Dusting It Off, Picking It up, Starting All Over Again!

Remember when I used to post here?

I wrote about food, family, friends and stitching stuff?

I'm back.

But I am going to throw in politics now. 

I hear ya groaning. It's not for everyone. But...

I was raised in the legendary, smoke filled, back rooms of the Democratic Party. 
My first words were "Bote Kennky!" which I repeated on cue as my Daddy took me around our staunchly Republican county in northwestern North Carolina while he campaigned for local, state and national candidates. I was less than a year old when I joined President Kennedy's campaign!

This evening as childhood friend of mine asked if I could give her a statement and share some pictures from yesterday's Women's March. She lives in our hometown and writes for the local paper. I marched in Raleigh, NC where I live now.

Here's what I wrote for her:

There are so many reasons to participate in events like the Women's March NC. I marched to honor my wonderful Grandmothers, Holbrook and Porter, who taught me to always be truthful and guided me to think for myself and be strong in my beliefs. I also marched to protest for rights of those who are and will be marginalized by our state and national governments' policies — women, LGBTQ, minorities, immigrants and the disabled. I am terrified by most of President Trump’s choices for his cabinet. They hold strong beliefs against people I hold dear. I have marched before, attended a few of the Moral Monday rallies and will continue to do so. Nothing is ever solved by marching but much can be learned from one's fellow marchers and from the folk who address the gathering. It is exhilarating and comforting to be immersed in a group that wants to affect the world through their words and works.

(Not me - just some nice ladies we met along the way.)

I have always been quick to say what is on my mind. I have always stood up for myself and others.

But I have also kept quiet out of a sense of decorum,
out of fear,
out of ignorance.

No more.

I will NOT sit still and let others suffer.

I will speak out.
I will act out.

I will still post stuff about food, family, friends and stitching stuff.

Fabulous Friday! Computers suck.

I have been writing, saving and thinking up new blog entries.

My computer hates me though. 

It's long overdue for a tune - up.

Fingers crossed that my daughter's super smart boyfriend can attend to this on Sunday.

I'm having trouble loading pictures amongst other aggravating factors.

Tomorrow I am headed to Greensboro where I will scoop up my pal, Becky. 

We're headed to the Queen City - Charlotte, NC.

I've dubbed it the "Becky's Take IKEA Trip."

No boys allowed. 

We plan to shop IKEA and hit a few Thrift Shops in the surrounding area.

 Becky and I always find the best stuff. 

I know you are all jealous of our couture style.

We plan to shop and shop and talk and shop and shop. 

Might eat some foods too.     

Have a super weekend folks!

And if you see us headed your way - 

LOOK OUT!

We are women on a mission!

 See our game faces?

It's on!

  

 

Thrifty Thursday - Bargain Shopping

Throw a rock in our house and it's bound to hit a bargain shopped, 
thrift store purchased, or free item.

Folks who thrift shop do it for all sorts of reasons. 

It could be economic - they're broke,

could be cause they are stingy - and seldom broke,

could be the thrill of the hunt.

I think I inherited a bargain shopping/stingy gene. 

There have certainly been times in my life that bargain shopping was a necessity more than a fun adventure.

But I do love the thrill of the hunt!

(Wait, did I tell you to throw a rock in my house?!?! Don't do it please.)

Recently I determined I NEEDED - not wanted, though I did - a new iron.

 Here's my "old" iron. 

It's a Panasonic. 

When I think of Panasonic I think of electronics. 

You know, radios, TVs, stereo systems.

Not irons.

Nothing really wrong with this one. It works.

But it is so very light weight. 

And when you are trying to iron cotton fabrics the weight of the iron helps smooth those inevitable cotton wrinkles. 

Seriously, it's true.

I looked at the Rowenta irons. 

I read so much about Rowenta being the end all, be all of irons in the crafting/sewing world.

Rowenta irons cost about a bajillion dollars.

I refuse to spend a bajillion dollars on an iron unless it works all by itself and brings me breakfast in bed.

Am I right? 

Last Saturday, our friends, Matt and Shirley, were in town. 

We met up at the North Carolina State University Book Store. 

Matt and their daughter, Jenny, are alums. 

They were shopping for State stuff and looking at the baby gear for the first GrandBaby that's on its way!!! Yippee!

Afterwards, we had a yummy lunch at local institution, since 1951, 
The Players' Retreat.

Then, what shall we do now?

I had already spotted the iron I wanted at Ollie's, 
an East Coast discount warehouse-y store chain.        

Matt and Shirley live in eastern NC miles from big stores.

 We went to Ollie's. 

I think Shirley bought everything she'll need for months! :)

I grabbed this iron. 

For $23.

It retails from $59 on Amazon to $24 on the Wal-Mart website. 
Plus you'd have to pay shipping costs.

I am happy. 

  Then the guys wanted to ramble around Best Buy. 
Yuck. 
Nothing against Best Buy but all the boys do is look at electronics and gab about electronics while they are there. 

Shirley and I went to Big Lots. 
Another big discount store.

There was my new iron. 
The iron I had just happily purchased for $23.

Big Lots price - $19.

I was not happy.

$4 is $4.
$4 is 4 small Frostys at Wendy's 
$4 is 4 loaves of bread.
$4 is 4 boxes of BillHubby's fave candy - Sweet Tarts.

I bought the iron - again.

    
Ollie's was on the way home. 
The nice lady at the Return Desk remembered me. 
(I hadn't been gone but an hour.)

She asked why I was returning it. 
I told her. She said she would have done the same. 

Black and Decker makes solid products. 
This iron is heavy.
The soleplate is smooth as silk.
The cotton wrinkles disappear with one slide over the fabric.
It heats up in a jiffy and has that wonderful automatic turn-off switch if you leave it sitting for a few minutes.

Comparison shopping pays off.

I am happy.

Why and where do you bargain shop? 

Opening In September - Mrs. Becky's School of Sewing and Needle Arts

I'm gonna do it!

Come one, come all!

Old, Young

Male or Female

Beginners

Intermediates who needs a skills refresher

In honor of National Sewing Month,

which is September,

May I present to you

[drum roll and trumpets please]

Mrs. Becky's School of Sewing

and Needle Arts

I offer classes in my home.

Monday - Thursday

Choose from 3 daily time slots

10 am - Noon

2 pm - 4 pm

5 pm - 7 pm

Learn the very basics about 
fabrics, 
needles, 
threads 
and more.

Choose from a 2 hour refresher class or a one month package of four 2 hour lessons.


Open to boys and girls, men and women, old and young, Moms and kids, Dads and kids.
Grandparents and Grandkids.


Sorry I haven't quite figured out how to get cats and dogs to sew yet. But I am working on it!

(photo from - http://cutestlife.com)

Class packages include printed materials and some supplies.


 We'll begin with small hand sewn projects, 
learn basic embroidery skills.
then graduate to learning about and 
using a sewing machine. 

I was blessed to have had a very patient [Grand] Mama who taught me to sew. 
She encouraged me every step of the way. 


What qualifies me to teach?
40+ years of sewing
Both personally and professionally.
And patience.

  My goal is to spread encouragement and the skills that will enable you to use them for a life time.

Message me here or at beckysews@hotmail.com for rates, dates and more info.

There's No Business Like Show Business!

Cue Ethel Merman!!!

Cue Roy Scheider!

Spring time + Summer time = Show time folks!

Sew in Stitches has been on the road.

I've been sewing my fingers to the bone.

Embroidering as fast as I can. 

Trying to keep stock in my etsy shop.

Ethel has been working hard showing off aprons.

But most of all -

Having fun!

I love meeting other crafters and vendors.

I love meeting the customers.

Here's a happy Customer at this years BathFest.

She's wearing her brand new Gathering Apron!

FUN!

Look to the right to see where Sew In Stitches will be setting up next.

Hope to see you there!

Happy Hallowe'en

 Happy Hallowe'en!!!!

Yes, I am back. Still unpacking. 

Found my camera - took pics of my Hallowe'en mantel and fireplace - lost my camera again. 

It's here somewhere. arrgh!

Bill and Kat and I dressed up last Saturday to attend a Young Cardinals/100 Yorktown show at Raleigh's wonderful Berkeley Cafe.

Here we are pre-show.

Kat helped us with our make-up. But she wouldn't let us take a pick of what turned out to be her prize winning Tin-Woman outfit!

Bill found a random mustache at the show and borrowed it, creating giggle fits all night. Wish I'd been faster with the camera phone to catch the ear hair mustache!

100 Yorktown was completely in the Hallowe'en spirit. My son, Jordan, is the monkey lead singer with 3 of his 4 banana band mates.

When Bill gets home we're gonna curl up and watch scary movies on Turner Classic Movies or these classics sent by my Sister from another Mister, Pam!

Thanks sweetie! I loves Hammer films!

Hope everyone has a wonderful, spooky, 

candy filled night. 

All treats and no tricks!

 

Love ya,

Becky