World's best sewing cabinet!

For years I had a sewing room because I didn't need or want a formal dinning room and I liked being able to make a mess and simply close the door on it.  Well, the family grew up, some have gotten married, it is truly treasured family time when we all get together.  I changed my mind.  I want a formal dinning room with a BIG table we all can sit around and eat and talk and laugh and love.  Downsizing my sewing room with drawers and drawers of material and craft supplies, 3 sewing machines, ironing board, computer and printer was not going to be an easy task.  In fact my husband said I couldn't do it.  Maybe not by myself, so I recruited him to help.  Yep the wonderful hubby agreed to build a sewing cabinet for me.  I designed and redesigned what I thought would fit all 3 sewing machines, most of my supplies (I needed to do some de-cluttering anyway.)  We decided to buy an antique armoire and he would build the inside to my specs.  What a delight!  It was a beautiful piece of furniture to begin with and now it is both beautiful and very functional. I use it all the time.  And I love it. So I share it with you! 

It sits there in the breakfast room looking all nice and proper.....

IF you open the right side it has shelves and a bottom drawer, there were already in it just as is.  

Open the left and the center doors and the magic starts to happen..

This was completely empty except for a long bottom drawer which hubby cut in half to make two drawers.  Then he added two "file" drawers and two "desk" drawers.  The embroidery machine sits in the middle and can stay right there and sew to my hearts content.  

On the left side is a table which I can fold down to sew on.  The top shelf holds clear plastic shoe boxes for all the notions and crafts.

When I'm ready to sew I fold down the table and pull out my Bernina 1230 (I tell you that because I don't think they make this model anymore and I absolutely LOVE it. I wouldn't trade it in for a brand new one. Best thing I ever bought)  Notice the hidden drawer next to the machine, it is behind the table top.  There is also a pull out shelf for a lap top computer if I want to use one.

  

 I am sharing the computer at my husband's desk and the printer went to another room.  I down sized and got rid of the projects that I wasn't going to finish and probably should not have started.  But even with all that this is the BEST sewing cabinet in the world for me! Lots of hubby points for this one.  :-) 

Fountain of Youth?

I have been thinking about wrinkles.  Maybe it is my age or maybe it is what I see when I look in the mirror.  But of late wrinkles have been on my mind (more accurately on my face.)  There are a lot of products out there to prevent and treat this,  "anti ageing" creams and lotions abound.  Of course you can progress to wrinkle-blasting laser rejuvenation, laser resurfacing (sounds a bit too much like road work for my taste,)  peels, Botox, fillers, exercises and  finally surgery.  There seems to be hundreds of choices for the treatment and cure of wrinkles.  Which brings to mind, does one need to be "cured" of wrinkles?  Well, I don't look 20 any more (ok, ok I don't look 30 or 40 any more either) but does that automatically mean I  need a cure?  Is beauty tied to youth?  Or can beauty change with time but not diminish? When I look at beautiful people I do not see their wrinkles, their weight or hair or the color of their skin. What strikes me most, what captures me and holds my attention is their smile.  A smile can do wonders for a face of any age.  It shows love and joy and brings laughter to the eyes. It brings warmth to the soul of both the giver and the recipient. A well worn smile is the best beauty treatment.  It can be given as a gift or displayed as a triumph.  Smiling makes me feel better on the inside and look better on the outside.  What a deal.  

  

Lilies

I am in awe of the creations of God. Today the flowers were bright and bold. The sun was high in the summer sky giving warmth (maybe an understatement) and energy to the earth. There was a slight breeze it smelled fresh and green. I am assuming you know what green smells like, fresh cut grass on a warm summer afternoon or under a shade tree smell. The birds were busy making beautiful sounds. Even the sound of water splashing in the fountain was soothing. Outside today it was easy to believe there was a God. A God in control of this world and the next. He is powerful and majestic. But also he is creative, full of color and variety. This God is HUGE but he pays attention to the smallest detail. You can see the creator in the tiny ants as they carry their "young" to safety when you disturb their log home. Today, I am sure of my trust in God. Why do I grow scared or weary? I loose my way so easily. I worry about tomorrow and I regret yesterday. Same useless emotion frontward and backward. Or I look out at others feeling left out or cheated. REALLY? God is in control, he is powerful and majestic, creative and he pays attention to the smallest detail. Me.
"Consider how the lilies of the field grow; they do not work or sew, yet I say to you that not even King Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these." Matt. 6:29
Oh, I am very thankful.

The Math of Growing Older

If you are less than 10 years old you think about aging in fractions, 4 1/2 years old, 6 3/4 almost 7! Next you look forward to age, you are "GOING" to be 16 and soon! Then the best day is when you BECOME 21. Yes!! But something happens, you TURN 30, you're PUSHING 40, you REACH 50, and MAKE IT to 60. Just when it sounds like you have slowed down and ran out of steam you HIT 70! and GET INTO your 80's! And finally it all starts backward you are JUST 90 years old when the fractions come back and you are 100 & 1/2 years young. Maybe both the 4 year old and the 100 year old understand the value of time best. Each moment counts.

Little blond boy

Walking through the grocery store my husband was looking at this adorable little boy. He was in the shopping cart had a big round sweet face with feathery blond hair. He reminded me of our boys when they were small. His dad and mom were near by grocery shopping unaware of the memories and emotions the sight brought to me. My husband said "Now there's the life" While I didn't want to go back (I love my adult kids and the lives they are making for themselves.) I could see the sweetness in the scene, very heartwarming. Looking toward my husband he said "Going to the store in shorts and no shoes, being pushed around the store while eating a cracker and no one cares. Now there's the life. I wish I could get away with that." Bubble popped, I said "Give it a few years."

Sports & Stress

I have heard Sports does not build character as much as it exposes it. Apparently the same is true of stress. The hail storm punched holes in the roof of my office building causing drips and leaks all over the floor where I work. It looked like an obstacle course of trash cans going down the hall. Then 2 weeks later a monsoon hit and finished off the job. The roof gave way and the ceiling in most of the offices collapsed. Fortunately the damaged was done on the weekend, no one hurt but seems as though a lot are injured... Yep most of our stuff was drenched, we had to move out, the smell of wet-moldy carpet is nauseating, computers ruined, figuring out how to work with out your notes, your computer or your phone is more than challenging. Now we are in "temporary" office space for 4 months, little cubicles with little personal space. Stress is high, very high and as you might guess there is character being exposed. Those who griped before now have real complaints and an audience. The solutions offered are never satisfying, soon enough or sensible for them. Those who gripe take out their frustrations on those who try. Then there are the by-standers, the audience. They do nothing, don't gripe, don't help, not causing problems and not offering anything productive. But then - the shining stars. They come in early, stay late, offer to help others, look for the best solution or at least a plan B. They even listen to the gripes and allow others to vent. People are more important to them than stuff. Ideas are welcome and attitudes calm, even positive. This too shall pass, but it is a good time to look around and see who sinks and see who shines.