Sunday discoveries

The skies are dark and the snow flakes have been falling today with a strong cold north wind ,winter has arrived so what is a girl to do but spend some time in the sewing room . I had a plan to work on a small project today and needed to find some zippers and was not successful in my sewing room so off to the spare bedroom I go as that was once the sewing room and it still has a closet full of sewing related stuff ;-) I did not find any suitable zippers BUT I did find these long forgotten blocks.

Around the year 2000 I started swapping blocks via the internet within a group on a site known as Sewing World ,  and for eighteen months I swapped a twelve inch block with a different person each month and since I was a new quilter I always did a practice block first and thought it would be fun to have some blocks in Christmas prints and these blocks are the result .I had completely forgotten about  these blocks along with a few other blocks in the pizza box in which these were stored .  Then you know what else I discovered in this same box , this little reverse applique poinsetta , Diane R. will remember this one as we both went to a retreat together and made this block but I bet hers has been made into something years and years ago. I think the retreat was in 2002 .

I think I will push myself to sew some borders on this and make a pillow for Christmas . I don't think I have done any reverse applique since , not that I didn't like the process just didn't have any reason to I guess.
 I also found these flower pounded pieces that were done at this same retreat or just after I got home and were my first ever attempts at this process .

Not sure what will become of these either but they have been well preserved .
 Now my dear sweet hubby surprised me on Friday with a new to me sewing machine , I don't know if you are aware that I love vintage sewing machines and when he lifted the lid on this baby my heart beat a few extra beats. What a gem it is and in very good condition , needs a little cleaning up but the bed is not scratched and I am told it works although I have not tried it out as of yet.

This is a 99K which is similar to the sought after feather weight machine also by Singer , the size is pretty much the same the only difference is the machine is in this case where as the feather weight is not and the bed of the feather weight lifts up which this one does not. Now I do have a little problem here which I am hoping someone can help me with , the case has a strong smell of mustiness , does anyone know what can help with this .I am so sensitive to mold that I really have to get this smelling much better to even try it out.I would really appreciate any suggestions you might have ,thanks.
 Oh and I have sewn the runner together and have the quilting done and the binding sewn on but I need to sew that down on the back then I will share a photo with you , it is ok, maybe not great but I enjoyed the process so that counts for something I guess :-) I am off now to do a little stitching , hope you are enjoying your day doing what you love most.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day.
 hugs Sheila