Random Update

I almost titled this "February Update" since I haven't posted since January. But as soon as I do, I'll manage to post something else this month. Even though it's short. The month, that is.

So, Happy Valentine's Day. Ours was pretty much a bust. John woke up with a headache that just got worse as the day went on. Poor guy just spent the day in pain and mostly in bed. Sigh. I took the lazy way out and bought two heart-shaped pizzas from Papa Murphy's. Actually, my sister picked them up and dropped them off at my house (she was already going there and she had to bring something else over to my house, so it wasn't like I made her be my errand slave or something and I did pay for them). So the boys and I ate pepperoni pizza and had some red and pink Starburst jelly beans for dessert. And watched How It's Made. And Psych. Do we know how to party, or what? Well, party quietly, anyway.

Life is pretty low key right now. It's the slow season for John's business and the colder weather and little bit of snow make it even slower. So we have school, free time in the afternoon, and long, quiet evenings lately. I got some sewing done this past weekend. Made a tote bag and little zipper bag for me and the same for a friend. I also have some face cradle covers to make for my massage therapist.

I've purged a bunch of stuff out of my studio. It's amazing how much space there is in here. Although it still has too much stuff. I think I'm kind of on a purging binge. That doesn't sound right. On a decluttering jag. Maybe that's better? I love it, though. It's so freeing and wonderful to pass things along that I'm not using to someone who will appreciate them and put them to good use.

Wow. My life is seriously boring right now. Which is mostly okay. I'm really not looking for some major life events or anything. I've really enjoyed some of these long, quiet days at home. And it won't always be this way. But that's probably a big part of the lack of blogging. What do you write about when you don't really do much of anything? I need a repository for blog ideas, so I have something to fill in these gaps.

What I should be doing is getting organized. Getting rid of more things. Reading books. Scrapbooking. Working on business plans. There we go - instant to do list.

Well, Happy February! I'll be back one of these days.

I Could Do That

In my efforts to reign in my activities and simplify and streamline my life, I've realized that I have a troublesome affliction. It's called I Could Do That. People who know how to do a lot of different things and who aren't afraid to try something new are especially prone to bouts of ICDT. I've discovered that ICDT increases when I attend art and craft fairs, blog hop, and read magazines.

I was just over at Ruthanne's blog, loving her adorable camera strap covers. From what I can see online, her covers look very nice. I'm sure she does a great job. But here's where things go awry for me. Instead of admiring her work and maybe setting aside some money to order one of hers, ICDT pops up and says, "Why on earth would you BUY that when you could make it yourself?" And since I've been listening to the voice of ICDT for so many years, it never occurs to me that there's an alternative.



{This is not a copy of Ruthanne's strap. Just one I happened to have made.}

Instead, I put my life aside and begin to rummage through my fabric collection to see what I have that I could use to make my own groovy camera strap cover. Which usually leads me to find a pattern for something else I wanted to make. Or maybe some fabric that I planned to use for a new purse. So now I'm making a camera strap cover AND a purse. Naturally, I only have one fabric that I like for the strap cover, so I'll need to make a quick trip to the fabric store and find something to go with it.

Once I'm at the store, there are SO many choices. None of which works with my current fabric, but that's okay, I'll just buy two new fabrics. And whatever other supplies I may need, which I probably HAVE at home, but am not quite sure where. Most likely in a tote in the crawl space.

Whew! I'm finally home, with all my fabric goodness (and maybe something else), and it's time for dinner. That's okay, my fabric needs to be prewashed anyway. Toss it in the washing machine and scrounge up something for a healthy & nutritious quick and tasty meal. Like pizza. From Domino's. After dinner, I throw the fabric in the dryer and settle down in front of the laptop. This project will require a little research. Not that I can't just come up with my own pattern, but I know there are many who have gone before me who will have valuable insight to offer.

So I'm searching patterns and etsy for examples, instructions, tips, and ideas. This requires probably 10-12 open tabs. Give or take thirteen.

Okay, I'll stop now. I won't force you to read the drivel before the end. A couple of days later, my tally will look something like this:

Rummaging through my fabric = 2 hours
Trip to the fabric store & extra stuff purchased = $30
Internet research = 6 hours
Cutting & sewing time = 3 hours
Pizza for dinner = $13
Sleep lost = 3 hours
Cleaning up the aftermath in my studio = 1 hour

Total: 15+ hours and $43+ later and I will be the happy new owner of a camera strap cover. The big question, though, is was it really worth it? Some days, I would say, "Yes, absolutely!" Other times, not so much.

Now I do know that some of this happens due to on and off lean financial circumstances. In those times, I probably make do with some fabric I already have. I may have no other choice. The problem arises when I COULD afford to purchase the item, really don't have the extra time, but still spend money and time on something that could've been handled in a much simpler fashion. Namely, just order the cover from Ruthanne, wait for it to arrive in the mail, and rejoice upon opening the package.

This is just one example of ICDT. There are many, many more where that came from. I think what I need to take away from this is to step back for a moment and look at the big picture. Do I have the time to invest? Is this really the best use of my time and money? Would I maybe just want to support a fellow blogger/homeschooler/crafter this time?

The answer will not always be the same, but curbing the impulsivity of ICDT would probably go a long ways in helping my sanity.

I Heart Sewing

I remember my mom teaching me how to hand sew sometime around age 5 or 6. When I was in 6th grade, she helped me make my first outfit on the sewing machine. Ever since, I have been sewing. More or less. I purchased my own sewing machine, a Viking, around the time I was 18-19. I took out a loan for a blue 74 Honda Civic and the sewing machine. I've actually since parted ways with the Viking because I inherited my grandmother's Singer. I even have the conditional sales contract my grandpa had to sign to buy it on TIME back in 1960. This machine predates even me. Because my grandma didn't do much more than mending with it, it was definitely a low-mileage machine. They even purchased the cabinet at the same time.

I made a lot of my own clothes for years. I also made a lot of my sister's clothes, as evidenced by the time I was at her apartment, took a look in her closet, and discovered that I'd made more than half her wardrobe. When John & I were engaged, I made my wedding dress and veil. As challenging as that was (really, it was more about the time it took), the hardest thing I ever made was a tailored, lined suit for him. Yeah, I really bit off more than I could chew on that one. That story is a part of my It SEEMED Like a Good Idea series (entirely unposted at this time).

But once we had our second son (17 months after the firstborn), and I worked full-time, there was really no time in my life for sewing anymore. Especially since we lived in a somewhat small house, with no room to keep my sewing machine set up. If I wanted to sew, I had to clear off the dining room table, haul out the machine and accoutrement, and then get going. After the boys were asleep. And chores were done. By the time I could get it out and set up, it was time to put it all away. So I packed it up and put away. For a very long time.

When the boys were younger, I did make a couple of costumes for them for the Harvest Festival on Halloween at our church. Sorry, those are on film, not digital, so I'll need to scan some before I can share.

But during the past few years, I've sewn some purses, a number of little organizer bags, a fabric flower pin, and now a camera strap cover. And my love of sewing has been rekindled. I really do love to sew. I really want to sew - a lot. But now I enjoy making accessories. I'm not that interested in clothes anymore. At least not to sew. I still like to wear them.












I don't know what's in store for me with this new sewing bender, but I would love to find a nice little niche within which I could sew something fun and perhaps sell some. But it's hard because there are SO many people out there doing precisely that. How do you discover a niche with places like etsy and Big Cartel? I need to keep praying and see what God would have me do with this desire. If it's from Him, He'll show me the way. If not, then I'll stick to making things for myself.

So have you ever had something in your life that you loved and did for a long time, and then it got set aside, but you later came back it, only to discover that you still thoroughly enjoyed it? (how's that for a ridiculously long run-on sentence?!?) What was it? Do you do it now?

My New Bag

Sometimes when you can't find (or can't afford) what you really want, you just have to make it yourself. Well, I have to, anyway. Last year, I made a tote bag that was to function as a purse/camera bag. It was pretty much a prototype, because I knew that I would have to use it for awhile to decide what I really wanted. A few months ago, I purchased some fabric for the upcoming bag. Last week, the boys went to work with hubby for the day, which freed me up for a day of sewing. And sew I did.

I made a bag that was crazy huge, along the lines of luggage. That really wouldn't do. By then I was pretty obsessed with having the bag of my dreams, so I was back at it the next day. I'm pleased to say that by the time Saturday afternoon arrived, I was done! Well, mostly. I have a couple more additions coming, but had to get back to real life, after taking so much sewing time off. I'm very happy with the newer, smaller version. It's the perfect size for my camera and a few purse items or just to be used as a purse.


Fortunately, I had plenty of tapestry and liner fabric left.



As a purse.



As a camera bag/purse.



It even has little pockets for memory cards.



I always make a coordinating little bag.


What's missing, you ask? I still plan to make an adjustable cross-body strap for those times I'm shooting pictures and don't want to worry about it slipping off my shoulder. I'm also making movable, padded dividers so the camera has its own space.