GIVE AWAY AT YCMT

To celebrate the launch of a new show, YCMT has teamed up with Janome to give away 2 machines! Two great prizes to win. One is the Janome 350e EMBROIDERY machine and a the second is the Janome DC4030 SEWING machine!

Check out DIY DISH and get details by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page.

No matter how old you are or how accomplished, you can still learn something new. I entered the contest and I plan to watch all the videos.

Let me hear your comments as the DIY videos progress. I am really looking forward to it.
Later,

SHE'S B-A-A-CK

We moved in finally and I promptly fell on my knee.  I won't go into detail but suffice to say the shower tub is about a half a foot higher than the normal tub.  Not exactly a garden tub but none-the-less,  when I stepped out, the floor wasn't where I expected it to be.  I looked at my leg and I had a huge hematoma.  I thought it was my leg bone.  My first thought was, "Why doesn't this hurt more?"  I quickly determined that nothing was broken so I dressed and went downstairs to continue unpacking.  First order of business was to organize my sewing room as I had a huge order to complete and I was on a deadline.  I was making good progress going at a good clip when I grabbed a shelf that I thought was empty and began scooting it across the room.  You guessed it.  The bottom shelf had two small but heavy plastic boxes on it and they dislodged as I scooted the shelf and landed on the foot of the leg that I had damaged earlier.  Now, not only did I have a swollen knee, my foot doubled in size and I think I must have fractured one of those tiny bones because it hurt like a son-of-a-gun.  Needless to say, I didn't do much stair climbing for quite a while.
I did finish my order and shipped it just in time.  This same customer sent a piece of German cloth and I made two vests and clip-on bow ties for her boys.  I love making the bow ties.  It takes so little fabric that you can virtually make bow ties out of any fabric you have laying around.  There is very little sewing involved.  The secret is in the final step when you hand stitch the band.  It is very important to catch in the bow fabric to keep the band securely in place.  The best way to learn to make one is take one apart.  However, I will post directions and photos in the very near future if any of you are interested.
We had an interesting Christmas.  We went to my sis-in-laws in Florida.  This was her first Christmas without her dear husband who died of cancer last year.  And, wouldn't you know it, the night time temperature was in the 40's most of the week.  It was spring like in the daytime so that was pleasant.  I spent a couple of days making a vest for her out of her husbands neckties.  It was real cute and she was pleased to have it to remember the good times.  I am including a picture of a necktie vest that gave me the idea and a link to the directions if you want to tackle this one.  If I had it to do over, I probably wouldn't have tried a fitted pattern.  The vest in the picture is probably the best way to go.  Mine ended up looking "patchworky"  Cute, but didn't look a thing like this picture.

If you try it, please send pics and let me know how it went.  How to make a vest from old neckties

I am currently recovering my dining room chairs that we purchased at a second-hand store.  I am learning how to use an electric staple gun. OMG! can you say "machine gun?"  I'll post pics if I don't kill myself or my hubby in the meantime.  I must say it seems like it will be much easier when I learn how to control it.
That's enough for now.
Later

Not ignoring you

I am not ignoring you.  I am packing and making appointments for UHaul, mail stop and start, utilities transferred, bulk trash pick up (We have way too much stuff!) and keeping the laundry caught up so I don't move a bunch of dirty clothes.  After Friday the 30th, I won't have internet access because Time Warner can't hook us up at the new place until the 4th. AAAGH! 
Later.....

WE FOUND OUR HOUSE!

It has a great area for my sewing.  It's bright and airy.  I am looking forward to setting up shop there.  Not, however, looking forward to all the packing.  I certainly hope someone is out there reading this.  I am actually too tired to be writing but I wouldn't want to dissappoint my one follower. (Thanks, Jan)  I'll keep this blog going as long as my fingers work. 
Great things are coming and I am going to share them with you.
Later
Grandmabenny

House hunting

We looked at a very nice home today.  It was nearly exactly what we need.  A gigantic living room, a gigantic kitchen, a full bath, a laundry area and most importantly, a perfect room for my shop on the first floor.  Oh, and three bedrooms and full bath upstairs. We filled out the necessary paperwork, talked to the landlord and now we wait the two or three days he said he needed to go through all the applications.  If the Lord wants us to have this house, it will be ours.  Pray that His will be done.   I'll keep you updated. 

Pitfalls of Renting

Renting, as opposed to owning, has its perks.  You don't have to fix anything that breaks down.  You don't have property taxes (except those figured into the lease)  After your lease is up if you choose, you can move without the hassle of trying to sell your home.  On the negative side, if your landlord loses his property, you are put in a position of finding a suitable place to live in a hurry.  On the evening of ou return from Florida I received an email from my landlord.  Looks like we have to find a new place to live before November 4th.  We have been looking every day and have found a few places to rent.  I don't think I am cut out to live in a mobile home.  Not enough room for all my "stuff" especially my sewing room which would take up almost the entire mobile home.  I have faith that the Lord has a house for us somewhere.  We just keep looking until we find it.  He has been faithful in the past to supply all our needs (I didn't say "wants") and I am confident that He will take care of us now.
I may not post as often because of all the looking and packing and moving but I will check as often as I can to see what encouragement you might have to offer.  Or tell me about your humorous experiences with moving.  These 63 year old bones are not looking forward to all the packing, unpacking and lifting.  Anyway, keep me in your prayers and remind me daily that "God will take care of me.  Through every day, o'er all the way."
Until tomorrow.

Grandma's Travels

I am just back from a very short trip to Florida.  We delivered and picked up lots of goodies for my sewing room like cabinets and notions.  And a whole SUV full of stuff to make my life easier. 
One point of interest was a place called Fancy Gap Pottery and Fabric Outlet.  If you want to see:   http://fancygappottery.com/fabric_.html    

Don't go unless you have lots of time because this place is huge and has thousands of yards of fabric.  Their prices are very reasonable.  The only caution I suggest is at the front of the store they have a remnant area and you should examine each piece before committing to buy.  Otherwise this store is wonderful.  If you get the chance to visit Fancy Gap, Virginia you shouldn't miss this fabric opportunity.  Be sure and tell us about your trip.  We would love to hear.

It's late and I am tired.  It's a long way from the middle of Florida to the middle of Ohio.  Until tomorrow.