I’m a happy girl, dabbling a little in everything lately and finding such a nice balance. There is a lot of rest in that mix too, but I’m learning that as long as I do something enjoyable during my downtime and keep from making any additional messes, I come out of it just fine on the other side.

During my quiet moments this week, I’ll be inching toward getting my grandma’s sewing machine CONQUERED. It’s a Japanese Fleetwood and it is called a “Light Weight De Luxe”, but weighs in at 40-ish pounds. It is probably from the late 50s or early 60s. I am fortunate to have the original owner’s manual. However, the Fleetwood company itself long ago disintegrated and there is little information available on these machines otherwise, save for the models that used a Singer patent in the 40s. It is my understanding that the Fleetwoods were generally superior to those Singers, for reasons which are unknown to me. That said, I don’t know that this machine is a Singer patent.

It deserves a photo shoot of its own.

[If you've arrived here looking for a Fleetwood manual, send an email or leave a comment, so that we can talk about scanning the pages that you need.]

Some things going on or about to happen: putting in a few mini hoop houses, making a good garden draft, starting seeds in my studio under a temporary light set-up, learning to scan glass negatives at the local historical society, more weaving, obsessing over fabrics, and reorganizing all of my craft supplies in the furthest room from my studio because it just has to be that way for now (yet still glad to reorganize it all).

• Ham and Cheese Buttermilk Biscuits — I haven’t tried these yet, but I just can’t imagine them being bad.
• Over 80 Things You Can Compost — It seems like we already produce a lot of  compost. I’m always up for more, and so is my garden.
• My Friend Maia — This is a lovely video on Vimeo.
• Kinfolk Dinner — I enjoyed this simple and beautiful short film of a dinner gathering.