Too Distracted to Do Anything??

Yesterday we went to Las Vegas, picked up my brother and went to church. We had never gone to the church in Vegas only our local church in Guadalupita. But, since my brother is now living in Las Vegas, we decided to attend the church in Las Vegas.  It was a very beautiful midsized church.

After church we went to a local restaurant for breakfast. I was really looking forward to having the typical scrambled eggs, hash browns and link sausage.  Alas!  They were out of link sausage so I had to skip that part.  The breakfast was good though!

After breakfast, we decided to go to the local VFW hall. We had heard that they held a dance there every Sunday afternoon starting at 1 p.m. We were curious to see how the music was.  I was thinking there would be a disk jockey.  But to our surprise they had a live band!

We stayed for awhile and danced a few times then left to go shopping at Wal-mart.  My brother wanted to purchase a few items. We spent a couple of hours looking and shopping.

Later we stopped at the Dairy Queen for some ice cream cones which really hit the spot as the temperature was 94! Very refreshing!

Now it was time to take my brother home and head home ourselves.  On the way home my husband remembered that the Mora street festival was happening and they were having a dance starting just about the time we would be passing by on the way home.

He asked me if I wanted to go and I thought about it and then said no.  I am so glad that I did say no because today my legs are so sore from the little dancing we did at the VFW that I can barely do anything! It's been months since we have been dancing!  We made a promise to ourselves to go more often so we can get some fun exercise. . . we'll see what happens. LOL!

Today, I am looking out the window at the rain splattering the cabin window and listening to the thunder.  I love thunder as long as I am inside.

Also trying to get things organized and clean because my oldest and youngest daughters and granddaughters are coming for a visit this coming weekend!!! YAY!

Our grass is so green from all the rain that we have been having lately.  The rose bushes that I transplanted finally caught and are growing!  I don't think they will bloom before our first frost, but at least they are growing.

Well, there is my hodge podge of things that are distracting from my sewing. Maybe later this week I can get some sewing done . . . maybe not! LOL!

In the meantime, keep on quilting!

Aveli

Simple Needle case

After years and years of putting my needles on my spool of thread while working on my projects (see photo) I decided to make a simple needle case (book style).

I didn't want it to be too large so I cut the "cover" fabric about 4"x 6". Of course you can make it whatever size you want. Just remember to allow at least half an inch on all four sides to turn under for the finished hem.

The "pages" where needles and pins will be placed are sized 2 3/4" x 2 1/2". One side is bigger to allow for the "binding" edge where it will be sewn all together. I used three "pages" of leftover batting in black and white. I used black in the middle so it would be easier for my aging eyes to separate the individual pages.

Position the batting inside of the cover fabric to make sure there is enough room for the hems. Also make the back cover extend beyond the pages leaving enough to hem and to bring forward to close the book. 

Fold the hem of the front cover to where it will cover the pages. 

Bring the back cover forward to make sure it overlaps the front

Sew the front hem and sew all the hems around all sides. I used straight stitch but a decorative stitch will dress this up quite a bit.

Position your pages in the middle and sew through all the layers on the left side. Notice that the back cover extends beyond the front cover and the pages.

This is almost finished! I just need to decide what fastener I want to put on the cover to keep it closed.

This is the open view with the pages sewn in.

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial. I plan on making one of these to keep with each individual project. They are super easy to make because they are not fancy.  Although if you want to decorate it with embroidery or quilting you can. If you make one of these, send me a photo and I will post it on my website and here in the blog. 

Looking forward to hearing from you. . . keep on quilting!

A New Vintage Sewing Machine . . . Housekeeper Deluxe

Today my neighbor let me know that her son didn't want the sewing machine that he had won at the auction. He thought he had been bidding on a treadle machine and it wasn't what he was looking for. So she asked me if I wanted the machine, if not they were trashing it.  I never turn down free sewing machines! Of course I said yes!

Here is a picture of it in its present condition . . .

Pretty dirty isn't it?

I noticed that the case, even though the top is broken, is made of wood.  That means that all that dirty, torn covering can be taken off and something new and pretty applied to the wood and the top glued back together. I am wondering what design should I put on the cover? Should I use fancy scrapbook paper or should I use really nicely designed fabric like a paisley.  I am looking for suggestions!

My neighbors son said that the machine works.  So that's a plus. He said the needle went up and down when he pressed on the peddle. But he never threaded it because he didn't know how. I needed to find a manual so that I could thread it and test it to see if it really works and has a good stitch.  So I went searching on the internet and found a company named "Sewing Manuals".

I was on their website for about an hour searching for this machine. The name on the machine is "Housekeeper Deluxe" Model 400.  I couldn't find a name for the manufacturer, just that it was made in Japan.

While I was searching the internet for manuals I read a lot of information about "badging" sewing machines. The machines were manufactured in one style over and over again, then sold to big retailer stores.  Several different names of stores or companies would be put on the machine.  Thus you could buy a "Housekeeper Deluxe" and it would be the same as a "White" sewing machine, but with a different name!

This machine is not a straight stitch, it has zig zag and cams for decorative stitching.  So with all this information in mind I went to Sewing Manuals online. As I stated before I spent a good hour trying to find the "Housekeeper Deluxe, Model 400".  No such thing!

 I remembered that they were essentially a "White" sewing machine and looked under "White".  They had dozens of machines!  Luckily, they put a picture of the sewing machine model next to the description.  That is what took so long. Looking at the different model pictures and comparing it to my sewing machine.

I finally found a picture that matched almost exactly.  The only difference was the upper arm thread guides in the picture were spring like curly cue type.  Mine were just straight flat pieces of metal with holes for the thread.  Everything else matched exactly. You can see the "flat upper arm thread guides" in the picture below. One is in back of the words "Push down to darn" and one in front. The dark square hole to the right of those words is where the cams are placed. The cover is laying to the right of the square hole.



I am so glad that I found this manual. Now I have the correct threading diagram, which is extremely important.  The machine came with one bobbin and no cams.  My next step is to find the correct bobbins for this machine. It does not say anything in the manual about size of bobbins. It only has the size of needles.



Here is a picture of the bobbin that came with the machine and the bobbin case. The bobbin case is inserted on the left side under the feed dogs in a sideways position. In the picture below you can see where you would insert the bobbin.



After I get the correct bobbins and clean the machine well, get the stitch correct and re-cover the carrying case, maybe I will look for the cams that go with the machine.

I will be posting more pictures of the progress that I make on getting this machine clean and nice looking.

If you need a manual for a sewing machine, I recommend that you go to this website.  They have hundreds of brands and models.

Yes, We Have No Quilting Today!

It's been a couple of very busy days here. I have had to actually do my job and cut several orders. So I have not even touched a needle or machine for almost five days.

I am in quilting hell!  LOL! No quilting, no sewing, no applique! Oh my!

Tomorrow is my last day of cutting, I have finally caught up.

We are awaiting a snow storm and a cold front in our area. It won't be as bad as in the east but it's the kind of weather when a home made pot of soup is great! My husband was kind enough to oblige in the soup department while I cut the orders and brought in enough logs for the stove to last for two days. So we are prepared to sit out the storm.

So hand quilting here I come! YAY!!

National Quilting Month -- ooops! "National Sewing Month" and Rain!

Looks like there are more clouds and rain in our future!

 

Today starts "National Quilting (Sewing) Month"!  YAY!  Of course, being a quilter, we are always sewing . . . right?

I have been doing my part since last week when my daughter left.  I got back to sewing on my basket weave scrappy string quilt. It was originally going to be a lap quilt, but I really liked it and decided to enlarge it.  It is now up to a queen size quilt and has the overlap on the length to cover the pillows. Today I have been finishing up adding the blocks to make it queen size.  So I greeted "National Quilting (Sewing) Month" at 5 a.m. this morning with my project on the machine . . . see picture below.

Sorry about the quality, this was taken with my phone! 

That's the phone book pages you see on the back of the quilt. I used my old phone book pages for foundation piecing. Our local phone book is the size of half of an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.  I cut the blocks to 4 1/2 inches square.  That way I can get 2 blocks out of each half sheet.  One of our phone books is enough, with some left over for the next project, to make this queen size quilt.

What are you working on during this "National Quilting (Sewing) Month"?  Is it something you have been working on for awhile or did you just start it within the past few weeks?  I would love to hear about it or see pictures of your projects!

Meanwhile . . .everyone keep on quilting!

Aveli

Lots of Unexpected Rain!

We didn't get a forecast for rain, but here it is! Although it wasn't expected, it was very much welcome. Since we have been in a severe drought in New Mexico, this little bit yesterday was welcomed with open arms.

 This is a view toward our hills from my sewing room.

 

 

And here is another view from the other window.  As you can see whichever window I chose to look out of, I have great scenery to look at while I sip my coffee, tea, soda or water while I sew!

  

In the meantime, everyone keep on quilting!

Aveli

Busy Weekend and Labor Day

The family barbecue was a huge success!  I am so glad that everyone showed up, enjoyed the food and stayed late!  My sister in law and hubby and his sister were the last to leave. They seemed like they really didnt want to leave.  I told them to spend the night. . .we have the extra room! I think they would have stayed but they already had another barbecue to go to the next day and they were leaving today for Albuquerque and then for California.  They did promise to come and spend a couple of nights with us next time.  They totally fell in love with the beauty of the area . . .everyone does.

Friday we are going to "Bean Day" at Wagon Mound.  Wagon Mound is a small town just Northeast of Las Vegas, New Mexico.  They have a big celebration for Labor Day and call it Bean Day.

Saturday, we are off to the flea market again in the morning.  Then, we are going to a local fund raiser dance in the evening.  I expect to dance a lot with my husband. We love to dance! This fund raiser is for the local school.

Sunday, the is the annual Cleveland Mill Fest.  This is a big local event every Labor Day weekend. It is another small town but this time just past the town of Mora.  It has tours of the water wheel powered flour mill that used to operate in the area. It has been restored and is operational, but is not used for grinding flour any more. There are lots of vendors of all types -- food, candy, crafts of all sorts, music and performers of various talents.  Lots of fun for three days! No entrance fee!

Monday, back to Wagon Mound for the barbecue and Rodeo!

So you see, We are going to be pretty busy this weekend!  Very little time for sewing or quilting, darn!  But!!! I will be working on my string basket weave quilt in the early morning hours before we leave for all this activity, LOL!

Hope you all have a safe Labor Day Holiday and maybe get in some quilting!

Aveli

Family Barbecue

My Sister-in-Law and her husband and her husband's sister are coming over today.  They are visiting from California.  They come every year around this time for the chili and the chicos.

In New Mexico, the green chili crop is harvested around this time and continues through September.  New Mexico green chili is some of the tastiest, hottest chili pepper around . . .so I've heard!  I have never cared for the green variety. I really like the red.

My sister-in-law and my husband were born and raised in New Mexico with all the typical hispanic foods. Green and Red chili is part of that food tradition.  So, every year, they come to buy and dry or freeze green chili pods and take back to California. Usually they take enough for the whole year.

Today, they are coming for 2 reasons, to visit the grave of a brother and to visit us. We are planning to have a barbecue.  Nothing fancy, just hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad, watermelon, ice tea and cokes. Oh, my husband has invited his cousin and wife to also attend and she is bringing a chocolate cake! YUM! YUM!  I invited the two neighbor ladies and they are coming also.

It seems like we will be having a pretty good group. I really enjoy having company here in Guadalupita, especially for a barbecue in the summer!  Even if it means I can't sew today, LOL!

I have been cutting an order for 3 inch fabric circles. So, I haven't done much sewing the past couple of days. Tomorrow I will finish the order and ship it out in the morning mail on Friday.  Saturday we are going to a local benefit dance and dinner and Sunday is the Cleveland Mill Fest, which occurs every Labor Day weekend.  I am not participating this year but we are going to go and check out the other craft vendors.

It seems the next 4 or 5 days are going to be pretty busy.  Hopefully I will be able to get some sewing done!
Maybe if I get up at 4 A.m.!!! LOL!

Meanwhile, everyone keep on quilting!

Aveli

Time To Sew!!

Now that my daughter has gone home, its time for me to get back to work on my basket weave string quilt!

Here is my container full of strips ready to be sewn.

 

This a.m. I had my tea ready and started bright and early!

  My cabin feels so lonely and too quiet without my granddaughter running around!  I texted my daughter this a.m. when I awoke to see how far they had gotten during the night. They should have reached Los Angeles Union station around 7 a.m. 

I received the most awful news about their trip. They were not even to Kingman, Arizona yet at 7 a.m.!  Apparently the train experienced some kind of mechanical difficulties during the night and they were stopped for 2 hours in the desert. She said the worst part was that the air conditioning was not working in their coach so it was very warm and stuffy! She carried my granddaughter to the lounge/observation car where the air was working and it was cool.  Thankfully my granddaughter slept through the night, even though she was sweating most of the time.

Amtrak was not forthcoming with any information and did not offer any comfort about the inconvenience.  She said the passengers were kept in the dark, literally, no lights! Conductors and porters were nowhere to be found to be questioned about the status of the train.

When my daughter caught the train in Las Vegas, NM they must have been experiencing problems already because they were over an hour late getting to Las Vegas.  They will be over 6 hours late getting to L.A. Union Station.  

I guess you get what you pay for!  Even though the train is cheaper than airlines, they are also starting to charge extra for everything!  My son-in-law said they no longer hand out free pillows!!  They offer an $8.00 package of a tiny pillow and a small blanket. . . . WOW!

Well, back to quilting . . . 

Aveli

Hailstones!

Yesterday we went to visit my husband's cousin. He lives just 7 miles down the road and up the mountain. We wanted him to meet our youngest son, who was visiting for a few days.

Just as we drove into his yard, it started hailing, hailing and increasing in amount and size. By the time we dashed up the stairs to the porch, they were a mixture of  sizes of nickels and quarters. Ouch! I was lucky enough to not get hit by the "quarters" but my husband, his cousin were not as lucky. Our car was pelted for over 20 minutes by this surprise storm.  We were expecting rain, but not hail!

It was over as quickly as it had started. . . no rain, the clouds parted, and the sun shone so brightly on the melting hail in the trees. So much so that it looked like they were decked out in diamonds all over.  So beautiful!

My son met a cousin he did not know about or had met before. We chatted and were served home made flour tortillas wrapped around some home made refried beans with cheese.  Great burritos! Sun tea,  iced and sweetened made lunch perfect!

After lunch we took a walk further up the mountain to check out the progress on his guest cabin that he is building.  Beautiful work! It has a loft! I would love to be a kid and sleep up there!! LOL!!

After the cabin tour, we left for the town of Mora, another 7 miles down the mountain. That is our local town to get basic supplies like gas and Ice Cream! Yummy!

All in all it was a very nice day. This morning, I got an early start and was missing my son because his visit was so short. He left yesterday after the ice cream.  So this a.m. I immersed myself in my sewing and cutting some scraps into triangles, squares, and strings for the basket weave quilts. Yes, I said quilts! I have decided that I will make only basket weave quilts for my children. That way there is no complaining about colors or styles! LOL!  So, I will be cutting my scraps and sewing basket weave string blocks for a while!!

More Blocks! More Blocks!

 

As you can see above, I am still making blocks for my "Basket Weave" quilt. I have been working diligently for the past 4 days on finishing it.  I found out that it wasn't quite big enough to drape over my double bed. So back to making blocks again!

In the picture above you can see that I have been busy sewing and now comes the trimming down to the size of my foundation paper.  My foundation papers (local telephone book) measure 4 1/2" square. Of course you can make your foundation paper any size you want. But, my leftover scraps seem to best work at 4 1/2".

So once I finish trimming these blocks, I will start adding on to the quilt to make it larger, then I will add the border and finish it.  I am undecided whether to add a wine colored border and keep the quilt for my bedroom.  Or add a lavender border and give it to my daughter since she has been asking for a quilt for a long long time!  I will probably give it to her, LOL!