Pinspiration: Menu Board

So, my sewing machine was in the shop... but my need to make something was great.  I often turn to Pinterest for inspiration, so I checked out some of the Pins I've been hoarding the last few months.  I had been wanting to make a Menu Board similar to one I had seen on Pinterest.  The original was from Lauren at The Thinking Closet.  You can read all about hers here.  Love the original, but wanted somthing more in keeping with my Victorian home, and wanted to spend only a little time making it, before the creative urge died with the realization that I couldn't sew!  My current method of menu posting involves a tattered piece of paper posted on the fridge.

So I headed to a craft store (but NOT Hobby Lobby whom I refuse to patronize, as we are on opposite sides of the fence as regards a woman's reproductive health rights).  And purchased:

1. A pre-cut chalkboard
2. Cute rub-on decals
3. Glittered baby clothespins      
4. Magnets
5. Cardstock
6. Glue (well, ok, I already owned the glue!)   

The decals were the type that you rub into place with a popsicle stick, allowing you to look like a great painter and artiste.  Once the decals were in place, I glued on my clothespins and magnets on the back to hold the board onto my fridge.  While it lacks the little pockets for holding the cards that the original had, I'm quite happy with the result.

What ideas have you gotten from Pinterest lately?  Please share!

Sewing Withdrawal

My main sewing machine is in the shop.  I was working on a little restyle (which I was planning to post) and it just refused to continue.  I opened everything I was comfortable opening and could not see any problems - no thread visibly looped where it should not have been, no obvious issues of any kind - so off to the repair shop it went.

My Euro-Pro has been my main machine for many years.  I really love almost everything about this machine, although it can be fussy in the tension department, and will bleep at me in an annoying manner if things get bollixed up.  I have sewn an amazing number of projects on this machine, with stunning results.

Now to be honest, I also own two Singers of relatively recent vintage, two antique Singers and a Brother introductory type serger.  Love the serger, too, though I'm still challenged every time I go to thread it. Without my go-to machine, I feel a little lost, and my projects are at a stand-still.

What's your favorite machine, and what do you doo when it's in the shop?

Isn't That Pinteresting? - 7: Japanese Sewing Patterns

Japanese patterns!  This pin is only one representation of the many, many patterns I have pinned from this general category of patterns.

The garments have such simple elegance.  An interesting blend of modern, and more traditional garment structures from historical Japanese costuming.  They seem somewhat timeless.  Relaxed and comfortable, dainty and feminine.

I've begun to collect several pins on patterns themselves, how to sew the Japanese patterns, and what resources are available at other blogs.  I'd love to make a few of these.  The only problem I see is that, at least currently, I am not exactly delicate.  My frame is not a tiny one, even when I am thinner.  Does anyone out there have any experience with these patterns, particularly for a decidedly Western frame?  I'd love to hear from you!

Under Construction!

Please pardon a few experimental changes!  Things will settle down soon, and thank you for stopping by!