Machine Scare!!

So...the same night I cut my finger...see previous post...my machine started binding up. I have an Elna 7200 which I just love. However, a few months after I got it, it had a catastrophic bobbin case and hook/shuttle failure which required many $$ and specialized expertise to fix. Ever since then I've been really nervous when something binds up. So...I'm running transparent thread, and it's running just fine. For some reason, it's just starts binding up. When I pull the bobbin plate off, the entire case is shifted. Now I'm worried the timing is off again. Holy cow, what else can happen??? So...I pack it up and get it ready to take in.

However, do you remember me mentioning I have a show? So...out comes the old reliable Singer 301. Gotta love her...tried and true. My son asked me why I was using it and I told him I was going "old school" and he said "sometimes old school is the best school"...he's building a '55 chevy truck, so you can see why he would say that. This is my faithful machine that was given to me by my grandmother over 23 years ago. In fact, I picked up another one a few years ago as a second backup. I even learned how to service and oil this myself. So...off we go on the 301.

Now, here is my Public Service Announcement for quality thread. I took my machine in two days later expecting the worst, and it turns out the old Coats and Clark cotton thread I was using was causing me issues. Apparently according to the store staff, it's made in Mexico and is not high quality. It has high and low spots, leaves lots of lint in your machine, and ball up (that is when it's not breaking). If those balls get in your tension discs, they throw everything off and bind you up. Inez (the manager) put some high quality thread in from the store and she ran like a champ. I went straight to the fabric store and bought several large spools of the good stuff. How was I to know I was using the bad stuff? It looked good...come to find out that is because they put a coating of wax on it to make it look good. So...USE GOOD THREAD!! Your machine and your projects are worth it!!!

PS...in the maching is baby burp cloths for my holiday show. Aren't they just the cutest?

Rotary Cutter + Finger Tip = OUCH!

So...I was sewing like crazy last Saturday, trying to get things done for a holiday show coming up in a week. I was cutting through some very thick webbing with my rotary cutter, and like a dummy, I was using my small ruler. Of course a small ruler makes you place your fingers closer to the cutter. I'm cutting away, and I grazed my finger. Nothing big, just enough to shave the outler layer - made a little shiny spot. I think - whew, I could have really cut myself.

So...I change rulers, right? No, of course not. I thank my lucky stars and keep on going. Then it happens...ouch!!! Cut halfway through my fingertip with the rotary cutter. Actually left blood on the cutter! So, I grab my finger (don't want to look) and I run downstairs. My husband is watching football or some other sporting event and I calmly ask him to help me. I can't look at it. We wash it off and I have to keep pressure on it and keep my arm up. I tell you what, I have a very high tolerance for pain, and it still hurt like heck!!! So, lucky for me it was a new blade, and the cut is very clean. We hope for the best, otherwise it's off to emergency on a weekend night..not a good experience. Here is a little pic of my beautiful finger the next day. Just looks like someone drew a line on my finger with red marker. It's now a week later and it's looking better. The wierdest thing is that my finger tip above the cut is still numb...cut all the nerve endings. Only time will tell if I get teh feeling back right there.

Is it Friday Yet?

Thank goodness it's Friday! I'm going to be busy sewing again for my show in two weeks. But...before I can get to that, I have to do my homework. In addition to my day job, and my little business here, I am a full time student. I am suffering in an economics class. While I want to understand the economy more, I just don't see why I need to know the slope and the curve and all the mad calculations you need to get there!!

Stay tuned for new pics of the studio this weekend. It's finally totally installed, my back was killing me though. Now I'm trying to put stuff away and work at the same time. I must say I love having a seperate desk and sewing station. I can pop over to the computer every now and then in between seams.

Ok, off to bed now...what a week!

New LuRay Hankies are Here!

I've just had a visit with my lovely friend Carolin, the creator of the Luray Collection. She releases limited production runs of the most gorgeous vintage handkerchief designs. I've just picked up a new batch of them and will be adding them to the site in the next week. Of course there are gorgeous roses and other florals, but don't forget the fabulous Christmas hankies. I just love them! Here is a picture of some of them...and don't forget the hankie pillowcases! These would be great gifts for teachers, friends...anyone!

Heroes!

Ok, so I know I'm a bit late on this...but I discovered the show "Heroes" this week. I came down with a cold and found myself not feeling at all energized. Since I was taking a quick break from school, I decided to check out the show and see what all the hype was about. Thanks to the wonder of the internet and episodes online...I'm almost through season one! I find myself drawn in. I won't say it's my absolute favorite yet, I reserve that for 'Alias', but I do have to say I'm hooked. Ok...that's my sidebar for today :-)

Finally...I have a label!

Thanks to my dear friend and fabulous designer, Ali Regan, of Miss Alis (http://www.missalis.com/), I now have a great label!! Between the little hearts, there will be a colored rhinestone. My buddy Tami from 3 Barrels Up (http://www.3barrelsup.com/) is my crystal benefactor. She has all the prettiest sparklies! So, in two weeks, I will have professionally woven labels on all of my items.

What have I been up to? I am on a three week break from school right now, so I'm trying to use my nights to get my studio finished and get sewing!!! It's Friday night and I'm finally feeling motivated to get in the studio, so hopefully I will have a productive weekend. I've been away lately due to a very stressful two months at my day job (these are the busiest months of the year)...but I'm excited to 'get back on the horse' so to speak!

What happened to July and August?

Thanks to all of you who've emailed to see what the heck happened to me! I am doing just fine, but have been so busy with the rest of life. I haven't been able to spend alot of time on the business lately. However...I will be ramping up over the next few weeks for the holiday. I'll be posting pictures from the studio as I work like a crazy woman!

So...why have I been preoccupied? Lots of things. We've had some medical emergencies in our family that we've been focusing on...sending lots of positive energy that way. My day job (marketing) has been insanely busy and will continue to be through the end of the year likely. I'm not complaining...this is one of the things about marketing I like! Of course there is school. I'm a little over a year away from completing my bachelor's degree...next Christmas I'll be home free. Of course there is my wonderful family. I try to spend all my extra time with them. My boys are 15 and 17, and growing up so darned fast. Gotta stop to smell the roses before they're gone.

A fun side note...my husband and I took our first "no kids" vacation in over 14 years. We went to Las Vegas. I get to go to Vegas for work, but it's always trade shows, and it's so much work that once you are done with customers, booth set up and tear down, etc, you just collapse. This time we went just for fun and had a great time. We had such fun just hanging out with each other, and when our 2 1/2 days were up, we decided to be spontaneous and booked new flights and stayed two more days!! We had such a great time, we're going back again in December between Christmas and New Year.

That is all for now...will be posting again regularly. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful support!