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Thursday, February 28, 2008

February...Ughhhhhhhh!


Daughter Kat called this evening, on the way to a meeting after work, to tell me that she missed reading my blog. I guess it has been quite a while since I posted. Brother Steve calls and asks me if I'm OK when I don't post for a while.

February has always been my unfavorite month. Too long Winter, too far to Spring! How can you get excited about anything when the world looks like this on one of the rare good days? Thank God, February is nearly gone (would be gone except that Leap Year gives us an extra day. Oh, goody!)


The past few weeks have been full of cold, grim, gray days with too much wind. I've filled these "lovely" days taking myself and Mom to doctors, dentists, oral surgeons, diverse hospital tests, etc., ad infinitum. I have always believed that I was meant to spend winter hibernating, in a luxurious fur lined cave. I would have enjoyed that more. I might need an assortment of good books and a book light to help make the days more enjoyable in that cave. Even my cat, Cho Cho, has cabin fever and blames me for the miserable weather that keeps him indoors.


But, this week we are having several sunny, warm days (although still short) and this morning while feeding the birds (I didn't fall on my hand and face this time) I discovered a few tiny green shoots coming up along the brick path in the herb garden and some tulip leaves are coming through the soil in the front prairie flower border. Even the little red headed House Finch males are singing their sweet mating songs at Toad Haven.


I finally figured out how to install the free motion foot on my Bernette and have done a bit of experimenting using it without very good results. I haven't yet gotten the hang of how to keep the machine running steadily while I move the fabric sandwich so that the stitches are even and go where I want them to. I am really wondering if this wouldn't be more effective if I was using a Bernina machine with a stitch regulator. While researching embellishing machines online I find that Bernina has a great felting attachment, also. I am seriously thinking that I need (want?) a sewing machine that can piece and free motion quilt as well as do machine embroidery and felting. This would help me overcome my quilting, embroidering handicap of worn out thumb joints. But I am also having a hard time convincing myself that I need it enough to justify the high cost, since it is really a hobby, even if an avocation. I have never been good at justifying expenditures for my own pleasure. Maybe I can convince myself that I am a professional in training. (Everyone knows that it's all right to invest money in one's profession.)

5 comments:

allie aller said...

My DH is the same way...he simply has trouble spending $ on himself. But he deserves it, and so do you! Would you rather your money all remained as ink on a bank statement? We can't indulge all the time, but when your Muse demands new tools, perhaps you should obey... ;-) Esp. if your hands need some help.
Anyway, I, too, am glad to see you posting again.
Those green shoots are heartening!!!

Barbara C said...

Hi Fran, it's good to see you posting again. I love the idea of the fur-lined cave for hybernating, especially if it comes with books and a book light.

The days are getting longer. Today it was light here before 7, and I narrowly missed the sunset last night when I left work. Last week it was totally black when I left.

The FM quilting thing does take a lot of practice. But I agree with Allie, if new tools would help you, get 'em.

Sandra said...

Yeah, I vote with them. If you got it, spend it!! Your work is beautiful and you devote so much time to it you might as well do what you can to make it easier and more fun.
It's great to see new posts. I always enjoy reading them and feeling like I've heard from a friend...even when I don't always post a comment :(
We're getting a snowstorm today so seeing your little beginnings of spring plants is wonderful!

DebbyMc said...

So good to see you again, Fran. All I have to say is, you can't take it with you =-) Think of it as spending money on the tools of your trade. And wouldn't you spend it on groceries if you had to?? Well, all these tools are food for your passion..I say GO FOR IT! Your work is so good...the progression of your style over the last few years has been so fun and inspiring to watch, you can't stop or tread water now!! Keep posting, I miss you!!

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

Hi Fran, I too believe humans should hibernate during winter. Well, maybe not actually hibernate--just sort of semi-hibernate. Spend the cold months in a warm soft bed with plenty of reading material and somebody to bring you a hot bowl of soup and a steaming cup of coffee from time to time.
I've been missing your posts too. And also your pretty quilt blocks.