Morning Pages

Today I started the 2nd week of the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I am in love with the morning pages. I always wanted to have a journal or a diary that I wold write in a regular basis but it never worked out.

My internal critic was always there in the backrground telling me things that were quite discouraging (most times downright mean). And I listened. In the back of my mind was the thought that someone else could read this someday and so I censored my thoughts for that unknown someone.

The morning pages are completely different. I write whatever comes to mind. Some of it is the mundane but in 8 days I have written things that have made me pause and think "aha".

Unlike my usual style, I grabbed a coiled notebook I was already using to write my morning pages. Normally when I embark on something new, anything new it requires a new everything. I didn't have to resist the urge to go and buy a new book and pen I was too impatient to start the book that I didn't care what I wrote in.

When my book is filled up I will buy something more to my liking because I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

A Little Basket

So many crafts that I love to do and so little time to do them in. In addition to finishing a sweater for my baby, I can't wait to sew every chance I get. Here is my latest sewing project. I used the free tutorial on the Pink Penguin site to make this cute little patchwork basket. It is my first attempt at a patchwork anything and has shown me that I can make that quilt I want to some day - with more practice and patience.

Remembering that I don't have to finish every project that I start while my boys are napping will help eliminate some of my errors. I just like to get things done - nothing wrong with that though.

This little something is going to hold some books and handmade bookmarks and then is on its way to my niece for her 9th birthday.

Dirt Digger Shirt

When you have three boys, you can't make something for one and not the other two. Here is Darien's dirt digger shirt:

Because Grayden is only 5 months old, I get to pick what I will make for him - no idea yet though.

I have many, many projects on the go that I can't wait to finish and post on here. Included is some redecorating I have been itching to get done for a couple of years now. Come fall I am going to tackle it one room at a time. Maybe even a dedicated space for my creating self!

Hisssssssssssss

I messed up and bought the wrong interfacing for this project - I bought the sew-in kind. It would have still worked but I don't like to add extra steps to the process unless I have to. But it turned out to be a blessing because Connor decided he wanted his snake to be soft like his shirt. There are two places that creased up on me but it turned out not too badly. It was going to be a plain-jane, generic snake but a hood was requested and the cobra T-shirt was born.
He has worn it 2 days in a row now and hisses at everyone he sees.

Dream Swatch

I love headbands but don't wear them very often because of my bangs. I came across this pattern for a knitted head wrap some time ago but have never cast on for it.

I am growing out my bangs and am in desperate need of something that is wide enough to cover the ends of my bangs until they are long enough to tame (right now they stand up past most headbands in a most spiky and unflattering way in the middle of my head).

Enter the dream swatch, I am very happy with it so far but am afraid I am going to run out of yarn before it is as long as I want it to be. I may have to get creative and pick up stitches along the cast on edge with a matching colour to get the length I'm after.

It is purdy though, isn't it?

Mini Jar of Whimsies

My first swap on swap-bot.com is to put together a Mini Jar of Whimsies for my partner. I had fun doing it - it feels so good to be creative again. In the past 3 days I have made something everyday - scrapbook pages, special mailers for family and crafts with my boys. No pressure, just enjoyment the way it should be.

I hope my partner likes it! And I really can't wait to get mine!