a very domestic weekend

I think this past weekend was the most domestic weekend I've ever had. It may come in at a close second to that night when I was 8, and my cousin and I spent the night at my grandmas. We made neon colored skirts with palm trees on them, then did a fashion show. That was pretty domestic. It may also be the last time I sewed until this past Sunday. I took a class at this place two blocks from my house called The Needle Shop. It's a newish (2.5 years old) space, and it is very unfinished. As in, it's in a basement of an apartment building. Sorta smells like a basement, but whatever. The instructor was so amazing. She was really nice and helpful. There were four other women in the class, and they were all cool too. I chose the place mostly because of location, but also because you could bring your own machine. I really wanted to learn how to use my own machine since I know every sewing machine has its own quirks. My grandma, the grandma who taught me how to sew neon skirts, gave me this machine years ago. It has traveled from Madison to SF and now to Chicago. Finally, I made something out of it. A pillow:



I got the pattern on the sides to almost exactly match, but not quite. The zipper looks nearly perfect too, so I'm super proud. Perhaps the best part is that I purchased another pillow form, fabric, and zipper so I can make a matching one. This means I'll have two pillows, and that I will remember how to make them. So next weekend, I'll have another one on the ole couch that is currently dominated with red pillows. The blues will be a nice change. I have all these other ideas now, such as to sew a stripe to my boring curtains. The place offers more classes. I figure I'll take another one or two to keep learning some new skills. I've never considered myself creative, so I'm really proud. I know to some of you this is something you could do in your sleep, but its a pretty big step for me.

The day before sewing day, I went to Cookie Party 2007 at Jacob and Wendy's apartment. A bunch of us got together and baked cookies while watching skate videos. Pretty awesome huh? Miller and Torri came and brought their babies as a surprise, which totally ruled. I hadn't seen Charlotte in months, she's so big now! And Ollie and I had a great time sprinkling cookies and playing "wheres the cookie." He even gave me a hug willingly when he left. My uterus was calling me by the end. I have lots of cookies at my house now to continue the sugar binge.

Saturday night we went to Dan and Virginia's "we're living in sin" housewarming party. Virginia makes a mean calzone and Dan makes some funky looking but awesome tasting taco rolls (is that the name?). I ate tons of both. The night ended with an hours long karaoke throw-down on the couch. He has a karaoke machine and some truly heinous CDs for it. It connects to the tv so its just like being at a bar. We all learned that Andy has a truly amazing talent for singing current rap songs. Even Nate sang (Life is a Highway haha). Finally around 2 am, we slipped our way home on the intense ice outside.

Tonight was my last google-chat night with Kevin, Paul, Matt, Liz, and Kristin for the Hills Season Finale (total disappointing episode!). I also did my grocery shopping and laundry. Tomorrow I'm buying a used tv off a friend for cheap, which is good news for me too. I also have a really cool idea for a writing project to start in 2008. Lots of good things to keep me busy for winter.