Kenmore Mini Ultra

I'm posting this meme for the Sew, Mama, Sew! blog. So, if you really don't want to read all about my lovely sewing machine, then skip this post.


Photo courtesy of Sears.com. You think I'd take a picture of my sewing table? BAHAHAHAHA!

What brand and model do you have?
Kenmore Mini Ultra

How long have you had it?
About 3 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
I think I bought it on sale at Sears for $50-$80.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Clothing, stuffed animals/dolls, bags/purses, baby gifts (bibs, blankets, burp cloths), baby shoes

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I sew about 3-4 hours every other day. I would say it gets a moderate amount of wear and tear, but I maintain it pretty well.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I like my machine. It's very easy to use and small in size. Her name is Betty. :)

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
All of the basic features of any machine - a good amount of stitches, easy to use, etc. Nothing fancy.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
Nope.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
There is nothing super exciting to tell about it...other than I got it because I wanted to make my own veil for my wedding.
Oh, and I once thought it was possessed when I would turn it on and it would start sewing right away (turns out my fabric bin was on the pedal).

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Definitely. It is a great sewing machine for beginners or for anyone who is looking for a straight-forward, "no frills" machine.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
I think it's very important to look for a machine that is going to suit your specific needs, not just go out and buy one because it has all the bells and whistles.

Not for me...

This post is for Kayleigh.

There are a plethora of blogs out there that chronicle the journey of premature babies. The parents (and other family members) of these fragile little ones fill these blogs with words of love, inspiration, courage, and faith. I've happened upon several of these, but no blog caught my attention like that of Kayleigh Anne Freeman.

Right now, my heart breaks for this family. Kayleigh, who has spent the 10 months of her life in the NICU, had surgery a short time ago and is not recovering well. Not too long ago they were happily talking about finally bringing their baby home. Now those conversations have been replaced with ones of how best to spend the remaining days of her life.

I don't know what to say...other than please send a prayer or two their way.

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There is a song bouncing around in my head while I write this post. Maybe because, ultimately, I am confused as to why things are the way they are for Kayleigh right now.

So, instead of my usual "Dance Party" entry, I offer a song dedication to the Freemans:

"Downside Up" by Peter Gabriel

Recycling and Earth Day

It seems cheap to link someone else's post as "your" post for the day. Originally, it was going to be my post...but I handed it off to ShankRabbit. Why?

1. He was a little more, uh, emotional about this topic than me.
2. I knew he'd make it more enjoyable to read than I ever could.

So, if you want to know what happened with the garbage/recycling mix-up from yesterday, read ShankRabbit's post. You'll be glad you did.

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I don't know why the Earth Dayists (or is it Earth Dayans?) don't use an earth worm as the focal point of their marketing campaign. Yes, it is called "Earth Day" and they use an image of the Earth, but that's too expected. Earth worms are the true heroes. Their bodies are the perfect recycling plant (no worries of layoffs in there!). Cartoon drawings of worms can be rather cute:


See?

I bet that book is printed on recycled paper.

Did you know that earth worms are hermaphrodites (no awkward humping poses shown on the Discovery Channel that you'd have to explain to the kids)? They just slither past each other...like they are sharing a worm hug. Aww.

So, during your Earth Day festivities, hug a tree, pick up a piece of trash, and salute the earth worm.

(No, I am not under the influence of some legal or illegal substance. This post was encouraged by a Call Me Cate challenge).

Duct Tape

Today's post was inspired by receiving an "honorable mention" prize at Suburban Scrawl - a blue, green and white duct tape wallet, handcrafted by Melisa's son.

Funny that I would win this when just this past weekend, ShankRabbit's silver duct tape wallet (from Uncommon Goods, as seen here in all its new glory) bit the dust.



August 2005 - April 2009

Well, I wanted to see what things people have made with duct tape. You can purchase fashionable purses, guitar straps...or make your own dress/suit and submit it to a contest called "Stuck at Prom," sponsored by Duck brand duct tape.
You and your date make your prom attire out of duct tape and you could win a $5,000 scholarship (wow...where was this when I was in high school?!). If you click on the link you will see past entries - some basic, some super-intricate.

I'm thoroughly impressed...though I wonder how you'd manage in an outfit that has no ventilation whatsoever. Maybe they brought a change of clothes.

Crafts from me to you!

This came from Liz's blog, who got it from Momza's blog (and so on and so forth I'm sure). I can't believe I'm doing this. Just when I think I have more than enough craft projects to keep me busy...I...I can't help myself.

But don't worry about my serious crack craft addiction. All you need to know is that I'm offering you a chance to get something - HANDMADE - by yours truly. No real catch...just leave a comment. This will be for the first 5 comments (yes, even you international folks...though I can guarantee it will fit in an envelope if that's the case).
Here are the rules (original text in red, my additions in blue) -

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2. What I create will be just for you (no sweatshop mass-produced products here. I save my young workers for more menial tasks).

3. It'll be done this next month (As in, by the end of April. Peanut is turning 1...gotta allow time for me to lose my mind planning a party first).

4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or something sewn. I may draw or paint something. I may bake something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5.The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. (This is not necessary for entry. I know a lot of you that read as lurkers don't have a blog...so just leave a comment. I'd *heart* you if you promoted my blog in some way, though - blog, twitter, facebook, a passing conversation with your dentist)

Ok...and go!

See Isabella Write.

My baby needs SHOES, people!

Ok, maybe "need" is a little strong.

Peanut is not walking yet, but her unassisted standing has increased exponentially over the past couple weeks. Walking is so close I can taste it - "it tastes like FEET!" (one of the best "Friends" episodes ever). And why shouldn't she be able to do that in style?

I'm not willing to donate a kidney to afford some of the other children's shoes on the market (I won't name names, but it starts with a Stride and ends in Rite). I also don't want to put cardboard cutouts on her feet, either...they just don't go with anything.

Look What Mom Found's giveaways keep getting better and better. I'm coveting a pair of See Kai Run shoes (visit their website here).

I bet most of you are thinking, "Would you just quit it with your giveaway posts already?"

If making a simple blog post means I get an extra entry...then you are out of luck for now.

* * * * *
On the docket for tomorrow - a serious post (for once). Titled - Engagement: The Prequel.

Methinks this is not an appropriate "serious" sounding title for the subject matter...but it will have to do.

Link-a-rific...and Giveaways!

This time, I'm not doing the giveaway...I'm promoting giveaways.

"Wait, wait, wait. I'm sure you meant 'giveaway' in its singular form, no?"

No, giveaways - PLURAL!

You just have to stop by Look What Mom Found (it can be done by clicking the link or using the button on the left of my blog). Her spring blog party is in full swing and she's giving away some awesome stuff -

Like a pair of Pedoodles shoes...

Or a RuffleButts diaper cover...

How about some Baby Rock Apparel?

There are other items offered in the giveaway for all those who don't have kids - so everyone, GO CHECK IT OUT!

(A big thank you to Peanut Butter and Smelly's Dad for leading me over there through his blog)

Random Thursday #2

One of my blog friends, Liz, is going to look at a preschool for her daughter tonight. Here is my train of thought:

Wow...that's got to be one heck of an emotional roller coaster for her - her baby all grown up and stuff. Wait...Peanut is going to be a year old in a month! Holy crap! She's that much closer to preschool!

Here's the plan: I'm going to find that Peter Pan fellow, jump him for all his magical, Neverland fairy dust, and douse Peanut in it. She's never growing up, got it? GOT IT?!

* * * * *

Has anyone else watched the show "Word World?" Little did I know the word drawings I used to make in grammar school would become a show.

Time to...(dum dum dum dum dum) BUILD A WORD!


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Are you having a so-so day right now? Need a little laugh? Stop by the Daddy Files blog and listen to his son laugh uncontrollably at bubbles. There just something about hearing a baby laugh that makes your day better.

* * * * *

We're still feeling like poo warmed over in this household, but Peanut slept from about 9:30pm until 8:45am. I am a (somewhat) well-rested mama.

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Today's post was brought to you today by the letter H: