I was itching to sew on my new/old sewing machine. Last year I saw pictures from Houston Quilt Market, one of them was an adorable cat made by Funky Fiber Factory. I found the pattern in a quilt store in Las Vegas. 
I was so anxious to start, I made some mistakes sewing the head together. Luckily I was able to remove the ears and recut some of the face pieces.
Still awkward looking, but this is correct.
Interesting construction on this one. I had to read the instructions very carefully. Some things weren’t clear, but reading slowly, really stopping and paying attention, paid off. 
So how was it working on the Featherweight? Interesting. Irene had told me that there is no reverse. I guess by 1948 they included a reverse stitch, I found this out by accident, very lucky accident.
Like any new tool, I need more practice, most of the seams I was sewing are curved seams. I had to rip out quite a few and resew them. Every machine has its own temperament. All in all, I think this is a wonderful little machine, we just need to get better acquainted. 
Here he is, all sewn together, just waiting to be stuffed. Then it was time for pictures, I decided to combine a Sunday walk with pictures of the cat.
After a horrible heat wave with a massive local fire, we had cool overcast weather on Sunday. So off to Lake Hollywood, we went. Yes, I got smiles and interesting looks, kitty didn’t stay put in the bag.
He came out to walk himself.
To lord it over all those dogs that aren’t allowed here.
To climb on pipes.
He had to stop on the walkway on the Mulholland Dam, everyone needs to pose with the Hollywood sign in the background. A father and son stopped to admire him, I told them he already has a special home to go to. You got it, he is going to my fifth grandchild. 
Here he is looking down, lording it over the dogs.
So I guess certain dogs are allowed here after all.
Posing with Smokey. Very good advice indeed! Especially since the Hills on the valley side are one fire.
Three years, ever since they got married they have been trying to get a baby and now they have their son. He is a preemie, so is still in the hospital in OH and I won’t meet him in person for a few weeks. Which is very hard, but he is here and adorable and healthy and before you know it I’ll have him in my arms.
He is home! He is precious! He still doesn’t have a name. Well, all the officials know his name, but not the rest of us.
In this little box, is a treasure of a sewing machine.
Yup! My very own Singer Featherweight!! Years ago they were easy to come by and relatively cheap. Not anymore. So thank you, Irene, for hunting down good featherweights and then being willing to let some go to new homes.
I love how compact everything is in the case.
The tray has a hole in it for the thread holder on the machine.
Irene documents as much as she can. Her husband Izzy bought this one, from Stephanie. Oh well, so we don’t know what her grandma’s name was. 1948 is a special year, that is when Israel became a state, so it has extra meaning for me.
The machine in the box, there was even space for a little can of oil.
Out of the box.
And now for the details. I miss the days when a machine was not only well built but beautifully decorated. I have had to replace some major appliances recently. I was told that if they lasted 10 years, that was good.
The Singer Insignia, back when Singer really stood for quality.
Even the back, that rarely gets seen is decorated. This little power house only stitches a straight stitch, won’t even reverse. As many of us have found, that is enough for many projects. This is also a wonderful machine to travel with – because it’s so compact.
I don’t think this baby got a lot of use, the gold designs haven’t worn off. Irene and her husband have a good eye for quality Featherweights. There are plenty on the market that are used and abused. Others are in great shape and today cost as much as a fancy new machine.
These machines were manufactured from 1933 to 1968. The look changed through the years, from very ornate to a simple white version. There are interesting feet attachments, we will see if I ever put them to use.
This machine sews like a dream.
It may not have a reverse function, but it does have many different stitch lengths.
It’s done, it’s yuuuge, it’s wrinkled, there are threads all over it. But it is done!
Love the chickens surrounded by the pineapple blocks, and then there are the bees.
Depending on the fabric choices, pineapple block looks very different. I’m happy with the low volume in the background, it unifies the scrappiness of the quilt. 
Here are the bees, so cute.
This quilt is too big to try and piece the back, so I ordered some extra wide fabric from Connecting Threads, from the sale section, naturally.
I only had about 8 rows left, I think the dark brown creates a nice border.
It is 100 degrees here now, no way am I putting on a wool shawl for photography. These days my dress form gets more use as a model than for sizing my clothes. Oh well, at least it’s getting used.
I like the border, a nice finishing touch. What we call a design element -really I meant to have it there all along.
Front view.
Side view.
Folded view, this is going into the gift pile. Someone lucky will receive it at Christmas time.
I continued work on the guild block. Apparently, I’m the only one working on a block, a number of people are working on the borders. There will be 4 central blocks, so I’m way ahead of the game.
Now, to add more layers.
I’ve gotten as far as I can get. Waiting for instructions on a central yellow yo-yo. I have the fabric, just waiting for an email with the size of yo-yo.
A lot of that nervous energy has been going into making pineapple blocks. I didn’t do the math before hand, turns out I need 50…… I really don’t make queen size quilts, yup it’s a project!
I want to start a baby quilt! but at least need to finish this top first. Then I have to wait until Ruth’s long arm is free. Once the top is done, I can seriously think about a baby quilt for my grandson.
This is an amazing project. I shared this image on Deb Tuckers FB page and she responded in person. Once I’m done, she could use this as advertising for her rulers.
The honey bee is 6″, now to figure out how to build the pineapple around him.
It worked!
One bee is cute, but certainly not enough.
So I made another one. 
Much better, I only have three more blocks to go and the top will be done!
Every city has it’s area that people love to look down on. In LA, it’s the valley, so be it, those people have no idea what they are missing. I wish this had a year attached, because there are at least a million people living here now, if not more.
Drexlers’ Deli was the first kosher deli in the valley. It closed 20 years ago, and the couple have since passed away. Their son is a friend, and he was thrilled to know that the sign is safe and sound.
Henry’s Tacos lost their lease a few years ago. They moved to a smaller location down the street. I have to say that Cactus Taqueria, that took over the space is better food. At least the sign with the original prices is preserved.
Bob’s in Toluca Lake still stands, but the one on Van Nuys is long gone.
Don’t know which location this is from, but I bet it’s very valuable. I wonder if the 
Don’t know this place at all, but then I only got here 27 years ago. But look at those prices!
The site of one of the first big malls in the valley, soon to be completely overhauled into a large mixed use complex.
Remember when all restaurants gave out matchbooks?
I love these old packing labels. I really love that this one is from North Hollywood. These peaches were probably shipped east from the depot that now holds a coffee shop. Is that an old fashioned can opener?
Memorabilia from the old Southern Pacific railroad. Both passengers and frieght used the rails.
When Aerospace was a big industry here.
There is a ton of his memorabilia here, these are just a few examples of his clothes, and not even the most elaborate.
They have his Bonneville, the decorations and embelishments are legendary.
The color is pretty accurate here. Turns out I had the wrong size needle. So I frogged and started over.
Out in the bright sunlight, it looks much bluer and I’m too lazy to edit the photo.
I have been working away on this special quilt. Pineapple blocks take a lot of work, but look at the results. It took a while to get the knack of using the rulers, but now I could probably make them in my sleep.
A little while ago I agreed to make a block for the Valley Quiltmakers opportunity quilt. Right, as soon as things get very busy I’ve been given the block. So I started in on the project. Luckily along with the pattern and fabrics, I was given the bias tape already made. That is a big help. Notice the small flower?
turns out, it didn’t fit when I traced the whole pattern. Luckily when I pointed this out, I was told to just remove the small flowers.
So this is coming along.
This quilt was gifted at the baby shower. I must say, baby quilts are much easier than queen size ones. They take much less time!
I really love how neighborhoods are doing these kinds of things, I also love dancing kids. Oh and that long shadow? That is me, the days are getting shorter, the shadows are getting longer.
This location is where the farmers market takes place every Sunday. So the merchants are used to the crowds, many of them simply put some of their wares out in front. The police and fire department were there, I gravitated towards the beautiful classic cars.
Even this one, which has deliberately been left in it’s arrested decay state.
Some people love to show off their engines. 
Others are showcasing pickup trucks in colors that didn’t exist when they were made. Who can resist a deep purple truck?
The crafts people were all small and local. Macrame has made a comeback.
What a creative way to build a display.
No, the sewing machine wasn’t for sale. The lovely woman was selling handmade belts and pouches. Her dad owns a repair shop, so he has many old machines, and this one is the one she uses. Darn, why didn’t I get his name???
Rope baskets are becoming a thing at craft fairs. All of my friends have made at least one of these.
Now these are dream catchers.
Mexican beading and yarn art.
The prices were very reasonable. As much as I love supporting other crafters, if it’s not something I really love, I won’t be buying. I do hope that this was the first of many such events.
Tree of life and look! a comfortable bench! Pity I only discovered this on the last night, I could have come to this empty hallway and sat down.
No plaque to tell me what this is. I identify it as a central Asian applique and embroidery. Might have been created for the walls of tents. Just guessing.
Since the steppes of Central Asia are very barren, it’s not surprising that their textiles would be very bright. I do know that Wynn has an incredible art collection. I’m glad he felt confident to display these, although in an area that gets very little foot traffic.
Las Vegas florists have their hands full – which is a very good thing.
When we arrived these orchids were by the elevators.
A few days later and they were replaced by these roses. As I said, the florists are doing well.
I love all the opulence and textures here, sure it’s over the top, but it is done so well. I don’t want this in my house, but how wonderful that it is available to the public, just walk in off the street.
A little blurry, the centerpiece in one of the restaurants. I think these are real flowers.
These are not, and yet, they are lovely. The carousel moves around, no one can sit on the horses, but everyone is taking selfies in front of it.
On a slightly smaller scale, I’d be happy to have one of these lamps in my home.