Yellow rose-cut diamond in sterling silver and gold:
The ring was handcrafted by 2TrickPony on Etsy, and Rachel was FABULOUS to deal with. Love her shop mucho!
Mailwoman might have also dropped off these, but that would make my birthday gift slightly over budget. (Who am I gonna tell though? Me? Shhh. I'm not paying attention.)
Then there's the issue of Christmas gift, which hasn't arrived but WAS paid for with birthday money from my parents (and a bit thrown in from me. Again.) It's this beauty:
Yes, a mechanical 1978 Bernina 830. Be still my heart.
I seem to be on a mechanical sewing machine kick, since earlier this year I bought a Singer 221 Featherweight. I find I'm craving more simplicity and am moving toward a "back to basics" mindset.
Is that old age? ;) Maybe it's wisdom. In any case, I don't find computerized everything is really doing it for me, and I fear the throwaway mentality that is taking over our universe (sewing universe included). Good grief, I've had to have a new iron every year or two it seems! Ditto toasters, computers, phones (land line and cell), printer, etc etc etc. What happened to craftsmanship that lasts and lasts?
Do you know I have a late 1950s hand mixer (turquoise, love!) that is still going strong? I love that thing and I search to this day for a replacement/backup in case she ever does die on me. My car is almost 6 years old and I just paid it off about a year ago, yet...its clanking and clinking and making an awful noise right now. Do I really want to fork over money on a new one that will likely need replacing in 5 years? Uh, no.
I am curious...how many of you currently sew on a mechanical sewing machine versus a computerized one? Or maybe you have both, but prefer/love your mechanical (or computerized) for ______ reason(s)?
I have been saving into my penny fund for this Bernina 830 and watching ebay and Craigslist for a gem, knowing my parents would give me moolah for my birthday this year to make up the difference. I'm pretty darn excited for it to get here so I can start playing!
I'll have to compile our mechanical versus computerized responses/thoughts and do another post later, when she gets here and I have more photos!
Off to work on my HP skirt! (Yes, I've decided to perservere. Especially since I now have new Colette patterns to ogle too.)
