Spectacular sewing!

So... as I said in my last post, I got a sewing machine from my mom for Christmas and all the goodies to go along with it. John gave me my sewing basket. Isn't it sooo pretty. I LOVE it. It makes me happy every time I look at it.

Anyway, I took a home-ec class in 9th grade. I spent the whole semester socializing with my new best friend who subsequently introduced me to John several years later. While I made a lasting friendship that obviously had a major impact on the path my life would take, I didn't make the sewing projects I was supposed to complete. I probably didn't have the patience at 14 to focus on all the details required to produce a finished project. Other than our girl-talk sessions, the only memories I have of that class involve some vague visions of my mom coming to my rescue at the 11th hour and sewing my very tacky looking jumper, so I didn't fail the class. Where was she during my first year of university when I was too busy socializing to go to class and got kicked out of my social work program? One of those things I can look back at now and laugh, but at the time, it was far from funny.

Anyway, my friend Jen, taught herself to sew over the summer. She's my crafting buddy who shares my passion for scrapbooking and all things creative. She totally inspired me to get into this very useful craft. Awhile back, I spent the afternoon with her and she refreshed my sewing skills (really, taught me all over again because I had forgotten it all).

Before Christmas, I took advantage of sales and the remnant bin at JoAnn Fabrics. I also searched the abundance of thrift stores in our area and found some great treasures ranging from a wicker trunk to store fabric for $12!!! to a thread storage rack for $3 and just yesterday I scored a bunch of pretty fabric remnants for $2. I also bought some king size sheets at the post-Thanksgiving sales in some beautiful prints for $15 a set! That's a TON of fabric for $15. So...what have I been making with all that fabric?

My first project was a cover for my sewng machine to protect it from dust and keep it hidden from Taylor in hopes that it will be less appealing to her curious little hands.

Next, I made a pin-cushion since it's an essential item that every sewer should have (John says the word is actually "seamstress" not "sewer" but I don't think I can call myself a "seamstress" yet).

Then, yesterday, I made a crate cover. I found this tutorial on-line awhile ago and given that I have about 4 crates I knew this project was definitely something I wanted to make.

I also sewed a cover for this flower pot that was just collecting dust in my garage. It's the perfect home for my scissors, thimble, seam ripper and other tools I need easy access to when working on my projects!

Other projects I have planned are: Business Card holders (one for me, one for my mom & one for John), a small pillow out of Laker's Fabric for John to throw at the TV when the Lakers are losing, LOL. A craft apron for myself, a tote bag for Taylor with a T on it, to carry her stuff to preschool, A pair of cozy slippers for myself and a pair for Taylor, matching pajama pants for Taylor and I out of a set of sheets I got and lots of other projects, too...

I plan to sew lots of gifts throughout the year to give for Christmas next year, so if you have any requests, let me know!