Getting Crafty

Lately, I have really been feeling the need to make things. Don't get me wrong; Martha Stewart I am not. But I really find a place of peace when I am working on a project and love the sense of accomplishment when I find that I can create something with my own two hands.

All of this started when I was pregnant with Lil' B a little over two years ago. I found this cute bird mobile tutorial online and decided that I would attempt to build one for her nursery. I loved how the stuffed birds looked so whimsical with their mismatched fabric tops and bottoms. So I headed to the fabric store and started sewing up these cute little birdies. When it came time to actually assembling the mobile....well, let's just say that I have a box full of little sewn birdies sitting in my basement.

But I digress. Sewing the birds and seeing them come together ignited something in me. I asked for a sewing machine for Christmas and Santa brought it for me. Over the last year and half I have experimented and learned how to sew project by project. I made sunhats for the girls, aprons, and even a pair of pajama pants for myself!

My motivation for sewing wanes and waxes, but several weeks ago I felt the need to create rise up again. My sister expressed an interest in learning to sew, so I looked for a fun project we could work on while she was here visiting. Lil' B's birthday was right around the corner so this is what I came up with.




Quilted Happy Birthday Banner

I found this adorable cupcake and icecream cones fabric and thought it would be perfect for a Happy Birthday Banner. This was my first attempt at quilting, and while it isn't perfect, I absolutely adore it. I imagine many Happy Birthdays in our house with this banner and I hope it becomes a fond childhood memory for my girls as they grow up.

While my sister was here, we I made this one:

Cute, right? She picked out a more boyish fabric for her son and I love how it turned out!

So now I am on a mission to make a few baby items. First up on the agenda is a flannel bassinet sheet. If that works out, I am going to work on crib sheets, a crib skirt, and curtains. I'll keep you posted on how they turn out!

It's been awhile

I know, I know, I know. It has been awhile since I've posted. I could give you every excuse I have for not blogging (including lack of time, lack of energy, and lack of motivation), but the real reason is that I am just not sure what to do with this space anymore.

I started blogging the same way most stay at home Moms start, as a way to keep my family updated on the Rosebuds. Then I found that I was writing about other things that my family didn't really care about and I discovered blogging networking sites like Mom Bloggers Club and SITS. When people I have never met before started reading my blog and commenting, I was blown away. The blogosphere is immense and there was so much I didn't know.

I attended my first blogging conference and met some incredible bloggers in real life. Bloggers who are totally committed to their blogs and work really hard at making it successful. And that is where I struggle. I am not as committed to my blog as others out there. I know that reciprocity is the best way to get followers, hits, and comments, and that those hits in return lead to great opportunities, but I just can't manage to make time for it. My biggest weakness as a person is my inability to balance everything. Balance being a wife, mom, and homemaker with my other hobbies like reading, sewing, and of course blogging.

I think what it all comes down to is that I have a constant internal struggle between "Blogging as a Hobby" and "Blogging as a tool for being successful." Because I have this internal struggle, I opt to simply not post. To ignore my blog for days or weeks on end. Often I think about abandoning it completely, but then I remember how much fun it is and those thoughts are pushed aside.

So, I am going to focus on "Blogging as a Hobby." I have carved out time in my day for scripture study, pleasure reading, and the occasional sewing project; I just need to find a specific time for blogging as well. I feel like I am starting from scratch, but that's okay. If you are still with me, reading my humble words, thank you. I hope you'll stick around.

PS - Sorry for the rambling random post, but I just had some thoughts I needed to get out of my head, and hey, that's what Blogging as a Hobby is all about, right? ; )