The Potluck Dinner (yes, that's with a capital P and a capital D) that we've been planning and anticipating with a fervor of excitement for over 2 months now finally arrived this past Sunday. We had 4 families (more than we've ever dared before) over which amounted to 8 adults and 12 children all squeezed and squished cozily into our teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy house. We love having folks over...always have, however, we've just had to be realistic as to how many can actually fit comfortably and be able to eat a meal with at least a reasonable amount of elbow space...or not having to sit on the floor in order to do so. But, ya know what? We were all quite amazed at how cozy (as opposed to crammed...which I was convinced it would be!) it worked out to be.

As I was scratching my head the day of the dinner wondering how on earth I was going to get enough seating and table space arranged, I knew that certain things just had to go...but what?...and where? When you're already pared down as much as you think you can possibly pare down anymore...what else can go?!

Well, here's the benefit of having a bunch of company over: in sheer desperation and panic, you think of things you would never have thought of otherwise. And sometimes just sometimes that serendipitous panic-induced idea proves to be a really good one. This happened for me this Sunday. And I've been literally beaming ever since! Can you feel the radiation from my huge, very broad grin coming through your computer screen now? Yes, that's me...it's not your imagination. : D

Allow me to introduce you to my brand new, never-ever-believed-this-would-fit-in-here Sewing Nook! Please, grab a cuppa, and let me give you the grand tour....

We were moving furniture in a frenzy, so this is the best 'before' pic I have of said nook...yeah, rather non-descript and not the greatest use of space, I know. But I can't  relay to you adequately how truly small this room is...and how there's basically no closet space...so it worked....sort of....

Now here we go...this is a great 'before' pic...this is what I was continually contending against with this 'nook' of the living/dining/homeschool/craft area. This is where a table (as in dining table) really needed to go. We bought this cute little desk for $35 and I got the great little farm chair for only $5. It was supposed to be for the new computer we got this summer....as well as, ya know, a super space for desk work, crafting...letter writing....um, indoor herb garden...ya know, all that great kinda stuff...so....yeah, right...

And now...drum roll please....Ta-Da!! Here it is! My new Sewing Nook...from assorted camera angles!

Can I tell you what a little re-organization does for the rejuvenation process...??

The slits in this basket also make a nice ribbon organizer, too...had not thought of that before either....

And while we're on the tour, I might as well show you the first little dress that I've ever done in my life from cutting out the pattern to...well, where it is right now...almost finished...but not quite. This is for my friend, Amy's year old daughter Chelsea...that I'm trying to have done for Christmas. Amy, if you're reading this, please don't let Chelsea read this blog ( I know how much Chelsea loves reading my blog...she's the one that leaves the gurgle comments)....or even look at the photos! Shhh...it's a secret!

This is a close-up of the skirt...it's gonna be reversible....I ADORE reversible dresses!

And the little dress is to coordinate with this baby blanket that I've been knitting...for quite some time now. Amy did Chelsea's room in pink and chocolate...the walls are painted in bold pink and chocolate stripes...it's TOO cute! I need to somehow pirate some of Amy's photos to show you. I know you'll love it, too!

It's done with the same eyelet edging (very simple...and quite fetching) as done in this pattern...

So that's it! I hope you enjoyed the tour. Now I'm going to go sit and revel in my new nook look...wish you were here to join me!

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