Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Cleaning & Stitching





Tomorrow I have a date with my sewing group.  Our prolific stitcher/member, Neitta is sharing some of her knowledge with us tomorrow, and we were advised to bring along an iron, and small ironing board if possible - to save a line-up at our group ironing station.  Feeling a little embarrassed with the state of my iron, I decided this morning was a good time to offer up some TLC to the 'family'.  I couldn't resist sharing this photograph with everyone.  My husband stated some time ago, after seeing two irons sitting on the board, that perhaps they may surprise us with a new family member one day.  Well, it actually has happened..........LOL........  We now have Russell [as in Hobbs], his partner [whose name shall remain a secret], and now we have Junior, after I found a bargain buy at the local hardware not long ago - three small appliances for $20.  I know, they probably won't last, but I thought the small iron would be handy for occasions like tomorrow, and to avoid the ever present gunk that can find it's way onto your good iron [where is that red face thingy???].  Anyway, here they are, all lined up and cleaned, well as good as I can get them!!  I also could not help but notice on the bottom of the most expensive of the three [Russell] the words - 'return to supplier for repairs'................hmmmmm, I don't think I've ever been given a hearing when asking to have small appliances repaired.

I also wanted to share this little bit of stitching nostalgia.  Our last two weeks' stitches for TAST2012 were satin stitch and stem stitch, and again, I'm way behind the eight ball.  However, I remembered this table mat I did over 35 years ago, so thought it would suffice as something to share for these stitches.  My husband liked this design, so I stitched it for him.  He has used it a lot on his bedside table, as well as the little table he has for his TV remotes.  It still washes and irons up as good as new.  I know it's only a very naive little piece of stitchery, but he liked it - he really isn't a 'flowery' person.........LOL......

10 comments:

margaret said...

your irons remind me of Goldilocks and the three bears!!
Unlike you I do not have steam irons but have the old fashioned type, found the holes in the steam irons caused problems on so much of the creative styles of embroidery leaving their marks.Have now bought some funny fabric that you stitch between two layers of fabric and then iron but will have to purchase a steam iron for this technique as it needs the steam to shrink the trapped fabric.

Anonymous said...

Irons (blah) they mean actually having to do the ironing LOL. I had a kenwood middle price range not long ago and it was nothing but trouble and was replaced three times! Asked for money back and would put it towards a more expensive iron of a different brand as was told it couldn't be returned unless I had the original box! Well I wont be going back to that store LOL. Got a great Phillips now but it still wont do the ironing itself LOL.

DIAN said...

Linda, that looks very good - I enjoy ironing and love a good clean iron. I am not sure that I could justify a third iron. I would love one of those presses - its on my list.

Enjoy your day out.

I love the horse embroidery and understand that your man would really like it.

DIAN said...

Oh I meant to say I love the new header.
Great reflections.

Robin Mac said...

Your irons have cleaned up a treat. the one I use for my craft work definitely does NOT come into contact with anything other than freezer paper - it is far too gunky and I can't clean it any better now!! I love the new header too. Will write soon, am just catching up after my sister's visit. Cheers

Stitching Lady said...

HI Linda, you could make a business out of iron-increase in this way - leaving them together alone. I love your text and the humour in it.

Teresa said...

Linda, I laughed out loud at your iron story. I have an encaustic iron; a very small craft iron (bought from Punch with Judy years ago); a Clover mini iron with 2 tips; an ironing press (bought to heat set large pieces of fabric) and a steam iron with a large water tank......and one day my husband wanted to iron a shirt and he asked me in a very plaintive voice "do we have an ordinary ironing iron" !!!! I'm not sure how I accumulated all these irons, but they all serve a purpose and they all do their job. And I'll do anything to get out of ironing !!! And I love the picture of the river on your home page....just beautiful.

Frances Leate said...

Love the new photo header and the irons look very impressive. I am feeling guilty about the state of my own irons and really will have to give them some TLC - any tips! Take care.

Dianne said...

Love your header, Linda. So quintessentially Australian, We camped on creek banks like this on our Western trip and your picture evokes those wonderful memories. Irons - what do you use to clean those non stick varieties? My sewing room one is a mess at the moment from sticky stuff we tend to play with.

Karyn said...

I am very impressed with your clean irons. I have one for all domestic use; I gave one to my husband after he ruined it ironing the edging onto melamine cupboards, and I have the clover mini iron, which I dont use often but it is great when i do need it. The bare minimum of ironing happens in my house as it is not my favourite job. Luckily we live in a windy area so if we bring our clothes straight in and hang them straight up we reduce the need to iron.
I like the embroidered table mat. You just dont see these kits around much anymore.