why my grandmother is great

because she NEVER throws anything away...i find treasures at her house every time I visit. I guess when you grow up during the depression you learn the value of things.

The last time i visited she gave me her Underwood Typewriter. This oversized beauty can type legal size paper (and 12x12!). I researched the typewriter online and the best that I can tell is that it was made around 1920. After a little cleaning and polish, I put some paper in to test it out. Lo and behold, it still works! The ribbon is a little faint and the keys stick a little but it adds so much quality to the print. I can't wait to use this on a layout.




It gets better...my mom and oldest son Max went to see her last week and dragged this back from Fremont as well. It was given to me from a dear family friend who is a big time quilter and collects sewing machines. Meet my new sewing machine - the Singer Slant-O-Matic 401.

Ths baby was the last model made with all metal parts. The manufacturing date is around 1957 whcih is pretty obvious given the style of the cabinet. I have read nothing but good about these machines on the internet. The parts are so strong it can sew through leather and several layers of thick fabric. Again, after a little cleaning, it was ready to go. My mother came over and gave me a little sewing lesson. (I hadn't used a machine in over 25 years!) I am SO excited to finally be able to stitch on my layouts. Watch out world! I'm gonna be the next Jill Hornby.

mia

MISSING

Have you seen this woman?

Last seen selling flowers with Hare Krishnas in San Francisco August 1, 2008

Description: 5'-8" Skinny caucasian woman, blond hair, freckles, always smiling. Wears cool t-shirts and flip flops. Has a stomach tumor from eating tons of junk food. Listens to cheesy radio stations. Known to sleep like a sloth. Loves the 80's. Collects stickers like it's her job.

$5000 Reward for information leading to her Recovery.

1-800-come-homeshelly.

the lucky winner

is...
Lori W said...
WOWZA! look at all that great stuff!!!congrats on the DT!!:)Lori (lorwilb on SIS)

Lori - send me your address so I can hook you up with the RAK. Thank you everyone who left comments and stopped by. It was fun to see who actually reads my blog...so fun that I will do this again September 1st for the WIP September reveaL.

This is a little mini a I started to document the renovation and improvement of our house through the next few years.

Have a great week!

it's a party

have i mentioned how happy i am to be a part of the Work In Progress Design Team?

in celebration of my first month as a design team member i am giving away this little package of goodies. it's a HUGE mixture of hambly, pink paislee, KI, making memories and a whole lot more. leave me a comment by this Sunday 11pm. i'll pick a winner and announce the lucky person Monday evening.

Here my layouts for the August Kit. I am in love with the new KI Bloom...

Thanks for stopping by!

steve's 15 seconds of fame

We went to the Tribe Game last night with Bogie, Max and his two friends Ryan and Jack. It was beach night, so we broke out our hawaiian gear from Hilo Hatties Maui. The 13 year old boys thought we were pretty embarassing for dressing in beach gear. The boys sat in my dad's season ticket seats right behind home plate. Steve and I took the seats in center field. It paid off big time...

The Twins Third Baseman Buscher hit a three run homer straight to Steve in the first inning. Steve kept the ball even though the Tribe Fans booed us for not throwing it back. After the shock wore off, we walked over to where the boys were sitting. They of course did not believe us until we got home and saw the highlights on SportsCenter.

Check out the video and the funny commentator from Minnesota. It was quite a moment for Steve.