Telecast Thursday - New Videos in Kim's Vintage Sewing Machines series

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday! This week I'm sharing a very technical vintage sewing machine video with you. I actually had to bring in some experts for this one!

You can view this video below or on my Youtube channel. 

I'd love to know if you have "help" in choosing your sewing machines and accessories.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you can find them here. 

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on any video to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

Happy quilting!

Cat out of the Bag?

Hi everyone:

In my last post I was discussing the problem in keeping Charlie out of my fabric stash. Little did I know that this annoying cute habit of hiding in fabric is becoming a fetish for Charlie. I may have to take him to the kitty psychologist if this continues. Have a look at where he likes to sleep during the day. Thank goodness he actually meows when we call his name or we'd never find him. 

Cats in Fabric

Hi everyone:

I'm enjoying working in my renovated quilt studio and it really helps to have things organized so I can find them when I need to without spending an hour just hunting down that specific fabric that I need for my current project. You know that I put in some new Ikea Billy bookcases to use for fabric storage and I'm proud to say that my fabric is still nicely folded and in its appropriate category. There's just one problem...

Billy bookcases housing fabric stash -
note the partially open door

the doors operate on a magnetic catch where you just have to push them to open. This makes it very easy to open them for me … and also for Charlie. I thought that having the doors on my fabric storage units would keep the cats and their associated fur out of my fabric. Well, while this is true for Teeka, I can't say the same for Charlie. 

Tell me that isn't a cat in there! Charlie!!

Yes, it appears that cats also find magnetic catches easy to operate!

I thought this was my new snuggle place.

Charlie pushes at the door until it pops open slightly and then paws it open so he can club in and enjoy hiding in the fabric cubby.

You're not going to make me leave, are you?

Okay, so I can deal with one of them in the fabric, but not when this happens:

What are you doing in there? Can I join you?

Yes, Charlie is now encouraging Teeka to join him for some snuggle time in the quilt fabric.

Check it out - it's warm and soft, you'll love it!

So far Teeka hasn't been very enthusiastic and I'm hoping this continues, but I may soon be looking for some new latches for these bookcases to keep the purry assistants out of my stash. 

How do you keep your pets out of your fabrics?

You Know it's Winter When …

Hi everyone:

Manga Puppy appliqué template by Jamie Hirst for Chatterbox Quilts

WARNING: This post contains pictures and descriptions of kitties. Dog lovers might want to skip this one.

I think winter has finally arrived in Calgary: there is lots of white stuff on the ground and sandals have given way to winter boots. When the temps outside start to drop, the gas fireplace starts coming on more frequently. While I love to sit in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea and a good quilting book, it's sometimes difficult to find the time to do so. If I do have a few minutes to do this, you can be sure that I don't leave it or the interlopers, AKA Charlie and Teeka, move in.

Sarah was recently working on some homework while basking in the warm glow of the fireplace, but then she made just such an error: yes, she got up and left her place empty. It wasn't long before the two furry cohorts laid claim to her spot – and her homework.

I hope you learn from Sarah's mistake and aren't left out in the cold as she was.

Now it's back to working on a new hand embroidery stitchery in front of the fireplace.

Don't tell Charlie and Teeka!