IMPASSE

When I begin to compose my blog entry the word that immediately flashed through my mind was impasse.  IMPASSE 1 a : a predicament affording no obvious escape b : deadlock 2: an impassable road or way : cul-de-sac.  That is pretty much the situation of my life at this point in time.  With debt overshadowing every waking moment of my day, a career that just didn’t quite pan out the way I expected; there’s more than just working and getting a good check,  a crashed marriage….pretty much adds up to an impasse.  But, the word of God in Phillipians 4:8 reads Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.   I spend my time and energy doing just that…even force feeding it to myself most times.

With Tacara being the teen that walks the thin line of being hugged and choked, and Sean being the typical two year old, it’s surprising that I haven’t went completely gray, but as it has been over 2 years, since I have been in a hair salon, I’m just happy it hasn’t fell out!  But, my heart swells with the joy of loving those two absolutely. 

Things have changed on my sewing scene; an embroidery machine was added to my arsenal!  Oh my what a learning curve just to get started, and so much more to learn to become proficient.  After the successful sale of Sean’s baby equipment on Craig’s List (some sad moments here!) and some supplementation from the Mom’s, I purchased a used Singer Quantum XL 5000 from Sew Much More.   But, you don’t just stop there, you need software if you want to do other things besides the designs on your embroidery machine, and trust me you do.  Yikes!  Digitizing software is hundreds of dollars!  I just spent $500 for the machine! Crikey!  What does one do!  My friend, that darn Amy, said why not look for free software….free…that’s dumb!  Well………..(sheepishly here), she was right!  There is free software out there. I’m using this amazing software Stitch Era Universal.  It’s not some janky program either!  It was and is a learning curve. I read the manual in completion and I joined the Sierra Universal forum and I’m absolutely loving it. Oh there have been disasters in my embroidery foray, but there has been successes, and there has definitely been learning!  

Things could definitely be worse, but you know things will definitely get better!!! I am not the half empty type here! The life of this 36 year old seems to be at an impasse right now, but I have my health and I’m surrounded by love. So, I’ll do all I know to do and that is not quit…this too shall pass…..for I serve a God that is able to bring me through.

Without further ado....pics! 

Here you see the costume I sewed using Simplicity pattern 2324

 Check out the background.....no, I didn't sew his, but isn't he cute!

simple diaper bag...

....a side view

And here's my embroidery machine a Singer Quantum XL 5000

The following 3 onesies are my very first embroidery projects....I totally spelled the name wrong! OOPs! Insert blushing....

This Christmas onesie was for baby Audrey. I cut the applique fabric

 on the bias, and added a bow..cute!

And I took the knowledge I gained from Audrey's onesie to create

2 more for a set of siblings. A onesie for Jake and a shirt for Kate. My machine totally

went out when I begin working on Jake's onesie...stress! It was fixed within a day and I was

able to complete the project.

And my favorite thing to see, my creations being worn!  This makes me happy!

5 year old Caden wanted a Spongebob shirt.  His family says he loves this shirt!  AWESOME!

I made this giftset for a co-worker that was having her first child.

Personalized gifts are the best!

I made these stockings for my 2 nephews, Bryant & Kameron. The embroidered names are hard to see in this pic. The stripes kept playing tricks with my camera. 

I embroidered these stockings for my friends, the Sim's.

I've been sewing for awhile now, but this is the very first item I made  for Sean Michael.

A shopping cart cover.

The following burp cloths and bibs were made for a shower gift....and then my machine broke again. Waaaa!  This giftset was suppose to include 4 matching onesies.

Friends until later.........LOVE, PEACE & SEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!