still in progress

Last month one of the local quilt shops I frequent (Bernina World of Sewing) had a demo class on their sergers.  Of course, it was leading into their Christmas sale, but one of the perks of taking the class was a few feet for free. I was thinking I wanted to purchase one of the cheaper models, but after trying out the machine and seeing what it could do and then playing on the other models, I decided paying the extra money would be worth it. But would I use it enough to justify the purchase?

Even though I've spent a fair amount of time at the Bernina store, I've never owned a Bernina before.

What amazed me was how well everything was packaged. I mean, the contents of these boxes all fit into the little clear bin next to the iron (which was part of the package deal). There was only one food that wouldn't fit that has stayed in its box.

 

I was able to purchase the thread for it at JoAnns during their week of Black Friday sales, but I've not had time to read through the manual and refresh my mind on everything I learned in class. Hopefully next week I'll get the machine threaded and finish the pillowcases for the SouthernWake Quilter's Guild president's challenge. (I'll have to explain that mouthful another time!)

So I'm branching out. One of the skills I hope to master next year is my serger...specifically hems on pants!

a new project :)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know one of my goals for 2014 was to finish two projects for every one I started. But that was six months ago. 

 

Every month one of the quilt shops in Raleigh has a block of the month class (you pay for the first month, then bring your completed block in to the store and attend a 15-20 minute lecture on how to piece the next month's block for free, of $5 if you don't finish your block), followed by a guild-like group ($3.50 a month) where you learn a new quilting technique or about a new gadget and have show and tell of whatever projects you're working (except my group seldom has a lot to to show). This month's Bernina Club demonstrated a way to "dye" fabric using fresh plants, fabric, tape, and a hammer. I wasn't expecting to be overly impressed as fabric dying is NOT my thing, and I came away with my mind whirling and a multitude of project ideas.

 

Step one: Choose your leaf, flower, or grass. (Check out the internet on this, as different cholorophyll colors last and dye differently, and I found tree leaves don't pound out too well and tomato leaves have TOO much chlorophyll.) Here I'm using a sprig from our pecan tree on fabric prepared for dying (but you can use any fabric, but will need to "set" it with a white vinegar/water solution).

 

 

 

Tape the leaf flat onto the fabric with masking tape, covering every part.
(I didn't ask, but I think this helps hold the chlorphyll (aka plant blood) in place on the fabric.)

 

Flip the fabric over. You should be able to see the plant/tape through the fabric. Put it on a cutting board, or other flat, hard surface.

 

 Begin pounding with a hammer (mallets don't work well). As you crush the plant, the chlorophyll seeps into the fabric (our instructor has also used watercolor paper), essentially dying it.

Once finished, tear the tape/plant residue off. Allow to dry in a dark place. (Sunlight makes the color fade). 

I've not researched this to see whether or not fabric prepared for dying still needs to be "set" or not, but I do have a few blocks of plants that grow around our house finished. We did get to see samples of fabric that had been placed in water (city, well, and bottled) solutions to help them set, and were shocked at the differences from the original to the "set" versions. Bottled water faded/removed the color the worst. Well water did the best...go figure!  Our instructor recommended dry cleaning any products (pillows, quilts) unless we wanted a dull brown that slowly washed out of the finished product.

Regardless of whether this is a fabric or paper item, I think it's a very cool craft idea!

the NC Governor's Mansion

My camera batteries died while were at the Open House, but here's what few photos I did manage to take.

 This pic is a little blurry, but the eagle supported tables in one of my favorite things in the Governor's Mansion.

 The first tree you see upon entering.

 And a close-up of the dogwood flowers that adorned it.

 The stair case has always impressed me, even though it's heavily masculine-looking. I know such detailed work in wood was not easy to do during that time frame, so that makes all the ridges even more impressive. The finials at the end of the staircase have Raleigh's oak symbol craved into each side, and for some reason, that always makes me think the staircase resembles nutcrackers.

 From the NC room...(again, sorry for the blurriness) a wreath made from dried tobacco leaves.

 The mantel in this room is covered in dried flowers and cotton balls. Notice the North Carolina trees below instead of the poinsettias that graced the rest of the mansion?

 And the table centerpiece...made from an Apex bakery, the gingerbread house is in the shape of a tobacco barn (and looks like wood!) and is placed on top of a burlap (tobacco) bag.

 Not sure of the schedule, but various school groups were singing (and they sounded good!) A new group was coming in to look around before singing as we were leaving.

The poinsettias were HUGE...the largest I've ever seen. At first we thought there were several plantings in one pot, but it wasn't. This is ONE plant.

I hate I missed getting photos of the dining room and front room. The dining room was done in an apple/lime green color. They had those tall cylinder vases all along the table, filled with assorted green ornaments, then the next one would be a different type of green ornaments, followed by green apples. The mantle there was also decorated in the same shade of green.  The front room also had a huge tree (matching the other tree in height) but was decorated in majestic colors of gold, silver, purple, and mauve...very ornate.

Oh! I forgot the sunroom....it's tree was covered in ornaments made by children of parents serving overseas (the ones stationed at Ft Bragg and Camp LeJuene).  It was very patriotic, bright, and cheerful.

And outside? Next to the entrance/security gate was a winter-garbed tree (void of leaves) covered in red ornaments. I told Bobby that must be their Charlie Brown tree.

If you've never been to the Governor's Mansion, you can either schedule a tour or watch for Open Houses in the spring or at Christmas. I think it's something everyone would enjoy. Granted, you don't get to see the actual living corridors upstairs, but it's still quite impressive.

bows

I like bows on things (not too much on clothes, but that's a different post entirely).
Packages, wreaths, hair barrettes, shoes, Christmas trees, wall decorations...they all have a little oomph when there's a nicely tied bow attached. And there's the rub. Nicely tied.
I think bows are an art form. Perhaps they can be taught, but my one five minute lesson didn't produce much results. (We won't discuss the fact that I got frustrated with future attempts and have not practiced the tedious art form.) My oldest cousin and my aunt can make bows without even so much as a bat of the eye, and can create unique and cool bow designs without much thought. I purse my lips, clinch my teeth, gnaw my lip, hold my breath...and my bow STILL looks like it was tied by a child. Perhaps that should be a ladies' activity at church - a bow making class.
Did I mention that I'm drawn to ribbon sales in the fabric store? I seldom buy it, but I look at it and dream of all the possibilities the roll could hold. But I already have several rolls of ribbon that I can't bring myself to ruin by attempting to make them into a bow. And I refuse to pay $25 for a not full barely fluffed bow at Michaels. I like fluffy, full bows (just not on my dresses Mom, in case you read this). Maybe I'll be a little adventurous in a few months and sit down with ribbon and pipe cleaners and Youtube and figure it all out this fall. Maybe.