Friday, May 13, 2016

April Showers Bring May... um... Piglets

Trying to get back in the groove, here.  I had a fabulous time at Maryland Sheep and Wool - saw lots of sheep and fiber and bunnies and fiber and more sheep and much much more fiber.



I had to keep reminding myself how much wool and alpaca fleece I have tucked away already in order to not be tempted by all the goodies on display. (And my oh my, were there ever goodies on display!)
I did buy a Turkish spindle, which is one of those things I've always wanted, and I'm going to play with it as soon as I go dig out some of that aforementioned wool.  (Expect a post sometime soon!)

Meanwhile, back at the farm, I've been learning to use the new sewing machine my kids gave me for Mother's Day.  It's down on the simple end of machines these days, meaning it does way more embroidery stitches than I'll ever use and the manual is the same thickness as the one that came with my car.  But OMG it threads its own needles and I've played with that feature more than is strictly necessary because look what it did! and I'm easily tickled.
So once I got comfortable enough with it that I no longer suspected it would sew my fingers to my leg, I put it to work.
First, of course, were a couple of piggies.
Angela has given us a foresty green for May, and I found a few suitable fabrics right off.



And then I had to make a couple of kaleidoscopes.  Purely in the interest of research, mind you.  Testing 1 2 3 and all that.


And there are a couple more strip sets already ready to go, so I suspect there will be more.


Can't wait to see what this sewing machine gets up to next!


Linking with So Scrappy for ScrapHappy Saturday.  Come see big green fun!
And I almost missed the May linkup for Scraptastic Tuesday, so here ya go.  Even more scrappy fun!




15 comments:

kmkat said...

It threads its own needle?!?!? I would <3 that.

Sally Trude said...

A piglet that counts! I'm impressed. Welcome back!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

The softer patterns on those piggies almost make them like optical illusions.

Chantal said...

Hey! Welcome back. Happy to hear you had a great time. I think you have a piggy who's keeping track of your wool budget lol. I had a good laugh, picturing your fingers sewn to your leg. What ?!! How ??? LOL My newest sewing machine threads itself too and sometimes I forget that the other machines still haven't learned how lol. You will have to introduce us to this new sewing room member. Enjoy your beautiful present. ;^)

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Although I have a pretty simple sewing machine, it also threads the needle for me and I love that! Your green piggies are looking good - especially #24 there!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Threads its own needle - sheesh, what a luxury THAT would be! Glad you are thoroughly testing this new machine (giggle).

Cathy said...

You know I had to look up Turkish spindle. Never heard of it although I have a book on Turkish oyas. That thing looks like a weapon. I'll be anxious to hear of it's other uses.

I think I'm more impressed that your kids bought you a sewing machine than I am with it threading a needle by itself. Congrats on the new machine.

Love the kaleidos. I had to enlarge the pic to see the fabrics. At first glance I thought those were hamburger buns, not leaves, and I got excited.

Mystic Quilter said...

Wonderful snout and ears on your second piglet! Your kaleidoscope block has remind me to try and fit in an hour or so today with mine.

Jennifer said...

lots of fun green stuff! we went to a fiber festival today, too! came home with a few trinkets, only a tiny bit of yarn, but lots of enthusiasm and inspiration!

Dasha said...

What a nice family you have to give you a new machine! Have fun playing with it. Now I am off to find out what a Turkish spindle is..... :)

PaulaB quilts said...

How sweet of your family to give you the new machine. Glad you can still make piggies with it. Do those number tattoos mean he has a questionable past life?

Nicky said...

Enjoy your new toy and great little pigs!

Nicky said...

Ooh and thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday!

Angie said...

I've heard much & more about the various sheep & wool gatherings around the country - I'm sure it would be a visual overload! Hope you do a post on the Turkish spindle, it would be fun to see what it can do (I suck at drop-spinning). Have fun whizzing along with your new sewing machine!

Ivani said...

Enjoy your new best friend! Wow I love those funny piglets, the #24 makes me smile.
I had problems with the internet, from Saturday to Tuesday morning, almost lost the RSC linky party,
Hugs