Friday 25 May 2012

Cinderberry Stitches Block One

Cinderberry Stitches Tail Feathers Block One finished with the first border.


The before of putting together the 1 1/2 inch strips - two lots of seven


Cutting the outer border into 1 1/2 inch strips - these then make the outer border of each of the stitchery blocks.


My workspace - loving the ironing board right next to me so that I don't have to be up and down all the time as the blocks take quite a bit of pressing.  Look at all that fabric, ooh nice stash :)


Thursday 24 May 2012

Restored Singer 99K 1950

Here she is in all her glory ...


I am so pleased with the results.  She is shining like anything although the person that had her before me did look after her so that has made my job very easy.  


I removed everything from her that I felt comfortable with as I am no expert and didn't want to make mistakes since this is the first time I have owned a Singer machine


Everything gleams thanks to just elbow grease and Autoglym Resin car polish (thanks Dad!)


Where I couldn't get into I used string and wrapped it around the foot holder and the rust came off immediately. 


I love the engraved faceplate, my favourite part, also came up gleaming.


The filigree decals are perfect in condition, I don't think I could find anywhere that had any missing.


I had to have a picture of this, perfect as well.



Underneath the black plate is an immaculate green cardboard Singer box with lots of spares in.


The serial number of the machine.  After some checking I found out that it was made in 1950, but haven't been able to find anything else out about it.  If anybody has information or can tell me, please do in the comments box.


A bargain at £10.00.


And finally, the Bentwood box took some doing.  Alot of hours of elbow grease, white spirit, vinegar and beeswax.  I got all the paint splashes off - eventually with liberal amounts of white spirit rubbed on with a soft cloth.  I just kept going and going and got there in the end.  I removed the handle and soaked the metal in vinegar which took off the rust in about 10 minutes.  I have polished it five times with the beeswax and I am going to carry on doing it once a week to keep it in the condition it's in, unless somebody tells me differently.


Pride of place.  It was on the opposite wall but I was concerned about the sun bleaching the wood veneer so moved it to the inner wall.


The Singer Godzilla Tin, immaculate condition.


I emptied the tin, removed any dirt from underneath the velvet, wiped down the velvet and put it down and then replaced all the bits and pieces.  They all had a soaking in vinegar but the spools really didn't clean up in the middle so I have ordered some new ones.  I was very surprised to find the piece of paper showing how everything should be in the tin.


I am also going to say thank you to Helen Howes for her amazing website as I didn't know what alot of these items were and the website has been invaluable to sort that out.

The only items I am looking for now are a key for the box, an oil can which sits inside the box in a clamp and the little wooden extension table.  I am on the lookout.

Hope you enjoy looking and if you get the opportunity to have a go at doing this yourself, go for it, I have enjoyed reviving her and can't wait to see what we make together.




Tuesday 22 May 2012

Mother's Day Treat :)


This was a little present that I put together for a friend who is also my youngest son's Godparent.  She is a lovely lady and was delighted with the gifts that I put together for her.  

Moda mug rug, Yankee Candle small Strawberries & Cream scented candle and a mini Green & Black's Dark Chocolate Bar.  

I love making things for people but particularly for people that I know do a lot for others and really appreciate anything that you do.  This lady is very special to a lot of different people including more than one member of my family and more than one of my friends, she always makes time for everyone she knows.  Enjoy your treats. :)

Monday 21 May 2012

Singer 99k Sewing Machine

She's arrived, this is my new little beauty Trix, the Singer 99k sewing machine from 1950


Veneered box that covers the machine, this is the before picture, it has now been wiped with white spirit and then needs to be polished with beeswax.


The decals are in perfect condition all around the machine, there isn't one part of the decals missing.


These are the before pictures.  I have now polished the whole of the sewing machine with AutoGlym Resin Polish and it has brought it up beautifully.


Even had the original instruction booklet


and an immaculate condition Singer Box complete with accessories.


Come back at the end of the week to see the difference in the shine and the wooden case.  The only items I am looking for are a key for the box and a Singer Godzilla Tin, which should be on its way soon.


Sunday 20 May 2012

Fat Quarter Shop

www.fatquartershop.com has had some great bargains recently so I had to do some saving ;)


Eight half yards of Moda's Ruby by Bonnie & Camille


A selection of patterns from Stitch Studios, Daisy May, Harvest Moon and Buttons & Bows


Atkinson Designs casserole covers.  I saw these and knew that I would love to make them for Christmas presents, what a great idea they are.


Twelve half yards of Robert Kaufman's Kona Cotton Solids in colours to match my Moda Ruby and also my Riley Blake Farm Fresh for the Atkinson Design Casserole pattern.

It is definitely worth a visit and next week they have got a huge sale on for one week only.



Saturday 19 May 2012

Mug Rug Swap May 2012

I took part in Quilting Mumma's Mug Rug Swap and this week I received my participant's mug rug that she made for me.

I love it, some of my favourite Moda fabrics in this mug rug and I love the way it is designed and quilted.  I also got a sheet of stickers that are acid free which will be good for scrapbooking an Australian themed layout.

Thank you so much Raelene for your generosity and I hope your mug rug arrives soon.


I would love to take part in another one of these swaps, really enjoyed it and it was great to take part with Raelene in Australia.  Thanks Quilting Mumma for arranging the swap. :)


Friday 18 May 2012

Friday Night Sew In

It's Friday Night, it's seven o'clock and it is project night.

Mine for the evening are to get a couple of patterns trimmed out to make up some dresses for selling


My block of the month number one for Birds of a Feather by Cinderberry Stitches, two parts completed and two thirds through the third part so would like to get this done tonight so I can stitch tomorrow.


Not far to go, the rest of the satin stitch scallops and the birds and leaves, couple of hearts and dots, not much to do there then!!!  Enjoy your Friday Night Sew In ladies and gents.


Back tomorrow and Sunday for an update :)

Craft Room Completed

This has been the last piece to go into my craft room.


I knew what kind of table I wanted and I didn't want chairs as they take up too much room and we would never have enough for all the family anyway.  I saw this in a showroom that was closing down - advertised as £100 including delivery.  I was unsure about whether it would be too big for the room and tried it in a couple of different angles but this was how I liked it best.  The greatest part of getting the table was that the furniture place was closing and ended up accepting £60.00 including delivery for it.  A bargain at half the price.

It has some lovely wrought iron detailing on it across the table edges, around the sides and on each leg and reminds me of something from old age banqueting tables.  It weighs an absolute tonne and you guessed it, even at 4 ft x 3 ft it had to have it legs removed to get it through the doors.  Never simple but worth it in the end.  

Thursday 17 May 2012

Cupcake Parade

Lemon Ganache Cupcakes


I made these little beauties for family and friends.  They were really yummy.


I try not to bake too often as it just piles the pounds on and hubby has lost 21 lbs by cutting things out.


A little sprinkling of yellow glitter to complete these little delights :)


Wednesday 16 May 2012

Autumn Baskets

Look what arrived.  My prize from the St. Patrick's Day Blog hop, (I know it was a couple of months back but unfortunately I haven't had a great time recently so I am back to blogging now that things are calming down a little).

I absolutely love this pattern, apart from the fact that table runners are one of my favourite projects, this particular pattern is great as it is going to test me on my quilting with new techniques.  

There is loads of fabric with the pattern and I am just so pleased with it, I love it.

Thank you so much for my goodies Sharon, all the way from New Zealand.  


www.pinevalley.co.nz/blog has lots of Sharon's patterns and her blog is brilliant.  

Enjoy :)