| | What is worse than arriving to an interview or important meeting, giving yourself one final look over in the mirror and you discover a missing button in a vital place? Enter Murphy's Cousin, Mayhem. Mayhem taunts you with panic raising in your chest, makes your face flush red with embarrassment, and leaves you with sweaty palms. Think! Think! Will they notice the missing button? Ummm, yes. It's in a very obvious spot and certainly if you can see it in the mirror, your potential new Boss will be able to see it's missing and all your carefully selected (or not selected) under clothing.
Then you remember this post and dig in your bag, briefcase or tote for your ER Sewing Kit. | | It's evident why you need an ER Sewing Kit. Murphy and his Cousin, Mayhem always have their way. If it can happen, it will and they will have the last laugh.
You can fight against Murphy and his Cousin, Mayhem with a simple little ER Sewing Kit. I can honestly say making a little ER Kit can both save you embarrassment and possibly stave off the panic attack Mayhem brings before and during an important meeting if you let that missing button or torn seam go.
Murpy's Law Does Not Have to Apply!
I have often looked back on the words "Be prepared" and cringe at the times I allowed the opposite. I've found myself changing nylons in strange places after finding an obviously large hole, changing pants in similar circumstances and fumbling in like manner with a shirt that is missing a button. If I had made myself prepare or remembered my own advice about the ER Kit, more than likely I could have saved myself from Murphy and Mayhem.
|  ER Tool Kit:
Needle
Thread
Snips
Safety Pins
Buttons
Laundry Stick
| | Be Prepared
Experience has taught me to think in terms of worst case scenario when I know I will be away from home for a length of time.
An example: You are faced with a fashion ER and have . . .
A) No money on hand.
B) No time to go home or to the store.
Think in advance of the interview, important presentation or work day and keep a handy tote or small bag with items you may need.
These can be kept in a small tote in your car, or if you travel by bus, I’m certain you have a backpack or other carry bag you are using.
o Extra pair of nylons, alternate pair of shoes, light suit jacket or sweater that goes with everything, long scarf to use as a belt, and of course your handy ER Sewing Kit.
| | | Using staples to repair a hem or tear will make it more difficult to repair when you have the chance, looks tacky and may damage the fabric. | Glue takes too long to dry, Super Glue will not hold and leaves a permanent rough patch, damages the fabric and is a nightmare to undo and repair when you have time. | | | | Simplify – We tend to over accessorize our attire. Keep it simple, neat and clean. The less fuss, the less chances of something happening or catching on a door, drawer pull, etc. Keeping it simple also means check your attire before you leave home! Think of it this way, would you take a 500 mile trip and not check your oil, tire pressure or other basic maintenance tasks before you leave?
* Photo found on http://lookacute.com/tag/blazers/
|  Basic
ER Sewing Kit
& Tutorial
| Snips
Needle(s)
Small spool of thread(s)
Safety Pins (two sizes)
Buttons (Black, White, Brown)
Small piece of fabric or felt to pin all items to and toss into a baggie or other pouch.
| | Practice your Backstitch
The Backstitch is a very strong hand sewing stitch and used to repair seams. Here is a look at the basics of this handy stitch. You start from Left or Right, depending on hand use preference. It is recommended to start 1/2" before the repair and 1/2" beyond the repair area. Be sure to secure your work.
|  Insert needle at point 1, push through to backside. |  From back push needle through point 2. |  Now you will take your needle back to the beginning of the stitch (essentially point 1) and repeat. This leaves you with a stitch that looks like a running stitch. |  When you have reached the point of where you want to tie the stitch off, make a small backstitch but do not draw closed. |  Insert your needle into the loop you have left from the backstitch. |  Gently pull to make a knot. For other handy mending stitches, you may want to visit: http://sew4home.com/tips-resources/sewing-tips-tricks/281-basic-hand-stitching |  I recommend repeating the process so you have made two knots, assuring your work will remain in place. | Tips & Quick FixesSplit Seams/Torn Seams - Safety pins may work, depending on the size of the split.
- Backstitch the seam or rip.
- Option: If you are lucky enough to be wearing a jacket the split may be covered by the jacket.
- Use a sweater. Tie the sweater around your waist loosely for a quick cover up and apparel change!
- Un-tuck your shirt. Try un-tucking your shirt and wear a belt (or scarf?) around your waist to cover the split. If it's a tear in your shirt, perhaps your jacket or scarf will cover it. Be creative!
Broken/Seam Broken Zippers- Broken zipper: You will have to safety pin it closed until you are home. It’s a hassle, but it works.
- Zipper pulled out of the seam: Backstitch or safety pin back into place.
Loose/Torn Hems- The backstitch is not recommended here as the stitches will show. You can quickly run a Blind Hem stitch but say you have arrived to an important interview? Let’s face it…you are already nervous enough but there is a saving grace! Most interviews are held with everyone, including you, seated.
- Blind Hem with Safety Pins: If it’s a small area that is loose, chances are you won’t have any issues. If it’s a larger area (half of the circumference of the hem), you can place a pin every so many inches, being careful to only pick up a few threads of the fabric so the pin doesn’t show through.
- Use a sweater: tie the sweater around your waist loosely for a quick cover up and apparel change!
- Un-tuck your shirt: Try un-tucking your shirt and wear a belt (or scarf?) around your waist to cover the split.
Popped/Missing Buttons Options here are limited. Murphy’s Law states if it can happen, it will. Popped buttons on pants are not too much of an emergency. Vital ER situations are buttons on a blouse, either in the middle or on the top where it can be a bit more revealing than desired. Most shirts come with a spare button sewn inside you can use to replace the button quickly. If there is no spare button, you may need to resort to creativity with your accessories or pin it shut temporarily. Spots on attire Laundry sticks are marvelous little tools! They store neatly in any purse or pocket and are very inexpensive. Be sure to check the label before applying. Otherwise, ice water dabbed on the spot most times will help fade and keep it from staining. Torn Pockets - Backstitch the torn area.
- Safety pin closed.
- Cover with your suit jacket or sweater.
As you can see, having your ER Sewing Kit handy will help you out of a lot of embarrassing situations. The trick is to be prepared and stay one step ahead of Murphy and Mayhem. Oh, one more thing. Support your local Seamstress or Tailor and take those mishaps to him or her for permanent repairs - you'll thank yourself. What items do you keep on hand for minor ER repairs to apparel? Do you have a situation you want to share? Write to us in the Comments below! | |
What items do you keep on hand for minor ER repairs to apparel?
Do you have a situation you want to share?
Write to us in the Comments below!
As you sew, so shall you rip.
|
| Nebraska has been in the spotlight in the past several years regarding the care and treatment of youth and children who have behavioral or mental health disorders. Many passionate people who are true champions of children, youth and Adults with mental health/ behavior disorders work tirelessly to find sustainable solutions to the problems Nebraska families and individuals face. There is a small but effective group, I see as Invisible Soldiers. They are sharing their ideas and voices directly with the children, families and youth, working silently in the background in an effort to bring a bit of joy, distraction, and daily tools to aid others in learning to live with Depression, OCD, ADD/ADHD, Bi-Polar Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder and more.
These Invisible Soldiers spend countless hours as champions of youth and their families and many are family members (Parents of children diagnosed or suspected of having a diagnosis) themselves. While raising my children I kept an open mind to new tips, tricks, methods, crafts and other ways to help my children work through the challenges they faced daily. Some activities were too much of a challenge or were not what my children needed; others proved to be helpful as a tool to be counted on. All my years of research for activities and resources has created a wealth of information to share with you today and in future posts.
* A note here to readers, other Bloggers/Craftsman and Advocates: If you would like to share your ideas and/or what has worked for you and your family, please feel free to post comments. I am always open to hosting Guest Bloggers/Crafters and Parents!
I’m going to make an assumption here that by reading this post, you have access to the Internet. I encourage you to bookmark the tools and share the resources with other Invisible Soldiers.
| About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14. Around 20% of the world's children and adolescents are estimated to have mental disorders or problems, with similar types of disorders being reported across cultures. Yet, regions of the world with the highest percentage of population under the age of 19 have the poorest level of mental health resources. Most low- and middle-income countries have only one child psychiatrist for every 1 to 4 million people.
World Health Organization | | Is Something Wrong With Me?
Stigma is the worst enemy of the Invisible Soldier or Advocate; however, education is the best weapon in the fight against stigma and the fear it generates. Frequently, fear of the stigma surrounding mental illness or a behavioral disorder prevents Family Members from gaining the knowledge to pass on to their children or youth. So many youth are convinced there is something "wrong with them". Teach your youth or your young child there is nothing wrong with them through conversation, activities and unconditional love. A Parent knows their child or youth best; so following this logic, when you know your child or youth best you will be better prepared to select the activities which may work the best and teach them through activities there is nothing wrong with them – it’s an illness or disorder (which by the way, 1:5 people are affected!)
| | | | Teach Yourself - Teach Your Children- National Federation for Families of Children’s Mental Health,www.ffcmh.org
- Search Institute, www.search-institute.org
- The National Institute of Mental Health, www.nimh.nih.gov
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), www.nami.org
- Mental Health Association, www.nmha.org
- Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance, www.dbsalliance.org
- What a Difference a Friend Makes, www.whatadifference.org
- Nebraska Resources: Contact Nebraska Federation for Families of Children’s Mental Health for your community resources www.nefamilies4kids.org
| | Take the Edge Off
Far too often we become too busy in our daily lives to recognize when a crisis may be building. Here are a few healthy, mind calming, muscle building activities for you and your child or youth to participate in together. Best of all, they’re FREE!
1. Outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, exploring are free, and use large muscle groups and are terrific distracters from anger, depression, and may stimulate multi-tasking.
2. Dance! It’s free, works large muscle groups, takes the edge off, and is simple fun!
3. Make “telephones” from empty cans and string. Once you have your phones made, place calls to each other in from your “Forts” (made of blankets, sheets, etc.). This activity sparks imagination and has the potential of generating some great stories!
4. Make your own Playdough (Play-doh). Not much expense and you have a silly and fun way to spend talk time and creative time with your child.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Play-doh/
5. Make your own sidewalk chalk. This is an activity where the end product could be turned into a fun game of Hopscotch or Four-Square. Besides, what child doesn’t like to display their wonderful works of art for all to see? The sunshine and fresh air will do everyone good! http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/craftsupplies/ht/SidewalkChalk.htm
|  Planting seeds is a wonderful and calming activity for many. | | |  Fishing! It doesn't take much. |  Indoor Forts are the best! | | | These are only a few of the hundreds of activities you can do with your child or youth to continue to build communication and bonding with him or her. Please! Keep in mind these activities are NOT intended to have your child do alone and are NOT guaranteed they are what your child or youth needs. These are only suggestions for free and fun family activities.
Wishing you a happy and fun filled day. I’m off to work on one of my favorite projects – coloring my thoughts and ideas in my journal.
Looking forward to reading your posts in the "Comments".
Do you know your local seamstress or tailor? Where do you take your clothes to be mended, altered or re-purposed? If you do these tasks yourself, kudos! If not and you are simply sending them to the local thrift store, we need to talk.
Support Your Local Seamstress
Believe me, they are not getting rich from replacing zippers, altering pants or prom gowns. Most have made sewing and crafts a way of life and it's more about the art of sewing or handcrafting than the money. Yesterday I read in an article that sewing is not so much a passion anymore as it is a necessity. Yes - it has become that and more. It's now a way of life to know how to sew, recycle, and use all your creative talents to make all the ends meet in our budgets these days. Here's a question for you: Do you have one strong suit or outfit for interviewing if you are looking for work? A seamstress or tailor can take an older suit or outfit and most times re-work it for an updated look for much less than the cost of new apparel.
I learned valuable lessons from the school of hard knocks in 2011. The kids are grown families of their own; my husband and I feeling like we were doing alright for what our pay scales were and then, without warning we were down to one income - his. I was struck with fear as my mind flooded to all the money spent on clothes for work, the miles put on the vehicle, bills were due, and Christmas was around the corner. For the past 2-3 years I had not worried much about being green or re-purposing items; actually, neither of us had given that much thought. We figured we have the money so we can afford that new pair of pants, dress, accessory, or latest movie. Putting my creative hat back on I found recently we actually have saved a lot of money by sewing, crocheting, re-purposing and rethinking what do we really need, how can we best use what we have and, if it needs to be new, how much do we really want to pay for it?
Bottom line in Economics 101: Each time you have your tailor or seamstress sew for you, you are putting money back into the community through a chain reaction. Let's face it, whether they work in a brick and mortar business or an online store you can count on saving money with local services.
| | FREE! Free is good; Free and made by you is better!
Search online for freebies. There are some fun sites (be cautious as always) such as swap.com where you can actually trade your items for something else. | | Learning the basics of sewing and re-purposing will prove to save you hundreds of dollars on your accessories for home and apparel.
Share your ideas with us about how you save money home and fashion trends!
Yes, I'd rather be thrifting!
| | |
Fashion 101 (From the School of Hard Knocks)
Fashion in 2012 is taking an interesting turn (Okay, when doesn't it?). Bold flower prints on shoes and clothes, crochet apparel, Boyfriend Shirts and Jackets are all the current trends. Before you pull out your bank card for online shopping of all the latest "must haves" in your wardrobe, check out a few tips below - all from lived experience.
1. Browse online fashion magazines, stores, etc to get a good idea of current trends. Study the pictures and think about what you have in your wardrobe that could be re-purposed to what you are seeing?
2. Visit with your local seamstress or tailor and be amazed at how much money you will NOT have to spend to obtain the latest hot trends. A good seamstress or tailor will help you update your wardrobe or update an old suit or outfit. This service is valuable if you are interviewing for a new job.
3. Shop at thrift stores! They have clothes that once upon a time were the latest in fashion for casual wear or work and just may be back in style today. Accessories are an absolute must look for in any thrift store.
4. If you are too strapped for cash to buy clothes at a thrift store, then change up the wardrobe with accessories. You don't have to buy them...dig through your dresser and closet. What's in the jewelry box? Belt a long tunic or short dress with a pair of pants and you have a chic new outfit. Try on a tie with a larger shirt, belt at the waist (shirt out) and voila! Fashion ready for the office.
5. Yard Sales!! Go, shop, walk, ponder, and have a ball! Take a friend with you and make a day of it. Fresh air, sunshine and bags full of fun, trendy and fabulous attire are waiting for you!
6. Search key terms online for freebies. Check out the conditions of the freebies first (do you have make a purchase?) before you click "continue".
7. If you don't want to pay someone to crochet the trendy vests, cardigans and other handmade apparel, why not learn to crochet? Many people are more than willing to share their crochet and other handcraft skills with you. Ask a friend or family member who does this work for a lesson or two - or ask your local seamstress if she would be willing to give you lessons. You can find dozens of tutorials online for both Left and Right handed beginners. You Tube has excellent video tutorials for learning to crochet as well as more intricate stitches.
8. If you are not very studious and hate the idea of sitting at a computer while you learn to crochet or sew, check around for sewing classes and/or crochet/knit classes. The teachers are usually experts in their craft.
9. In larger cities there are programs that will donate one suit or interview outfit. I suggest searching for a program called, "Dress for Success".
10. Your home is your safe haven and making it friendly, happy and clean in appearance is vital to how you feel about yourself. Check for items that need repaired (shades, sheets, bedspreads, towels). A needle and thread can go a long way toward making your home the comforting place you want to be. Keep in mind thrift stores and yard sales if items need replaced or you are looking for a specific item (sheets, bed sets and curtains are abundant in thrift stores). Use some of your recycling materials, and with a little creative mindset you can turn an old jar, towel, etc., into something that gives you many years of enjoyment!
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No, not Fraggale Rocks...Frugal Rocks! But once you have figured out how much you can save by changing a few things in your spending, you will feel like dancing your cares away. I've just spent the better part of my day today (6 hours) making calls and researching ways to reduce our monthly bills. It was not time wasted as I was able to reduce our monthly services (Utilities and Cable) by $92.00 a month for a potential savings of $1,104.00 a year! Still pending are two more services we are looking at reducing and if I figure right, that will be an additional $139.00 a month or $1,668.00 a year without living uncomfortably. My next task is to track what we spend for household and personal care items and how much re-purposing (realistically) will save in a year. I have a feeling I'll be happy dancing when I see the grand total.
Why is this so important to write about? I want to share something most of you more than likely know, but until you see the numbers in black and white it doesn't bring it home. The simple act of scrutinizing your service and other bills each month, you will see a host of fees which if you do not know what they are, by all means question them! For example, have you read each line of your cell bill? Is there a City Tax charged to you and if so, IS IT THE CITY YOU LIVE IN? If your state is like ours, there is a different tax in each city. Something as small as a few dollars and cents each month can make a difference to your overall budget. Many times, a polite call to the service provider questioning the amounts charged to you will result in a reduction of your monthly fees for at least one year.
While looking for helpful information on ways to reduce spending (most of it I have already been at), I came across a site I feel is worth sharing with the reader. http://prairieecothrifter.com/ is down to earth and shares practical, logical information on topics ranging from A-Z about frugal living. Though I haven't found what I will save in dollars each month by re-purposing, I found another site to share as well: http://www.squidoo.com/make-do-and-mend-from-the-1940s . I found myself shaking my head "Yes, Yes!" while reading the post; there was so much we can relate to here. One statement caught my eye as it pointed out a person may not need expert skills in sewing or even needlework. All that is needed is a little creativity and imagination as well as a keen desire to succeed and you can re-purpose old clothes into new outfits for the whole family and not break your budget. Have you priced a package of buttons lately or a skein of embroidery floss?
From the article Make Do and Mend
From June 1941 clothes were also rationed and this meant that people had to make the clothes they already had last longer. The government started a Make Do and Mend campaign to encourage people to recyle and reuse old clothes and other fabrics and resources. Now we are experiencing a recession, these old skills are useful again for many of us who need to save money and want to recycle as much as possible for the sake of the planet."
Another site I found helpful is: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5504.html Here you will find great layouts of How-To's for reusing old T-Shirts to make children's clothing and more ideas. Personally my favorites around our house are items I can tear apart and make into several more items and I think my husband likes to tinker about with tearing apart things as well! Think out of the box for new ideas. Scour the internet for ideas (be sure to leave a thank you for the author of the great idea!) and share those with your family and friends. Re-purposing and recycling does more than help our environment and economy. It has the ability to help bring communities together. When you reach out to your neighbors in your community and start sharing ideas you are starting a spark that could fan into flames of something big! Share your ideas, your skills to help teach others how to re-purpose. Maybe hold a session one afternoon with several friends and neighbors to get people talking and sharing ideas on what can be done. This can also be used as a catalyst for youth to begin building their assets and leadership shills such as economics, small business ownership, community leadership, social skills builder, and how to work with others. These skills and more can be taught to youth who one day may be opening their own small business! Frugal living doesn't have to be depressing. It can be fun, bring you a sense of accomplishment, bring you and your family (and spouse) closer together and perhaps you can start a new community group! I'm always looking for new ways to save on what we spend; more so since living on one income. Creativity is spawned by necessity but why wait until it's necessary? What ways are you saving? Share with me and let's get something started here! Dance Your Cares Away! * Watch on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7TTk_0XYn4
While working toward my launch of Day Dreams a thought occurred to me: There is a point where a person must draw the line and say NO to doing everything yourself. I silently asked myself the question, "How much DIY is too much?". My answer is when everything you own or do takes up all your time planning, gathering and making. You may wind up painting yourself into a corner feeling like a... well you get the picture.
| As I see it DIY projects have two goals in mind. The first of course is to save money and the second is a feeling of pride.
I'll start with the first goal - saving money. Yes, you can paint your own interior walls, make minor plumbing repairs, hang a shelf or picture and so on. The basics are usually easy enough to accomplish and leave you feeling pretty good about your accomplishment. There are some tasks which are usually best left to the experts or professionals (i.e., wiring, plumbing back ups, hanging dry wall, etc.), and then there are those tasks that simply should be left (depending on your skill sets) as something you purchase from a professional or the store. ( http://craftfail.com/) | | | | We have all had those epic fails when we were attempting to create a project we thought would save money and give us satisfaction.
Thanks to craftfail.com for the pics!
DIY can save you money if you carefully consider what your time, materials and end product costs are. However, there are projects that will not save you any money and in fact will cost you more in the long run. Many clothing items will cost less if you sew them (children's clothing) and, if you prefer designer clothing, Vogue Patterns has outstanding lines you can sew or have sewn for much less than what you would pay at a high end store. Generally speaking, DIY has been trending in recent years to home decor, repairs and organization. DIY has found its way into repurposing clothing and manufactured items in efforts to reduce waste (Green Crafting). Saving money through DIY can be achieved, but do your research first before you embark on that project you have been itching to tackle.
Keep this in mind: Not everything you can make should be made. Cats and dogs are not fans of sweaters and you may want to rethink all the lampshade and cell phone decorations.
| Questions to Ask Before You DIY The second goal - helping you feel good about something you made should be considered carefully. When you are in the mind and mood to be creative draw out your design first or sketch it in your journal. Write your notes about what materials you may need and what materials do you have on hand. What will it be used for? Is it a gift and if so will the person receiving the gift use or want the item? Does the item reflect the personality of the recipient? Will it collect dust and be forgotten or thrown into a box in the basement or attic, never to be seen again. When I'm considering something we need around the house or making a gift, I will ask myself several questions like those above and especially, what is the purpose? If it's going to be a decoration I generally won't make it for my own house unless the decoration has a purpose (i.e., flower arrangement, a new cross stitch picture that has meaning, kitchen and bathroom helpers). I have made those items I'm talking about here - the ones that wound up in the pits of a basement or attic and only rediscovered with that epic sense of "what was I thinking?" (shudder) when deep cleaning was done.
It is natural for all of us to have pride in making things and in fact, the trend for handmade gifts is stronger than ever today. You should feel good about wanting to make something and even better when it's finished and presented! What I am aiming for is to help you discover when to DIY and when to call on the professionals or buy an item from the store. Try this short self test to see if you are on DIY overload or headed there:
1) Does your Partner, Spouse or Significant other moan when you announce you are making (fill in the blank)?
2) Do you have multiple projects started and unfinished?
3) Have you used or displayed (with pride) the items you have made in the last month?
4) Have you started a scrap box for those items you have made and rejected?
5) When you see a new product or craft item, do your thoughts immediately turn to, "I can make that!"
6) Are you always making something and never have time for family or a other social interaction?
7) Do you have more materials (yarn, fabric, craft supplies) left over after a project than what you really need?
Depending on your answers to the questions, particularly #4 & #5, you may want to evaluate where you stand with DIY. Some helpful and inexpensive DIY items for your house are found in the links below.
www.diynetwork.com The DIY Network
www.instructables.com Instructables
www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/ Better Homes & Gardens
For now, I'm off to tackle the DIY project of making my laundry room into my permanent work station. I'll keep you posted on the Before and After progress. A fun little quote to leave you with: It takes half your life before you discover life is a do-it-yourself project. ~ Napolean Hill
So much to do and a great deal of time; now to structure and manage my time well. I thought I had great organization skills until the last two days when one idea after another popped into my head. After cleaning up stacks of scrap papers all with an idea, a measurement or two and other miscellaneous items, my husband was in agreement with me that a journal would be the best place to pen my ideas. Last night he brought home a new journal for me to keep safe in place all my ideas as they flow.
As I browse craft and DIY sites I find so many helpful tips and tricks and many times find inspiration in photos or blogs. It seems many of us are looking for ways to save money while adding value to what we create as gifts or for our own household needs. Sewing and craft enthusiasts will have a lengthy list of their favorite sites and blogs bookmarked for the project they "must do", or like I tend to do, write ideas on any scrap of paper (patterns included!) forever to be lost. But bookmarking sites doesn't always help you get started on that awesome idea you stumbled on or were inspired by. I find actually putting it on paper and drawing out your design helps. One site I appreciate (and her books are wonderful!) is www.planetsark.com which helps me stay inspired and organized.
Of course, you will have your own form of taking your thoughts to ideas and putting them to design; however, to journal about an idea makes it real and helps you take your inspiration to a new level. A picture of one of the many SARK books is below today's post. I was tempted to make my journal cover, which I am sure I will do one day (another "one day" project!) but for now I will begin my organization my ideas and inspirations through my lovely new journal.
Craft and sewing sites and blogs are not my only inspiration for gifts or handy household items to make; it comes from my husband and children. My husband is wonderful in sharing his technical expertise, particularly when it comes to his ideas of usefulness of a product or how to make something a little more practical, stronger, etc. Over the years my children have offered lessons in what to make and what to make as well as they made great "testers" for items I've sewn or crafted.
Test your own inspiration for making gifts or items you need. Take some quiet time (is there such a thing?) and look around your home carefully. What could be changed? What would work to make your life a little more organized? Or for gifts, what is the occasion? If it's for baby, what would work as a keepsake and be useful? Write and draw your ideas in your journal and see what you are inspired to create!
For me, I find it hard to be inspired to create when my environment is unorganized. We all have our best working environments, and for me it's using all my skills to stay organized, utilize my time well and pen my inspirations.
Dream, become inspired and as SARK would say, LIVE JUICY!
Well, here it is. I promised myself and my husband I would get this blog and website going today. I've been procrastinating on this for several weeks. It's an artist thing I'll try and explain.
Sewing for your family and friends is easy enough. You can always re-gift, re-purpose, tear it and start over if you make mistakes or someone doesn't like it. Do-overs are easy. Putting your carefully thought out, and well crafted designs out to the public is a bit different and a little more difficult. I've spent hours designing, critiquing, polling, questioning and driving my loving husband batty with requests of "Do you like it?" in preparation for this site and blog. Here is the scary part: once your items are out there for millions to see - whether you do over or not - once it's published that's it. No do-overs. Sure, you can change the page but you can't take back the cached pages. Eek! If this were an art gallery and I was showing my work, there would still be the fear of "what if".
Sewing and crafts have been a passion of mine for more than 30 years and I have dabbled with it over the years, both on a commercial and personal level. During the last 30 or so years I have made some wonderful gifts and apparel and some not so wonderful. Interesting note here, my formal training and degree is in Human Services and Counseling - quite the leap isn't it? I digress. Recently my husband and I were forced to cut back and make do with what we have on one income. The survivalist in me decided we would make it through this and something good would come out of our misfortune. It was Christmas and with 5 grand children and 4 adult children, and other extended family I knew gifts were going to be handmade. My creative soul was placed into action and hasn't stopped since.
In future posts, I will be sharing tips and tricks I have learned (from some amazing professional seamstress'), and I'm looking forward to making and posting my first tutorials for beginners in sewing and crocheting. New posts will also include the latest in gift and apparel ideas which I have either designed myself or from one of the many persons who share their ideas for others. Though the selection of photos is small, there isn't much I haven't made (out of need or gifts!). I'm looking forward to the various ideas and requests of "Can you make....". Those are always the most fun!
One other item I will be sharing and creating a page for soon is essential oils. The new pages will feature my essential oils and variety of therapy bags, along with creative and no cost or low cost ways to make it through the tough times. The website promotes items for sale, custom sewing and alterations, but the name is about dreams. It represents my dreams and hopefully, some of yours. If I reach one person and help make their day a little lighter, a little brighter, then Day Dreams is a success.
With that, I will close for the day. Time for stitching!
3.....2.....1.....Launch. Here it goes!
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