The life and times of Libby Withnall

…and even more importantly used a variety of stitches. I’m so very proud of myself.

I feel like I’ve been a bad blogger lately but there really hasnt’ been too much exciting happening around here. I’ve been busy with cleaning and shuttling kids around the last few weeks so today I’m taking a ME day – it’s also A day in my life. Not sure what’s in store yet – shopping or scrapbooking or maybe some of both.

Anyway, I wanted to share last week sewing creation…. a table runner…

I’m just thrilled with how it turned out and how great it looks in the loungeroom. I’m now thinking of making covers for my cushions to bring more colour into the room.

This is my view now when watching TV.

I’ve now had three sewing lessons and finished my bag. I’m so happy with how it turned out.

Here’s what i had at the end of lesson 2.

And at the end of lesson 3.

I had no idea what I was going to do with it… then I decided it would make a great bag for knitting in the car. It worked great. I can fit in a few yarns of wool and my needles.

I’m very proud of myself. I’ve managed to hem some pants and a top for Amy, and even sewed up Bailey’s bed, where he ripped it. And I’ve finally mastered the art of threading the machine .

Okay, and now to share some of my latest knitting projects.

Firstly, this shrug, which took me nearly a year to complete . The button is now sewed on. I’m not sure whether to keep this for myself or give to Amy – maybe we can share.

And a scarf…

And I’ve got two more scarves underway…I know, I know, I really need to branch out with my knitting. And I do try. I need to find some video tutorials I think….

Yesterday I was very excited to have my first sewing lesson (well, techniquely I did have one years ago but can’t remember anything from then). I’ve been trying for years to have lessons but everytime I’d get enrolled in a class it would be cancelled due to lack of interest. Anyway, I just discovered in our little local shopping area (hadn’t been there for a while) – sewing store!!! And yes, they have lessons. And yesterday was my first one.

The lady who ran the class was very good (and very patient) and taught me how to thread the machine (I knew NOTHING) and about different stitches.

At the next class (in a fortnight because of Easter), I’m going to start making a bag. I wanted something nice and easy . I am impatient to get sewing now and might even have a muck around on the machine in the meantime. Amy already asked if I could make a costume for her speech on TUESDAY!!! Um, don’t think so sweetheart, unless you want a sack (I could probably sew one of those .

Yes, I’ve been saying it for years. Even went to one lesson (but then Kevin could never make it home from work on time). But if I could sew I could make these wonderful lunch bags on Sew, Mama, Sew. How brilliant are they?

Now that the girls are both at school I must find out about any sewing classes offered during the day. Otherwise I’m going to make it a priority to teach myself – and I don’t think that’s the best idea since I’ve always been sewing challenged. I mean, I can’t even get a button to stay on – they ALWAYS fall off.