
You know what they say about the best laid plans …
This week I had hoped to show you some wonderful projects whipped up with my latest toy ~ a small, simple sewing machine. The ideas, the plans, meh. Unfortunately, the machine has a thread tension problem. Hence, no projects.
So I guess you are wondering what the picture is all about. Well, following on from the small one’s shingles, the other small one and I now have chicken pox. So you know what they say about when it rains it pours. So this week, I am stuck in quarantine with a small one who is not really sick and a bottle of calamine lotion.

We did manage one quick project this week ~ this engagement gift for a couple heading to Hawaii. A pillow box with a postcard and some US dollars. Hubby was a huge help for the construction and I was really pleased with the way it turned out.
I apologise though for dragging you over here from the Queen of Creativity’s place, to the house of ills. Basically, I also want to apologise. We haven’t been getting out and about much lately and I so I’m sorry for not visiting. Once the quarantine has lifted, I’m sure I’ll be able to pop by.
And if anyone has any thread tension tips, let me know.
ps. By the way, have you entered my 500 posts milestone giveaway ~ all details here. I forgot to put an end date so I will close it noon tomorrow Australian time.




















Hello! I'm Kellie and here I collect inspiration ~ beautiful photos, words on creativity, lovely printables and handmade items. I love autumn, cameras, and of course, the colour lime.
Poor bloody you!!! all of you… get well soon… xx
Oh no! Chicken Pox is the pits. Hope you’re feeling better very soon.
I love your pillow box though & glad you managed to squeeze in a bit of making around the scratching. x
Me thinks you probably need some time to take care of yourself.
Hope it clears soon and you’re up and out soon.
Love the pillowbox – looks great with the twine wrapping. Hope you’re all better soon
Hi Kellie, chicken pox aren’t much fun at all. But that cute Hawaii package does look great.
If you have an old machine with cluncky nobs and all. Try turning the thread tension to 4 and the stitch length to 3 (for a straight stitch) and see how you go. xox
Hope you get well soon!!
Ew, chicken pox. Slather yourself in calamine lotion (or caroline lotion as we used to call it as kids) and sit back and dream of Hawaii until the itching passes. I have no useful tips for tension problems as this same problem prompted me to buy a whole new machine, not what you want to hear I’m sure! Get better soon.
Oooh no! The dreaded chicken pox. I had it as a child but my sister didn’t catch it until she was 25. Not fun. Hope you are better soon.
sorry to hear this… take care of yourself & get well wishes across the world
The pillow box is awesome! Take care, feel better
Really hope you are better soon. Love the engagement present.
get well soon! love the gift- perfect details and very well suited fro the cause. xo m.
OH NO! you poor things! Why does it all have to pour? Get better soon.
Oh, so sorry to hear about the quarantine! Here’s wishing a speedy recovery.
The engagement gift is a fantastic idea, and it turned out so nicely!
oh kellie, you poor spotty girl. the former nurse in me is dying to advise you to use solugel instead of calamine. stops the spots from drying out and reduces the risk of scarring. the plan in wound care now is keep things moist. hope that isn’t too forward of me, can’t teach an old dog new tricks eh. love the engagement gift. get well soon (don’t scratch)-sorry
uuughh! a bad run with the itchyness. hope you get a little break soon + the kids heal up ok
Cute gift, and no need to apologise – get better soon! Nic
Oh you poor things! That sounds dreadful. Love your Hawaii gift – great idea. Hope you’re feeling better soon. K
Oh no! The pox sounds miserable Kellie…
Can’t help you either with the tension thing – my machine suffers from it too – and it gives me tension!
But I can give you praise for the pillow boxes – so clever.
Get well soon.
x
Poor poppets. Hope the itch factor nicks off quicksticks. By the way, you do do presentation, oh so well.
Poor little one I hope he is less itchy soon. I love the Hawaii present… that Hulla girl card is cute.
Oh no, you poor things …. chicken pox is the worst. Nice soaks in a Pinetarsol bath are also very soothing. Get well soon!
Oh no, that’s awful! I remember getting chicken pox when I was little…and just feeling miserable from not being able to scratch. But the calamine really did seem to help – oh, and anything cooling! Hope you all get well soon! btw, cute gift
Get well soon! I can’t imagine having chicken pox as an adult. Thankfully, I had then when I was in kindergarten (along with pneumonia). However, my husband has never had them so we had to give our son the chicken pox vaccine. Couldn’t risk hubby getting sick at the time since he didn’t have any sick leave or vacation where he worked. I think my son got a booster not too long ago. I just remember the horrible itching and I still have some scars on my face all these years later. I bet your little one is up and running around while you are miserable. My thoughts go out to you.
Marilyn
Oh my 4 got mild chicken pox at the same time, not too bad a case as they had the vaccine, but i got shingles!! Man, i was so sick & stiff. Bugger that & didn’t help everyone telling me their 90y.o. grandmother had it, i was 31 at the time!!
Thread tension, it’s enough to make you cry. I have a new machine with auto tension, beautiful, worth it’s cost!! Brother Innovis 600. My industrial machine doesn’t have auto tension but seems to cruise along at all different weights of fabric equally. Good luck!! Love Posie
Sorry to hear about the chicken pox/shingles in your house. I love the pillow box with the twine. I hope the recipients appreciate has much as everyone commenting here! Is it your thread or bobbin tension that is giving your problems? Different solutions for each.
Oh no! Hope you are on the road to recovery. The pillow box is just gorgeous – I love the retro look.