Catching Up

A lot has happened since my last post; this is always a busy time of year. Let me start with my sewing machine saga. After visiting three different repair places, it was unanimous they couldn't get the parts to repair the Viking. At least the last person ordered what he thought was the part needed in for me, but alas, it didn't do the job. So, I had to break down and get a new one!! I chose a Baby Lock Melody and so far, so good. I don't do a lot of sewing anymore, so I didn't need all the bells and whistles that are out there today, just a machine to fit my basic needs. The best feature, by far, on the new machine is a self threader--I don't have to fumble, even with my glasses, to thread the needle. Yippee!! Then I can choose not to use the foot pedal and just push a button to start and stop! It is very user friendly with clear guidelines how to thread the needle and bobbin. I'm still mourning my Viking 990--- sadly the feet and bobbins don't fit the Baby Lock but I hate to get rid of them. I do have a glimpse of hope but am trying not to get too excited. My daughter, in Richmond, just had to have her machine repaired and the guy told her "there isn't a machine I can't fix"! Maybe, just maybe, we'll see if he can fix mine!!!
Here is a photo of my first project on the new machine- a Frozen pillow case for a dear friends granddaughter and my new "Baby".

So amidst all the comparison shopping, I managed a long weekend at Salty Yarns. It was Halloween weekend, better known as the CA weekend. The back story is that CA Wells cancelled out on a class weekend about 6-7 years ago, but the ladies still got together to stitch and have a "wake" in CA's absence. They continue to do this every year and since I was signed up for those original classes, I try to go when I can. This was a go to year!!!!

I drove down the Thursday before Halloween and upon my arrival found our apartment had been decorated, to the hilt, by my roomie Deb. Halloween is her favorite time of year so we had lights, haunted house displays with sound and movement..... Halloween towels! Here are some photos of what awaited me:

What fun--thanks Debbie for making this a special treat...and no tricks!!!!

We stitched and gabbed and stitched and ate and stitched and shopped and stitched and even slept!!! The lobby of the Lankford was also decked out in Halloween finery and everyone had little special treats they brought for each other. (I forgot to take a picture of what I brought but it was a "bottle cap" that had a Halloween design in the center. I added cording and a magnet to make it a combo scissor/needle holder). My treats ranged from candy to an adorable tote bag to a "gianormous" candy apple to a hand painted votive candle holder and more. It was a "spooktacular" time!!! (sorry couldn't help myself) Here are a couple shots of the lobby, which don't do it justice.

I have been stitching!!! While in OCean City we celebrated Deb's birthday. Here is gift I made her. It is a design by Marie Suarez called My Dear Bobbin. I was lucky to have found a bunch of these bobbins at a craft show a few years back and snatched them up. They work perfectly for this design!!! The scissors are a pair of Sullivans that I thought fit well with the piece.  

I also made a few "koozie" covers and beaded spiders as gifts. The covers are from a pattern called Charm Pack Koozie Covers  by Buttons and Bees. The spiders are from a you tube video I stumbled across. I also made one for me to stick in Scraps the Mummy's ( see a couple posts back) casket--pretty cute huh???

That's more catching up to do, but that will have to be it for now. Hubby was away a few days this past week and I hope to have some finishing to share soon.

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

Stasi