work space | you and mie

Sorry to keep you in suspense! I thought I’d be able to post before the weekend, but I’ve been buried in work and projects and then went out of town for the weekend. I don’t have time to tell you all about it now, but here’s a peek at what was inside ONE of the boxes.

I’m excited and proud to introduce (one of the) newest additions to my work space, MY NEW SEWING MACHINE, my first sewing machine EVER! It’s a Brother PC-420 and it is incredible. I’ll give you a full review once I’ve spent more time on it, but I just wanted to show you one of the reasons I’ve been so busy – I can’t get off the machine! I want to call in sick from work and sew, sew, sew! Stay up all night and sew, sew, sew! This thing has more settings and feet and stitches than I’ll ever need, but it’s nice to know they are there! Now I have to read the 200 page manual and figure out how to use everything. And maybe give her a name?? 🙂

Now, I don’t think that new and fancy machines are necessary for good quality sewing. The ones I’ve borrowed in the past were excellent machines and I was perfectly happy with them (and extremely grateful that I was able to use them). But it feels good to finally have my own machine. And to have something BRAND new. I feel like I have to take good care of it. And make amazing things with it. And I WANT to make amazing things with it. And it was all possible because of some very generous and loving friends and family members. They pulled together to give me the money for the machine. Their support and belief in me as I pursue my passion is priceless. And now they’ll be a part of everything that I sew! And any successes I have, will be thanks to them. And through all the struggles I have, I know they’ll be right there with me. And now I’m getting ridiculously cheesy, so I need to stop.

I LOVE MY NEW MACHINE. Now I just need more time to play on it!!

Yesterday I came home to the most amazing gift I’ve ever received.

My jaw dropped. I cried. This is NOT what my sewing set-up looked like when I left for work! Hideko and our very good friend, Sanjai, spent the day cleaning, clearing, building, reorganizing and rearranging to give me the most amazing sewing/crafting center ever. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

The left side of the “office” was always mine and I’ve had this narrow desk set up for sewing since we moved into this apartment. But the large desk was Hideko’s and there was not nearly as much storage or desk space on the right. She cleared off the entire desk so I can use it for sketching, cutting, and ironing (and of course for Hideko to use too).

Hideko had this sign made for me! We’re not quite sure what to do with it yet, but it does make me feel quite official.

I LOVE my new crafting area – I’m still in disbelief that I get all this space!! I guess Hideko was tired of seeing me hunched over on the floor. Although, I do enjoy working on the floor sometimes, this is definitely an appreciated upgrade. Not only is the space a gift, they cleaned up EVERYTHING for me! I will not deny it, I am a total slob. Before yesterday, there were piles of fabric, patterns, unfinished projects, clothes and other crap all over this office space. Sanjai was shocked that I could get anything done in that mess. Now I have to work really really hard to keep this place clean so I can use it efficiently.

And it’s not quite done yet. I’ve had shelves that I’ve wanted to put up over my desk for a long time and some other new organizational and decorating ideas. But I’m inspired and touched and so motivated.

Hideko and Sanjai – thank you for the most amazing gift ever. Thank you for believing in me. I hope I can make you proud.