This week has been a bit busy, with some personal issues taking up the first three days. I finally got back to the blue and yellow table topper, and was able to get a couple more rows done with the curve ruler.

One thing I have to remember, the foot will keep the stitches about 1/4-inch away from the ruler edge. This means I have to estimate where to place the ruler so the stitching line will come out at the corners like I want.

Sometimes I am getting it right, and sometimes not. I have found that I have to stop the machine every time I want to reposition the ruler. Otherwise the cruise will put too many stitches in the stopping point, and break the thread.

I worked my way down again, and attempted to come back right to left on another row, but my machine really balks at sewing that direction. It punishes me by breaking the bobbin thread. So, I gave up on that and went back to stitching only left to right. I hope that a rainy day today will allow more to get done, but I have an appointment for my knees again, so I’ll only have a little time.

I had planned to get my seedlings in the ground on Wednesday, but that didn’t work out, and rain on Thursday kept me from doing it then either. I moved the seedlings up to the Carolina room (three season windowed porch) several days ago so they could harden off. I’ll try once again to get them in the ground this weekend.

The toad lilies are going strong. This year I will place them in another spot more shaded and hope the leaves don’t scorch like they did last year.

In the kitchen, I’ve been saving these net bags that Brussels sprouts come in. A little project was to make myself a new scrubbie from them.

This is an easy project. I cut the hard clip off the bottom, then rolled up the net bag like a pair of pantyhose, folding the raw edges to the inside.

Then I put it inside the second bag, and rolled that one too. Using polyester thread, I put a running stitch around both open edges, and pulled it tight.

I looped the thread under and over several net strands as I went to keep the thread where I wanted it to be.

In just a couple of minutes, I have a nice plastic scrubbie ‘egg’ for pots and pans that won’t scratch. And I’ve recycled the mesh bags that would otherwise just get thrown away.

This week I got some new goodies in the mail. For those who sew a lot, keeping the machine and the foot pedal in place can sometimes be an ongoing chore. My machine sits on a table, not in a cabinet, and ‘walks’ sometimes. I have to pull it back into the best position for me from time to time as it tends to shift away from me towards the center of the table. Same for the foot pedal, it walks away from me.

The large Sewing Machine Muffling Mat from Madam Sew reduces machine vibration, movement and slipping while also protecting the work surface. It kept my machine from walking away from me while sewing, and reduced the noise as well. It is on sale now, for the introductory price 31% off. Regularly $35.99, for a limited time order for $24.99.

The smaller Sewing Machine Pedal Mat will keep the foot control where you want it, not wandering around the floor. This is a constant problem for me as it walks away while I am using it and I have to pull it back again over and over. This little mat solved that problem nicely. Right now, this mat is on sale 31% off, regularly 19.49, get it now for just $13.49.

I am really pleased with how both of these performed. I tried the machine mat under my embroidery machine, and it helped the bouncing that machine does sometimes with heavier stitch count motifs. Check them out at Madam Sew – Sewing Machine Pedal Mat and Sewing Machine Muffling Mat.

Speaking of embroidery, you still have time to register for the Embroidery Extravaganza! Get stitching with 11 award-winning artisanal instructors for a vibrant multi-class event on embroidery, one of the most popular meditative crafts practiced worldwide. This event features vibrant classes on stitches, motifs, methods, and more skill-building and imaginative lessons to take your embroidery to the next level both hand and machine!

For my readers all over the world, especially those in the southern hemisphere, you don’t have to watch it live. Once you pay for the course, all the segments will be available to watch beginning May 14. So you can sign up, and watch at your convenience, PLUS they are yours forever! The videos do not expire. It is a fantastic deal for hours of classes with the coupon code below.

VIRTUAL LIVE EVENT :
Thursday, May 11th at 9 am (Pacific Time), Noon (Eastern Time)
RECORDINGS:
Available May 14th with no expiration!

Virtual swag bag will be yours on sign up. Plus participants are entered to win the main prize giveaway!

Here’s the best part, the class is regularly $49, but you can get $20 off with my blog discount code! Just use this link to look it over, see all the instructors and what they are teaching, and register – Embroidery Extravaganza With Discount. Using the link will automatically apply the discount. Or, if you go to the website later, the code is in the graphic below. Check out the link for all the classes and offerings. For those who are visual learners, this is a rare opportunity to get a lot of instruction all at once, with the ability to go see the lessons again and again. I’ll remind you again as it gets closer, as we have a few weeks to sign up.

Lastly, this weekend is the 5th Annual Luft Wasser show (meaning air cooled engine and water cooled engine) Saturday, April 29, from 10 – 1. The event is a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County. We are on the staging crew, so we’ll be there really early. If you are near Brevard, come see the show, admission is free. I hope to get some good pictures for you for our Sunday chat.

Are you working on any small projects? What fun plans do you have for the weekend?

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Shop the April sales at Fat Quarter Shop! Sales on Notions, Books, Patterns, and Fabric. This month get 20% off the Basic of the Month Art Gallery Solids, 30% Off the Books and Patterns of the month by Lori Holt and Elizabeth Hartman and see the Precuts of the week. Save on Notions from Taylor Seville, and don’t forget the daily Flash Sale!

Impression Obsession – CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN BUSINESS – 20% off (no coupon required) | FREE US SHIPPING — On orders over $75

Visit Sulky Threads for 30% savings on select threads and stabilizers for National Serging Month, along with metallic threads and stabilizers for embroidery.

Thank you for using my links when you can. Purchases made by using my links do not cost you any more and you can use your existing accounts with these merchants. When you buy from them, I may receive a small commission so I can continue to bring you fun quilt alongs, free patterns and ideas, while keeping obnoxious ads off my blog.