Seams of Life

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." ~ author unknown

My family has experienced some devastating blows recently. I don't want to elaborate in this space -- my readers have dwindled to mostly friends and family so most of you know the details anyhow -- but I felt the need to explain my absence. I need to keep this space a positive and family/craft-centered place. For me, focusing on the things I love helps me through the hard stuff.

We added a new member to our little-big family. His name is Oliver and, not to brag or anything, he's one the sweetest dogs I've ever met.   

 I also finally joined the rest of the world and got a smart phone. That's why all my pictures are Instagrams and my desktop is collecting dust. Now I know what all the fuss is about...I was totally attached to it instantly.

Molly's growing like a weed. She's almost 11 months old - time to start party-planning. This is such a fun time. She's a little ham in front of the camera and she charms everyone she meets with a sweet toothy smile. I'm savoring every minute.

 

 

 

staying home

After many conversations, much contemplating, and a whole lot of planning my husband and I have finally made a (life-changing for us) decision -- I'm going to quit my day job and be a full-time Mom and Homemaker!

I (and my kids) are very excited about this, however, it is not without sacrifice. We have almost always been a two income household and living on only one income will be a huge adjustment. Many things that we are accustomed to -- i.e. vacations, eating out, and cable -- are not going to be in the budget. Despite that, I know that everything we gain will be worth the sacrifice.

Honestly, I have tried my best to balance everything -- a full-time job, a marriage, three kids and a home -- and I know that I have not been able to give my full attention to any one of those things. At the end of each day my kids get an impatient mom and my husband gets an irritable wife. And my marriage and my kids are the most important thing to me. They deserve my full attention and they deserve the best version of me. So for me, the decision to give up a few luxuries in order to stay home and care for those most important in my life is an easy one. One that I should have done years ago.

No regets though, only gratitude for what is to come.

new tricks

I put off using my Raverlyaccount for a long time because -- between this blog, Google Reader, Facebook and Flickr -- I really didn't want another social media page to keep up with. Had I known what a wonderful, pattern-filled, awe-inspiring world of fiber crafts awaited me in the pages of Raverly, I wouldn't have waited so long to join in. Over the weekend I was browsing at the thousands of crochet patterns in Raverly when I came across a stitch I had never seen before -- the crocodile stitch -- complete with a video tutorial. I had to try this stitch straight away.

  

It's just so interesting and unique. I've been trying to think of different ways to put my own spin on it -- perhaps a pillow cover in different colors, I haven't decided. But you can bet I'll be using this stitch somewhere, somehow.

My days are spent at work and the weekends and evenings are the only time I have to take photos for my blog. This has always hindered my blogging because I just can't take good photos in artificial, low light. This has also kept me from sharing more of my life outside of crafts, which I would really like to share more of in this space. One of my favorite bloggers, Beki from ArtsyCraftyBabe, had seemed to master low light photography. Like me, she works during the day, but she has always shared beautiful pictures of her crafts and her family life all indoors, in low light. Last week Beki opened herself up to questions and, of course, I asked about her photography tricks and she obliged. Using Beki's tricks and tips, I've been practicing my indoor photography and I think I'm finally getting the hang of it.

  

 Now, hopefully, I can share more of what goes between the 'making'. Usually it's helping the little ones with their 'making'. My girls love to draw just as much as did when I was their age. They have been working on drawing by observation and tonight they each drew pictures of their beloved LaLaLoopsy dolls.

What new tricks have you learned lately?

 

the fullness of fall

Didn't mean to disappear on you for a whole week. My goodness, the busy-ness this new season has brought. 

We've spent our week celebrating special birthdays and ... 

beginning a new cheer season. This year both my girls are cheering together.

 

Now, with this busy week behind me, I am ready to re-focus, yet again, on my sewing projects. I'll be sharing my second project from One Yard Wonders very soon.

I also decided to join in on Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week Challenge. It begins tomorrow and I'm very excited to be participating. I haven't decided exactly what to sew yet, but Halloween will be here soon and I know two little cheerleaders who are in need of creative, mama-made costumes.

  

My kids started back to school last week and we have all been struggling with the new routine. My time management skills have definitely gotten rusty over the summer. Between work, dinner, laundry and homework, I haven’t managed to steal any bits of creative time for myself lately.

 
It’s even been difficult to find the time to sit behind the computer these days. I’m sorry that this post is turning out so whiny, I usually hate to complain quite this much. It’s just that, well, I have so many creative plans and no time to execute them and this frustrates me to no end. It's times like this that I start to doubt my decision to work outside the home. I just can't seem to get everything done and I don't have enough time to fill everyone's needs, least of all my own.

And the library does not help my situation either. Just look at all the great books that have come in (off hold) for me this week.

Thankfully I will have them in my possession for at least six weeks. Surely I'll manage to find some time to sew something before then.

The one place I have managed to insert a little creativity is in the kitchen. I gotta be there anyway, right. I'm a bit weird when it comes to cooking. I don't really enjoy cooking but I'm constantly looking through cook books and cooking blogs and searching for new recipes.  I've had my eye on this spinach quiche recipe over at Smitten Kitchen for a while and this week I finally got around to making it.

 
Spinach is one of the few green veggies that my kids actually love so I am always trying to find different ways to prepare it. This recipe was a semi-hit with the kids. I thought it tasted great, but they were upset that I didn't make their favorite, creamed spinach. 

My Barcelona throw is just about complete and I can't wait to share it. In the meantime, I'll be cooking, cleaning and google-ing mixed fractions.