July Happenings and Singer 201-2

In my search to occupy my many at home hours during this endless year, I decided to do some rearranging in my studio.  In one corner I had a vintage sewing machine in a cabinet that I was using as a table.  The grandchildren have had so much fun sewing on the vintage machines lately so I decided to move it out to an area where it will see more use. This was a machine that was from my husband's family home in Stillwater, Minnesota.

I had used it in the past, but it had been a number of years.  I read the manual, cleaned, lubricated and oiled it completely before running it.  What a great machine it is!  It's a Singer 201-2 which is called the Rolls Royce of sewing machines and thought by many to be the best vintage sewing machine ever.   It is said that it was used by Rolls Royce to sew the leather seats in their cars.  In researching it, I discovered it has a "potted" motor and Singer was so proud of its machine that it was gifted to Queen Elizabeth.  It's a heavy, solid machine, but a real beauty.  Just look at that detailed cover plate.

 The machine runs beautifully and is known for how quietly it runs.  There is even a way to drop the feed dogs by a simple adjustment underneath the bed of the machine - quite a novel idea for back then.  It also has a drop in bobbin rather than a side loaded one.  I like the drop in bobbins much better.  The stitching is perfection, small and large, top and bobbin, through single or multiple layers.

A locking stitch length plate.

It sits in an art deco style cabinet with a stool that has storage space under the leather seat.  Inside the drawers are many different feet and attachments as well as lots of bobbins, threads, thimbles and other sewing notions.  I especially loved this package of white "best quality" thread.  Four spools for 88 cents vs. the full price of 25 cents each.  If only........

An adjustable buttonhole maker.

According to the serial number, this old boy will be 79 years old on July 23rd.  I've named him Sven to reflect my husband's Swedish roots and I'm sure he would have many stories to tell if he could talk.   He is a keeper and I hope we enjoy many more happy sewing years.

So what was Sven's task this week????  More masks, of course.  It looks like they will be with us for quite some time.  They might as well be stylish.

We were able to attend the First Communion of one of the grandchildren this week, followed by a nice picnic in the wine country.  There was a field of marigolds that we passed on the way that made a perfect setting for a photo.

Another bit of sewing was a tooth fairy pillow for a special five year old who just lost her first tooth.

Babs was having a fabric giveaway recently and I was chosen as the winner.  Look at these pretty fabrics.  Included was a cute panel for a little stuffed Christmas angel doll that I will have to get sewn for one of the granddaughters.  Thanks, Babs.

In closing, I'll leave you a photo of an orchid that just bloomed.  The colors are so pretty and I love the dark pink on the tips.  There are three blossoms on this plant.

With the new Blogger I was getting some pretty disgusting comments left.  I have reverted back to old Blogger, but I have also applied comment moderation so you will not need to be offended by such comments.

Temperature Quilt QAL Update

Month one is down and we are now well into the second month of our Temperature Quilt QAL.  I hope everyone is keeping up AND enjoying the process as we move into February.  We have had exceptionally warm temperatures in our area and my month of colors definitely reflects that fact.  I even had to move into the real reds this past week.  I was able to add the second row to my first and I am really enjoying the secondary block that appears when the two rows come together.

We do need a bit more winter and definitely more rain before our rainy season ends next month.  If you are sewing along with us, how are your colors?  Be sure to check out the other participants on IG at #sistempquilt18 #tempquilt2018 and #temperaturequilt2018

Slowly, but surely, my On Ringo Lake quilt has come together.  I had it all spread out on the living room floor as that was the only place big enough to put it all down.  Thus, I HAD to work on it to clean up the floor!  Good planning, right????  Sewing in bits and spurts, I finally finished it yesterday.  I really love the way it turned out.  Now...to get it quilted.

Of course, all was not easy sailing with a pup who thought the new flooring was quite interesting.  Need I say that there were many pieces displaced in a short amount of time?

The weather has been so warm and inviting all to enjoy the great outdoors.  The roses, despite still blooming, needed to be pruned and sprayed for the year.  Three days later over 100 bushes are done.  Doesn't it look "wintery" now???  lol

A few more blooms from the garden...

We took a stroll on the beach and were amazed at all of the debris that has washed down from the recent rains and slides post fire.

The tide was out and Toby enjoyed the tide pools.

A bit more emergency sewing went on here.  A special little one lost her first tooth.

Our Gridster Bee Queen this month is Elizabeth and her request was for food basket blocks.  She provided the food fabrics and we made the rest with our choice of fabrics.

I've had some really fun mail lately.  The first comes from Sherry.  I had remarked about the darling Mah Jongg fabric that she was using to create cute little origami coin bags.  I was completely surprised and delighted when one arrived in my mail.  The little purse is like a puzzle!  She placed a shiny copper penny in one pocket and it ends up in BOTH pockets when they are opened.

Five of us formed a group called Sewing With Friends a few years ago.  We have done row robins and round robins in the past and this year we are swapping fabric postcards.  This one arrived from Lynette.  The colors are so pretty and the construction is perfect.

Is everyone looking forward to the Olympics?  What is your favorite event.  It's a tough choice between the ice skating and skiing for me.

Minis and More

The month is quickly drawing to a close and it is nearly time for the newest Minis and More Parade.  This month we were free to make any mini quilt that we wanted.  I decided to branch out and make a mini quilt as a table runner for Christmas.  Playing off the idea of my Silent Night quilt in my last post, I chose to put a different song in my head.  I looked up the music for Joy to the World and went with that.

This time I added the words with machine embroidery.  I thought the music fabric went well with the pattern.

Be sure to check out all of the other fun minis on the first of the month with Michele and Sherri.  I'm looking forward to seeing the choices that were made this month.

I had a request for another tooth fairy pillow for another granddaughter - in "pink".  These measure about 6x7".  I have it personally from numerous tooth fairies that a larger size is best for finding under the pillows in the dark!

Now I need to get busy with a Christmas stocking for the newest baby in the family.  Needless to say, I have a ways to go on it.

We celebrate our Thanksgiving this coming Saturday and from then on it will be busy times around here.  Next week is changing the house over to Christmas to get ready for our big Christmas dinner - adults only -  the following Saturday.  I will be popping in to blogs periodically, but I may not surface for a few weeks.

I wish all of you in the U.S. a blessed Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for in our lives.  Enjoy your wonderful feasts.

The Crash

The better part of the week has been spent in a slump.  You see....my computer died ;-(  I still have the old desktop, but everything is so slow going on it and the laptop is where I have my computer programs.  I had been trying to learn to use my embroidery software more efficiently and I think my fried brain burned up the machine!!

It just makes for more sewing time....that's the good side.  Right???? 

There are lots of little ones starting to loose their teeth around here so Tooth Fairy pillows were needed.  I actually made four, but forgot to take pictures of the blue and green one before sending them to their new owners. 

Pockets on the back for the teeth and what the good fairy leaves in exchange.

I FINALLY finished piecing my Easy Street.  I love this quilt and it is huge.  I laid it out on the grass, but the wind kept blowing up the edges.  It ended up at 94" square.   I know it looks like a rectangle in the photo, but it is square.

There are so many fun quilt-alongs happening right now and it is hard to avoid joining in on them.  I started working on the String of Pearls and have my steps 1 through 3 completed.  This one should go up quickly.

Since a lot of time is spent in the garden these days, I thought I would share some of the flowers with you.

My gardenias are blooming prolifically right now so I love to bring them into the house.  They fill the room with the most delightful fragrance. 

The hibiscus are also pretty right now.  As you can see, they grow well in our climate.

My favorite bush.

My job this week is canning the apricots.  They are at the point of needing to be picked before the birds beat me to them.  A day in the house and they will be ready to go.

Have you ever enjoyed a "donut peach"?  Ours are also just getting ripe.  These are flat little things (thus the name "donut") and they are white in color on the inside.  Their flavor is amazing!

Lastly....our baby quail have grown up and are now as big as their parents.  We just love listening to them and having them come to the feeders. 

Have you been enjoying the Super Moon this weekend?  It is really pretty.  Makes me want to put on the old record album of  Henry Mancini - Concert for Young Lovers.   I think I'll go see if I still have it! 

Have a great week and I will be back visiting when my computer gets sorted out.