Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Not too bad for 50-ish... eh?

It's been rainy and cloudy out here the last few days... and I've been feeling a bit bored (hence all the recent blogging activity :)  So, I decided it was time for a project!  Now what kind of project should I do?  I did some trim touch up painting around the house last week-- wasn't up for it again this week.  Sitting on the floor... standing on chairs to reach the taller sections... probably not a good idea when I'm home alone and feeling off balance.  So, I decided to dust off my sewing machine, pull out my fabric collection, and make a few new throw pillows for the guest bedroom or downstairs TV room.

Now let me take a few minutes to tell you about my sewing machine.  She works like a charm (most of the time) and is actually pretty special... but she sure isn't new.  



She actually belonged to my Grandma and was probably purchased around the time my mom was born-- 50+ years ago.  My mom learned to sew on the machine and I completed some of my first projects on it when I was a young girl.  And even though I may not be the most accomplished seamstress... that sewing machine is still helping me create things for my house.  Not bad for 50... just like my mom :)

My mom's the hottie in the middle-- in case you're wondering...




Now I am not a sewing extraordinaire... that title belongs to my Mom and Grandma.  But I can figure out basic stuff like pillows, curtains, blinds, and the occasional blanket or two.  But today I felt inspired...


Once Caleb was down for his afternoon nap... I whipped these two up.  Now they may not be perfect (I'm sure my Mom would be able to find about 10 things wrong with the way I put the zippers in) but they looked great in the downstairs TV room.  And they were cheap to make!!  I bought the fabric online for $8.98 a yard and managed to squeeze two pillows out of 1 yard.  I already had the pillow forms, so it was a fairly inexpensive afternoon project.



I am going to go ahead and call this project a success.  I succeeded in keeping myself busy and the end result is pretty great!  Can't wait for you to come check them out Mom... can't wait to see you in a few days!  (and by the way... I've got a few more projects that I need your help with :)

8 comments:

kathleen marie said...

I LOVE them. You are one talented lady. I can't sew if my life depended on it...which I'm thankful it doesn't.

Hey, I want to bring Carleigh by sometime to meet you and see your house. I was telling her about the paint in your house, and she really wants to do something similar in ours. Can I bring her by?? :)

Elissa said...

You bet Kathleen! Sounds like fun! Obviously I'm not super busy at the moment, so come on by whenever you're free!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the post, My Mom would love to see this, that machine has sewn many miles. Only a few more days and we can do lots of projects!!! Can hardly wait,love Mom

Trev and Rebekah said...

Looks great. I love all the blogging by the way!

Bonnie said...

You inspire me. Enough said. :)

Erica said...

The look great Elissa! (I LOVE that stack of fabric too!)

KDees said...

Great job! My sewing machine was also a hand-me-down from my Grandma, and even though I too am an inexperienced seamstress, I love that it belonged to her:)

Anonymous said...

Love reading your blog!
Aunt Linda