Projects to Work On

I have multiple projects in the works.  Personally, for some strange reason, I have a hard time staying on one projects until it is finished.  I quickly lose interest and want to move on to something new and at least for the moment, more interesting.  I guess, I need a short break from every project I make in order to remain interested in it.  I never completely lose interest, I just become more interested in something new.

Right now, I have a four or five year old Christmas stocking to finish.  For some reason, I have little to no interest in finishing it.  I am going to finish it, just to finish it, but I am not really enjoying it. I have an embroidered fairy to complete.  That is actually something that I want to complete and will enjoy working on.  I have a few English Paper Piecing project to complete.  One is a monthly EPP block and I am a little behind, but I want to work on that too.  I have 2 modern quilts to work on, one for my daughter and one for my son.  I was able to complete my oldest's son Angry Birds quilt and I really enjoyed that, knowing that he was going to love it.  Then there is also the Halloween costumes that I have to work on.  I have a yellow angry bird to make, some princess, and a robot.  I am thinking about adding yet another project, a quilt for my bed.  Then there is always the potential to make a baby quilt for my niece's baby who will be born in December.

I know that there are other projects to work on, but right now I can't think of them.  I wish I had more time to spend actually working on projects.  I can't decide if I would ever like to sell my work, but I think I would love to have a studio and have people come create with me.  I would love to be able to have open studio time and create with others and make money doing that.  Then there are those times that I think I would love to teach others about traditional hand crafts.  I sometimes think that it would be fun to teach a class and work on a project while I am teaching.  I have the opportunity to teach a class at a local studio, I am just not sure if I know enough to actually teach a class.  I think I could probably teach a basic knitting and quilting class.  I could even teach an EPP class, which I know I would like but I'm not sure if anyone else is interested.  I could teach a jewelry class and rubber stamping classes, but fear gets in the way.

One day, I'll get enough confidence to actually teach a class.  Until then, I'll just enjoy working on my own projects!

Amy

Newest Projects Completed

Since I have a few goals that I am working on, I decided to take a look at my WIP's (works in progress).  I decided that I had 2 partial granny squares that actually just needed to have the ends weaved in and they would make perfect blankets, one for my 3 year old daughter, and one for her baby Belle.  This means, that I have 2 partial projects that are now complete and have homes.  Now on to either finishing more WIP's or starting new projects so that I can use up all the supplies that I have accumulated.  Maybe if I can get some things made that look nice, I can actually start my etsy.com site.  I am definitely thinking making small quick projects that will be easy to complete and not take up too much time so that I can maybe make some money, instead of spending a ton of time trying to complete a project and then not being able to charge enough to make it worth it.

My daughter with her single granny square blanket

My daughter's baby Belle with her single granny square blanket

My twins with the single granny square blanket

On to completing more projects!

Amy

Projects That I Need To Start!

I have a couple of capes that I need to sew.  I found a link to the the capes (http://www.georgialeigh.com/?p=57) at my friends blog http://www.goddessinprogressblog.com/quilts/.  My son Thomas is thrilled when we help him "fly" and he says superman.  I decided to make all 3 kids the same cape so that there wouldn't be any fights over them.  They love "Super Why" on sprout so I decided that I will be making the super why applique for the back of the cape.  This seems like such a simple project, that even though I have other projects to make, I am going to start with the capes.

The next project I need to work on  are the Halloween costumes.  I think they will be somewhat easy, but maybe time consuming, so I really need to start soon.  I have all or at least most of the material to start cutting.  I am hoping that I can get my serger to have the right tension since I think it will make a nicer product.  The kids are going to be a maiden and squire.  I am also hoping to get to King Richard's Faire this year and I would love for them to be able to wear a costume to the fair.

I also have a bunch of projects to start for Christmas.  The most important projects are for the kids, then my husband and then my mom.  There are quilts to make, toys to make, maybe even jewelry to make, maybe some knitting or crocheting, never mind the potential of making my own Christmas cards.  I haven't been very good at making time to complete projects.  I feel so much better when I do, but for some reason, I have just been finding anything and everything else to do.  I am hoping that with have a routine back, I will be able to get myself into a routine with laundry, house cleaning, kids, and time to create as well as making time to sleep.

I have a lot on my plate, but I am really going to try to find time to create.  I should plan some take along projects so that when I am at work and it is slow, I can be productive vs just sitting on the computer.  I am thinking that knitting and crochet projects are good projects to take along to work as well as maybe some small hand sewing projects!

A little ambitious, but I am really looking forward to this.
Amy

Some Progress

So I have made some progress with my diet changes.  I have been having a green smoothie every day, at least at some point during the day.  If I can eat it for breakfast, it really helps me to think about what else goes in my mouth for the rest of the day.  I have actually been able to lose a few pounds.  Nothing grand, but my docotor noticed it when I took the kids to their appointment today!  I need to make sure that I keep drinking my raw green smoothies and then coninue to make more changes as time goes on.  I need to continue to remove dairy from my diet and now I need to add gluten to that for both me and the kids.

Eliminating dairy for the kids has been an absolute success in my mind.  Michael is breathing better, sleeping better, more social, less skin issues etc.  Why would I ever give him dairy again?  The other two kids are also not ingesting any dairy either, but there have not been as marked chages in them as with Michael!  Eva Rose is not gainign weight like one would expect, but really seems to be doing well with every day life.  The boys are still on the small side, but seem to be growing on their curve.  Their doctor said that their head circumference is on target which is a good sign.  I'm really not worried.  I have come to realize that I don't have chucky monkey babies.  I have small skinny active babies that just would rather be on the move than eat.

As of right now, I am exhausted.  I really need to make a point of going to bed early tonight.  Befoe I do that, I really need to plan out my grocery list for tomorrow.  I need to have a plan in place to buy the food that I need for the week and not over spend on things that will just get wasted.  I need to plan some meat meals for the kids so that they will have a little bit better of an intake.  I need to plan more bean meals for me and my husband.  I need to plan some non dairy, non gluten desserts/snacks that will help keep me on track and do better for the kids.  Hopefully another post soon will be total progress, not just some.

I really need to work on my for my swap.  I need to get some tuck in together and get the package ready to mail.  I love doing swaps since it forces me to complete projects.  I have so many projects in the works it isn't even funny.  I'll just keep plugging away and hopefully get some more completed!

Amy

Finding Time To Sew

I have way too many sewing projects that I need to work on.  I had planned to sew my daughter a doll for her 2nd birthday and my son a carrying case for matchbox cars (he loves his cars).  Now, here it is the Thursday before their birthday on Sunday and I haven't done a thing.  What else is new?  I may try to get some sewing done tonight, or at least get the pattern cut out.  We are, again, having another snow storm here in New England.  I am so hoping that it just gives us a dusting, but maybe it will force me to get some projects done!  If I can get these 2 things made, then I will feel good.  I do still need to get out and get a bunch of matchbox cars for my son.  I am hoping that they will really like these gifts and I can feel good about giving them something that I made!

Once these projects are done, it's time to move onto the new apron swap.  I still have to get out and buy new material.  I am thinking maybe tomorrow after we go to EI group, I'll stop at the fabric store.  I think I am going to make a half apron.  It's kind of funny that I got a half apron for the last swap and I made a full apron, and then this time, I am making a half apron and requested a full apron!  I can't wait to go and  look at material.  I love craft shopping and even though I can't afford to buy more, bot in terms of money and space, I always look forward to having a reason to buy something  new!  I am also getting together with a friend on Monday and we will be making some tutus for the girls.  I can't wait to have another friend to create with.  Also she told me that she has been making some mama pads and I can't wait to see them.  I have been tempted to make some myself, but I really need to see how it's done.  I am such a visual person.  I am hoping that once I see hers and see what materials she used, I can start to make my own.  Hopefully that will be one more thing that I can cross off my list of things that I buy.  I have also been toying with the idea of using cloth for toilet paper.  At first, I thought that it was disgusting, but then I realized I use cloth wipes on the babies so why not on me too.  I think it will be cleaner, less impact on the environment, and less paper product that I have to buy.  Now that I am writing about this, I am thinking that I may work on some more cloths for the kitchen, both wash cloths and towels.  I have some towel material that I got as a remnant and I can knit some wash cloths.  I really need to be less dependent on paper towels.  I really need to bleach the cloth that I now have and it they are still gross, I need to just get rid of them.  Thanks to http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/, I am thinking a little more about what I clean with!

Happy sewing and knitting, especially for the home,
Amy

Oh, and BTW, I still need to make a cake for the kids birthday!  Nothing special, just a cake with stars, I think!

Handmade Christmas

As I've written, I had a plan to have a handmade Christmas.  Due to my lack of organizational skills, I have a somewhat handmade Christmas.  I have completed 3 aprons for the kids.  I have 3 wine sacks to sew, which should tak eno time to complete.  I made silhouettes of the kids for my mom and step-father.  I have a couple of handmade faux food items for the kids that I have to complete.  I had wanted to make a doll for my daughter, but I don't think that it is going to happen before Christmas.  I had planned to make a quilt for my husband with pictures of our life together since we got married 3 1/2 years ago, especially since we got engaged on Christmas, but that too may be a work in progress.  I may be able to give him some pieces that I complete, but there is no way that it will be even remotely completed by Christmas.

I think I may be totally running out of time, given that Christmas is a mere 3days a way.  At this point, I am going to complete the wine sacks since they are easy, work on the quilt for my husband, and last but not least, maybe even finish a blanket that was meant for my baby (18 years old) sister many Christmas' ago.  Even this is a little overwhelming to think about given that it is Tuesday and Christmas is Saturday.  I have an errand to do after work, then it is home to sew at least the wine sacks and clean off my bed.  The other problem is that I am starting to get sick, but I just need to push through it and do what needs to be done so that I can have things finished or at least started enough to have something for Christmas. Unfortunately there is also all the cooking that I have to do, but that shouldn't be too bad.  I think I may have actually organized all that.

I continue to work on organizing my life. I may get a subscription to Real Simple, since it was a recommendation in one of the comments.  I'm not exactly sure what I want to use for an organizing tool, but I am researching and using what I have access to at the moment.  maybe next year, if I get organized, I can have a more handmade Christmas.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas,
Amy

Handmade Christmas

Christmas cards are stuffed and addressed and ready to be mailed.  No, I didn';t make them this year, though I really wanted to!  I already have way too many projects on my to do list, so I gave up on that project.

The projects that I have to complete are many and I have waited way too long to really have this be a handmade Christmas.  I have 3 wine sacks to sew, which shouldn't be that difficult to do, it's more a means of setting up the machine and sewing.  Along with that I want to make 3 wine bottle stoppers to go along with the wine that I buy.  These may be more time consuming as I either need to do polymer clay or turn them on the lathe (which I haven't use since before grad school 4 years ago).  I have a few felt food items to make for the kids as well as some aprons.  I also want to make them some scrubs to go along with the doctor kit that we bought them.  I also want to make a doll for Eva Rose and then I need to decide on projects for the boys.  I may have to put some of these projects on hold as there are definitely ones that I need to finish by Christmas.  I have the patterns to make silhouettes of the kids for my mom and step father's gift.  I just need to get the black paper to cut them out of and then attach them to the frames that I just bought.  I also want to make a simple scrapbook for my grandmother as she is in a nursing home out of state and failing.  She hasn't seen the kids since March of 2009 just after the twins were born (they were 6 weeks old and Michael had just turned 1).

Wow just reading that list is making my head spin.  I really want to have a handmade Christmas, but I have procrastinated way too long and I may have to put a lot of things on hold.  I know that I can get a few more things done, I just have to prioritize what I have and when I have time to complete these projects!

Looking at this list and thinking of everything else that I have to do, makes me go back to my ADD issue.  I really need to get organized and plan my days accordingly.  I start lists, but then never use them.  I make too many lists and really need to just stick to one.  Does anyone have a good system on getting organized with household tasks as well as appointments, as well as a way to keep track of projects that need completing?

Happy Holidays!
Amy

ADD and Getting Things Done!

I am some what wondering if I have a little issue with ADD.  I have never been formally diagnosed and as far as I know, it was never an issue when I was a kid, but then again, I don't think that many people were diagnosed liek they are today.  Thinking back to being a kid, I can definitely see that I may have had some signs of this.  Mainly it was surrounding homework and schoolwork and keeping my room and house clean.

Now as an adult, when I look at some of the signs of adult ADD, I can definitely see myself having some of these issues.  I get easily overwhelmed, I very rarely start and finish a task, my brain always seems to be thinking of something (I can never truly meditate because no matter how hard I try, I can never stop my mind from thinking about all sorts of things that I have going on or that I find interesting), I get easily frustrates and angered, and many others that I can't think of right now.  Even if there is no clinical diagnosis of ADD, I think following some of the suggestions from people who suffer will automatically help me to deal with things.  One thing is my diet.  I am in the process of giving up dairy, wheat/gluten, and I should probably add in there sugar too, as well as trying to eat less meat (which I am doing way better than I thought I would), and definitely less processed foods.  I am having a terrible time sticking with my diet plan completely though.  The other thing that sounds somewhat crazy, is to look through a paper towel tube when I start to clean.  What this does is gives you a small area to focus on instead of looking at the whole room and getting overwhelmed.  I also need to be better at focusing myself when it comes to projects.  Often times, I start a project and then move on to another one because something else seems more interesting.  Because of this, I never seem to get really good at one thing.  I am only average at everything I try and sometimes average is a little strong.  I don't know if list help people with ADD or if it is just one more thing that just makes you feel like you are organized and able to get things done.  That's actually another area that makes me think I have more of an issue than just sheer laziness.  I start making list and trying things to get organized, but I never seem to follow through.  I really need to look up more on how to help deal with adult ADD other than meds.  There is no way that I want to go on meds, and I don't even know if I have ADD, I just can see myself as having some tendancies.

I have some craft projects that I have been working on for the kidlets and other people too.  I will post pictures later.  These are definitely things/reasons why I started this blog.  I wanted to have less involvement with commercial stores and gifts and everyday items.  I wanted to start eating healthy and less processed foods.  I wanted to start using things I make myself for cleaning and beauty products.  Christmas this year will have some store bought items, some hand me down gifts (which I am so thankful that we have gotten from people), and some handmade gifts.  I am really excited for the handmade gifts for people and I am really excited to start working on getting myself out of this funk that I seem to be in!

Happy Holidays!
Amy

Newest Projects

So Halloween has come and gone.  I thankfully finished the 3 costumes that I was trying to finish for this Halloween.  They all came out really good.  I was so pleased.  We had a great time trick or treating around the neighborhood and loved sharing this holiday with the kids.

This was one of the costumes that I made

This was another one that I made

Family Halloween picture (I made the vest and skirt of my costume also)

I am participating in my first apron swap.  I can't wait!  I thought that after this rush on Halloween costumes, I wasn't willing to sew much more right now, but after I finished the costumes and all was good, I am ready to sew again!  I am joining in at http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com .  I am looking forward to getting an apron also.  I am trying to do more cooking and my nana always used to stay to always wear an apron.  I will certainly wear one now after I get my first swap and then I will try to make my own aprons too!  There is also a contest sponsored by http://www.etsy.com/shop/silverliningdesigns6 where a beautiful snowflake is being raffled to those participating in the swap.


I will be working on a few other projects too.  Hopefully some X-mas gifts will get done so that I can feel good about giving handmade things for the holidays.  I have a wine bottle sack on the needles and I am going to make a couple of scrapbooks for family members as well as an embroidering handprints of the kids.  I still have a bunch of ideas to figure out!

Amy

As an aside, I had a tough day yesterday with eating and really paid for it.  I felt pretty miserable last night and am really trying hard to eat the things that I should be!

Creative Inspiration

I've decided that I love reading blogs!  I especially love reading creative, health, and food related blogs.  My newest blog that I love to read is http://newdressaday.com/ .  I literally just started reading this blog today after seeing the blog owner, Marisa Lynch, on The Early Show this morning.    This blogger decided that she was going to make a new dress every day out of things that she finds at thrift store, flea markets etc.  She stated that she decided to do this most likely since she was turning thirty, she was laid off from her job and she was inspired by the movie Julie and Julia.  So far, she has done a dress/article of clothing a day, and from what I can see, she hasn't spent more than three dollars on the item that she refashions.  She is a total inspiration to me.

After seeing this blogger, I started to get re-energized about my blog that I had started January 1st.  Unfortunately, that blog did not go the way I planned.  Why I thought that I would have time to create very day with three little ones under two (at the time I started this), I have no idea.  Initially, I had the same inspiration as Marisa Lynch, the movie Julie and Julia.  I started out thinking that I would at least work on a project every day hopefully completing these projects sooner than later or letting them become UFO's, unfinished objects.  Unfortunately, this was too much for me to take on and I just stopped.  I kept up with my other blogs, but let that one fall by the wayside.  I plan to start that blog again.  I may not write every day, but for my own sanity, I plan to attempt to craft every day and post comments and pictures as often as I can.  This blog is at http://thecreativelifeproject.blogspot.com/ .

I plan to be creative, finish projects, use the supplies I have, and get organized while doing this.  I think that using what I have is going to be a huge deal.  I have so many supplies and unfortunately thay are not as organized as they could be so I often go and spend more money and take up more space than I should.  Using what I have and if I don't have the exact item that I need, I will look to see if I have an alternative so that I can be a little more green with my crafting.

As an aside- I have been cooking mroe and trying out new recipes.  I am loving trying new things, so I am really being creative in different areas of my life.  I am also working hard at eating healthier and I do well sometimes and then other time not so well.  It is always a work in progress and will probably always be something I struggle with.

Amy

Current Projects

I have a couple of projects that I have either recently finished or am in the process of finishing, or am thinking about starting for Christmas gifts.  This past weekend, I just finished a fall wreath for our door that I think came out really good.  In fact I was so happy with it that I decided to make a gift of one for my mom to thank her fall all the babysitting she has done, so I went out this morning and bought the items to make a wreath for her.  Then earlier today, one of the blogs I follow posted about making pants out of old t-shirts.  I just had to try this and they actually came out pretty good even though I flew through the cutting and sewing.  I can only imagine how they would have come out if I had taken my time with them.

I have a scarf on teh needles that is just a simple garter stich scarf.  I am considering this for a Christmas gift for one of my sisters.  I'm sure that I have a bunch of works in progress (WIPs) that I just can't seem to think of right now, but I know that there are a ton of things that I have to finish.

I want to make two wine cozies for my sister and sister in law.  I want to make a scarecrow for the house.  I want to make things for the kids for Christmas.  I like the idea of making gifts for people instead of just buying something that is mass produced.  I just have to get over my fear of people not liking what I make!  I am also planning on making the cake for my mom's 60th birthday.  I'm really excited about that.

I need to get my Christmas list organized so that I can start on projects for people.  This way I won't be stuck with last minute things and then ending up buying the mass produced gifts that I don't want to buy!  I have soem housekeeping to do before I really get started on projects, but the new fall tv season starts this week and I want toat least watch the season premiere of things, so I may just try to be productive while watching tv and deal with house stuff later.  We'll see, but I  know that I need to work on things so that I can be more sane in life.  I aslo need to get organized (like I keep saying) so that I can feel like I can take the time to do my creative things.  I also plan on getting the kids to make some gifts for family members, so I get to be creative with them.  I want to start getting them to do some thing creative every day.   Maybe in tie I can use that time to be creative too. 

My last thing that I want to post about is scrapbooking.  I wish I had thought a little about this today at the craft store.  I want to get an organizer so that I can slowly work on pages for the kids scrapbook, instead of leaving it til they are too old and I give up.  I have enough pictures, I just need to print them out and get them into an album with some journaling along with the pictures.  And last but not least for to do projects is halloween bags.  This is the first year that the kids will get to go trick or treating.  I need to make them bags and finalize their costumes (if I am making new ones, or if I am just modifying the cowboy outfit I have for Eva Rose and do a somewhat Toy Story theme)!

Wish me luck in getting things done!
Amy

Weekend Update

I had lots of things planned for the weekend, and I actually got somethings completed.  This was not the weekend for the twins group outing. so that was one less ting on the list.  What I did get completed was the granola, some garden work, the mei tai, and even got to bed on the earlier side and got some rest, since the kids all slept really well.  Oh, and I make cookies with the kids (of course I did most of it with a little help from the kids).  I still need to make graham crackers, yogurt, more granola, more planting (not any time soon with the rain we are having) and I know that there is more that I need to do!

These are the pictures of my mei tai.  I tried on all the kids quickly this morning.  I was actually able to do it by myself, and Eva Rose as the first was my worst.  The two boys cooperated much more and I am really excited to use it!  I think the kids will really like it.

Work in progress

Miss Eva Rose in the Mei Tai

Mr Michael in the Mei Tai (better positioned)

Mr Thomas in the  Mei Tai

Finished project

Finally finished!  I feel pretty good about all that I got done this weekend.  I still have plenty of things that I need to work on.  I need to plan what projects I can work on while I am at work if there is down time.  I have a bunch of cooking baking things that I want/need to make and given that it is going to rain for a couple of days (much needed) I think I may get some things done.

Amy