I've been sewing these days...

So, something that I have taken on in the past few months has been sewing. I have never sewed before, well, except for in 8th grade- I made fleece pajama pants in home ec. I bought the thickest fleece and I couldn't ever wear them because they were so hot and they were so staticky they clung to my legs! My teacher's name was Mrs. Sleeva- ha! She was destined to be a sewing teacher. Anyway, she was the meanest teacher ever and her hair never moved (not that that has anything to do with her being mean). I remember being afraid to ask questions because she would just get so annoyed. So, I put my sewing practice away for a while, never really picked it up again after that class because I didn't enjoy it. Thanks a lot, Mrs. Sleeva. You are an inspiration, really.

I started to sew again a few months ago because for my arts theology class, we had to do a "creative project." I had wanted to try sewing, so I did that for my project and made this:
Ok, I had a little help from my grandmother! She taught me all the basics of sewing again and using my machine. I made the dress for my class, but also I wore it for my senior recital. It took several days to make, and Grandma Trudi spent more time on it than I even did after I left. It was a fun project, but I don't think I'll do it again any time soon! I did realize I could take on smaller projects- baby sized projects- (that's a hint) and feel like I can handle that all by myself, even with my limited skills.

So now that I gots my edumacation and I'm all gradiated and stuff, I have more time on my hands. I've been browsing through craft blogs, and let me tell you, there are some really creative people out there. I also stumbled across some food blogs and I just want to eat everything. Especially when I am up browsing late at night, my tummy really grumbles. Anyway, that's for another time. I've been getting inspiration from websites like Etsy and Craft Gossip, where they just link to crafter's blogs and write up a little blurb about a cool project a certain blogger has on their site. Very cool, and every time I check it there is something new. And this weekend I am going to an arts and crafts show in Philly! I am excited! I will get more inspiration there.

This is what I did today:
I got the pattern from this lovely blog: tinyhappy.typepad.com. Thanks, tinyhappy!

I added a cell phone pocket and a bigger pocket- all by myself!

Take that, Mrs. Sleeva!

Lydia (my youngest sister) picked out the fabric. Good choices, Lyd! Came out cute!

I even made my own "button pouch" to match with some extra fabric. Yes, I made that name up myself so you can't steal it. kthanks. This was the first time I did button holes, so when I do it again I will make the hole bigger so I can actually fit a real button in there (instead of a bead!), and I will put it up higher. It's basically the same as the bottom of the shoulder bag but with no straps, and a button hole instead of a button strap.

I LOVE making bags. It is very fulfilling. And who doesn't love a new bag?! I learned so much today- I got so much better at sewing around the curves, got to know my friend/enemy the seam ripper really well when I accidentally put wrong sides together instead of right sides together. Arghh! I sewed my first button holes, thanks to good ol' YouTube I learned how to hand sew a blind stitch, and many other small triumphs.
Meanwhile, Samson and Delilah did this all day- yes literally, all day:


Look at my babies, oh how I love them. Samson on left, Delilah on right.





Ok, I will keep you in suspense until next time for my baby-sized projects. And no, this is not an announcement of any sorts! Sheesh, people!

Second post

What a lame title! Can't think of anything cool...

Speaking of not being able to think, my nickname "snails," is quite fitting. It all started one day back in 1991 (I made that up) when my older sister Bekah Buttons started calling me Abisnail, because my real name is Abigail, and it rhymes. Genius, I know! Well, from there her husband, my brother-in-law David shortened it to just "snails." So that is my name. But it really has come to suit me well because I am just a slow person. Not like, slow, but I am quite "snailish." If you have ever heard me try to tell a story, you would know. Sometimes I will be in the middle of a sentence and I just stop- because I can't think of the right word I want to use. Hm, I think this calls for a numbered list:
1. I talk slowly. Usually Josh ends up finishing my stories.
2. I think slowly.
3. I've been working on this post for 25 minutes already.
4. I am the worst decision maker probably in the entire universe. I just go back and forth in my slow head about stupid things like what type of eggs to buy- brown? white? are all brown eggs organic? small? large? extra large? Josh always goes for extra large because he says it's more egg for your money. But now I am thinking, is it more painful for the chicken??
5. I read slowly.
6. I shower slowly... but what girl doesn't?
7. ... ... ...

I looked up some snail facts just now, and here is what I found. There are several things that make me NOT like a snail:
1. Snails are hermaphrodites. I surely am not!
2. Snails usually travel in irregular paths, often traveling in a circle. Ok, this happens to me sometimes.
3. Snails are nocturnal animals which means they are more active at night. Definitely not me.
4. Snails cannot hear. I have full use of my auditory system.
5. May 24th is National Escargot Day! 3 days too late!! Ahhh, can't believe I missed it. There is always next year.

Ok, I promise this will be my only post about snails. I just had to get it out of the way so no one wonders about my blog title. Stay tuned for upcoming posts about my latest sewing projects.

I leave you with a short snail tale by R. Wayne Edwards.

Where he goes he leaves a trail.
When he goes where he shouldn't be,
His trail is there for all to see.

Our life is like the little snail,
Where we go we leave a trail.
The things we do and the things we say,
Are the trail we leave from day to day.

a blog, you say?

Hello! Thank you for reading my blog! I am excited for this for many reasons. I've wanted to start a blog for a long time, but haven't had the time until recently. I love reading blogs. Sometimes I read random people's blogs just for fun- I like learning about people and what they do and what they are passionate about. It gives me ideas, sparks creativity, and broadens my little world. So, without further ado (adoo, uhdo, a do?), I will answer some questions that I know you are just dieing to ask:

1. So, um, who are you?
Good question. Still trying to figure that one out. I am just your average college graduate, violinist, violin teacher, daughter of Christ (well, this is not average), wife, mother to two kitties, sister, friend, etc. I have been married for almost one year (whoa!), and I'm wondering when one is no longer considered a newlywed? My husband, Josh, is the most loving, hard-working, sensitive man, and our first year of marriage has been wonderfully wonderful, not only for the non-virgin-ness, but we are finally able to just be ourselves and be together, in our own space, the way it's supposed to be.

I am also a sister to three beautiful women, whom I love very deeply. There is something about a sister...
2. What do you like to do? Do you have any new hobbies with your newfound time?
I am glad you asked. Well, for one, I am a violinist, and I spend a lot of my time practicing and preparing for lessons. Secondly, I must say I have become quite the seamstress. Yes folks, I took up a little sewing. I secretly stalk craft-blogs, and I just love the creativity of people. I am excited to show off my very amateur craft projects on my blog. I am also enjoying reading again. Being in college left no time for pleasure reading (no, not that kind sickos), and I am really enjoying reading my new Jodi Piccoult book. I have this great dream of reading the great classics that I should have read in high school. One day...


3. What do you do when your husband Josh falls asleep at 8:00pm every night?
I will be updating my new blog.

4. What are your favorite things?
Well that reminds me, I love The Sound of Music, my rainboots, these new hair clips that I bought at Target, my Pampered Chef mix 'n scraper, my violin of course, pretty fabric and scrapbook paper, throw pillows, sweaters, clean sheets.

5. Tell us about your kittens.

Oh good, I'm so glad you asked. Samson and Delilah are brother and sister. They were rescued from a farm where the farmer was going to shoot them because their mother died and he did not want to care for them. They lived with a foster family for a while, and then Josh and I got to take them home. They are the sweetest, cutest, most loveable kittens ever. I say "kittens" because they will always be kittens to me, but really they are almost full-grown now. But they still cuddle, snuggle, wrestle (nicely), and give each other baths. They each have their own personality. Delilah is a little more skiddish when you first meet her, but she warms up pretty quickly. I always call her "whiny-pants" because she makes a lot of noises just when she is walking around the house. She loves to be held like a baby, and her favorite thing to do lately is to sit in the windows, since we've had them open, and watch birdies outside. She is also very good at catching bugs. Samson, well, he is a bit slow, shall we say. He doesn't seem to learn as easily and quickly as Delilah does. But he is so very loving. Sometimes I find him walking around the house purring so loud for no good reason. One of his favorite activities is to lay in the sink. He really likes water, which is strange.

6. What are your least favorite things?
Shaving, when my feet stick out of the sheets, cleaning the litter box, cold weather, stupid drivers.

7. Can I stop asking myself questions now?
Yes, please.

How does one end a blog? Am I supposed to say "goodbye"? I guess I can do whatever I want... More to come soon, thanks for reading, goodbye!