I love a good challenge. I think it's because of my competitive streak.

It's no secret that the past couple of years have thrown me off of my creative game and I've been itching for a jump-start.

Enter the September Sew for 30 Challenge.


In honor of National Sewing Month, Star's Threads has issued the challenge to spend 30 minutes of each day sewing.

I have tons of patterns and fabric... {and good intentions aplenty!} My pledge includes a caveat that I will only use the fabric that I have on hand, excluding required notions.

Sound like fun? Hop on over to Star's Threads and take the pledge, too. Let's see what we can create in 30 days.

I'll be documenting my progress here and on Instagram @alwaysaproject.
It's hard to believe that 2 months have passed since moving home from Pennsylvania. In some ways, it feels like the blink of an eye... in others, as though years have passed. I am feeling a bit reminiscent today so I thought I'd share some of the wonderful things that I already miss from that beautiful, enchanting part of the country.

Mild summers...


sponge candy...


beer culture... pirogues... gorgeous waterways...


ancient trees...


Perry's ice cream... Conneaut Lake...


Hank's frozen custard... abundant nature trails...


beautiful bridges...


local wineries...


Lake Erie during any season...


groundhogs (really?)... one day of snow...


maybe two...

playing Euchre with these friends...


old train tunnels...


flowers for miles...


amazing parks and historic sites...


the fish in Linesville...


no... I won't miss them.

**shivers**

I have been so richly blessed by the opportunity to live in a part of the country that is so different from where I've spent most of my life. While it feels good to be "home," northwestern Pennsylvania will always feel like a close second.