I did it!

My excuse for a new sewing machine happened last week. I have been using my brother's, thank you Justin, since I began this new hobby last year. I was so lucky to have it so I won't complain. Instead, I will list all of  wonderful things my new machine, the Janome Memory Craft 3000 does do. Lucky for me, Katie did all of the legwork researching machines and reading reviews for me. She bought hers last year after her machine died. Well, I have been coveting it since, and finally I covet no more.

 10 Reasons why I love my new machine. In no particular order.
1. This lovely cover. I can even kinda get away with not putting this away.
2. The screen tells me what stitch I am using, the foot I need, and the tension recommended.
3. Many many stitches to chose from.
4. I have all the feet, including a button hole foot.
5. There are a few cute embroidery stitches, those will have to wait to be used.
6. Automatic button hole maker. Just one button, and done.
7. Blind stitches, no more hand sewing!
8. I can see the bobbin at all times. No more sewing without thread.
9. This is pretty quiet. I can sew right through Lost.
10. It was a great price, and from what the reviews say, a great machine.

Some completed projects

A few shirts for myself. No side by side comparisons however. Maybe another time.
I love bright colors for the spring summer....hence my yellow sandals.

Picking up where I left off

Since I started this blog way back in October I have come to realize
that EVERYONE has a blog and I am way way behind. I guess I am more of
a follower, but I only claim that with some things.

If I can try to sum up what has been going on over the past few
months I guess I would have to say it has been amazing. I quit Banana Republic in
October, which I feared would be the end of half of me but really it
ended up being the beginning. I have been able to spend ALL of my time
with Luke, which is something I knew I could never get back. I am so
lucky that I have watched him learn how to clap, eat with his hands,
get into everything, walk, you know all of that baby stuff. It is
really incredible. He is quite possibly the cutest baby I have ever
seen. Although we spend so much time together, he seems to still prefer
his dad. I think he will be the boy that wants to go on adventures with
his dad. Tom can't wait to take him fishing, snowboarding, mountain
biking, and I am sure many other exciting activities. All of them would be
difficult living in New York so we have decided that we will most
likely move back to Utah. It is a bitter sweet. Mostly bitter.....New
York has been our home since we were married. There are so many things
we will miss, but luckily we will gain some space, and conveniences.
Hopefully they out weigh the fun.

I have also started developing a craft of my own. Sewing. I never
thought I would be able to sew anything other than a windmill and
fleece vest that I did in highschool. It especially looked bleak when
my friend Erin tried to help me sew some tote bags for charity. Luckily
she didn't give up and helped me sew my first dress, without a pattern.
Luckily I have gotten smarter and started using patterns but I have
grown to love it. I actually get a little anxiety if I don't have a
project to work on. I will post some of my stuff, no where near
perfection, but if you don't look too close, it doesn't look bad.
Although if I debut a dress at church everyone assumes I made it, which
I am not too sure I love.

Here are
a few of my beginner projects.

One of my first, and probably one of my most challenging projects was this dress. I attempted it with no pattern, only pictures. It is an exact rip off of an A.P.C. dress I saw at Bird.

I love Built by Wendy,cobalt blue, and plaid. This pattern was a cinch.

I love this pattern from the Martha Stewart Baby Special Edition Magazine. Kimonos are great because they can grow a bit with the child, especially if she is a girl. Dress to top. Luke also got one.