singer featherweight

Day Twenty-Two

April 4, 2020 at 10:00 am by Claudia

Whoo hoo! I had signed into the blog and was waiting for the security check (I do this every time I sign in) so I thought I’d give a try at the old grocery delivery. I thought it might be fruitless as nothing shows as available during the day, but my goodness, there were a few openings! We will get another delivery this Tuesday – all the things we forgot the first time!

The sun is shining and I am once again amazed by my luck. A good start to this Saturday.

I thought that this Fiesta compote would be the perfect home for my fabric easter eggs. The kitchen suddenly looks very Spring-y, doesn’t it?

I made these about 11 years ago when I was away from home, working in San Diego. I used fat quarters from my favorite local quilt shop – Rosie’s – and with a Featherweight borrowed from my friend Ingrid, sewed them up. I used a pattern I found online. I have a lot of memories of that spring when I was far away from my husband and my dogs. I had big chunks of free time and that sewing machine was a godsend. I really wanted my own Featherweight and that was the perfect opportunity to test one out. I made a quilt top, as well. Eventually, I did get my own Featherweight. Still love it, though I have to fix the tension!

I finished Wildfire at Midnight this morning. One of my friends on IG told me that Stewart’s novels have recently been reissued – a British publisher I believe – so I’m going to get them all. I had such a good time rereading this gem. Next up: my copy of This Rough Magic. Stewart frequently used literary references and This Rough Magic is full of Shakespearean references, specifically, The Tempest. I have since worked with that text and know it well, so this time will be much different than when I was a young teenager.

I haven’t seen any activity from our pair of nuthatches, so I assume the nest has been finished and is either occupied or about to be occupied. How lovely it is to hear birdsong every morning. And what a difference it makes in my waking up process. Even in the fog of waiting for my coffee to brew, I hear those birds and am happy.

Hope you’re all well.

Happy Saturday.

Mabel Gets Dressed

March 24, 2013 at 8:30 am by Claudia

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Mabel was looking dusty. Her glossy black finish seemed a little less than spiffy.

She wasn’t happy. She complained. Rightfully so.

So I, not a seamstress by any means, grabbed some fabric. I encouraged Mabel to help, too. I measured and cut and then Mabel took over with her nifty straight stitch.

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I found some vintage suede ribbon in a pretty shade of blue and made ties for each end.

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I like it. Mabel likes it. But something needed tweaking and I let that idea simmer overnight.

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There! Mabel’s initial in more of the suede ribbon.

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Today’s egg cups:

On the right is the very first egg cup I ever received. It was given to me by my godparents when I was a little girl. It was made for Fanny Farmer candies – part of an Easter series. I held onto that egg cup for years and years. It wasn’t until we moved out east that I found out there was a whole world of egg cups out there.

One of the first egg cups in my newly begun collection was the one on the left – also made for Fanny Farmer. And readers, here’s the best part: It was made by McCoy! McCoy and an egg cup – what a great combination!

And no, I don’t like soft boiled eggs, though my mother surely served them to me in my first egg cup. I remember that distinctly. Especially when I was sick.

More tomorrow.

Happy Sunday.

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Mabel On The Road

March 13, 2013 at 9:03 am by Claudia

I leave in just over 4 weeks to work on Twelfth Night in Hartford. Lots to do between now and then: prepping the garden, prepping the script (when I get it) and researching everything that needs to be researched, more items to be finished for the Etsy shop, perhaps finishing my bed quilt. There are other projects that I might not be able to work on here, but perhaps I could take them with me? Which brings me to my lightbulb moment:

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Miss Mabel, the ultimate in lightweight portable sewing machines, can go with me! After all, she is a Featherweight. I spoke to her about it and she seems excited. What girl doesn’t like to travel?

When I’m on the road working there are days that are packed and busy with no time for anything but work. But there are also days, depending on the rehearsal schedule, where I have big chunks of free time. I’d much rather be doing something productive than simply killing time or surfing endlessly on the web.

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I found these charm packs of Moda fabric in a box in my Craft Closet. I’d completely forgotten about their existence. I bought two of these packs when I was in San Diego 4 years ago, no doubt planning to do something with them while I was there. Since I made two quilt tops during that 6 month period, I was on a roll. Anyway, I obviously didn’t get to them, so I’m thinking I’ll take them with me.

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I put some of them up on the mini design wall the other day. Hmmm. Any ideas?

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I’m also taking this project with me.

I’m excited at the thought of traveling with my Mabel! Her lovely presence will instantly warm up any temporary housing. She’ll bring a touch of class to the most mundane of spaces.

Laptop. Camera with lenses. Books to read. Mabel. Check.

Wait a minute. I haven’t named my camera. Suggestions?

Gosh, I haven’t received my emails of this post – Feedburner seems to be acting up again.

Happy Wednesday.

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Mabel Gets Dressed

Mabel On The Road

claudiahillsparks

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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