Barnyard Scene Top Is Done

As much as I didn't like the fussy cutting I had to do for this top, I really do like the way it turned out!  Next will be the quilting.  The backing is a city scene of high rise buildings.  Not sure what I will use for the binding.

I have some chicken fabric that I might make a couple pillowcases from and send them along with the quilt.

Heat Or Cool

My house is old, so the wiring predates the window air conditioning unit.  I can't run the a.c. and the iron at the same time. Tonight I sewed several pieces then they needed to be pressed. I turned off the a.c., pressed them, and called it good.

I am still working on the 301's issues. I use a thread stand. It is infrequent so I may just have to live with it.

A Bit Warm

Our weather has been very warm and humid here.  Yuck.

I'm still having trouble with the 301 skipping the occasional stitch.  I've cleaned and changed needles and changed thread and sanded down parts.  Sigh.  Not giving up yet.  I have a few more tricks up my sleeve.

Last night I fussy cut pieces for my uncle in California's quilt.  It was a pain in the butt to fussy cut these pieces.  He's worth the trouble and then some, but if this were for anyone else, I might think twice about doing it!  haha

Internet has been down at work.  Makes for a long day!

Almost Ripe

My poor tomato plants just aren't getting the love they need, I guess.  This little cherry tomato is trying to get ripe.  I hope it tells all it's friends on the plant how to do it!  haha

Weather has been real hot and humid.  yuck.

Beginning A New Project

I know this doesn't look like much, but this is the beginning of a quilt for my uncle.  The farm scene is a panel that had to be fussy cut.  The red strips were added, then the whole thing had to be cut to a certain size for the next set of rows.

When I measured how long it needed to be, I figured out that the top and bottom needed to be cut a scant 1/2" to get it to the right size.  Well, I cut the top wrong.  It all worked out though, because the top is smaller than the bottom, which looks just fine.  I'm not going to worry about it.

Bloomington Square top is finished.  I sewed the last half of rows to each other on Clarice, my Singer 301 machine.  For some reason, it started skipping stitches on me.  I'm not happy about that at all.  I cleaned the bobbin area as best I could, and also changed the tension disks and spring on top.  Just not sure what's going on with it.  It will sew for about 10 inches and then skip 1, 2 or even 3 stitches in a row.  Tonight I am going to see if there is some rust or scratches on the bobbin race that could be causing it.  I really want that machine in good working order since I custom fit that table for her.

'During' Pictures

I took pics kind of going around in a circle. The doorway with the fan leads into the room where I have stored all the fabric.  I also put several of my machines in there along the wall.  The room can still, easily, be used as a bedroom.

The other door that is open is the stairs to the main section of the house.

This arrangement of furniture is pretty much the way it is going to be, with the possible exception of a small table or two being moved around.

The room just feels so much larger now!  And I have been using the airconditioning unit that is in the second room, with the fan, to make it tolerable.  Since there is no ductwork upstairs, the a/c from the main part of the house just doesn't make it up to the sewing room.  If I put the a/c window unit on and use that fan, it cools off pretty quickly.

I intend to clear off the clutter on the tables.  The cleaner I can get it, the more I will want to be in there!  haha.  Although I do work just fine in clutter, at least I won't feel like I should be cleaning rather than sewing.

There is a tote full of loose papers that needs to be sorted and organized.  Most of it is patterns.  It will get done eventually, but at least stuff is all together.

More Before Pictures

This is the 'other half' of my sewing room.  It still needs some love.

Behind the machine in the table is a big table that mostly just collects stuff.  I think I am going to just take that table down.  I would like to turn the machine around so my back is to the wall when sewing on that machine.

I had turned it sideways, just to see how I liked it.  It just doesn't flow well that way.  At least I have options!

Goodies In The Mail

Yesterday was a three package day!  Whoopee!

One package was medical.

Another package was new wicking for the 301.

And the third package was... wait for it...  FABRIC!  Whee!

My order from Hancock's of Paducah came.  I ordered fabric to go with the farm scene panel I purchased in Paducah to make a quilt for my uncle.  I thought I would have fabric at home that would match, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to make the quilt like the one displayed at the show.  A pattern was available and I was able to order all of the coordinating fabrics.

After I'm done with Bloomington Square I think I will get started on it.  Fun, fun, fun!

Rust Remover

The rust remover product was purchased at a farm store in the automotive department.  I think the name had 'blaster' in it, but not sure.  Anyway, I put the old bobbin case in a paper cup and sprayed it with the product, enough to soak it.  It seems to have taken off some of the rust, but there are a few places that still need some work.

I wanted to use mineral spirits on the presser bar and needle bar to get the gunk off, however I could not get the lid off the can of mineral spirits!  I used a bit of the rust remover on a q-tip and it helped get some of it off, but I need that can of mineral spirits opened!

I left the can on the kitchen table with a small jar and lid.  I'm hoping when Ev gets up he will open it for me and pour some in the jar.

BBQ Chicken

Let me first say that paper plates rock!  haha.  It was such a beautiful evening yesterday I decided to make some chicken breasts on the grill.  I marinated them briefly in Italian Dressing, then put season salt on them.  Onto the grill they went, then when it was time, they were slathered with bbq sauce!

Yum.

Shells and cheese and cauliflower completed the meal.  Probably should have chosen broccoli to have some color, but it worked for me!