Sewing

For my birthday (coming in February), I told Jim that I wanted a new sewing machine. The sewing machine that I have is a Brother machine, and it was crap (quite frankly). Ok...I did buy it only for my scrapbooking and card making--you know, sewing on my pages...cute stitches for an embellishment. Well, I was actually hemming and sewing on patches for Girl Scouts, and the machine was only giving me heck. So, I decided, I want a machine that is going to be sturdy, offer a little variety, doesn't need a ton of bells and whistles, but needs to just do what I ask of it (which isn't a lot as I'm not big into sewing).
The place where I take my vacuum to be worked on, Parker Sewing & Vacuum, is a dealer for Janome sewing machines. I researched the machines and found that while not expensive like Berninna, Viking, etc. they are good machines--work well. They don't need a lot of maintenance and do what you need to (especially for someone such as myself).
I got this great machine that was sponsored by the Heart Society for the year--a special edition. It offers 50 stitches and a few other really nice features that make life easy (needle threader, speed control, easy bobbin insertion, needle up/down feature).
The machine works like a dream. I got a couple of simple patterns...an apron and a dress. I figured out how to follow a pattern, and I'm still learning, but my first 2 projects were a success. The apron turned out rather LARGE, but cute nonetheless. Isabel loves the dress I made her, and in my mind, that is a PASS for that project--(I was really proud of how it turned out too!) Last night, I bought a pajama pattern and some material for the boys. Wish me luck!

Christmas in Colorado

My Sister, Marcie and her family, Jay, Jorma & Allison along with my parents, came to Colorado for Christmas. I was so happy to host everyone at my home...my first time having Christmas guests here. It was wild as you can expect with that much energy, but it was exciting to see their excitement. The kids had a great Christmas morning...with so many gifts...I guess they were "nice" this year--Santa thought so! We all enjoyed a beautiful Christmas dinner. We're all really grateful for the plenty that we have. I'm grateful for such a beautiful family that I love SO much, and for a home, employment, my mother being with us after a hard year with health, and family that care enough to come from afar to spend this holiday with us. I hope your Christmas was as memorable (in a good way) too.

Christmas 2008 Memories:
Yeartly ornament picking for FHE, Seeing Santa and going to the Ward Christmas Party, Caroling to the neighbors, Singing Christmas songs around the Piano, Isabel & I performing our piano duet of "Do You Hear What I Hear, Playing games every night (when kids allowed), Yummy ham dinner with Marcie's homemade mashed potatoes, A beautiful new scarf made with love by a great friend, the gorgeous Christmas tree, and Christmas Cards in the mailbox.