Getting the hang of it

I have officially gone my first round with the serger. I am not sure that I am on the same team as this machine yet. It is a whole different monster and I fully understand why Craigslist is littered with "barely used" sergers for sale. In the middle of the project I ran out of the sample thread and spent nearly half an hour trying to re thread the thing before I gave up. Next day, things went better and I did get this fleece jacket complete but I am by no means proficient in its use. So with my manual close by, I will move forward and sign up for a class to reduce my chances of turning my machine into a dust collector. Do you own a serger? Do you use it often? How long did it take you to get the hang of it? Any tips to share?

Reading List

I have been scouting things out at the Library and have come across some great books! Good projects and lots of inspiring ideas! Check out the following:

The New Handmade -Cassie Barden
I made the cell phone case and found the instructions to be easy to read. Lots of fun ideas from laptop covers to purses, potholders and pencil cases.

The Feisty Stitcher -Susan Wasinger
Includes some cool recycling/re-purposing ideas. You can find totes, slippers, jewelry, scarves and T-shirts.

Sewing Bits and Pieces -Sandi Henderson
Lots of ideas for scraps to include ideas for kids and home. I did my own take off of her sweater refashion below.

Sewing Green -Betz White
Lots of eco friendly projects. Totes, lunch bags, pillows, skirts, pajama pants and items for kids. I have lots of ideas tabbed in this one!

In Memory

About eight years ago my Grandma Jean moved from Denver to an assisted living center in Nebraska. She was pretty isolated in Denver and needed someone closer so she moved nearer my Aunt Margaret. When she went I was fortunate to receive many things from her. My kitchen table, sideboard, desk,car, dresser and her fabric and notion stash. When acquiring your Grandmothers stash you get get a lot of strange and wonderful things. Fabrics that make you think what was she going to do with this? Or whew, I would have never picked that! I have used some of these fabrics, some I am seriously considering sending on their way while others I am sure I will find a use for.

This week these random things have taken on new meaning as my Grandmother passed away. All agree she was a bird of a different feather and I often say that any of my idiosyncrasies were definitely acquired honestly! She liked to sew and craft and would make things for others. Often that meant you received a gift that might have fit you two years ago or the sleeves were different lengths. When your young, that is annoying and not so funny. As an adult, I realize she spent that time making things because she enjoyed it I should have been a bit more appreciative of her time spent. After all, that is the same reason I make things for those I love. Today I chose to take a day of bereavement so that I could honor my crafty Grandma by doing a bit of sewing. I think I will make myself some clothes. Maybe from some of these patterns:

I love the vintage style and I hope all the pieces are there! I am going to work hard at being a better seamstress than my Grandma and I hope to avoid some of her "make it" pitfalls like leaving out the lining on a very sheer dress.....
I knew her time was near its end when my sister and I visited her shortly after Christmas. I'm not sure she ever figured out who we were but I got to hug her and say goodbye. She was musical, liked to travel and taught me to love the library. Now I would like to say Thank You. Thank you for my eccentric taste, thank you for being brave enough to take a fourth grader to Alaska for three weeks, thank you for sharing your things with me and thank you for my love of crafts and sewing.

Baby Its Cold Outside

It has been bitter cold here the last couple of days. I woke up to find these ice crystals on the inside of our last single pane window! While they are beautiful they sure are a testament to the need for updating this last and final window. I did a bit of research on it last year and hope to actually get to replacing it this summer. I think it is a project I can tackle on my own. For now, I'll briefly enjoy the ice crystals from the warmth of INSIDE!

Feeling Domestic

Nothing like some frigid weather to drive even me to the the kitchen. Truth be told, cooking is not my favorite activity. When my husband found me I was existing on cans of corn and green beans. No cooking. No dishes. I gave two new recipes a try today. Cranberry Thumb Prints that I found to be slightly disappointing and Butternut squash soup.

The soup was very tasty and easy. If you are lucky enough to have some squash still in storage, give it a try. Recipes abound on the internet!

Pornography for Gardeners

In the dead of winter when the seed catalogs begin to arrive; my faith that spring will come is renewed. I often get a twinkle in my eye and tell people my porn magazines have begun to arrive! After the alarm has subsided from their faces I let them know I am talking about seed catalogs. Let me tell you, pouring over the content of at least half a dozen of these gems daily is a much needed crutch for the long days of winter! Circling, crossing out, mapping, calculating, and comparing can fill many obsessive hours!

So, run don't walk to the mailbox every day and cuddle up with your catalogs nightly. After all you will need to place your order in about 2-3 weeks especially if you plan an early start for things like cabbage or brussel sprouts!

Resolutions

Maybe this year I will organize my scraps in some creative way. Or not.

Maybe I will finally find a way to keep all these miscellaneous ribbons and notions in their place.

Maybe I will just learn to be neater.

Naw. I think I would rather teach myself how to use this first:

What do you resolve to do or not to do this year?