Today is “Do a Grouch a Favor Day” – kind of like the Sesame Street version of “Practice Random Acts of Kindness” I guess. As a kid I had a secret fascination with Oscar the Grouch, maybe because he said out loud the things we never dared to say. (And…he was GREEN!) Somewhere in my library I have a copy of “The Portable Curmudgeon” which I found very entertaining in my 20s, probably for the same reason. So if you have the same wry appreciation for some gruff curmudgeon in your circle of friends, well, today’s the day. Maybe you have some half-eaten Valentine treats you can share.
When you start traveling again, and you are inevitably lured into a tourist gift shop, you will see that one of the hottest gift items are printed Tea Towels that have been embellished with hand-embroidery. I myself succumbed to this temptation when I was in Anchorage a few months ago. The part of me that always says “I could make that myself!” was not loud enough that day. But when I brought it home, I realized that we have all the components needed to make these lovely DIY embroidered towels. So here’s an idea for Mothers Day gifts – check out our Irish Linen Tea Towels – our collection of embroidery threads – and the big needles we carry for these threads. Dip into that volcano of pent-up creative energy and you too can whip out a Springtime hand-embroidery project that will hang proudly in somebody’s kitchen. (Maybe yours?)
I am sure you know that everybody started sewing during the pandemic….first facemasks, but then all kinds of other things that could be sewn at home. Most of you have one or two (or more?) sewing machines already, but there is a whole new wave of sewing newbies who either bought an entry-level machine, or pulled Grandma’s old machine out of the back of the closet, and realized it needed a little tuneup at the Sewing Machine Hospital.
As a result, quilt shops and sewing machine shops around the world still have a backlog of sewing machines waiting to be repaired. I suppose the labor shortage has contributed to this ubiquitous backlog as well. This week one of my 2 favorite machines (Bernina 790) had to go to the back of the repair line, and I’ll have to wait 4 weeks to get her back. I am very fastidious about cleaning and oiling every time I sit down to sew, but I was overdue for what should have been an annual deep cleaning and tuneup. Because…you know…the pandemic.
A long time ago I found out the hard way why we need to have more than one machine, because if you are on a deadline, and you only have one machine, that machine will inevitably blow up when you come down to the wire. In my case, I already had 2 machines, I was on the deadline for the Bernina Fashion Show, and lightning hit the building. Even though I had surge protectors, the lightning blew the brains of both machines.
So now I have more than 2 machines, and I always disconnect the power cord from the machine when it is not in use. Those fancy computerized machines are delicate creatures when it comes to power surges, and we don’t want to take any chances. Fortunately the metal guts of my machine are built like a tank so as long as I protect the circuitry, the machine keeps plowing through my deadline like a team of Clydesdales.
…sharing your love of fabric,
Luana and Paul
* The central panel in the collage above, is an Irish Blessing printed on one of our Irish Linen Tea Towels.
Quilt/Travel Calendar:
Feb 16-19 – QuiltCon – eQuilter is a GOLD Sponsor
Through Apr 9, 2022 – New England Quilt Museum (NEQM) “For the Love of Gaia” exhibit
Sat, April 9 – “International Quilt Trends” lecture – NEQM Closing Reception
August 4-6 – Long Beach Quilt Festival
October 18-24 – Luana’s Polar Bear Tour – Churchill Manitoba Canada
