This Year. This Mess.

So, not a whole bunch of people know this. About two months before Christmas last year, I found a lump in a lymph gland in my neck. It turned out to be benign, and I am extremely thankful. But, I had about eight weeks — from detection to biopsy to results — to ponder life. And one of the things I found bothered me was that I had these bins and bins of fabric and stuff that I intended to someday make into something. I’ve decided this is the year I’m getting rid of my bins of “future” sewing projects. Starting now, I’m either going to sew it, donate it or give it away. I’m going public on this to help keep me accountable to clear through my stuff. Every year I have planned to sew through these projects, and every year I haven’t. I’m giving myself one year.   So, here we go. My first project. Re-covering this water-stained, small ironing board.  ...

Fixed

I’m finally back in my sewing room and I’m loving the non-carpet floors! Allure Ultra from Home Depot — I installed it myself. So, yes, it’s pretty easy for the not-gifted-in-the-handyman-department-type person. 🙂 Here’s a before and after.                     I’ll post a picture of the cutting table I put together…as soon as I get the clutter off of it! Happy New Year!...

Don’t Tell

We found a leak in the wall of my sewing room. I was hoping it was something we could just ignore and it would go away. You know, fix itself. But, I guess that’s not how it works. At least that’s what the repair guy said. Turns out the wall’s been leaking for awhile. Long enough to rot wood in the exterior wall, studs, and pieces of woods with names I can’t recall. Sigh. Having corners of your sewing room hidden by shelves of fabric is not a good idea when your roof decides it wants fill your wall with water. Who knew a roof could be so devious? Ok. So, I have to confess. This leak has caused me to have to face my, ahem, condition? I hoard all things sewing. Fabric mostly. But also thread. And ribbon. And notions. And buttons. And zippers. And tons and tons of stuff. It all became crystal clear when I had to clear EVERYTHING out of my sewing room. My hubster was shocked at how well I pack. Well, that’s not how he put it. I think it shows how well I pack…er, yeh. What the hubster really was surprised about was how much came out of that room. It was like the magician pulling stuff out of that bottomless black hat. Until every spare space in our master bedroom was filled. And then all the space in the front room. And under couches. And in all the empty spaces in the living room. And that was just all the “spare” stuff. Stuff I didn’t need to work on my Christmas stockings. I set...

I’m not a blogger

I’ve come to the conclusion that blogging is just not one of my gifts. Which probably confuses my husband, because I’m so long-winded when I’m talking to him! But, writing something PUBLIC…It intimidates me to the point that I avoid it with all my being…as you’ve probably noticed! So, I’ve decided I’m going to try something different. I’m going to turn this into more of a photo blog. More emphasis on the pictures, less writing. Does this make it a phlog? Here’s what I’m working on right now. Christmas stockings. This is the prototype. From here, I’ll be working to get some made to post in my shop…hopefully BEFORE Christmas! 🙂 I wish you could join me in my sewing room. When I’m Christmas sewing, I blast my Christmas music and if no one’s home, I may even sing. Well, try to sing. Until our dog comes upstairs and peeks into my sewing room to see what creature is dying. He’s not allowed upstairs, so it takes a lot for him to break the rule and come up here and give me the eye. That looks that says, “Stop. Just stop.” Sigh. Singing isn’t one of my gifts either. I’ll stick to sewing,...

Hawaii Time

I’m back in my sewing room! I took some time off for a couple of family visits and birthdays. My brother and I visited my mom in Hawaii to celebrated her 80th birthday with her. I thought I’d share a few pictures from our trip. On the way over, I found this ad for a ramen burger in the airline magazine. I didn’t get a chance to try it. But, I’m going to try to find it the next time I go to Hawaii. It just sounds so . . . different. I’ll reserve judgment until after I get a chance to actually taste it. We took a short hike. When I’m 80 years old, I hope I’m in as great shape as my mom is! The hike was short, but not easy. We ended up having to navigate through some pretty uneven ground with mud and branches to climb over. We found lots of natural vegetation, including a very zen bamboo forest. Here’s a photo of a stream we crossed over. The birds we heard along the way, and the lush growth of plants made me wonder if this was what Hawaii was like way back when. It was so...

Armadillo pillow

This past Christmas, I decided to make an armadillo pillow for my sister-in-law. She collects armadillos. I started by checking out Wikipedia.com for a photo of the critter and found this: Not so cute. Oops. I didn’t say that. Don’t tell my SIL, she may get offended. I like cute critters. One of my goals when designing is to make my designs look like the real animal, but not so real that it would scare a baby. Maybe it’s because I get nightmares easily, I don’t know. So, this armadillo guy was a challenge. When I design a new applique, I always start with pencil and paper. And I sketch. Sometimes it takes a few minutes. Ok, honestly, it RARELY takes a few minutes. It normally takes many tries. More often, days.  I wish I was one of those people who could draw quickly and proportionately. I’m not. I usually sketch and put the design away for a while, and come back to it later to rework it again. I’ve been working on some designs for years. Hamster. I’ve been working on her for 3 years and still can’t capture the look I want. Sorry, I digress. So, here’s my final sketch: From here, I program the design into my embroidery software. I’ll cover that in more detail another day. And then I sew out the design. I repeat these last two steps over and over until the design “works.” Lots of variables to adjust, like angles and size of stitches, thread colors, fabric colors… Getting everything to work well together takes a lot of test runs. I have...

Seahawk Inspiration

Our amazing Seattle Seahawks are going to the Super Bowl this year! I love how the Hawks inspire people. There seems to be a common bond we all share right now. I know I am less hesitant to talk to strangers when we’re both wearing Hawks’ colors. I see people excited about a common goal, a shared experience. Even the media is showing more positive videos and stories about good deeds done at—and since—the NFC Championship game. And I have to wonder. Why can’t it always be like this? Wouldn’t it be nice if we were always this way? And then I have to wonder some more… Maybe it can. Maybe it starts with ME! Me, making a decision to be friendlier. Me, deciding to perceive others as friendly and not as strangers. Me, reaching beyond my comfort zone to connect with the people around me, instead of averting eyes and rushing through my day. Hmm. Seahawks, you do inspire me to be a better...
Back to school

Back to school

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m slow to adjust to change. I’m not against change, it just takes me a little longer than some to make that turn. On that note, I’m making changes to this business I’ve named Patchberries. But, I’m taking it slow. It’s less stressful for me that way! (Yes, I’m an introvert.) I am working to figure out a way to merge my two passions together into this business. My first passion is for sewing, but an even bigger passion for me is my heart for children. It’s funny. Because, if you knew me in college, you’d never guess that I could be so passionate about children. Becoming a mother awakened a part of me I didn’t know existed. All of a sudden, I wanted to protect all children in the world from harm. Now that I’m older and wiser, I realize that probably is a little out of my range. But, I still want to make a positive difference in that arena. My youngest child is heading to college this fall, and I figured this was a great time to stretch my own horizons.  So, I signed up for a few online business courses to help me learn how to do that. (My daughter was VERY relieved to learn that didn’t mean I’d be going to school with her!) I’ll be posting here as I journey through this new adventure.  So, stay tuned my friends! This soon-to-be-empty-nester is back in school and learning new skills.  Thanks for your patience! Cheryl...