Bedroom redecorating planning begins!

Happy weekend, everyone!

We were sick yesterday. JJ and I. He threw up every meal, including one all over me. Lovely! And I left my workout class mid-way through it because I felt nauseous, and then spent the rest of the day laying around in bed or on the couch. I hate wasting a Satruday like that. (How come the 24-hour flu always has to fit on a day off, amIright?)

One thing on my to-do list: get my bedroom in order so I can take photos of it and send them to our painter. I'm fairly certain we will be redecorating the bedroom next month, and we're getting ready now. I've been furiously pinning fabrics I like for curtains, paint colors, inspiring bedroom photos, cute bedding options, etc. But it's getting close to decision-making time. I thought I'd share a few of the things I am weighing and I'd love to hear your feedback. Oh and I'll upload some "before" pictures of the room this week, so you can see what we're working with.

We have two closets that are door-less and use a curtain to hide all the stuff shoved within them. I'm approaching the whole redecorating process by trying to start with an inspiring fabric for new closet curtains, which I'll make. I figure I'll find that fabric and then base my paint and even flooring on it, as well as new accessories. So finding just the right fabric is No. 1 on the priority list! Here are some of the favorites I've collected so far.

We have dark wood trim in the room that I'm a little confused about. Paint it white? Leave it? I'm not sure. But I do think this fabric would pick up the richness of it well. We want to have three colors on the walls -- a neautral, a pop of color on one accent wall, and potentially a light-color on the ceiling.

Sherwin-Williams has a great tool called "Chip It!" that allows you to put a picture into it and find a bunch of matching paint colors. Amazing, right? So you can see some of the paint options for each fabric.

 I am leaning toward a blue-green-yellow color scheme. I love decorating with blue and figure, eh, why not, even if I already have two other blue rooms in my house. That's the kind of thing that ties a house together, right? This is an Anna Maria Horner print, and I'm really loving all of her fabrics right now. They're so playful and bright.

 Here are some paint options for that one!

 The third option I'm looking at. I really love the richness of this print. I think with a white wall it would really pop. And I could see a really dark accent wall playing nicely with this.

What do you like of these options? I'd love to hear! And I'll post some "before" bedroom pictures hopefully in the next couple of days.

Deep thoughts while sitting in my quiet dining room all by myself

I am in my house in the middle of the day -- alone! It is the most amazing thing. My kids will be returning here at any moment though, but I thought I'd attempt to steal a moment to share a couple of interesting reading links for you.

 This post on Maybe Matilda said a lot of what I've been fighting internally when it comes to my blog. I know it is a cop out to just point to her post and say, more or less, "Ditto!" But that's what I'm doing. You understand. I think going through a blogging identity-and-time-suck crisis happens to most bloggers at some point. So I really do feel like in this case, she said what I -- and probably a lot of other people -- are thinking. And then the bottom line: just blog you. Write about what you want to write, when you want to write about it. It's your blog. She summed up that realization here -- and also shared a tutorial for a super-easy infinity scarf, which I plan to make the next time I sit down at my machine.

Here's another "deep thoughts" type post that spoke to me. Rachel at Stitched in Color wrote about the issue of "too much inspiration." I suffer from this as well. Can I blame Pinterest? OK? Good. Well, Pinterest as well as the vast internet sea of amazing talent. It's all so much, and while I love reading and soaking it all up... I can spend so much time doing so, that I am then all spent up. I have no time for writing, for sewing, or for thinking. You must give your creativity space. That's a big part of what my hiatus has been about. We all need a break sometimes.  Rachel said all this more eloquently than I, and then there were oodles of comments where the discussion continued. Fine reading (if you have the space and time to read it, of course). :)

Finally: I wrote this article for my day job about three lovely craft rooms. It was a wonderful project and I loved seeing each room. There's a photo gallery, so you can see them as well. As much as I need the mental space to find creativity, my physical space also needs work. Organization, attention, cleanliness, all of that. I need to make getting my space there -- and keeping it there -- a priority if my sewing is ever going to get back on track.

Oh, and one final thing! I have a goal of sharing more interviews for The Sewing Circle Series. There are many bloggers out there I know I'd love to interview. But I'd love to hear your suggestions as well. Who would you like to know more about? And it is OK to nominate yourself. Drop me a comment or an email at tharshesews@gmail.com.

That's all! I am going to go enjoy my last moments of blissful silence before my two sweets come back to tear the place apart with their beautiful noise.

The Sewing Circle: Jeni from In Color Order

I started the series The Sewing Circle last year, meaning for it to be a regular feature of my blog. I got off track from it a bit but am hoping to revive it now. The idea is simple: I send my favorite sewing bloggers questions through email, they respond and we all get to learn more about the talented people in the online sewing community. You can read past interviews with Anna from Noodlehead and Marigold from Hideous! Dreadful! Stinky!

Jeni, today's interviewee, writes one of my most favorite sewing blogs, In Color Order. Her blog is inspiring, educational and very approachable. Jeni seems like the kind of girl most anyone would want to be friends with -- warm, smart and easygoing. Her blog is positive and encouraging without making you feel like there isn't a real person there behind all the sunshine and rainbows. And her sewing, that speaks for itself. She produces more finished projects than almost any other blogger I read, and everything she makes is so well-constructed and eye-catching. Her sense of color is outstanding, a fact that led her to write an entire series helping sewers and quilters pick the right colors for their projects. She alone inspired my own desire to start a vintage sheet collection, as she has an Etsy shop devoted to them.

With that bit of background, let's get to Jeni, who lives in Wisconsin. You can find her on her blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, on Flickr, on Pinterest and on Instagram.  Oh, and she has a pattern shop here.

When did you start your blog and what was your original plan for it?

I started my blog just over 3 years ago in February 2009.  However, I started journaling online way back in 2001, so I was no stranger to blogging! When I started my blog I had planned for it to be a blog to document my sewing projects, products I liked, and decor, which has stayed pretty much the same!

How has it changed over the years?

The biggest change in my blog over the years is the amount I post! I'm blogging about a lot of the same topics, but on a regular basis! I've also focused more on tutorials and informational series in the last year or so, which I really have come to enjoy!

If you have one, what's your day job?

This is a tricky question for me! I just graduated with a degree in marketing and studio art this past May and am still trying to find my niche in the world.  For now, I run my etsy shop selling vintage sheets and teach sewing classes part time at The Sewcial Lounge in Madison, WI.

Who taught you to sew?

My Mother taught me the basics of using the sewing machine, helped me with my first few projects and answered my early questions, but I mostly learned from trial and error.  I was never one for reading the directions or asking for a lot of help, I just liked to dive right in and try my strength at things! Sewing was no different!

Do you typically pick fabric first or a project first?

Almost always the fabric first! I joke sometimes that I sew in order to have an excuse to collect fabric.  I draw most of my inspiration from the fabric itself and figure out a design based around the fabric. When I do it the other way around, I tend to struggle about making a final decision.

 

How do you find time to sew? I'm constantly amazed at the amount you accomplish in a week!

Do you want to know the real secret? I don't have a full-time job, and I don't have any children! This helps a lot! I also don't sleep a whole lot! Believe me, there are weeks I don't feel like I've gotten a lot done. I keep lots of lists and set deadlines for myself, which helps me stay on track.

How did your vintage sheet business begin and how much time do you devote to it during a typical week?

I first started collecting vintage sheets in 2010, when I participated in a fat quarter swap on Flickr.  I soon got hooked, but realized that I was quickly going to be eaten out of house and home by my collection! In order to grow my stash without amassing too many sheets, I started selling the "leftovers" of sheets that I didn't need

for my collection.  This continues to be a main driver in why I run my shop! In the winter I don't spend as much time on the shop, as I thrift less and sell less because of the cold and gloom.  During the summer though, I'm often going thrifting twice a week and between washing sheets, cutting and packing orders, 20-25 hours a week.

How do you avoid burnout (or deal with it) when it come to sewing and blogging about it?

I let myself have days where I don't do much of anything I'm "supposed to do". I mix in projects that I do just for fun, and only blog when I truly want to. Sometimes this means a few days between blogging, but in the long run it's healthier for me than blogging when I'm not up to it.

A recent picture of Jeni's bunny George.

I love the way you post a weekly wrap-up post including "good things about today" and "today I love." You hit all the senses. And of course, there's always a cute picture of George the rabbit. How did that feature of your blog evolve?

Years and years ago I saw a photo online of a calender/journal that had something similar and saved it to my computer.  Unfortunately I don't even have the photo anymore, let alone know who manufactured it. It stuck with me and in an attempt to find the good in everyday, it wound up on my blog! I added the "good things" soon after, simply to remind myself that no matter how bad the day, I can still find a few happy moments!

I've never sewn a single quilt block. I'm a bit intimidated. I'm not the most accurate sewer. What advice do you have for someone like me (besides, just do it already!)? Also, if you want to recommend a couple easy blocks to try as a first block, that'd be fantastic.

Just practice! Grab some scraps and play around. And, I think start off with simple patchwork. It becomes easy to see where you're going wrong (seam allowance? cutting? etc), and so easier to fix.  I'd also recommend giving half-square triangles a try! Once you master them, you can make so, so many different blocks!

Also, in almost all quilt blocks (and many other projects), when instructions say 1/4" seam allowance, what that really means is a scant 1/4". This means that if you measure your seam, it measures just inside the 1/4" line.  You'd be amazing how much that can mess up your projects!

What's the one sewing tool you couldn't live without, besides the obvious (machine, scissors, etc.)

Definitely my thread snippers. I use them more than any other tool in my sewing room! Having a good pair that are sharp and easy to use make my life much, much easier!

Your sense of color is so spot on. I love your "Art of Choosing" series. Did you study this stuff or just gain an understanding through trial and error and practice?

It seems to be the type of thing that you either have naturally, or develop, and I got lucky! A lot of my color sense is instinct, although I have improved through practice for sure! I did minor in Studio Art, but wasn't able to take color theory.

What's your favorite palette to work with? Your favorite fabric line ever? Favorite designer?

My current favorite palette includes Eggplant, Mustard and Fuschia. Can't get enough of it! It also happens to be a palette found in my favorite fabric line, Mendocino by Heather Ross! Favorite fabric designer is a little more difficult for me! I think it's a very close tie between Lizzy House and Erin McMorris.  Although I can't say no to Aneela Hoey's fabrics either!

You can eat one sweet for the rest of your life -- what do you choose?

Only one?! I have a major sweet tooth! If it's for the rest of my life, I'd have to say regular milk chocolate! The good European stuff though! :)

The lined drawstring bag is one of Jeni's free tutorials!

 Thanks so much to Jeni for taking the time to answer my questions. Hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did!

A Viking's take on Valentine's Day

Ah, Valentine's Day. The day to stress out about what box of chocolate best says I-am-so-not-buying-this-at-the-last-minute-really! How's it going for you? Around here, my husband and I are working opposite shifts and won't be seeing one another at all, outside of passing in the hallways at work. So to make up for our lack of actual Valentine's Day romance, we went out on Sunday afternoon.

We had a fine lunch out at this place, then we drove to this antique store. It's MASSIVE. Room after room, two floors. Doodads up the wazoo. We are not antiquers, but we thought it would be fun (and ever so romantic) to wander around with a mission: find a Valentine's Day gift for the other with a $10 budget.

Can I show you what he found me after nearly an hour of searching (and a stern warning that I did not under any circumstances want anything in the "figurine" category)?

I have to say, I was impressed. This is right up my alley, of course. And why wouldn't it be? Written and published in the early 1960s, it's a 16-chapter Bible of sewing. And of course, there are many lessons the McCall's editors want to pass on to me to make sure I am as prim and well-put together as I should be in my hand-sewn duds.

Let's take a look!

Here I get to learn about the appropriate attire for different functions. If I'm going to a "Club Activity," I should wear "Dressmaker suits, simple dresses, such as the sheath, shirtwaist and coast dress are always appropriate. They may have soft touches, but avoid fussy styles." Luckily for the McCall's editors, I almost always avoid the fussy styles, so no issue there!

I also get to learn how to dress myself according to my body type. Like if I'm the "Tall and Heavy" type, I'm told: "Lines for the 'viking' type are a problem." Wow, McCall's, really? A Viking? Seems very unladylike of you.

Here's a handy guide to female body types. It seems back in 1960, the top size --a  misses' -- was for a woman 5-foot-5 or 5-foot-6 and "average" waist and bust. A size 6 would be a 22-inch waist. Me, with my size 30-waist, which fits me into a size 6 or 8 in today's clothes? According to McCall's, I'd be a size 16 or 18, the largest size on their chart. (In other words, Vikingesque!) I guess this just shows the pattern-makers have been crazy all along.

 But all kidding aside, I think this book is great reference material. It covers everything from how to read a pattern to how to construct full garments. I'll use it, of that I'm sure. I'd still really like to make myself a dress someday. So, to my wonderful husband, a big thanks. I love my Valentine's Day sewing book, even if it is a teensy bit insulting in some sections. You clearly get me. And makes a girl feel good.

Happy Valentine's Day friends!

An afternoon sewing for Africa

 

I broke out of my sewing funk this afternoon and attended a sewing event for the non-profit Little Dresses for Africa.  It was held through my friend Jen's church, Mercy Road.

Our sewing station. Jen and I are so cute with our matching sewing machines.

They were so lovely to have this food spread for all the volunteers.

The workspace, everyone hard at work.

They had all sorts of ribbon and other embellishments for us to play with.

A pile of completed dresses.

Here's me hard at work!

This was Charity, who led the event.

There were all different stations around the room. Here they're cutting.

Even some men came to help! You can see the plaid shirt of one on the right.

The busy ironing station.

My friend Jen's friend Kendal works my very best friend, the seam ripper.

We embellished this one with a fabric yo-yo flower. The first fabric yo-yos I made in my life! I finished them last week and brought them with.

My friend Jen and me. We never have photos together, so now at least there's this one of me looking rather rough. :)

 It felt good! Really good. Good to sew again, good to make something and not worry about it being perfect. Nice to just focus on one thing and not the entire scope of a project (finding a pattern, finding the fabric, cutting, pinning, ironing, etc.). At my station, all we did was attach the bias tape, which finished the pillow case dresses. They came to us with everything else done, and the bias tape even pinned into place. On a few, we did add some cute finishing touches, too.

A lovely Saturday afternoon, I'd say! What are you up to today?

A brief message about broken hearts

Interrupting my hiatus for a public service announcement!

Today through Feb. 14, it's CHD Awareness week. My son, Luke, has a CHD story, so I wanted to do my part and spread a little awareness. I hope you don't mind.


CHD stands for congenital heart defect. It is a problem with your heart present at birth. They're the most common birth defect, effecting about 1 in 100 live births. There are 35 known CHDs, and sometimes kids are born with two or three or four. Luke had three -- a ventricular septal defect, an atrial septal defect and coarctation of the aorta. The first two -- the septal defects -- are a fancy way of saying a hole in the ways of the heart chambers. They're the most common type of defect, and sometimes they close on their own. Others need surgery to fix. Luke also had the "coarc," which means his aorta, the part of the heart that feeds blood to the left and bottom half of your body, was kinked like a big garden hose. Depending on the severity, this can require open-heart surgery or a cath procedure to fix.

Luke at about four days old, in the NICU before his surgery.

Luke needed open heart surgery, and he had his when he was 6-days-old. We have a fantastic pediatric heart hospital near us, routinely ranked in the top three in the country. So everything for Luke went just splendid. He was in the hospital for 14 days and by his 1-month birthday, you would never know what he went through. To this day, he's an active, healthy, completely "healthy-hearted" little boy. His CHD is really not a part of our day-to-day lives, and I'm so blessed to say that. I really don't want to make a big deal about it -- his scar down his chest is not his identity. But he did go through some tough times, and I do want to honor that.

Me holding Luke for the first time in five days. He was 6-days-old and about to go into open-heart surgery at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Luke following his surgery.

Luke at one-month-old, home and healthy!

 Another reason I want to post this, is that lots of kids with more severe CHDs have it way worse than Luke. Some CHDs require multiple surgeries and result in many complications and side effects. Kids don't eat, they don't grow, they turn blue, they get tired, they have stomach issues, they need heart transplants, etc. And the sad reality is that some kids die. CHDs kill more children each year than all forms of pediatric cancer combined. Isn't that an astonishing fact? And while cancer is terrible, just terrible -- I would be so much more frightened if my child had cancer -- heart issues are no picnic either, and they deserve a little more awareness than they have. Most people seem to have never heard of CHDs, or no little about them. I know that was me before Luke was born.
 
Lastly, if your child is at the beginning of a CHD journey, perhaps still in growing inside you, please have hope. CHDs are far from a death sentence. My Luke is a great example of that. There are a lot of amazing surgeons out there doing amazing things every single day. Take a look at this Pinterest board: The Faces of CHD. You'll see a lot of stories that involve scary times, and yes, some children don't make it. But the majority of the stories you'll see kids who wind up being described as energetic, healthy, happy, and "normal." There's hope. 

Hiatus

 I've been thinking about taking a bit of a blogging and sewing break. A short hiatus. How short, I'm not sure.

My sewing nook got disassembled a bit for JJ's birthday party. It's all there behind that curtain.

Not too be all deep, but I feel like packing it up and putting it all behind a curtain is what I need at the moment. A refresher, a step away.

Part of it is because: My work schedule is changing for the month of February. I'm adding a fourth day, and I'm switching form afternoon/evenings to very early mornings. Like, I'll have to get up at least two hours earlier than I'm used to. It's going to be a big switch for our family, as my husband will now have the kids alone all morning and then will work all afternoon/evening, and I'll be doing the opposite. For those four days of the week, we really won't see one another or have any time together as a family. I know I'm going to be extra tired and stressed, and I don't want to put too much on my plate and stress about completing sewing project or blogging. This is a fun, inspirational outlet for me, and I don't want to give it up, at all. I just want the pressure off. I want to only go sit and create or sit and write because I feel inspired. And if/when that happens, I will indeed update here!

I've debated whether to post about this at all. I'm so grateful for the little outlet I've built here, and I don't want to shoot myself in the foot. But I'm trying to be honest with myself (and you) and do what's best for everyone here. I hope you understand!

So my posting might be a bit sporadic -- or non-existant -- this month. I hope you'll bear with me and keep checking back, because as soon as things calm down, or my sewing mo-jo returns, I'll be back. Maybe in a week, I don't know. Maybe sooner. Maybe later.

Until then.... happy sewing!