A Date With Destiny...

Ellisimo (Miss Ellie)

One of the things I've been working on is a decision to upgrade my machine in the studio. I have loved and been faithfully served by Miss Ellie for the past five years. She's a great machine!

Yesterday, I sold her to a nice lady in Colorado, so I'll be packing her (with Handsome's help), along with all her accessories for the trip out west. I know she'll perform equally well for her new owner.

Crescendo

I've also sold my one-year old, Crescendo. Don't gasp. There's a method to this whole process. Trust me.

Babylock Destiny

I wasn't planning a new machine this year, but I met Destiny. She combines all the features in the Ellisimo and the Crescendo; has a larger screen and a heavier duty embroidery arm; and I got a deal that I absolutely couldn't refuse!

 

I'll be making a phone call today to make sure they have the new machine in stock so I can pick it up. My plan is to go and get her on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to having her in the studio, and for us to get to know each other. I know the new owners of my previously loved machines will be happy, too. I'm pretty sure it was Destiny that brought us all together.

Whoops, I Did It Again...

My plan was to work on this quilt for a sweet, little Corgi girl yesterday.

Instead, when I went to pick up a wriggling, seventeen pound, black Labrador puppy, I threw out my bloody back again. I don't know why it's so hard for me to remember that I need to be cautious about my back, even when I'm feeling good.

It's that first second - right after I do something that causes me to hurt again - that I remember that I shouldn't have done "that". Now I know that I can no longer pick up Bella...at least not if I don't want to spend the rest of the day drugged and useless!

I'm hoping that I can complete this project today. Otherwise, I'll finish it over the weekend and put it in the mail first thing Tuesday. One thing is for sure, I don't want to spend a whole holiday weekend feeling like this, so I'll definitely be taking it easy. 

 

I'm purposely not saying "who" and "where" about the quilt at this point. I'll save that for later.

Meet Eighteen Year Old Angela Clayton...

Buzzfeed Image

Yesterday my friend, Roxane, shared a link to a Buzzfeed article about a young Long Island, NY woman named Angela Clayton. I was immediately taken with the images that accompanied the article. I learned that this eighteen year old created each and every masterpiece...much of it by hand...and an industrial machine. I was speechless.

Buzzfeed Image

 This is a link to the original article.

Each project is more stunning than the last, and her workmanship is impeccable. She's self-taught and references books that she uses as jump-off points for her techniques.

I just knew that many of you would appreciate reading about this young woman and the stunning garments she creates.

Buzzfeed Image

If you'd like to read more about her and her projects, you can CLICK HERE to go to her blog, or HERE to subscribe to her YouTube channel (I did!). There are a lot more pictures to see, too. (As always, you can click on the images here and they will enlarge in another window.)

She shares her techniques, triumphs and throw-aways, and the knowledge she's acquired at her tender age. Many more mature seamstresses and needleworkers could learn from her. I know I will.

You're welcome. (wink)