Christmas come and gone

Can you believe that Christmas is already past?? I still can't believe this year is over. It seems when you stay busy, the time can just fly by. Once I finished my finals for the semester, someone mentioned at work that Christmas was the week after and my jaw dropped. I thought for sure I had an extra week in there! I am usually ahead of things when it comes to Christmas presents, but this year I was just on time! Many great presents I received will be shown on later posts when I can get pictures of everything. Below is a picture of the family on Christmas Eve. We went to go see 3 miles worth of lights and to our wonderful surprise, there was a petting zoo. A somewhat odd petting zoo that involved a zebra and a porcupine (um, we didn't pet that one) but much fun to say the least!

This is a project I have been meaning to show for a while. It is a lampshade makeover that I did for my apartment. I was given this lamp from a girl at work that was moving out of her house, so I snagged this lamp. It came with a lamp shade that was red that didn't go with my stuff. So I came across this lamp shade tutorial and loved it. I got a cheap white lampshade from Wal-Mart and began the project. I think it turned out great and really transformed the lamp. Now i just have to make sure mom doesn't steal it out of my apt!

Gino and his New Toy

So during the craziness of school and getting ready for a work trip, I came across this tutorial here and thought I had to whip this up for Gino. I always am getting him a new toy and didn't even think how easy it would be to make until I came across this blog. By the way, this is a great blog to follow-good ideas and great tutorials. With the way he went crazy about this toy, I decided I might have overdosed it with the catnip. Excuse the high pitch voice on the video, I tend to talk to him in the crazy cat lady voice...

A QUILT!!!

You had to see the pictures first right?? Can you believe it, I finished my first quilt! With help from my mother, and some co-workers, I finally completed this! Gino was even impressed with it. I'm going to have to keep that fur ball away from this. I created this quilt from Valori Wells Urban Flannel collection. It's a very large quilt (about a queen size) and very heavy due to it being flannel, but it's going to be cozy in the winter!

After creating my first quilt, I have a greater appreciation for all of those crazy quilters out there! And I mean that in the best way ever!

A Finished Project!

I finally finished this shirt that I have been working on forever. There was one step that really stumped me, so it took me awhile to get back in to the project. This is an Amy Butler pattern and the pattern is really neat because it comes in many different lengths. The pattern is set up so that you can make a short top, a long top length (which I chose) or a dress length. I have worn it with a white cardigan and it looks really good. I also like it because it has pockets; I am a big fan of pockets for some odd reason. When it comes to sewing clothes for myself I have not been successful so this was really encouraging that it came out well, and that it fits! I have a fun dress pattern that I plan on attacking next.

This is the back view. It sort of scrunched up on my mannequin. I did my first invisible zipper. It came out well, just not to invisible...

These shoulders were the tricky part. If you look close you can see little pleats. Hard to sew but they are really cute! The shirt would be very plain without it!

After my move, there will be many more pictures and updates to come!

A Little Afternoon Project

So this was just a small little project I came up with to cover up my boring calender/planner. I had made a cover for it before, but this time i wanted to put a closure on it. I used magnets for the closure, but I probably would have used Velcro if I had any on hand. I think that would have worked better. But, the magnets work good and when I get sick of this cover, I will make the next one with Velcro!

I used a print from Heather Bailey

The little pockets are really handy so I can stick my extra stuff in there without it falling out!

First for Batiks!

I finally FINISHED a project that I have been wanting to do. That is my problem, I start projects, but finishing them is always the issue! I have been wanting to make a sewing machine cover for a long time now. Not only would it be pretty, but it would prevent dust and cat hair from getting in and on my machine. So when I came across this free tutorial on Sew Mama Sew! (which is one of my favorite blogs) I thought this would be quick and easy to make.

I had planned on using some scraps I had from previous projects, but when I came across some batik samples at work, I just had to use them! Mom helped me pick them out, which ended up in a pile of purple of course, washed them, and I was ready to go!

Here I was in the process of sewing all the rows together. Working on the floor may not be the best setup, but I make it work! Notice the trend in purple?

The finished product! I was thrilled with it and it fit my machine perfectly! Now my machine will stay dust free! Notice the sewing box on the left, that was another score from work. It holds all my thread which was piling out of a tin can before I got this.

This is the side view whick lets you see the ribbon that holds it in place. Picking out the ribbon was probably the hardest part. I was standing at Michael's for forever trying to pick the best purple!

Intro and My Sewing Machine

I just created my blog and thought the post from Sew Mama Sew! would be a great way to start off my blog, with answering some questions about my machine!

What brand and model do you have?
I have a Janome 2139N

How long have you had it?

I have had this machine for about 4 years.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

This machine was around 100 dollars.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

I have done quite a range of sewing on this machine. I have made handbags, clothing, quilts and home decor.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

I sew alot! At least once a week. The machine does take alot of rough sewing. It has had some trouble when it comes to sewing with Home Dec. weight fabric.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

Well, my mother bought this machine for me my Junior year of college. At that time it was great because I only sewed with the machine when I needed to hem a pair of pants. Last year though, I really started sewing alot and that's when I haven't been such a large fan of the machine. Or it could be the fact that I went to my parents house, used my mother's Bernina and I realized how basic my machine was at that moment. I keep telling her she needs to upgrade her machine...

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

Well, the basic stitch works pretty well on regular cotton fabric! The machine would be happy with me if that is all I did!

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

The machine tends to have it's own mind so it frustrates me when it messes up and I didn't do anything wrong!

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

If you are looking for a basic machine with basic stitches this is the machine for you. It's great for hemming pants and working with basic fabrics such as cotton. This is not the machine for a big time sewer.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

Now that I have really been in to sewing, I have noticed that I really am sad to not have a lot of stitches. I have seven different stitches and those are your basic zigzag stitch and such. I want a machine that can do fun stitches so I can add a decorative border to a purse. Also, machines that come with a lot of feet are important. This machine did not even come with a zipper foot!

Do you have a dream machine?

Of course I do! Not a specific brand, but just an upgrade from mine. I would really like one that has a computer screen where you can do a lot of stitches and other great things that my machine does not have!