So tired!

I am so tired right now and out the corner of my eye...I have very good peripheral vision...I can see the mound of "stuff" on top of my so-called-sewing-desk. It makes me tired just thinking about all the stuff I need to sew. Last night I ironed on some patches to my 4 year old jeans that are finally wearing out in the thighs...I'm pretty sure this is just another sweet reminder that losing some weight wouldn't be a bad idea! So...this week and weekend I have to complete at least one diaper and some new items I thought of to list on my etsy page. I will do it. That's my goal, and I'm sticking to it.

Diapers

Making cloth diapers is SOOO time consuming. Now I understand why most of them cost around $15-18 each up to $35 (I would never pay that much for 1 diaper by the way). I spent almost 2 hours cutting out 6 of the 24 absorbent body layers needed for 12 diapers!!! Geez. Anyhow, I still love using cloth diapers, but Jakey has a bad diaper rash right now, so my sweet sweet sister-in-law gave me 6 pull-ups for Jakey to use today to see if it helps clear it up. They are pink and they are Dora themed, but I'm not going to complain...I'm just thankful. Now, we better not let dad see him in pink underwear though...that would be interesting to say the least. Just until his bum gets better. Enough about my sweet baby's bum...I am posting a picture of the cloth diapers we currently use, hanging out to dry. I feel like if I had to say what the theme of 2008 and 2009 was I would say "getting back to basics." Last year I started line drying diapers and some other clothes, baking my own bread several times a week, making dinner every night (very rarely going out to eat, and usually that will just be on the way out of Costco getting a hot dog), using cloth diapers, sewing and mending clothes instead of buying new, going longer between haircuts, etc. all to save money so I can stay home and raise Jacob. I think that, correction --- know that God has honored our decision to do that and has provided enough money to make it every month, never once have we not had enough to eat or gone without. We don't have a bunch of extra stuff and do as much as we used to and some things are kinda "little house on the prairie" style, but hey---I like Little House on the Prairie. I like the simpleness of that time. Of course, I do like a hairdryer and indoor plumbing, and not killing my own food to eat to though. That sounds gross, maybe I'll become a vegetarian...I'm 1/2 serious. I've been looking into raw foods for some time now and I might just do it. Also my extensions, I can't live without my extensions.

Working on STUFF

Hello! I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted a new post. Now I know why sometimes people don't post anything for a week or more...because things come up...people get busy, etc. etc. Well, anyhow...my creative brain has been on overload for the last couple of weeks. I have so many new ideas and haven't had the time to start even one. I did buy fabric though. I'm going to design and make sets of strap cushions for carseat straps and ones for mommas too! I have a bunch of cute designs to embroider on them, and then I got some minky fabric to put them on. I think they will turn out cute if I can get the idea out of my head, and into reality! I did set up a shop on Etsy (called by the same wonderful name of course) www.Fabulosew.etsy.com. I hope to be up and going with some items listed in the next week or so. I have also been busy getting fabric for new diapers for Jakey. I'm going to make them myself. I could only find the fabric online, which means you have to pay for shipping and can't view it first, but that's ok...it turned out I love the fabric and shipping wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I will post a picture and let you know how they turn out. I'm pretty excited about them. Cloth diapers are so expensive...while they save you TONS of money over time, they are an expensive investment. When I first switched to cloth over a year ago, I paid over $300 and got 9 fuzzibunz and 24 old fashioned kind (you have to fold and pin) with 4 covers. This time, I spent less than 1/2 that and can make at least 12 of the wonderful kind you don't have to fold or pin or anything....they are called All-in-ones. If it all goes good, perhaps I can create my own version and see about selling them. To get 1 good fuzzibunz diaper will cost you about $18 without shipping. They last for a long time and are adjustable (we are still using the same ones I bought when Jakey was 17 pounds and he is now 27 pounds!) They work wonderfully, but they are the pocket style and one has already come apart. I wash at least 3 times a week and usually try to hang them to dry. I can't use the prefolds anymore, he's too big for them, although I can make them work in a pinch. Anyhow...enough of that dirty stuff.

What are you working on???? Don't you find that being creative allows you to express yourself and create positivity and makes you happy? I just love sewing. It's almost as good as anxiety meds! Ha! Just kidding. Sorta. :)

Happy sewing!

Scarves galore!

Well...I finally finished all the scarves. I made scarves for my mom, aunt, and grandmother. Then I made scarves for my 2 nieces with birthdays in April. I also made them for my sister-in-laws and my mother-in-law, and my husband's Aunt. Geez. I'm kinda sick of making scarves, but they sure are cute. I'm going to make some to put on my Etsy shop soon. Right now I have to finish a quilt I started over a year ago (that's right, I said over a year ago) for my sweet and wonderful grandmother who had a stroke last Thursday. Please say a prayer for her, she means the world to me and I can't bear to think of anything happening to her. That said, I also don't want her to be in pain or be paralyzed or have a poor quality of life. I just want her to get better. I love her so much. Anyhow, her name is Marguerite and she used to sew my clothes when we lived with my grandparents...1988...after my parents got divorced. She is an AMAZING seamstress and I adore her. I only hope one day I can be as talented as she.

Sewing like a crazy woman!

That's what I've been doing. I've been making tons of scarves and today I had several people ask if the one my son was wearing was one I made and if I sell them. Of course, I say heck yeah! So...we'll see how that goes. I'm going to start having a booth at craft fairs and such with all my goodies!

Time

I am going to sew today. That's what I told myself yesterday and today, and it still hasn't happened. I have gotten a lot of studying done though. Perhaps I will sew tonight! I am working on scarves for my family right now and I better get them done by this weekend, or we'll have to wait until next year to use them! Spring is right around the corner!

Monogrammed Scarf

I just finished this scarf. It is the first item I have ever made for myself. I love it! I am going to make one for my grandmother, aunt, and mom next! It's super soft and it looks so cute! I am really excited about it. What have you made lately???

My new blog

I am so excited about this blog! This will be a place where you can read about my sewing experiences and share yours too. I would love any ideas for tips and tricks that make your sewing easier, neater, or just plain fabulous! Sewing is an American tradition...one that I am afraid is dying. I love sewing. It relieves stress and is very therapeutic. Kinda like blogging! If you like to blog...you should give sewing a try. With all the new machines out there, it's so easy and affordable, and you will be learning a skill shared by a long history and heritage of hard working Americans, one that we should embrace today and teach to our children for tomorrow. We can keep jobs in America and the quality of the items made with loving hands is incomparable to what you will find imported here from other countries using child sweat-shops to sell us things that will fall apart after several washes. If you love sewing please leave me a comment or email me and share your thoughts.

Happy sewing :)