Colour Unboxed

Last week, I decided that I really needed to see the exhibit at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, called Colour Unboxed. The show featured the works of the "Out Of The Box Fibre Artists". The show has been on since December and ended on the weekend, and since I had heard really great things about it, I didn't want to miss it.

It was worth the trip. On a grey day, it was a feast for the eyes.

And now, I am wondering how I managed to miss the purple.  I saw them, I just forgot to get a picture.

There were many other wonderful pieces, all beautiful, full of colour. It was definitely worth the trip.

I also went to the annual gathering of animal Foster Volunteers. We were greeted by a lovely cake, made by one of the shelter staff.

 Cats, dogs, bunnies, and I think there was a guinea pig on the cake. Adorable.

Did Someone Say Snow?

From Sunday morning until Monday, we got 28 cm of snow. That was not as much as they got on the East Coast, but still, a lot.

This morning we got up just as a "snow squall" was beginning.

We got 10 cm of snow in about 90 minutes. It was the light fluffy kind, just right for snow angels.

On days like this, we all wonder why we even get out of our nice warm beds.

My twenty minutes of sewing pledge took a bit of a hit, this weekend. I caught a cold, and decided that colds were more suited to knitting than sewing. So, I started a pair of socks and a pair of mittens. No picture, because I don't have a lot of progress on either.

However, today, I got back into the groove.

I continued working on my tree skirt, on the Singer 15-91.

It isn't my finest work, as I get used to using the machine, but it passes the three foot rule, so, since the final destination is on the floor, under the Christmas Tree, I am sure it will be fine, and a good piece to practice on. The old Singer is a joy to work with. It runs really smoothly (thanks to the expert cleaning it got last winter), and it doesn't even notice when it crosses a seam. A few more days, and it will be ready for binding.

Last spring, I finished knitting my Eyre of Romance Jane Shawl.

It has been sitting here, since. I knit it as a way to improve my short row knitting. I didn't really have any idea what I would do with it next. The Lyndhurst Feral Cat Project is having a fundraising auction, on Facebook. I have decided to donate the shawl to them. So, today, I finally blocked the shawl.

It will head off to Lyndhurst, hopefully tomorrow, via Canada Post.  The shawl is a Merino and Cashmere blend, lovely and soft, just the thing for reading Charlotte Bronte, by the fire. If you are interested in the shawl, or any of the other lovely artisan offerings they will have, be sure to follow them on Facebook.

Adventures in Sewing

I have owned 5 sewing machines. My first was a White machine. It did straight stitch, zigzag, and if you held your mouth right, a blind hem. It had a buttonholer, but I never really got along with it. I bought it with the proceeds of a summer working as a camp counsellor. The machine weighed a ton, and I lugged it with me, to university and on my coop job placements, unless I had to use the plane to get to my placement. I used it to sew my clothes, including numerous formals and bridesmaid dresses. We were very close.

When I was a woman of independent means, I bought a Beaumark machine. It was much lighter then the White, and it had electronic speed control. When you stepped on the foot pedal, it started to sew. I used it to make baby clothes, children's clothes, costumes for my kids Halloweens and theatrical endeavors. I actually wore it out.

I added a White serger to my collection, when knit fabrics were popular. I made track suits and t-shirts, as well as 1 hour shorts. It still lives in my sewing room and serves me well, though not as often as it used to,

I then made the big plunge and replaced the Beaumark with a computerized Husqavarna. I was assured that I would not wear it out as easily. I enjoy it thoroughly. It does everything I would want a sewing machine to do. It even has an alphabet.  The only thing it doesn't do well, is handling thick fabric. This is a bit of a problem when bag making.

A couple of years ago, I found this machine, filthy dirty, at the church jumble sale.

It was originally priced at $25. Then some volunteer looked at it, declared it was a featherweight and that it was very valuable, so they changed the price to $150. I realized it was not a featherweight (the thing weighs a ton), so I volunteered to research a price. It is a Singer 15-91. According to the historic singer websites it was built in 1939, and sadly, for the church, its value is $25-$50. Armed with this information, I went back and bought it for $50. They were willing to take the original $25, but it was for charity, I paid $50.  It is a direct drive machine, which should take heavy fabrics well.

Last winter, my husband took the motor apart and got it running much more smoothly. Today, I plan to take it for a test drive, quilting the tree skirt that got lost over Christmas, when things in life went wrong. I figure that quilting the skirt in February guarantees that it will be ready for next Christmas.

Meanwhile, I finished my first sample bag for the course I am teaching.

I think it turned out well.

It has a zipper in the top.

Pockets on the inside, including one for your name badge.

The lining is a piece of "What was I thinking?" out of my stash.

The pockets are cut from more patches from the scrap of Laurel Burch.

Drop Everything 2017

For the last few years, I have tried to take the twenty minute challenge for the month of February. How hard can it be, spending at least 20 minutes every day for 28 days doing something I love? Sadly, I think we all tend to put ourselves last, so, maybe for February at least, I can try to give myself this treat.

So, for I think the fifth year in a row, here is my pledge:

I, Kate, an easily distracted sewist and quilter (squirrel),  pledge to quilt or sew for at least 20 minutes  every day of the month of February, 2017. In doing so, I hope to get something (really anything ) DONE, reducing the amount that my family will have to dispose of later. I will also endeavor,  as far as possible, to use the supplies I already have on hand, to complete my projects.  In this way, I hope to further reduce my materials at hand.

Last year I completed this bag. And it was entirely from my stash.

I obviously need a new handbag, this one is so last year.

I need to get a couple of tote bag samples finished, and today, I got off to a good start for the month.

I cut the fabric for the back of the first bag, cut some batting and did some quilting. I was looking through my thread stash and found the perfect thread. I think it followed me home from a quilt show a few years ago.

Doesn't everyone have a spool of thread in shades of hot pink, turquoise, purple, and royal blue?

It disappears on the Laurel Burch fabric.

The back of the bag is a solid piece of fabric, and I think I might have some fun and quilt the whole thing with this.