The Post Office Conspires against me?

Waaaay back a couple of months ago, I signed up for an un-birthday swap. I sent off my package only to discover that my partner MOVED! I wish I'd realized that sooner because I could have sent my package sooner but I let one thing after another keep me from the post office and didn't post mine until the last day. I received her lovely gift and was tickled to receive a lovely bag that she made, a cookbook from her area, a jar of jam she made (yum!), some coaster tiles that she made and an activity book for young Mr. I. I honestly love it all. Thank you so much, Lauren! I immediately let her know that I'd sent off her package but was a little concerned because I sent it to her old address. I've been kind of holding off on making this post because I was waiting for her to get what I sent to her .. but .. Murphy has stepped in and messed that up.


Don't you just love that print? It's so Spring-like! And the coasters are perfect!

Anyway, because I always buy delivery confirmations for swap packages, I noticed that the package was recorded as "delivered" but she said she hadn't gotten it yet. I figured that it went to wherever they processed mail that needed to be forwarded. Today, that package was returned to me .. over a month after I sent it to her. In the meantime, I've been trying to stay in contact with her but haven't heard back from my recent emails. I'd like to get this sent to her ASAP so if anyone knows Lauren, please let her know for me. I commented on her blog asking for a new address and sent her emails, to no avail. I don't want her to think I flaked on her because I didn't. I wouldn't do that.

Anyway, here is a picture of what I sent to her, I'd sure like her to have it:


Ultra-suede zippered bag with antique button eye, a set of coasters, a funny dishtowel that I thrifted, some vintage knitting books, a small notebook and some chocolate.

For my next post, I'll show you the button swap in which I participated.

Sewing Machine Meme from Sew Mama Sew

What brand and model do you have? I have a Pfaff 1471 & a Pfaff 1473

How long have you had it? I've had the Pfaff 1473 since 1990 and I've had the 1471 since my mom passed in 2007.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? The basic price was around $1500 but I also have the embroidery acessory and that was another few hundred dollars or so.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? I sew everything from stuffies/softies and household items to clothing, purses, totes and small quilts. In other words, I pretty much sew everything.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? I sew at least once a week, usually more often than that.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I used to love my machine but now .. not so much. It keeps needing to be adjusted and it costs nearly $200 to do that, which is stupidly expensive - if you ask me. I've been using the 1471 lately but it's needing a tune up too. I've never been one to name inanimate objects but I know a lot of people who do. The only reason I named my iPod is because iTunes wants you to when you set it up.

What features does your machine have that work well for you? It has a lot of features (a lot more than I ever use, that's for sure) but I think the one that I like best is the button hole maker. It even has a button-sewer-onner feature. ;)

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? That it needs tune-ups/adjusting too often. But I guess for the amount I use it, it ALMOST makes sense.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it! I moved with my family to Massachusetts in 1990 and my parents bought it for me as a goodbye gift. Little did we know I'd be back the next year! It was a very generous gift and I appreciate it a LOT. I've definitely put some (sewing) miles on it.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? Mine is rather oldish for a computerized machine and I don't know anything about the newer models to be able to recommend it or not. But when I first got it, I recommended it to everyone!

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? Ease of use, whether it needs to be handled with kid gloves or if it's a powerhouse, variety of features and I guess price is a factor but it just depends on what a person wants in a machine. If you quilt a lot, maybe you'd like a long-arm. If you want to be able to embroider, there's that to think about.

Do you have a dream machine? I've been thinking about replacing my machine next year and originally I thought about a Bernina (my MIL and SIL both have a relatively new model and they both love theirs but I've been reading some negative reviews regarding some of the newest machines. I do need/want one that is going to go the distance with me because I hope to never have to replace it. Now I'm thinking about test driving a Husquavarna Viking. The jury is still out.

Check it out!

Works in Progress is giving away some great buttons! You should check it out. :)

I've been sewing some zippered pouches lately. My MIL gave me some ultra suede scraps, so I've been using them up. The ultra suede has been awesome to work with and I'll post some photos soon. Speaking of photos, I also have some to post of the un-birthday swap I received (and what I sent).

Another swap!

A couple of weeks ago, I signed up for an Unbirthday Swap.



Hosted by Miya This is going to be fun.

Button Swap

I've signed up for a new swap. Since I love buttons (and have been collecting them for evAR) it seemed logical. :)




It's hosted by WonderMommy. Check it out here

(I couldn't get her badge code to work here ..)

I don't know why it's so hard ..

To get back into blogging mode. I mean, I want to reconnect and everything but the days fly by so quickly and before I know it, way too much time has passed between posts.

I always feel so tired. And this past weekend, I felt cruddy .. with a temp and flu-like symptoms. It's hard to feel like doing anything during those times.

BUT, I have still been reading others posts, just haven't commented too much.

I have been sewing lately. I made my aunt a tote and matching zippered, lined pouch. I made a zippered pouch for my friend's daughter's birthday and filled it with a stuffed monkey and gift card to Michael's. I'll update with photos later.

The Bagladee's Anniversary Giveaway

The Bagladee is having a giveaway to celebrate her 1st bloggaversary. Go check it out and you might win one of her lovely bags!

YIKES!

I've been avoiding the mess on my dining room table for about a week now. Not actually AVOIDING being in it, but cleaning it! Today my MIL called and said she was going to be coming over for a few minutes and I glanced over and realized it looked like a bomb went off. Ugh. How in the world have I been able to "create" anything in that mess is beyond me. But - it seems to be working because I'm still working on sewing projects.

I started organizing my fabrics and making tidier piles of it all. Of course, she only lives like 10 minutes away so I didn't get much done before she arrived. I apologized for the mess and she shushed me. She said that she wishes she had room in her apartment to sew. She sold the house and moved into an apartment a couple of years after my FIL suddenly passed away. Anyway, she said that seeing the sewing machine and piles of Spring-y fabric made her feel comfortable. Well! That's all the excuse I needed to stop messing with it and sit down and join her in a guilt free cup of coffee. I wonder what excuse I'll have tomorrow. *hah* I don't need to tidy for Easter dinner because we have restaurant reservations. ;)

The weather has been really odd today. So far it's rained AND snowed and you can't see the mountain range for all the grey and low setting clouds. There's a chill in the air and the wind is blowing. It's the perfect day for staying inside. :)

xoxo