One more sleep to Advent!

One more sleep to Advent, so the Advent calenders I made for my two granddaughters were delivered to them last night.

Made from panels the pockets each contain a small item to hang on the

little trees, plus a few chocolates.

Richard fixed them to the wall in their dining room, and small star shaped battery operated lights were wound around the trees to start off the decorating.

Both girls cannot wait until December 1st to start putting on the ornaments each day. Thanks Penny for the brilliant idea.

Answering a few questions

I have had a number of questions about things I do and say, so here are a few answers.

Creative 9000 sewing machine is sold by BSK Bedford England under their own name and with a load of free accessories does everything I could wish for in a lightweight sewing machine. Lots of fancy stitches, needle up / down, alphabets, needle threader, adjustable width and length etc etc . Cost £229 in their sale at the moment. Called Denis because that is the name of the person that sold me it! Bought mainly to use at workshops.

I drive a red Mazda MX5 sports car [ mid-life crisis!] she is 20 years old in December. I have a soft top and hard top for her, and called Lucy because.. yes you guessed it the last owner was named Lucy.

My bargain of the year was "Brenda" my Brother 4000D sewing machine, and I am thrilled with all the things she will do. Only slight hiccup is the very large frame which I have trouble using, but I have been told I can use the largest frame from the 1500 with the same result but it holds the fabric firmer.. so I'm off to buy myself a Christmas present!

Lacemaking.. I am afraid making lace has taken a back seat to sewing and quilting, after 20 years of making lace and 15 years of teaching it. I still have enough bobbins to fill a drawer in my cupboard so hope to teach my grandchildren [ the eldest has already started] and pass them on.

Stash does up and down!

Saturday 27th was another great day with Fran and Tilly at Pitsford Northampton, not forgetting Jane in the kitchen! The workshop was to make a wavy cut Christmas Tree with lots of fancy stitch embroidery OR a Santa hanging OR a coaster by hand. I chose to make the wavy Tree. Not having many greens in my stash I was forced [ ha ha] to buy a selection of green 1/2 metre fabrics which has pushed my stash busting up AGAIN! [see side bar]

The day was wonderful with home made biscuits in the morning a lovely cooked lunch, complete with little gifts and tree decorations, followed in the afternoon by Christmas cake. Looking forward to the January workshop where we will be making a sewing machine mat and tool holder, similar to the one Tilly is holding up.

Denis arrives!!

I have been looking for some time for a sewing machine to take to workshops and quilt days, I seem to average 2 a week and some are upstairs. My good old Pfaff weighs 12 kg and is just getting too much for me to carry.

Having done as much research as I could I decided on a BSK Creative 9000, and yes you've guest it, the person that sold me it was called Denis.. so that is now the name of the machine!

Yesterday I took it to a quilt day [upstairs] and the 6 kg weight was much better to handle and the sewing machine does so many things I am really impressed.

Fairy Favours

One of the Yahoo groups [Scratchingpost] I belong to have a data base set up for all those who would like to take part in sending a little gift to one of the members.

At this time of year with everyone so busy and the weather so awful it is so nice when a little mystery gift arrives through the door from someone you do not even know. This has happened to me a couple of times, so I thought I would pick 6 names at random and send a little cheer. My chosen 6 were all in the USA this time.

Ribbon crazy

On a recent workshop I made the two ribbon creations at the back of the picture then came home with a kit and made the front "pineapple". This let me to thinking "I have a bag full of wired ribbon" I could make some more.. THREE days later I have turned my workroom upside down and still not found it ! BUT I have had a huge sort out, throw out, give to Charity shops session. So a big thank you to the person that taught the original workshop.

Using my new 4000D

This is my first effort on my new sewing machine. 88,000 stitches.. WOW! Hopefully one day it will be the front of a cover for my new machine.. but I have too many Christmas projects to make one yet.

Lucy takes a trip!

Yesterday 3rd November I drove a 230 miles round trip in Lucy my MX5 to buy a Brother Innovis 4000D sewing machine and embroidery unit, the only problem was I had no idea how big the box of hoops and all the extra items the person selling it had. What a problem getting it in the car ! I couldn't even put the sewing machine, in its case, in the tiny boot and the front seat [ it's only a 2 seater and I had to sit somewhere!! ] was crammed full, but I managed it, and now I cannot wait to use it. This machine has hardly seen a thread and many of the things with it are still in their original wrappers.

High on my "to do" list is to make a fabric cover for her [ yes her name is Brenda!]... watch this space!