Happy New Year!

Well, here it is 2011.  As usual, the years fly by faster the older I get.  I see my fitness goals becoming more and more "important" as the years go by.  If I don't do it NOW, it may never happen (goes through my mind often enough), LOL.

I've decided to take some time this first week of January to do some "cleanin' out". 

The serving dishes I bought because I just HAD to have them, but stored away and never used...time to get out!

The dress I bought at the thrift store "just in case" I ever had a reason to wear something like that...time to send it back to the thrift store!  When the time comes, I'll buy one 2 days before the event!

Shoes,..oy.  I garden, I exercise, I grocery shop, I got to church.  I don't need 20 pairs of shoes...well, actually, I don't HAVE 20 pairs of shoes, but I don't need 15 pair either! LOL...

And fabric?  I crave buying new fabric.  I see fabric that I just WANT...but I am determined to craft things out of at least HALF the fabric I already have before I go buying more!  So, hmmm, maybe it's time to get crackin' and open up an Etsy shop...I have a LOT of ideas, I love to make things...we'll see.

You get the picture, right?  I'm going to go room by room and take out a few things, clear up some shelf space, clear up some closet space, clear up some brain space.  It feels good.

THEN, I'll begin on the 40 million projects that I've been threatening to start for the last 12 months...

*paint and "age" my dining table and chairs
*paint and "age" my buffet
*redesign our TV stand
*cover that chair in the living room...ugh!  Cover it already Kathy!!!!
*Do SOMETHING about that coffee table that is too big for your living room!
*refinish the bedroom dresser
*replace the mirror in the bedroom...which means painting 2 new mirrors
*move some curtains around in the house to spice things up and make things look new and fresh
*lighten the colors in the bedroom
*oh...finish that quilt...oh, and that other one I started too...*sigh*

You get the picture here too?  This year I need to do things...really, I don't wanna wait months to do them, I just want to get started now and not quit till it's all done.  Will it happen?  I dunno.  Will I attempt it, sure, for a time at least. :)

Oh, yeah, and I want to run a race.  Guess I'd better start running again, eh? :)

What will you do this January to start the year off fresh?  I'm not asking about resolutions, because I gave those up YEARS ago!  Just things that need to be done, loose ends that need to be snugged up.  What are you January plans?

Happy New Year my friends, but most importantly...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight. 

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and turn away fromevil. 

 It will be healing to your body

And refreshment to your bones." 

Proverbs 3:5-8

Sew What?

I was asked to make some simple sewing videos for a friend, so she could learn the ins-and-outs of her new sewing machine, and I thought I'd share it with you too!

Have you ever gone on vacation somewhere and "bought the T-Shirt"...then never worn it because it basically made you feel like you were wearing a big boxy mans shirt?  No?  Well, I have. 

I have a few T-shirts that I've collected from places we've visited and I'd sure like to wear them but I prefer more feminine clothing, that's when I realized I can do this!

Just in case you consider yourself "Sewing Challenged", I need to let you know that this is a really easy project that you CAN do!

Below is a short video I made to show you how to make this....

Look a little more fitted and feminine! :)

Happy Busy Hands

I love to sew. When I was a teenager, I didn't have a machine, so I would sew things by hand. I made little "jean men" (like gingerbread men) for my nephews, sewed embellishments on jeans or tops, changed sleeves, etc... When I was 12 I made my first "real" outfit from a pattern, to wear to my sisters wedding. I was allowed to use my Step-mom's machine (which was packed away in storage). I used a pretty pink fabric, and silky ribbon. I frustratingly worked my way through the steps, moving ahead without using the instructions; because of this, I did a lot of taking out seams, and repairing mistakes, one slow step at a time. When I was finally done, I was quite proud of my accomplishment, and thrilled to wear my outfit!

Since that time I have had the pleasure of making cute tanks and shorts for my toddler (when fabric was cheaper than clothing!), "evening" dresses for myself, frocks for an entire girls choir, I even made my own maid-of-honor and flower girl dresses for my wedding!

As time has gone on, life has settled down and I don't have many occasions to make "pretty" clothes. Lately it has just been sewing patches and stripes, and hemming pants for people that work with my husband. However exciting it may be to bring in a little extra income, I had almost forgotten that joy I feel when I am creating something pretty.

Well, to my delight, I have decided to throw a small 'Jane Austen style" tea/luncheon for my "neice's" birthday. It will be just her, her mother and me, and we will be dressing in Regency fashion. Now I am tasked with making dresses for all three of us to wear and I am having such a fun time. It's a thrill for me to feel the fabric between my fingers. To "tweak" patterns to make them just a little different, and to watch it all come together. I had almost forgotten how my hands love to be busy with "fun work"...but I really must get those stripes sewn on as well! :)

Have a blessed day!