An Elegant, Vintage Solution...

After much deliberation, I finally decided that this would be the best place for my sewing machine to travel when we're moving our "cottage" down the road...in the space between the foot of my bed and the wall of our bedroom at the front of the Flying Cloud.

When I purchased Sofie, she arrived in a beautiful, wheeled case...that was just too wide to fit into this space. I couldn't make it work any way I tried. I had was forced to find another way to keep my Sofie - and her accessories - safe during transport.
I went into our tiny attic space to see if one of the suitcases (we won't need to use to travel now) might work.

Look what I found! Handsome scored this at an estate sale we attended when we still lived in Wisconsin. It's one of those gorgeous, vintage suitcases that you use for car travel, but would never trust in the hands of any airline on earth. It's mahogany leather, tooled with the most beautiful designs - and after taking a few measurements -
I found that Sofie and all her accessories fit perfectly inside! The little 14 pound sweetheart, her embroidery attachment, hoop, plastic box with interchangeable presser feet, and instruction manuals all snuggled safely within the padded interior.
I'll need to make a proper padded cover for the embroidery attachment and hoop, but otherwise, it's already road-worthy.
After I asked if it was alright for me to use it, I loaded up "our" vintage suitcase and found that it fit into its new travel spot with room to spare. Guess that means I'll have room for the vintage train case I'm going to use to hold some of my other craft projects for our trip!

I can't think of a better solution to my modern dilemma than a vintage suitcase. I'm so happy that Handsome was willing to share! Yup. It's confirmed once again. I'm one Lucky Girl!

I'm inspired to find more vintage accessories for our cottage now. (Thanks, Rett! Your links to Sisters On The Fly started me down this path. I don't think I'll carry it as far as the Sisters did, but more vintage is definitely a good thing.)

Sunday Scripture...

"This is the message we have
heard from him and declare to you:
God is light;
In Him there is no darkness at all."

- I John 1:5

In tribute to the grace, dignity and strength of the
people of Japan as they rise above such unspeakable losses.

You Asked...

Let's start with the newest pillowcases I've made, shall we? I'm really having fun making them. They're fast, simple and add so much to a finished quilt.

This is one of four matching pillowcases I made for our master bedroom. This one is sitting on top of the king-size quilt I made for our bed. Now the bed looks "finished" when I make it up in the morning.

If you've been inspired to make pillowcases, please feel free to add them to the Flickr group I've started. The link is in my left sidebar now. Just click the picture and it will take you to the group.

And, now - just because you asked...
Here's a photo of me in the new top I made last week. I'm not wearing the skirt because I haven't had a chance to get to the store to purchase the right elastic for the waistband. (I know. Hard to believe I don't have it in my stash, isn't it?)

The top is extremely comfortable, but I'm thinking it's a bit "roomier" than I planned. I haven't decided yet if I'll keep it that way or take it in a bit. I have probably 2" on each side that I could take it in if I decide to.

I haven't made anything for myself in a long while, so perhaps I'm being a bit critical. I was really hoping that it would be more slimming, and am disappointed in that respect. I know that my body isn't what it was when I was in my 30's, but I don't want to make things that accentuate the negatives.

I have a tendency toward self-deprecation, so I'll stop before I write something I don't really mean. Suffice it to say that I'm not sure I'll make this pattern again. I think I'll move on to something more tailored...and I'm even more excited about using one of my Lutterloh patterns now. I'm going to tackle that project next week, and promise to share photos, too. Good or bad. Remember, you asked...