Patchberries

BEFORE (blue fabric)                                                  AFTER (dark brown faux leather)

Ok, I’m feeling pretty empowered at the moment. Took on my first reupholstery project for my husband’s surprise anniversary present.

We bought these chairs cheap, when the company I work for was changing their furniture. The blue cloth fabric was in great shape, but just didn’t match my husband’s western-themed office.

The Bernina handled the faux leather like a charm. (Yes, it’s vinyl, but I prefer to call it "faux leather," because it sounds less 1960′s for some reason….)

I had to drill out some embedded, wooden screw caps — which turned out to be the hardest part of the whole project! Is there a trick to getting those things out? I ended up destroying them, but found new ones were pretty cheap.

I wielded a staple gun like a pro. (The previous statement is only the opinion of moi, no professional contributed to the validity of this claim.)

And, I learned that it’s 250% smarter to take note of where the screw holes are BEFORE you cover them with opaque vinyl.

Conclusion: 

While I’m pretty happy with how this turned out…And, my husband was really pleased with his gift…I’ve decided to put the staple gun away. That’s one scary and loud little tool!

Tax return is done, submitted, AND ACCEPTED. Yes, emphasis on ACCEPTED. I submitted electronically at 2:30 in the morning and went to bed with a long, satisfying sigh of relief.

Woke up the next morning to find an email with a subject line of:  "Federal Tax Return Rejected" . . . But, all that is in the past. And all issues are resolved. Time to party!

Probably not the party you would throw, but for the sewing-computer geek that I am, this is heaven-on-earth! First project is something for the person who gave me my dream machine: my hubby. Hopefully, I’ll have some pictures to post tomorrow, our anniversary. No pics today, since it’s a surprise!

Let the fun begin!

In the foreground of this photo, you can see what I’m currently working on . . . THE tax return. More specifically, the part of the tax return that gives me the most grief — inventory. I’d show you the reason it’s my most dreaded task all year — what I have to inventory — but I’m afraid I’d never regain your respect. My fabric shelves are, let’s just say, in disarray. Clean, but definitely eligible for sewing-room-makeover "before" pictures.

In the background, you can see why I’m feeling so tortured. There sits the dream sewing machine my dear husband bought for me. He brought it home on Saturday.

I had promised myself I wouldn’t open it until I finished the tax return, because I know I will not emerge from "sewing heaven" until I’ve set it up and mastered everything it can do. Which is a LOT more than my 34-year-old Bernina could do.

I made this promise before I knew it would arrive before April 15 . . . when it was an easy promise to make.

So, I’m working feverishly on my tax return. But, I’m sitting right next to those boxes. If I can’t open them, I’m sitting next to them. Yes, I feel like a little kid who has to eat her spinach before I can have my dessert!

So, it’s been a weird week for me. My youngest daughter traveled to Europe with her school group for spring break. She’s never even been in a different state from us, much less a different country. I actually managed well and only had one "panic" moment. (Ok, I confess! I did find myself scouring the Internet several times a day to make sure nothing catastrophic was happening in Europe!)

And, then, I’ve been sewing machine-less for more than the week, too. First time that I haven’t had my sewing machine gone for other than a quick tune-up. Yep, I’ve discovered my sewing machine sort of falls into the category of security blanket for me. Seeking therapy on this . . .

And, as if the comfort of my dull, everyday routine hadn’t been upended enough. I discovered my precious husband ordered me the embroidery sewing machine of my dreams. Picture me bursting into tears and struggling to accept the biggest gift anyone has so selflessly given me . . . ever. Not only the enormity of this gift, but the magnitude of the love behind it. I’ve been an emotional mess all week.

All my plans to use my "extra" time this week to get the tax return done, exercise more (or even at all), try new recipes, and get ahead on cutting fabric, designing new appliques, creating new products . . . all of it didn’t happen.

Instead, I rearranged my sewing room (and searched the European news websites).

My sewing machine decided it wanted a two-week vacation. No advance warning. No time-off request. It just stopped.

And now, while it "vacations" at my local repair shop, I’m forced to find other ways to fill my time. Vacuuming. Tax return. Laundry. Tax return. Clean the bathroom. Tax return. Dusting. Tax return.

Hmmm. Am I avoiding something here? Something that I know I have to do, but don’t want to because I know it starts out with having to inventory my sewing room contents? All those stacks of fabric. Threads. Stabilizers. And then I have to think. And gather forms. And crunch numbers. And fill in lots of little blanks on pages and pages of confusing, head-spinning IRS documents. And then, I may even have to write a check to pay the IRS after all my work. . . . Am I avoiding something?

You betcha.

Thank you everyone who helped support my fundraiser yesterday! I’m depositing all the money received — $205 – into Amina’s Trust Fund today. I will continue to add items into the "For Amina" section of my etsy shop, with 100% of all sales from those items going to support Amina’s Fund.

If you missed the interview with her family yesterday, here’s a link to the video clip. (Warning, tissue alert, definitely tugs at your heart!)

http://www.king5.com/news/cities/bremerton/Bremerton-school-shooting-victim-turns-9-years-old-143310226.html.

I’ll announce new designs and products here and at my facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Patchberries.

I hope you’ll stay in touch!

Cheryl

Amina has spent almost a month in the Harborview Medical Center, over 3 weeks of that time in the ICU, fighting for her life. Today is Amina’s birthday and she’s turning 9 years old.

This sweet little girl and her family have touched my heart. On February 22, in her 3rd grade classroom, Amina was shot by a gun hidden in her classmate’s backpack. In that instant, life was forever changed for Amina. And her family. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Amina’s story, here’s a link to a local story about her:  http://www.komonews.com/news/local/142563325.html

Amina was recently moved out of the ICU and upgraded to satisfactory condition. But, the hospital spokesperson cautions "she’s still got a long road ahead of her to recovery."

That’s a LOT of medical expenses for the Bowmans.

Today, all profit from sales on ALL products in my etsy shop will go to a trust fund set up to help with Amina’s medical and recovery expenses. I’ve also created an applique dedicated to Amina. It’s named "Amina,"  of course.  It features her favorite animal and colors (black and purple). Look for products with this applique in the section "For Amina."

After today, I will continue to add items to the "For Amina" section and all profit for these special items will continue to go to Amina’s trust fund. So, I hope you will continue to check back often and tell everyone you know about this fundraiser for a very special little girl.

I’d appreciate it if you’d spread the word about the Bowman family’s need — for help with medical bills and prayer for Amina’s continued healing. I’ve listed an excerpt from their facebook page below. It outlines other ways that you can contribute to Amina’s trust fund.

Thank you!

Cheryl

*****

The following are some of the various funds and events that will provide funds to pay for her medical and after care care:

Amina Sierra Kocer-Bowman Victim Trust – Bank of America

Amina Kocer-Bowman Donation – Kitsap Federal Credit Union

Donation Jars/Boxes – Various Business in Kitsap County

Please remember to wear purple Wednesday to show you support for Amina and to stomp our violence in our schools and against children.

I ♥ Amina bracelets are also available, to show your support everyday.

For those wishing to send letters or other items to Amina, please send your love and support to:

Amina Kocer-Bowman
P.O. Box 2603
Bremerton, Wa 98310

Members of the media, please contact Ms. India Simmons of P R Ink at (425) 742-6926 for any inquires you may have for Amina’s Family.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your support and concern during this trying and difficult time; words can never fully express what your love and support means to us. We will keep you updated as she progresses throughout her recovery and our families efforts to prevent tragic events like this from happening again.

- John & Teri Bowman

I’ll be at the Indie Banditas Traveling Bazaar Sunday, November 27, 2011

There’ll be lots of wonderful artists and J’aime Les Crepes (These crepes are worth the drive!)

As always, 10% of all Patchberries sales will benefit The Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch – an amazing organization that is making a different in kids’ lives!

Hope you’ll come by and join the fun!

Cheryl

My applique designs are back online! (See my Designs page.)

And, I believe that means it’s time to get myself back in the saddle and get some new designs going. Hammie the Hamster has been an uncooperative little critter. I can’t seem to translate her from a sketch to fabric without ending up with something that causes me to think of the word "mutation." 

I’m going to give it one more try. If that ends up as another sci fi-looking creature, I think I’ll put her aside for awhile and try something else.

Happy Friday!!!

Cheryl

Backup, backup, backup! That’s my new mantra.

My website disappeared from the planet yesterday thanks to incorrect advice to delete a file. I thought about backing up my files, a split second before I followed the directions given to me by the web-host-help-desk guy.

But, I didn’t. And now I’ve lost almost a month’s work. And permanently lost some of my posts.

But, I’m thankful that I have what I have, and I’m not having to start from scratch. That’s because I did back up my file last month.

Anyway, I’ll quit whining and get back to restoring, rebuilding, recovering. And you can bet I’ll be backing up my file A LOT!

For now, here are the appliques that got posted since April.

Lionel and Oink (I’m pretty sure you can figure out who is who?)

Thanks for your patience!

Cheryl