Goals for a New Year

Ugh.  My blogging has slowed way down.  The last couple of years took away a lot of steam.  At times, my self-imposed blogging deadlines helped me cope, I imagine, but at other times, they really added stress in an already tough situation.  I've already started quilting like crazy again, though, and I'm ready to rediscover the fun in writing!

Part of the solution is to stop feeling guilty about everything.  We women are the world's worst about beating ourselves up with guilt.  A little guilt can be a great motivator...  A lot of guilt can be a paralytic force of devastating proportions.

In 2013, there were some major guilt issues:
...not spending enough time with the children or not being engaged enough when I did -- perhaps the common lament of every parent everywhere since the beginning of time.
...not having the physical or emotional stamina to do everything for my mother I wished I could have.  (That guilt reached back to 2012 when Daddy passed, too.)
...not getting enough estate work done, or tax work, or house work, or church work, or well, you get the point.
I felt guilty about things I didn't even do wrong, thanks to a few rather harsh critics.

But as if those weren't enough, I even gave myself grief about small, inconsequential blog things:
...not blogging twice a week, then once a week, then once a month.
...writing anything that didn't relate to my blog's sewing and quilting focus.
...writing a blog posting without imagery to accompany it.
...not having time to compose lengthy, illustrated tutorials.
...sewing something for sheer enjoyment without stopping to wait for the right afternoon light to take pictures of the project in-progress.  (Shock!  Horror!)

Eventually, I didn't want to do anything at all, because nothing I could ever do would keep me from being overwhelmed, and therefore, I couldn't shut out the guilt.

And so, as we move well into 2014, I'm going to make a few resolutions:

1.  I'm letting myself off the hook.  It's not okay to wallow or be indefinitely paralyzed by stress and guilt, but it is occasionally okay to have a movie day, a sad day, a lazy day, an eat-all-the-chocolate-and-potato-chips-you-want day, a curl-up-under-an-OliviaFurryBlanket day, a sleep-through-the-rain day or all of the above at once.  There's no more room for guilt when it comes to the arts that have previously brought me comfort-bliss. 

My Mother's Scent

Today is Momma's birthday, and so I can't help but find myself combing through old photos and thinking of her.  That happens more often than I'd like to admit.  No special occasion required, really.  But today will be a closet day.

In my mother’s closet there is a long-sleeved t-shirt covered with gold and silver beads.  The beading takes the form of a deer surrounded by snowflakes.  A Christmas shirt.  For this time of year she loved so much.  She had acquired many Christmas blouses over the years, but the whirls and twirls of this one, in particular, are dear to me.  Special.  So special that it’s buried under a pile of clothing for protection.

Christmas at my sister's house maybe three, four years ago?
No telling what kind of snow-scene was on the vest she was wearing...
I love this picture.  She still looked like herself.  And happy!

When my mother departed this world eight months ago, her entire room in my home smelled of her.  After a couple of days, it was just her closet.  Now, it’s that single blouse...barely.

JustSewOlivia Pattern Launch: Make your child a SHARK costume!

YAAAAAY!  YAAY!  YAY!  Lots of excitement all up in this sewing oasis...

So you may remember a while back, I started a Shark Costume Tutorial series to show you how I constructed Big Boy's Halloween costume last year.  My original intention was to have the entire tutorial series posted by Shark Week, but I never actually finished it.  In the beginning, I just got behind, but ultimately I decided not to for a couple of reasons.  First, I spent almost all summer living My Other Life.  While I did a little sewing in hotel rooms, I just didn't have the kind of time to really do this project justice.  But I made the final call to stop midstream when I realized that I wanted to make MAJOR improvements to the pattern and simplify the process for people wanting to sew it. 

Significant refinement of design and concept were in order, and in all the effort to compose the pattern and instructions, I realized I'd reached that magical milestone:  The time had arrived to launch a pattern line with real, professionally laid-out graphics and the whole sha-bang.  Which brings me to today...

SO EUREKA!  IT'S HERE!  The FIRST EVER JustSewOlivia sewing pattern!!

I give you, "Shark Bait!"  YAAAAAY! And through Halloween, I'm discounting it to $3!

Get the Shark Pattern here on Craftsy!

Source: Shark Bait! Shark Costume -JustSewOlivia via JustSewOlivia on Craftsy

(Prefer Etsy?  Here's that link.)

Improvements

Here are some of the improvements I've made to this pattern over what you see on Big Boy in the photo:  The most obvious improvement will be in the tail.  I shortened the tail to make it stand out and have more life, like Bitty's dragon tail did.

Get the Dragon Costume pattern here! 

...And on Etsy!

Second, although you can't see it from the pictures of Big Boy's costume, the original process for making the back fin was a complete debacle.  So I went back to the drawing board and found a much simpler, faster, more satisfying way to put it together.  (I don't want anyone going bald pulling her hair out or chucking a sewing machine into the Bay like I almost did when I designed the original!)

Lastly, you'll get stunning process photos.  Although I never have as many photos as I would like, I do strive to provide many vivid, helpful images to accompany the instructions.

A word about free and not-so-free content: 

This part is delicate, but I want to be completely straight-forward.  We all love blogs, because we love free instruction and free design ideas bathed in clear instruction.  I'm no exception.  However, producing a (good) blog takes mountains of time and no small amount of money, and up to this point, my tiny business could be classified as a "negative profit."  (Ha!  But seriously...)  As I have always tried to do, I desperately wanted to do this project right for you, my amazing reader, which meant hiring out some graphic work.  That's an entirely new realm of deadlines and expenses.  I also wanted to do it right for my family.  It's time to try to make this thing GO.  So please consider that I'm able to provide the free designs and instruction that I do by the support you give in small purchases like this.

Finally, if you're not familiar with Craftsy's pattern store, you might consider looking there first when you need a pattern.  Craftsy makes its money off its class offerings, so it doesn't charge designers a fee to list there nor a percentage of the proceeds.  While I will continue to offer patterns on Etsy, you might consider starting with Craftsy, because you pay the same price but your favorite designers make a touch more when you purchase there. 

I am THRILLED beyond words and thank you -- THANK YOU -- for coming along on this journey with me! 

The Bitty Boy with the Gigantic Heart

Sometimes our children say things that simply melt our hearts...

For the last few days, viruses have paraded through our house like they owned the joint.  First, Big Boy brought some kind of bug home from school, then I started catching something.  Through all this, SuperHusband -- with his immune system of steel -- and Bitty sat patiently by while we staggered through the house zombie-like.  Thankfully, mine only lasted one day, but we were careful to temporarily suspend all the hugging and kissing in an effort to keep anything from spreading.

Still, despite our best efforts, I received the call from Bitty's preschool yesterday saying I needed to come pick him up.

Shark Costume Part 2: Drafting and Cutting Out the Tail

UPDATE!  See this link for the Shark Costume Pattern

Welcome to part 2 of the Shark Costume Tutorial series!  This posting will focus on drafting and cutting out the tail. 

I love making Halloween costumes.  In fact, Halloween costumes were the first project to really make me want to learn to sew.  I just HAD to have something different from the standard brothel pirate costumes and Elvira wigs at local stores, but I didn't exactly have the funding for anything elaborate.

So the requirement was "uniquely cheap."  Or maybe "cheaply unique."  :)

Did I mention I had no idea how to sew?

I went to the local Joann's and browsed the Halloween patterns, trying to find something I could manage on my own.  Eureka!  The Flintstones!  How hard could it possibly be? 

Turns out it was a little harder than I thought, but after some trial and error it turned out bueno.  I made costumes for my roommate, myself and our dates.  Roommie K. and her beau were Fred and Wilma.  My short, blond date and I -- with my sassy little bob -- made a picture-perfect Barney and Betty.  It worked out perfectly and I was hooked!  Okay, perfect except my date felt a little too twinkie-esque and added horns to his forehead with fake blood running down into his eyes.  Harumph.  Boys...)

Didn't the costumes turn out cute?!  Sorry for the quality...and cropping.  No creepy ex-boyfriends on this blog!

Anyway, here's how this shark tail thing is going to go down...

Getting on the bus...and off the roller coaster

I'm sorry I haven't been around lately.  You see, I lost my mother in March, and it's been hard to focus on sewing or writing.  When I do write, I get lost in emotion.  The endless photo search just results in waves of silent tears, and then surrender.  Even when I'm trying not to think at all, everything seems to remind me of her.  Even weird, silly things that you wouldn't expect.

Like today when I put Big Boy on the school bus.

Tutorial: Scrappy Roll-Up Changing Pad

A few weeks ago, I outfitted this already useful, pretty Thirty-One Utility Tote with a pocket divider liner to make a totally fabulous diaper bag for my girlfriend.  When I finished the liner project, I had lots of large bits left over from the fat quarters.  What better way to use up the scraps than make a matching accessory?  In this case, I thought a changing pad was in order.

Today's Photo Journal: Winter Harvest

What an incredible winter we're having!  I can't believe I have to worry about putting insect repellant on before I go for a walk in January.  I love that citrus ripens in the winter.  What more lovely way to recapture the warmth and beauty of summer than to pick a bushel of tangerines, lemons or kumquats?

With all the unexpected warmth and moisture, our tangerines began to go bad, so the boys and I picked every single one off the trees this weekend and juiced them.  I wish I had a picture of them helping in the kitchen -- they had so much fun, but they made me so nervous around the juicer that I couldn't step back long enough to snap a photo.  They did their jobs admirably, though, with Bitty peeling and Big Boy dropping the segments down the chute.  Our liquid gold turned out perfectly.  It tasted exactly like the color in the glass:  bright, refreshing, saturated, YUM.

A great friend gave me the Noah's Ark pitcher.  The piece, made in Louisville, Kentucky, has quickly become my favorite vessel. 

And the camellias...oh, the camellias.  I wish they bloomed longer, but I find myself very grateful they show up just in the midst of the normally cold, dreary months.  I cut these and brought them in to brighten Momma's room.  They look like they popped right off her chair!  She felt pretty rough this week, but their beauty, combined with my Dad's boyish smile ought to perk anybody up.

Today's Photo Journal: Balmy Beach Weather

I'm not sure what we did to deserve this slice of heaven in January, but the last few days have been positively balmy!  Though we haven't seen much sun, this week's overcast days have offered highs in the low 70s.  Gorgeous!  Would you believe...surfers?

Interview Tips for the Nanny Applicant

Dear Nanny,

1.  Unless he is here to translate for you, please do not bring your adult son and his child bride to your job interview with you.  One stranger in my home is quite enough.  Thank you.

2.  Please be truthful about your expected salary on the sitter site.  It was a little insulting when I offered you more than your advertised rate and you acted like *I* was smoking crack.

3.  Please do not converse in a language that I do not understand IN MY HOME...at a JOB INTERVIEW.

4.  NO, I WILL NOT HIRE YOUR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW with whom I did not exchange a SINGLE WORD while you were here.  I contacted YOU, based on YOUR listing.  When would I like her to begin?  Seriously?  Sha.

5.  Please do not act surprised that I would expect you to quit your current job and show up for work before 3 p.m. for a FULL TIME NANNY POSITION that YOU APPLIED FOR.

6.  When I say, "It doesn't sound like this is the right fit," that's my nice way of saying the interview is over.  Don't try to keep negotiating me up to your rate or pawning more members of your family on me.

Other than that, you did awesome!  We'll let you know.  :)

Top 10 Tips for Working with Silky Furry Fleece

1.  Accept that sewing with Silky Furry Fleece will turn your house into a Muppet barber shop.  The mess won't stay contained to your sewing space either -- you'll track it all over the house.  If you would never shave Chewbacca in your living room just for the joy of the thing, this is probably not your fabric of choice.

Okay, now that we're over that hurdle, read on.  (Take comfort in knowing I'm a classic Type-A freak.  If I can work with it, anyone can.)

Today's Photo Journal: You Gotta Be Elfin' Crazy

I recently found myself combing Pinterest for all those blogs with creative ideas for our Elf on the Shelf.  What I really learned was how positively certifiable some parents are.  Oh, try not to be offended if you're one of those overachieving elf people, but I just couldn't imagine myself executing some of those elaborate plans.

Still, our Elf -- Baxter -- has his own style.  I bet your Elf has never done this...

Today's Photo Journal: Jiggity Jig!

Wow!  So, this marks the longest stretch without a posting since I revived and converted the blog in June.  I've been off traveling with SuperHusband and the Offspring.  We spent the last few days walking around the theme parks in Orlando and generally having a great time.  The photo above came from Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter area of Universal Studios.  Recognize Hermione's dress from the Yule Ball? 

I'd like to say I have lots more pictures of places and scenery to share, but surprisingly, the majority of our vacation photos came back looking like portraits.

You see, my priorities were elsewhere.  Let me explain...

Today's Photo Journal: A Berry Christmas Quilt

I am so enjoying this journey of sewing and quilting and blogging about it.  Between my tutorials, my students and long arm clients, I'm gradually gaining an entire new circle of friends and colleagues.  I can't believe how many talented people surround me, but even more astonishing is the discovery that the beauty of their creations almost always reflects the quality of their hearts.  The act of spending long periods of time in the painstaking process of creation -- almost always for the benefit of someone else -- belies a tremendous serenity of spirit and generosity of soul.

These people play, dance and laugh, and the most critical remarks they save for their own works.  I am equal parts humbled and delighted.

Tutorial: The Tooth Fairy Pillow with Raw Edge Applique

I'm so excited to share probably my all-time favorite sewing project for kids today!  I have been waiting years for the chance to make one of these for my own kiddos and then when the moment strikes I find myself in a mad dash to get it done.  Standard, standard.

Anyway, it's been a big, big week at Chez JSO.  Big Boy lost his first tooth Sunday so it's time for a Tooth Fairy Pillow!

Big News, Bundles of Joy and a GIVEAWAY!

Holy Moley, what a week!  So, I know I totally promised to have a tutorial out on the Toothless costume by now, but I didn't anticipate the domestic and military craziness that would take over my life.  At least I got a few baby gifts ready to send.  (I love all these fun flannels, but the Chinese lanterns are secretly my favorite.) 

Okay, so I've been chomping at the bit to share some very big news: 

How to Make 10-Second Prairie Points ... or in my case, dragon spines!

Prairie points have been around for eons, and many quilters use them to decorate the edge of a quilt.  But they're not just for quilts:  I used them this week to make the row of spines down the hoodie and tail on my son's Toothless dragon costume!

Like everything else, people have designed all manner of ways to make something really simple, well, hard.  For example, check out this tutorial for continuous origami prairie points.  I'm impressed -- it's really clever -- but I like the plain, simple way my mam-maw taught me.  And it takes -- literally -- like 10 seconds.

It goes like this...

Today's Photo Journal: Halloween Costume Time!

Oh, heavens, it's that time of year again...

One of my closest friends and I have a running joke about the self-inflicted torture mother's engage in when it comes to doing crazy things in the name of loving their children.

Today's Photo Journal: A Mother's Love

The most precious gifts we receive convey love, thoughtfulness and meet a need.  One of the earliest such treasures of my life was "blankie," a simple pink quilt made especially for a tiny me by my mother's mother.  

Tutorial: How to Patch a Pair of Shorts...(or most anything, really)

When Big Boy hopped off the school bus last week, I immediately noticed a quarter-size hole in his favorite shorts.  I asked if he wanted me to patch them, and of course, he said yes.  I'm tickled that the kids think it's no big deal that I can patch things, shorten sleeves or make them a pair of "comfy pants" (read: fleece) and let out the hem the next year when they're too short.  For once, being taken for granted makes me smile.