
This past weekend, in between making pinkeeps, I finally had time to get my new sewing machine out of the box and use it. This was my birthday gift from Eric. It does sewing and embroidery. I will be taking two classes at the place where we bought it to learn how to use both functions. My first class, to learn the sewing part, is on the 20th. But, I managed to wind a bobbin, and do some actual sewing. Aside from sewing up one of Eric’s shirts, I also managed to finish this.

This is Primitive Tree by Ewe & I & Friends. Notice the date on it. Yep, apparently it’s been sitting in my finished bucket for five years. I still need to make a hanger for it, but at least the sewing part is done!!!

Here’s the backing fabric I chose.

My favorite part I think is the buttons. I just had these in my stash.
I haven’t gotten much stitching done the past two nights, but I hope to remedy that tonight. Last night after working out and dinner, Eric and I sat down and started talking and before we knew it, it was almost bedtime! So, I flipped through a magazine for about twenty minutes, and then tried to sleep with my neighbor’s porch light shining in my eyes. Ugh! That thing was still on this morning!
Anyway, I really need to piece two quilt backs so that I can take the quilts to be quilted soon. I’ve been needing to do that for at least three months now. So, that is my next sewing project!
Here are some more Philadelphia photos in the meantime. Oh, and more home photos over at the other blog (link in sidebar).
On Saturday of our trip, we headed out to Forbidden Drive. The name is misleading, as I somehow ended up on a nature hike! I mean, climbing over fallen trees, and scrabbling through the underbrush, kind of nature hike. Not what I had envisioned at all. It was pretty though!

Next, we headed over to the Japanese House, which is a reconstructed 16th-century samurai’s dwelling that was built in Japan and moved to this location in 1958. The house is called Shofu-So, which means “pine breeze villa”.

This kimono was displayed inside.

From there we headed to the Italian Market, which was not overly exciting. But, we found a place with pretty good gelato. From there, we went to Chinatown to see the Chinese Friendship Gate. It is a 40-foot-tall arch, which is the largest authentic Chinese gate outside China.

If you can believe it, we completely missed this the first time we drove by it.
After that, we went back to the hotel and then on to Eric’s cousin’s wedding. The wedding was beautiful, albeit a little warm for an outdoor wedding. But, we had a fantastic time!
Walk to Rivendell: Ride north through a gap. (Total Miles Walked: 119.75)
I am grateful for my new sewing machine.
Sounds like it’s a great machine 🙂
I like the way you finished Primitive tree.
Sounds like it’s a great machine 🙂
I like the way you finished Primitive tree.
Looks like an impressive sewing machine! I really like the finish you did with Primitive Tree, the buttons are a wonderful touch.
Your new machine looks like a real winner. I love the way you finished your tree.
Looks like an impressive sewing machine! I really like the finish you did with Primitive Tree, the buttons are a wonderful touch.
Your new machine looks like a real winner. I love the way you finished your tree.
I love how you finished off your tree!
I love how you finished off your tree!
I don’t know if I’m more envious of your new sewing machine, or of the fact that you and Eric ‘just talked’ till bedtime! My DH has been so preoccupied with work the past weeks that I fear I’ve forgotten HOW to converse! LOL!
That’s a beautiful finishing job you did with your Primitive Tree and those buttons add such a cool touch!
I don’t know if I’m more envious of your new sewing machine, or of the fact that you and Eric ‘just talked’ till bedtime! My DH has been so preoccupied with work the past weeks that I fear I’ve forgotten HOW to converse! LOL!
That’s a beautiful finishing job you did with your Primitive Tree and those buttons add such a cool touch!
Very nice finish on Primitive Tree 🙂
Very nice finish on Primitive Tree 🙂
Congrats on getting out the sewing machine! It looks like ea really nice one. I’m glad that you were able to try it out finally. Great finish! 🙂
Congrats on getting out the sewing machine! It looks like ea really nice one. I’m glad that you were able to try it out finally. Great finish! 🙂
Primitive Tree looks great!
Primitive Tree looks great!
Oh, I’m so envious! LOL I would so love to buy a new machine, but a serger.. can’t really afford that at the moment though. You did a great job on your wall hanging, I need to try that type of finish. Thank you for sharing your pictures, I’m really enjoying them.
Oh, I’m so envious! LOL I would so love to buy a new machine, but a serger.. can’t really afford that at the moment though. You did a great job on your wall hanging, I need to try that type of finish. Thank you for sharing your pictures, I’m really enjoying them.
Love the finishing on your wallhanging! What a great present you received.
Love the finishing on your wallhanging! What a great present you received.
I love your wall hanging and your new machine looks fantastic!
I love your wall hanging and your new machine looks fantastic!
Whoopee, a new sewing machine! And you know how it works, too! That is some seriously gorgeous finishing. Love the Primitive Tree. And you’re not the only one with very old ‘to-be-finished’ items. I believe I still have one lying around here from 1996. It’s an itty-bitty bookmark, but still…
Whoopee, a new sewing machine! And you know how it works, too! That is some seriously gorgeous finishing. Love the Primitive Tree. And you’re not the only one with very old ‘to-be-finished’ items. I believe I still have one lying around here from 1996. It’s an itty-bitty bookmark, but still…
Your tree finish is great! I have a new sewing machine too with lots of fancy bells and whistles that I need to pull out and learn to use!
Your tree finish is great! I have a new sewing machine too with lots of fancy bells and whistles that I need to pull out and learn to use!
Your finishing on Primitive tree is lovely, congratulations
Your finishing on Primitive tree is lovely, congratulations
Congratulations, you did a wonderful job on your finishing, your holiday photos look great.
Congratulations, you did a wonderful job on your finishing, your holiday photos look great.
Hi Michelle! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your sweet comments. I have a Brother sewing maching and I love it! ~ Lynda ♥
Hi Michelle! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for your sweet comments. I have a Brother sewing maching and I love it! ~ Lynda ♥
I can already tell you’re more of a pro on the machine than I am. Love the Primitive Tree finish! I’m going to have to drag the dude out to Forbidden Drive. I think he’s going to like it!
I can already tell you’re more of a pro on the machine than I am. Love the Primitive Tree finish! I’m going to have to drag the dude out to Forbidden Drive. I think he’s going to like it!
Thank you so much for your comment on my blog! I always love to be able to visit people who have visited me! That is very cool about your new sewing machine! Your tree hanging is wonderful!
I noticed you finish each one of your posts with what you are grateful for, I like that very much! Great way to keep perspective!
Thanks again for the visit and it is so nice to meet you!
Melissa
Thank you so much for your comment on my blog! I always love to be able to visit people who have visited me! That is very cool about your new sewing machine! Your tree hanging is wonderful!
I noticed you finish each one of your posts with what you are grateful for, I like that very much! Great way to keep perspective!
Thanks again for the visit and it is so nice to meet you!
Melissa
Love your new wallhanging!!! And your new sewing machine looks great!
Love your new wallhanging!!! And your new sewing machine looks great!
Great new machine – and great finish on your tree! I love the buttons you added!!
Great new machine – and great finish on your tree! I love the buttons you added!!
Oh I love your new sewing machine. I am soooo jealous. I would like anew one too. Nice finish of primitive tree
Oh I love your new sewing machine. I am soooo jealous. I would like anew one too. Nice finish of primitive tree
Primitive tree is a gorgeous finish! Congrats on the new sewing machine-already lovely things are flowing from it!
Primitive tree is a gorgeous finish! Congrats on the new sewing machine-already lovely things are flowing from it!