It may not look like it but this is quilting related. My significant other loves old cars and, about three years ago, bought a 1962 T-bird. We've gone to several car shows together but mostly he's gone alone because I can look at cars just so long, know what I mean?

One day, I jokingly said that I wish I had my grandmother's hand crank Singer so I could sew while he looks around the Show. __ :!: __ Light bulb in the brain time! Went looking and found the exact model my grandmother used.

This past weekend, at a local car show, we put it to the test. Put up the umbrella (it was 90+ degrees!), table, chair, and sewing machine. I also posted a sign saying "Equal Hobby Opportunity!" with arrows to his car labelled "His Hobby" and an arrow to my Singer saying "My Hobby."

Turned out to be a lot of fun! I was tucked in behind the cars and, as people walked around, they'd spot me. Many had seen Treadle machines but no one (which I found interesting) had ever seen a hand crank machine! Plus, a lot of the women who stopped by sounded very envious that I managed to find a way to enjoy the show. _:-)_

We were there for three hours (there was a nice breeze or I wouldn't have lasted) and I actually managed to sew a lot of squares together. I knew someone would probably take my picture so I tried to maintain a lady like pose while sitting but... Oh, well. Here's me, sewing away fiendishly. The blue car on the left (a work in progress) is our '62 T-bird and the peach one on the right is someone else's (would you believe it's insured for $70,000!!! I made VERY sure the umbrella was far enough away not to hit it, if it fell over!).

Great idea!!! Good way for both of you to enjoy the day!

Good for you ! I love it :)

LOVE IT!!!!

Very cool idea! You go!

I love it!! Good for you.

What fun! You could always make quilted seat covers for the T-Bird.

Very smart lady!! I do understand! My DH's idea of a good time is to tour the car lots and look at all the cars and trucks and or go in motorcycle shops and just browse. We have been to a couple car shows. I do like to look at the cars but not to the extent he does.

What a wonderful idea you had to enjoy yourself while he enjoys the show.

I knew someone would understand this all too well!! Love them but my eyes start to cross after an hour or so. :-) Desperation is a great motivator when it comes to finding alternatives and solutions.

LOL I have learned to be patient when he gets lost in the tool aisle or wants to look at the all the carlots we can find. He has learned to sit in the car and be patient when I go fabric shopping so it is a trade off!! But yes waiting for him to get his fill of tools or cars gets a bit hard to handle!

what a good idea!

You made me smile big time. Thanks so much. I don't know you, but I am so proud of you.

Last weekend we went to a car/craft show. He promised we would go to the craft show part after. I dragged around the cars for what seemed hours. By the time we made it to the crafts the wind was blowing so hard they were packing up. Sorry, but the next time we split.

Great idea you had.

DH and I both have cars we take to car shows. His is a dark blue '65 Chevy Impala Supersport and mine is a light blue '85 Mustang Convertible. I call them Big Blue and Baby Blue. We park side by side and I spend a lot of the time there doing applique or other handwork. It's a time we both enjoy. I am now collecting pictures of the cars to make quilts for each of them.

I feel your pain! Ah, so close, yet so far. I think he owes you something for that. :-)

I would love to have my own car but we're running out of driveway space! we each have a personal vehicle plus his company truck and the T-bird during the Summer. If my legs weren't so long, I'm 5'11", I'd love to have a Model-A or T.

I give you kudos for being a better wife then me! I went one time to an all day expo thing with DH and once was enough. His hobby and mine do not mesh at all.

What a good idea! My parents have cars that they take to shows and my mom ends up sitting by hers while my dad wanders around and chats. (My dad's one of those guys who never met a stranger.)

Mom brings squares to embroider while she sits. She has done a bluework quilt and is going to start a redwork next.

Hers and his! Glad you had a good time./Regards, Dorothy

You're lucky that they let you park side-by-side! Some shows segregate cars by model/year.

Maybe the advantage I have is Bob and I met when I was 55. I spent a lot of years partner-less and learned to be very independent to the point I wondered if I'd ever be able to live with someone. Then came Bob! He fit into my life seamlessly, as if he'd been there all along. In his previous lives, he was married to two very dependent women so I think I'm a real novelty for him. We joke about "when I get an idea" but he's always been very supportive. He's a keeper! even though, soemtimes, he forgets to put a pad under the T-bird and let's it drip oil all over the driveway!!!

what a great way to go

Was this the show is MA on Sunday? If so, my FIL was there. I bet you know each other.

I love your kitty kiss story. I also had a cat named Rudolph (Rudolph Valentino), because he was such a lover and gave kitty kisses when asked.

What a great idea. You both had fun.

cool, thanks for sharing!

This was all way to funny.....you go girl, I love it. As far as the hand crank sewing machine. I just inherited one that is hand crank (how neat is that. Love the picture, it made it even more funny! My dear husband would have been soooooo embarrassed if I would have done this....it is called spunk and you got it girl

Great idea!!!! Bf loves the car races, so I sit and do some hand stuff while he is watching.....we both have fun!

He paid for it. Yesterday I had started packing and he went to a Dr's appointment. On his way back he stopped at a pawn shop and picked this up for me. I had posted it before when we saw it at the window. It was for sale for $10 and he got it for $5. The only problem, it weighs about 50 pounds. The light turns on but the motor doesn't work. He said after we move he will clean it and try to fix it for me. I need another machine like I need a hole on the head, but maybe I do need a hole on the head.

Sorry but your photo didn't come thru. I'm assuming he picked up a hand crank machine for you??

Thanks! Every now & then my feisty side emerges. I hate being bored!

No, the car show was held in Hudson, NH, at the Nashua Telegraph parking lot. Not sure who sponsored it but it was fairly large with demo's by the Nashua Police Bomb Squad and such. Do you know about the car shows at the Target plaza on Rt. 101A on Friday nights? Its big!

As for my Rudy, he's a sweety. Sounds like my Rudy and yours have a lot in common. Does your Rudy have to sleep with you every night? My Rudy will hang onto the edge of the bed, if he can't steal my pillow, with his eyelashes, just to sleep next to me.

Kudos!! :lol:

Loved this story!

Great way to "be together" and "not bored out of one's mind"

Actually, my FIL does go to the Target one on Friday nights. I believe that he was there last Friday and on Sunday he was in MA at a show. He's into Lincolns. 46 is one of his favorites. Any idea yet? :-D

As far as my Rudy, he's now past. But he did sleep with me every night right on the top of my pillow. Was a very special kitty. Now I have a Sammy which is a little character in his own way. He's around a year so still just playful!

That is an excellent idea for being together. My husband is an avid gardener. On a nice day, I'll come out from my sewing room to the patio lounge chair with some hand sewing while he's busy with the corn, chard, peas, etc. If I get too hot, he'll water my toes with the hose!

Too cute!! Love the story!

My husband and I also do car shows. We'll be going to a huge one next week in Des Moines. Thursday thru Saturday. It is always soooo hot, I've been afraid to take any hand sewing. I figured my grubby, sweaty little hands would just make it icky. But I may have to start a hand piecing take along project. Something verrry washable.

What a great photo! You definitly know how to have a good time. Is it difficult to crank with one hand and guide the fabric with the other?

What a great idea!!! :D:D:D

Great idea. My husband's hobby is model railroading, sooo, if I go with him to a model railroad show, he willingly goes to a quilt shop with me. Keeps us going places together.

My husband is also into old cars (he is down to only 6 now but did have 10!) I don't go to the shows much either unless there is also a craft show there. never thought about taking a sewing machine to keep me occupied... LOL Hmmmm... might have to look into that one!