamsburg colors. This was a kit you could get as a group from a Guild and came with the tiny Bohin scissors. 

outside of roll

inside of roll with needlecase and pocket at the bottom

Needlecase opened and back side of scissor fob

Closed roll and front side of scissor fob

Since this blog was to include my "grandblessings", here are photos of the first day of school.

Our toothless boy

future fashion model...perhaps????

I should be back in the next day or so with so my Halloween project, so be on the lookout!!!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

North to Alaska........

I know I have been away for a bit, but I do have good reason!!!  My hubby and I took off for a trip of a lifetime to Alaska for our 40th anniversary. It was a fabulous and memorable trip from start to finish (about 2 weeks) with dear friends of ours. Karen (who I've been friends since grade school, well over 50 years) and her hubby were the perfect travelling companions ...and yes we're still friends!!!! I won't bore you with a ton of photos but did want to post a few of my favorites.

First stop--Anchorage...and as luck would have it, we parked right across the street from this shop!!!

 

We got to visit with the sled dogs at a lodge where we stayed-they were so sweet!!!

Did a little hiking in Girdwood one day and had to hand pull ourselves across that gorge in this little cage!!!

A beautiful backdrop!

Glacier

Out on a whale watching boat and we did see quite a few along with seals. porpoises and bald eagles.

Our new friend!

 

Mt. McKinley is behind that left puff of clouds! It's hard to tell from the picture but we could see it.

The tundra with mountains in the distance.

A special thank you to a fellow blogger (Cathy from With Needle and Thread) who helped us navigate the MSP airport when we only had a 25 minute layover. Stitchers are the best!!!!

Now on to some stitching related news. I did take a small project to work on while away, the Samsarah calendar, and I got two more pieces (well almost) done----very easy to see and portable!!!

I had also made my friend, who loves turtles, this little necklace to take on our trip.

This was a little freebie design I found on line...don't ask me where!!!

Then, since I've been home, I finished up the Catherine Theron class piece I've been working on. I added my hubby and daughters initials and instead of stitching something on the underside of the needlebook, I added a tiny doilly with a button in the middle. Think I'll start putting it together tonight and hopefully be able to share in the next few days. 

Outside of piece

scissor fob at top...needlebook at bottom

I've also been working on a special box for Halloween. I finished it up today and am so tickled with it. I'll share in the next day or so and see what you think!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!!!

Stasi