New creations…

The sun is shining, there is a breeze in the air and life is good.

As you all know, my sewing machine and I have reacquainted ourselves over the past few weeks… well really I’ve used that time to get to know her a little better, since the machine I had spent the most time with stayed in Germany after my move back to the States.

I’ve always loved making things… it started when I was young. I remember being taught to stitch on plastic canvas and then moving on to the more complicated counted cross stitch… which I still love, but just don’t have the patience for right now. During our visits to Germany, my Oma would teach me to knit and crochet and latch hook… I didn’t really “get” crocheting, but thanks to her I have knit a handful of scarves over the years. More recently the knitting bug bit me again and thanks to the internet I have learned a little more and have even attempted knitting a sweater for Abby (which she grew out of before it was even finished!). Thanks to the kids being born, I was also interested in learning to crochet again and am happy to say that this time I “got” it and LOVE it!!

I don’t remember the first time I sat down and used a sewing machine… I do know that I was young and we were still living in Ohio. I sewed my first stitches on my mom’s old machine (I think it’s a Singer), even before I had Home Ec in the 7th grade. I didn’t sew anything extravagant or elegant… just simple things like fold over pouches.

We moved to Illinois before I could sew anything in my Home Ec class and I’ve never taken any formal sewing classes. I have kept up with it over the years though and have sewn simple things… curtains, drawstring pouches, comforters, trow pillows… anything with a straight seam! 😉

Certain crafts relax me and sewing is one of them. I love the sound of the machine while two or more pieces of  fabric become one. Since the kids were born I started wanting to stretch myself… to improve myself…

I went from just sewing a simple drawstring pouch to sewing a reversible tote with liner… a few weeks ago I even sewed my first zippered throw pillows!!

I’ve gone from only sewing using a straight stitch, to appliqueing using a zig zag stitch too… that was a double wow for me… not only was I using a different stitch, but I was also sewing around curves!!

I find that there is something magical about seeing piles of fabric and yarn become something. It doesn’t matter to me if that is done through cross stitch, knitting, crocheting or sewing. I just love being able create new things… practical things… fun things… and sharing them with others.

And so after talking about it with Ray (who supports me 200% in this endeavor), I’m putting myself out there to create more… to learn more… and to stretch myself a little further…

I read somewhere recently that once a day you should do something that scares you… well this both scares and excites me on a daily basis, because as we speak (or write… or read),

is being born. I have been thinking about taking this step for such a long time and am so excited that I’m finally moving forward with it. Noby Designs is still in it’s infancy and there is still so much that I have to work on… but… I can’t wait to reveal everything once it’s all ready!!! I know I could have waited to reveal everything at once, but I just couldn’t stay quiet about it any longer!

Thanks so much for being here and letting me share my excitement with  you!!! I wish you all a great Wednesday!!