Thanks Sew Much

Have I mentioned before that I like love to sew? It's absolutely true: I do, I do. I've been hand sewing since I was a child and machine sewing since seventh grade when I took my first home ec. class. I ran a successful home-based business making and selling handmade fabric bags (handbags, purses, tote bags, drawstring backpacks, eyeglasses cases, wristlets, coin purses, and such) for six years before I realized that I had hit the wall. Yup, I overdosed on my first crafting love. By then the economy had hit the skids, so that decline, coupled with my burnout, made my decision to fold up shop a relatively easy one. I don't sew nearly as often these days (aside from the sewing that I love to do on my papercrafting projects), but rather than viewing it as a breakup with my first love, I prefer to consider the current state of affairs as just "being on a break."

I know I'll delve head-first into my love affair with fabric and thread again sometime, but in the meantime I am so enjoying the wonderful sewing notions papercrafting trend we are seeing right now. I love spotting retro-chic sewing machines, pins and needles, dress forms, pincushions, spools of thread, thimbles, sewing scissors, patterns, tape measures, button cards, zippers, and more just about everywhere! And plus, you just can't beat the puns in the world of the seamstress--sew funny, right?

So (or perhaps I should say "Sew"), it was with great interest that I read about the I'm Sew Excited! Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. I knew I could have a lot of fun with this one!! But because of my great love of sewing, I also knew that this couldn't be just a casual fling of a card. It had to be something really amazing, if only I could pull it off. So I put a lot of thought into my creation. And when I was done, I had something that I really, truly loved. Loved! Loved so much, in fact, that I was feeling a little overprotective--at first, I wasn't sure that I wanted to share it! Is that so weird?? My much-more-rational hubby talked me down, though, convincing me that I have nothing to lose by linking this up. So, here goes:

There! I did it!

Did you catch the vintage straight pins? The hand stitching and machine stitching? How about that retro sewing machine and the vintage buttons? Yup, I've fallen in love with sewing all over again. This one makes my heart so happy.

Thanks for dropping in today. May your day be filled with bliss!
Emily

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Thankful Mums and Pumpkins (Thanks sentiment) by Mark’s Finest Papers; Taglines (Much sentiment) by Flourishes; Total Cuteness (frame) by Unity Stamp Co.
Paper: Kraft CS from Papertrey Ink, Natural CS from Neenah, Gertie Papers from Stella and Rose Collection by My Mind’s Eye
Ink: Old Olive dye ink by Stampin’ Up!
Accessories: vintage straight pins, vintage buttons, SU Sweet Stitches rub on, flower stickers by Sandylion Essentials, foam tape, sewing machine, thread, CK Monogram font (www.creatingkeepsakes.com)
Techniques: hand stitching, machine stitching