I spent a little time yesterday digging out my UFOs - UnFinished Objects. I was a bit embarrassed to find so many. I honestly thought I was more diligent than that, but, then again, the past 2 years have been a blurrrrrrrr...
So, here's what I have lined up for the month.
I want to finish this dress...
And this one...
{gah. really, really not looking forward to this one}
Yeah. I'm pretty pumped. And oh-so-glad to feel inspired about sewing. It's been a while.
I'm posting daily updates on Instagram - so hold me accountable, friends. Let's link up there - @alwaysaproject. I'd love to follow your updates, too.
I was able to squeeze in a little more than 30 minutes yesterday and made major progress on a dress that I started a couple of months ago. I'm really excited about the direction it's taking.
What are you working on?
When we decided to make the move back home, my husband took
on the charge to find our new home. He was traveling back and forth to work in
Georgia anyway so he spent time visiting properties, taking pics and
measurements, and eventually narrowed down his search to two homes.
After building 3 homes and remodeling our home in
Pennsylvania, I was tired of home renovations… yep, I had finally hit my limit.
So my only request was “MOVE-IN READY!”
Obviously, I trust him implicitly.
Well, we didn’t wind up with move-in ready, but it’s not too
bad (for me!). The husband has repainted the entire house (vaulted ceilings and
all)… refinished the wood floors, added A/C vents here and there… and on and on
and on…
Our biggest project will be finishing the basement – a huge,
scary project that I will definitely document and share.
So for the first time in a long time, I really don’t have
anywhere to sew, but I’m making it work! I’m camped out on the dining room
table and on a folding table in the middle of our skeleton basement.
We’re working to get this renovation going quickly. Here are
the before pictures of what will become my studio.
It’s a total blank slate. I really don’t have any vision for
the after, but I know it will come together.
Do you have any ideas to share? What features would you put
into your dream studio? Please share in the comments below.
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.
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.
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.
If you've ever moved to a new place, you know how hard it is to find solid friends.
I've been incredibly blessed over the past 2 1/2 years. Since moving to Pennsylvania, I've been wrapped in support and kindness from all sides - neighbors, colleagues, acquaintances... I've been overwhelmed by warmth and acceptance.
So, let me introduce you to two ladies who now occupy a very special place in my heart - Cristy and Missie. These ladies have made it their personal mission to make me feel like family. They are now my sisters. They embody all of the characteristics that you could use to describe the "perfect friend."
Cristy was one of the first people I met when I moved here. She has done an amazing job of pushing me out of the house and forcing me into social settings. That's a tremendous feat for this introvert! She asks for as much as she gives (which is, in my opinion, THE hallmark of true friendship). She also introduced me to knitting, which has had a powerful effect on my overall well-being.
Extra bonus: our hubbies hit it off, too, and our little guys are like brothers.
Missie is one of the most positive, inspirational women that I've ever known. She has faced incredible hardship due to chronic illness over the past year and a half. Her body has betrayed her in every way. She lives in pain—yet, she never complains. She remains upbeat and chooses to focus on care and concern for others, rather than herself. I will forever think of Missie when I'm compelled to complain about trivial issues.
Needless to say, it's going to be really, really, really hard to leave these amazing women behind! I'm constantly brainstorming ways to take them with me.
In a silly moment, I declared, "We should get matching tattoos before I leave. We'll be bonded forever!" Before I even had time to process my own idea, Cristy had already made appointments for the three of us.
So, I spent the next two weeks hyperventilating at the very thought of getting this tattoo. I didn't have any tattoos... neither did Missie... Cristy, well, let's just say she has her fair share.
**wink-wink**
I'm 37 years old! I decided if I was getting a tattoo, it had to be meaningful and original so I worked up a concept for the 3 of us and the artist tweaked it.
Tattoo Day came and I awoke thinking of this video:
Needless to say, the girls made me go first. Here's how it all happened.
One week later, I'm getting used to my permanent addition. I was in shock for a few days. Not necessarily a bad feeling, but I had to work through all of my emotions. Truthfully, it was an awesome experience - one that I've always wanted to have. I'm so grateful that I got to experience it with two women who mean so much to me.
k3tog... knit 3 together... It's heartwarming to know that we're forever linked in our own creative way.
One busy mother... and loving almost every minute of it. I love to create practical "pretties" out of repurposed and unconventional materials. The best part about something handmade is gifting it to someone you care about. Handmade isn't perfect. It's better.
