Successes and Set Backs

Greetings friends! Well it's time I humble myself and share that it's not all roses and butterflies in the world of embroidery. Last night I had a few major breakthroughs and some frustrating failures. But it's from my failures that I learn the most...so I thank God for how he teaches me...even when it makes me want to pull my hair out!!! And pulling my hair out is exactly what I did last night.

First the good news: Until now I haven't used proper "lettering" or "monogramming" software for placing my letters. Basically I had a bunch of letters in different fonts, and I had to spend hours (literally) figuring out how to space these letters for words to come out right. Well thankfully, that problem is solved! I've found a website online as well as some downloaded software (thanks cousin Ashley!) that can do the lettering for me. Now I just download the file and Boom! Make it happen. Now I can do more embroidering in less time and can rest assured that the letters are spaced properly.

Now the bad news...and it still pains me to look at it. Last night I went to the store and bought all kinds of fun little things to embroider. In the coming days you'll see fun Christmas dish towels, a few stockings perhaps and one or two more tutu inspired outfits. But last night my main focus was embroidering two little matching dresses for some adorable twins down in Walhalla. Unfortunately I might have to clean out Target for every size 3T dress they have...because I can't stop screwing them up!!! I was so distraught last night at the money I lost in screw ups that Jarred volunteered to give me money out of his "discretionary" funds to help me out. Such a sweetie. My "discretionary" funds have effectively been wiped out through about June because of this little sewing hobby. Thankfully I have some weekly babysitting that is now supplementing my addiction.

Okay enough talk...here they are...

You have to look closely...but that is a HOLE next to the M in what should say Mac. A HOLE!!! My bobbin thread got messed up and ate my sweet little dress. So sad! The Mara dress, although from a distance it looks okay, the writing is not centered perfectly so I'm going to have to redo it as well. *tear* But I WILL...oh I WILL...get these little dresses done. Mark my words. You can knock a Big Girl down, but you can not keep her from getting up stronger!!!

P.S. The dresses look a little witchy in the pictures...but I promise they don't in real life!

Tis the Season (almost)

In preparation for the holidays, I've made Lil' Shug a festive outfit/tutu/onesie/I don't know what this qualifies as...but whatever it is, it's cute (at least I hope it is). I bought a pretty red turtleneck onesie from TJ Maxx, some tool from JoAnn fabrics along with some white ribbon, and the rest is history! If I made another one for somebody, I would consider buying some green tool to jazz it up a little more, but I'm pleased with the classic red and white for now.

Now I must pause from sewing for a few days to celebrate Clemson taking over Boston! Much cleaning to be done and so little time to do it! Eeek! Oh well, I tend to live by the saying "My house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy." I hope John, Kesina, Meghan, Amy and the gang agree!

My Very First Projects!

My first official sewing project is complete! I made Lil' Shug a dress 100% from scratch! Well, I didn't pick the cotton and turn it into fabric, but you know what I mean. It probably won't be the most well-made garment she'll ever wear, but it was made from the heart, and it is Uncle Jarred approved!

The embroidery font ended up being a little thinner than I wanted it to be, but oh well. For the first time, I'll take it. And let me tell you, I was a nervous wreck as it was being sewn! After I made the dress, I practiced embroidering at least 5 different scraps before I did it, and none of them turned out quite right. As soon as I thought I tweaked it enough, I went for it. And all it all, it turned pretty well. GO Tigers!

Another mini project:
A few weeks ago I bought a Groupon for CafePress.com. I decided to print some t-shirts for the nieces and nephews for Christmas. I was really happy with the boy's shirts, but not thrilled with Lil' Shug's. Then the light bulb went off. BOWS! Every little girls needs bows to complete any outfit. So here it is:

More projects are in the works! Hooray!!

It's Here! It's Here!

Last night as I laid on the couch catching up on Modern Family, we got a buzz into the apartment (city equivalent of a door bell...think Seinfeld). I ran to the little talking box to see who it was, only to find out it was the UPS man. My sewing machine was coming FedEx. Such a tease. I got the package and came back to the apartment so sad. Then, as soon as I laid back down...BUZZ!!! I jumped up at alarming speed, went to the talking box, and this time...it was FedEx! Hooray! Christmas morning!

Next Step, trying to figure out what in the world all of the buttons and odd functions on the machine are for. The instructional book might as well have been written in Greek, but thankfully there was also a DVD. It taught me how to tread the machine, change needles, etc. I'm so proud. I actually did it.

And now I present to you...my very first embroidered scraps!

There is OH so much more to learn! It's going to be a busy, Sewtastic weekend!

So many projects!

Since the arrival of my fancy new sewing machine is set for sometime between Thursday and next Tuesday, I am filling my free time dreaming up fabulous ideas and taking trips to the fabric store. Since my initial fabric store visit at the cat motel, I've found a much cheaper, cleaner place called "Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts." It's a chain store, which some people frown upon, but let's face it, I'm a Dollar Store, Walmart lovin', discount-finding kind of gal. I find no shame in seeking a deal. And deals I've found at good 'ol Jo-Ann's! 

If you read my previous post, it set the stage for project #1: a navy blue monogrammed pillow. Now I'll introduce projects 2 and 3. Since sweet Lil' Shug is my ultimate inspiration for this new found lifestyle as a seamstress, I'll dedicate these two projects to her. #2 a purple and orange Clemson themed pillowcase dress, and #3 and hot pink and purple pillowcase dress or jumper. If you've never seen one of these sweet dresses, here's an example: 

Cute, huh? Hopefully mine will turn out! Can't have my little diva looking like a scrub! Below is the fabric, thread, bias tape, and ribbon I need for the dresses, along with some other embroidery thread for monogramming various future projects. I can't wait to begin!!

P.S. Don't you love how I threw out "bias tape" like I actually know what it does yet! Haha YES!

Conquering the Fabric Store

In the journey to create my first successful sewing project, I recently took a trip to the nearest fabric store. Although I was confident going in, as soon as I crossed the threshold into the overwhelming room of fabrics, my head started spinning and I deflated like a balloon. I quickly shot the nearest associate a  "help me" smile and slowly worked my way through the store with her assistance. Soon my nervousness turned to disgust as I saw a giant, furry, and overly dirty cat browsing through the aisles, and I instantly decided not to pick any fabrics within reach of the monstrosity. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against sweet, short haired,well groomed kitties...but this thing was disgusting and hair grosses me out! Needless to say, I think I may find another fabric store in the future. This one was a little dirty and seemed overpriced. However, they did supply me with the fabric, thread, and needles I need to make my very first project...a pillow!! Complete with Jarred and I's monogram. We'll see how it goes! I'm still waiting on my machine to come in, but I've already cut and prepared the fabric. I can't wait to prove Jarred wrong!

P.S. The bandage on the side of my face is from a recent trip to the dermatolgist. They seem to enjoy cutting things off me!

Let the learning begin...

Well hello there. I'm taking to the blogging world to share my latest scheme. Anyone who knows me well knows that I always seem to have some sort of random project or adventure in the works. It's a lifestyle I learned as a child from the brilliant adventures of Lucy Ricardo. She always kept life interesting, and so do I. Evidence of one such adventure can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaqXUmgBYog  Yes, that's right, I took a tumbling class for ages 12 and up as a 23 year old. But hey, is it my fault the don't put an age limit on classes? I think not. Even big girls need to follow their dreams! So in the coming months, I have a new goal, chalk it up to being a lifelong learner. I'll be attempting to learn how to sew and embroider. Now you may be asking yourself, "hmm, how did she come up with this one?" It's simple, having a niece. Since the birth of my sweet "Lil' Shug," I have spent countless hours browsing Etsy for outfits, googling the cutest children's boutiques, and buying more gifts than I should. Upon looking at all these precious clothes, I've found myself softly humming, "Anything you can do, I can do better...I can do anything better than you." Well, maybe I haven't been that confident, but I often think about how fun it would be to take the designs I've seen and create them myself, adding my own flare. The creative elements of my personality are craving for adventure. Thus an adventure must begin!

To start this project, I've purchased a brand new Brother Sewing and Embroidery SE-400 machine. However, the purchase of this fine piece of equipment came with a challenge from my fabulous husband. He is not so sure I'll actually be able to learn how to sew from absolutely no experience as well as monogram beautifully. In fact, he said he would only agree to this purchase so that in the future, when I come up with more outrageous projects and ideas, he can always say, "remember the embroidery machine!" And so with that in mind, I move forward. As I await the arrival of my machine in the mail, I'm heading to the fabric store for some cheap practice materials and thread. Although I'll admit to being a little intimidated by the task, I've never faced a challenge I wasn't willing to tackle. With a sewing dictionary in hand and an instructional DVD to watch, I'm ready to begin.  And no, I'm not above turning this little idea into my favor. If I can do this successfully, I'll always be able to say, "remember the embroidery machine!" Here's to a lifetime of adventures!

Pictures to come...