Saturday, February 19, 2011

Pouf!

Pouf!
I was directed to this site
While perusing this site
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!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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.


 

Sunday, February 13, 2011

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...

Monday, February 7, 2011

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.


Thursday, February 3, 2011

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.

Monday, January 31, 2011

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....!


Saturday, January 29, 2011

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.