Sew what?

This is my brand-spanking new sewing machine: a Pfaff 1132 that I got on sale this weekend at the 2009 Sewing Expo in Puyallup, Wa.

I've been wanting a sewing machine for many years now so, as a Christmas present, Ivan purchased a Bernina 830 Record for me off of eBay. Unfortunately, it turned out to have mechanical problems that 2 different repair shops deemed "unrepairable". Disappointed, we decided that I should go ahead and purchase a 'beginners' machine for around $200 that I can learn on. When I found this Pfaff at the Expo, I jumped on it. Pfaff has a good reputation and I think it will serve me well as I brush-up on my machine skills. (I learned how to sew on my mothers old Singer. A machine that was once powered by a treadle/foot pedal and was later 'electrified').

I've nearly finished cleaning and organizing our office, so I will soon be able to sit down and learn what the Pfaff can do. On the short list of projects to attempt this spring are:

1) Roman blinds for the office
2) 1 or more pairs of comfy pants for Ivan
3) skirts for me
4) pillows for the office couch
5) floor pillows for the living room.

I'm Feeling Crafty, Part 2

I've taken a couple of steps in my great craft project. First, I braved the crowds at Ikea and purchased a Ribba frame in white so I can paint it if I want to. The last image in the mosaic above is the frame in black.

Next I did some research into craft paper. Since it's looking like this will reside in the bedroom I found a number of potential backgrounds at JCaroline Creative. I may end up buying all of the papers shown above and a couple of backup neutrals because I really don't know what will end up looking the best with our fuschia wall colors and the different gem stone colors in my necklaces. Maybe it won't matter at all, but it'll be nice to have options. More next weekend, I hope.

I'm feeling kind of crafty

With all of the home improvements and decorating we've been doing since the fall, I've found myself itching to do some sort of craft project for myself. I didn't know what until I stumbled over some jewelry organization projects in Blueline/Blueprint via Design*Sponge.

I'm not a big jewelry wearer - rings and bracelets get in the way and I had a late in life brush with pierced ears that ended painfully and puffily. But I do love necklaces and I have several that meet my very particular tastes. However...they are all in a small box somewhere - out of sight and out of mind. Consequently, I rarely wear them.

So, once I saw the lovely DIY projects at Design*Sponge I knew what I wanted to do - make a lovely display box to feed my craft yen AND make my necklaces more than just a box warmer. First on my list - rustle up an appropriate shadow box or small glass front curio case. (If I end up putting this in the bathroom, I'll need something a glass door as it will need to be enclosed to protect them from moisture.) Next, decided on location: bedroom vs. bathroom. Third, make the darn thing.

Instructions from Blueprint are below:

Boxed Rings
If surface area in your bedroom is scarce, try a wall-mounted solution on for size. This jazzed-up shadow box, retrofitted with a variety of hooks and knobs, shelters delicate earrings and chains from possible entanglements while turning them into objets d'art. Small decorative bowls perched on the box's lower ledge corral rings, pins, and brooches and complete the charming trinket tableau.

Box How-To
1. Select a shadow box (or a small wine crate) with a back and sides that are at least 1/4 inch thick to accommodate the hooks. Sand and prime the box, then apply two coats of semigloss spray paint.

2. Cut a piece of decorative paper to fit inside the box, coat the back of the paper with spray adhesive, and press it into place, smoothing it from the center out to the corners with your fingers. Then lay out the jewelry where you'd like it to hang and screw in hooks at the appropriate points.

3. Finally, add two evenly spaced saw-tooth hangers to the box's back for a steady mount.

Credits: Shadow box, $12, frames-direct.com. Similar Berenson "Barcelona" knobs, $6 each, cdmcabinethardware.com. Rust-Oleum "Painter's Touch" spray paint in Seaside Green, $3, rustoleum.com for stores. "Nepal Fish-scale" paper, $5 per sheet, New York Central Art Supply, 212-473-7705

I'll be sure to post pictures when I have something.