Christmas Sewing Marches On

I love making quilts but I especially love making quilts related to Christmas. So with my new Bernina I got started on some Christmas table runners. This is the first sewing machine I have ever bought for myself so I am very excited about it. This is also the first free motion quilting I have ever attempted so I was a little nervous about actually quilting on something besides a practice cloth but I surprised myself with my abilities and I am quite pleased. I hope the people I give these runners to like them.

Daughters and Teapots

In getting some of the Christmas decorations out this past weekend, I glanced at the china cabinet and saw my Lefton Green Holly teapot and teacups. My Mom gave me the teacups, which were originally given to her by one of her sisters, before she passed away and I love them. One time many years ago my daughter and I were at a yard sale when my daughter kept tugging at my shirt and pointing to something that was for sale. I could see it was a teapot, sugar and creamer but it was impossible to see what color or pattern it was through all the grease on it. But that determined little girl declared that it was like "Memere's teacups" and she was right. So we quickly paid $5 for them and brought it home and proceeded to de-grease them with Lestoil. Now whenever I see them I think of my Mom.

Trying to Get Organized

I bought a new sewing machine recently-a Bernina. But in the sewing room I have it was so disorganized and in disaray that something had to be done. For many years, along with being a sewing room this room had been a playroom, an arts and crafts room, a dumping spot for all things that you don't know what to do with and a dropping spot for all the college stuff home for summer vacation. But enough was enough I say! The kids graduated long ago, got married and bought their own houses. It was time to take back the room. To start, I bought a cupboard at the same place I bought my $18 oil painting. I had seen it a couple of times, walked by it and returned to buy it last week. I needed storage and this seemed to fit the bill. It is working out perfect I have to say-just the right size. I spent Saturday sorting and stowing fabric-I need to make only scrap quilts for quite a while! The room is looking good. Before and after pictures will show up here one of these days. In the meantime, here is my cupboard.

And the inside

Used Stuff

I would much rather buy used furniture than new. I can count on my two hands how many times I have been in a furniture store. We did get a brand new bedroom set 31+ years ago when we got married and have bought a couple of couches that way but for the most part all of our "stuff" has been given to us or purchased used at consignment, thrift, or antique stores or at yard sales. The best freebie was a desk my uncle gave us many years ago. The desk was in his chicken coop and it was on the way to the dump but asked us first if we wanted it. Hubby picked up one side of it and based on it's weight he declared it "real wood" and said we'd take it. Now you couldn't actually tell what kind of wood it was because of thick black varnish and "deposits" from the chickens. But once stripped we saw beautiful oak grain and have loved this desk ever since.

I did recently buy an oil painting in a consignment store for $18. I wasn't looking for a painting but there it was and I was drawn to it. It now hangs in my bathroom of all places. I was back at that store yesterday buying a Jelly Cabinet which I plan on using in my sewing room makeover. Those pictures will hopefully be coming soon. In the meantime here's my bathroom masterpiece.

Bye for now-Chris

A Blog Newbie

Well, here I am in my blog about family, quilts, cats, and life in general. I lead a pretty normal and relatively quiet life in New England where I love to sew and quilt and generally enjoy being a wife and home body. We are the parents, owners, keepers-who knows what the title should be-of two cats who also seem to love quilts, hence the blog name. I hope you enjoy reading about life in my home. Here is one of the furry occupants on a favorite quilt-one I made for my daughter's wedding.