Getting crafty

Ever since I was young, I thought it would be cool to know how to sew. However, I never took home-ec in high school or even watched another person sew, so I thought this would always be a dream. Last year for Mother's Day Jim got me a sewing machine. It was a very thoughtful gift. However, I just had Claire a few weeks earlier, so it wasn't the best time to embark on a new hobby. When Mother's Day rolled around this year and I hadn't even opened my gift from last year, I knew it was time to put the excuses aside and jump off this cliff.

I was terrified. The idea of doing something and not being good at it was appalling. I've never considered myself particularly crafty or artistic. What if I couldn't figure it out? There are so many terms, how will I ever understand them all? What if everything I make is crooked and ugly? I knew my perfectionism would rear it's ugly head and I worried I would beat myself up in the process. Then I had a little "ah-ha" moment. What if nothing I make is perfect, but ends up being good enough? Maybe learning to sew is exactly what my soul needs.

So off I went to the fabulous new JoAnn's near my house to attend a "Sewing 101" class. There were six of us in the class and thankfully I wasn't the only one who had no idea how to thread a bobbin. The teacher was enthusiastic and patient. I expected we would just learn about our machines and practice some stitching, but we actually got to make something! After two hours I walked out with a new drawstring bag! It's has all sorts of imperfections, yet it is completely perfect!

Next, I'm going to finish unpacking in the basement so I can make room to set up my machine. I think my first project is going to be an apron for Maggie, and later a matching one for me and Claire. Thanks to my friend Sarah for her inspiration and encouragement. Thanks to my wonderful husband for his insight and support. Here we go!

Rubber Duckie

Maggie was just too cute in the bath the other night. I had to grab the camera.

"We're going home"

The girls and I were out running errands yesterday afternoon and as we neared the house Maggie proclaimed, "We're going home!" While this sounds like a pretty normal observation, I couldn't help but notice a change in her vernacular. This was the first time she used the word "home" and not "my new house" when referring to our abode. I think after seven weeks her transition to living here might be complete. Now, if only we could return to the pre-move potty using state, life would be grand.