Monday, March 30, 2009

Happy Birthday??? The Herd has grown again! (for the last time)

When I started collecting sewing machines I wanted to get a Singer Featherweight, a machine in the 221 series. I just didn't think it would be possible. Everything I saw about them, the cost was too high for me to add one to my collection. If sewing was my livelyhood, and this machine would do something for me that no other one could, I could forsee it, but it isn't and doesn't so I had pretty much written off owning one.
Shortly after finding this machine love, I found out that one of our neighbors used to be the Regional Sales Director for Singer Co. for many years and happened to have a ton of stuff that he had obtained, collected, aquired, hoarded, etc. Including 3 featherweights. He however wanted current asking price so though there were 3 of them just up the road I still only had my sights set on one, and not until he significantly reuduced the price.
Well 2 weeks ago while conversing with yet another neighbor, he informed me that neighbor #1 came by to inform me that he had another buyer, and needed to know whether or not I wanted the machines, as he wanted to give me first dibs.
I had not spoken to him about these machines in over 3 years. He had not touched them in over 3 years when he had gotten them out to show me. I had not forgotten, and he at 89 had not either.
So I went to speak with him. He asked if I was still interested and mentioned his price. I almost choked on my spit. I cautiously asked him again. He repeated himself, and said he wanted me to have all three! I said, ahem, yes, but let me speak with my husband, as I turned on heel and levitated back to the van where Rocky was waiting to hear the bottom line.
That day after a bit of deliberation these two came home, to stay.
On the left a 1964 221-K with perfect paint and case.
On the right a 1951 Centennial 221-, commemorative machine marking Singer's 100 years of Sewing machine production and sales. Also with case, manual and accessories!

The third followed this Sunday, another 221- from 1948. There was one thing that we wanted to work out with the foot controller. Rocky got the controller from him, and an extra cord, and after about 10 minutes to replace the power cord, it worked!
The third one will be for sale after I have a chance to clean and recondition it and it's case.
I cannot believe how these machines were just placed right down the road for me in the hand of someone who had no desire to get rid of them until the right person came along. I will cherish the two that I keep!
So though I had a crappy birthday, with being sick and having sick kids and not even getting to go out or anything, this pretty much makes up for it! One of my crafty wishes has come true!
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Monday, March 23, 2009

New Wheel

While Rocky and I were in Glendora for New Pastor Training I got to try out a spinning wheel that has just been released to be sold March 1. Rocky said that I could get a 2nd wheel, and I have been searching most of 2008 for the perfect one. This one so far is it. I preordered it because I loved it so. My SpinOlution Bee.
She arrived March 11th!

Zuri was there to help me get the package, as you can see we opened it immediately, yes that's the front door behind Zuri. She thinks the bobbins look like her brother's tinker toys and immediately determined that whenever she saw one, she was going to try to confiscate it as hers.


This made it rather difficult for me to test my new wheel, which I have named Melina. It means Honey. The fluidity of honey is a good visualization for how she spins. This wheel is so smooth and easy to treadle.


But eventually I was able to finish up this yarn, 281 yards around dk weight merino hand dyed. Navajo plyed. This is tightly spun as it comes in at 7.7 oz.


I love Melina, she's a great wheel!
I plan to keep and still use Bellaranea my Bellus from Heavenly Handspinning. It is an Irish tension (flyer brake) whereas Melina is Scotch tension (bobbin break). This means that I can spin different kinds yarns with greater ease. There are other differences like Melina is more compact, though heavier, and has more range and faster speeds. Bellaranea has huge bobbins, and I have more of them. I am so thankful to my sister to introducting me to handspinning yarn. This has become one of my handcrafts that I really love to do!
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cup pouch

My Diva cup needed a pretty pouch for inbetween times. This little number was quickly crocheted in Lion Brand Organic Cotton and is so soft. My cup fits perfectly and it's the cutest little case. Much nicer than the cheap cotton baggie that it came with.

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First tooth, only tooth

This has been here for a little over a month. These pics were taken on March 4. Zuri has gotten her first tooth

Finally


It's her only one. She's been teething for so long, I wish for her sake the rest would join in and cut through.
(pardon the crazy pics, she's like her brothers in that she doesn't sit still, unless she's alseep!)
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Your Wii age is 35!

For this year's birthday Rocky gave me these beautiful tulips. . . see the snow outside my kitchen window.
I had grand plans of what I could do on my birthday, but ended up spending it sick with sick kids and a sick hubby.

Happy 35th birthday to me!
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Monday, March 09, 2009

Ravelry Going Green Swap Round 3

Thanks Casey for my package. I love every little bit of it, you were spot on with what you chose to gift me! Pictured below is my package:

A handknit market bag made from Fibranatura Cottonwood, a soft organic cotton
2 balls of Hemp4Knitting Allhemp6 in Pearl
The Better World Shopping Guide, a green book.

I have had a lot of fun knitting a kitchen towel for Mintrain. I have ordered her yarn, but it hasn't arrived yet. I am thinking it will arrive tomorrow or Wednesday so hopefully I can get this package out into the mail well before the end of the week at the swap deadline!
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