Christmas Tree Skirt

The tree skirt is finished that I made for my daughter. Now, for the story behind it.

I saved the piece of gold fabric that I had used to cover the kneeling bench at her wedding. We borrowed the kneeling bench from another church. It had a red bench that clashed badly with the red carpet in our church, so I made a slip cover for it by putting a casing to hold elastic and fitted it over the bench. I then secured the corners with a few straight pins.

I kept it with the hopes that I could think of something to make with it as a keepsake. However, I could not come up with anything to do with it. I thought for months and nothing very original came to mind. One day I mentioned it to my hubby who is extremely creative. Should have mentioned it to him much earlier as he always has ideas. He had the idea of the tree skirt. It wouldn't be something they had to have out all the time, but once a year, it would remind them of their wedding and kneeling at the cross.

I had to piece it, but you really don't notice it at all. The seams worked out well. I monogrammed their monogram as a couple that had been on their invitation and napkins.

Lindsay picked out the green and red trim from my pile of fabrics that I have been hoarding for quite a while. I think it turned out quite nice and hope they will enjoy it around their first Christmas tree this year. 

Here is a closeup of the front.

Another view of the full skirt.

The back.

I lined it so the stitching wouldn't show and to give it a little more weight.

Hallie, their little precious puppy who I am dog sitting for until she gets a bit older had to get in the picture.

I secured the opening with three velcro squares for easy opening and fastening.

I will share a picture when she puts it under her first tree.

Now, onto the next sewing project.

Thanks for visiting,

Sandy

Linking up with

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2014/12/245th-inspire-me-tuesday.html#more

and

http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/2014/12/one-project-at-a-time-12214.html

and

http://www.cozylittlehouse.com

and

http://www.impartinggrace.com/2014/12/grace-at-home-no-133.html

What I Wore

I met my daughter for lunch today and then did a little shopping. Since retirement, my wardrobe consists of shorts, t-shirts, jeans, and more t-shirts with a few sweats thrown in for working around the house. I love it! Probably a bit too much. I have to remind myself to try and make myself look a little nice for the hubby sometimes.

Anyway, I decided to dress up a bit more for the trip shopping. It was cold, and I was going to have to layer up anyway. My daughter suggested I share my outfit on the blog, so I am doing just that.

Brace yourselves for fat, silver hair, and aging....

Keeping it real with messy counter behind. I have to keep the trash can on the counter because I am grand puppy sitting for my daughter and son-in-law during the day. She is too young too leave alone for as long as she has to be there.

Now, for the fat, silver, and aging woman that I am.  54 years old...time does fly!

I'd rather say silver than gray, because it sounds much nicer. I love seeing what women my age are wearing, so if I am going to view others, then I guess I have to be brave enough to share myself. I think we can get too focused on all our flaws sometimes. I have plenty of them, but I am trying not to see the flaws only. I want to be healthier, because I have rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism, so I have been trying to eat better since retirement.

The jeans and sweater are from Talbot's, the checked shirt from Tog, and the boots are from the Shoe Department.

Hmmm, maybe I will do this again sometime.

Thanks for visiting,
Sandy

Loving My Sewing Room

Oh my...I love my new room. The wrapping paper and ribbon holder is in. 

After sewing for a few days and being in the room. I did find the perfect place for the clock. It went up high above the door. I still need to change the electrical plates. I am waiting on the correct color.

I am loving the set up for sewing. I will share more later.

For now, I am working on a tree skirt for Lindsay. The gold fabric is from the kneeling bench from her wedding. I saved it, and then I have wondered what in the world what I would make with it.

Hubby came up with this idea, and I loved it. I have to gather the red piece to attach to separate the gold from the green.

I will share when I am finished.

Sandy

Sewing Room Reveal

I am beyond excited to share my new sewing room. It has been in the works since my retirement in June, after 31 years of teaching. I just simply wanted to spruce up my junk room and had looked around Pinterest for ideas to use my existing furniture. Almost all of my beginning posts on this blog had to do with looking forward to retirement and having time to sew and stitch. Those are my hobbies that took a back seat to teaching and raising a family.

My dear daughter planted the seed in my husband's ear that I needed some updates in the sewing room. My hubby who is the greatest gift giver in the world took her idea and set out to give me a sewing room.

There are a few small things left to be done, a rod for hanging ribbon, drawer and cabinet pulls, touch up painting, and new switch plates over some new outlets, but I am dying to share.

The reveal....

The most dramatic change was opening up the closet. I can't believe how much larger this made the room.

I am still waiting for the wrapping paper and ribbon holder that will go across part of the wall between the cabinets and workspace., new switch plates, and drawer pulls.

I have already loved this space. All my crafting tools are hidden away and I plan to move the items on top as soon as the final pieces are in place. I want it free on the workspace.

Next up, is the sewing area. This space used to just house my sewing machine table. I was very unsure about this part of the drawing, but I absolutely love it.

 My sewing machine is actually sitting on my mama's sewing machine and table. This used to sit in the window. I love the addition of the counter space. I can work sitting or standing there to cut out a pattern or lay the work in progress. My garbage can fits nicely underneath to hopefully keep me neat. The view is out of this world. I never take it for granted. The sun rises over that bayou. I can pull the blinds down still as the counter leaves room for that. I also love that when I am cutting fabric, that it can fall down over the side easily. 

The next wall has cabinets up top. The original drawings had the center without doors. I decided I wanted doors, so that if I am messy, it can be hidden. My ironing board fits nicely underneath and is easily accessible to the sewing area.

I can easily slide the ironing board back underneath the cabinet and there is a spot to the left of the plug in that holds the iron and distilled water, starch, tailors' clapper, etc.

The ironing board is quite special to me. I nabbed it away from my mom years ago. It is at least 54 years old, because that is my age. They don't make them like that anymore. The ironing board cover minus that blue thing hanging down is wonderful too.  I purchased it from http://timesaflying.blogspot.com. Cheryl Matis runs this blog and has an Etsy shop. The ironing board covers are super duper.

 This is the cabinets opened. I love that I can shop my fabric, since I have been a hoarder for the last couple of years. I so wanted to have time to sew, but not when you are working full time. Only the occasional summer project.

Moving around to the fourth wall is my storage dream. Hubby told them make it go to the ceiling. I know I could probably make it neater with wicker baskets, but I wouldn't be able to see the stuff in them. I really want it to be useful, not just a pretty room.

The top half.

The bottom half.

 One more photo of where I can sew to my heart's delight.

Yes, I am in love. Now, for a few before pictures.

This was on a good day. To be honest, there was always a row of school stuff that I would be working on in front of the shelves.

I loved this furniture. I plan to use it in another room. It just wasn't the most functional for my needs.

My sewing table sat in the window matched the furniture pretty well.

Now, for the disaster. AKA, sewing closet.

This was just a mess. I couldn't get to anything and always had to pull out tubs to get to the one I needed. Good thing it had closet doors.

Now, for just a few details that speak volumes to me. The room is full of ME. It has some of my favorite things. I am a pack rat and very sentimental. Choosing the things that I put in here was hard. I am having a very hard time decluttering my home.

The photo on the left has my Dick and Jane collection. These are the books I learned to read and love as an elementary student. I loved Spot and all the other characters. When Jeff and I married, I said I wanted a Springer Spaniel like Spot. We have had three of those lovely dogs over our 30 years. I also have a great love of space and science. The top row is the actual science books from my elementary years as well.

The globe was my childhood globe purchased with S&H green stamps. Remember those?! The skates are about 60 years old at least. They were my mama's. They have wooden wheels. I used them as a teen. They were wonderful.

Then there a few things from my teaching career. One of the plaques was given to me by students. I treasure it. They are the real test of whether you have done a good job.

The top photo is something I stitched for my classroom. The geranium was painted by someone very special to me in my walk with Christ. I love my stitched laundry piece. My laundry area is right outside the sewing room. I love this picture of my dad. I want to have him with me as I sew. I lost him early in life. Miss him...he would have been proud of me.

The plan...

I think it has turned out wonderfully.

Well, if I can't have fun in this room, then something is wrong with me. I want to learn to sew well. It was always a great love. My favorite classes in college were my sewing classes. I was always a little unsure of myself, but I am going to practice bunches.

I have linked up with

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2014/11/show-and-share-no-235.html

and

http://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/2014/11/project-parade-17.html