It's Been Six Months

Hello friends! Happy Friday! It's been six months since I blogged and so much has happened in six months.

Seven years ago, I went on a creative journey and got very involved in the online scrapbooking world. I was on many design teams, submitted my layouts for publishing, blogged and uploaded all my paper crafting projects to my gallery on Scrapbook.com and was very active on social media (Facebook and Instagram). It was a lot of fun and it was one heck of a ride but lately I have needed a change and wanted to expand my creativity so I decided to explore sewing, quilting and machine embroidery. It's a new chapter.

I learned to sew as a teenager in school and didn't really like it and then I took sewing up again in my 30's making lots of crafty items and then in my 40's, I began sewing on paper and on my scrapbook layouts with my Kenmore sewing machine that I bought when I was 21 years old. It has served me well but I wanted to expand my horizons and upgrade to an electronic sewing machine so
in November 2018, my local quilt shop had an open house and there was the opportunity to go and try out some new sewing machines so I attended and decided to take the plunge. I chose a Brother VM5100 sewing/embroidery machine. It has a lot of bells and whistles, is super quiet, and user friendly. It will be a long while before I learn everything this workhorse can do, but it's so fun!

It has taken me six months to feel comfortable with my new sewing machine and there is so much to learn. To break in the machine, I began sewing beginner sewing projects. Since I had my first grandbaby last July, I thought sewing would give me the opportunity to learn some new "grandma" skills so I started sewing bibs, rag quilts, placemats, bowl cozies, potholders, oven mitts, table runners, stuffies, jelly roll rugs, pillowcases, pillow covers, bandanas, baskets, and now bags. Most of the items I have sewn have been gifted and I love the way it makes me feel inside when I give something handmade. Here are a few things I have sewn the past six months:

I think I am hooked! Fabric is just as addictive as paper and now I have a problem ha ha! A good problem. I need some organizational help!

Well that's what's happening in my world lately. I know I have taken a break from paper crafting, but I will be back again. I have too much invested in the hobby to give it up. I'm sure I'll make lots of mini albums of my family, but for now, I am loving the challenge of learning a new skill.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend. I hope you do something you love.

Ciao!