I like making things: Not tempting fate!

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Not tempting fate!

Every year I pick up something from the Christmas stuff on sale, at much reduced prices, ready for the following year. This year, I had gone through all my Christmas stuff and downsized it because of lack of storage space in our new home. So I really didn't need any more!

I was discussing this with my husband, when I thought, 'Am I tempting fate by not sticking to tradition?' We both agreed it was better not to do that, so I dropped what I was doing and hi-tailed it to Walmart. I got a nice haul of wrapping paper and some nice sparkly bells to hang on our walls. Now I had bought a set of these bells before Christmas for nearly $7 and was happy with that price as they are really nice and sparkly, and I love sparkly! They were now $1.75 a set, so 3 more sets jumped into my shopping cart.

The wrapping paper fit into my wrapping paper container so no more space needed but the extra sets of bells needed a tote of their own. But my Christmas stuff is now really nicely organised and I hope the totes will all fit nicely back into the shed. And I kept up with my tradition, so all is good.

The house is back to normal. I miss the colourfulness of Christmas though! Only another 10 3/4 months and I can get it all back out!

Take care everyone!

1 comment:

Cheryl KimbleyJanuary 7, 2026 at 5:16 AM
Glad you found such a good deal. I haven't bought after Christmas stuff in several years now. Still have paper, boxes, cards and such.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

As in the words of Thumper: If you can't say 'nuffin nice don't say 'nuffin at all.

Glad you stopped by

I started this blog in 2011: Ever since my Mum taught me to knit at the age of about six or seven I have made things. Back then it was doll clothes. I was also inspired by Mrs Levitt an elderly lady who had a sewing room in a conservatory type room on the back of her house. I would sit and watch her in awe as she sewed.

When I was a child living in England the school system was such that you started at 5 years, did two years in Infant School, then four years in Primary School then five to seven years in Secondary School, depending on whether you chose to stay on after fifth form to get qualifications to go to University. I can't remember much of the Infant school other than making the standard square doily thingy from fabric that had holes in it so you could embroider patterns into it. A bit like the modern day cross stitch fabric but with bigger holes and spaces to make it easy for small hands to use. I also remember with great joy getting a toy sewing machine one Christmas which sewed only chain stitch but I did make doll clothes on it and that was before I started Primary school. I do have very vivid recollections of Primary school and having sewing and knitting lessons. In Primary school I knitted gloves and made a dress from scratch hand sewing it all.

Secondary school continued on with sewing by which time I had progressed to using full sized sewing machines and was making more intricate skirts and dresses. My parents bought me a proper sewing machine when I was thirteen. I used that same machine right up until I emigrated to Canada at age forty six years.

I have always had a fascination for sewing machines and knitting machines. I bought my first knitting machine at around age twenty one from an ad in a newspaper for twelve pounds. I had absolutely no idea what one was just that I wanted one. I trundled on the bus to the address in the advert and handed over my twelve pounds having absolutely no idea what I had really bought. Fortunately it came with a manual. It was an aged Knitmaster, very basic and I loved it. I wore it out. Next was a Brother push button one which I didn't keep because it was at a time in my life when things were difficult. Later on in my life, around forty, when things were better I bought a brand new Brother punchard machine with a ribber attachment. I loved it and made many things. Life took a different turn, I moved countries twice and along the way, regrettably I sold it.

Now, through the universe's blessing I now have another machine. It is a vintage one because they stopped making them early 90's but works perfectly and I love it. So I decided to make this blog to document my knitting progress and include sewing projects.

In 2013: we embarked on a new hobby, leather-work. My husband got started with it and it drew me in. It is something we can do together. We have a workshop so have plenty of room to work. We added another workbench for me to work on in 2013. We already had one but we were tripping over each other both trying to work at it. We only make things we want to make. It is strictly a hobby. We made some things for our good neighbours who help us out a lot. I am also working on Christmas presents. So this blog now incorporates the leather-work. Knitting and sewing will always be my first love though.

Fast forward to 2023 and now age almost 75 years. I have seven sewing machines, four knitting machines, several ribber attachments and a garter carriage for one of the machines. I am blessed beyond words, but I know that I have more than enough machines to keep me going in my lifetime so I don’t think I will be adding to my collection any time soon……….unless a nice embroidery machine manifests itself very cheaply.

I am a Brit living in the USA, sometimes I spell like a Brit and sometimes like an American. Sometimes I use slang and even make grammatical errors. I blog for the pleasure of it and to record my endeavours in the event that my memory fades, as I am sure it will with more age. I will be able to look back and remind myself of the things I have made along the way. So please forgive my mistakes when reading about my life making things here in the hinterlands and I hope you get as much enjoyment from my blog as I do from reading the blogs I follow.

Pages

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Not tempting fate!

1 comment: