it started so innocently. i never owned a sewing machine until i married kenny. kenny built amazing costumes for a few shows and actors in his theatre day, so it was only natural that he owned a machine. it began collecting dust when he met me since i took up all of his time. then a dear friend of mine in our previous church gave me her portable (not built-into-a-table) sewing machine when her eyesight started going. we are owners of two really cool, really old machines.

fast forward to 2004, when i start to blog and read blogs. the bloggers that i read tend to be crafters, into earth-keeping, getting-back-to-simplicity, homemakers, and foodies. i've been inspired over the years to do more of what i love: cook, mend, grow (plants and humans!), and use my hands to make things. by choice, i like needlework. then i remembered these two old machines in our basement: untouched, except for a santa costume at christmas for a "pagaent-with-a-santa" we did at church. on monday, i brought up the portable one after finally realizing i could possibly throw together a pair of pants from an old tshirt...like this pattern that serina posted at her blog. except we donated all of our old tshirts when we moved.

then i remembered that old, ugly t-shirt that kenny will not get rid of. i had to beg (BEG!) my husband for his favorite old t-shirt. it's one that has sentimental value to both of us, but it's just so ugly. he was wearing it the first time i laid eyes on him:
i asked him yesterday, "did you think you were all hot and hip in that tie-dyed, striped shirt?" and he answered, "did you think i was?" i just laughed and walked away. look at those holes! i was relieved when he told me i could use it, and it brought me much joy tearing into it with scissors.

our lovely machine:

a view of the (CUTE!) back: