Be sure to check out the awesome book giveaway from Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth -

 http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2016/09/100-diy-projects-to-make-with-fruit.html

In Loving Memory - All Gave Some, Some Gave All

Please take a moment to say a prayer for all of our military personnel and their families on this day set aside to memorialize their sacrifices.  Take a moment to express your gratitude for those brave men and women who have served their country and are currently serving their country - serving us.  I know from personal experience that their sacrifices and those of their families are very real. 

More TLC hints for sewing machines

I'm back at it, after a slight hiccup.  That being I got laid off on Monday, with no warning - just a "here's you final paycheck, sign here."  Wow.  Anyway, I am feeling pretty good about things and even though I can't afford to be unemployed for very long I plan to make the best of things.  I know that this is all in God's plan and that He has something wonderful in store for me!  So, back to another couple of TLC hints really quickly before I need to move on to other things!

Step four - Thread.  Please, please, please, feed your machine the very best thread you can afford.  Although that "10 for $1" bin is enticing, don't do it!  Wait for a sale or a coupon and stock up on some basic colors of good quality thread.  Why, you ask?  Well, in plain English, the cheap stuff is, well, CHEAP!  It will leave a LOT of lint to quickly clog your machine; it is not as strong so your sewing project will not last as long; it will twist up wrong; break more easily; and generally create a lot more frustration to wreak havoc on your sewing serenity!  Just trust me on this one - stock up on good quality thread and keep it in a nice, dust free area.  I could go into thread weight, etc. but I will leave that for a different post.

Step five - Needles.  Change your needle often.  I know, I know, they can be expensive and it doesn't seem like there is anything wrong with it - I have often felt the same way.  However, what I have learned is that having a dull needle or one with a burr on it can cause a lot of frustration.  It can be the root of tangled and broken thread problems.  It can disguise itself as a tension problem or any other type of problem when your stitching is not coming out right!  Again, save those coupons or look for a sale and stock up on good quality needles.  Make sure you use the right size needle for your fabric type/weight.  I keep a pre-marked TLC pincushion nearby with the size needle already marked on it so that if I have to change needle size or type and the needle I am removing still is in good condition I can store it in that pincushion and won't have to guess at what size or type it is or use a triple-magnification magnifying glass to read the teensy weensy numbers imprinted on the needle!  I also know that it is a "used" needle that still has some stitching life left in it!

Well, that's all for right now.  Back to the job hunt!  Take care everyone!

Step 1 - I'm on my way!

Okay, in my last blog I posted that I wanted to begin sharing some of the wonderful gifts the Lord has given me.  One of those is that I am mechanically inclined and I particularly understand sewing machines.  One of the ladies in my Sewing Circle at church called me the "sewing machine whisperer."  LOL  Anyway, I do troubleshoot sewing machines for my church family.  I also scrounge thrift shops for older, mechanical, all metal sewing machines for use by the Sewing Circle.  Most of the time these machines have to be tuned up.  That's where my gift comes in!  And I am going to share with you.  First, you must relax and not be afraid of your sewing machine.  I know this sounds weird, but many times I find that people are afraid to "tinker" with their machine - they are intimidated by it and afraid the might break it. 

So, step one is RELAX!  It is highly unlikely that you will do something to permanently damage your machine, unless of course you take a hammer to it in your frustration.  Each of you knows your limitations and I feel confident that you won't exceed them when troubleshooting your machine.

Step two is read your owner's manual!  This sounds like a no-brainer, but really, most people just skim over the manual.  If you bought a vintage machine and don't have a manual, feel free to contact me - I can most likely lead you to one or maybe even provide you a pdf version. 

Step three - take care of your machine!  I can't stress this enough.  Taking care of your machine involves cleaning and lubricating.  Even if you have a newer, electronic machine, it still needs to be cleaned and may need the occasional DROP of oil in certain areas.  Check your manual.  The older machines need to be oiled wherever metal touches metal.  Again, check your manual.  And please, please, please use good quality sewing machine oil, not 3-in-1 oil or somesuch.  Sewing machine oil can be found at most fabric stores in the notions section.  After finishing a project, clean in and around your feed dogs and bobbin area - it is amazing how quickly lint collects in there! 

Stay tuned for further hints!

Hope for the Future

I just read a blog post that gave me hope for our country.  I hope you will visit her blog HERE- she has some good things to say.  She is a young woman who has her priorities straight and is able to articulate her opinions in a fun and interesting way.  I love it! 

This has encouraged me to get back to posting more often and to add some basic skills tutorials when I can.  God has given me some talents that I need to share as far as a simpler lifestyle - the "make do, make over, or do without" skills that I learned from my grandparents.  Now I just need to find the time!  But I will.  I will do this. 

Happy Mother's Day!

This is a photo of my Grandma, my Mom and me (I'm the one with no hair!).  The Lord called my Mom home when I was 19 years old - actually, barely 19 - she left us 5 days after my 19th birthday, and 3 days before Christmas.  It took me a long time to be able to get through the holidays without feeling bereft.  However, through it all, the Lord has guided my life.  My Grandma and my Mom were the ones who made sure I had a good Christian foundation to build on.  Did I ever stray?  Of course!  I am a human being, after all!  But the Bible tells us "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6

Thank you, Mom and Grandma, for making sure I learned about Jesus' wonderful gift of salvation and for training me up in the way I should go. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's Day.  Those of you who still have your mothers with you, cherish them!  Make it a point to spend some special time with your Mom. 

Have a blessed day!

In Memory of All Veterans

While we DO love the extra day off, the barbecues, picnics and other gatherings with family and friends, it is important to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I and has come to be a time to honor and remember those who have served and currently serve in the U.S. military, as well as those who died for our freedom.

It is the

VETERAN,

not the preacher,

who has given us freedom of religion.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the campus organizer,

who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is

the VETERAN,

not the politician,

Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the

VETERAN who

salutes the Flag,

It is

the

VETERAN

who serves

under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,

AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

Enjoy your long weekend, everyone, and take time to thank a soldier or remember a Veteran.