home ec

Hello again, interwebs! Or rather, hello to the four people I reminded that I had a blog! I'm back after a rather long hiatus. This is a quick post so as not to overwhelm myself. (Actually, going back to read this over, it's longer than anticipated. Look at me go!)

More than anything, I'd like to document my monumental jump back into sewing. (This may be where I lose 50% of you!) Specifically, I'm actually taking a sewing course! I found Home Ec on one of my most favourite time wasters, Pinterest. (If you're not on Pinterest... well, actually, most of you are I think. But if you aren't, get on it my friends! My boards are here.)

This is an awesome gem of an online course that you take at your own pace. Perfect for me and my newly chaotic life! It's a great excuse to make some "me time" for myself (as I was reminded to do by J tonight) and improve my beginner level sewing skills. Ironically, the last time I really took a sewing class was my junior high home ec classes. This is much better because none of the projects are flannel nightgowns with much too big collars or knee-length boxer shorts. Or odd-shaped pillows. Big, jungle-printed pillows. Whatever happened to that pillow, come to think of it? I know I made boxer shorts out of that same jungle material. I was a real style maven in grade 8. In the last few years, I've sewn a lot of gift bags, grocery/market totes and napkins. So, imagine my surprise to find out what the first three projects in Home Ec were! Drawstring gift pouch, napkins two ways and reusable grocery bag. (I could have written this course people.)

So, there are actually 27 projects in this course. And, apparently, I'll have enough skill to make a quilt on project #27. I'm laughing on the outside but crying on the inside on that one. Can't believe that would be possible but that's probably not the right attitude or approach to take! But bets on when I reach project #27? My money's on 2014.

So, all that to say that this is my first official Home Ec project. Project #1: "drawstring gift pouch." Handily enough, almost all of the materials I used were already on hand. Because I am a wannabe hoarder so fabric stacks abound in my craft room. Vintage sheets (this floral fabric will last me a lifetime it seems, but I love it!) and some pink fabric with little gold ladybugs on it. Pretty cute. And of course ribbon from my days running a multi-million dollar home business for Stampin' Up. For this project, I only had to buy embroidery thread and embroidery needles. Being in the embroidery thread aisle took me back to my days of making friendship bracelets, another junior high obsession. But yet again, I digress.

As far as first projects go, I'm pretty happy with this one. Now on to project #2: "cloth napkins two ways." I know you're already on the edge of your seats for that one. At the rate I'm sewing, I may have those done by Christmas. But don't hold your breath. Wish me luck!

Now get off my blog and go waste some time on Pinterest!