Happy Town and 301

If you recall, several weeks ago I was sent some fabric called Happy Town  designed by Jacquelynne Steves.  It was so much fun to play around with it.  The prints are just "happy" and cute.  This is one of the things that I have made with them.

I loved the larger prints of the vehicles and decided that they needed to be displayed in a larger block of fabric.  I have one other item that I am working on and then I will have a giveaway for some of the fabrics so be sure to stay tuned for that.

Meanwhile, Jacquelynne is having a giveaway at her site until Friday.  You can check it out HERE.

Speaking of giveaways, random number generator gave me Fiesta as my winner of the flour sack dishtowels.  Please send me you snail mail and I will get those out to you right away.

Several months ago my neighbor had mentioned that he had an "old" sewing machine of his mothers in his garage and asked if I would like it.  Yesterday he arrived at my door with it in hand.  After he left, I opened it and was pleasantly surprised to find that it contained the "big sister" of the Featherweight - a Singer 301a.  I am dating it at between 1951-1953.  After cleaning it up a bit, oiling and lubricating it, it works beautifully.  I can see that it is a real workhorse and will be a pleasure to have in my sewing room.  It is considered a portable machine at 16 pounds and a carrying handle.  It also has a flip up short bed.   

My very favorite feature is the drop down knee pedal for making the machine run (optional).  I learned with one of those.  I have tried repeatedly to use my knee pressure foot lifter, but I can't re-train the old brain that it is not a lever to make the machine run.  SIGH!

The parts are all there including numerous feet and the zig zag attachment which also works as a  walking foot.  All of these handily fit into the seat of the sewing cabinet. 

I have ordered new cords as you can see they are badly needed. 

I had to chuckle at the bobbins.  I remember first learning to sew and we would wind thread over thread already on the bobbin.  Why????  I have no idea because there was no way you were ever going to use the threads under them.  Anyway....this was one bobbin that I unwound....7 colors!!

I was one of the grand prize winners in the Starburst Quiltalong at Happy Quilting.  That means I get to have a fun shopping spree at Intrepid Thread.  I can't wait as I have always loved Julie's shop and service.


In spite of all the snow around the country, I must say that spring is definitely coming.  Our male oriole returned on Monday.  Of course with a winter storm set to hit tomorrow, he may be sorry he came back so soon.  This is the earliest return date for our orioles since we started keeping record of them years ago. 

 In closing, I have to show you my very serious guest who has kept me company all day.  I really had to work for smiles ;-) 

Why is Blogger telling me that I am not following anybody today???  Grrr.

A Hint of Spring

 

Although our temperatures have been unseasonably cool with some freezing nights, I can start to see that spring is coming to the yard. 

Busy bees!!!

Peach tree in bloom

Pear trees in full bloom too

The kids were all over this weekend helping to reduce the abundant supply of citrus that is currently ripe in the orchard.  Thank heavens for the help!  At the moment we are loaded with tangerines, Meyer lemons, naval and Blood oranges as well as grapefruit. 

Tangerines



Blood oranges

Lemons

I even put up some preserved lemons this year.  I recently attended a cooking class and they used the preserved lemons in a salmon dish.  It was heavenly!  They will be ready to use in a month.

Those of you who follow my blog know that spring is also the time when I make a doll's uniform for the grandchildren's school auction.  That was my project for the weekend. 

I also finished up the last of the stars for my Starburst QAL.  Now to assemble it!

Saturday I received a wonderful box of fabrics in the mail from Jacquelynne Steves of The Noble Wife.  She is a new sponsor to my blog and her fabrics are beautiful and fun.  I am really looking forward to playing with them over the next few weeks.  Oh....the ideas I have for this line are numerous!!  The line is called "Happy Town" and it certainly lives up to it's name.  As I said in my last post, the royalties from the fabric sales are donated to Quilts for Kids - such a great cause.  Be sure to check out my sidebar for a link to the contest using the fabrics. 

We enjoyed celebrating another birthday in the family over the weekend.  Why do they grow up so quickly?  The years are just flying these days.

Cousin love

I had to waste time this morning canceling my credit card.  Someone decided to use my numbers to book tickets on Exped*ia and Or*bitz.  Grrrrr.  Need I say more?