"Sew" Happy

I drug out my little sewing box on Friday to repair a few stray buttons and torn items that have literally been sitting on my dresser for weeks, months, I lose track. As I sat down to do it, both girls eagerly pounced on the box. They started pulling everything out and inspecting it carefully. Both of them love playing with the little red "tomato" pin cushion, and the different measuring tapes, and spools of assorted colored thread. Avery asked me if I knew how to sew. I said "yes", immediately underestimating my skills with, "well I know how to do really basic things". She asked, "why I never sewed her anything" (she's an "all or nothing" kinda gal). I told her that, "it's cause I never have time anymore". She asked me "what about Saturday?" (Do we really have to go into the whole Saturday thing again?!?) I agreed with her. We'd sew something on Saturday. After she went to bed, I started thinking about it. I hadn't drug out all my "serious" sewing stuff in over a year, and now was probably as good a time as any to do it. Besides, I kinda liked the idea of having a little sewing lessons with my little girls. All my craft junk is kind of stuffed into the office closet in the basement. It would take some rearranging to even get to the big box of fabric back there...was it really worth it?

Saturday morning rolled around and it was the first thing she asked me about. We went downstairs and I started pulling out boxes in order to get to the sewing stuff. I finally got to the big box of fabric, and behind it was my 1960's era sewing machine. I pulled it all out and figured I'd find a scrap or two of fabric she could sew with a big needle and thread. That was the last thing I remember before Mark came downstairs around 11:30 wondering what we were up to. By that time, I was putting the finishing touches on a travel pillow case, and starting on a purse for Maryn. That's kinda how I craft. I get started on a project and get so totally immersed in it, I can barely come up for air. I lose all track of time and reason and just focus entirely on completing the project. And so it was with our little morning of sewing on Saturday.

What's funny is that at some point, Avery lost interest and went back upstairs to play and watch cartoons. Maryn came down and stayed with me the whole time. She loved picking out different fabrics to put together in different patterns. She was the one who came up with the purse idea. She was cute and very involved and helpful. We had a good time, I think. And it was nice coming away with something tangible to remember the occassion. Avery got a pillow case too, but didn't end up actually sewing anything herself. I asked her later if she wanted to, and she said no, the pillow case was enough. I don't know if she really meant it, or if she's just a little wary of the crafting side of her Mom now. She's learned better than to ask her Mom to sew something for her again I think.



These are the travel pillowcases. The girls will take them to "school" (summer daycare) for quiet time after lunch.



Here's my little Sears Roebuck model showing off her new purse. She loaded it up with all her 7 year old necessities for our trip to the grocery store on Saturday. A Hannah Montana book, 3 different kinds of lip gloss, a plastic cell phone, and a couple of My Littlest Pet Shop creatures. She knows what she can't leave home without. She also used it for her Church bag on Sunday. At least it's already getting some good use.