What I've been doing.

That is a nice bag.  I've been thinking of sewing a bag so I can sew some of Chris's Art Patches onto it.  

But I don't sew much so I'm sticking with the project I'm in the middle of: mittens for everyone!  Of course, I'm just knitting with the yarn in my stash and I'm not swatching, so the mittens will just turn out the size they turn out.  Here's what I've got so far - modeled by Elliot.

Sewing again

Hi Mary and Jeni,

I have been working on this during my Tuesday quilting nights at Faye's Henhouse Quilts up in Mayville.

Finally finished a project today.

 The body is made of a laminated fabric.  Sort of like oil cloth but more flexible and softer.  I will be easy to wipe it clean if (when) it gets dirty.  I was supposed to put a magnetic snap in the pink top but I have heard lots of stories about how they pull out so I just left  it open.  The bag is 15" x 13" in size.

The yellow floral is a laminated fabric so it will just wipe off if it get dirty.

It has three pockets inside.  The lining is made of the green batik that is on the handles.  The pockets are made of the bright pink.  Two on one side and one slightly larger on the other.  This bag is called the Bella Bag by the designer, Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures.

My job today is to find some really cute buttons to replace the pins holding the straps in place.

So I am off to buy some buttons today to make the handles look really cute.  Jim thinks we are going to Fargo so I can go see my nephrologist, but I know why we are really going.

The purse with buttons.

Love,
Nancy

My Singer Model 12 handcrank with a fiddle base.

Singer Model 12, handcrank (with bentwood case.)

Dear Mary and Jeni,

These are before pictures. 

I am not going to do much cleaning as I don't wan't to ruin the lovely decals.  There is some oil around the pillar that I will carefully clean up and I will try to do something about the nickle plate as it is dull and a little rusted on the hand crank lever.   Otherwise I will leave it as it is.   

It is so beautiful that I can't stand it.  It moves perfectly quietly so I feel that if I can only get it threaded and get the shuttle in correctly I will be able to sew with it.  

Right now it is the earliest machine I own.  They were made up until 1902, so this machine is older than 100 years. It looks pretty good for it's age doesn't it?

How many other machines made over a century ago are still working.  These machines were made to last!  Here is a link to more info about the Singer Model 12.  

detail of decals on front of Singer Model 12.

 

detail of decals on center of the 'fiddle' base.

face plate decals.

decals even on the handcrank!

The bentwood case.

The top number is the serial number.  8296094
It dates the machine to 1888 according to the Singer Co. records.

Cindy Peters says it takes a #23 needle and she has them for sale.  I will be ready to go once I get a few new ones.  The one in it looks as old as the machine.

Yes it is a beauty!

Love,

Nancy

May 2nd 2012

Hi Mary and Jeni,

Yesterday was one of those rare perfect days.  The breeze was soft the sun was shining and the lawn was full of dandelions.   The dandelions were full of Red Admiral butterflies.  When you walked across the lawn they billowed around you like a cloud.

Red Admiral on Creeping Charlie

Even what was left of the crab apple tree was starting to bloom.   When you walked near it you could hear the hum from all the bees that were nectaring there.  It also had a share of the Red Admiral butterflies.  

Red Admiral on Hopa Crab Apple Tree.

It was a great day for gardening.  Jim planted potatoes, peas and strawberries and has plans for beets and lettuce today.  

It is sure nice to be back at the farm.

Hugs,

Nancy