Sewing School 1: Pillowcases

I was delighted that 2 of my best friends, Sally and Carol, expressed an interest in learning to sew. We were able to get together last week and do our first lesson, a basic pillowcase. They chose 2 fabrics and learned many techniques: measuring and rotary cutting, seams and seam allowances, overcasting, and the basics of threading and using a sewing machine. I had fun, too! I made one that is the first item in my Christmas present stash (shhh- it's for hubby):

 I was thrilled to find Star Trek fabrics at Joann's!! Here's the one Carol made for her daughter:

This is the one Sally made from flannel for her little boy:

(They are straight, but I took the photos on the curved back of a couch.)

We all had fun sewing while the kids played together. Our next class will be a canvas tote bag. I am looking forward to it. If I can't find friends who sew, I'll have to teach them!!

It's How I Roll...and Another Winner (or two!)

Lots to share this morning. Sewing has been rather slow around here for the past week as I have been car shopping. This is the fifth car I have driven, fourth car I have owned (the one I learned on was my Dad's car). I'm proud to have driven about 400K miles in my driving career with no accidents (and only one ticket- ever!). Anyway, this is the first car I chose totally on my own. My Dad helped me choose my first car and hubby and I chose the next 2 together. This time, I brought an assorment of my kids with me, but since Hubby and Dad were working, I did the work by myself. In 8 days, I looked at about 30 used cars, test drove 6, had 2 double-checked by my own mechanic, and bought one!

I got a 2006 Honda Odyssey, a newer version of the 2000 Odyssey I had. This one has lots of toys and we are enjoying it very much!

I also chose a new winner in the Rabbit Rabbit Give Away, because the first winner never contacted me and I have no way to get in touch with her. Our new winner is:

 Elizabeth blogs at The College Seamstress, so I can contact her. Congrats!!

There's a fun footnote to this story. I just received an email from Jasmin at Rabbit Rabbit that I won a free pattern of my choice in her PIF give away!!

Winner of the Pay It Forward Give Away!!

I enjoyed reading everyone's stories of how they have "paid it forward." I try to live my life with an "attitude of gratitude" and I have much to be grateful for. Here's my little PIF before I announce the winner:

My parents spend a lot of time at the beach and my kids and I are lucky to be able to visit them often. When we go, we are totally spoiled with activities, attention, and yummy food. We often eat out and it's always my parents' treat. The area they are in has amazing antique architecture and also terrific restaurants. One of our favorites is a traditional American restaurant with a simple, seaside decor. They have early-bird specials which include salad, entree, dessert, and coffee. It's always quiet, delicious, and great service. On the night in question, my parents, my 5 kids, and I were eating there. My Dad (at 70ish) was the young adult in the place, I felt like a teen again, my kids were the "babies". We had fun joking about it. My daughter Katie and I noticed an old man at a table near us who was eating alone. We quietly commented to each other how much he reminded us of my late father-in-law (who just died a year ago). He was just so "cute," yet we both felt a little sad to see him alone. I snuck out to the reception area and asked the girl there if I could give her my credit card and pay for his dinner. They thought it was a great idea and shared that he eats there once a week for the early bird special and lives all alone. We were at our table when the waitress told him someone wanted to treat him to dinner. He kept asking her who it was. She said, "if you look around, you might figure it out." We were seated pretty close, but my back was to him. Katie could see him looking around, obviously figuring out which lady had a secret crush on him. He never even considered us! It was really fun to do and Katie and I fondly remember the man who reminded us of "Grandpa".
Now, on to the winner!!

Made by Rox said...

I payed it forward by participating in Sewing to Rebuild (it was a sewing participation even to give back to those who lost everything during the Oklahoma tornadoes)

Rox- your profile doesn't have a way to reach you, so please leave a comment or email me with what size range of patterns you would like (girls or ladies) and what email to send them to. If I don't hear back by Saturday night, I will choose a new winner on Sunday. Thanks to all who entered!