Winter is winter

We always say that there's no real winter in Pretoria.  Night temperatures might fall a few degrees below zero, but usually the days are sunny and warm enough to be in shirtsleeves.  Our gardens have a lot of evergreen plants so we don't really notice winter too much.  I grump about the dry and dusty conditions, and August is especially bad because of wind.  But spring is only a few weeks away now!

Today I tidied up files on  my computer, and found summer pictures of the garden.  Comparing it to the dreary view through my window, winter is winter!

Winter is winter, even if it doesn't snow.

  Picking grapes in February. 

 And of course, the dogs will tell you that it's much too cold to sleep outside!

Commitment

It's the last week of Goal Setting with Julia.  I have learned a tremendous amount, and my business is benefitting beyond my expectations.
Today's lesson feels as though it is meant for me personally. 
I'm struggling with a commitment I made a number of months ago.  Physically, circumstances have changed.  I can live with that.  But emotionally there's been a shift that leaves me wishing I could just walk away.
I've been swinging like a pendulum between chuck it in or see it through.
After today, the choice is clear.
Only one carries the possibility of success.
Commitment.

Note to self:  Never make a decision when you are angry, and never make a promise when you are happy.

Small Joy

 

Little things make all the difference.  Three of the studio's sewing machines went for service.  They are back.  How lovely that every part is cleaned, oiled and working just so!

For many years I did only hand sewing on my teddy bears.  Mostly, I still do.  In time I have started making more little clothes and accessories.  For this a simple sewing machine that can work slow, tiny, straight stitches is invaluable.
My favourite machine is still the Singer 1928 hand operated model.  The black sewing machine in front.
All the sewing machines are older than me, and came to me after numerous owners and working very hard.    How I would love to hear the stories they could tell!

Jannie at JVN Sewing Machine Service patiently and meticulously looks after my machines.  He specializes in industrial and computerized embroidery machines, but he is a fount of wisdom when it comes to vintage machines, and shares my enthusiasm for them.  His workshop is in Lyttelton, Pretoria, and you can contact him at 012 664 3162 if your machine needs a service.

happiness@nr4: Sew a Softie Tutorial: The Kids are in charge!

Hello Everyone
Please visit Liezel's blog to see what she and her girls are designing for Sew-A-Softie.

happiness@nr4: Sew a Softie Tutorial: The Kids are in charge!: Hi Everyone! How exciting it is to write this post on behalf of my girls. When I told them that I would like to challenge them to be respo...

Random Favourite Things

Random favourite things in my studio.  The felt frog I made from a pattern by Cynthia Treen, The leaf plate and lily flower are available at Ceramix, crochet succulent plants made by Dawn at LiveCreatively365.