9.14.2010

A Couple of Crafts and my new friend, "Singer"

Now for the big reveal -

Let me introduce you to the new joy in my life...



(Grandma, I know you resisted this photo, but I think it's sweet and you look lovely!!!)

My grandma gave me my very first sewing machine!!!  Even more special, it is the one she has used for years.  I know, I know, in the blog world I am lagging way behind in the dust of some savvy seamstresses.  Not any longer!  Look out you creative crafters - I'm bound and determined to learn how to use this thing!    Here are a few on my list that I am most motivated to try:


I have been aching to make these ever since I saw them!  What great gifts for little ones from a teacher.  Please note:  I will NOT be attempting to quilt them!  Let's not get ahead of ourselves here!  My Little Gems is also a great source for this.
LOVE this...so cute.  I know this would be quite an endeavor, and obviously way over my head right now, but I'm one determined girl...and definitely a dreamer! :)

This might be funny, but it's certainly no joke. :)  For whatever reason, I would just love to make one of these cute little monkeys!

Even more exciting for my grandma is why she gave me her old machine in the first place.  Look at this beauty that she recently received from a friend:


Now that is an authentic antique.  I am looking forward to some fun times ahead with my grandma's help on some projects.  She has been sewing since she was 7 years old!!  Which is why she said she didn't even know where to start with teaching me.  She suggested I take a beginning class somewhere.  Any suggestions??  I am thinking JoAnn's might be a good option, or I might try a small local fabric store.

Thank you for your generosity and for bringing joy to my day Grandma!!!

Although I didn't have my handy dandy new sewing machine last week, I was still busy working on some cute crafts.  One was the princess wand I said I was planning to make for my niece.  It worked out quite well, and was really fun to make!  I was so excited to give it to her.  I ended up pairing it with a cute book called, "Gigi: God's Little Princess" by Sheila Walsh, which I thought was very fitting, especially since she's holding a wand like mine on the front!  Come to find out there is even a cute DVD with the same name as the book.


I wish I had a wonderful tutorial for you, but being my first try, I was so focused on getting it right that I wasn't thinking of taking any photos.  Basically I drew and cut out a bunch of free-hand stars, which was the most frustrating part.  I used it as a pattern for my felt, (the dark pink was glitter felt!), and cut out two different sizes.  Then I used a regular needle and thread, sewed them together, and stuffed it gently with filling.  I painted the handle with silver glitter paint, then wrapped it in ribbon, after hot-glueing the end of one ribbon to the bottom, and one to the top.  I also used a little hot glue to secure the dowel rod into the star.  Then I finished sewing it up.  I'm not sure how long it will last, but it seemed pretty secure for playing with when I gave it to her!  Braelyn had a very fun birthday party and she is a super sweet little princess!


And finally, a little beauty for myself:



  It's only natural that a teacher who lost her job last year would have to find something to do with the yards of fabric she had on her bulletin boards!  So this is what I'm doing with it.  I have honestly been wanting to make one of these headbands forever, so finally I did.  I wore it all weekend too!  I was just so excited to finally join the fabric flower making family!  Basic steps: 1. Start with a strip of fabric.  2.Tie a knot at one end.  3.Twist  4.Glue (I used hot glue)  5.Roll  6.Repeat.  I am excited to try many more projects like this in the near future.  There are some great tutorials out there, and I particularly like the inspiration from these posts at Little Birdie Secrets and The Mama Monster.  Here are some other ones I have made but have yet to do anything with yet.


So there is my craft joy for the day!  Hopefully this means much more to come, and a whole new side of me in the blog world.  I might be slow to catch on, but eventually I come around.  :)

And because she says, "If you made it, post it," I'm linking to "Get Your Craft On!" at Today's Creative Blog!
Get Your Craft On Tuesday

I'm also linking to "Fabulous Friday Finds" on Frou Frou Decor!

8 comments:

Tiffany said...

Page, I am so excited for you and all your new craftiness! So fun! How awesome that you get to have your Grandma's machine. That will make the sewing you do all the sweeter! Love it! Your wand is adorable. Avery has that book and a couple of the videos. They are precious. What a wonderful and creative gift! I may have to steal, I mean borrow that idea! : )

Anyway, you go girl! I am sure you will learn to sew amazing things in no time at all! It is truly addicting and so much better to learn before you start having babies. I wish I had done it before because I am finding it really hard to have time for it these days! : )

Enjoy! (sorry for the super long comment) Just excited for you!

Holly said...

Page! I am so insanely impressed:)You are so cute, and way to pull out all the craftyness! Love it all! Especially the headband!

Have a great rest of the week!!

*Crystal* said...

I'm fixing to buy my first sewing machine this week! I'm so excited... I haven't the first clue about sewing but I'm eager to learn lol! :)

Terrell said...

This is just way creative and sooo precious!! How sweet and fun! I'm so happy to be your newest follower of your delightful blog and I would love to have you as a friend at Frou Frou Decor! I'd also like to invite you to link your sweet creations up at my weekly Fabulous Friday Finds party! Hope to see you there!
Hugs to you,
~Terrell @ Frou Frou Decor~

Venessa said...

I am excited to see all of the new projects you will be completing on the sewing machine. I just learned some basics of sewing and made placemats! Let me know how the monkey goes, it is super cute!!

cait said...

Wow, Page! I am LOVING both of your projects! You are so, so kind to mention my etsy and I'm so excited for you to be my first customer!! You should seriously consider starting an etsy with your adorable wands and floral crafts...they'd be hits! I just bought a floral headband this past weekend at an arts and crafts fair...they were selling like crazy! Something to think about.... ;)

Talk to you soon!!

kathy darlington said...

Hey page! Welcome to sewing. I've been sewing since I was 5! I'm not kidding, my mom used to let me sit on her lap and help make slips to go under our dresses! First, I started by sewing the lines on notebook paper, just to get the hang of the machine! Then on to slips! I've even done whole weddings! Sewing has always been therapy for me & I've made all the window treatments in my house! Have fun!

Erin A said...

Fun! I just got my mom's old sewing machine from her the last time that I was home, and had her show me how to use it first. It's so fun, I already have a folder of projects bookmarked on my computer that is a mile long!

Your little princess wand is adorable too! Great job with it! Can't wait to see what else you come up with!