My new best friend

I've been trying to "become one" with my Christmas present.

That's right. You heard me. I'm trying to cozy up to my sewing machine.

This one is SO much better than the 60 year old one I was using.

I don't cuss as often (in my head) when using my new baby.

It runs so much smoother, and it has a back stitch feature. My other one did not. Oh the horror!

So, today with another snow day under our belt, I decided to whip up some things I had been only thinking about.

A couple weeks ago, Grace and I went to a scrapbook sale and bought several pieces of fabric.

She told me she wanted a purse. I guess that was a hint I was supposed to make it, and I told her I would get to it eventually.

I wasn't quite sure of what my design was gonna be until I came across this $1 purse at Goodwill last week.

I didn't like the design OR the colors, but I did like the handles. I knew I could replicate it for a "tween" looking purse for Grace.

First I sewed in a pocket. (She informed me she needed one for gum, etc.)

Then worked on the handles.

It was going great till I had to deal with some poor working conditions.

Namely, our cat Oreo who thought it would be a great idea to lay directly BEHIND the machine and not move. Each time we'd pick her up and physically move her, she'd come right back.

So, after all the cat shuffling, and the pocket making, and the sewing it all together, this is the final purse.

With a fashionable bow, of course.

She liked it. It's not too big, and not too small.


It'll hold her packs of gum, and her wallet, and even some other small items.

I was feeling a little revved up after this project, so I decided to make a quick pillow cover too.

About a month ago I won a freebie on the Painted Home's blog, and part of the prize was this IKEA kitchen towel.

I had the perfect sized pillow form, so I just sewed up the cover for it.

Works great in my red living room.

That's about all I did today with my "friend" the sewing machine, but I wanted to show you a couple of the other purses I've finished in the last couple of months. Each time I tweak something a little bit more. Maybe the pockets aren't so deep inside, or maybe the sewing job is a little better. I'm sure the more I practice, the better I'll get.


I'm also linking up to Freckled Laundry's textile Friday today as well as crazy domestic (click on button below). You can either click on their link in my sidebar, or right here to come see me, and visit some other talented people showing off their projects.



In the next couple of weeks, I'll be a sewing fiend if I get the time. I'm trying to grow a supply of pillows, purses, etc. to start an etsy shop.


Stay tuned and have a great weekend!