Sheltering days

I have been quilting on a Janome straight stitch machine for about 10 years and have completed numerous quilts (too many to count or remember), and it finally began to give me some unwelcome issues.  I also had another much more complicated machine that I really didn't use much, but it wasn't designed for quilting the way that I needed.  Don't get me wrong, it was a really nice machine, but since I have been home most of the time, I researched some and the Mr. and I decided that I would get a new machine.  I gave my daughter the fancier machine, and actually, this one does everything that I need and it does a great job of replacing the old quilter as well as replacing the fancier stitching machine without the embroidery functions.  We did order it from Amazon and it arrived as expected even though it was delayed by a storm in Utah.  I am excited to use it and with all of the available videos on UTUBE, I have been able to get instructions.

 This is a quilt that I started in Wyoming and even before I could get a good picture, "Bogie" decided to check it out for comfort. I did quilt it with the machine above, but it was a learning experience and is just so-so.  The cats like it. I am saddened that our nation's residents are dying at rates so high at this time of the year.  In the past I have encouraged friends to wear masks, but encountered those at home in Wyoming who seemed to doubt the science.  Please, please, don't have large gatherings and take precautions.  Remember to thank the health care workers who are being pushed beyond limits and don't complain for the inconvenience of wearing a mask.  The life you save might be your own or a loved one.

Thanksgiving will come next year again, if we can survive the doubters and the misinformation.  This disease doesn't kill only the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions.

Quiet on the home front

 There is nothing much happening in my life and I am blessed for that.  Blogging while sheltering is pretty difficult. The election is over and I surely hope that we will all feel the need to be kinder, cease the violence and name calling and unite to end this drama and work together to control the epidemic.  With deaths mounting daily and cases increasing at a rate not seen since the beginning I hurt for the individuals infected because of the careless attitude of others.  

My pinecone did explode as I was told! I went to check it one morning last week and fall apart and when I tried to pick it up, it just fell apart.  The tree outside still has all of the cones on it still, but they are brown and I anticipate the explosions to begin anytime now.  Weird!

 I tried to count the number of quilts I have made with my tractor of a sewing machine and it is in excess of 45.  That includes the piecing and the quilting and tons of other sewing and mending.  It has begun to wear out I fear and it is only a straight stitch machine.  That means that I need another for any other stitching I want to do.  I do have a beautiful machine that does most anything including some embroidery.  However, I don't really use that feature and two machines require space that I really don't have since we downsized.  Although I am in a bedroom of a decent size, I really do not need two machines if I can do both with one.  The Mr. has ordered me another machine which will be here this week.  It has a larger throat, 10 1/2", and will sew through 8 layers of denim.  In addition, it has 170 decorative stitches and is the same brand of the machines I now have.  I like these Janome's and this one also has a metal body..not plastic.  It is similar to my straight stitch in that I can free motion with it. So since my other machine is in excellent condition and was serviced just before we moved, I am giving it to my daughter.  I have been ripping out stitches on the quilt I have been working so hopefully I will be able to finish it now.

"What you sew on Sunday, you rip on Monday" ~ (In my case...all week)