And Around we go...

This seemed simple enough but it actually was impossible to get each strip the same size when it was all stitched up. I had to do some nipping and tucking and I think I ended up adding a couple of extra ones so it would lay flat. I haven't decided what to do for the center yet but I am thinking of a black background with a very delicate small doily I have
somewhere. It matches nothing and I have nowhere to put it but I guess I will figure out something when and if that time ever comes..haha. Story of my life!

Halloween Witches

Witches Scamper in the Leaves! Really cute panel that I failed to buy the companion for when I had the chance and couldn't get any when I actually started putting it together. As usual, I had plans to do a lot more work on it. Since is is a panel, I had already saved a lot of time so I was going to try to do some free motion quilting on the open spaces in the center. Plus it needed to be a little bigger. But, as you see, that didn't happen. I ended up tying discreetly with matching thread and amongst the leaves, bats and black figures. Sometimes it gets down to just using a piece that is just the right size for the backing. I pulled the edges around to the front and it worked out perfect. It actually turned out good except for my guilt of not doing more. I keep hearing "finished" is the key word and since I will have to move again, it makes more sense to try to pack up things with no pins sticking out. Also, it's good to work on something easy and successful without a lot of drama.

Bears and Trees.

TREES & BEARS
have been taken off the back burner! I finally figured out that the reason I keep ignoring it  is because I will never be happy with the too small stitches that make it pucker. So, I ripped a bunch of it out and am doing it again. I think it is just harder than I think to try to
maneuver the bulk of it thru my machine...don't why I have polyester batting in it. Cotton is so much better to work with. I often wonder where my brain has been sometimes. Anyway, I am back to finish mode on it before I pack it away again. I love the pattern and had envisioned making making some smaller single trees for a Christmas hanging. I may have even cut some of the strips so we'll see where I am at at Christmas.

The Sewing Machine

Air: Charcoal Man...........Sung by Tony Pastor.

I am one of those unlucky chaps, who once did fall in love
 With such a nice good-looking girl, who seem'd just like a dove.
 Her hair was long and black, and as curly as ever was seen,
 And she said: she got her livelihood by working a sewing-machine.

CHORUS.

So, I fairly lost my heart..now I wish I never had seen
 That dark young-girl, with her hair in curl, that worked at a sewing-machine.
 I saw her, first, in Chatham Street, in such a dashing shop,
 Working Singer's No. 2: at the window I did stop..
 By the signs that passed between us.. Barnum's Museum she'd not seen;
 But she promised to meet, if I'd stand treat, when she'd done at the sewing-machine.

Well, I took her to the Museum, and for the two I paid;
 And while we walked about the rooms, she said: I feel afraid
 That I shall lose my money: then she gave me such a look,
 And said: dear sir, will you take care of this my pocket-book!

I told her not to be afraid, I'd guard it with my life,
 And thought how happy I should be, if she was my dear wife!
 Then, I heard the cry of: Stop thief! and, before a word I could say,
 was collar'd so tight.. and out of my sight my girl bad bolted away!

I asked them what they meant by it, I asked them if they knew
 Who I was? when they replied: I should rather think we do;
 For, officers are we, and of nailing a watch you're accused,
 And beware what you say: for, against you, some day, as evidence it may be used.

Next morning, I was taken up and the officers did tell
 The Magistrate: that they thought to the Police I was known quite well:
 Tho' the watch had not been found on him, the police he does fear:
 For, from him we took a pocket-book containing a bundle of QUEER.

The Magistrate then looked at me and asked: what can you say!
 I told him how I came possessed of the book, the previous day;
 I got it from a nice young girl, her age about seventeen:
 She was a fine young girl, with her hair in curl, and she worked a sewing-machine.

The Magistrate then shook his head, and said: That tale won't do,
 I'll remand you for a week or so, to see what's known of you.
 Tho' nothing 'gainst me could be found, yet everywhere they'd been,
 Still I got three months at Blackwell's-Isle, where I learned to tread a machine!

So, single men, I pray: beware! and of my song take heed:
 Of Sewing-Machine girls pray take care, or you'll be lost indeed.
 Avoid their fascinating glance: if you do not, I ween
 You'll surely get in trouble with them or their Machine!

II DE MARSAN, Publisher,
 60 Chatham str. New-York.