Head and Shoulders, Knees and…Elbows? Searching for ergonomic solutions in small writing spaces

Dear Vi, I hate to be a complainer, but I just have to tell you: Too much hand quilting, knitting, typing, and gripping heavy weights at the gym have given me tennis elbow in both arms and caused the arthritis in my hands to flare up. It’s my own fault. I let it go too… Continue reading Head and Shoulders, Knees and…Elbows? Searching for ergonomic solutions in small writing spaces

a Moneta Pas de Deux (a bit of Moneta Madness under the Midnight Sun)

So you thought I was just sitting around smelling the fresh air for the last two months in the Yukon, eh? Actually, my friend Dee and I had a sewing date and we made matching Moneta dresses: a Moneta Pas de Deux! Dee came out to the cabin for a weekend and we sewed. It… Continue reading a Moneta Pas de Deux (a bit of Moneta Madness under the Midnight Sun)

Vintage Adjust-O-Matic Dress Form and a Healthy Body Image

Have you ever seen one of these? Made in the mid-1960s and costing only $6.95: “with your Adjust-o-Matic dress form you see in advance just how attractive and becoming your dress, skirt, coat or blouse will look!” Inside the box was a bewildering assortment of pieces. I have to admit, as a person who kind… Continue reading Vintage Adjust-O-Matic Dress Form and a Healthy Body Image

Overdoing it

The creative quilting bug hit hard on Monday and didn’t let go until yesterday afternoon. I worked almost non-stop on an idea for a lap quilt, and as a result I have completely wrecked myself! I don’t believe it! Both hands, wrists, forearms and my shoulders are weak as babies today and man oh man,… Continue reading Overdoing it

Vintage Simplicity 9852 Strikes Again! (shorts version 2)

Remember these shorts? Well, today I made another pair, out of…get this… a curtain that I got for $1 at the thrift store. Yup – a curtain. No pockets this time. Actually, I did make pockets, but I screwed them up. So rather than unpick everything and re-position them, I simply cut them off and… Continue reading Vintage Simplicity 9852 Strikes Again! (shorts version 2)

Vintage Sewing Machine: Brother Festival 451

Look what came home with me yesterday! Quick, give me some air – I’m hyperventilating! Isn’t she pretty?  Squeeeee!!!!! This is a vintage Brother Festival 451 in watermelon pink. I haven’t been able to get the machine out of it’s cabinet to find the serial number yet, but I Googled it and here’s what I… Continue reading Vintage Sewing Machine: Brother Festival 451