About Me

Hello & Welcome!  Thank you for visiting my little corner of the Web. A little about me...

I grew up in Maryland, in the suburbs of Washington, DC.  I didn't move too far away, just over the Potomac River to the Leesburg area of northern Virginia.  Been here for over 20 years now.  🏠

Visiting Chicago :)

I've always enjoyed hand-needle crafts, but never thought much about sewing when growing up.  I bought my very first sewing/embroidery machine at the age of 40.  I had a lot of fun learning and wish I had paid more attention to my mother when I was growing up.  Mom is an excellent seamstress!  ♥
♥ My mother and I.

I studied Computer Science at the University of Maryland (undergrad) and Johns Hopkins University (grad school).  My professional career was in IT as a software engineer and database administrator.   I am now a wife and mother of four.  I've been able to stay home and enjoy raising our family.  It has been more than enough work to fill the days.  I volunteer my time and I like to craft whenever possible.  That usually means I craft in the evening time, after every thing from my day has settled.  ☺

With the family on vacation in Zion National Park, 2017.
This furry guy here is my companion.
Appropriately named "Shadow" as he is always by my side. :) 

My family has grown over the years of being online.  When I started blogging in 2010, this is what the family looked like on my About Me page on my old blog site:
2010

In 2012, I moved to blogger, and updated the photo to this:
2012

In 2014, the photo became this:
2014

I hope to continue blogging and updating these pics as time continues on...


I like to run occasionally.  
A fun run with one of my girls.

If you are still interested, you can read 11 things about me.  


About My Machines

My addiction to embroidery has recently been upgraded to the Baby Lock Destiny II.  This incredible machine is amazing and allows me to do even more than I've dreamt of!  
My embroidery baby

Embroidery is my original favorite, although I started quilting in 2010, and am loving it too!  So, now I have two favorite hobbies. 

I have the Handi Quilter Sweet 16 for my sit-down long-arm quilting.  I found this machine on Handi Quilter's HQ Machines for Sale forum.  I'm working on my free motion skills with this machine, so I will try to get lots of practice on it.  

For Quilting As Desired.

I have two vintage machines.  First up is a 1952 Singer Featherweight 221 that was being sold for repair on eBay.  I fixed it up and it now runs smooth and looks great.  I love to use it for travel.  
Perfect for piecing and travel.

I found (on ebay) and restored myself, my other vintage machine.  A 1916 Singer 66 "Red Eye" treadle (non-electric, foot pedal) machine.  Isn't she pretty?  And she sews great too!  This machine came to me looking like she hadn't been touched in decades.  Peek in my photo album to see before-and-after pictures of this machine.

My 1916 Singer "Red Eye" Treadle.

I also have a Brother XR-7700 sewing & quilting machine that I purchased from Costco.com.  I purchased it for my daughters to use.  Currently, my youngest has taken to it for pillow making.  It is  a good little machine.
Brother XR-7700


I enjoy sharing my hobby and hope you enjoy browsing too!

☮ and ❤️
- Sylvia


Northern Virginia Chapter


Ha!

2 comments

  1. I am so excited that I stumbled upon you on Pinterest. It seems we have quite a bit in common. I am also a thrilled new owner of a Singer 66 Treadle. Mine is a Lotus. I also love in Virginia. I only learned to thread a sewing machine about 3 years ago when I bot bit by the quilting bug. Took me 50 years! haha. Can you tell me if you know what attachments are available for the 66-1 (back mount)? I am particularly interested in the open toe'd foot for quilting. I'd love to hear from you. Lori Lucky_Lady_13@yahoo.com

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  2. Trying to find a way to contact you to say thank you. I have had a really hard time tracking down all the blocks for the Moda Designer Friendship Quilt Along of 2013, I was finally only missing Block 26 so I googled again and found it on your Blog! Thank you so much, just like a quilter I couldn't bear to start until I had them all!!

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