the life and times of Singer, 6110

Singer 6110 came into my life well… before I was born. Singer 6110 is older than I am.

Interestingly enough, Singer 6110 was purchased by my mother in 1982 in this very state. That is interesting to me because my father was in the Navy and we’ve lived quite a few places. It may not be interesting to you. I sometimes live a sheltered life.

So, Singer 6110 has been around 26 years in this family. Singer 6110 became my sewing machine officially three years ago when my mom bought a new machine. A few months ago, I finally had it serviced and sliced up some fabric into squares for some attempts at this “sewing” deal. As a side note, rotary cutters are Way. Fun.

Let’s go back for just a moment, to the days of yore when I was a young thing and my mom was Way Into Crafting, Particularly Sewing. If you had asked me I would have told you mom HATED sewing. She always cursed at her projects. She complained about never being able to sew anything straight. (As a side note, she never owned a rotary cutter until a few years ago-probably would have made it Way Fun for her then). Long story short-that All Changed when the new machine came into her life (it’s a Brother, if you wonder). And thus beings my trials with Singer 6110.

They say all machines have a personality-I would have to agree. Singer 6110 is a man. A man that jerks you around, has sudden mood swings, and anger management issues. He snarls thread. He eats fabric. He bends his needles at a whim. It has been a nightmare trying to sew anything with Singer 6110. For example, the tension was too tight. One assumes that by adjusting the tension knob a bit might help fix the problem. In fact, it does not-it Makes It Worse. Which, by Singer 6110 standards, is Improvement!

Since I’m 98% sure that I am into this Sewing thing (the growing fabric stash seems to be an indicator) but I’m not yet ready to make a sewing machine purchase of Immense Proportions, I think I’m going to be looking into a small, somewhat inexpensive model to get me through the lean months and provide enough power for all I’m able to sew at the moment-straight lines. And someday, maybe someday, I can pass on This Future Machine to my daughter safe in the knowledge that it will not bring the kind of pain to her life that Singer 6110 has wrought upon that of my mother and I.

 

wordle is fun

Wordle is fun for reviewing old favorites!

 

felty felty fun

Because most knitting these days takes place distractedly, simple projects are easy for me. The other day I got the itch for some felted bowl decorations. I turned to One Skein.

I think I knitted them too loosely, so they aren’t quite as tightly felted as I wanted. Also I didn’t use the Lamb’s Pride bulky, I used the worsted doubled. But I still heart them fiercely.

My favorite colors these days all seem to be the same-blue, pink, some orange or green thrown in. I’m reminded of a comment Michael Kors made during the Project Runway finale this year-Brady Bunch colors. Oldies are goodies, Mike. Just don’t bring back the diaper pants.

 

all new!

Happy New Year!

This year more than ever my life is going to change, and I’m looking forward to it. I see lots of people discussing their resolutions in blogland, and I wish everyone well with their goals. I have only one intention for myself this year. Okay, actually, two. I know my life and routine is going to flip itself upside down within the next three weeks, so I’m not setting the bar high. I know me. I’m a slacker!

Recently I came to the realization that I like having photos of the random everyday life around me, though I hardly ever pick up the camera. I intend to do that more this year. And I will learn to use the copy of photoshop the Hubs picked up for me. That is why today you get the lame photo below.

Experimentation, friends. We all start somewhere.

I spent New Year’s Eve and Day finishing up the Blanket Of Interminable Length for the babysaurus. It was a worthy slog through purple cables, and now it dries, waiting for a sunny day and proper photo. For now, a preview.

And secondly, I want to learn to sew. I don’t need to start big. Achieving a straight hem line will make me happy to start. I’ve had my mother’s 29 year old machine in my closet for a long time now, and I’m ready to get it out. Intention #2.

And that’s it. I wish everyone luck and can’t wait to see where we go from here in 2008. Should be exciting!

 

I find

I think about blogging more than I actually do it. Which is why sometimes you get disjointed thoughts and half baked explanations. And most of the things I want to share with you never make it here.

I shall endeavor to do better. And for starters, here’s something too stinking cute to not share. I sadly have not made up any of these little guys yet, but I have procured the supplies.

Here’s the author’s photo on flickr, complete with pattern. I promise it’s adorable. Squee!