Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Something New in My House

The short story is, we bought a new dishwasher, the old one leaked. I thought we just bought the old one but no, it was 14 years old. But this post isn't about the new dishwasher, I'm one of those people that thinks new appliances aren't fun.

The new dishwasher holds more dishes than the old one. I'm not sure how, but we run out of dinner plates before the thing is full. The idea of hand washing a couple to 'get by' doesn't enter my head. So I did the only sensible thing, bought more plates. I like my plain, round white ones, would have like square dishes just to be different. But I just couldn't resist the pretty, white ruffled ones.



Friday, December 27, 2013

More Old Quilts

I don't know anything about these quilts. Just loved the colors!





Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Christmas to Me!

According to Wikipedia, "a handbag, also purse or pouch in American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag that is often fashionably designed, typically used by women, to hold personal items such as wallet/coins, keys, a mobile phone, books, a pen and paper, cosmetics and jewelry, a hairbrush, contraceptives, or pepper spray."

I just think they are fun! I bought myself a new one for Christmas.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

The afternoon

Neiman Marcus.
I love how they display things in their store.

Of course all the bling caught my eye!
Chicago, IL : Night Chicago
96th floor of the Hancock Building, Stunning view!

Friday, December 20, 2013

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago had some wonderful exhibits.

The Thorne Rooms, 21 miniature rooms with 11 rooms dressed in holiday finery!

 


Art and Appetite: American Painting, Culture, and Cuisine   
   
Examine the many meanings and interpretations of eating in America through over 100 paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the 18th through the 20th century.


What is it? I thought maybe a head band? or neck piece?

Surprise, it's gloves!



Thursday, December 19, 2013

After the Party, Chicago



View from my hotel window
I had planned to rent a car and drive to Dubuque to visit a friend, but minus 6 weather and 5" of snow put a stop to that! So instead I spent the day in downtown Chicago. The day I spent downtown it was a balmy 18! I was dressed warm enough, but I wasn't prepared for the slush. No boots!

What I really wanted was the image of the carving above the window of the building across the street, what I got was mostly snow!
Anne, me, Karen, Katheryn

Karen (a wonderful garment sewer) graciously asked me to join her and her mom and aunt for the day. Spent most of the day in The Art Institute of Chicago and Nieman's shopping. And an elevator ride to the 96th floor of the Hancock Building for a drink. Stunning view!







Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Saying good bye

Our days at the Creative were fun, but it came time to say good bye. Be sure to sign up for the BERNINA newsletter, or We All Sew blog.
Jeannine and Alice

The whole staff

Getting it together for a 'family' portrait


Still getting it together for a 'family' portrait


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

BERNINA

Wide selection of stitches, embroidery designs and functionsSewing on new machines was a joy! Learning about the new generations of machines like the BERNINA 580. It has built-in embroidery function, BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR), high-resolution, modern touchscreen, versatile memory function, large stitch package and a wealth of built-in embroidery designs, and much more.

We made pillows. These are some examples of the pillows made by the BERNINA staff.


Monday, December 16, 2013

BERNINA Retreat

BERNINA staff with welcoming smiles!
 I have been in Aurora IL at the BERNINA Creative Center, learning lots of new stuff. I planned to blog everyday I was there but Google changed the way to log-in and I needed my Tech help to figure it out! I think we all have love/hate relationships with all of the new technology. I'm still trying to figure out my 'new' smart phone. The one I've had for almost two years. Now I have a Surface Tablet, with the touch screen. What fun.

About the Creative Center. All of the Ambassadors were invited for a couple of days of fun, food and the opportunity to learn more about BERNINA and BERNINA products. It was great being a student.
At the opening reception  we all had a chance to speak briefly.

Me

Elizabeth Spannering

Charlotte Warr Anderson

Mary Machuta

Friday, December 13, 2013

Christmas Windows


  Yvonne and her son Adam have shared with me this great idea:
 While reminiscing with my son about trips to Downtown Seattle at Christmas time as a child, I described the toy store windows with moving toys and trains, and the magical feeling they instilled.  We decided to try and recreate that experience in our shop window for the children in our neighborhood.

    First, we needed a way to create a visual division between the village and the rest of the shop. Using a starry sky background would have been the easy go-to material for this task, but our small studio shop needed to retain an open concept.  We hung giant ornaments (dollar store items!) in a random pattern from two rods above the window. The rods were separated by about two inches to create depth and allow for more ornaments, without interfering with the strings.  We think thin red ribbons would be a nice substitute next time.
   Once all houses have been placed, add village people, artificial water (small mirrors can be found at the Dollar Store!) and trees.  I remember my mother using foil for small lakes in her little village back in the 1970’s. 
   Time to bring the village to life! We placed our train set in the village and used a paint brush to remove any small snow particles from the track and other areas as needed. Plug in all lights; we strongly recommend surge protector strips- It’s worth a few extra dollars for the peace of mind.

   The village scene is complete. During the day we use just the village lights. However, at night you will need additional lighting to pour over the entire scene. We used $10.00 clamp spot lights from Home Depot and placed them on each side of the window about 2 feet above the village scene, then directed them across the town plaza.  It’s not in the picture, but we have added two tall Nutcracker Soldiers just inside the window on each side in front of the table. It provides balance… and a little more magic!
(The only thing missing is Christmas music playing softly through the window.  It's in work!

This Window display may be viewed at Touch of Glass Studio on 8th Ave SW, directly across from the Jim Wiley Plaza.Nearest cross street is SW Roxbury St, White Center.
 
Bring the family to see the Village lights on and train running from approx. 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every evening until January 1rst.
Merry Christmas To All!
)

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Getting Organized in the New Year

When the new year arrives I invariably think about getting more organized. This year I am looking at my sewing table and trying to figure out more ways to make it work better.A trip to Ikea, and I now have these handy shelves that my husband attached to the end of my sewing table, and the end of the cabinet right next to my sewing machine.
My table doesn't have as much space at the end as I would like. Here you see what I see when I'm at the machine.

The end of the fabric storage cabinets now has a couple more of these Ikea shelves.

Monday, December 9, 2013

It's Beginning to look a Lot Like Christmas

Festival of Trees        Our beautiful trees on display at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel  Image  Sponsor a tree and your name will be displayed on a patient storyboard accompaning a tree.  Consider giving back your tree or making a donation to further support Seattle Children's Hospital

Friday, December 6, 2013

Gifts

Marietta O'Grien gave me one of her delightful hand crafted pot holders!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Something Cute for Christmas

I don't do 'cute'. But occasionally I see something that is just too cute for words. I saw these felt birdhouses ans just had to take their picture!


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

I LOVE Old Quilts!

My small group meets twice a month. I love spending time with them. We have the greatest show and tell. This month someone brought old family quilts.
Thought I'd share them with you.