Sewing again!

I recently inherited a Singer Ultralock sewing machine (serger). My husband suggested I put it on Craigslist (GASP!). He added "Since you sew SO much (sarcastically)." I realized I haven't been sewing much the past three years because I've been working and raising a child! Well, now that she's more independent, I decided I can whip out the ole' Singer and put it to work!

Last night I got to work on a Christmas pressie for someone near and dear to me. They may or may not know this blog exists, so I will hold off on posting until after the gift has been given. It's a gift to me, too, because sewing is so therapeutic for me!

I also have TWO quilts in various stages that  I need to complete before Christmas too. EEK! All this, AND work AND run an Avon business (know anyone who wants to make some extra cash on the site? Comment me!). Oy vey! Oh yeah, and lots of Christmas goodies to be made, too!

Oh well, it's still the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

Quilting is Theraputic

I used to have an adorable, spunky, long haired, Calico cat named Jazzy. My brother had her but she was getting beat up on by his other cats. My cat was depressed and lonely and needed a friend, so I brought her home with me.

A few years ago when I lived with Michelle and Julie (so 4-5 years ago), Julie mentioned she hadn't seen Jazzy all day (Julie was student and had been home that day). I went looking for Jazzy and found her under the bed. She didn't stir at all when I lifted up the bed skirt. I was horrified. I didn't want to poke at her for fear of what I would discover.

Thankfully I have some amazing friends. Michelle confirmed the worst. I was devastated for one thing and didn't know what to do with her. So, I think we called my guy friend, Gus and he helped with that part.

Michelle called our pastor, who came over to comfort me. I thought that was really sweet.

What I would learn years later is that my then future husband was having his studio painted that night. Our pastor was going to help. That's just the kind of guy he is. Note: he also doesn't even LIKE cats! Anyway, my husband tells the story "Pastor is such a nice guy. Did you know that before he came over to help me paint my studio, he was consoling some little old lady whose cat had just died?"

I blinked a few times and then laughed HYSTERICALLY. Those of you who know me, know it doesn't take much to get me going. I was LOSING it. I knew who the "little old lady" was and I just busted a gut!

Anyway, this blog entry is really about the therapuetic part of quilting. I had to share that funny part with you too though!

I was too upset to go to work the next day. I had to take Jazzy to a friend's house for proper burial. Since they own their home, it was the best option for me. After dropping her remains off at my friends' house, I had another errand to run. Well, I had to wait for some reason and it just so happened that one of our local quilt shops was right across the street.

I stepped inside and found the PERFECT fabric for a Jazzy Memorial quilt! One print had balls of yarn on it. It was very bright and colorful, like my spunky calico! I started picking out coordinating fabrics and was starting to feel better already! I even already had a pattern picked out in my mind (the missing Rusty's block pattern! I'll have to make a copy when I go back to Mom & Dad's next week!).

I spent the rest of the day, rotary cutting, and stitching these bright fabrics together. I think I got the whole top done in a DAY. One of Mom's long-arm quilting buddies (referring to the skill of long arm quilting, not the length of her appendages!) quilted it perfectly for me.

It's still a reminder of my snuggly, playful kitty, Jazzy to this day!