Lemonade From Lemons...

Brynwood Needleworks - My "Roomie", Jamie and Me

Yesterday was the final day of our February Sebring sewing/quilting retreat. We had a great time together! Then, it was time to leave for home.

I went to the hotel parking lot, backed my car to the loading ramp and went around the back of my vehicle to open the lift door, only to realize that my license plate had been stolen!

I called 911 and filed a report with the police officer. She said they would let me know if/when the plate's recovered, but I needed to go to the county DMV (thankfully, right in town) to get a new plate immediately, to get legal again.

Jamie and I loaded up my vehicle and we went to the DMV, where they voided my stolen plates and (at no charge) issued new ones. I left there with a new license plate, but needed screws to mount it on the back of my SUV.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle's Dog, Rudy

I asked my iPhone (Siri, with a male voice) where the nearest automotive garage was and "he" sent me to Halvorsen Auto Restyling, Inc., and gave me directions. When I got there, we were greeted by this laid-back guy. His name is Rudy. 

The owner, Lyle, came from the back of the shop and I told him we were in town for a quilting retreat. Then I told him what happened and asked if he had a set of screws I could purchase to mount my plate on the back of my vehicle. He had the screws, attached my license plate and refused payment.

Then, he asked me to tell him more about the retreat. I told him we were quilters, and here's where the story gets really cool.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle And His Machines

He asked what kind of quilting we did, and I called Jamie out of the car so we could chat with him. He proceeded to tell us he's a quilter, too, and showed us his machines (right there in is auto shop)!

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle's Morse and Seiko Industrial Machines

These machines are perfect for his work, but they're also perfect for the bag and wallet making I've been doing. I admit that I was a little envious. But, as we talked, we found out he had more!

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle's Singer 500A (aka "The Rocketeer" machine)

This is his "George Jetson-looking" Singer. Many of my bag making friends have this one and love it.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle's Chandler Industrial Machine

And, Lyle had another workhorse. He uncovered this well-used and still-working Chandler industrial machine. He uses this one for his vehicle upholstery work. Even the wooden table for this one was fabulous!

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle Halvorsen and Me

Last of all, he told us he rescues cabinets from thrift stores. You know Kenny doesn't have a machine table, and I've been looking for one. He was happy to climb up into his storage loft and show us what he had.

 

Lucky me! Lyle gave me a price, and Jamie and I left with a cabinet for my Kenmore Model 29!!! I'll get Kenny installed today and share photos tomorrow.

Jamie and I believe that it was fate (not Siri) that brought us together yesterday. Pretty cool, right? If you're ever in Sebring, stop at Halvorsen Auto Restyling and tell Lyle (and Rudy) we said "hi" and "Thanks!" He definitely turned a "lemon into lemonade" day for me!!