Cathy, The needles on your sewing machine need to be threaded using a wire needle threader if your machine doesn't thread it for you as some of the newer machines do. The other types of self-threading needles are for hand-sewing. I also want to warn you about quilting. It is a many-step, time-consuming craft if it is done the proper way. Of course you can cut your time down by using your sewing machine, but there are still many steps and much time involved. If you hand-tie the quilt, it takes even longer. I used to help a friend of mine make quilted table runners to make extra money for Christmas (she got the money, I got paid in table runners). She has top-of-the-line machines that pretty much do everything but fix dinner and wash the dishes and if I was not helping her, it would not be something I would want to do on my own. I am one of those people who need to see results in a relatively short period of time. That's why I crochet rather than knit ( and I can do both intricately and equally well), and did only two small needle-point projects in my life. Card making can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want it to be. I buy blank card stock and envelopes at a Dollar Store. I also buy a lot of the 'frills' for them there or on sale at craft stores. You can use buttons, ribbon, and anything else you have for decoration. Just get a bottle of good glue, a pair of scissors and you're on your way! Smiles, Mary -----Original Message----- From: padutch-life-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:padutch-life-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Cathy And donald w raber Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 7:35 PM To: padutch-life@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PD-LIFE] being frugal Anyone out there do quiloting though out there in Cyberspace land? I mean I did teach myself plastic canvas, so I guess I can teach myself quilting too, maybe?! Yes, mary I maybe have that, but maybe didn't know I had the "right thing" to help me! Man! I mean my husband bought me a brand new sewing machine, that I really haven't used much for I think it's been like 3 years, I think! Maybe I'll dig it out & see what I can do, some morning, then! Thanks Mary. As far as the cards, I have dabbled in that with my "mom's in the middle class" at church, but figured it might be pretty expensive, but maybe I can check it out too! Have any places in mind online? Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: Mary Sayman <marysaerie@stny.rr.com> To: padutch-life@rootsweb.com Sent: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:34:57 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: [PD-LIFE] being frugal Cathy, I think a fun craft for you to do would be card making. It is soooo much fun! and you can make any type of card. I love it. My cousin and I get together once in a while to make cards. I have all kinds of punches to do decorative edges and shapes. Usually I make Christmas cards for my 'special' gifts. The nice thing is that you can buy every part you need to make them as plain or fancy as you want to get. You can order kits on line, too. If you go to a store where they sell needles and sewing items (sometimes you can even find them in a grocery or small store), you will find needle threaders. They are very tiny wire hoops that go through the eye of the needle, you put the thread end through the hoop and then pull it through. Easy. Mary -----Original Message----- From: padutch-life-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:padutch-life-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Cathy And donald w raber Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 11:35 AM To: padutch-life@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PD-LIFE] being frugal Yes, judy being frugal just makes sense in so many ways. Some of 'those ways" are going by the way side, because us women aren't teaching the younger women how to do it! How do you do those things? My problem is I need instructions! Or someone to show me! I've been considering looking for a local group that quilts, I know they're around, but must be a smaller group!? When I volunteered in my local thirft shop the ladies would come in after we kept things for them, & they're not far from where I live, but where?! Darn! I marvel at my son's train blanket that was made 13 years ago, so wonderfully in OH/WVA area, where I'm from & send down to his grandmother to give him! Now this is well-made & will be cherished from me for sure! I may or maybe not give to him when he's older! Giggle! (I'm kidding, of course, but marvel at the simpicity & workmanship! I saw that because I'm getting older, & beginning to get bored with my life, as it is, & have more time to pe! rhaps devote now to something crafty! Anyonew know of crafts on the net that are fun, & whatever?! Let me know! (OH and how you thread a needle when you can't see too well too!) Thanks, Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: Judy <artandsoul@embarqmail.com> To: padutch-life@rootsweb.com Sent: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:23:16 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [PD-LIFE] lights and being frugal At one point I tried switching to fluorescent bulbs, but didn't see a difference on my bill. Now I only use a couple fluorescent bulbs: one on the back patio because I leave it on all the time, and the other in the fan because it is too high to change regularly. My eyesight is sure worse since I started my job that uses only fluorescent bulbs. They are very bad for the eyes, skin and lungs. I also avoid things made in China as they have defied all the safety laws, and the US doesn't care what comes into this country, unless it is less expensive medication! Yea Canadian meds! It is all about the almighty dollar. Makes me sick. I can be frugal in other ways like walking instead of driving, mending clothes instead of replacing them, making new things out of discarded clothing, (quilts, shopping bags), and saving buttons to use on sewn items or crafts. Remember Grandma's button box? I'd sure love to get ahold of it now. What fun we had sifting through her buttons. Most of them had been used on clothes, probably things purchased at the thrift store. In one of her old diaries she said she bought the boys coats for 35 cents at a second-hand shop. This was in the mid-1930s. I'm pretty sure it was the Salvation Army. Not sure when they started. She also ripped out zippers from discarded clothing to reuse. Grandma also saved "oleo" tubs and styrofoam trays that fruit used to come on. She was "green" before her time I guess. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message