A Colorful Valentine

Here are the heart-shaped crayons that DD and I made for her preschool class (well, mainly I made them, but she was there in spirit). I melted down a ton of crayons (it took a lot more than I predicted) in a silicone heart-shaped muffin pan. Baked at 250 degrees for about 20 minutes. Popped them in the garage to cool (remember, it's winter here), and popped them out when they were cool to the touch. I think they turned out cute!

I just hope none of the kids try to eat them...

My Valentine's Day Gift! To Myself!

For the past few weeks I've been scouring all the local thrift stores looking for a new (to-me-anyway) sewing machine. I really wanted an older model- heavy, metal, without all the fancy stitches because I don't really need all of that. If it was garage sale season I'm sure I could have found something, but with warm weather still a few months away, I was getting frantic I wouldn't find something. My newer Kenmore machine works all right, but it doesn't sew well through multiple thick layers. And it really needs a tune-up!

I had been doing research and found quite a few Berninas on Ebay, but I was nervous to buy one without really knowing what could be wrong with it. You just never know what you're going to get on Ebay.

Over the weekend, I went to the sewing machine repair shop to see some of the older models they had. I was planning to get an older Kenmore (mid-1970s), but I told them that I really wanted an older Bernina. On Monday they called me and said they had this 830 that was in great condition. It has been fully refurbished and runs better than my newer Kenmore. It's so quiet (and doesn't shake the table like my old one!). It also came with all of it's accessories, case, extra bobbins, etc.



I whipped up this cover for it (gotta protect it!) and also made this crayon roll (for the kids crayons in the car or at therapy). I thought it would be a good project to practice sewing straight seams (which I'm still not great at!).




Happy Valentine's Day to me!

It's My Bag, Baby!!

I took advantage of my new, organized sewing area yesterday and made a new bag/purse. It turned out great- this heavy tweed fabric covers a multitude of mistakes!



I lined it with a cherry corduroy fabric... and even managed to put in velcro closures and a small pocket inside (my first pocket)!



I've been using this same pattern to make all of my bags (it's a nice size and works great for a diaper bag), but I found a messenger bag pattern that I'm going to try next. I'm also going to try to put in a magnetic snap in the next bag... fun, fun!

Just Call Me Martha...

I finally did some sewing this weekend. Nothing big, but I am still pretty proud of myself. I wanted to appliqué a Valentine's Day shirt for DD to wear to school next week for her party, and a few of our friends are having babies, so I wanted to do something special for them. I lucked out last week and found a bunch of long-sleeved t-shirts at Old Navy for about $1.25/each. So, I stocked up on all the sizes and figured I could use them for gifts if nothing else. I also need to keep working on the bags I was making before Christmas- I really love to sew, but I just haven't had time lately.
I got a shirt done for DD, two for our niece, and one for a friend's daughter. I also made a shirt for DS, but it got mangled beyond belief when the machine jammed on me.




Now, my sewing machine is nothing special. The geek bought it for me probably 4-5 years ago, and even though it's got like 10 different stitches, I've never used anything but the straight stitch. Yesterday the d#*n thing kept jamming on me, so I either need a new machine or just need to get this one serviced. I'm still learning how to use it... and it didn't come with a manual (it was a return at Sears I think), so I'm winging it...
Does anyone have suggestions on using the zig-zag stitch? Yesterday was the first time I've ever tried it... I want to go around the appliqués with a wide zig-zag stitch (like a satin stitch), but I'm just not good at it! Practice makes perfect, I guess!
And no... my sewing area isn't completed yet. I did all this sewing on the floor of the playroom... not the most ergonomically correct!

It's Fun Saving Money!!!

Theirs- $150 and Up

www.poshtots.com/catalog/Decor/Wall-Hangings/2512/3034/product_list.asp

Mine- Roughly $20



Even the geek was impressed! I think I did all right!!!