Friday, May 22, 2009

Sewing, Finishing, Living

A few years ago (when we were still living in Tucson, AZ) my mom awarded me ownership of a little piece of equipment I will always associate fondly with sweet mom-made summer dresses - her old Kenmore sewing machine. All these years it's been untouched (short of the 8 moves we made in less than 2 years, that is). I hadn't a clue how to use it.

Well since my mom was in town for my sister's graduation - Congrats Steph! - I made it a point to get out the sewing machine for a little how-to! And this is the fruit of that lesson:


A little dress for my Lady Bug! It is terribly flawed, and please let's not even bring up the little diaper cover that was supposed to go with it! But I'm actually very proud of it! So I pat myself on the back! This is only the beginning of my sewing adventures!!! I am hooked!

Speaking of Lady Bug...guess who is now rolling from her back to her belly! They grow up way too fast!

On the stitching front, last week I made time to finish my "Paper Whites" by LHN into a little pinkeep. This is even complete with a hem-stitched pocket on the back! And I did a bow using Vonna's method. I'm more than pleased with the way it turned out! It's easily my best finish to date :)

Paper Whites by Littlehouse Needleworks
Stitched 1 over 1
Thread: Recommended DMC
Fabric: 28 Count natural linen
Stitched: 5/1/09 - 5/8/09
Finished as pinkeep: 5/21/09

Other than that, things are going well around here. I started thinking seriously in the past week or so about going back to school. I went to the University of Arizona straight out of high school, and after about 4 years there, I was miserable and still had no direction and no degree to show for myself. I just couldn't find anything that felt right. So after a lot of contemplation, I left school to start a family. We've been very blessed that DH can support us and I can stay at home with the bugs. But I still want to have my degree. Now at 26, I know what I want to study and what I want to do outside of being a mom and wife. I want to be a nurse. And that brings us around to today.

My sister's passion - besides boy bands of the 1990s - is student affairs in a university setting. She just graduated with a masters degree in College Student Personnel. So my talking about going back to school gets her blood flowing! Today she went with me to the University of Missouri - St Louis to poke around campus. I just wanted to see the university and planned to make some calls next week to speak with an adviser there. But, leave it to my sister to have me seated in an adviser's office in the College of Nursing before I even knew what had happened! I left there with a lot of answered questions and a plan. That leaves me both excited and terrified! But nothing happens if we don't just commit, grin and bear it for a while, and follow through. So, that's that...I'm going back to school! And, with 2 small children and commitments to my family and husband, I give myself 3 years. I expect to have my BSN in 3 years. You heard it here first :)

25 comments:

Ranae said...

Super nice finishes.
The dress is adorable. I do hope you take a pic of the little ladybug in it.
I love the pinkeep with the pocket.
The green bow really sets it off nicely

Kathy A. said...

Wow, you are blossoming out all over.
The little sundress is absolutely beautiful and more so because you made it yourselft.
Your pinkeep is lovely and the bow perfect.
And going back to school - very brave. I applaud you for remembering to take care of yourself in the midst of everything else and wish you all the best.

Michele said...

That dress is adorable! Can't wait to see pictures of Lady Bug in it :) and wow, you pinkeep is lovely!

and what a adventure you have ahead of yourself .. I'm so impressed you are taking on this with two small children .. congratulations on the big decision .. I know you'll do great!

Dawn T. said...

I think the dress looks perfect! I love sewing clothes for my kids.

Congrats on going back to school!!

Jacque said...

The dress is awesome...quit being so hard on yourself. Make her several more, they look cool and terrific for summer!

I'm very proud of you for even contemplating nursing school. I can't imagine going back with one small child, much less two...you can do it!!!!!!!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Love the dress :) CUTE! And your pinkeep finish is perfect! That bow...gorgeously done!!!

Maggie said...

That little dress doesn't look at all flawed to me, it's fantastic!
Love your little pinkeep too.

Congrats on deciding to go back to uni, i hope everyhting works out well for you :-)

Sharon said...

Wow, lots going on at your house! Sweet dress-flaws and all. I have no talent in that arena at all. The pinkeep is perfect! Great job! Congrats on deciding to go to school-getting more education is always a positive step. Good Luck!

Michele B. said...

Kim. I think if you set your mind to it, there's nothing you can't do! Whether it's learning to sew or learning to be a nurse, your persistence will get you through. I admire you tremendously. I love both your new finishes - the dress is adorable, and the hemstitching on the pinkeep is such a nice touch. I just traded in my old Kenmore for a brand new monster machine, and I have no clue how to use it. Can I come over to your house?

Sally said...

What a cute little dress! I think you made a fantastic job of it.

Love your Paper Whites pinkeep. It's so pretty.

Cindy said...

That pretty little dress was a great start, and you did a terrifc job!

The pinkeep is beautiful!

Michelle said...

Oh I love your Paperwhites finish!

BeckySC said...

PERFECT finish on your pinkeep :) I just love it!!
The dress is adorable :)
((hugs))

Anonymous said...

That little dress is sooo sweet, your pinkeep is gorgeous and your plans are just awesome! Good luck!!

Brigitte said...

What a sweet little dress this is. And I love your pinkeep finishing with that perfect bow. Soemthing I still ave to learn.

Cheryl said...

Well congratulations you! That is great news about going back to school. Nurses are amazing people and work hard - i know from watching them whilst Caleb was in hospital. A rewarding job im sure. Good luck with your plans.
Love the wee dress! So cute look forward to seeing your next sewing project then :)

Stef said...

I love he little pocket on the back of your pinkeep - se sweet!!!

Rachel S-H said...

Congratulations on going back to school. That is fantastic.

The dress looks adorable. I got a sewing machine for Christmas and I am scared of it.

Lelia said...

excellent job sewing up the dress! And a beautiful pinkeep, too : )

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Three years is a good goal. You can do it!

I'll bet your little lady bug loves her new summer dress. :)

monique said...

Great dress! Congrats on making a decision to go back to school! BTW, there are several nurses in the StL Stitchers group ;)

mainely stitching said...

That dress is utterly adorable - you should be VERY proud of yourself!

Best wishes with the nursing endeavor!!!

Katie P. said...

Thank you Miss Kim for writing me on my blog :) You must know my Mommy. I think she left a link on her blog today for people to visit me cause I'm sure getting lots of visitors! I've added your blog to my reader and I'll visit you again real soon!
HUGS,
Katie P.

Kathy said...

Cute little dress. Makes me want to sew again. Nice finish of your paper whites.

Congrats on your decision to go back to school. Nursing what a career. Always have a need for good caring nurses.

Rachel V said...

Hey Kim, *beautiful* pinkeep and what a sweet summer dress for your babe. Congratulations on being a handiwork goddess! :)