Bells of Sarna

I have this small brass bell that belonged to my father. It, along with a second bell, were in our house in Manalapan for as long as I can remember.


Today, I was looking at the bell and noticed that it was marked "Bells of Sarna" on the inside of the bell.











Curious, I did a bit of research to find out what that meant. I found this article at the American Bell Association's Bell Talk site: http://americanbell.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=656

Sarna is not a place in India, but rather the name of the man who imported bells from several locations and resold them here in the states. The Bells of Sarna began in the late 1930's.

PILLOWS for the Classroom!

Finally I have finished this project!

I now have two HUGE pillows to use in my classroom for the upcoming school year!

These pillows were created using reclaimed stuffing and fabric! The outer covering that you see is an old fabric shower curtain. The inner pillow forms were created using fabric I purchased at the thrift store (quite unattractive fabric if I may say so!) very inexpensively. The stuffing was reclaimed from several unwanted bedpillows and throw pillows. It took a while to wash and dry the stuffing materials, but it was worth it!

Measuring about 30 inches square, they will sit on the floor for students to use instead of sitting at regular desks. They will have to earn the right to sit on the floor pillows, of course!

Resolutions: June Update

The Treadle Sewing Machine

My Singer Treadle Sewing Machine has been sitting on the sidelines for far too long. Tonight, I decided to get the new belt on it and figure out how to use it!
While Vince was getting the tools necessary to cut and attach the belt, I looked up the model and age on-line.
According to the Singer site, this machine was made on November 30, 1917 and is a model 127.
It, along with all of my other singers, is from the Elizabethport factory in NJ. Cool.

The manual that was with the machine was for a model 66 treadle. There could be a problem here!!




Unfortunately, the book does not match the machine! As you can see, the model 66 has a drop in bobbin with a bobbin case.



My machine does not have a bobbin case or bobbin!





My machine comes with these items:



So, it appears I have a machine that has a vibrating shuttle and bobbin. So, I was back on-line to find out how to work this! I found that the model 127 came with a vibrating shuttle and bobbin and I was able to download the manual from the Singer site.

Now, I am back to work!

There are Peacocks Here!

Yesterday morning, I started to piece together this Peacock quilt. I had worked hard getting the individual blocks put together, and the piecing the sashing.
Here it is laid out on the floor in my studio.


My goal yesterday was to get the entire top stitched together, borders and all!
I was diligently working on the top when I received a call from a friend who told me about a piece of furniture that would be perfect for my new classroom arrangements. So, I finished the seam I was working on, changed my clothes to ones with less threads and headed to Jackson.
Fortunately, I arrived at the yard sale in time to see the piece of furniture and decide it would work very well. Unfortunately, it was being held by another lady who had already purchased it! I tried to buy it from her, but no deal. SIGH.

So, it was off to North Jackson to Hancocks to purchase fabric to replace the curtains in my room. I did not find anything inexpensive enough that I liked (I needed over 10 yards!) So, I bought muslin and will be dying it teal. Then I checked out Hobby Lobby for some wide ribbon that I will be able to use as bulletin borders (instead of the cardstock ones that have to be replaced every year!) I also bought the ribbon in teal! (sense a theme here?)

Up the drive home, I realized I had not finished my Sunday School lesson on the Thessalonians. So, I had to do my reading and research so that I can impart a little knowledge in class.






Then I was able to return to my borders! Here is the finished product. It covers the top of my king sized bed nicely.


Here are some details on the 3 of the 12 individual star blocks.


All in all, a project finished. I purchased the fabrics and pattern in March 2009. I will purchase backing fabric while in Pennsylvania and then get it to the quilter when I return!

Carrabba Turtle Rescue Retreat!

We rescue turtles. We find them trying to cross the road, and to save their lives, we stop and pick them up and bring them home to our pond. Most of the turtles are water turtles.

We have the occasional box turtle that is brought home and given a new residence in our woods.

The other day, as I was leaving, I spotted a turtle trying to cross my road. I stopped and brought him back to our property, leaving him at the edge as I was on my way to a meeting.

I am fairly certain this is the same turtle!

The dogs were barking up a storm, so I went to investigate and found this guy on the other side of the fence.
















They were trying to dig under the fence to get to the turtle:






I think he may stay awhile, even though his neighbors are noisy animals who play rough!

Ah, Summertime!

Well, it seems that no matter where I go, the bugs get me!
I work in the garden, so even with bug spray all over me, I get bit...I guess I sweat off the bug spray! I walk to the pond to feed the wildlife, I get bit. I walk in the woods, I get bit.
Now, I know what you are saying...DON'T GO OUTSIDE! You are a mosquito magnet in the mosquito environment.

However, those bloodsuckers even get in the house..so I sit in my living room, I get bit!