Today was the start of the 'hard stuff' accumulated over 30 years and stuffed away.  I did the  bottom of the drawers to the desk yesterday.  Today was pulling it out from under the desk and emptying the corner which had all sorts hidden out of sight.

In around 20 minutes I was surrounded by that much junk I thought it would never end, including 6 150watt bulbs.  I think I wanted 1 and 6 came off Ebay.  I've left them under, DH will freak out at 150 watt. I found two old cameras from around 2006, an old Nokia phone that I can't remember buying, two camera bags, one quite nice as well.  Loads of old software, three pc keyboards, two the same, 15inch monitor.  

When we had the kitchen retiled I bought a collapsible crate to pile things in and put in the dining room.  I've filled that with the stuff I want to keep, ready to put in my Bernina overlocker box, it's a big one. I need a larger box for recycling as well, it's full now.





I'm nowhere near finished but at least it won't frighten my when I go back in tomorrow. Date is  wrong on pictures because I had the battery out of one of the cameras and it's gone back to the date it was brought out.

On FB and being sold by a relative.  Loads of large cone threads, Husqvarna Rose and an overlocker, lots of what looked like quilting fabric, lots of scissors.  I felt quite sad that somebody had accumulated it all and now it was being sold by someone not interested in sewing.

I think I might try and turn over a new leaf  in the New Year and try and get through what  have without buying too much extra, maybe set a financial limit.  Not sure whether it will work or not, although looking at my list, despite a couple of months off, I have done quite a bit of what I wanted.

I want it to look like a hobby not a business.  Fortunately my nieces will probably have my stuff if I fall off the perch.  No good to DH, he's still doing little repair jobs with a reel of cotton that came from his mothers in 1980, won't accept anything else.

Over the last few weeks I've been sorting out threads and buying nice storage racks, (well two) which have worked magnificently.  Over the weekend I'd seen by accident one for larger spools, which in my head  I visualised as the existing Gutermann Mara I have lots of.  I even took note of the dimensions although was looking more at the width.

Well it arrived this morning, a big box, which either had a lot of packing inside or I'd over egged it.  Well lets say that the 5000 meter odd threads I have fit with plenty of room, but I had been sticking them in any nook and cranny I could find (they were a mistake as well) so now they have a home.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1051501442/spool-holder-rack-for-thread-cones-beech?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=thread+rack&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&frs=1

just in case anybody has  some spare cash.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313698400564?hash=item4909e1b934:g:rfUAAOSwGcVhWyvv

I must say I really love mine, it really is a pleasure to use it, even if wasted on me.

 I've been highly delighted with this machine since I got it in 2016, and upgrade from the 1000cpx.  What I did notice is that when I finished I could take the thread out quite easily but I've noticed over the years that it has become increasingly harder.

I usually use threads that came with the machine, nothing special and generally lighter range of colours.  This afternoon I had to scrabble around for something towards hot pink and  finished up using some red Gutermann Terra that I've used just with the overlocker.

Result was that the thread came out of the machine cleanly when I'd finished with no problems. Now I'm wondering if just using what came with it and replacing with the same, was not a good idea. I only ever use these threads with the Janome, the Bernina overlocker always gets spoiled with decent thread and if no match I use Gutermann Mara 120.

In addition to this I had no tweaking the stitch, it just ploughed on, no skipping at all, even though it was a fine jersey, which can sometimes be a problem getting it right.

Years ago our next door neighbours at the time brought us a large lace table mat from Spain, which sits in the middle of the table with a vase and a picture on (DH) in the dining room.

At the weekend I was cleaning out the window where the old lady  sits and was looking for something for the rubbish out of the window to sit on (DH's little buys, including a pot donkey )  I wanted some newspaper but then I saw my sewing machine mat draped over the machine on the floor and grabbed that.

Well  what can I say, other than the colours on the table looked fabulous with the polished wood so I'm making another table mat in the same fabric. 

Since I won't be able to bag this will just quilting clips around the edges be sufficient?  All I can think of is just do circles around with an alternate circle of tacking to increase the width.  Not sure whether just plain and simple stitch or a fancy one?

https://www.psmc.co.uk/acatalog/Janome-HD9-V2-Sewing-Machine-4321.html#SID=33

Pembertons always give a years guarantee.  This looks very tasty with the upgrades but alas it wouldn't get enough work with me.