WWW: Learning to Be a Beginner

There are two words that can describe me quite accurately when it comes to learning a new skill: stubborn and lazy.

When I graduated from college I received a "Senior Superlative" from my classmates that dubbed me:
Most Likely to Skip Class but Still Help You Study for the Exam.

It's missing the A.

It's true. I probably attended about 50% of my classes and managed to get either the highest or second highest score in every one of them (in Junior and Senior year, that is). The level of effort that I had to apply in order to do well on tests was pretty minimum. Don't get me wrong, I did have a full schedule and I did work hard. I had a full time job. I was in a lab. I helped T.A. a class. I tutored people on the side. I was in a couple clubs. I wrote an Honors Thesis. My college degree didn't come easy, but my test grades always did.

I'm not bragging. The reason I did so well was because I was extremely interested in the topics I was learning. I loved everything about Speech and Hearing sciences. I soaked up everything that was introduced almost immediately. It was EASY for me to learn the material because I just UNDERSTOOD it.

That's how I want everything that I'm interested in to be. I want to be able to be the best quilter, the best seamstress, the best home decorator, the best photographer, the best knitter, etc. Seriously, I want to be the best at all things creative. I can't ever decide on one thing that I want to devote my time to because I love it all. But recently I realized that I can't be the best at everything. I can be good at anything I want, but I can't be the best at everything.

I hate that. I can't deal with that. Actually, my brain is hurting thinking about that.

I am making a quilt right now for Autumn. It's supposed to measure out at the end at 48" x 60". It's going to be closer to 40" by 50". I just couldn't get the seams correct on all my 9-piece blocks. I'm partially apathetic to this and partially really annoyed with myself. I keep thinking, "man, I should really give up on quilting after this one. I clearly am not cut out for this."

Yep, that's what I am thinking after my very first attempt at a quilt. I didn't take any classes. I haven't read any books on the process. But, because it's not turning out perfectly on my first try, I'm over it.

Luckily, I have realized this about myself. I have come to understand that when faced with a challenge, I'd prefer to give up than push through. But, what kind of an example is that for Autumn? Not to mention, how boring is life without challenges?

So, I'm forcing myself to push through to the end of this quilt. I am going to start a new quilt following this and I am going to be more meticulous about my seams. I am going to be patient with the process. But most importantly, I am going to accept my mistakes as building blocks on my road to learning to be better. No more craft jumping and never going back. I am going to force myself to stick with things that I love doing, even if I'm not great at it from the very beginning. I know that I'll still be making a large variety of crafty things, but when I start a project, I'll finish it. And if it's not perfect, I'll have another go at it later.

Learning to be a beginner is hard. But we all have to start somewhere, don't we?

Amy

Oh. P.S. Here's a picture of all of the quilt pieces laid out in the appropriate pattern. I've sewn the first 4 rows together and have 6 rows left to do. I clearly didn't allow myself enough time. Why? Because I feel like I need to be on an expert's schedule. Goodness, I have extremely high ambitions and very little patience (or grip on reality, for that matter).

Thoughtful Thursday: Cloth Diapers!

We've been cloth diapering for 3 weeks now. Yep 3 weeks!

WHAT?! WHY?!

Well... there are a lot of reasons!

1. Cost! If we had kept with disposables, we would have spent about $2800 dollars on diapers and $800 on wipes. That's a total of $3600 just to keep our baby from pooping and peeing all over our carpet. Instead, we have spent about $1000 on a really good set of diapers and cloth wipes that will last from now until she potty trains. If we have a second baby we will save a total of $6200 ($2600 saved now + $3600 saved for the next baby)! I think we totally deserve a vacation. lol. And, yes, I know, we increase the amount of laundry that we do per week by 3 loads. But seriously, that feels like chump change compared to $2600!

2. Better for the planet! So... guess what I learned recently? The average baby uses about 8000 diapers from birth to potty training. So, if the baby is potty trained at 2.5 years that's an average of 3200 diapers per year, per child. There is an average of 4 million babies born every year in America, which means there's an average of 12 million children using diapers per year. Minus the amount of babies that don't survive (that's really sad) and the small portion of people that cloth diaper. And... I figured out that there are an average of 30 billion diapers going into landfills...EACH YEAR! Yeah, that's seriously insane.

3. They keep Autumn's bum so much dryer! And... poop sticks mostly to the diaper instead of her, which is awesome! She really seems to love them.

4. I use only ONE cloth wipe instead of 3-5 disposable wipes. They are so much more efficient.

5. There aren't any chemicals in cloth diapers. Disposable diapers have lots of chemicals in them. I don't want that touching her!

6. They're super cute!! Check out our stash (minus 11 dirty diapers).

Which one is your favorite?!

Cloth diapers aren't what they used to be. The first thing Dan said to me before I bought any was, "I want them to be just as easy to use as disposables. Otherwise, I'm out." So, I went to my friend Karissa's store, asked her for some advice and she pointed me in the direction of All-In-Ones and Pocket Diapers. The All-In-Ones that I bought are all connected. All I do is put it on and take it off just like a disposable, but instead of throwing it away, I put it in a wet bag until I get around to washing them. It's so ridiculously easy. When I told my dad I was cloth diapering he said, "We did that with Marshall and it just wasn't worth all the trouble." But when I told him about how many diapers get thrown away and how they don't requite SAFETY PINS anymore, he was really excited about it, too! Well... as excited as my dad gets about things. ;)

Anyway, my Father-In-Law asked if I was going to be a cloth diapering advocate and when I said yes, he replied, "That's what we need, one more person in the world telling us how to live." And to that I reply, "Heck yes we do! Especially when it's saving a whole lot of waste and protecting our babies' booties!!!

Until tomorrow... (Dangit, I suck at Fotography Fridays),
Amy

WWW: Puzzle Quilt In-Progress

I'm working on a Puzzle Quilt for Autumn. It's a combination of 9-piece blocks and solid blocks that are staggered. It's pretty cute and seemingly easy to make. Just straight line sewing!

HOWEVER! For some unknown reason, I am consistently making my blocks about 1/2" smaller than they are supposed to be. I am totally confused. The squares are cut to the right size and I'm sewing 1/4" seams. So... why are they too small?!

Fortunately, it's consistent. So, I'm going to adjust the solid blocks down to the size of the 9-piecers and hope that it works.

This is the first "real" quilt that I've made. Meaning, the first quilt that requires the quilt top to be all sewn together first. The only other quilt I made her was this raggy quilt.

I do realize that I'm sewing a quilt that was not actually on my "24 things to accomplish before 24" list. So, I might replace the other quilt with this quilt, unless I find that machine quilting is fun and I'll probably make the 2 other quilts, too! Man, I'm complicated. 

Here is a picture of my work in-progress.

I'm hoping to sew 4-8 blocks per day. That should get me finished with the 9-piece patches in 3-7 days. Then I'll spend one day sewing the individual rows together and pressing them. Then the next day sewing the rows to one another in order to finish the quilt top. Then a day sewing the backing together and pinning the backing to the batting and the top. And finally 2 days to quilt the thing. And one final day to put the sashing around the sides. So... if you could keep up with that... I'm hoping to finish my first real quilt in.....hold on let me count.... 9-13 days. Woot! Oh wait, just kidding, I have company coming (YAYAYAYAYAY!!! My first college roomie is coming up!!!!) on this Sunday and she'll be here for a couple days. So... more like 11-15 days.

And because I love this baby so much, here is a picture of Autumn hanging with her friends, Pig and Ellie, on the raggy quilt I made for her. She is so hysterical sometimes!!!

 

Until tomorrow,

Amy

TST: Food

I'm sick today. And let me just tell everyone who doesn't know this to be true... being sick with an infant is NOT fun. I am incredibly lucky to have a babysitter (aka Autumn's grandmother) living right down the street who never has any problems with taking her! Now I'm able to relax, browse some blogs, and sew a little. Trying to not exert too much effort, of course. I should probably be sleeping but I really hate naps. I always feel more sick after them.

So, since I'm sick today, I figured I'd blog about some great recipes that I found online that I think would help clear my sinuses and make me feel better.

This first recipe for Congee by The Silly Pearl is great. I LOVE making congee. My mom used to make it every time I was sick. Her recipe is different than The Silly Pearl's, though. I'm going to have to try to make this new one soon!

And there's nothing like hot peppers to clear your sinuses. The cheese might not do me any good, but I'm a cheeseaholic anyway so whatever. Here's the Stuffed Jalepeno Recipe Smashed Peas and Carrots blogged.

And a new blogging pal put up this delicious looking recipe that I am dying to try. Ruffled Love's Oven Baked Fish. 

Yum! I hope you like the recipes and maybe I hooked you up with new blogs that you'd like to follow!

Stuffy Nose Out,
Amy

MM: Weigh-in 3

So, I've been skipping out on these posts in the past 2 weeks. Last week I refused to post because it was my birthday and I didn't want to think about my weight that day and the week before I just plain forgot.

I did weigh myself this morning, and the result is not surprising based on how many "birthday dinners" I've had in the past week. Haha.

Amount gained or lost:  

+3. At least it's not +10 which is what I was expecting. I think I can get back down pretty quickly though.

What were my obstacles last week?

It was my birthday and I milked that alllllll week long.

What are my goals for this week?

Eat more regularly.
Stop eating out so much.

Any random thoughts on weight-loss last week?

Man, I've had the same thought for like 2 weeks now that I keep forgetting to write down and of course it's completely out of my mind right now. When I remember (correction: IF I remember) I'll write it down for next time.

What's this week's mantra?

No More Excuses! 

Any changes to the plan?

Nope.

Until tomorrow,
Amy

FF: Another year older and maybe a tiny bit wiser.

Okay, so... I haven't blogged in over a week. And a lot has happened in said week. Most importantly, though, I turned 23. Yep...

I didn't want to turn 23. Not because I don't want to get older. I'd be happy with 24. It's just something about the number that I don't like. 23... ick.

And yes... I know I'm weird!

In honor on my 23rd (*shudder*) birthday, I've made a list.

24 Things I Want to Accomplish Before Turning 24

1. Lose 60 pounds (YAY for only 60 more to go till I reach my goal!)
2. Make The Sand Pebbles Quilt (32 x 32") from start to finish.
3. Make the top of The Farmer's Wife Quilt. Dan got me the book for my birthday! LOVE HIM!
4. Read The Complete Book of US Presidents.
5. Memorize the Presidents' order and their years in office
6. Read These High, Green Hills (I've been reading this off and on for over a year... it's time to finish it!)
7. Read The Time Traveler's Wife.
8. Read one book from the BBC's top 100 list.
9. Memorize locations and names of every country (minus those random islands)
10. Teach Autumn Sign Language
11. Go out dancing one night.
12. Learn 2 dinner recipes
13. Learn 2 healthy-ish dessert recipes
14. Use up all of my fabric.
15. Cloth Diaper for the entire year.
16. Learn to take better photographs.
17. Take 6 month and 1 year photos of Autumn with my new photo taking skillz.
18. Go on vacation to a new place.
19. Eat at a Brazilian Steak House.
20. Research Adoption and Foster Care.
21. Help someone that needs help whenever they need it.
22. Get a manicure and a pedicure
23. Make a new friend.   COMPLETED! I've made like 15 in the past week. lol.
24. Practice patience on a daily basis.

The obvious missing thing on the list is: Be a great mom to Autumn and put her before every other agenda I might have.

Do you think I can accomplish all of these things? I hope I can!

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And... because it's actually Fotography Friday and NOT Thoughtful Thursday, here is a picture of Autumn. My mom bought her this dress before she was born. It is 6-9 months. I've got an awesome child. That woman in Target who told me, "You will have champion" was spot on. :)

I know everyone thinks we are twins... but I totally think she looks like her Daddy here!

Until I find the time to blog again,
Amy

WWW: My First Tutorial!! Stuffed, Crinkly, Taggy Toy!

Autumn’s Grandma took her again this afternoon and I was able to finish her stuffed, crinkly, taggy toy! Now I get to share with you my first ever tutorial! I hope you find it useful!


I’m linking up with the following blogs this week:


First up: What you need.




    1.   Water (for rehydration, of course!)
  2. Sewing Machine
  3. Ribbon
  4. Crinkly plastic. (I used old candy bags that I  had save since Halloween!)
  5. Scissors
  6. Pins
  7. Thread
  8. Seam Ripper
  9. Six pieces of fabric in the colors of your choice
  10. Cutting Board
  11. Ruler
  12. Rotary Cutter
  13. Fabric Pen
  14. Polyester Fiberfill
  15. Lighter (optional)
  16. Knitting Needle (optional)









Getting Started:
A. Cut 6 pieces of fabric into 4 inch squares.
B. Cut 6 pieces of crinkly plastic into 3.5 inch squares.



C. Pin one piece of plastic to the wrong side of one piece of fabric



D. Pick any stich you want and sew the fabric to the plastic in any pattern you would like. I did this because it seemed like it would be a really big pain to have to pin the plastic to the fabric and the ribbon when sewing the entire thing together. It’s very slippery! So, to make it easier, sew it together before hand.

 

E. Repeat Steps C and D for all pieces of fabric. Note: Make sure to pull the loose top thread through to the bottom. Tie a knot with the top thread and the bottom thread on the wrong side of the fabric and cut ends.



F. Cut a bunch of Ribbon. I cut waaaaaay too much here. Cut however much you think you’ll need.   Use lighter to burn the ends of the ribbons to keep them from fraying if you want to.



G. Take your cutting board, ruler, and fabric marker and mark a dot 1/4 inch in from each corner, as shown. Do this for ALL corners on EVERY piece of fabric.



H. Decide on the pattern and lay them out in that pattern. Take the first two pieces. Lay the ribbon down in whatever pattern you desire on the right side of the bottom fabric and put the other piece on top of that. Right sides together! Pin the fabric together.



I. Sew the two pieces together using the dots that you marked in the corners as your guides. Make sure to start and stop on those dots. Back stitch to secure at each end.



J. Repeat steps H and I for the next two pieces of fabrics until you end up with this:



K. Now you’re going to take the next piece of fabric and pin it to the top of one of the middle pieces. Matching up the seams and dots. See below. Pictures often speak much clearer than words.



L. Sew these together. Remembering to start and stop at the dots and backstitching for extra security.



M. Do this again on the other side of the yellow, to end up with this:



N. Now, to start making the cube you’re going to sew (based on the above picture) the right side of the blue fabric to the top part of the green fabric. See below:

 

O. Next sew the purple to the green in the same fashion.



P. Sew the orange to the purple and the blue. We’re almost done!



Q. Sew the red to two sides, leaving one side completely open for now.



R. Sew the red and green together leaving a small opening that you will be able to turn the fabric through. I like having it in the middle since it’s easier to slip stitch the middle than it is to slip stitch the corner.



S. Turn right side out and start stuffing with Polyester Fiberfill! Use the knitting needle to get it down into the corners.




T. Finally, slip stitch the opening closed and (WOOHOO!) you’re done!!!!



Give to baby and let the fun begin!

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I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and that it was clear enough for you to follow! Let me know if you try it and how it goes!
Until tomorrow,
Amy

TST: My current obsession - Pinterest!!

Before I get on into my favorite Pinterest finds of this week, let me go on a random tangent about whatever is on my mind.

Sonya Apples are awesome. Ever had one? They're from New Zealand. According to the sign at Target they are a mixture of Golden Delicious and Gala. YUM!

Autumn is currently with her Grandparents. I am enjoying a bit of a break. I might ask them to do this two times a week. I've been very productive!

I realized recently that I made too many nursing covers. I'm never going to use them...

I was just looking around in my fabric stash to find two specific pieces and I realized how much fabric is just sitting there waiting to be used! I buy too much stuff... Recently I promised Dan I would use all of the fabric that I currently have before buying anything new (unless I need more to finish a project)... I probably should have looked at how much I have before saying that. Fabric shopping is an addiction!!!

A quilt pattern came in the mail the other day. It's my birthday present. I'm going to be making this quilt soon.

I have been putting off making a friend's purse for 3 months now because I made the pattern (my first) and I'm horrified of screwing it up. Yep, horrified. Well, I mean it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to rip out stitches a hundred times, but seriously... I'd like to get it right on the first (or second) attempt. If I get this purse to work, maybe I'll think about sharing the pattern??

Anyway... onto my favorite Pinterest finds of the week before Autumn wakes up, gets hungry, and demands to come home from Grandma's!

1. Card Metaphors' Ribbon Wreath. Ooooh.

2. Unplggd's Cord Organization Idea. Bread Tags. Genius!

3. Design Sponge's Utensil Key Racks. Fun.

4. Craftaholics Anonymous' T-Shirt Pom Pom Door Decor.

5. And this awesomeness. :) [Source link no longer works]

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I've nearly finished the toy I want to give a tutorial on for tomorrow. I hope that I can finish it either tonight or tomorrow early afternoon so that I can post it up. I think you'll like it! 

Until tomorrow,

Amy

P.S. Follow me on Pinterest!!! 

MM: Weigh-In 2 (Double Weigh-in!)

Autumn turned 2 months old on Saturday! Crazy! Time flies so fast.

 

She also had her two month check up and shots today. So, not only do I get to weigh-in, so does Autumn! 

Her birth weight: 10 lbs 5 oz

Her 2 month weight: 14 lbs 2 oz (HOLY SMOKES!)

What a awesome baby we have! :) 

On to my weight: 

Amount gained or lost:  

-5.5 lbs. (oops... a little more than I was wanting)

What were my obstacles last week?

Well, I've come to discover that exercising with a newborn is impossible. It has been in the 90-100's this whole week! I can't take her outside in that... plus I can barely stand to be in the heat at all. Maybe I can become a mall walker or something...

What are my goals for this week?

Try out mall walking. 

Decrease desserts.

Any random thoughts on weight-loss last week?

Not that I can remember.

What's this week's mantra?

I still like last week's: Accept that it's going to be hard. 

But I'd also like to add: Make this a lifestyle, not a temporary fix.

Any changes to the plan?

Nope.

Until tomorrow,
Amy