Why I Sew: It's My Meditation and Some of my History

Some awesome bloggers have put together a series stating the reasons why they sew and GYCT has a linky party for others to join in with their stories as well. It's some pretty amazing things, these wonderful women and their reasonings behind why they sew. 

I know I have shared, at times, why I sew. It is relaxing for me. It is my stress and anxiety reliever. But I guess now I will provide with a bit of background.

I made my first outfit when I was younger. It was for girl scouts. I don't remember much about it, but I still have the pattern, folded, in the tiny envelope, with the rest of my paper patterns...

Simplicity 8953 *affiliate* pattern copyright dated 1994

Skip ahead several years and I wanted to quilt. My inspiration? My great-grandmother's quilt.

1930's fabric, completed (?) 1950's

So, my mom enrolled me in a quilting class with her at a local fabric shop (which is now closed! The horror!), and I sewed up my first quilt!

My first quilt, 2006

I learned so much from that class. And I have leaned so much since then. I attempted 1 shirt and 2 dresses for me, 2 dresses for a friend and felt that I failed miserably. Here was one I wore to a friends wedding.

B4919 Butterick *affiliate* retro '52 sewn in 2007

Then I sewed up Nikolai's Quilt and then the 2012 Craftsy BOM, Not to mention the numerous clothes I have sewn up since November when I really starting sewing clothes again.

I love sewing clothes for my kids. I love that I can make them something that is purposeful.

I even have branched out to bags! And those are so fun!

But really, I love the sound of the machine. I love the listening to it whir. I get lost in creation, in the noise and the focus that it takes to take pieces of fabric and turn it into something amazing! I find it incredible relaxing and an amazing stress reliever.

I discovered these last few months that I almost need to sew. I was sick a few months back, the kids were sick and I wasn't able to take the time behind my machine with my foot on the petal to listen to the mechanical workings of the cam and gears. I was lost. I was stressed. I was pent up and frustrated. Once I was able to sew I relaxed and felt calmer. It was amazing.

Why do I sew? To relax, to calm down. It is my meditation.

Why do you sew/craft/create?

Don't forget to head over to GYCT's a linky party to see who is contributing and those that were in the blog tour! :)

Freezer Paper Stenciling: Harry Potter Ravenclaw Outfits

I have never done freezer paper stencils before and have no idea why I waited to do them until now. Granted I was not aware of them until fairly recently. This would have worked so much better for littleman's "only child expiring" shirt blogged about here.

Since I needed something to take my mind off the Star Wars outfits, I decided to jump in and join the linky party for the Harry Potter CraftingCon. Have you seen it yet? You should check out the awesome contestants and their wonderful outfits. Also, all the great projects that are being linked up!

Check out the contestants at Mae and K
Check out tutorials and guest posts at Friends Stitched Together 

I took a quiz for my own house placement in Harry Potter and was sorted into Ravenclaw, so what better way to contribute and link in for Harry Potter than to create something using that house? And since my sew time is taken up by other projects, I needed and wanted to try Reynolds Freezer Paper *affiliate* stenciling (seriously, so many tutorials on Google, it's crazy)...

I printed and traced onto Reynolds Freezer Paper *affiliate* (you know, in case I wanted to use the design again), and cut and ironed. Little man painted. He was so excited to paint. Poor thing has been bugging me to paint. Perfect opportunity! :) I found the image for the house mascot here. I had some difficulty on what colors to use. Go with the movie (blue and silver?) or go with the book (blue and bronze?) and ultimately decided to go with the movie. 1. I was rushing and did not sew up the kids clothes. Bronze is difficult to come by. 2. I got some paint but little man was not happy with the idea that I would be doing some painting... *update* I used the lettering from here. Here is little man's outfit.

He wasn't too keen on taking pictures, and since it is 100+ degrees outside, taking pictures out there isn't really happening...

And, baby girl's outfit kind of. The shorts don't really fit yet, still a little too big. Not to mention the freezer paper didn't stick as well because there were so many wrinkles gathers. But, little man even painted her shirt and chose placement! I love it! :)

It is so hard taking pictures of a little girl who just wants to hold your hand and will just as easily scream as cry until she gets your hand. Not to mention little man had gone down for a nap as soon as she had woken up. I'm really excited! Check out the other link-ups and some incentive if you haven't yet. If you could make something Harry Potter themed, what would you make?

Read a Book: Carry On Warrior by Glennon Melton {book review}

*This post contains affiliate links. I have not received compensation for this review, nor was it requested of me to do this review. All opinions are my own*

'we live in a brutiful world... brutally beautiful'

I have been looking for books to read, and I am so lucky that the moms with MOPs do a book club every month to every couple of months and last month's book was Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed by Glennon Doyle Melton. She is also the person behind Momastery. I will admit, I am not too familiar with the website before this book. But now I have and will explore it a lot more.

This book is almost like her autobiography, the story of her life. I could only imagine what the story of a previous drug addict would be like. Hers is an incredible one.  She has lessons that are important to share and I think I may need another copy just to write, highlight, and post-it certain parts. So many "pages from her book" that I would love to be able to apply to parenting and relationships.

One of my favorite lines is "Be confident because you are a child of God. Be humble because everyone else is too." I am exploring my faith more and a goal of entering my 30's was to understand more of what it means to be Christian. So this line spoke to me. But this is not her entire book. 

Another that had me thinking over the weekend, especially with some pent up frustration (the last time I was without the kids aside from my nap on Sunday was over a month ago), was that someone has to be the first one to pour the wine, assuming your significant other drinks wine. In my case, it's water. You need to forgive each other, and you need to communicate. When the communication falters because of whatever life gets in the way, someone has to do something nice for the other. Monday, I had a cold glass of water waiting for hubby when he got home. It's amazing the things that can happen when you do something for somebody else.

Though, I don't think I will be placing a paper bag over my head anytime in the near future.

In her book, Carry On, Warrior: Thoughts on Life Unarmed, Glennon stopped drugs and drinking when she found out she was pregnant with her first child. And from there she has incredible stories of dealing with no longer doing those things and relearning how to live while, at the same time, teaching her children to be the best people they can be. Love others, treat others with respect, love yourself, appreciate life. It is all in there! I'm sure there is something in there almost anyone can relate to!

We are not all perfect, and there is no reason for us to hide that.

I really recommend this book. It is an incredible, fast read.

I have laughed out loud, I have cried and I would read it over again.

Some of the reviewers on GoodReads and Amazon complain that the chapters are not long enough, that several blog posts do not make a book. My opinion differs. I am one who has to complete a chapter before I can put a book back down. This makes it hard with the demands of children and husband, dishes and laundry (when I try not to leave them in the washer for a week), and with the shorter chapters, I can read them quickly and attend to their needs.

Check out her website Momastery.

Happy Reading,

GYCT Design: Lazy Day Crossover Bag {Pattern Test}

GYCT Designs (affiliate) came out with another awesome pattern, the Lazy Day Crossover. It is a great bag with lots of space! You can pick up this awesome pattern on craftsy or on Etsy. She has this awesome purse organizer, and you can get them both bundled for only 7.95 or (4.95 separately) until end of day tomorrow! Hurry! 

It is had the option for three different lengths of the strap so you can customize to your fitting.

I love the pleat in the center.

It is worn crossbody, but if you wanted to customize the length you totally could!

Check out all that space!

I have worn this bag to the library. Seriously awesome for books. I have stored some sewing projects for traveling and working. I've used it for my stuff and the baby stuff. Seriously love the bag!

Love this bag! I even made my niece the small version for her birthday; yes there is even a mini version!! :) You can make them reversible, or put a closing. It comes with directions for a zipper... So many options! :)

This bag reminds me of the 4th of July!

It is such an easy sew! So fast to put together!

Happy Sewing,

Ainsley and Aiden by Stitchwerx: Blog Tour {Giveaway}

Welcome to the first day of the Blog Tour for Stitchwerx new collection of patterns for baby, the Ainsley and Aiden Collection!

Pattern Revolution       Mama Says Sew       The Berry Bunch       Begin With B

Releasing today are some pretty incredible patterns. The suite makes up 4 patterns. You can find them at the Stitchwerx Designs Etsy Shop or a Special Limited Time Pattern Bundle for $18.75 (a $25 value sold separately). Sale price runs through Friday June 20, (midnight, EDT). After the sale, all patterns will be available for purchase individually and as a bundle in the Stitchwerx Designs Etsy Shop. Don't forget to stop by Stitchwerx Designs on Facebook and see what other people are posting, or other patterns! You can check out the Stitchwerx release blog post.

Don't mind baby girl in boy clothes... These are a gift for a special little couple of boys coming soon. :)

Bitty Beetle Bodysuit, Tee & Gown
It is a lap neck for easy over and off baby's noggin. It has the option of a tee, bodysuit or sleeping gown. The sleeves also has the option of long, extra-long with mittens, or short. Perfect for those new little babes that tend to <eek> scratch... I always had difficulty with the mittens coming off. But on the sleeve, so much easier! No lost mittens!

Comfy Caterpillar Easy Knit Pants
This is a simple knit pant: left and right side, leg cuffs, and waistband. Boom. Easy peasy, fast and speedy! Plus side, you don't need a serger to sew these together! In the patterns there are amazing directions, tips and tutorials on how to coverstitch, topstitch, and even use a twin-needle! I am no longer scared to buy a twin-needle! (just haven't been to the store yet)...

Roly Poly Lined Pants
Seriously, my favorite. I never new I could make a pair of lined pants like this. Seriously, love it! The directions and walk-through is amazing for what could be a slightly difficult and confusing process. Thank goodness for pictures! These pants could be reversible! I so wish I had this pattern when little man was born 3.5 years ago!

Tiddly Wink Toppers

Two styles of hats. One boxy square beanie, the other a slouchy beanie. I tested the slouchy beanie and thought it was so ridiculously adorable! I can just see baby girl in the snow on the mountain wearing a supper fuzzy version of the slouchy beanie!

I am just waiting on snaps to make some more! :) I have some planned to give to a friend that is prego with twins! :) The sizes range from premie-12 months!

Check out these other wonderful ladies sewing up these great outfits with some wonderful baby cuteness!

Wednesday June 11

Pattern Revolution

Mama Says Sew

The Berry Bunch (thats me!)

Begin With B

Thursday, June 12

Rebekah Sews

Lulu & Celeste

Gloria June

Friday, June 13

Once Upon a SewingMachine

Feather's Flights 

Pattern Nut

Monday, June 16

Golden Rippy 

Playground PixieDesigns

Friends StitchedTogether

The Life of JenniferDawn

Tuesday June 17

Stitch and Bake 

Shaffer Sisters 

The Life of aCompulsive Crafter

And now for the really good stuff!  to help promote the release of the pattern, Stitchwerx is hosting this incredible giveaway!

Prize Package includes:

          *4 patterns of your choice from Stitchwerx Designs

          * Set of 4 Custom 8 x 10" Art Prints from Artful Life Designs
                  Check them out at:  Artful Life Designs Etsy Shop

                                                Artful Life Designs on Facebook

          * $25 Gift Card from the Fabric Store of Your Choice

          * Set of 100 Custom Mommy/Playdate Cards from Artful Life Designs

Contest Rules:

You must be 18 to enter.

You can gain entries by entering the Rafflecopter Prompts.

Giveaway end: 6/20/14 at midnight EDT.

One winner will be chosen and announced on 6/21/14.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck and Happy Sewing!

see you next time!