Wheelinsticks

Charlotte is a 98 year old White treadle. She is just lovely. Her details on the machine are almostly intact. She cleaned up so easily. Oh, her cabinet is the prettiest I have seen. I love the detailed design and the way she lifts out of the cabinet is fantastic. She has a pulley system that pulls her upright as you lift the lid. No lifting for me which is fantastic as she is one heavy mama.  I have been practicing treadling and have stitched through paper. Now, it is time for threading and fabric. I think I will start with 4-patch units. Wish me luck.

I finally ended to take some time slow stitching. This week I finished two quilts. So, today it time to get back to some hand work. This hexie project I started nearly six months ago. How sad that I didn't even have one flower completed. Today I have two completed and am watching The Last Ship. Hopefully, I can get a few more done. Here is the two that are finished....

Good Night Irene has been put to rest. I finished her up and presented her to a good friend of my who is having her first baby. A girl, so fitting since Irene is purples and cream.  I spent some time working on my free motion. I made some simple leaves to go in the X's. Not bad.... I think.

Now that I only have the binding left on my Celtic Solstice to do, it's time to pick something new. I have had a stack if fat quarters that I bought last year that have a the of July theme to it. I looked around for a pattern that I could make a wall hanging for using these sweet fabric. I found a lovely block on Craftsy named, the Boston Star Block. Not an easy block to make, but not so hard that I would pull out my hair either. I need to break Betty in some more and find her truer quarter inch. Well there's their shoot for it and it will be good. What the hell was I thinking. First it is not where I thought, second, the pattern has use size a 4 block unit down to 4 3/4 in. Let me tell you that sucked. Anyway, I got on the painter tape and marked the measurement. Now things are happy again. Here is the progress so far....

        I have been working on these half-square triangles as a leader and ender project. Since I have added a few machines to my collection, I will continue this project on Betty Boop. I switched into a treadle cabinet for now while I work on the other machine that is going to be a total make over.  Anyhow, I got a start on putting these units together into a block of four. Wow, does Betty sew like a dream. She is really fast. Need to get that under control. More to come.

What a great way to help others. This quilt will go to a great group of people , Quilts of Compassion ,   is an organization that brings relief to those hit by tornadoes in the Midwest. As a Missourian, this organization brings joy to me because of their effort after Joplin, Mo., was demolished a few years ago.  This is the first chance I have had to participate in  Hands-2-Help. I feel very honored knowing that my quilt will provide some comfort to someone in need in the future. Not that I wish for another round of devastating tornadoes, but I know that quilts are such a comfort especially in times when things look their worst.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quilts-of-Compassion/336600644288    So, without further ado... introducing Sweet Charity Rails..... The colors are some of my favorites...... The quilted flowered meander turned out not too bad.... Lap size quilt 50 x 54 Block Pattern - rail block

Well, no violets in the yard, but the roses look amazing this year. I couldn't have asked for better as I got these last year on clearance. The climber is really taking off. I need to invest in a big stand and start working on get it to climb. Nothing like a yard full of blooms. So much better than the first year of the rock pile and some weeds making their debut.

 I love Betty Boop. There is something about the.style and image that I have always adored.  What better way to pay tribute then to name an antique sewing machine after her. This sewing machine is a 1907 Singer -66. She needed a lot of cleaning and oiling to make her shine. Hubster put in a new motor, and the sewing test began. The case was a complete wreck when I opened the box. I knew that it needed to be overhauled. The old material had mold and water stains, and oh the smell!!! With a minimal of tools, glue, nails and mod-podge I have a new gorgeous case.  I love how easy it is to sew on. No grumbling when is goes over 4 layers. I think she will be a great piecing machine. Way to go Betty!!