Frankly pleased with my new "floaty" sundress.....it's in the 90's here! I'm still a gal who loves the Laura Ashley look! This is my own adaptation of her pattern (funny how my figure has changed in 20 some years!!!)...found ancient pearl buttons in my button jar too!

Now, this dress cost me quite a bit, as I had to buy a new sewing machine to make it!!! LOL!

I love the automatic buttonholes on the Janome! It took less than 15 minutes to make all 7, and I'm just learning the machine!

Mom had reminded me that I could do the buttonholes by hand,...and wouldn't that be charming????? Of course it probably would have taken me 4-5 hours rather than 15 minutes!

I love getting a consistent well-made, perfectly sized for the buttonhole result with the machine...and with 3 grandbabies coming this summer, I'm sure to use it!

Summer mornings, once again I'm out of the house to water everything...

It is still cool enough (barely) that the leaf lettuce is thriving! I love fresh salad from the garden!

It won't be long before the lettuce "bolts" and goes to seed as the cilantro is doing.
I'm putting in annuals for the duration of the summer back here. Zinnias are coming up among the coleus!

In a bed nearby, I have planted 4 tomatoes, 1 Black Crim, 1 Cherokee Purple and 2 Arkansas Travelers. I was surprised to see several coming volunteer from last year's tomatoes...what fun!

After the garden chores, it is time to be inside with air-conditioning. Mom and I are making a few charity quilts. I have lots of fabric to "work up"! Here Mom is taking a break from piecing 4 patches on the antique Singer Featherweight. I have the new Janome to "break in"!

Somedays at work things are fun!

We have used machines here which are sometimes ready to sell. Here is a rare Singer model 337. These were made in 1963 to 1964 in Scotland. They are all medal except for the tension dial which is plastic. But the most wonderful thing about this is its color!!!! Aqua, turquoise....just wonderful!

So today, I tested and demonstrated that this machine does still sew well.
I could take it home....but I already have 4 machines...so restraint is called for.
We will find a good home for it!

How wonderful to have some time together! Below, 2 of my favorite guys, chatting while waiting for the "take-and-bake" pizza to be ready on Wednesday evening.

Time quickly passes,before we know it, it is time for a good-bye hug on Saturday morning. [He is leaving early so someone is still in her pj's!]

Now thank-goodness that I have my job to go to, or I'd feel like this little dog, watching out the window for the truck to come back!

We truly savored every minute, from an outing to a local construction site, [ The Walmart heiress is building a fabulous art museum near here.] to games of Scrabble with my Mom in the evenings. Good memories!

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This oil painting by Deborah Elmquist of Port Orange, FL is called "Sew Many Memories".

I couldn't see the old SINGER at first glance. As someone who learned to sew on a similar machine, ( and still do at times with my little Singer Featherweight) I truly understand her painting!

This is my studio tonight....as always, in transition, becoming better and making me feel more at home there. Yesterday, my friend Paula helped me with rearranging some of the things and building some shelves to help store others.

First we needed zip ties.....lots.

Then Rubbermaid closet shelving. 2 pieces 6 feet long for the upright sides and 2, 8 foot shelves cut in half at the store [Lowes].

These shelves are designed to hold bins of fabric at an angle....the front of the shelves being lower than the back so that the contents are more visible. I need more storage but it can't be in closets or armoires where I can't see the fabrics and colors which come together in my quilts. Out of sight, out of mind is too true in my case. My muse needs to see her materials!

Below is one end of the studio with my sewing machines and serger and a primitive antique hutch/closet ......

Now, on an adjoining wall is my new shelf unit. Thanks to Paula, and the zip ties we had it assembled in no time! The top shelf is level and holds baskets. The bins are on the slanted shelves and I can see the contents more easily! I love it!

Now the discipline is to keep the fabric collection to a rather constant size....sewing up some before more comes in so that I can have a sense of what is here!

A closer look at the shelf right after we finished it yesterday.....

I dream of "Genie".



A 1970's Retro sewing machine which I just "WON" on e-bay. This small machine is so cute, I just couldn't resist! [Called both "Genie" and "Starlet" , this "hippie" machine goes to show how having orange flowers makes the day for some of us! Flower power! It may have been made in France...according to the foot control.]
It has a carrying case which makes it easy to store and transport. I first saw this model when a customer brought one into the shop for a clean and service. It sews five different stitches....like a Singer Featherweight with zig zag and stretch stitches too. Now it is mine!!!!!

I know that one day, it may be given to my granddaughter who is interested in sewing!