Friday, April 30, 2010

I Did It! (Friendly Friday)

I did it!  But before I explain, there are two things you should know that I'm frightened of.  Sewing and permanent decorating.

I'll explain the fear of permanency in decorating first.  I love paint.  You can change it once a week if you'd really like to.  I once painted a bathroom three different ways in two days until I got it just the way I wanted it.  It started out as stripes (think Victoria Secret in subtle yellow).  When it didn't work out because of lighting (it just looked like a bad paint job), I changed it to darker stripes.  Then it looked like a circus tent.  It's now a solid lavender.  But it was a relatively easy change.

That is why wallpaper worries me, along with any major change such as flooring or cabinetry, and sends me in a tizzy.  It's much more difficult to change if you mess up.  You should have seen me when we were building a house . . . Or maybe not.

Anyway, I don't like sticking things, like wallpaper or border, to the walls because it might BE WRONG.  (That's where the real fear is, I guess.  Not in permanency, but in wrong permanency.)

But I did it anyway.  I took an expensive, huge sticker (that if I messed up would be a total flop and a waste of money), and I put it on the wall.  With only minimal help from my boys -- and a level.


I'm feeling a little proud.

Now, to explain sewing.  My mom sews beautifully.  How she managed to raise two daughters who don't is puzzling, but she did.  It's completely not her fault.  It's all my fault that my seams on everything are sloppy and crooked.  It's all my fault that the only knots that I can make to stick are the ones in my stomach when I'm behind a needle.  It's all my fault that everything I made turned out looking the same -- like a feed sack.  And it's all my fault that when a button or cub scout patch needs sewn on a shirt, my boys lay the items on the table and say, "This needs to go to Grandma's."  (I'm sorry, Mom.)

With that understanding, you can be proud with me of my latest accomplishment with needle and thread.  I can show it to you because you can't see the gigantic knots or the uneven stitches underneath.  Just admire with me for a moment the adorable daisy on my daughter's head.  I just attached a big flower to a stretchy headband that we already had, and voila! Instant Cuteness!


Now, my next accomplishment will be getting her to actually wear it for more than three minutes.

It's Friendly Friday.  I ask; you answer.
What have you done lately that you're just a smidgen proud of?  

Don't be shy now.  I really want to know!


*Meet me back here tomorrow for something I'm really proud of -- and a giveaway!*
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27 comments:

Reviews @ AnotherTeenMom said...

Heh... Sewing can be a pretty scary task sometimes. I actually used to be horrible at sewing. My grandma pretty much rolled her eyes anytime I tried to do something. Then one day I saw something I wanted to make (a baby carrier) and I sat down, drew out a pattern and just did it! Since then I've been able to make pretty much anything I come up with!

I even posted a "how to make cloth diapers from old t-shirts" tutorial on my review blog. http://www.reviews.anotherteenmom.com you might have to search a bit, but it's there!

Be sure to check out my personal blog too! http://www.anotherteenmom.com

citymouse said...

Excellent! It's such a good feeling to know we've accomplished something. I love the wall words. I put one up in my kitchen and I know it's harder than it looks, so good for you. You daughter is adorable and I love the flower headband. Buttons are about the only thing I can sew, so I understand.

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean about painting. A relatively quick,though work extensive, fix. I love your wall art! I have been wanting to do that. You did a beautiful job!

And your daughter's hair bow! So adorable, but she is soooo cute! I figured God gave me boys because I wouldn't be able to have little girsl that cute!

You are definitely one can-do blessed mom!

Dumb Mom said...

As I've not actually finished anything in weeks, I'm not able to answer this. I'll let you know when I have something:)

Mimi said...

Hi! I just found you over at pBd; just wanted to let you know that I think your daughter is so stinking cute, my heart melts a little everytime I see those eyes.
Love the wonderful gifts you and your hubby give others.

Missie said...

congrats! i love those wall vinyls too...but the scare me too! maybe I will just have to find one now that I have your inspiration!
i was afraid of sewing too...but with some patience from my mom and a gaggle of women, I am almost finished with my first quilt on my own!

alison said...

We are getting ready to build a house and it is freaking me out a lot-a-bit. What if I am horrible at picking out countertops and cabinets (which, I'm pretty certain I will be!)? And paint??? Don't EVEN get me started on paint! I'm impressed with your wall decal....I've seen them before and thought several times about doing one, but I've always been too afraid that I'd hate it, or it would go on crooked....

and sewing?? Girl...I have pants and shirts in my closet that have awaited buttons being sewed back on for a looooooong time. I just can't bring myself to do it bc I always end up sewing them on too loose or too tight. It's sad, really. My mother-in-law got me a sewing kit for Christmas....I've used it twice...and neither time was very pretty. You did a great job and your daughter is SUPER cute :)

partialemptynester said...

OH, I adore the flower on Baby Girl's head...perfect, perfect, perfect...and you're right, she probably won't wear as much as you want her to, but you will ALWAYS have this picture and THAT is what will be remembered, too cute, good job!

Your vinyl turned out great!!! LOVE vinyls, have a couple in my daughter's room, but I had hubby put them up, bc I just knew I wouldn't be able to make it perfectly straight and he could!

Oh, and when you get a chance, check out my post where I've replied to your comment about that recipe, btw ;)

The Activity Mom said...

Both look great!
I love the wall vinyl stickers!
I barely sew a straight line. =)

Brandie said...

Oh I love your vinyl! I love the saying as well. Nice job.

livinginbetween said...

Aww . . . you all are just so SWEET! ;) And I'm a little relieved to know there are others out there as untalented with thread and needle as I am. Whew!

MamaMonki said...

I love the wall decoration we have one in the kitchen that I made hubby put up for me.

I'm the same way with sewing - in spite of my mom and Mrs. Wooley. I even have a sewing machine I never use. My goal is to take it out and make something this summer. Maybe a pillow - I'm thinking simple of course!

avisiontoremember said...

I basically sew everyday. I have only done that for a little over a year. It has taken lots of practice. you will get there. Thanks for the nice comment on my blog :) Have a great day

Holly Renee said...

I think the sticker on your wall looks amazing. The flower headband is adorable. I made a blog button a couple of days ago and I am super proud of myself for having figured that out.

Natalie said...

I am SO like you in the sewing department. It is an absolute joke - I don't even do buttons...Are you so scared for me? The head band is WONDERFUL! And really, could she be any cuter? Those eyes just dart right through me each time I see a photo of her. She is darling.

I LOVE UpperCase Living - is that where you purchased your sticker? I have "As for me and my home, we will serve the Lord" in our living room and a few others throughout the house. Perfect for me because of course, I love words...

I'm a smidgen proud of being asked to write a column in our local magazine...Really the better word is excited - hoping to subtly further His kingdom, you know?

Have a great weekend, girl!

Natalie at Mommy on Fire
http://www.mommyonfire.com

anne graves said...

Marlo! You are becoming crafty! Mary Jones (and your mother, of course) would be so proud! :) I like the wall sticker a lot. I understand the commitment issues. I have a few myself. That little girl and her pretty eyes - that is the best. You may not be able to make a pretty quilt like your momma, but you make cute kiddies! Hope you are good!

Heather said...

Hi there! Thanks so much for stopping by Gerber Days! Your comment was so sweet.

I'm in love with the headband you made. Is that your little girl?? What a little pumpkin! Adorable.

I'm following you right back!

La Familia Garcia said...

Wow, it must be a good day at your house! Those two projects are BEAUTIFUL. When I saw the first one, my mouth dropped and I LOVE it! Then your precious little model and her beautiful home-made hair piece! I'm definately proud with you!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you stopped by my blog today! I just love finding other homeschoolers out here in the blog-O-sphere. I'm your newest follower.

Blessings,
Sue
(aka: The Homeschool Chick)

Anonymous said...

I have the same fear of sewing. I also have a mom who sews beautifully (as her mother did) and I just cannot do it. I like the idea of sewing so very much more than the actual sewing. Love the headband and your site. Thanks for the visit - we will invite yout to lunch next time!

Lisa-Jo Baker said...

The only time I ever produced anything remotely domestic was when I had to knit a sweater for school. And then the ONLY reason I finished it was because my mom stayed up till 3am knitting that thing until it was done.

True story.

So I am constantly in awe of people who have any sewing or home improvement/design skills to speak of.

And girlfriend, could you have a cuter model for that head band???!! Ah-dor-able!!

Happy Friday

~Lisa-Jo

Cranberry Morning said...

Um, I think the little daughter's 'total cuteness' was way before the daisy appeared on top of her head. :-) But still, good work.

I'm proud of the fact that I actually finished the three little-girl jumpers I set out to sew, and did it by my deadline. YEA.

P.S. Don't give up on sewing. It gets easier.

P.P.S. I love the mural. If I had a wall to put it on, I would.

CraftyMummy said...

Thanks for dropping in to my blog earlier. I LOVE your wall sticker - the fact that its a sticker and the words. What great words to read each time you pass through that hall! I'm your newest follower :)

Karen said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. All I can say is OMG - your daughter is so beautiful!

Shelle said...

I love your new wall vinyl, it looks great! And your daughter is gorgeous! Love the headband you made!

Happy SITS Saturday!

Amydeanne said...

sheer cutiness!!!
i love the headband!! well love the baby wearin the headband!

i love the wall art too, where did you get that? I have a few but that one is gorgeous!

re: wfw hostessing. I might have a guess spot when there are extra weeks in the month, so I'll let people know! Thanks for mentioning it! I have a few people who have asked, but it's good to know who likes to hostess! :)
I'll have something up in a while about the guest spot... probably after the summer since most years it slows down with the warm weather!

Susan said...

Oh my, your daughter is GORGEOUS!!!!

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