1916 Redeye Singer Treadle Sewing Machine

I haven't anything to share today really.  I just finished layering several pieces for new art quilts.  I took photos and will be writing up a tutorial for my readers who would like to give it a try.

In the meantime, I know I have a few new readers here so I thought I would share pictures of my beautiful 1916 Singer Redeye Treadle Sewing Machine.  I bought this a few years back:

My sweet husband striped and refinished the cabinet for me.  He also cleaned up the machine before I took it to Bill (the sewing machine man) for a good inside cleaning.  Here's a close up of the machine:

 













I have my grandmother's Singer electric machine from the 50's too.  I use that one for finishing as it's more precise.  But this one, oh, this is my baby!!!  It folds down into the cabinet but I always leave it open.  It's so pretty to look at!

Well, I have an order to put together and then to get dinner ready.  Taco Salad tonight!

Be sure to stay tuned for my Art Quilt 101 tutorial.  I expect to get that going next week.

Vintage Handkerchiefs Flea Market Finds

Yesterday, Scott & I picked mom up and we headed to Grayslake, Illinois Fairgrounds for the Flea Market & Antique Show.   Oh, do I love going there!!!  We had a good time but didn't find anything all that grand.  I picked up a few more vintage handkerchiefs, some more vintage pink buttons and a little bag of plastic fans:



I'm planning on making myself a Marie Antoinette Art Quilt.  I saw the fans and thought, "oooh!  How perfect those will be!"

And pink buttons, well, I will adopt any vintage pink buttons that need good homes!  I have a weakness.  Kind like with cats & dogs.  I just love them!

This hankie reminded me of my husband's grandma:



Grandma Kellogg loved pansies!  She talked about them all the time.  The minute I saw this one, I thought of her and had to have it.

So those are my Flea Market Treasures for this week.  Our all time ever favorite Flea Market is this coming Sunday in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  I cannot wait!  I find the best stuff there for the best prices!  And it's huge.  Hope I have the energy to walk the entire show. 

In other news, I spent the morning finishing up on my 2 latest Art Quilts.  First is Spring Song:



When Scott gets home, I need him to trim that branch down for me on the left side.  My hand isn't strong enough get through it with yard cutters. 

I also finished up on Teatime Kittens:



All that's left to do on this is make the quilt tag.  I'd like to do that today but I'm out of steam.

I know my medication is too high now.  I've asked my Dr. 2 times now if we can drop the dosage a little bit.  And I was told no.  So, I have an appt. with a new Dr. in 2 weeks.  She's been highly recommended by several people.  I talked to her this morning and I can already tell that I like her a lot and will be comfortable with her.

Well, that's my new for today.  More tomorrow!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's a photo of my mom & one of her dogs:

We'll be picking mom up around 8 this morning and heading off to the Flea Market in Grayslake, Il.  Keep your fingers crossed that we find loads of fun goody's!

Patriotic Home Decor

Just some photos for today everyone.  I'm quite tired now and still have to cook some chicken (cook is a dirty word!) and clean my bathroom.  These are our 4th of July home decor do-dads:













All are now available here.

Tomorrow we have flea market to go to.  Scott & I will pick mom up and head up there.  Keep your fingers crossed that I we find some great do-dads!

Art Quilts

One thing always leads to another.  It's funny how that works.  I thought crazy quilting was unlimited but I've since discovered that Mixed Media Art Quilts are truly without boundries.

My Spring Song Art Quilt is ready for finishing:



Today, I added the tiny birds nest and the eggs, some paper punched butterflies and a light dusting of glitter on the flowers.  I'm particularly fond of Martha Stewart's glitter.  When I do the machine finishing on this, I'll have to use my zipper foot to get around that nest.  I should have some sewing machine time over the weekend.

Early this morning, I started on my Teatime Kittens Art Quilt:



I have some little poly clay strawberries that I made awhile back so I plan to use those and I'm thinking maybe a few cupcakes?  Not sure yet.

My approach to these is to layer whatever suits my fancy at the moment and then work with that as a blank canvas.  As with my crazy quilting, I do like to have some sort of a focal point and theme to work with.  I really enjoy letting these art quilts take me where ever they want to take me.  There's no right or wrong.  It's all about feel and what I want to play with at the time.  It's very freeing!

I thought I'd share a few photos from my garden with you.  First are my Bleeding Hearts:



Years ago, my husband and I planted a Bleeding Heart.  It did very well and quadrupled in size!  Until the Lily Of The Valley took over that part of the garden and choked the Bleeding Heart out.

I had mentioned at that time, to my neighbor Larry, that I lost my Bleeding Heart due to the Lily Of The Valley.   Scott has since dug that all out.  Last year, when I was so sick and crazy, I was out on the front porch, looking at the garden and saw a Bleeding Heart plant a foot or two from where our original one was.  For a moment, I thought I was really losing my mind!  And then Larry came over for a few minutes and asked if I noticed anything different in my garden.  What a sweet man!  He planted a new one for me!!!!  It's blooming now and everytime I look at it, I think of my dear neighbor and his kindness to me.  People will always remember how you make them feel!

I can't remember for the life of me what these are called:



I love these because they just grow and grow and grow!

Have a great evening everyone!