Summer time fun – midway

I haven’t counted how many weeks of summer break have gone by but I do know that August is just around the corner.  So, I thought I’d take a chance “midway” through the summer to blog about some recent events.  As you may have noticed from previous blogs, I have put the sewing machine to good use this summer.  I completed a blanket/quilt for Ben just a few minutes ago.  I learn a couple of things from this project;

1. I’ve never managed that much material at one time (about 5 yards).

2. Therefore, I had to help the sewing machine by pushing and pulling the material a little more than normal.

3. I used my resources wisely.  At one point I had the blanket laying on the kitchen floor because I needed a straight edge.  The tile floor has some pretty useful straight lines!

4. I think my finished product may be bigger than my son!  (I wanted it to last a while and I think it will but wow.)

The whole summer has not been sewing.  I’ve also spent some time reading, completing college class work, and preparing things for my classroom this fall.  (Of course most of that has been during nap time.)

When Benjamin hasn’t been napping, we’ve stayed busy in the backyard on the swing set, walking the neighborhood, visiting the pool, riding bikes, visiting the zoo, going to the library, playing with friends, and running errands.  Ben had a chance to entertain his grandparents for a couple of days while Aaron and I went to Myrtle Beach.  We had a wonderful time and the grandparents had a good time too.  Even though they were sad to see Ben leave, I’m sure they were thankful for the chance to slow down.  I know Ben kept them on their toes!!!

In the last three weeks, Ben has had 5 new teeth emerge!!  He acts like a little beaver and gnaws on everything!!!  He enjoys watching and studying everything to figure out how it works.  I think he’s going to be mechanical.  I’m sure it won’t be long before he starts taking things apart.  He has figured out how to walk backwards.  Many times he will combine his walking backwards with dancing.  It’s the cutest thing ever!!!

Be sure to check out our many summer photos in our photo gallery!

Tags: Ben, milestones, sewing

A new endeavor

This summer has challenged me to try (and learn) new things.  I have been motivated to try out my sewing skills again.  After reading my friend Amanda’s blog and seeing her try things with her new sewing machine, I decided to get mine out of the basement.  In my extra time, I’ve read many craft blogs and gotten some creative juices from them as well.

Over the last eight years, I have used my sewing machine to hem pants, fix seams, and make curtains.  Nothing too challenging but I decided to experiment.  So far this summer, I have made almost 2 dozen baby bibs and a neck pillow for Ben.  During the bib endeavor, I broke my first needle.  I froze and thought “well, what do I do now”.  (I’m not sure I’ve ever broken a needle on a sewing machine before.  However, if I have, I do know that my mom was there to change it for me.)  Of course I figured out what to do, got the needle changed quickly and kept sewing.

As a result of all the bibs I’ve made, I’ve decided to sell some of them.  Which brings me to my new endeavor, selling things on a website called Etsy.  (It’s a website that has been created to sell only homemade and vintage items.)  I spent a large portion of Monday morning organizing all the information I needed to establish an account in order to sell.  I have listed only 4 bibs at this time, 1 of each pattern I have created, but I have a total of 13 bibs I would like to sell.  So I now have my business hat on . . . time for publicity.  Here’s the link to my shop.   http://www.etsy.com/shop/craftEmom If you know of anyone that would be interested in buying any of the bibs, feel free to contact me.  I’d be happy to work something out.

All of my small sewing projects have allowed me to remember why I like the hobby.  I have really enjoyed my time at the sewing machine.  (Some days I have to establish my priorities in order to make sure my class work gets done also. )  My next project may not be so small, a quilt/blanket for Ben, but I know that I will enjoy making it.  And hopefully, it will turn out well!!

Tags: sewing