Cat Paw Magnet Cover

My little easily portable Brother sewing machine has a hard top partial cover thingy. The thingy floats on top of the machine having no real purpose. I use it to squelch Miss Innocent's urge to adjust the computerized settings - Miss Innocent loves to push buttons to see how things work! ...

Miss Innocent!

The thingy works great for the front of the sewing machine. However, the back ....

has an opening. There is a "handle" inside for transporting without removing the thingy. Hmm .... The opening is a CAT PAW MAGNET! What curious paw would not need to know what they could find inside. This opening has led to some interesting thread breakage.

Another Year of Schnibbles sew along sponsored by Sinta and Sherri was a lovely Carrie Nelson's pattern - Gentle Art - for May. How perfect! I had a couple of charm packs of Hello Luscious by Basic Grey for Moda and a sweet panel (and some fabric) of Sewing Room Social by Jacquelyn Steves for  Henry Glass & Co. I decided this was the perfect combination for a Cat Paw Magnet Cover.

Front of Sewing Machine

Back of Sewing Machine

Even unfinished (not yet quilted) my new cover works wonderfully. Miss Innocent is one of those "out of site, out of mind" type girls cats!

Miss Innocent Exits!

The Another Year of Schnibbles parade will be featured on Sinta and Sherri's blogs June 1, 2013. Drop by and join the fun.

My First Spool of Thread

This morning I started Carrie's Schnibble pattern Gentle Art. I wanted to put one spool of thread completely together to be sure I was following Carrie's well written instructions. I find things like a scant quarter seam and one thread's width over from a drawn line mind boggling. My mom taught me to sew at a very early age. We started with Barbie doll clothes and quickly progressed to clothes for me. Following a clothing pattern generally means one SEWS ON THE LINE! The accuracy of doing so greatly effects the outcome. My fingers "itch" to put the needle on the line when I am supposed to be one thread's width over. This is a fun experience - complicated (for me) but fun!

I set my machine on SLOW! Gosh! -, sewing machines did not have speeds back in the day. I love my slow speed for tackling new (to me) concepts. Six seams gave me time to ponder and the memories flooded in. Do you ever wonder why certain memories surface at odd or unrelated times? The memories seem to come from nowhere.

Junior High School (7th grade or what is called Middle School today) required 6 weeks of Home Economics. We were taught (practiced for a lot of us as our moms were the real teachers) to set pretty tables, coordinate colors, cook simple meals, proper etiquette and, my favorite, sew. The sewing project was an apron. We were to work some at home (or free period at school) and have the apron finished at the end of the semester. Somehow I, who had been sewing for years and made most of my clothes, missed the ongoing aspect of the project. I had an apron the second day. My teacher was a bit surprised and I think possibly a little "put out." We compromised. At the end of the semester I had a bright orange apron with a colorful, crowing, hand embroidered rooster. I so wish I had a picture to show you. Since I don't, here is my first spool of thread -

Home Economics always brings back Miss "D" my good friend. One class we were practicing straight stitching. Miss "D" had her machine at full throttle. Our very prim and proper teacher raised her voice slightly - "Miss "D" whatever are you doing?" Miss "D" looked up with a smile - "Testing the speed. This baby can go!" Think Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when she says "Man, this baby must corner like it's on rails!"

Guess who excelled in Home Economics and who mastered our required 6 weeks of Shop? No laughing allowed. I passed Shop with a respectable B.

Ten Down!

I got all the sashing/nine patch strips stitched for my Country Charmer. There are 10 nine patch units complete, with lots left to go. The sashing strips still mostly need a date with the iron. But I will get there!

Ms Cha Cha  and I required a nice long nap Sunday afternoon. Ms Cat had been TRAUMATIZED and needed lots of love and rest. We had a very windy and rather cool day Sunday. It was really too cool for open windows; however, Ms Cat was enjoying her window perch so I put on a long sleeve. A quick thundershower came out of nowhere and with the help of the wind Ms Cat discovered "Rain is WET!" She was not happy! Poor kitty!

Fire Up The Press - Scrap Basket Sunday

Here is what I have been doing - stitching strip sets for my Country Charmer sashing and nine patch connecting sections. I cannot claim the 15 completed strip sets as "scrappy" BUT the 20 blocks for my Country Charmer are 100% scrappy so I am claiming this as reason to link with Kim at Kim's Big Quilting Adventure for Scrap Basket Sunday.

If you haven't already go check out the Schnibbles May Day Parade on Sinta and Sheri's blogs. There were over 60 people who participated by making Carrie's Hat Trick. The parade is totally awesome! My Hat Trick must have gotten lost in cyberspace because it did not make the parade. I was a wee bit disappointed as it was my firs time to join the group. Oh well, there is always next month and the selected pattern is Gentle Art ...

My pattern  was ordered  Has Arrived!  I love pdf patterns! Now I need to pick fabric and start cutting.

And now it is Decision Time - fire up the press iron or take a nap? Hmm ... napping sounds pretty interesting. I'll ask Ms Cha Cha Cat. Never mind - I would have to wake her up to ask. Nap it is!

Country Charmer - May 1 Update

Today is the Country Charmer quilt-along update. I got my 20 scrappy blocks out to fondle and pet!. I do so love this quilt designed by Lynn Wilder of Sew'n Wild Oaks.

Sadly I have made no progress on the nine patch and sashing which will tie the lovely blocks together. Of course, I knew progress would be slim during April as one of my busiest work months collided with five family member's birthdays and the birth of a new grand nephew.

The good news is things are getting back to normal at work and the birthdays are history for this year. I have the entire weekend ahead. Oh, Yeah! I'm hoping for some real progress on this beautiful quilt.

I am linking with Lesley of The Cuddle Quilter. Pop on over to visit Lesley to see all the wonderful versions of this quilt being made by kindred hearts around the world.