Several years ago, my shopaholic friend Kathy gave me this sewing machine for my birthday. She found it on ebay and it cost less than the woman she bought it from paid to ship it to her. I've never made anything on this machine that required a pattern or fancy sewing. There are no feed dogs to drop, which makes Bleubeard happy because he's not fond of dogs, including ones you have to feed! It doesn't even know how to sew a straight line (or possibly I don't know how to sew a straight line). But I love sewing paper to paper and bits of fabric together to make my (usually) tiny art quiltlets.
That's why today I am sew blessed.
By now I'm sure you know that Bleubeard and I are hosting Art Journal Journey this month. My theme is count your blessings. Also, if you've been around my blog long enough, you know I only have black ink for both printers. This photo was printed on my laser printer. 
If there's one thing I have, it's tiny bits and pieces of small amounts of fabric. 
With the exception of the eco-dyed fabric on the far right, all these fabrics were the size I found them in my stash. 
There is lace, hand dyed, commercial, silk, and a lovely velvet that I added to the eco-dyed. 
I practically covered the piece left over from Erika's quiltlet that reminded me of lanterns. 
One thing you may notice is I used three different colors of variegated thread.
Some threads show better than others.
I began this spread by taking a photo of my sewing machine and printing it on my laser printer. I cut around it using my deckle scissors, so it would resemble a genuine black and white photograph. I gathered the various fabrics and sewed them to the white 110 lb card stock. I added the hand written sentiment (Sew blessed) and outlined it using a metallic gel pen. Finally, I added the printed photo using glue dots.Bleubeard and I are honored and thrilled you joined us today and hope to see you with or without your well fed dogs at Art Journal Journey, where my theme is Count your blessings.
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26 thoughtful remarks:
Wonderful homage to your sewing machine. Great page. Have a lovely day, Valerie
What a terrific gift that you have had so much use from! Great page!
Fun post, loving your little sewing project. Those older machines are like less problems than the new computerized ones. Enjoy a good week.
I am thrilled about this quiltlet page Elizabeth! From the photo to the fabric scraps to the thread colors - all speaks of LOVE for creating and of heartful and thoughtful artmaking! Mixed Media at its best again and I really ADORE this special entry! Gorgeous and what a fabulous gift from Kathy! I put my eyes on three different sewing machines yesterday which were offered on sale at a office- and crafts supplies discounter, where my daughter bought thinks for school. They were cheap and good brands ( Singer, AEG) but I think I will buy me a much better one will make it a birthday/ or christmas gift for myself, as I sew a lot lately. Even a blouse for me what I didn't do in years and it turned out quite good. For sewing papers I am happy with my two older machines, but I think they both need service ... I so often have troubles with both of them. And I needed hours for my blouse specially because I wanted to have all inner seams tidy. You are on a roll this month and your ideas and projects are so versatile! I am thrilled about this month with you as an hostess my friend!
Have a happy Wednesday!
Hugs, Susi
your sewn background looks great!
(btw I didn;t get the stamps direct from paperartsy but another shop/online outlet that did the wrapping- but they did look good. and of course I will re-use - eventually- the wrappings! )
Oooh you are blessed. I love the same..so much fun makin paper into art with sewmachine
This is inspiring, if I had more room my 30yr old Janome machine would be in my craft room too...maybe I can find room?
A really fabulous page Elizabeth, and so inspiring! xxx
Ah, never heard of a “quilt-let”, but I love the thought of anything small that I can handle! These old mechanical machines are indestructible. I have 3, and they do enough for me, plus I can clean and service them myself. I have no interest in computerzed embroidery machines. Somehow it feels that if I didn’t actually “create” something, then it’s not creative. Lol. Thanks for commenting on my blog in spite of the “on again, off again” comment gremlins at work. Using rust water anywhere in the eco printing process can’t hurt, I’ve learned — anything to get sharp prints. I had some rust along with Alum in my water that I used for soaking paper the last time. Next time I want to get an imprint of a squiggly rusty piece of wire that I found while walking. I’ll put right in with the leaves before steaming. I don’t know what to expect from Fall leaf colors, but we shall see.
PS: Forgot to say how fabulous your quilt-let Page is, an inspiration and a testament to older technology!
I like the way you cut the printout of the sewing machine to look like an old black and white photo.
Your page looks pretty Elizabeth.
I haven't used my sewing machine for a while, but I love sewing. I first "learned" how to sew by making my own maternity dresses over 30 years ago. Then came kids clothing, and other clothes for myself.
I can barely sew on buttons sew (see what I did there? =^,.^=) I'm impressed with your page.
How interesting to make a quiltlet journal page and show us your sewing machine. What I love about our style of art is you don't have to be able to stitch a straight line. It's all good! Nice textures in your quiltlet and great pops of color too. Happy Wednesday. Hugs-Erika
You must know already that I 'sew' love this! What a fabulous idea to use the photo of your sewing machine on a background of some of your brilliant sewing!
I realised that I meant to link my Rusty truck page to AJJ so will do that in a moment!
BTW I did have a 'cell phone' back then and I was able to ring the Automobile Association (AA), they have policy of attending lone women and those with young children as a priority.
T had insisted I have a phone when he began working in a different place!
It was around eleven years ago and was not the all singing etc phone I have now!
When you think how technology has changed over the years it really does make you think....whatever next?
Hugs, Chrisx
I wouldn't know where to begin with a sewing machine. I love how you incorporate that tstitching in your work.
Wowww love this art page Elizabeth !! It´s specially gorgeous with all those so beautiful threads and fabrics. The photograph of your sewing machine is fantastique with the fabulous borders. I also have an old sewing machine, but doesn´t work now, it´s a pity !!
I wish you a very nice afternoon, big hugss, Caty
Oh yes- an homage to your sewing machine! That trusty little workhorse that lets you add accent stitching to your pieces. This is a really great memory piece, and how clever to use that deckle edge on the print out. It really looks like a vintage photo. Well done!
I love how you used your sewing machine photo as the starting piece for this fabulous page. The materials all look lovely and of course I am in awe of you sewing the layers together. One of these days I might be tempted to pull out my old machine and see ifit still works, although I know threading the needle was always a difficult job.
It is a wonderful blessing today Elizabeth.
Yvonne xx
My dear Mum loved using her singer sewing machine …
Lovely to read your post here and see your photographs - special indeed.
All the best Jan
Great gift, Elizabeth. I love Singer sewing machines.
I am so glad that you are having so much fun with sewing. Kisses, my friend.
I missed this post somehow-I really love what you made here-I just found someone to give my late Mom's sewing machine to-a friend of mine knows her and she does not have money for a machine-I told her this one is an expensive computer type sewing machine that just needs a 50.00 part-so I was so happy to help her with this machine- (computer sewing machines are not for me) she is a quilter so I am sure she will love it-and she can still sew on it with the part. so I feel blessed to have found a good home for it.
I got such a kick out of Bleubeard not liking dogs lol! Our tools sometimes lack frills, I guess, but from the looks of things you are making creative treasures with your machine. I love the varied materials you used to make this piece.
great sewing art Elizabeth
I don't know how to sew a straight line.
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That's sew cute, Elizabeth (I couldn't resist ;-) I'm trying to figure out how you can sew without a feed dog. But if Bleubeard's happy, everybody's happy.
You are sew blessed Elizabeth!
Such a lovely and thoughtful gift from your friend!
And now you are giving back by creating and sharing your sewed artwork! Sew Blessed!
Jackie xx
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