FREE ALPHABET LETTER

  • The  new Apocalypse alphabet continues this week with the letter "G", which will be available for free download in 2" size until 13 August 2026. 

NOTICE


SITE UPDATE -- FINALLY!

After reaching an agreement with a business that will be selling the designs, I will at long last be restoring the storefront over the next couple of weeks. 

Watch this space!

with all good wishes,

Jen


LATEST FREE DESIGN

JEN'S PROJECTS

  • Have you ever needed a replacement belt for your machine, but it takes an odd size that your sewing store doesn't carry?  Well, with some of this stuff on hand, you'll always have just the size you need, from treadle to Featherweight and everything in between.   Find the details linked from my 2026 project page. 
  • Need more project fun? While you're there, you can check out the rest of my posts for this year, and if you're still hungry for more, you can browse through all my projects going back to 2018.

NEWS & DOINGS

  • My brother took this picture of Scampers lounging on the couch, with the evening sun slanting in the window. 
  • He looks so peaceful there, though in a minute he'll probably start pesteringmy brother to give him some treats. 

  • This 3/4" wide "Flat Gasket Braided Fiberglass Rope" sells on line for $40 per 10-foot roll.

  • As you can see from the price tag, I paid only $1 for each of these, which I figure must be just about the full 10 feet (though I didn't actually measure). 

  • This stuff is used for gaskets on stoves and other heated appliances, though I'm not yet quite sure what I'll use it for. 

  • I just figured a strong flat braid might come in handy for some of my crafting activities. 
  • Among the machines that came from my friend's warehouse last month was this vintage Bernina 707 "minimatic".
  • It's a 3/4 sized machine, and kind of cute.
  • I've cleaned it up, but it may need another going over since it was badly soiled with nicotine stains (you can still see traces of the staining around the free arm).
  • This machine dates to around 1969, so it's well over 60 years old; amazingly,it's sewing quite nicely after oiling and cleaning.
  • I haven't had much experience with Berninas;  I did have one previously and though it was a beautiful machine with all the attachments and it sewed nicely, I just never warmed to it.  I eventually passed it along to someone who loves this brand, which is where it should be.
  • That said, I may use this one to make a couple of projects before I move it along, because it is sewing a lovely stitch. And I will say that the machine is easy to operate and thoughtfully designed, so I can see how devotees come to feel the way they do about their Berninas.
  • On the downside, the 707 has nylon gears. These are still functional and the machine is sewing nicely, but  . . . .  there's no getting around it: nylon gears are a potential failure point. They don't *always* give out, but I am just leery of them. (Apparently there are enough diehard Bernina enthusiasts out there that replacements are still available, so the machine is still repairable should such gears eventually fail). 
  • This machine came with its original carrying case, the bed extension, and its original manual, though it didn't have any other attachments or feet. Hopefully I'll find someone who loves Berninas to give this one a good home.
  • Oh my: I found an adorable fox cookie cutter that I will send along to my niece, so she can bake up a batch of fox-themed cookies for Louise, who loves foxes (and cookies). That should be a real treat. 
  • I'd make them myself, but Louise lives 2500 miles away, and I don't know that it's such a good idea to send cookies through the mail.
  • Santa knows that I often use transparency film in my button-making, so when he saw this full pack of inkjet film for only $3, he picked it up to put into  my stocking come Christmas.
  • This lovely pasteboard giftbox originally contained a dozen flavoured teas in individual tins.
  • I can use the tins for organizing beads and other little doodads, and the box, which is also very nice, can be repurposed for housing slightly larger items.
  • One of the tins was missing, but I think I might have a replacement around here someplace, should I decide to keep them together. 
  • In all, it was a steal for only $1.

Look for more freebies throughout the site!