Pattern for Smartness

This 1948 Simplicity video is a great reflection on where we've come from.

You can also view this video directly via Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E1j9DxEEUw

The Quilt Fairy

The Quilt Fairy is a romantic short story, by Beverly Farr.  SewCalGal found it a delightful sweet read for anyone, but definitely a "must read" for all quilters!

The book is focused on a House Fairy, who can also be called a Quilt Fairy.  And it is written by Beverly Farr, who writes an inviting story about Margaret, the Quilt Fairy.  Without giving away the story, I think we'd all welcome Margaret into our home to stay forever.  And, after you read this book, I think even if she doesn't come to live with you, you'll carry the Quilt Fairy in your heart.





This book was a fun read that quacked me up. I thoroughly reading about Fairies that help in the Garden, as well as the House.  But when it came to being a Quilt Fairy, I pondered if we'd have so many UFOs if we had a Quilt Fairy living with us.

This book is currently a free downloadable book on Amazon, but I'm not certain how long it will be free.  Either way, I hope you'll also enjoy reading the Quilt Fairy.  And, if you have already read this book, please share your thoughts too!

You can find Beverly Farr at:  http://beverlyfarr.wordpress.com/

Quack Ups: The Sewing Machine

The song "The Sewing Machine", sung by Betty Hutton in the 1947 movie from Paramount Pictures called "The Perils of Pauline", just quacked me up and I wanted to share the lyrics and a youtube video with you today.  Here are the lyrics:

Ohhh the sewing machine, the sewing machine.
A girl's best friend.
If I didn't have my sewing machine
I'd a come to no good end.
But a bobbin a bobbin and peddle a peddle
and wheel the wheel by day
So by night I feel so weary that I never get out to play.

Ohhh the sewing machine, the sewing machine
A helping hand
If I didn't having me sewing machine
I'd drink to beat the band.
But a bobbin a bobbin and peddle a peddle
As busy as a bug.
So by night I feel so weary that I can hardly lift a mug.

Ohhh the sewing machine, the sewing machine
A friend in need
If I didn't have my sewing machine
A wicked life I'd lead
But a bobbin a bobbin and peddle a peddle
And dream about romance
So by night I feel so weary that I never get out to dance.

Ohhh the sewing machine, the sewing machine
A pal so dear
If I didn't have my sewing machine
I'd try a stage career
But a bobbin a bobbin and peddle a peddle
Till amateur night comes by
But by then I feel so weary that I haven't the strength to try.

Ohhh the sewing machine, the sewing machine
Me pride and joy
If I didn't have my sewing machine
I'd marry James McCoy
But a bobbin a bobbin and peddle a peddle
And that's the end of Jim '
Cause by night I get so weary I don't even look good to him.

Ohh, have I got a boss, he looks like a hoos
His name's Joe Gurt
If he didn't own the sewing machine
I'd a kicked him where it hurts
But a bobbin a bobbin and peddle a peddle
He keeps his eyes on me
Why I never have kicked him still remains a mystery.

Ohh, I thread the needle and fix the shuttle
And put in the cloth and pull up the lever
And a bobbin a bobbin and peddle a peddle

And wheel the wheel all day
Ohh, the sewing machine
the sewing machine Is a girl's best friend.

And here is a youtube video of Betty singing this song.  

If you use a MAC or have problems viewing this embedded video click here to view it directly via youtube.

I hope you enjoyed this song and it quacked you up too!

Pets on Quilts Show 2014 - Starts August 2nd

Lilypad Quilting is hosting the annual Pets on Quilts Show and it starts on Saturday, August 2nd.  There will be a linky party that that starts on the 2nd and everyone is invited to join the fun.  There will be a lot of wonderful prizes from generous sponsors and many ways you can win.

Mark your calendar and plan on visiting Lilypad Quilting on Saturday for some goody quilty fun.  The Pets on Quilts Show always quacks me up and I hope it will you too!  Plus, they'll be inspirational quilts too!




http://www.lilypadquilting.blogspot.com/

Quack Ups: Quilt, a student video project

This video on Vimeo quacked me up and I wanted to share it with you.  It was created by Karla Cervantes, a student at the Vancouver Film School, as a student project for a classical animation program.  I think Karla did a great job on her class project and hope you also agree!  Personally, I'm hoping to see Karla create many more animated quilt videos (and other animated videos too).


Quilt from Karla Cervantes on Vimeo.

If you have problems watching this embedded video, or are on a MAC, click this link to watch it directly in Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/55685223

I hope this quacks you up too.  After all, we could use a few more chuckles.

Your Dream Studio - What Would You Like It To Look Like ? Sponsored Giveaway

Time to be Happy.

 If you are on a MAC or have problems watching this embedded video, click this link to watch it directly in youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

SewCalGal really hopes you are happy and a TBA Sponsor is definitely going to make one lucky follower very happy.  They are giving away an amazing Dream Studio that includes:

 Ellisimo Gold II Sewing Machine, from Baby Lock Ovation serger, from Baby Lock
Quilt Mate Plus IV sewing station, from Koala Cabinets
Creative Gallery Wall system, from Koala Cabinets
Sew Comfort XL Chair, from Koala Cabinets
A Collectors bundle of Aurifil Thread that includes EVERY one of their Collections
Silhouette Cameo
Sizzix Big Shot Pro and 10 dies of your choice, from Sizzix
20 bolts of your favorite Hoffman California Fabric.
20 of your favorite books by Martingale
Complete Collection of Omnigrid Rulers
Complete Collection of Notions from Dritz

What an amazing giveaway from a very generous sponsor!  Wish I could find the email that has their contact info, so I could recognize them and thank them for their generosity and support.

Ooops.  I forgot to mention today is April Fool's Day.  But if a sponsor would like to sponsor a giveaway on SewCalGal, please email me.    

On another note, while SewCalGal is copyright protected, I have created some clipart for you which you can copy and use as you wish.  I hope it brings you a happy smile!

Lastly, this is National Serger Month and you can enter a contest to win a Baby Lock Ovation serger.  This isn't an April Fool's joke, but a contest that is open to enter during April.

What ever you do today, I hope you are happy.  And, of course, I hope you can find to enjoy and create too!  If you come up with any quack up ideas, drop me an email.    

Vintage Sewing Video

Good film teaching basic sewing and sewing machine use. "This is a very early Centron film... Produced Under the Technical Supervision of Thelma Weddel, Home Economist." 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqzEbFEoQqg#t=95

quack ups

http://shop.b-quilts.com/product/monster-patch

designed to use the Silhouette/eclips cutters

replace image/upload

Sharks Nipping At Your Feet ?

Decided to start a post category called "quack ups".  After all, we all could use some smiles from things that simply quack us up.  If you come across anything you think would be appropriate to share, please email me. I'll try to post about it and recognize you for sharing, as appropriate.

Today, I wanted to share information on these cute knitted shark socks.



When I spotted these cute shark socks on The LOLBrary.com site, I knew I had to search for a pattern.  And I happily found the pattern at Ravelry.


I hope they quacked you up too!  It is good to smile and share smiles with others.