Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

These fellow have lived at my house for

a few months.

They've been happy here.

I've enjoyed their visit...

Time for them all to - move along.

Happy Halloween!

A Dolly!

I don't know how it happened

but....

This dolly 

inspired 

this dolly 

Which is definitely

a work in progress.

I have no idea how I got from the original dolly 

to the next....

My imagination works in mysterious ways...

My lucky day...

First I found this!

 and then....

found these

Something good is

going to happen with the trinkets.

I wonder what it will be.

Hot diggity Dog - Felted style....

Hot diggity dog on a pillow...or a quilt square...

I love Susan Hill's

Hot Diggity Dog quilt pattern.

Fun and easy.

You can purchase the pattern here

I also love wool roving and pillows...

So, in the natural course of things

I've finally put them together

Hot Diggity Dog Pattern + wool roving + wool fabric = Pillow

Cute little floppy eared doggie!

Whooters!

Whoot!

Whoot!

Whoot!

Whooters!

Aren't they cute?

I've heard that 

Tangled Threads in Lynden, Wa.

has a wonderful version of this piece.

I think I need to see it - in person...

Field trip!

Spring!

It feels like Spring today!

Warm air - sunshine

Quick!

Go outside and breathe

Look at the little buds on the trees

and check out the flowers.

Wow!

Sure was a long time coming...

 Oh, Sweet!

Easter color wool roving.

Wonder what is waiting to be created from these sweet colors.

In response to Kissing Tommy...

Childhood memories...

Aren't they fun?

My special friend at age 4

was Robbie...

Isn't he cute?

 I sure thought so.

Look at his cowboy shirt and the little metal doo-dads on his pants.

Wow!

Wonderful!

Circa 1955

Kitty! Kitty! Kitty!

My cat is so independent...

Most folks don't know I have one.

She's the indoor variety.

As she's aged she's mellowed a bit.

But, still not a snuggler

unless 

it's night time.

Then, she curls up next to me and snores.

My craft/sewing/hobby room is almost workable.

To prove it - 

I made this kitty named

Denny

.

Made with bits and pieces found in the clean-up process.

No! Denny is not kid-friendly because of the

vintage button eyes...

Not everything has to be about children.

Although, my life does seem to revolve around them.

Ahhhh...

That room is getting where it needs to be and

in the process of de-stashing 

I'm clearing my head and creating too!

Life is good.

Me

She looks how I feel...

And for no particular reason!

De-stash

De-stash

ahhhhhh....

It feels so good.

To let go...

Let go of books and crafts

that I have loved...

but for one reason or

another

I'm not going to do

"that" 

anymore...

or

I know how to do or make 

"that" 

now and don't

need the paper instructions that go with the process.

Lovely.

Crochet is this week's de-stash...

Amazingly old crochet instruction books

and maybe some tatting

Someone is going to love 

making some of these old potholders

and reinventing uses

for 

Crinoline Ladies.

I'm sure of it.

Just holding the old paper makes 

me think twice and maybe thrice

about letting these go

but....

I know these hands have crocheted

enough....

Pouf!

Pouf!

I was directed to this site

Pouf!

While perusing this site

Fabric of Meditation

I think I'm in love...

I'm going to kick my way into my hobby room and

apply some creativity to the mountains of fabric,

ribbons, beads and baubles,

and wool roving I have stacked in there.

Come join me....

Competition is not the journey or the goal...

Creativity is.

These women just sparked my creativity.

I hope...

I'll let you know with a post of a new creation.

Wow!

That sounds like a bit of a commitment.

Happy creating to you!

Meet Pauline...

Pauline

What a sweetie...

She came to me thru a friend of a friend....

She has her original sales receipt from 1937!

Yes! 

1937

Serial number begins with AE for those who might want to know.

Her owner Mrs. Pauline, lived in Chicago and went by train to

New York to trade an old treadle machine

toward the purchase of 

this sweet baby....

Then, Mrs.Pauline paid

$4.00

a month til the purchase price was paid off.

Wowza!

Mrs. Pauline did a whole lot of sewing...

Yes, she did.

This sweet machine has sewn enough thread to wrap around the world and to the moon...

I'm sure of that.

Yet! 

She hums like she's singing a song.

Sweet Pauline the machine will go home to someone with 

her original receipt,

original manual, attachments, oil can and

more history and secrets

than one can imagine.

Oh, her case is in excellent condition too.

Can't beat that!

Oh, how she came to me...

Mrs. Pauline heard through the grapevine that 

I collected Featherweights and sent her son,

who had to be 80 years old,

to see if I would purchase the machine.

Well, of course!

She, the machine, has a wonderful sound and a wonderful feel.

She spoke to me.

She's been used and has some scratches by the light, where 

Mrs. Pauline attached a pincushion.

The story is too long already...

Anyway...She's a wonderful machine

and 

I've loved her dearly.

Now, it's time for someone else to fall in love with her.

 

Baby shoes...

More shoes...

and socks...

These little baby shoes 

are just too, too cute.

My friend made a pattern from them.

Can't wait to try it out.

I'm going to make mine of paper.

Just because...

These shoes are made from very old felt...

feels like wool felt...

Guess I could burn a tiny bit and see but

is it that important?

Nah....

I think this little baby wore them...

Back in the 1920's 

This sweet little boy had a nurse? ! ? ! ? ! ?

Lucky Mom 

and lucky baby....

These old photos from estate sales

just make me smile...

Waiting....

I'm waiting for something...

Well, several things...actually...

I'm not a good waiter.

Then I found this little page of silliness...

 Ok, I feel better...

I'm still not a good waiter but 

I know for sure

I'm not the only one.

Featherweights....

UPDATE!
Sweet Eleanor has been adopted!
Oh, she was so happy to meet her new
sewing buddy...
I could tell by the way she hummed.
 Happy Day!

A few years ago...

I became obsessive about

owning 

Singer Featherweight

sewing machines.

Act surprised!

This particular machine is Eleanor...

 I purchased Eleanor from her original Seattle owner, Eleanor the first.

Eleanor has a delightful personality and she

hum's as she works.

She's been gently used and is a willing and eager sewer -

She is looking for a new home.

So, if you've always wanted a

Singer Featherweight...

Now just might be your perfect opportunity.

Send me a message and I'll send you more info.

Choosing shoes...

One of my favorite poems

growing up 

was

Choosing Shoes 

by Ffrida Wolfe

Now, was that really her name

F f r i d a

or was that a typo in the book?

hmmmm

Anyway...

Choosing shoes

New shoes, new shoes

Red and pink and blue shoes,

Tell me, what would you choose

If they'd let us buy?

Buckle shoes, bow shoes,

Pretty pointy-toe shoes,

Strappy, cappy low shoes;

Let's have some to try.

Bright shoes, white shoes

Dandy dance-by-night shoes,

Perhaps-a-little-tight shoes;

Like some? So would I.

BUT

Flat shoes, fat shoes,

Stump-along-like-that-shoes,

Wipe-them-on-the-mat shoes,

O that's the sort they'll buy.

I think I developed a shoe fetish

by chanting that poem for so many years....

I learned to make shoes...
from paper.

When I'm making them
it makes me happy.

Can't wear 'em...
but I can loose my imagination about where
these shoes might go...

I know, I know...
I've got to get a life....!

Estate Sale! Wow...that was fun...

What a great weekend...

An estate sale

I've been to a couple recently

that made me quite happy.

Each sale has it's own

personality 

or culture...
I picked up vintage photos and vintage letters at this...
Wow!
I'll share...

I love that even back in the early 1900's 
Women loved to play dress-up 
and have their photo taken.
Can you image getting your girl cousins together
for a photo shoot like this?
How can they keep those straight faces?
I'd be howling with laughter....

Sisters, Maude, Ester (in front)
Millie (behind Ester)
1911
I want to know them.
They look nice and friendly.
I learned quite a bit about Maude 
from reading letters written to her from 
her friend then fiance then husband...
Herman.
Sweet letters written from 1913 to 1919.
Even a proposal letter...
Wowza!

Herman and Eugene...
Maude's husband and son...
Note the date 1927.
Herman was a Brakeman on 
the Great Northern Rail Road.
Eugene grew up to be a bomber pilot. 
He flew in WWII
and was honored with the 
Flying Cross Medal for a mission he flew.

 

These sisters are from a different family.
I'd like to know them too...
Late 1800's...
guess I missed my chance to meet and greet.