Monday Doodles & things...

40 items listed on Evilbay yesterday!  One sold BIN this morning so I am happy.

I thought you might like to see my pencil case that I use to store my 'Doodle' colouring in pencils.

I made this at Glenfield Intermediate School in New Zealand when I was either in Form one or Form two...I can't remember which year.

I just love the fact that I still have it after all these years!

Oh and just because I can...

My Clean Fridge thanks to the joint effort of myself and my older son who really is a star!

Nothing like having someone who is used to working all the time helping you  :-)

He has even done another coat of paint on the wall I painted in his bedroom, and done a much better job of it as well!

Lastly, my 'new to me' sewing machine which was ever so kindly given to me by a friend of mine in Germany who is moving to the USA.  Thank you so much, this gift is so very much appreciated after my trusty old Bernina 'died'.

I have order a couple of bulbs so soon there will be action!

Disaster!

Disaster!

My beloved overlocker has really died this time.

Plugged it in and turned it on this morning to do some sewing and what happened?

Nothing, nada, zilch!

The power is getting through the cable, but she doesn't want to work at all.  Not even the light bulb comes on.  I thought at first it may have been the bulb, but then I thought even without the bulb working the machine would still sew.  I tried to take the bulb out but the glass bulb just came out in my hand, not the metal screw in bit.  So that is another disaster.  

Elna Lock was just 16 days shy of her 22nd birthday.  Oh what am I going to do without her?

Fixing Sewing Machines

Over the last couple of weeks, my computer died and my sewing machines went wrong...first my Bernina got jammed, then my overlocker started making a knocking sound and finally at quilting group my Bernette stopped feeding the fabric through.  

Well my wonderful husband spent all night fixing my computer so that I can transfer all my files to an external hard drive, and I can now use them on the new computer he kindly bought me.  The old computer can then be completely reformatted for perhaps DS1 to use...the jury is still out on that one at the moment.

My Bernette just needed a jolly good defluff, clean and oil and is now working as good as ever.

This has been a really trusty machine.  The first machine I ever bought for myself when I was around...well not going to tell you how old I was as that will be a giveaway, instead I will say it is at least 25, if not 26 years old.  I love it, it has been a very trust worthy machine and has sewn everything from clothes for me, my husband and children, leather shoes for babies, soft toy/fur fabric and now currently is used for sewing my dolls clothes.

Filled with confidence at getting the Nettie, the Bernette running smoothly I then set to repairing 'Nina' the Bernina as my friendly reliable sewing machine repair man has unfortunately retired....to say I am devastated with this news is an understatement as he was local and excellent!

My Bernina is my quiliting and patchwork machine.  This machine was given to me as it didn't work.  It cost a little for it to be overhauled with a couple of replacement parts and now runs beautifully.  It is a Bernina Minimatic 807.  Not sure of its age, but I'm guessing at least 20 - 30 years old.  I use this machine for quilting, although I often do my piece work on my cute  Vintage Singer Featherweight 201.

Turns out it was a simple unjamming of thread,

I was more concerned about whether I would be able to fix my Elna Overlocker.

This machine was the cream of the crop when I bought it in May 1990, so it is nearly 22 years old.  It cost me $895.00 New Zealand Dollars, so considering how long ago that was, it was a very expensive machine and definitely an investment for me.  I still have the original receipt and guarantee form.  I have made many sweatshirts for adults, children and babies on this machine as well as dolls clothes.  

Could I fix it?  Fortunately yes, it needed some screws tightening that had worked their way loose, a clean and an oil and is now working.  Yeah!

So all in all I am feeling very happy that my everyday sewing machines are back in full working use.

Space Quilt Ta daa!

The Space Quilt I have made for DS2 for Christmas is finished.  It has a lovely soft fleece fabric for the backing so should be lovely on his bead and great to snuggle up in.

Annie's belt has been sized and fitted and she has had a good clean up, oil and lubrication and sews lovely.  Once you get your legs co-ordinated to work the treadle she flows lovely and smoothly.

Yummy Cake!

An early start to the day today, washing done, ironing done and the guinea pigs cleaned out.  This then left the  rest of the morning to try a new receipe found on my friend Nichola's blog.  I had been wanting to try this for a little while but needed to order the coconut flour from the health food shop.  Gluten & wheat free, there is a lot of healthy goodness crammed into this cake.  

Windfall Cake

Ready to go in the oven.

Like most cakes that I cook in my oven, it took at least twice as long to cook as the recipe said.

Have I had a slice yet?  You bet I have and it is delicious!  Now just need to tell the boys it is super healthy and hopefully they won't eat it ;-)  Thank you for a great recipe Nichola!  Anyone wanting to try it, you can find the recipe here.

While cooking I was able to spend a little time in the sewing studio, until my back became too sore to continue, so now sitting with some heated wheaty packs on it.

Annie's belt arrived today and I have fitted it.  I will spend tomorrow oiling and servicing her and then will hopefully see how she sews.

Meet Annie

Back in January Val of Bella Bag Blog, found here, wrote the following post 'A Lovely Old Lady'  please do click on it and go and read it before continuing as it is definitely worth a read and relates the story of a Singer Sewing Machine her grandmother bought in the 1920s.

Well at the beginning of the week I had a lovely email from Val, right out of the blue.  I hadn't heard from her from sometime so was delighted to see I had an email from her.  Goodness though, what an unexpected  gesture though.  She wanted to know if I would like to have 'Annie', her grandmother's gorgeous treadle sewing machine.  Well I really didn't need to think twice did I?  Although have to confess to feeling rather anxious at how I would explain away another sewing machine to my very patient and understanding husband...who turned out to be just that, and agreed we must give Annie a home!

I'm not sure where she will go yet, but I have a few ideas.

I wasn't expected Val to deliver her so quickly though and today 'Annie' arrived in all her glory and so is currently in temporary accommodation in the front of my dresser in our lounge.

I just love the Lotus decal design, and had admired photos of these lovely machines on the web.

I'd also of course admired this machine on Val's blog back in January, never ever expecting that one day she would be mine!

Isn't it wonderful?

She dates from 23rd January 1923, when a run of 60,000 of these machines 66K were made.

I think I will spend the afternoon, cleaning, oiling and polishing her, awaiting the arrival of her new belt that Val needs to send on to me.  Hopefully it will  arrive early next week as I want to put her through her paces!  

Thank you so much Val (and your son J) for dropping her off here today.  

Such a lovely pick me up when I am feeling especially sore today.  Must have been all the rushing round with a vacuum cleaner yesterday! ;-)

I really will treasure her.