Sewing · Sewing Studio

Happy Birthday to my Mom…I bought myself a present…

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Today my mom would have turned 71…..but to us she’ll forever be 67…..

until we meet again…

Picture of my mom at her 65th birthday party in 2015

I would love to tell a moving story of how I bought a new sewing machine in her honor, but that just wouldn’t be true. You see, yesterday, yet another one of my sewing machines broke. This happens more often than I’d like to admit.

I have accumulated quite the assortment of sewing machine carcasses in my studio.

You see, when my mom passed away in 2017, I was given the majority of her sewing machines. She had quite a few.

Here’s the thing with machines: they wear out, and they break.

Here’s the thing with cheap machines: they can be AMAZING, until a small part breaks or needs repairs….then they they cost more to fix then they do to replace. My highly probable guess is that’s what my mom did when one of her machines broke down….she replaced it instead of getting it repaired. I’m sure she thought she’d fix them all one day….but, alas, I inherited the whole lot.

I did get a couple of them repaired….in fact the one that just pooped out on me yesterday was one I had fixed about a year ago. And now, I’m just over it.

I use my machines a lot. Not everyday…but I’d say 5 out of 7. I used to be shy about telling people what kind of sewing machine I had because I thought it wasn’t “good enough” You might be surprised when I share my longest lastly machine….

You know the one you can but at every big box store?

Yep, that’s the one!

This was the machine I used for many years, loved, and recommended it to every beginner sewist that asked.

Well, it worked great until it didn’t.

I have been fixing the sewing machines I’ve had for years, and I think I’ve finally had enough.

When the last of my working sewing machines broke yesterday, I did something very uncharacteristic of me. I went online, looked at a few reviews and purchased a new machine in a matter of minutes….and one day delivery means it arrives TODAY.

It was a decision made in a moment of anger and frustration, and I really surprised myself with the swiftness of all of it. Emotions, man. They are a crazy roller coaster.

Think I have some unresolved grief and baggage that I have attached to a few sewing machines I have hanging out in my basement? …….no? Oh good, me either.

Welp, I hope this purchase works out well for me in the long run.

I’m calling it my new “back up” machine, and I think I am finally ready to shop around and choose a new machine that is much more reliable and worth being repaired. “They don’t make ’em like they used to” is what everyone EVERYWHERE tells me. So, if I want a sturdy machine, I know I’m going to have to pay for it.

Here’s what’s on my WishList:

What are you sewing on these days? Any recommendations for me?

Crafts & DIY · Tutorial

Fabric Cross Decor Tutorial

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This past weekend as I was changing out St. Patty’s Day decor with Easter….I realized I needed a new art piece to hang above our mantle.

Thing was, purchasing one wasn’t in the budget….so I went on a treasure hunt in the house.

I found some old frames: one for me & one for Georgia.

We each picked out the fabric we wanted and cut strips out leaving just a few inches on each side of the open frames.

Next up: STAPLE GUN!

I tried getting Georgia to use it, but it packs too much of a punch for her (little scary 😧 to me too, to be honest…you could totally hot glue too) Since we had one, I stapled the strips to the back of the frame to hold in place.

Now to make the cross….flip the frame over and use wire to tie at the place the fabric intersects. Don’t have wire? Got any old bread twist-ties? Those will work too! Or, I suppose string would work as well….wire just makes the next step easier.

And the finishing touch: COMPLETELY up to you! Use some Ribbon and tie a bow, use the wire to add a flower, glue a BIG BUTTON…or like we did: add a broach or pin.

Ours are a little extra special to us because they were our Grandmas’

The Pearl one from my Grandma Flo…

And Georgia’s pin was her grandma’s (my mom’s)

I’m super happy how these turned out. Plus they put an added smile on my heart when I see a part of my family in them.

My Hallmark Obsession · Sewing

Week 11 Sewing Challenge: Act of Craftivism

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This week’s prompt “Act of Craftivism” was something I had to look up. Depending on who you ask or where you look…the definition of CRAFTIVISM varies.

The simplest one I found is this: using hand-made art to express opinions or to support a movement, a combination of craft and activism.

As an added bonus this week, three of our kiddos were on spring break…so I wanted involve them in this challenge.

It was only a year ago that our children came home from school for Spring Break….and they remained home for the rest of the year. I know, join the club, right? What it does mean, though, is: the majority of the country (and the world) started to relate to the struggles of each other.

This past year was hard. It’s been a lesson in patience……in perspective…..in compassion….in resilience…. These things are what our family tried to focus on.

However, these are not new concepts for our family. In fact, since our oldest daughter was born we’ve been learning this daily.

Our other 3 younger children have grown up in a house where they’ve known nothing else. We include everyone. We love everyone. We acknowledge differences, yet embrace and celebrate them.

As they all grow older, it becomes more obvious. The gap is more pronounced. It also is very apparent that they all have hearts full of love and understanding.

So, the “cause” we chose to act for in this week’s challenge:

Inclusion. Love. Anti-Bullying. Encouragement.

“Be Kind“

We planned out what we wanted to say…..

Chose our fabric and cut out pennants to make our banners.

“You are Cool“

A couple of the kids even got behind the sewing machine

(Bonus: you can totally do this with HOT GLUE if you’re not a sewist)

“U R L❤️VED“

Then, we went out around our city and hung our messages.

Smile

We Pray our Small Acts touch some Hearts in a BIG way!

“Be the GOOD“

P.S. Last night we sat down for a Family Movie Night and watched one of the Hallmark Movies that have been recommended to us for awhile now….

What a powerful message!

Many questions and conversation starters for you and your family if you are looking for a way to talk about friends with Special Needs. Our kids loved it! (even if some parts were really hard to watch…)

We’d love to hear of you’ve seen one of our banners!

Or even better….if you make some of your own!