several years ago, my daughter decided she wanted to collect thimbles.. which is a neat thing to collect if you sew and like that sort of thing… dust collectors they are.. but they are fun to pick up.. and cam be pretty cheap.. less than $2 some places.. up to $15 or more at other touristy places.. (Touristy??? is that a word???)

 My dear Melissa decided after she got started with her collection….that I SHOULD collect thimbles too!  So it started.. now three small shadow boxes full later…I am still looking for them..and am collecting like a good Mom should…. lol.. that is if a Mom that sews and likes that sort of thing.. even if they are dust collectors..  

 I drove to Ft Leavenworth KS to drop Dwight off.. but they didn’t keep him…. at least not for long….. hummmm that is another story.. back to the thimbles..

 We were staying 8 miles from the fort in Missouri.. sooooo…. I hopped on the interstate one day after I had dropped him off.. landed in St Joseph.. not that far away actually.. found a Missouri thimble there.. but no Kansas one.. well.. TOTO.. FYI…..I wasn’t in Kansas.. so what did I expect????.

On Friday before we left on Saturday morning.. I told him that I had gone to the big quilt shop there in the town of Leavenworth (great shop.. another story.. but look at their website the name is Quilters Quarters)…and the only thing I had not done was to find a Kansas thimble… well….we headed straight to the PX (Post Exchange for those non military related folks out there)… and we found a pewter one.. that has Ft. Leavenworth on it.. for $15.. nope.. that would not do.. to expensive and was not the state.. but was Ft. Leavenworth instead.. I really want to collect states….sooo….we drove all over Kansas City, Kansas or was it Kansas City, Missouri?????  who knows.. I think the two run together.. some imaginary line is there somewhere.. that means a lot to some.. nothing to others… I never saw it.. although I was looking… but really trying to find a Kansas thimble was my mission..well there was just none anywhere to be found… I was beginning to think they don’t make them with Kansas inscribed on them… so we gave up.. I said I could contact a friend that lives nearby and has a son in Kansas City ….. (not sure which one) whom she visits quite often and maybe she would send me one.. $2 bucks cost $4 postage.. still less that the $15 one at the PX… and it would be the STATE.. I would be sure to tell her I wanted STATE… and being the good friend she is.. she probably would send me one post haste..

 I am sure we used more than $15 in gas money.. and of course had to stop a couple of times for a drink or snack along the way.. so in the end the $15 Ft. Leavenworth sounds pretty cheap about now.. but alas it was too late.. and we didn’t make it back to the PX. 

 After we got home.. the first thing I did was that I made a LIST.. List are good things.. I like list.. I do a lot of  list.. now if I can figure out how to keep up with them..that woudl be just great….. oops.. another story coming from that.. but not now..

 I found that I already have a Kansas and at least three Missouri ones.. well.. my thing is this.. I only want them from where I have been.. which is a good thing.. but do I need three from the same state??? just different places????  it seems I have several duplicates.. not just Missouri.. and have nowhere near the ones I really really want.. since I want STATES.. more than I do  places.. the bad thing is.. I don’t even have four of the seven states that I actually lived in and none of the foreign countries.. I thought that might mean I would have to revisit those places.. until… untill..

I remembered  a fireworks/gas station/convienience store on the interstate not to far from where I live that has ALL 50 states.. So I have made another list and plan to make a trek over there one day soon to finish my collection to date.. without the countries but at least get the states I am missing.. and the good thing is.. the ones they have are only 99 cents each.. I won’t break the bank.. but can pick up all those I am missing..

oh, by the way… I talked with a friend who lives in Oklahoma.. (got three of those).. the one who has a son in Kansas City.. thought I might ask her to send me a Kansas state one.. told her the saga.. she said she would have settled for the one from the PX!!!

Go Figure.. 

 hugs as always

Kathy

Summer Daze

Although you can’t tell it by the heat index, summer is slowly drawing to a close.  I have been quite remiss in posting but have given a great bit of thoughts about doing so.  I read a number of other blogs and wonder why I am not blogging?  It is because I really don’t have that much to say?  No, surely not!  This has been a busy summer for me, for us, let me see if I can catch you up to some point about what my life has been like this summer. 

We started way back in April with a vacation week to Disney with our daughter, Melissa and our  son-in-law,  Tom along with our two grandchildren, Natalie and Lucas.  It was a fun filled week with Micky and the Princesses, the grand children are just the right age to enjoy it. I highly reccomment anyone with small children or  grandchildren to take the time (and money) and take the kids to such a magical place.  Their little faces were so much fun to watch as they enjoyed their time there.  Watching their Mama and Dad was precious too.  It is so grand to be able to see your children, enjoying their children. 

Melissa did a wonderful thing for me for Mother’s Day.  She made a hardcover scrapbook with pictures of the week, with a sweet message in it about our time.  She is the sweetest of daughters, so kind and thoughtful, she too is just precious and special.

Although my grandchildren are only 4 and 5 they were the best kids in the park.  Ok, so I know, everyone thinks their kids or grand kids are the best ever, but I at telling the truth about this, they never complained about being hot, tired or hungry.  We always ready to go see something new or ride a ride.  The worst thing they did was sigh when they were to small for some of the rides in some of the parks or when they had to wait while Mom and Dad, or Mimi and Papa rode something but they never complained.  As soon as that was taken care of, off we were to do something fun for them, after all it was their week!  And in case you are wondering, we did find Nemo!

One other very exciting thing happend while we were in Florida this year.  I recieve a text from my son, Dwight, who lives in Virginia followed by and excited phone call wanting to know if I had seen the text.  I had not but immediately checked to find no words, just a picture of a pregnancy test that said PREGNANT!!!  I knew that my son and daughter-in-law  Sara were wanting to start a family and knew immediately that they have!!! Baby D is due in December, just like his dad.  I am  hoping it is a week or so before Chrismtmas, as we know first hand what it is like to have a “Christmas baby”,  but you and I both know baby will decide when the final date arrives, that is  if he/she is like any of the other Durmon’s I k now.  We should be finding out baby’s gender Septemer 1st.  So far two ultrasonds have not been successful.  Let’s hope baby is a little more cooperative  September 1st.  That will be a whole new blog I am sure!!!

There is so much more to tell about our times and travels this summer, but that will have to be for another day.

Computer issues come and go.. however, they usually do not go quite as easily.  The problems with Emboss It Volume 1 and Wing It have been corrected.  It took me quite some time to understand how to “fix” the issues and almost no time at all to do the job.  After finding and isolating the problem areas, figuring out the appropriate “fix”, saving the files took longer than anything.  The whole issue is stitch length and density!  OK, most all of us that sew understand stitch length, that is until it comes to stitch length within and embroidery design!  The angle of the stitches in question made the length longer than some machines and software wanted to handle.  That being said, I changed the angles and then adjusted the density to “fix” the problem.  Making sure that all the affected files were indeed replaced was a big issue in the fact that I was worried about not fixing ONE… then needing to go through the process again.  Hopefully all are fixed and CD are once again available.  Since the CD’s have been out for months, and I have only had two customers say that they had a problem I don’t feel to badly about it all.  I do hope that if anyone else has any issues that they will let me know right away.  As stated before, I  will gladly replace CD’s if they need to be replaced if only you will contact me. 

Thanks again everyone for testing and for patients in dealing with the afore mentioned issues.

Unfortunately I have found a glitch in my Wing It! CD… thanks to some awesome students/buyers/friends…that have purchased Wing It!  and brought the issues to my attention.. and even have so kindly helped me trouble shoot it.  Also because of them letting me know about the problem…. (you know who you are!!) I am working on the issue as we speak… in certain formats there are some places in the letters that do not stitch properly.. however it  is only an issue  in some formats.. so if you are having issues and if you can.. try another format… then… please, please, please do let me know what you have going on.   I will get back to you with a revised edition as soon as the editing is finished!!   To those people who have had issues, thank you for not being to terribly upset!!  Your kindness is truly appreciated. 

until next time….

Kathy

The wedding gown make over is finished!  Hurrah! Hurrah!… the sewing, lace shaping and general constructions really didn’t take all that long, the longest time spend on the dress was the beading.  It began with trying to copy the original beading on the wedding gown, should be easy, I told myself!  I traced the design off, drew it on paper then decided it would be much to large on the yoke of the little dress, so I drew it free hand on the dress using a wash out marker.  I cut the beads off of the dress, determined to use as much of this dress a I could in construction of the baby gown.  Yes, it would have been much easier to go buy a couple packages of pearls but that would defeat the purpose of recycling the wedding gown altogether!  Cutting and sorting took quite a bit of time, but was pretty much mindless busy work.  After drawing the design on the yokes, I searched out a beading needle and thread and begin my hand work.  The dress, beads and supplies traveled with me several places including a family reunion.  Most everyone in the family asked WHY was I making such a dress and WHO was if for?  Having no babies in my immediate family at present they were all wondering if I might be expecting a grandchild that no one had confessed about as yet.  NO,  not right now,  the dress was made just for the shear enjoyment of making something beautiful.   I wonder if a child will ever wear it?  Maybe, maybe not.  If not, I will have the best dress dolls around for years that is  if there is no girl child in my future.  Ok, enough said, here is a photo of the finished dress.  Oh, one other note, I did finish it in time for the Lincoln County Fair that is held in early September.  It was entered as a recycled garment and took first place in that category.  Another Blue to add to my ever growing collection.  I do have plans to make a matching bonnet and maybe diaper cover and booties one day, in my free time, when I have nothing else to work on.  I’ll post those pictures too, someday!

The countdown has begun for the software classes being offered in Mt. Juliet! I am almost ready, finding I have a lot of editing to do on the hand outs, thanks to a few good friends I am able to have them proofed and ready.  I am such a lucky person to have such good and willing friends!   I have to dig throug my collections and find some nice things for a trunk show, but I suppose that will be next week before I start on that.  No need to pack everything and have it wrinkle up before I get there with it!  I am totally excited about this class!!!

The Wedding gown makeover has come to a standstill while I am busy editing but hopefully I will have more to report on that next time!  I have such great ideas for it, I just can’t wait to get back to working on the little dress that is on the table in pieces!  Hopefully someday I will have another little girl that will be able to wear this little dress!

Dwight and I spent last week end in Pigeon Forge, TN at the Tennessee State Square Dance Convention.  There were hundreds of people there but the two I wanted to see most were my son and daughter in law!  They are taking square dance lessons again and learning how much fun dancing can be.  They drove from Richmond, VA to come down to visit and dance with us.  We had a great time and all four of us registered for next year’s convention! 

I presented the sewing clinic sponsored by the convention.  Did you know you can talk for an hour about gathering fabric?  At least I can and did.  the amazing part is that people were really interested.  I had a whopping 47 people in the class the most I have ever had at one of these!  It was totally awesome.  I have been getting e-mail feedback from it since late Sunday.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it and learned a lot, several even said it was “the best square dance sewing clinic that they had ever attended!”… gosh.. makes my head swell.  So my mind is already racing about what I can do at next year’s convention!

I ask for clubs around the state to donate door prizes for the clinic and I had 8 total.. You would not believe what huge and luxurious baskets these clubs put together, each was a feast for the eyes, the lucky people that received them were amazed at how nice they were.  Square dancers are such fun and giving people.  I am proud to be associated with them!  If you have never square danced, since your 4th grade PE class you should seek out a club and give it a try.  One caller said it is one of the best kept secrets around, and we tell everyone about it.  You meet people from all over the world and have a great time with them, form lasting friendships and become an extended family at times. 

Dwight and I have been dancing for 15 years and still enjoy it.  We have traveled to 14 National conventions that are held around the US.  Always different area, different people, we have danced with people from every state in the US, Canada, Germany, England, Australia, and Saudi Arabia just to name a few.  One of the most fun conventions we attended was in Birmingham, AL.  There were 24 THOUSAND… that is right 24 thousand people at that dance!! all ages from all places.. can you imagine that number of people all enjoying one activity… together!!!  Our picture was featured in SMITHSONIAN magazine centerfold that year.  We were dancing in the large arena in the convention center in Birmingham, when we had decided we had danced as long as we possibly could, we tried to leave.  We would walk a few feet and a new group would need a couple to finish out their square, so we would stop and dance, then move on.  It took us 30 minutes to move from the middle of the arena floor to the door, dancing our way out.  It was totally awesome. 

Many people say that square dancing is on it’s way down, many of the dancers are older and no longer able to dance, the numbers have dropped but the enthusiasm hasn’t.  There are a number of newer and younger dancers out there, young callers and leaders.  Regardless of age it is something that is good for you and fun too.  If you have been thinking about it, STOP.. and just come join us soon!!! and as we dancers say..

Yellowrock (hugs)  until we see you across the square

Kathy

A few weeks ago I purchased a wedding gown at a yard sale, actually my sister-in-law found it and purchased it for me.  I have been looking for awhile, didn’t want to spend much but wanted something I could re-purpose, re-make, recycle.  I seriously wanted a white satin gown with some lace and beading, I got cream silk and beads…no lace…..  It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind but the price was right.  I spent some time yesterday taking the gown apart, I decided on tossing the netting and lining as neither of it was anything I plan on using.  I spent today deciding on a baby day gown pattern, getting the scallop edge hem just right  and evenly spaced then gleefully cut into the skirt of the gown!  Normally I would give it more thought cutting into that much silk, but like I said for the price, with the amount of fabric I have I am sure I could probably cut a couple gowns from it.  So, what I have so far are two fronts, a back, two sleeves, and front and back yokes.  Nothing fancy at least not yet!  I had hoped to be able to use some of the beading on the bodice but either the pieces are to small, have seams or the beaded area is to big for the pattern.    I am thinking I will transfer the design onto the cut yoke and the front of the gown, maybe the front corners, next to the placket and then actually re-bead it using the actual beads and motif found on the dress, just not all of them!   Anyway, as you can tell, I am quite excited about this project.    I will update you later, as the project progresses!  Wish me luck.  Here is a photo of the original gown..  (by the way.. this isn’t the bride!… just a helpful daughter!)

One more tidbit, the gown isn’t for anyone in particular.. just something I wanted to do..

Until next time.. keep stitching!

!

I am truly sew excited to offer software classes for the Husqvarna Viking 4D Embroidery Extra, 4D Organizer and 4D Pro Digitizing August 21 and 22 in Mt. Juliet, TN.  A very dear friend and I have been talking about it for quite some time and have set the date and place.  Do let me know if you are interested.  If Mt. Juliet it just to far for you to travel, contact me and a group of your friends and I will bring the class to you!  Check back soon to see some of the projects we plan to work on these two days.  For more information about these classes and others please contact me!

As a child in school I always hated returning to school at the end of summer vacation. There was always at least one teacher that always required us to write an essay on “What I did on My Summer Vacation”! Or there was the inevitable end of school report that was “What Memorial Day Means to Me”. I know that you all know the drill and experienced the same type of assignments during your school years. I am no longer in school and no longer requested to write such articles but wanted to share with you an event I witnessed last week. So after all those years of not wanting to write the “what it means” essays, here is my true story.

Last week as I returning from a business trip, the passengers from our flight gathered around the luggage carrousel to pick up our luggage. As we waited, I noticed a young soldier dressed in full battle dress uniform, patiently waiting with us. He may have been 18 or 20, but I doubt he was much older, a mere child but a soldier all the same. By his side was either a girlfriend or young wife, clinging ever so close to him. I was struck by how young they both looked and thought about what he was doing, for all of us, for our freedom. I thought that he probably was home on leave and was probably destined to deploy soon, like so many others.

As all these thoughts, and even more of a grimmer nature, ran through my head, another young man, probably in his late 20’s or early 30’s, walked up to the soldier and shook hands. It wasn’t the greeting of two old friends or brothers, but one of introduction. The older of the two was dressed in summer casual shorts and a t-shirt but I noticed he had a winning smile and a military hair cut, he was wearing a full leg brace and was walking with a pronounced limp with the aid of cane. A conversation ensued, I wasn’t close enough to hear any of it and wasn’t really interested in what they had to say, but at the end I heard the older say, “I don’t want to bum you out man, but it is really a bad place you are headed.”   My deployment thoughts were confirmed.  It was obviously one soldier speaking to another.   His statement was loud enough that obviously others that were waiting nearby heard the comment.

An older gentleman, probably 70+ was standing just in front of the threesome. I am sure he must have heard that final statement, as he quickly turned around and shook hands with the two younger men. At the end of this banter, the injured soldier shook hands with the older gentleman and said “I know what I went through over there was nothing compared to the big war you were in. I just want to thank you for the job you did.”

The older gentleman smiled and made a reply. I didn’t hear his statement but would like to think he thanked the injured soldier for his job and hope that he wished the younger soldier well as they shook hands and he returned to his waiting post. As he turned to walk away, the injured soldier said. “Thanks again, Old Soldier” and saluted. The older gentleman, soldier, didn’t return the salute but I noticed he stood just a little taller and a little prouder.

It was a private conversation that I had privy to just the ending but felt so honored to be in the presence of such great men. Having been married to a military man for nearly 40 years, it touches me to see the caring and respect given to the brethren of warriors, regardless of their age or place in life.

This three or so minutes of conversation would have made the most wonderful essay of my school career if I had the privilege of seeing it and understanding it in time to write it. I hope what I have written about what I witnessed last week touches you as much as it did me.! Of all my years, and all the Memorial Days, all the 4th of July’s I have spent, I have never witnessed the true meaning of these holidays. With Memorial Day soon approaching, I would like for everyone to be reverent and think about the true meaning of this holiday. It isn’t about the first day of summer, the picnics, family reunions and camp outs. It isn’t about time off work or the ability to take the kids on a trip because it is summer vacation, but it is a time to remember those who gave the ultimate for our freedom and way of life.

God Bless America!

Kathy Durmon

May 24, 2007

 

   Introducing a new and interesting style of monogram designs!!!

Emboss It! Vol. I was created to be stitched on high loft fabrics using matching threads and fabrics.  “Why embroider with thread that matches your fabric?” you may ask.  The technique is in fact an octagon shape that is designed with the letter in the center; however the letter itself is negative space leaving an opening for the lofty fabric to magically puff up creating an embossed effect!  Actually the surrounding stitches compress the pile of the fabric creating the illusion.  I hope you love it as much as I do.

This multi format design CD includes 26 Octagon Embossed Monograms, for the 4 x 4 hoop, 26 Embossed Monograms with Floral Enhancement for the 5 x 7 hoop, 26 Upper Case Appliqué letters, 26 Lower Case Appliqué Letters including an ampersand for the 4 x 4 hoop.  Designs reduced for SEW and PES fit a 3 x 3 hoop.

Formats include 10o, DST, EXP, HUS, JEF, PEC, PES, PSW, VIP, VPS, and reduced sizes for SEW and PES as well.

Four alphabets and an ampersand equal 105 designs, if you have the capability of using SEW and PES you will also have 105 3″ designs as well.

The complete package is priced at $29.95 plus shipping.  Instant download is not available at the present time but designs can be e-mailed in the format you request.  Pay Pal or personal check only at this time.

This CD is available to “buy it now” and will be mailed to you USPS or can be sent electronically, you may also purchase at Ken’s Sewing Center online or in the store.

 

Kathy