FRIDAY STATE OF MIND

Glorious cannot begin to describe this day.  I won't try.  Scarves and sweaters were blocked.   Dogs were allowed to wander around until they asked to go indoors -

We shared chunks of sharp cheddar cheese and I threw the ball until Harley lost interest.  Then I sat on the stoop and worked on my cousin's hat.  It's an original.  It's being knitted in (aaahhhh) cashmere.  She's a lucky woman!

If she loves the fit and gives me her nod of approval, I will share this, my first pattern, with y'all.  Did you hear my drawl - I picked that up when I lived in Kentucky and have never let it go, entirely.  Miss the south sometimes.

Isn't this color contrast amazing - the true color falls some where in between these two images. I wish that you could reach in and pat the screen - there isn't anything that feels like (aaahhhh) cashmere!

This is one of those knits that I will MISS when it's finished.  I never get tired of the feel of it in my hands.  Here comes an understatement - I am really truly hooked on knitting.  Socks are next.  Did you hear that, Jelli?  SOCKS.  

We wandered out to the vegetable garden to pick some zinnias and mexican sunflowers.  One of my late-bloomers is showing off tiny hot peppers - I wish that I had kept the label because now I don't remember what I planted.

They look like little green candy corns.  I'll bet they can bring the tears to your eyes.  Upstairs to work on the Bento Box flannels and I think that I've got enough blocks now.

NEED. MORE. WALL. SPACE.  I was so close to chucking these flannel scraps.  They'd been sitting around for a long time and since I've become a truly discriminating non-hoarder, they were destined to join the league of other 'collections' which were falling into the 365 day category.  If not used within a year - one of three things needs to occur - (1) give it away, (2) contribute it away, or (3) throw it away!

I'm wondering how to quilt this flannel top w/o compromising its soft appeal.  Machine quilting is fantastic, but it does give rise to stiffness.  Any ideas?

ANGST

My Bernina is back in the shop - JUST when I need it most - JUST when I have deadlines and projects to complete!  I am so frustrated with the guy who services my machine that I could bite someone.  He didn't fix it properly last time and I was too lazy to do anything about it.  Now I'm in a pickle, because yet another part needs to be ordered.  The guy that services the machine is a snake charmer.  He opens his mouth and I shudder and bite down HARD on my tongue so as not to say anything that we will both regret.  (I must find a new Bernina dealership.  No matter what.)
I'll call Mr. Charismatic-Service-Guy "Huey".  He looks at me and says, "well, after all, it IS an 830."  Yeah - and what exactly does that mean, Huey?  Well, he reminds me, "it's almost 10 years old now".  Yeah, and what is your point, Huey?  My Bernina Record is 37 years old and STILL going strong!  And I certainly didn't spend thousands of dollars for IT!  Maybe Huey should have let me know that a new Bernina only has a sewing life of 10 years or so.  Maybe I would have purchased a different brand.  

The Record had no problem chugging away on my flannel Bento Box blocks.  It isn't quiet, but there is a certain solid rhythm to its metallic machine sounds, comforting and reassuring.  You can open that bad boy up and oil it and everything clicks right back into place - no computer chips, no surprises.  

You can floor it - pedal to the metal, and it never runs off course or jams up or misbehaves.  I do love this old machine -

We had a happy reunion all afternoon.  The Record helped to take my angst away as we made good progress on the Bento blocks together.  'Nothing sews like a Bernina.  Nothing.'  (someone should remind Huey of this!)

The Bentos are kind of addictive, you know.  This flannel throw for my Dad will be finished in no time.  Once again, I have to give credit to Wanda, who really inspires me on a daily basis.  She is a maniac when it comes to piecing!  I wish that we were next door neighbors, I do.  I'd be hanging out at her house all of the time!

 I bet that she even knows how to fix HER sewing machine!