Lemme explain

There was no writing in the last post, mainly because I was so sad at the demise of my trusty Elna sewing machine. It's been with me since the early 80's and saw me through many projects. It was especially useful for all the heirloom sewing I've done these many years.
  Right in the middle of one of the many graduation dresses I'm working on this season, it decided it was too tired to continue. The thread kept breaking. It was very frustrating and I would have panicked, but a several years ago, I ran across another Elna, that was maybe a year or two older than the recently deceased model. I had the intention of using it for replacement parts if my beloved machine ever needed repairs. It was similar to parents having another child for transplant parts for the older child with a serious disease.
   Since there is no time in my schedule to stop for repairs, I plugged in the spare machine and realized it sewed beautifully. And quietly, with no skipped stitches, no balled up thread on the underside of seams!!! YAY!!!
So, all is well in the workroom now, well.....it will be when I get over this awful cold that has had me confined to my bed for the last several days. I had been SOOO careful all winter, avoiding crowds and sick people when the flu was going around, because I knew if I came down with anything it would be BAD!
   Then BOOM I woke up with a scratchy throat last Wednesday, told myself it was spring allergies (which I never have) soldiered on till I went to bed, totally exhausted. Aches and pains kept me from a good night's sleep, then a headache accompanied by rising fever. My temperature reached over 103 and I got out the ice pack.
  Now it's Monday, I'm still fatigued and very disappointed that I had to miss the opening reception of the TNCraft-Southwest Collaborations show yesterday. But so many friends were concerned and offered to bring food and beverage. I'm a lucky person to have such kind caring people in my life...

Sacred Tree

Bug Book

RIP

February already

I didn't realize it has been so long since my last post. After sitting on my hands for weeks and suffering through Bikram Yoga for FIVE WHOLE DAYS, I have been busy with sewing projects.
 The quilt show I am putting together with my gal pals is due in one month. It will be shown at a symposium of cancer support foundation directors in March in Little Rock, Arkansas. In April, the show will hang at West Clinic here in Memphis for about a month. I am very excited about this show and am thankful to have such good friends who are willing to take their time to help me out.
  Another fun project I'm involved with is helping two young designers with their entry for Memphis Fashion Weekend. I need to have those garments completed next week. It has been good to refresh my pattern making skills with this project and makes me realize how much I really like that work.
  I have photos, but they are still in my camera. In the next few days maybe there will be time to post them. Stay tuned......

Bathroom again

As promised, here is a picture of the new light fixtures. The newspaper on the mirror is staying until the painting is finished.
  And yes, I will move on from this project to some other endeavors, especially art work. November 10 and 11 is the Memphis Tour of Fine Craft. It will be an open studio concept and is being presented by the Memphis Association of Craft Artists, of which I am a member. I have volunteered to be a hostess at the different venues and am looking forward to seeing all the art, watching demonstrations by various artists, and meeting people touring the studios.
 That same weekend, I am teaching a class at Sew Memphis making a simple A line skirt. Sew Memphis is the new fabric shop in midtown and I am honored to be a part of their mission to promote sewing as a life skill to the next generation.
   Sewing has always been a huge part of my life since childhood and that skill has provided a roof over my family's head and put food on the table for us. (For various reasons, I was never able to get a proper education, so I had to rely on the knowledge that was available to me.) In my later years, sewing has given me a way to express myself creatively. Hopefully, the arthritis that is currently plaguing my fingers, will not put a complete damper on the fun and relaxation I get from sewing. I'd cross my fingers for luck, but that really hurts some days.
   Stay tuned for new and wonderful projects.

For a baby in Dallas

This is the christening gown I restyled. I lengthened it, replaced the elastic in the sleeves with beading and ribbon, and replaced the buttons on the back. I was able to use a double wing needle to replicate the look of hemstitching so the work I added had a more cohesive look with what was already on the gown.

What I made

Since this blog was originally supposed to be about fiber art, I thought I would share with my sewing friends a blouse I finished today. Soon I will have photos of some art I made the last few days, but today after the post office/ wood gathering, I did some productive work.

  The color of this blouse is actually a deep blue. I made the pattern and did the construction. I think it turned out quite nicely. The closure in the back has two dark blue pearl buttons at the neck band. The fabric is silk jacquard.