Posts Tagged sewing

oh beer, I’ve missed you.

July 8, 2009 at 11:09 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

I’ve had several chilly beers, and that makes me happy… I think I’ll have another in just a moment.  Quite the silver lining — is it not? — that I obtain such great enjoyment out of non-pregnancy-approved beverages. Kinda feels like I’m drowning my sorrows, but I’m washing them down with Heineken (which is all our beer fridge currently has to offer), and it’s just so damn tasty.

I got out the nifty CBE fertility monitor today, read the instruction manual, reset the memory, unpacked my test sticks, and laid everything out precisely like so many surgical tools. Maybe I’m a freak, but I’m kinda excited out the whole little digital screen telling me what to do. No guesswork and stressing about when to test, and “is *that* line as dark as/darker than *this* line?” No, the digital screen will take that burden away from me, and allow me to “just relax.” (That’s what the CBE instruction manual said… that I just need to RELAX when trying to conceive. Suck it, CBE.) Ain’t technology grand?

And I have a confession. I can’t tell Bobby because I’m the financial grinch in our relationship, and I’m ashamed to admit this, not because he would even get testy (he wouldn’t), but because I would feel guilty with my very obvious double standard… I just made not one, but TWO, impulse purchases on ebay. I think it’s a combination of knowing that our mortgage refinancing is finally an (almost) done deal and, well, the beers might have made my finger a little click-happy as well. I love beer. Like really, really love it.

Ya’ll should be proud of me… although I was mightily tempted, I didn’t buy nursery fabric. Oh, I looked at it — I’m drawn to the pastel toiles and fat babies and nursery displays like a moth to its inevitable doom. But I didn’t click purchase. Go me.

So this is what I bought… and yes, in case you’re wondering, I’ve always been like this. I get fixated on a new project or hobby and go balls-out for a while, and then it blows over. I plan (hope) to use this fabric before my quilting obsession becomes a thing of the past.

#1 Secret Purchase: Squares of these fabrics… aren’t they perfectly vintage and charming?

aviary_squares

And #2 Secret Purchase: Squares of these fabrics… fun & modern.

fabric buy

No, Bobby doesn’t read this blog unless I ask him to. So my secret should be safe with you guys. IRL readers, please don’t rat out me & my impulse purchases, mkay?  K, thanks.

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random idea

July 8, 2009 at 11:12 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged ,

I finished my quilt top this morning, and am now working on the backing. Bought too much fabric (as usual) — I’m always afraid that I’m not going to have enough, and then end up with way too much. Also bought batting yesterday. I felt very anti-polyester, although I doubt it makes a difference in the long run — bought Warm & Natural cotton batting instead of the less expensive poly-version.

Also found some cute & colorful bed linens at Good.will yesterday for $1-2 each… here they are all freshly washed & folded, ready to be reborn into a quilt of some sort:

jul7 023

This is a completely random thought, but I wanted to ask…  I’m going to start another birdie quilt when I finish this one, and was wondering if ya’ll would like to do it with me?  I came across this idea at the Old Red Barn Co, and it seems like such a wonderful project for a blog community. Of course, she’s a quilting expert and gave away fabulous prizes, while I’m not and I wouldn’t. But if I going to be doing another quilt anyway, just thought that ya’ll might in interested in learning with me?

Material cost would be approximately $75, give or take $25 based on your material choices. If you use old bedsheets, recycled clothing, etc, it would potentially be much less than this. You don’t have to have a sewing machine — just have to have the patience to do it by hand.

Anyway, it’s just a thought. If you’re not interested, just ignore me, and I’ll continue with Birdies Take 2 as planned… :)

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Birdie quilts, babies, & birthdays

July 6, 2009 at 10:00 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

UPDATE:
 In this post a few days ago, I mentioned that Tiffiney had gone into preterm labor at almost 25 wks. Sadie Mae was born on Saturday, July 4th, at 1lb 8oz, and 12.25in long.  I’ve been stalking facebook obsessively… based on status updates & comments, it appears that all is well with both mother and daughter, although obviously Sadie Mae will be spending a while in the NICU.  The suddenness of change, of things going awry or “different than planned,” is just so… shocking.  One day, everything’s fine. The next, everything’s upside down. I know I don’t have to explain that to ya’ll, of all people.  I miss the days of childhood, when I planned to execute my life like a checklist… grow up, get married, have a baby, and live happily ever after. Was so simple without the worry of what-if.

THE WEEKEND:
So since Saturday morning, when I woke up mid-meltdown, I’ve just been staying out of my head. On Saturday, we cooked & cleaned & did yard work for Saturday night’s birthday cookout.

jul4 009jul4 083jul4 014

And Sunday, we skipped church* and had a quiet day. Bobby worked on a website redesign, and I worked on my birdie quilt. I don’t have complete confidence in how the fabrics compliment each other, but I just dove in and started cutting… figure that this is my first quilt, so I’m allowed to screw it up. My sewing skills are sub-par — couldn’t sew a straight line if my life depended on it, and sewing around curves? Um yeah, it’s laughable. But whatever. It’s addictive and rather therapeutic… nothing else matters except the repetition, and focusing on the grains of the fabrics, and measurements, and sewing straight-ish seams.

*More on this later.

PROJECT BIRDIE QUILT:
Just a few notes about the process, what’s gone well & what hasn’t with Project Birdie Quilt:quilt grid

  • In my opinion: Making a chart is a good thing. I drew a grid (kinda like the one to the right), and made notes in each square. This helped keep my squares in order, plan the position of the birdies, etc.
  • Cutting the squares: First, I cut 9 squares of fabric measuring 20″x20″. Learned the hard way that you have to measure from the selvage edge (the outside edge of the fabric), NOT from the cut edge. The little fabric-cutter ladies don’t always cut in straight lines, so using the crooked edge to measure is pretty much a bad idea.
  • Added an extra row: Once I laid all 9 of my fabric squares on the floor, I decided to add another row of squares for a total of 12. This will make a full-size quilt, instead of a throw-size quilt.
  • Fusible web novice: I’ve never used fusible web before, but it’s super-easy. Traced 12 circles using the template in the kit. Apparently the fusible web makes fabric stiff, which would make the quilt less snuggly, so I cut the middle of the circles out, leaving only ~.5in. of web *inside* the traced circle.
  • The great stitching decision: Ah, sewing the circles on. Sewing and me don’t jive. I thought I should do a zigzag stitch, which I’ve never attempted before. Practiced and practiced to no avail. Googled and discovered I needed a little gem called an “applique foot” for my sewing machine — it’s clear so you can see what you’re stitching. So I sat and debated, and finally decided to just scratch the zigzag idea this time around, and go with the plain ole’ straight stitch. After much indecision, finally just sewed the circles on.
  • & the birdies were born: Traced, cut, appliqued, and sewed birdies. I used a neutral khaki-colored thread throughout, but it looked horrible on the dark brown birds… highlighted how uneven and messy my sewing truly is. So I picked the stitching out of the brown birds and redid it with chocolate brown thread.
  • Putting it all together: I’m now in the process of putting the quilt-top together. The recommended sewing order is horizontal, then vertical. Sew block #1 to block #2, then block #2 to block #3. This completes the first row. Repeat for rows 2, 3, and 4.Once all horizontal rows are sewn together, go vertical. Sew row 1 to row 2, row 2 to row 3, and so on until quilt-top is completed.

I’m heading back out to the fabric store tomorrow to buy batting (the fuzzy stuff that goes inside a quilt), and backing (the fabric for the reverse side).

jul6 001

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oozing productivity

April 15, 2009 at 9:13 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

I’ve been ridiculously productive for the last few days. I brought in sprigs of dogwood and pink fluffies off the front yard tree and scattered them through the house…. so it’s spring inside too!

Organized the attic, which was kind of a big deal. There’s now a wide center aisle all the way to the back. Designated a yard sale section so we can start working toward our next sale. Put the vast amounts of Christmas stuff in one section — we have about 20 of those huge tupperware storage containers, and they’re all full of Christmas!… good thing we have a fairly large attic.

And… (drum roll, please)…. I taught myself to use my sewing machine! Yep, finally, after months of it just sitting there, I set it up and sat down with the instruction manual. Made cafe curtains for the master bathroom. Even figured out how to do grommets. And since I was feeling all motivated, I also made three throw pillows — one for our bed, and two for the living room. Curtains for the kitchen are next, as soon as I find the right fabric.

Also worked through our office turned nursery turned junk room. For the last 7 months, that room has been an unbelievable disaster… after the D&C, I didn’t even want to go in there, so I would just stand at the doorway, toss crap in, and slam the door. Nice, huh? So I made a path through there, threw tons of stuff away, put some in the newly organized attic, and just generally tried to restore order. We’re planning to put in a built-in bookcase, then give the entire room a fresh coat of paint. A fresh start, if you will….

Bobby and I have decided to officially start trying to get pregnant again next month. It’s time for us to start moving again. I’m not telling anyone IRL. And, when/if we get pregnant again, we’re thinking about not telling anyone IRL for the first trimester. Bobby and I just want to keep it to ourselves this time… we’ll see.

Oh, and also, we have our “talk about joining” meeting with the preacher tonight after Dr Jerry.

See? Productivity is simply oozing from my pores, I tell you.

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First sewing lesson & the Maggie

September 12, 2008 at 3:20 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged ,

I’ve been full of yuckiness this week, so here’s some variation… the Maggie, of course! She’s very soft-spoken and reserved, as I’m sure you can see in the pictures below. Not animated at all. Ha.


And just for fun, here’s a pic of my first sewing project… a set of pillows for the living room. They’re reversible – red on one side and floral-ish on the other. It took about 5 hours and two broken sewing machine needles (oops), but I finally finished them with the help of my loving & patient teacher, Jennifer :)

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I got off the couch

September 10, 2008 at 5:46 pm · Filed under miscarriage, motherloss ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

After two days of marinating in misery, I’ve actually done something today!! Sort of started on 4 of my 15 items, to be exact.

  • Called and made an appt with Lisa for some hair therapy tomorrow at 2:30pm. Scheduled a cut and color, so I can get rid of the last of my highlights.
  • Took my maternity clothes back and exchanged them for a basic work wardrobe that actually fits. I was ruthless… tried each thing on, and if it pulled or puckered or required me to suck in, I got a larger size, no matter how horribly large the size was. I figure that if I feel ok in them, I’m just going to try not to let that size number bother me. Not right now, at least. Can only deal with one fun thing at a time. Was the most extravagant shopping trip that I’ve done in years – 3 prs of pants, 3 skirts, 3 shirts, 2 sweaters, and a cute denim jacket. All for $120… Ross is the best :)
  • Made an appt with Jennifer for a sewing lesson tomorrow morning. Am going to make two pillows for the living room as my first project.
  • Downloaded an astrological gardening calendar for our planting/landscaping weekends. My grandparents, who have a burgeoning garden every year, swear by the moon phases…. so who am I to question? Figure it can’t hurt to give our yard all possible advantages. So our planting weekend is tentatively scheduled for Oct 11-12.
  • And this one wasn’t actually on my list, but we’ve been needing to knock it out… I booked our Christmas cabin for this year. We wanted to return to Black Bear Lodge, which is where we stayed last year, but it’s no longer being rented. So we went with a lovely home called Fern Valley that’s located near Ellijay, GA. I’m glad that we’ve decided to make this a new family tradition… Christmas without Mama will never be the same, so giving ourselves a different setting every year makes it easier, somehow….


So progress has been made. It’s amazing how much better I feel when I know that I’ve done something besides eat cupcakes and watch mindless tv.

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And on a personal note…

September 8, 2008 at 1:39 pm · Filed under miscarriage ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Whew.

Maggie’s party was much easier once I just put my mind in neutral. I mean, really, could we PLEASE have a few more blonde, beautiful children running about?! There were a few dizzy spells, but no cramping, no nausea. One of Jennifer’s friends was pregnant to the point of exploding, and Amy, Tom’s sister, just found out she’s pregnant with their second. Babies, babies, everywhere… funny how I didn’t really notice until I was smacked in the face with my own baby-less-ness.

There was one awkward moment when my Aunt Jeanie kept questioning about the “surgery” until I finally just told her that I had had a second miscarriage. I have no idea if she’ll share it with the rest of the VA folk… it’s not that I mind them knowing that much. It’s just that I have a picture in my head of them talking about it, about me, about how something’s wrong with me, and it makes me sad and uncomfortable. But whatever…. it’s not that big a deal. And then there was the melt-down in the bathroom after the THIRD person rubbed my stomach. Argh. I know that they didn’t know… they thought I was 9 weeks pregnant, not 1 week miscarried. But all was ok after a good bawl in the bathroom.

So now here we are. I’m a little at a loss. What now? I feel ok physically, so there’s no reason that I shouldn’t get off my butt and be productive. Aunt Jeanie is the best house guest ever, in that she cleans the snot out of everything… so with the exception of a few stray items here and there, it doesn’t even really look like I had company this weekend. And yet here I sit.

I know it should be old news by now, but it really is still sinking in… no baby. Only me, us, what we have now. And that needs to be enough. Can’t focus everything on the lack of baby, the lack of pregnancy. But it’s to hard to un-think, un-feel, un-want something that was the focus of every thought for weeks.

Blah. I’ve gotta snap out of it. I made a list before the D&C, a list of attainable goals that are about us moving on and being happy with all the lovely things that we have. I think I can, I think I can. Just one little day – and goal – at a time. I don’t know if I’ll actually accomplish any of these today… but reading them has to be a step in the right direction, right? :)

A List of Things to Do (in no particular order).

  1. Ride bike or take a walk at least 3 times a week.
  2. Join WeightWatchers with Bobby.
  3. Exchange maternity clothes for new “work” clothes.
  4. Find a non-stressful part-time job.
  5. Break down all baby items & put them in the attic.
  6. Clean out the office & redecorate it as a guest bedroom.
  7. Plan & plant memory garden in the back corner of the yard.
  8. Paint our bedroom & bathroom.
  9. Learn to sew – starting with pillows and pajama pants, and progressing to curtains and lavish bedding for my and Bobby’s bed.
  10. Mulch & replant flower beds. Seed yard.
  11. Sit on the front porch regularly.
  12. Implement a household schedule – grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, cleaning, errands, etc. on certain days of the week.
  13. Make (and keep) a hair appt with Lisa the Hair Extraordinaire.
  14. Take pictures and list items on Craig’s List or Ebay.
  15. Price and plan for several home improvements:
    • Gas logs for living room fireplace
    • Replace carpet in master bedroom
    • Have dining room chairs refinished in time for Thanksgiving dinner
    • Built-in bookcase in office/guest bedroom

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September has arrived.

September 1, 2008 at 6:35 pm · Filed under miscarriage ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

This morning, Dr Hearn confirmed that we’re once again experiencing a pregnancy loss. The embryo, which was clearly defined with a heartbeat two weeks ago, is now a disorganized blob of cells with no activity whatsoever. It appears that soon after the last ultrasound on Aug 18th, the cells “disbanded.” Like a battalion or a club. All the chromosomes were working together to become a little person, and then, for some unknown reason, they decided to discontinue and go their separate ways. Bobby said that his chromosomes went to get a beer and mine went to balance the checkbook. Funny.

We’re having a very quiet Labor Day here at the R. residence. Jennifer, Sue, Bobby and I had breakfast at IHOP, where I drank inordinate amounts of highly caffeinated coffee, and then Bobby went home to dismantle the crib, stroller, & high chair while Jennifer and Sue took me shopping for my sewing kit. When I got home a few minutes ago, all baby items had been stuffed into the office/nursery/junk room. Bobby and I made an executive decision that we’re ignoring that room until October.

So welcome to September, I guess. September – the month of death and devastation (with the exception of Maggie & Michele’s birthdays, of course). I feel overwhelmed by the pointlessness. The definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. Isn’t that what I’m doing? Trying to “move on”? Trying to move beyond the world that revolves around loss and grief? What does that even mean? I feel like I’m stuck, spinning my wheels, sinking lower and lower into the muck. I keep doing the same things and expecting it to work out this time. Why? There’s a weight crushing me. I just want to sleep and wake up in 4 weeks. Or maybe 4 months. Whatever.

I’m supposed to call Dr Hearn’s office and cancel my appt tomorrow afternoon and reschedule for Thursday. He’s going to do another check-up, and then do a D&C on Friday if the “products of conception” haven’t passed. He said I had a choice of whether to just wait it out or schedule a D&C – for me, there was no choice. I would have it today if I could… just to get it over with, to get it out of me, to know that it’s completely over. Done. I’m so done.

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Yard Sale COMPLETE!!

August 30, 2008 at 11:12 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

The yard sale is complete! YES! And we made money! YES! And my dining room has now been reclaimed! YES!

I’m so relieved that it’s over… we haven’t attempted such an event EVER, and I was a bit anxious. We set the tables up last night and covered them on the porch, but all night, I was listening for some indication of someone lurking about and stealing our crap. But all was safe this morning, and we had customers before 7am, which is just insanity. But we made $700!! Is it tacky to tell that? I hope not… I’m just so excited!!

I meant to take a picture of my little front yard converted into a consignment store, but never did. Wish I had… we discovered a bit of a fire ant problem this morning (Sue, Jen & I all have swollen, blistering welts covering our feet), so we sprayed, put giant orange cones over the two largest ant hills, with signs (compliments of Tom) reading “Be Careful of Fire Ants!” with a giant sad face. All day, we were watching for people doing the fire ant dance, and we would rush over with Raid Ant Killer and an abject apology. They have the devil in them (the fire ants, not the people). No doubt about it.

After we broke everything down and hauled the left-overs off to Goodwill, Jennifer, Sue & I headed to Hancock Fabrics for my first sewing shopping trip. My first project is new pillows for our living room sofa. Jennifer & Sue are both making dresses. As we were checking out, we started laughing at our three fabric selections sitting side by side. There was Jennifer’s chocolate and powder blue with white polka dots, my cranberry and gold tapestry, and Sue’s sharp, swirling abstract. Soccer mom meets Southern Living meets Vogue. Typical.

And now I sit, freshly showered and in my pj’s, ready to watch my Clemson Tigers debut in 34 minutes. Every year I say it, but I’m saying it again…. This really COULD be their year!! College football…. isn’t it the greatest?!?

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The Great Bassinet Decision

August 27, 2008 at 10:56 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

I want a bassinet. I know it’s not practical, I know it will only be used for a few months, but I want one. They’re so classic and traditional… like the bed version of a pram. I remember peeking over the side of ours at new-born Jennifer during the first few days after she arrived… it was white, wicker, and perfect. And now, unfortunately, it’s dry-rotted.

So I found one for $55, which isn’t that much if I buy it out of my personal spending money (we’re back on the Dave Ramsey bandwagon, and the envelope system is going strong)… And then maybe I could MAKE the bedding! I know, I’m getting really ambitious with this while sewing thing, but it couldn’t be that hard. I would probably price the fabrics first though, and decide if it would just be less expensive to buy it. I know that’s not the case with crib bedding, but bassinet bedding is more reasonable.

Just read Bri’s blog… she’s begun the Great Baby Research as well. It really is addictive…. like registering for your wedding, except more fun in my opinion. Registering for our wedding was just another thing to check off the list – it fell far below things like the dress and the food. But with the baby stuff, you know you’re choosing things that are actually necessities for this tiny being that you’re totally responsible for, instead of the beautiful but impractical wedding china and flatware that you pack away and only use twice a year. I’ve read tons of reviews on the Babies-R-Us and Amazon websites, but it’s comforting to hear the opinions of the ones you actually “know” (virtually or in real life)… So all you baby-researchers out there, please keep sharing!

And Ms Linda gave me her sewing machine today. Woohoo! It’s a relic, but it’ll be perfect for a beginner who hasn’t even actually begun yet. I purchased a user manual online and spent a little while going through all the parts and cleaning everything. One step closer to my crib bedding goal :)

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