Merry Merry
Yay for holidays. It's been a lovely week, despite the stress of last minute shopping and hiding a super secret Christmas present from Jacob's mom. We did succeed - she was totally surprised when she opened a box on Christmas eve and saw this:
SCHMOO!
This is Rosie. She is a long-haired Chihuahua, and she is CUTE. and also smart. and sweet. We kept her this past weekend (much to the chagrin of Bella and Chili) and absolutely fell in love with her. She's with Jacob's mom now and will be off to Mississippi to be a country schmoo.
Other Christmas surprises? Here's one:
oh. boy.
My new sewing machine, courtesy of the Pants. It's a Janome Hearttruth 2008 and I lurve it so much. Funny how it's easier to sew a straight line when you have a nice sewing machine. Hee. Today I will be buying some fabric and working on some projects out of Bend the Rules Sewing and also that Denyse Schmidt Quilts book. I already started one last night:
Frame of Mine.
It's a little picture frame backer. So cute. I haven't squared up the pieces yet, but it's gonna be adorable. Oh, the possibilities. There will be sewing. And quilting. oh yes.
The Big Head Schmoo sported a very fashionable sweater on Christmas Day:
Trellis in action.
He's really grown into it! My dad rocked a Santa hat...
We were totally spoiled with presents (including Veronik Avery's Knitting Classic Style - love it! and a beautiful handmade family tree, complete with leaves to fill in our family members - pictures later) and fun times with family. We also went to see Sweeney Todd, which was fantastic (as expected) although extremely, excruciatingly bloody. (I was in a production of Sweeney Todd in college, so I was determined to see this movie, even though I don't normally do extreme violence / gore / spewing blood in the theater. or on my DVD player. But it helped that I knew the entire story, so I knew what was coming, and also ALL THE SONG LYRICS. I loves me some Stephen Sondheim.) I did spend a lot of time hiding my face, but I still loved it.
I made an attempt to knit a sweater for a Christmas present and I failed miserably. I finished a back and a front side in time, but I decided to give Cat something else and keep the sweater for myself once I finish. And what is it, you ask? Here's a hint: it's a really popular sweater in the blogosphere right now, and it could reasonably be knit in a week. Betcha know what it is.... (I'm making you guess because I don't have any pictures of it. hee.)
So now - any suggestions for beginning sewing? Good sites, tips, tricks? All advice is welcomed. I know I need to start slow and be patient, and also I need to learn to cut straight.
I don't have to go back to work until Jan 2. Life is gooood.
Happy holidays to you! and happy New Year!
Comments (28)
I am very happy you got a sewing machine! I will give lesson, if you want um!
Posted by Melly | May 13, 2008 3:55 PM
I have been making bags, some are relatively simple. I have also made some simple reusable tea bags, a plastic bag-holder, and some coasters. I used Sew-Mama-Sew's blog for inspiration. They have a lot of tutorials linked for the Christmas season.
The puppy is adorable!
Posted by Stephanie | January 6, 2008 7:53 PM
Happy New Year Carrie! What a little schmoo you got your MIL - I know she must be in love. I'm drooling over the sewing machine and your first project looks wonderful. And Trellis in action? Magnifique! I'm so glad you had such a wonderful holiday.
xox, J
Posted by Julia | January 3, 2008 9:11 AM
Congratulations on the wedding. I am from Ghana in West Africa and live in Johannesburg, South Africa. In my culture, a new bride is given a sewing machine as part of the marriage ceremony.The symbolism behind this is 1)that her husband will never be seen with torn clothes and 2)that she would be able to provide financially for the family in the event of her husband being unable to do so. I follow your blog regularly and i sew as well as knit when I find the time. I will be and will watch your adventures in sewing with interest.
Posted by Kie | January 3, 2008 4:14 AM
I got a sewing machine for Christmas too! Except that I have never sewn before!
Can't wait to see what you make.
Happy New Year!
Posted by kristin | January 2, 2008 10:50 PM
quilts dont have to fit soomeone the way clothes or sweaters do. A simple nine patch or a sampler are great places to start. Also look for rulers with the nonskid dots. Marsha Mcloskey and Mary ellen Hopkins are two of mt favourites but remember inspiration will take you along ways. good luck
Posted by Lori | January 2, 2008 9:28 PM
what a beautiful present i would like to have a dog too but the christmas father has forgotten me....
Posted by angela | January 2, 2008 5:41 AM
Okay, you *rock* for being able to pull off a Puppy Surprise! How were you able to keep her quiet long enough to be unwrapped?
You're gonna love that Janome (if you don't already)!
Happy new year!
Posted by CraftyGryphon | December 31, 2007 9:54 AM
Adorable little puppy! Beautiful fabric for your quilt. Have fun with your new machine.
Posted by eyeleen | December 30, 2007 10:34 PM
Cute puppy schmoo and Yay for sewing.
Here's the link for a tutorial for cute coasters. I made a set tonight and they are so fun!
http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/11/crisscross_coas.html
Posted by JaneJ | December 30, 2007 9:14 PM
You must make new puppy Schmoo a sweater! Please use one of my patterns for chihuahua sweaters, you can find them on my blog http://autumnblossomknits.wordpress.com
Then you can show me pictures!!
Posted by autumn | December 30, 2007 6:49 PM
Simple patchwork like you are already doing is great for practice. Check your library (or inter-library loan) for basic (or kids) or learn to sew/quilt books to try. Do you have a rotary cutter, mat, ruler for quilting? (Helps to have good tools for straight cutting! Can be expensive- use coupons!!) Use a folded piece of scrap fabric and try out every stitch your machine has (make sure you change the feet if the manual says to). Also try different weights of fabric to see what needles, thread work best (manual should have a thread/needle/fabric type guide) and whether you have to change the tension. You can also draw lines and curves on paper (tracing or notebook) and practice sewing along the lines. It really helped my daughters to learn to manipulate the fabric when they were learning. Have fun!
Posted by Tish | December 30, 2007 12:39 AM
Cute puppy and cute little boy.
Happy new year!
Posted by Jackie | December 29, 2007 3:07 PM
Yay! A new quilter joins the ranks! Just take your time and have some fun while you get the hang of your new machine. Before you know it, you'll be able to tackle any project.
Posted by Jan | December 29, 2007 10:57 AM
Darling pup!
Looks like a great machine. Lessons from a sewing machine store will be invaluable - both for learning your machine but also for sewing tips that you might never encounter otherwise.
If you're interested in sewing clothes, I would suggest starting with a nightshirt pattern like http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M2476.htm
It's a straightforward pattern that will allow you to practice cutting a pattern, sewing seams, trimming curved seams, hemming, etc. And if it doesn't turn out perfectly, who cares - it's jammies!
Other simple (quick gratification) projects include pillows, aprons (be sure to pick a simple pattern) and stuffed animals.
Good luck!
Posted by Bonnie | December 29, 2007 10:07 AM
seems like a wonderful christmas! that dog is toooo cute. and i'm totally jealous of your sewing machine. inspired by you, i just asked for one for my birthday! (and i cant' watch blood and gore either. no way.)
Posted by carrie m | December 29, 2007 9:44 AM
Check out the list of tutorials from Nov-Dec on the blog Sew Mama Sew... its a great rundown of simple, useful projects :) It's a beautiful machine!
Posted by kaitlyn | December 28, 2007 1:33 PM
what a super cute schmoo!!! i love chihuahuas. so adorable. and an awesome christmas present as well! welcome to the world of sewing. it's addictive :)
Posted by gleek | December 28, 2007 12:37 PM
Aaah, that's exactly what I wanted for Xmas - a little schmoo and a new sewing machine. Well, I got the sewing machine... ;)
Posted by Nora | December 28, 2007 2:44 AM
Ooh, nice one! I got a sewing machine for Christmas too, and this book: (sew u, ravelry referral link)
http://tinyurl.com/yvb99x
I haven't used the machine yet (I have to set up a space) but between the machine manual and the book, I think I'm good to go. Well, good to start. :)
Posted by Wendy | December 27, 2007 11:26 PM
great presents! Rosie is adorable!
In terms of sewing, I tend to look around, see what I 'd like to make and just go ahead and make it, aiming at learning a new trick with each project. There is a lot of inspiration in the blog world, including tons of generous tutorials, so I 'm sure you 'll enjoy the 'research'! Enjoy your break!
Posted by Kat | December 27, 2007 5:39 PM
Yeah for sewing. I just got back into sewing and picked up a great pattern for a button-up shirt. I can't wait to see what you create for some inspiration!
Posted by Kate | December 27, 2007 3:05 PM
ooooh...secret knitting!
I'm secret knitting somthing for a baby shower that hopefully will go to good use considering it's freezing outside!
Posted by viva | December 27, 2007 2:04 PM
Beginner sewers unite! B got me a sewing machine for Christmas! YAY!
I desperately want to see Sweeny Todd.
And puppers....oooohhhh...so sweet!
Posted by sarah | December 27, 2007 2:03 PM
Are you knitting the DROPS cardigan?
Oh, that little Schmoo is adorable!
Posted by Sarah | December 27, 2007 1:34 PM
Such a cute little schmoo! Very very cute is she.
Congrats on the new sewing machine! It IS so much easier sewing with a good machine. I'll look out for all the sewing goodness coming this way.
Posted by sil | December 27, 2007 1:30 PM
YAY for cute puppies and new sewing machines!! Janome's ROCK - I got a Bernina for Christmas....it is SO true about how much easier it is to sew well with a good machine.
Enjoy!!
Posted by Amanda | December 27, 2007 1:09 PM
That sweater is MINE. Hahahahahahaha!
Rosie is so cute. Yay for Christmas!
Posted by Cathy | December 27, 2007 11:31 AM