Sew In Stitches is Open on etsy

Lordamercy friends!

I am pooped. I've been so busy that I have even had my days and nights all mixed up. I remember when #1 Son did that as a baby. Heck he's still that way at 24!


But all whining aside - I did it! I have 2 aprons and 3 totebag/purses in my shop!! The full apron is reversible and the two smaller bags are too.








































etsy suggests having 8-10 items when you open but, oh well.

I still have more aprons to finish. Two little kid sized aprons will coordinate with the Emmie (Full apron) model.

I do not remember a creative week like this in a long, long time!

BillHubby, who is a professional photographer/videographer, gave me pointers on my picture taking. He liked what I did so I am extra proud.

Please tell me what ya think.

PS. Doh! It was late when I posted this so I didn't point out that you can click the title of this post and be whisked right away to the etsy shop or click this - Sew In Stitches

Thanks Michelle!

Sometimes I even amaze myself (hee hee)

Been designing and cutting out tote type bags all day. Some are more purse like than others but still tote like. Am I nuts for naming each pattern created? Doesn't matter cause I did it anyway ;)

Here's a hint of what's to come:

















More cutting out tonight and tomorrow and then the best part - sewing!

And then the best best part - sharing with you all!


To totally steal a phrase from John Stewart - "Here's your moment of Zen."




























Please be sure to check out my Craft It Forward blog entry. Don't be shy.

Til tomorrow,
Becky

Craft it Forward!!

I am going to be soooo very very busy this week!

I'm gonna be sewing my fingers to the bones because I am opening my etsy shop this Friday, June 26, 2009!!!!

Yeppers, gonna do it. My shop, Sew In Stitches, will be "filled" with aprons and tote bags and pincushions and more! (Click on the shop name it'll whisk you right there!)

I've decided to start the week of festivities by participating in the Blog Sensation that is quickly covering blogland!

Craft it Forward is sort of like the movie "Pay It Forward." The object is to do something nice "just because."

Here is the fine print:

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

* I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I will do my best.
* it will be done in the next couple of weeks
* you have no clue what it’s going to be - that’s the fun part!
But it will be handmade.

It could be a handsewn item, stationary personalized for you, baked goods from my kitchen, or something knitted. What will it be? You’ll have to wait and see! I reserve the right to do something completely bizarre or completely normal.

In return, all you need to do is post this text into your own blog and make 5 things for 5 others. (If you don't blog you could send a mass e-mail to friends and craft for the first 5 respondents.) What could be more fun! Some ideas you could do for others: artwork, CD’s, burn a DVD, write a poem, crochet a scarf, make a mini book, send a photograph (a printed one, not e-mailed. etc…).

If you are interested, leave a comment below with your email address (if you don’t have a blog-based email address and are not comfortable leaving your personal email address, you can also email me at beckysews (at) hotmail (dot) com).

Check back often all week. I'll take breaks to update you on my progress and to announce a Grand Opening GiveAway!!!

Craft on and craft it forward!

Mucho love,
Becky

Vintage Thingie Thursday - My Sewing Machines

What brand and model do you have?

I have 3 machines:

1960 Kenmore














1972 Kenmore














and a brand new Singer Futura















How long have you had it?

'72 was a gift 10 years ago, '60 I bought at the Habitat for Humanity Home Store about a year ago, Futie joined us last October


How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

'72 - free in the cabinet with the matching and very uncomfortable chair
'60 - $40 in the cabinet with the adorable matching chair
Futie - Big Bucks but I split it with a decorator friend. I do her sewing and monogramming.


What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

I sew home decor items (pillows, bed skirts, pillow shams, window treatments,) alter clothes (hate it,) make aprons, tote bags but my fave thing to do is make clothing.


How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

I try to sew every day, mostly on '60, but she has been misbehaving lately so I'm glad to have '72 as back up. Futie is strictly for embroidery.


Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

I love '60 and '72. They are sturdy workhorses. Futie is seriously light (in my opinion) but she is good for embroidering. She has way too many bells and whistles and beepy noises for me to put up with in daily use.

They are named '60, '72 and Futie - couldn't you tell?


What features does your machine have that work well for you?

The basicness of '60 and '72 are perfect for what I love to do. I have always said that if my Great Grandma didn't have nor need it then why do I? (I was one of the last people on earth to get a microwave.)


Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

Futie's beeping at me and having to haul '60 and '72 an hour away to get service.


Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!

My [Grand]Mama lived "with" us in her own apartment that she built on to our ranch style house. She taught me to sew, embroider and knit. (She tried to teach me crochet but it didn't stick.) I was under 10 years old when I started learning.

Mama made me learn by hand before I could even look at a machine. I remember my Mom being very particular about her machine so I was very excited to get my own when I was 15. Straight from Santa's workshop. Who knew he and the elves made Brother machines?!

I sewed that baby to pieces for 20 years!


Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

I highly recommend getting a used machine if one is thinking about learning to sew. In the beginning you don't need (nor want) a beeping computerized monstrosity. It'll drive you nutty.


What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

Again, basics! Ask friends who sew what they want in a machine too. I prefer simple with back stitch and zigzag and buttonholers.

Do not bow to the pressure of those vipers in some fabric/sewing machine stores who will tell you you MUST have the hottest/latest high-end machine. Some cost as much as a car!!! Not many people really need all the bells and whistles. and nobody needs the ridiculous pressure some of those people use.

Do you have a dream machine?

I have always "coveted" my Great Aunt Sally's treadle machine. Mom used to sew on it til the belt broke way back in the early 70's. I don't even remember what brand it is. Welp, Mom informed me a few weeks ago that I can now have Aunt Sally's Treadle AND my Great Grandmother's too!!!

No clue where I'll put 'em yet. But I can not wait! Should have both of them home by July. They shall be named Sally and Eudra!


Be sure to stop over at Colorado Lady's blog for more Vintage Thingy Thursday fun!

Big News!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night, Friday, the phone rang at 11:00 pm. Not completely unusual.

Twas Bill's oldest Will, "Whatcha doing?"

We're watching TV and sleepin. Whatchu doing?

"Nothing much. Is Dad awake?"

No, but he will be - hang on.

Will sounded giddy/silly. Bill took the phone.

"Oh really? When?"

I hollered a big Yippee!!! We're going to be grandparents, right?

Yeppers! Our first grand baby will arrive in January 2010!!! Will and Jennifer have been together for more than 6 years and married almost a year.




We are over the moon with happy! Finally - a two legged grand child!

Jen is a twin too. Wouldn't that be fun?

Now I am on a new mission. Knitting and sewing baby stuffs!!!!

Life is good.

Vintage Earrings Tutorial and GIVEAWAYS!!!!

I am wandering aimlessly today.

Took a quick Tuesday-Wednesday trip to see my Daughter's "new" house and return her Mini Pin, Max, to her. He's sweet but at 2 years old he is too much for nearly 12 year old Petey the Boston Terrier to handle. The house is awfully but blissfully quiet now.

I'm catching up on my blog reading after spending yesterday cleaning house and doing laundry.

Just read the following great giveaway! Give it a looksee. If I find anymore goodies being given away I'll add 'em to this post!

Vintage Earrings Tutorial and GIVEAWAY!!!!

Til later Taters!
Have a great weekend!
~Becky

Edit - Found another one - actually 2 on one blog!

Check out Ravenhill

PS. And I'm working on a Purple/Blue dress :)

And another one at Elliott Lucca

Suebee is having her first ever GiveAway!


Here's a nifty one from Dawn Hay Designs in Australia!

And Finally, I swear this is all today - The Give-Away Diva A new give-away most everyday!

Good luck!!!!

One more GiveAway!!! Yay!!!

Just when you thought the Giveaway was over................Our pal, Sophie, over at Becoming a Homemaker decided to have a Giveaway too! It's easy cause you can just click the blog name in that last sentence and go check it out.

Sophie, like me, is a fairly new blogger. And I'm so pea-green with envy! She figured out how to make her own button. It's the one you see up there - to the left. Isn't it simply adorable?!!


Tell Sophie that Becky sent ya over!

The Winners Are..............

I don't know about all of you, but I am a bit tired from all this blog reading! My carpel tunnel is kicking in hard today! But what fun! I feel as if I have been around the world in 3 days!

There are lots of little pieces of paper in the Martini Shaker!

The winner of the "Almost Apron," as a few of you named it, is

Mama Lusco said...

I really like your apron. Our favorite vacation spot is the Chain Lakes in north Idaho. It's so relaxing to fish, swim, and enjoy the water and mountains.
Thanks for the giveaway. I can be contacted thru my blog: www.luscofamily.blogspot.com

And the winner of a nifty tote bag is

JULIE ♥ ADORE said...

me too i love red:)

I'm a-e-mailing you lovelies in a minute! Congratulations!

Thanks to all of you who stopped by to visit. And to you, my new "followers," in what I hope is a non-stalker fashion, ;) I hope you'll visit often and tell me what you are doing or what you think about what I say or what I am doing.

Basically - let's keep in touch!

My goal for this month of June is to sew, sew, sew and get my etsy shop open and filled with aprons and tote bags and other kitcheny items.

Come back and see me soon!