Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! I really wish the best for everyone in 2009. A clean slate and a chance to start over. I've also reconnected with my friend Erica who is one of the most creative people I know! Her blog is located at http://luboost1.blogspot.com/ Phil informed me it's great Stormy Kromer weather -- bitter cold and now it is snowing. His new hat arrived just in time. I was so disappointed recently, after receiving over three feet of snow, we had 50 degree weather that melted much of it, caused major flooding of our Grand River, and even thunderstorms! I prefer my winter to be full of snow. By the way, our car turned out wonderfully! We found the absolutely best mechanic in West Michigan! He is fair, honest, and thorough!

Since my computer system had to be reset last weekend (outlook crashed and caused errors) I've been trying to piece it back together. Okay, the problem was over 4000 e-mails in my inbox and folders. At least I was able to save all of my photos and files outside of Outlook. What I did lose was my inbox and all of my contacts. My friends, please send me your contact info again...

New Years resolution #1: I will delete, delete, delete, and not use Outlook as my archive. So far, I've been doing really well since I set everything back up and as of today, it's been one week. Much of my e-mails comes from my sewing groups, so unless it's of major importance to my New Home Sewing Machine Company research, I pretty much don't need to keep everything.

New Years resolution #2: I will go back on Weight Watcher's. I did really well until I was placed on a high dose of medicine that made me gain 12 pounds last May. I just went right back up from there. Finally, I gave up on the diet. Since, I've been changed to another medication that hopefully isn't the cause of such issues.

New Year's resolution #3: I will finish off at least one UFO (in the quilting world a UFO is known as an Unfinished Fabric Object).

New Year's resolution #4: I will post on my blog at least once a month...

I've decided to participate in a New Year's Eve Mystery Quilt from Bonnie at http://www.quiltville.com/ . I think what grabbed my interest is that Bonnie is using mostly civil war repros in hers and I have been itching to complete a quilt using Civil War repro fabrics. I've been collecting them for a few years, but haven't used them. As I underwent so much reorganization of my sewing room in 2008, I thought I had my arms around my entire stash and knew where everything was. But, when I opened the bin containing my CW fabrics and grabbed a small box that contained some miscellaneous CW fat quarter cuts from a previous swap, I realized I didn't have as many as I thought. Yep, I saw the fabric I bought at the quilt show in Chicago earlier this year. Yet, it seemed there was more...somewhere, so I poked around. Then...it happened...the sound of glorious music rang in my ears as the light shone down upon a HUGE shopping bag of fabric nearly FULL of CW fabrics! I hit the mother-load in my own sewing room! Well, it turned out I still was in need of three yards of 'double pinks' and some 'mustard' color fabrics. I called my local quilt shop and they were having a sale. I never go out and purchase fabric. Never. However, I need these for this quilt so decided to treat myself to a little Christmas present. I spent more than I should have but came home with a few extra yards for my stash. Now, I really feel naughty! Later I will take a picture of my progress on the Double Delight New Years Eve Mystery Quilt.

As I enjoy the people powered machines! Yes, I still love my e-machines but lately, the treadles are winning out and I've spent quite a bit of time lately (there's the 'T' word again) cleaning some of my treadle sewing machines and I felt it is only fitting if I use a treadle for the CW quilt.

I decided to use my very early Davis Vertical Feed New High Arm treadle which has a built in walking foot and no feed dogs. Another interesting thing about this particular machine is that the bobbin winder is underneath the table on the treadle irons. Although my Davis VF is 1884-5 ish, I am not fortunate to own any machines that date around the years of the CW. My oldest is 1880, but the VF on the Davis really is nice for accurate piecing. There are people I know that do all of their quilting on these very machines and all of their sewing on treadle machines. I may find myself dragging it into the kitchen so I'm not secluded in my treadle room.

Us collector's tend to name our machines, so I've named it 'Sarge' after one of my favorite and most memorable cats.

Here's a picture of the machine head. The decals are in very good condition for this model of Davis VF.

Here's the bobbin winder. It makes for an interesting stretch to wind the boat shuttle bobbins underneath the table.

Another note of interest, yes, I removed the picture of my Christmas Spider ornament. I did this because I suddenly had tons of hits on my blog for my spider alone and decided to reel him in some. I don't mind sharing my idea however, thinking I may go further with him in the future and put a tutorial out there.

I've also added a gadget that allows you to follow my blog. I didn't know about this feature, but think it is kind of fun.

Class Reunion a brief recap...

I planned to update my blog a while ago, but with recent critter events and busy work life, I have been pretty busy lately. Finally, I have a moment and want to just say I am always amazed at these most endearing friends and classmates. Wow! Another reunion has come and gone and I find myself thinking about time again.

Our reunion events went like this:

• Friday night - the last FHC home football game (we were soaking wet with the rain, but the Rangers won of course) and since we were drenched and frozen, we hit the local grill for socializing, followed by drinks at a local bar. Phil and I skipped the bar.
• Saturday brunch - a pig roast from a local chef at the Cascade Township Park. This was a chance for folks with children to allow their families to be a part of the activities. Another success!
• Saturday evening - what can I say? The laughter, hugs, tears, music, food, pictures, shot luge ice sculpture (my class still likes to party, though I usually pass out on anything more than one drink, so O'Doul's was my friend) the energy was incredible! I had decided to donate the St. Paddy's Day Mystery Quilt from Quiltaholics...the author named it Motion. The quilt was won by one of my classmates whom I've known since elementary school. A very kind hearted person Marc VW. Let me just say there are pictures 'out there' of me wrapped (I mean trapped) in the quilt w/Marc being forced to dance. Ugh! How embarrassing! Anyway, it was all in good fun!
• Sunday morning - brunch was perfect! Held at a little restaurant in Ada that opened its doors just for us.
• Sunday afternoon golf - I don't golf, but I saw pictures of the course. The fall leaves were stunning!

I suspect that I'm not the only one that appreciates these gatherings of old FHC Rangers, class of 1982! So here it is, the day before Thanksgiving and this Friday night is another gathering to listen to our favorite band Trilogy! Yeah! It has been suggested that we have an unofficial 27-1/2 year cruise! Count me in! Even Phil is thinking he could have fun! We need to start saving our change now.

I will always believe that our class is special and blessed. If I were asked to describe them in one word, I would have to say they are 'beautiful' people. Why? Because they just are. Every one of them has a personality that just shines. It doesn't matter if you have the most or the least, have had hard times or easy, fat or thin, short or tall, kids or none, or are married or not. What matters, quite simply is that we are all part of each other. We have all touched one another's lives and as we have grown and matured we recognize a certain kinship.

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, I find myself counting in my blessings, this big bunch of beautiful people that I am thankful for. I also wish happiness, peace, and love for all of my family and friends...those with us and not.

Time to celebrate my classmates - reunion plans

My 25th high school reunion is finally here! I am looking forward to seeing all of my old classmates and the weekend promises to be a happy one. There are so many activities planned and they will be full of friendship, warmth, and energy!

Tonight, we have the last high school football game with after game activities at a local grill, tomorrow afternoon a pig roast at a local park, tomorrow evening the main event at a local country club with all of the trimmings - food, live music (they even have the same band we used to have in HS), activities, photos, the energy will be incredible. The most amazing thing is that really, nobody ever looks much different. It's a pretty timeless event. Sure, there may be a bit less hair on top for the men, and the girls may be a bit more fluffy (I'm way fluffy, but working on it w/the help of weight watcher's), but I don't really see my old classmates with my eyes...I don't think any of us care what someone is wearing or not, has or doesn't, but mostly we care that they are happy. Our class includes folks from all walks of life and at some time or another, our paths have crossed. It's true we don't always keep in touch and we aren't all 'friends' that hang around each other though some folks do, but everyone is truly welcome.

People are shocked when I describe the plans for the reunion weekend and then continue to explain we usually have large events. Many folks haven't even attended a single one of their own class reunions, or just one or two. I wouldn't miss one of our reunions, and it will be a bit easier to keep in touch as we have our own class web site now.

The quilt is the first of many that I plan to make for our reunions. It's far from perfect, but I really didn't want it to be perfect. It's not meant to be perfect, though it is pretty darned good!The author of the pattern named it 'Motion'. This to me represents the epitome of who we are, we are moving throughout our lives and then every once in a while we reconnect and then move on.

I hope to update my little blog more on the activities later this weekend...

Feast or Famine...

I'm in one of those stretches at work...you know the kind, feast or famine! I have so many projects at work that my weekend will be split between working, some chores, and I'd love to get some sewing in...but first, I thought I'd spend a moment in my little corner.

I have lots of sewing projects to do as well, some will take creativity on my part such as the Halloween blocks I need to make for a swap (due this month) and Christmas Ornament Swap (this the idea won't leave my brain, so I hope it works as it is original...) and I really need to finish up the donation quilt for my class reunion fund raiser. The problem I have is that the quilt I decided to donate is one that another quilty friend said I was hugely undervaluing. I can't say a quilt I made is worth what she says it's valued at, but it is significantly higher in value than what I thought. So, I'm now thinking about another quilt top I made this year (The St. Paddy's Day Mystery Quilt). Also an intense endeavor with many pieces and parts. Here are some pictures, I ask you please ignore the wrinkles as they are both in UFO state (unfinished objects). I apologize for the lack of quality in the pictures. I already had a picture of the St. Paddy's Day Mystery quilt and I just took pictures (or tried) of the tan/green/purple quilt -- I had some helpers.

Phoebe was underneath and Tyler was on top...you can see him inspecting.

In the tan/green/purple quilt, the purple looks navy in the pictures, but is actually purple. Anyway, I will probably send the St. Paddy's Day Mystery Quilt -- it was still very intense work of art, the dark color is not black but is a dark green, but not as much $ invested into it. What is your opinion? Which one do you think I should hang onto and which one do you think I should donate?

Phil just came by and took out the window air-conditioner...a sure sign of fall. The light is just pouring into the sewing room. The air-conditioner is no taller than 1 foot, I wonder how could it suck up so much light? I am anxiously awaiting the reinstallation of the screen and getting the fresh air, but alas, I've been told "we are taking a break". Tyler is acting like a wild man he's running and jumping and 'talking' -- typical with the anticipation of another window to fight the girls over. Well, I better get started with the weekend.