Still Here!!!

Gosh! its been a while since I was last here LOL!!!!  There's been a bit of a sewing drought in this neck of the woods lately!  I have been following but not sewing and everytime I think I can escape! something pops up to keep me occupied elsewhere, work is the main culprit I have to say, but without it I couldn't do what I love at the end of the day!!!!

My last CW block was #29 Railroad Crossing!  It's kinda grown on me because initially I thought the red was too much,  but in the whole scheme of things it should blend in quite nicely!!!

Then there is #28, Next Door Neighbour! 

I enjoyed putting this block together because I was able to use a couple of fabrics I had no idea how I was going to use.  They are the two blues, the pale centre blue print I thought I'd never find a home for and the mid blue with all the little icons, I loved, but couldn't imagine where it would fit!   But there you have it, they seem to like where they are and it just goes to show buying a FQ bundle can really stretch your creativity!  If I saw them on the bolt in a shop I would have just passed them by.....

A large number of people who are doing these blocks are members of the flickr group, http://www.flickr.com/groups/civilwarquilts2011/  and were given the option a little while back, of making an extra block as a gift to include in a quilt to be made for Barbara Brackman. This is a token of our appreciation for all the work she is putting into giving us these lovely patterns every week and the detailed history of the American Civil War on her blog.  One of the ladies, Becky has volunteered to collect them all, sew them together and have the quilt quilted.   The choice of which block to make is optional.  I think it is an awesome project and a wonderful momento for Barbara to keep from quilters all over the world.

While I was doing #26 Barbara Frietchie Star, I picked out some other fabrics that I thought might go well together to make for Barbara's block.  I chose a more patriotic palette for her block.

We were asked to sign our names and country of origin on the block.   I have mine ready to pack and post this week.

If you have been following my blog you will know I have a modest collection of vintage sewing machines which I am sharing with you all.   This week it is my Singer 201K.   Her birthday is 24 January 1956.  Made in Great Britain.

She comes in this wonderful old case.

This particular 201K model has a more stream lined look compared to some of the older models and is a full size machine.

She is a beautiful stitcher, but didn't come with any attachments or booklets.  I have managed to collect a little wardrobe of necessities for her.

The front cover of the manual on the left has already come adrift, but it's all original, the booklet on the right gives details about all the technical bits, like light mountings, motor stuff, wiring etc.

These are probably not all the accessories available, but what I do have are in beautiful condition. There is even a little needle threader (botton left) with a couple of spare teeny tiny hooks that fit into the eye of the needle to catch the thread.   It took me a while to work out what this ingenius little item was, I was tickled pink!!!  I have another box of extra accessories that would fit this low shank machine.  I also have a large sewing tin for most of my machines, but this one hasn't got one yet, something to get soon I think!

He decals are in pretty good condition and she fits nicely into her little case.  

Last week there was a magnificant sunset, it was great to catch because I work a lot of late shifts and generally miss them.   This was taken on the side verandah of my house overlooking the neightbours' roof.
The colours were so rich as the light filtered through the trees in my neighbours' yard I just had to capture it on my camera.

Notice the tallest tree just to the right of the photo.   This tree is a favourite of our resident koala.  A couple of years ago this is him, resting on a branch catching the early morning winter sunshine.

Isn't he wonderful!  It's nice to know he feels comfortable enough to live around us.  

I'm about to tackle the latest CW block.   It is applique, and seeing as how me and appliqued blocks don't really get along I am going to try and think of an alternative method.   One of the ladies who has posted on the flickr group has pieced a star instead, so this is looking good for me too!!!

Have a great weekend everyone, stay safe and warm if you are in Australia, and cool if you are in the US/Canada.

Take it easy!

Merilyn