Quilt of Valor

I finally got to present my neighbor with his Quilt of Valor.  This is the quilt that I made for him.

Steve's Quilt of Valor

Here is Steve with his new Quilt of Valor.  He was really surprised. 

Steve, wrapped in his new quilt

Sorry if I haven't commented on anyone else's blog posts lately.  Hubby has been trying to get my new computer set up, and I've been using 2 computers, so that I could load pictures.  Everything is finally working like it should, and we finally moved the new computer in place (it had been in the middle of the family room for at least a month).  I'm more than 200 blog posts behind on my blog reading.  I'll try to get caught up quickly, but, with last minute projects still due, and my youngest son and his fiance coming in less than 3 weeks, there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done.  I know that most of you may be just as behind as I am. 

Two new machines and some exchange blocks received

I've gotten 2 more machines this month. 

First, I got a Damascus treadle.  I'm hoping someone will want this treadle, since it is treadle #6 in my house, and I'm only supposed to have 4 treadles.  I'm running out of treadle space.  This treadle had been sitting in  a basement for about 40 years when I picked it up.  It didn't come with any attachments, but, it has the shuttle and a bobbin, which is a plus.  I have before cleaning and after cleaning pictures.  This machine had mold on the outside of the machine, and, some inside the drip pan area of the cabinet.

Damascus, before cleaning.  Some of that is mold.

back of machine, showing dust and mold

paint splatters on cabinet

mold on drip pan inside of cabinet (it cleaned up easily)

clean and shiny

no more dirt or mold

Damascus in it's treadle cabinet

patch on the treadle peddle (no, I didn't clean the treadle irons)

Anyone want a treadle????

Also, I picked up another Kenmore in a cabinet.  I left the cabinet in the garage, so, I don't have pictures of the cabinet. 

Kenmore 158.17530 (1969-70)

cams and attachments and button hole maker that came with the Kenmore

more stuff that came with the Kenmore

this came with the Kenmore, but, I haven't a clue what it is

up close (and fuzzy) of the mystery part

My oldest son may get this machine.  He's 'testing' 3 of my Kenmore machines, to see which one (or two) he wants for himself.  For the first time, he's not complaining when I bring a machine home.  At least I am teaching him how to clean and oil the machines, so, he's done most of the work on the Kenmores.  Fine with me.

I also got lots of exchange blocks this month.

The first block is from the Mystery Row exchange I'm doing.  This was the 2nd month of the exchange.  I still need to make this month's block.  This is the block I received.

Mystery block I received

I was also in another block exchange, with my Treadle On group.  All these blocks have to be made on either a treadle or a hand crank sewing machine.  No electric machines allowed.  These are the blocks I got back.

Treadle On block exchange blocks

One of these days, I need to start sewing all my Treadle on blocks together.  I have them from several years now.  I think I like this setting.  Each block is signed, with the makers name, location, and what machine it was made on.  Some of these blocks are from England. 

I have been slaving away in my sewing room.  I'll post what I've been doing  at the end of the month, so that you don't have to see it twice in one week. 

A Few New Things, and what I'm working on

I've gotten a few new things in the last week.

1927 Singer 15

 I went to a rummage sale last Saturday, and found this machine.  It's missing some parts (bobbin case, bobbins, clutch washer, etc).  It came in a cabinet (rough shape).  The cabinet is in the garage.  I doubt I'll keep the cabinet.

I spent the afternoon cleaning this machine.  Most of these pictures are BEFORE I cleaned the machine.  She does have some pretty decals. 

nice faceplate, old style tension, no bobbin case or bobbin, or bobbin slide plate

motor, foot control and wiring.  NO I didn't plug her in

lots of lint jammed in there.  I never could get the feed dogs out

cleaned machine in a base that hubby made last month

Despite all the missing parts, I 'borrowed' a bobbin case from a Kenmore (standard series 15 style), and got this machine to stitch nicely.  Now to order her a few parts, and some new wiring and a new foot pedal.



Yesterday I was asked to give someone a ride.  On the way home, I decided to stop at a thrift store.  I found this box.

Singer Monagrammer

for slant shank, zig-zag machines

everything was in the box, including the Styrofoam to protect the parts

every disk is there

This monogrammer will work on my Singer 401A slant shank sewing machine.  Woohoo!  I probably won't have time to play with this until early next year.

I also found a cute teapot that I just couldn't resist.

teapot

I love his antenna.  Isn't he cute!

I have been working in my sewing room.  I started some Christmas tree mini quilts.  I've appliqued around everything, and stitched all the ornaments onto each of the trees.

3 Christmas tree mini quilts

 I'm taking a break from sewing the binding on these.  They should be finished soon.  Two of these will be 'flying' off to Alaska soon.  One for my son, and one for his fiance'.  My son asked me to mail him a little Christmas tree for this year, when he moved to Alaska (like I'm going to pay a fortune to mail an artificial tree).  This wasn't what he asked for, but, it should work.  They can hang them on their walls (she is in a dorm, so, not much room).  I'm keeping the 3rd one for my sewing room.

Tomorrow is a Shop Hop.  6 quilt stores. Other than some backing for more table runners, I don't plan on buying much, since I don't need anything.  We'll see. 

October NewFO's & Finishes

I only got one NewFO done in the month of October.  I'm in a Mystery Row Block exchange, and I finished 5 blocks for this exchange.  One block to exchange....

my exchange block

and I made 4 blocks for myself.

4 blocks I'm keeping

This is the block I got last month (September exchange).

block from Marilyn

I did get 19 finishes done in October.  Not bad, considering I was gone for a week to my family reunion.  I finished 19 - 60 degree table runners.  I do still need to bury the threads from the quilting.  I'll do that while watching TV.

4 Snowman table runners

4 different Snowman table runners

#1 Beach table runner

#2 Beach table runner

#3 Beach table runner

#4 Beach table runner

2 Apple table runners

2 Sunflower table runners

aqua table runner

red floral table runner

green floral table runner

Next month I hope to have 19 more table runners.  Using the 60 degree pattern, you get a 'bonus' round table runner along with the long table runners (shown above).  I just need to back, baste and quilt the 'bonus' table runners.  I think I went a bit overboard on these table runners.  Once you start cutting them out, you just can't stop.  I still have lots more material left to cut more of some of these table runners.