Meet Care! (And my new mat!)

My turn! Care at Obsessively Stitching did a little Q&A with me, now let's find out some more about her!

Susan: When did you start sewing?

Care: I must have been about five years old. My mom sews. Her mom sewed. HER mom sewed...and so on. I guess I come from a pretty long line of sewists! Anyway, my mom sewed every chance she got (still does!), and I was very quick to catch the bug!

[This seems to be a theme, no? I guess when you grow up digging through bins of fabric and button tins, it's bound to rub off!]

S: What kind of machine do you use?

C: I sew on a Bernina Activa 135S. Before that I had a 30+ year old blue Canadian something-or-other --all metal-- and it weighed a TON! The poor thing's metal foot pedal would get smokin' hot the way I cranked things out on it! On our first wedding anniversary, my husband's grandfather offered to give us some money to purchase a piece of furniture. My sweet husband wanted to get me a new sewing machine instead, so he talked it over with grandpa (and got grandma to put in a good word), and grandpa finally agreed. I tell you, my sewing machine has been far, FAR more valuable than any piece of furniture ever could have been!

S: Do you have any other hobbies or interests?

C: What IS there besides sewing? :o) Sewing is my love and my obsession. Between sewing and my family, there is little time for anything else!

S: How do you feel about Elvis Costello?
C: If I were born Declan Patrick MacManus, I would probably change my name, too.

[But what would you change it TO, Care?]

S: What do you do with all the quilts you make?
C: I keep many of them, but I'd have to say I give more away than I keep. I like to make a quilt for each baby born in the family (on both sides), and for anyone I know who needs one -- whether for cheering them up, wishing them get well, or whatever. Sometimes you just know when somebody needs a quilt!

S: Where do you find the time to do everything?
C: Sewing is a priority, so it happens. Sometimes I sew late into the night. If I don't have a lot of time, I make quick little things to get my fix. I do what I can with whatever time I have -- and sometimes it is very little time!

S: Are quilts your favorite thing to make?

C: Hmm...I'd have to say yes! It's certainly the thing I make the most of. What can I say? There is just something about cutting fabric into little pieces and sewing it all back together!

[Are you really good at jigsaw puzzles?]

S: Have you ever sewn any clothing for yourself?

C: Yes, but not much at all -- partly because it's not at the top of the priority list, and partly because I am just not that confident in my clothing-sewing skills. It's something I strive to work on, but currently time is at a premium. I hope to sew more clothing for me in the future!

[I can help if you have any questions about skirts!]

And now, how do you like that new self-healing mat? (No Q&A with the mat, sorry!)

I took everyone's advice and went for the 24 by 36 inch mat. WOW is that thing BIG! I took one look at it and decided I was not going to carry that thing around the store, so I shopped and shopped and then almost forgot to buy it in the end. The cashier told me my total and I shrieked, "Wait! I forgot something!" and dashed off to grab the mat. Can I just tell you...it isn't easy to run while carrying a SAIL! I decided to go with the Fiskars mat because it's two-sided. Don't love the color, but it'll do.

Now about that cat....