We seem to have fruit bearing fir trees in our back yard…Scott couldn’t be happier! ; )
Piecefully, Pam
Monthly Archives: August 2009
Stitching soothes…
the soul and is a balm for the psyche. After a less than pleasant day of work it felt SEW good to come out into the sunshine and enjoy the LOVELY weather. : ) <deep sigh!!!>
I walked Jingle pretty hard this evening. I needed somewhere to GO with that energy. It felt GOOD and shared with an obedient dog was a bonus! ; )
After walking, I sat outside on the patio and stitched!!! Ahhhh!!! A nice glass of wine. A contented dog. A basket of stitching. Curative. Restorative. Pleasurable!!!
Hope your evening is relaxing and enjoyable too.
Piecefully, Pam
A special delivery!
Yesterday Momma Barb and Karen visited. They delivered a sewing table. It had been Karen’s. She now has the new Bernina 820 which needs it’s own table. Karen doesn’t have space in her studio for both, so…sew…?!
Opened, the table measures approximately 35″ x 51″ It is manufactured by Horn or Koala…I didn’t see a makers mark, but Barb believes it’s Horn. Barb uses this exact model as her sewing (and cutting) table too!!! The sewing machine can not recess down into the table. But, when (if) the sewing machine is removed, there is an insert to fill the opening and make it a whole intact table/surface. The unit is on castors and can be mobile or locked into position.
This table comes with provenance! However, I do not have a need for the table. Karen knows if I don’t keep it, it will be offered to one of my Bee girls. That is fine with her (and Barb). She just wants it to go to a good home where it will get use and be-e loved. Any takers…?!
Piecefully, Pam
A date to remember!
It has been quite the week! Summer is coming to a close. I KNOW this because I have returned to work this week. My Summer holiday is over…and I’m NOT ready!!! OK, I NEVER am. Leaves are falling, garden plants are turning yellow and brown, AND it smells like acorns. Yep, that acorn scent triggers a childhood memory. It signals Autumn’s approach! This thought was only reinforced by Nicole’s most recent post! See what I mean?!
Two Pocket Matt stayed late on Monday to provide tech support. Here’s a BIG shout out to YOU, Matt!!! Thanks dude!!! ; ) I’m going to try to add a “link” for another recipe this evening. I’m working tags, catergories and RSS thanks to Matt. Those Game Guys are a talented and surprising bunch!
I am nearing completion of my 4th Flower Pots block from Kim McLean’s quilt. I have even begun the prep work for Block #5! I am using this quilt to teach hand applique at Cloth & Bobbin . Such FUN working with these talented and eager women! ; ) You SEW, girls!!!
Keep cool, keep sewing and enjoy your evening! Thanks for stopping by. : )
Piecefully, Pam
P.S. I did. Five years ago TODAY! : ) So did they…just last week. ALL the best!!!
I’m a believer
Here’s the proof…
I set my needle ALL the way to the right and used the (right inner) edge of my #20 foot as a guide and it WORKED! I blanket stitched this handle in place without any difficulty! It went SEW well, I used these settings to complete my Bunny Hill block! ; )
Piecefully, Pam
I’m a convert.
I’ve had a 1/4 inch foot with a guide for my sewing machine for what, two years now?! I haven’t used it! I’m a NON-believer. I can’t actually SEE the edges of my fabric. How do I KNOW my seam will be a 1/4 inch?!?!?! Recently, I have been sewing l-o-n-g 2 1/2 inch strips together and what with looking out my window at the humming bird feeder my 1/4 inch seam allowance hasn’t been exactly a 1/4 inch. OK, OK! Here, let me TRY that foot with a guide…harrumpfff! Guess what?! It WORKS!!! It WORKS. Wait, let me say it again. It WORKS!
What’s next…?! I may actually use my open toe embroidery foot with the needle set all the way to the right when doing a blanket stitch. Stay tuned. THAT may happen tomorrow! I’ve been prepping my Bunny Hill block! ; ) Old dog, new tricks. Will wonders never cease?!
Sweet dreams and sleep tight!. Enjoy the cooler temps!!!
Piecefully, Pam
I’ve been spending time in the basement.
It’s cool down there. And, in THIS heat, cool is welcome…
Yesterday I made pickles. Not just any pickles, but my Chili Dills! They’re dill-y and HOT. Each jar is spiked with a homegrown cayenne pepper. From our garden goodness I was able to make 19 quarts. That’s a lot of cukes!
Today I was in the basement yet again. I was using our LARGE “table” to trace my upcoming Flower Pots blocks. Funny thing is, this “table” had a previos life as closet doors in our master bedroom. One man’s trash… They work perfectly…as a table!!! ; ) Shhh, don’t tell!
Piecefully, Pam
Humming
I recently made fresh nectar for our humming bird feeders. I should do it with more regularity. The hummers are amusing to watch. ; ) They never disappoint!
Hope you’re humming through your day too…
Piecefully, Pam
In a pickle! ; )
I committed to making Chili Dills tomorrow! I ran to 7-Eleven tonight to buy ice. Now the garden cukes can seriously chill overnight in preparation for pickling tomorrow. Dill is waiting to be picked in the morning maybe some garlic too. I haven’t made pickles since 2007. It’s time!!! I use a “regular” dill pickle recipe, but I add cayenne peppers from the garden. The peppers give a KICK! Awesome!!! They’re GREAT with a sammy! ; )
Today I did some work on my Flower Pots Block #4. I am enjoying this project. I got a boost from the photos my students shared! Thanks girls!!!
So…sew, this is what our studio looked like earlier today as I was selecting fabrics for templates and checking my traced pattern…messy, but FUN!
This is the current state of my Block #4…
Summer has been FILLED with wonder and FuN!!! May you enjoy your tonight and have a fabulous tomorrow! I’m going to go take a few stitches now!
Piecefully, Pam
What a difference a day makes!
I am enjoying the change in today’s weather. : ) I will certainly take milder temps, lower humidity and a few clouds any day. It’s been nice enough to do a little garden work today.
Our tomatoes have started coming in and are plentiful. I decided to whip up my version of bruschetta today. I quartered loads of cherry tomatoes and added them to a glass bowl where I puddled a nice EVOO, balsamic vinegar, and red wine. I gave that a toss with the tomatoes, then added some fresh ground black pepper, a heaping teaspoon of sugar and a pinch of sea salt. I left that on the counter to steep for a bit while I chopped some fresh parsley and made a chiffonade of fresh basil leaves. I added this to the bowl, gave it another stir and continued to let it stand at room temperature. Next, I smashed and minced several cloves of garlic and added that to the bowl. Yum-O!!! It’s READY to eat! : D
I have asked Two Pocket Matt for some geeky tech support and made a date with him for next Monday evening. While this new blog is coming along there are some things I am too impatient to try to work out on my own. I have a keen interest in figuring out things like – widgets, RSS feed, tags, ping, avatars and any number of other technical tidbits.
In the future, I’d like to add some tutorials to my blog. I have had some queries about the how’s and why’s I do things. So, keep an eye out for such topics as…my many quilting uses for poster putty, no pin no thread basting, my applique uses for a “fancy toothpick”, making bias stems, and more… If you have any topics you’d like me to blog about, please ask?!
I’m heading back to my applique project now. It feels good to see the progress I’ve been making. I hope you get a chance to take some stitches today too!
Piecefully, Pam
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