2012 Goals, Revisited

Wanted to go over my goals from last year, and I'll try to improve upon it this year!


Crafty Goals:

1. Finish the Little Folks quilt 
1. Top is done, backing is still non-existent
2. On that note, finish 5 (at least crib-sized) quilts this year. I did 3 this year, and I didn't even get a sewing machine until August, so that seems pretty doable to me.
1. Um, only got 1 whole quilt done, and one top done. That's ok. Not great.
3. Make ONE wearable piece of clothing. Even if it's for one of the babies. One piece of clothing that doesn't necessarily look handmade.
1. I'm going to count the Wiksten tank (that didn't end up fitting anyone). It was just too small for my friend Ashley and too big for my mom, and I don't know anyone who is a true size medium.
4. Use my craftiness to decorate my apartment in a way that I feel satisfied with. I feel like I accomplished that fairly well around Christmas time, given my budget ($0), and I'd like to continue that throughout the year. This is not limited to sewing or fabric.
1. Hooray! Accomplished! I've been really happy with how my apartment has looked this past year :)
5. Make more presents for my loved ones. Again, I did pretty well this Christmas, and I'd like to continue that.
1. Nada. But that's ok. I've rocked the present front.

Life Goals:

1. Cook at least 1 meal a week from scratch. They don't have to be perfect, or low-calorie/carb/fat/sodium or whatever. Just from scratch. I'll get to the rest.
1. I'd say accomplished. A lot of repeat dinners, but hey, I did it!
2. Start saving money for whatever is next in store, be it moving, a new car, a vacation, or some other unexpected thing.
1. Yeah, no. Have some money, but not enough.
3. Make more time for myself. A lot of my time I spend focused on other people. Even crafting is usually for someone else. I need to learn that it's ok to spend time that just for me. Maybe take a vacation with myself at some point.
1. I've been doing ok with this, actually. Nice!
4. Spend more time with California family, whether it be via Skype, phone, or an actual vacation. It just needs to happen.
1. I could call more, but I'd say check. Vacation this August, another planned for June.
5. Just be healthier. I don't care about losing weight. Yes, I'm solidly a plus-sized woman, but I like who I am and I don't need to be skinny to feel happy about myself. I just think that everyone could be a little healthier.
1. Eh. I wouldn't say yes to this. Or no, either, though. 
6. Do something new. Maybe learn a new skill, take a language class, something. I miss learning, and I'd love to get back into that.
1. Started going back to church, and have been singing with the worship team. 
7. Project 365. Here's to hoping I don't give up on this one in a week.
1. I lasted a whole month! Amazing!

New list to come.

Swoooonnnn

I finished my swoon. And I am in love.

The front, before washing

The back!

It's currently at Mom's being washed now. I cannot wait for it to come back all wonderful and crinkly :)


On another note, being a part of the Swoon-a-Long group was a totally new experience for me. I had never done a quilt-a-long, and had never really participated on flickr. This group changed everything. Everyone was so encouraging, and the hostess, Katy, was so wonderful. She commented on every. single. picture. I posted to the group, with such encouraging things to say. I couldn't have had a better experience with it. Thank you so much Katy!!

Quilt 1 out of 5 for 2012: Check. And this one is staying with me!

A Goal, Accomplished

Wow, I actually accomplished one of my goals! And it's only March!

The goal I accomplished? Make a wearable piece of clothing. I made a tank top for my mom from the Wiksten tank pattern. I want to make one for myself, but as the pattern does not come in plus sizes, I decided to make one from a size that's suggested before I go modifying it. My mom is a perfect medium, and a lover of all things I've ever made (she still has macaroni art in a box saved for memories sake).

Annnddd so. Wiksten tank pattern + Moda Crossweave in Storm = fabulous tank top that I personally think doesn't look handmade. Which was totally the goal. Check!



Full disclosure: I had totally forgotten this was a goal when I made it. And it honestly feels kind of amazing to have accomplished it, even though I had forgotten.

2012 Goals!

I figure I might as well set some goals for this coming year. Because that's what the new year is for!

Crafty Goals:

1. Finish the Little Folks quilt
2. On that note, finish 5 (at least crib-sized) quilts this year. I did 3 this year, and I didn't even get a sewing machine until August, so that seems pretty doable to me.
3. Make ONE wearable piece of clothing. Even if it's for one of the babies. One piece of clothing that doesn't necessarily look handmade.
4. Use my craftiness to decorate my apartment in a way that I feel satisfied with. I feel like I accomplished that fairly well around Christmas time, given my budget ($0), and I'd like to continue that throughout the year. This is not limited to sewing or fabric.
   
5. Make more presents for my loved ones. Again, I did pretty well this Christmas, and I'd like to continue that.

Life Goals:

1. Cook at least 1 meal a week from scratch. They don't have to be perfect, or low-calorie/carb/fat/sodium or whatever. Just from scratch. I'll get to the rest.
2. Start saving money for whatever is next in store, be it moving, a new car, a vacation, or some other unexpected thing.
   
3. Make more time for myself. A lot of my time I spend focused on other people. Even crafting is usually for someone else. I need to learn that it's ok to spend time that just for me. Maybe take a vacation with myself at some point.
4. Spend more time with California family, whether it be via Skype, phone, or an actual vacation. It just needs to happen.
5. Just be healthier. I don't care about losing weight. Yes, I'm solidly a plus-sized woman, but I like who I am and I don't need to be skinny to feel happy about myself. I just think that everyone could be a little healthier.
6. Do something new. Maybe learn a new skill, take a language class, something. I miss learning, and I'd love to get back into that.
7. Project 365. Here's to hoping I don't give up on this one in a week.
   

I think that'll work well. For now.

Heirloom

My Papa is a quiet, strong man. He loves fishing, tying flies, watching football, and the color orange. He's the one who taught me how to whistle (we started with the Andy Griffith theme, of course), and build a birdhouse.

My Gram is a kind, fiery woman. She loves country style, gardening, visiting with just about anyone, and any color but orange. She's the lady who taught me how to count back change, play a scale on the piano, and who started (and has unfailingly enabled) my skeleton key collecting.

Of course, I had to make them a quilt. With orange. When I saw Joel Dewberry's new Heirloom line with the Citrine palette, I knew what I had to do.

Quilt pattern modestly borrowed from Faith at Fresh Lemons

Stats:
6 selected prints from Joel Dewberry's Heirloom in Citrine cut into 6.5" blocks
The sashing and binding is Kona stone
The backing is some camel-colored flannel I bought from Joann's on sale.
It's approximately 54 x 64 inches in size.


Merry Christmas Gram and Papa!!!

Checking In

Hello.

Just checking in to say it's probably going to be just a bit before any more big finishes. Student loans are sucking, and I've been working as much overtime as they'll let me trying to make ends meet and have just a little bit leftover for Christmas. Needless to say, it's not going as well as I'd like.


So, fabric budget is officially non-existent. Here's hoping that there'll be some Heirloom left in the Citrine colorway by the time my loan consolidation goes through.

Baby H's Quilt

Again, I apologize for the crappy cellphone pictures. It was like 11 at night, and I forgot to have my mom hold it up the next day for pictures.

Stats:
1 charm pack Sherbet Pips by Aneela Hooey
Sashing and backing is Kona Medium Gray
Binding is Sherbet Pips
Pattern is a modified Charm Squares baby quilt by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson!

Baby H - I hope it's ok I didn't make you a Christmas themed quilt, even though you are going to be a Christmastime baby. I figured you'd get enough of that in your life. I can't wait to meet you little girl. See you soon.

Receiving Blankets

(Bean's quilt, Baby H's receiving blanket, and Bean's burp cloths)

I've made two of AMH's receiving blankets so far; one for Baby H, and one for Bean. I'm not wonderful at sewing the binding on properly (I can't get both sides to be straight!), but I'm overall quite happy with how they've turned out!

Unfortunately, I only have a picture of Baby H's, as Bean's is packed snugly away in my hospital bag to bring to them when K has the baby. But something is better than nothing, right? Of course right!

I gave H's blanket to my step-sister D on Labor day. D and I have had an interesting past; as kids we didn't get along. As teenagers, we had a distant respect for each other. When we were forced around each other, we were friendly. Sometimes we spent some time together. But we were always STEP-sisters. I never felt close with D, or like she ever really considered me, my brother, and my mother to be part of her family.

But as soon as she had L, everything changed. She's loving, she's gracious, she's wonderful to be around. I genuinely enjoy spending time with her. I love making things for her; both her and J absolutely gush over anything I've made, thanking me 1000 times for the thought, using whatever it is as often as they can. For the AMH blanket, D&J have both thanked me at least twice, and commented to my mom how wonderful the blanket is and how much they appreciate it.

My mom says it's hard not to love someone who loves your kid so much. We definitely love L. He's basically my favorite person. Seriously, how can you not love this?

L, can you give Auntie a big smile?

Coolest. Project. Ever.

In case you were wondering what I was up to this weekend.

Bean's Quilt

I finished Bean's quilt yesterday. Please forgive the poor picture, it was taken with my phone on a cloudy, pre-hurricane-y day.

Stats:
2 charm packs Dream On by Urban Chiks
Binding is from Carolyn Gavin's Spring Street
Backing is a solid piece of Robert Kaufman flannel in Celery (I *think*)

Bean- I can't wait to meet you little girl. I hope you have your daddy's eyes. I'm a sucker for green eyes.

WOW

It is like 1000x easier to finished a quilt with a sewing machine. Holy cannoli.


Pictures later.

So There's That

Today, I called my mom, got in my car, and drove to Joann's. There, I picked up a pattern (Simplicity 2274), a half yard of DS Quilts cotton (the name escapes me... Kitschy is involved, I think), and I bought a new sewing machine.

My old Kenmore was just that: old. My step-aunt bought it at a yard sale for 20 bucks. It was kept in her (Hoarders-esqe) house for x amount of time, then she gave it to me. It was a lovely, lovely thought. But it was not good. The tension was always off, it wouldn't pick up the bobbin thread any longer. I'd abandoned it a few months ago to go back to hand sewing.

But the influx of nieces coming my way has made me despair at the thought of two quilts to hand-sew, two receiving blankets to bind by hand, two of everything. And I'm sick of looking at all my quilt-y blogs and being unable to keep up. And so. My new sewing machine is here. Hooray 3 paycheck month.

For those interested (if any): she's a Singer Talent. Not the cheapest model, but very, very basic. I don't need much fluff, just something that can keep up. So far she's bound Baby H's receiving blanket, sewn 5 more rows onto Bean's quilt, and made a burp cloth for Bean.

Here's hoping there are LOTS more projects in my near future :)

Updates. Life Happens.

I know I post these "I'm around" posts every few months. But that's because I am.

It's really hard to motivate myself to craft with no sewing machine. It's such a production to get all of my hand sewing things out, and it's such a mess.

So, here are my updates:

• Nannying is over. I'm now a cubicle jockey. I'm so thankful for a job, but it's definitely not what I was planning on when I got my education degree.
• Moved into my parents house after nannying. A few months later, and I moved into my own apartment. Which is awesome. And soooooo small.
  
• Moving into my own apartment has shed some new light on things for me. First things first, closets. are. AMAZING. I've never really had a closet before. Oh man. One side is for my clothes, and one side is for my never worn clothes/ WIPs.
• Two rooms and a bathroom = no room for a desk or a sewing machine.
• Sewing machine doesn't even work. Need a new one. SO BADLY.
  
• P&K are having a baby girl, named O (I call her the Bean). I'm making her a quilt, and a receiving blanket made from AMH flannel and voile. That is, I will be once I find the motivation/4 hours to hand-stitch the binding on. Le sigh.
  
• D&J are also having a baby girl, named H. L's going to be a big brother! Of course this Baby H is also going to be getting a receiving blanket and quilt. Just need to figure out the logistics.
  

Taking the Plunge

I'm cheap. A tightwad on a good day, but cheap when it all comes down to it. At least when it comes to spending for myself. I don't like to spend extra money, even on really little things. Movies? No way, too expensive! That pair of shoes that I'm in love with? Not practical, I'll never wear them. If there's a deal to be found, I'll find it. I pride myself on consistently feeding myself weekly in under 40 dollars.

But when I see fabric that I looovvveee, I'm sunk. No project in mind? Who cares?! I just spend he equivalent in my grocery budget on fabric. On 2 yards total of fabric. Two half yards from one shop plus shipping, and one yard from another shop plus shipping. It's 'spensive fabric. Nope, not Liberty of London. You can still find that. Far Far Away II by Heather Ross.

I've had my eye on this fabric since it came out, but I could never justify the cost since it is rather expensive. But I just found out I'm having another niece or nephew, and another sib has resumed trying. And I already have a boy quilt planned out. So, I got two of those FFA2 prints on sale. Score, good job Meg. Way to continue in your tightwad ways.

And then, all of a sudden, I was searching for Roses in Dusk (my absolute favorite of the line), and I couldn't find it anywhere! Not at any of my primary shops, not at any of my secondary shops. I was a mad woman. Frantic. I had to have this print. The collection I have in my head just would NOT be complete without this print! This print is what attracted me to the line in the first place. What do you mean it's sold out everywhere?! Someone must have it! WHERE IS IT?!

I found it, though. At a tiny little etsy shop. I found it. And I paid 18 dollars for 1 yard of it (shipping inclusive). I've never paid that much for one piece of fabric before. And dammit, I'm okay with it. Because even if neither couple has a girl, I know there'll be more to come. If there's one thing my world could use a little bit more of, it's babies.

Although I'm having trouble with the fact that I just spent 40 dollars. But I worked overtime this week (50 hours for the win), so I'm pretty sure I'll get over it.

Yeah, I'm Around

But now I'm nannying. I'm nannying for an awesome, energetic, stubborn, adorable 3 year old boy who just got a brand new baby sister on Wednesday!

That having been said, I have even LESS time to craft than I did when I was student teaching (that's possible? really??). Especially this weekend, since Mummy is in the hospital recovering from her C-section and Daddy is working/taking care of Mummy. Lil Dude is with me for 100% of the weekend. I do try to craft after he's gone to bed, but it's often interrupted by loud noises from somebody stomping their feet upstairs (who knew a 40 pound body could make so much noise?).

I usually have Sundays off, which I think will be sleep-in/sew/cook day from now on. Perhaps also let's-go-shopping-in-Boston day. We'll have to wait and see. Either way, posting probably won't be happening until I've finished something, I really like something, or I'm home in March.

Crafty Christmas

Student teaching, while great in some ways, is not so great on the money front. As in, it doesn't pay anything.

As such, this Christmas is going to be a crafty Christmas! Luckily, I already had my brother and sister-in-law's presents bought (they're hard to make things for). And while my mom would be super happy to get something homemade, I really wanted to get her something specific. I'm not going to mention it here in case she reads, but it's great and she's going to love it.

L, my 1.5 year old nephew, loves cars. His third word, after Mama and Dada, was car. And so, I made him a Matchbox Roll from an old pair of jeans, a fat quarter of Patty Young's Flora & Fauna Dandelion in Lime, and some scraps. The road is black duck cloth from G's curtains, and yellow scraps are from my scrap bag. The tie is a sweatshirt hood string from an old sweatshirt that I don't wear anymore.

My step-sister K is extraordinarily hard to buy for. Her lifestyle is that if there's anything she wants, she'll just buy for herself. She loves entertaining and cooking; she's very modern, though, so most handmade items don't really fit her style. I've been thinking for a long time, and I decided that she'd really enjoy cloth napkins for when she entertains. I had a spare yard of Tula Pink's Hushabye Dragonfly in Aqua lying around, so I cut it into four squares that measured 18" x 18". The finished napkins are about 17" squared with the seam allowance, and it's quite time consuming doing it by hand, but I'm really quite happy with how they're turning out!


You can't really see the hems that well, but I swear they look good.

Pomp & Circumstance

As of this coming Friday, I am a college graduate. I apologize for being so utterly neglectful of this blog for the past few months; it was something that really couldn't be avoided.

There will be a post very soon about my crafty Christmas projects. Promise.

Remember How I'm Still Here?

Because I am.

Student teaching is really starting to get crazy. Performances are starting, lots and lots of rehearsals, and the little tiny bit of cash that I worked for all summer is now an even tinier bit of cash (why is life so darn expensive? someone please explain this to me).

Which means an after-school/ weekend job for me. Because being a full-time teacher who doesn't get paid apparently doesn't pay the bills. So, if I'm not really around a whole lot in the near future, please remember, it's not because I'm not here. I am. I just probably don't have a whole lot to talk about in my sewing world. Hopefully that changes, but I'm not holding my breath.



In other news, I have made some headway in my Little Folks quilt. I also bought some awesome fabrics because I have an addiction to buying really cute bits of fabric that are only 10 bucks a yard (with shipping!), so really, it's a bargain.

Also, an addiction.

Student Teaching...

... is plodding on. I come home every day exhausted and stressed out. Every single day I plan on coming home and doing some sewing to wind down. Every day I get my small sewing bag from my upstairs room and bring it into the living room in preparation. And every day I get sidetracked with the internet, or with baking.

I'm a stress-baker; needless to say, my high school classes are reaping the benefits. One class has had baked goods every class for the last 3 classes (homemade cinnamon buns, leftover cake, and giant lemon-blackberry scones)! It's a small class (4 kids!), which is why baking for them is kind of perfect. I don't need to make a big batch or use a lot of energy and resources to make sure everyone gets some.

Anywho. When I do get around to sewing, it always is such a relaxing thing. I'm really glad I decided to do the piecing of this quilt by hand instead of waiting until I can afford to have my machine fixed. I don't have a sewing area, so when my machine was working, I had to constantly be bringing it up and down stairs to be able to use it on a table. Sitting in front of the TV with my sewing in hand literally melts the stress off. I wish I did it more.

Silly lesson plans. Don't they know I have a WIP?

Hexagon Love

Hexagons are a trend that seem to be flooding the online quilting community. As a lover of hand-sewing, this seemed like the perfect project for me! I had some leftover Little Folks 2.5" squares, so I traced the hexagons from my computer screen onto paper, cut them out, basted the hexes, and sewed to my little heart's content.


I'm pretty happy with how it came out :)