meet my new brother!

my new brother....

Cute, right?! This Brother Sewing Machine was my 21st birthday gift from my mom.  She went above and beyond with this thing!  Yes, I'd asked for one, but I'd also asked if I could just have her old one...and she suprised me with this!  I don't know a whole lot about sewing machines, but I do know that this one is awwwesoooome. It has a quick-set bobbin, a special doo-hickey that threads the needle for me, and programmable stitches!

I had been wishing for a sewing machine so that I could get started on several of my craft ideas for the wedding and reception.  I also was hoping to be able to sew some pillow covers and some curtains for mine and Kyle's apartment when we're married. 

And now that I have my super-sweet sewing machine, wedding crafts are in full swing!  I am now a part-time Starbucks barista and a full-time "wedding craftaholic". 

I gave my new sewing machine a warm welcome by sewing up the fabric squares that will go in the middle of the reception tables on the white tablecloths.  I wanted to bring in my wedding colors and add a little more life to the center-pieces with these squares.  So in my head the centerpieces will build up from these squares...I picture tea-lights, an antique book, and a mason jar with a yellow and white wild-flower arrangement or an arrangement made of twigs and tree branches.

(There are 46 of these bad boys)

Another project underway (and probably my favorite one so far) includes the two banners that will hang in the reception hall.  The wedding recepetion will be held at The Watson Building in downtown Lubbock.  Inside there are two sets of stairs that lead up to two balconies on opposite sides of the room.  I am making a banner for each of the two balconies.   On one balcony, the banner will read, "Forever And Ever And Ever", and the banner on the opposite side will read, "To The Mood And Back".  "To the moon and back" is an expression that Kyle's mom, Liz, used to tell her sons how much she loved them when they were young (and still to the this day), and Kyle uses it now to tell me how much he loves me.

Here are the pieces so far....

Since taking these pictures, I have folded over each square about an inch and stitched it, leaving enough room for me to put a small rope through each square.  The rope will stretch from one end of the balcony banister to the other.  I'm going for something kind of whimsical and home-made.

I hope you enjoy!!

Expect a post soon on my (hopefully) tasty wedding favors.