The past month I have felt something in my heart. I have been so overwhelmed by life, feeling so isolated and beginning to feel like somehow, someway, I'm completely failing as a mom. There are two beautiful girls who I get to wake up to everyday and I have the privilege of being their mother. I thought motherhood was supposed to be this glorious experience full of discoveries, love and memories. And while it is all of those things, most days are just a blur of yelling, crying and poop.
I look around and I feel like I'm the only mom who doesn't have it all together. We're making it. My girls are healthy, happy and growing but I feel like I'm in complete shambles. The housework doesn't get done most days. My kids eat chicken nuggets more than once a week. They don't get all organic foods. I rarely get a chance to check myself in the mirror before we got some place. I can't remember the last time I brushed my hair and I just rotate yoga pants. In the age of Facebook and Pinterest, it is so easy to compare your life to the picture perfect ones being advertised around every corner of social media.
My husband is working two jobs and going to school full time in order to provide for his family and give us something for the future. I needed something. Some kind of help or support from other women, who've been there and going through the same thing I am.
I looked into MOPS (Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers) and went to the first meeting two weeks ago. I think it's going to be a good thing. The whole goal of MOPS is to bring moms together and to give them a much needed break, just for a little while. It is a mix of moms of all ages and backgrounds and their kids are all different ages. I received a hand-written card from the woman who's heading it up thanking me for coming, letting me know that she's praying for me and that the next week's topic will be "Avoiding Mommy Comparisons". :) But on the off-nights of MOPS, this church also hosts a mom book group. The book is called "Desperate: Hope For The Mom Who Needs To Breathe". I'm only a couple of chapters in, but this book has already been such a blessing.
The first thing I realized: I'M NOT IN THIS ALONE. I'm not the only mom who's feeling overwhelmed with this gigantic task of raising the next generation. In fact, every mom I've talked to who's in this similar season is feeling exactly how I am. So answer me this: Why the heck do we all feel so alone?! We're all going through the same thing, why not encourage each other? Let each other know that it's going to be ok. Yes, your kids just drew a masterpiece on the inside of your cabinets with a Sharpie. Yes, they just ate mac & cheese.... again. No, they aren't potty trained yet. No, they aren't measuring up the crazy advanced kid down the street. No, they aren't going to pre-school at 2 years old. And it's all going to be ok. It's so easy to say and hear the phrase "Well yeah, every kid's different" but it seems like all we do is judge each other for doing things differently. Your child is still wonderful and sweet and smart and silly and completely yours!
I decided to conduct a little experiment. I decided I was going to try and compliment 2 moms every time I went out. Out loud. To their face. Tell another mom that they're doing a good job. Give them some sort of encouragement that they aren't in this alone, that they aren't failing. It was amazing! The look of relief that graced these women's faces was one that I know all too well. 'Thank you, someone sees the struggle beyond the screaming.' We all need that little boost of encouragement. You never know which mom is almost at their breaking point and those few words can really push back the clouds.
Let's talk to each other. Don't be so afraid of appearing like you don't have it all together, because (here's the beautiful truth) NOBODY DOES. Every mom is struggling with something, but every mom also has strengths that you can draw from. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are the best mom for your kids. They know that, sometimes it just takes awhile for us to remember that too.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Kindle Cover Tutorial
I'm going to apologize ahead of time, this is the first tutorial I've written. So if things don't make sense, please leave a comment or e-mail me and I'll clarify. :)
What You'll Need:
- 1/2 yd decorative cotton for the outside (or scraps enough to piece together)
- 1/2 yd fleece or interfacing
- 1/2 yd flannel
- Fusible web (I like MistyFuse, but if you can't find any, you can use a lot of pins)
- Velcro or other closure of your choice
- Thread
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
Optional:
- I use a non-fray/non-stretch canvas called Multi-Purpose Cloth (MPC) from Roc-Lon. It's durable, but softens the more you use it. You can fuse to it, paint it, color on it, love it. It's the "bones" for most of the projects I do. (Buy it here!)
- Rotary cutter and mat
**Note: This tutorial is for the 8.9" Kindle Fire, but you could easily switch up the measurements and use it for whatever size tablet you have.
**All measurements are given in inches. I used a satin stitch for my edges and this takes a bit of thread. It helps to have 3 or so bobbins already wound before you start so you don't have to lose your groove to fill them up. :)
Here we go!
The actual measurement of my Kindle was 9 1/2 x 6 1/4, so I decided I was going to round up and make my piece 8x24. It could've been a little smaller, but worked out with the print of the fabric and will now fit if I get a small cover to fit around it eventually.
MistyFuse the back of all your fabric, except the fleece. (I experimented with this and it melts before it really gets a good fuse.) Let it cure for 10-20 minutes. It will stick to itself if it's not finished curing. You'll know it's done when it doesn't feel tacky to the touch.
Cut one 8 x 24 piece of MPC (white-- shown below), then I did 10x26 for the flannel (green) and fleece (purple) or interfacing. This is because the fabric will pull in a little when you quilt it and you can always cut off the extra. I chose to piece together my outside, each piece is 8 1/2 x 10 1/2, then 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 for the flap.
Fuse cotton to MPC. I used a satin stitch at the seams of each piece to hold it in place. I really like using variegated thread for satin stitching, it's got such a fun look and a great way to add more color.
Then I fused the flannel to the fleece. This has to be done in small bits so you don't melt the fleece. This is where it would be lots easier with a fusible fleece or fusible interfacing, no pins needed. I used flannel for my liner. It's fusible without melting and mine didn't have a wrong side, so it left a smaller margin for error.
Quilt it! I was so intimidated of quilting, I'm not sure why. Have fun here!! I tried free motion quilting for the first time on this project. It was fun to play, learn and overcome another fear.
Trim up the edges using your scissors or rotary cutter. Use a plate or a bowl and place it on the inside of your flap to mark your curves. Trim.
Place and sew your Velcro or closure. Satin stitch what will be the top of your opening (right above your Velcro).
Fold up your piece, insides together, leaving a 4 inch flap at the top. For my measurements, it was 10 inches to the front and 14 to the back. With the raw edges facing out, sew a basting stitch along your "envelope". This is a great time to see if your tablet fits.
Satin stitch over your basting stitches, catching the raw edges in your stitch. I usually start at one bottom corner, then you can just go up the side, around the top of the flap and down the other side.
And you're done!! Now you have your very own custom tablet case!
What You'll Need:
- 1/2 yd decorative cotton for the outside (or scraps enough to piece together)
- 1/2 yd fleece or interfacing
- 1/2 yd flannel
- Fusible web (I like MistyFuse, but if you can't find any, you can use a lot of pins)
- Velcro or other closure of your choice
- Thread
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
Optional:
- I use a non-fray/non-stretch canvas called Multi-Purpose Cloth (MPC) from Roc-Lon. It's durable, but softens the more you use it. You can fuse to it, paint it, color on it, love it. It's the "bones" for most of the projects I do. (Buy it here!)
- Rotary cutter and mat
**Note: This tutorial is for the 8.9" Kindle Fire, but you could easily switch up the measurements and use it for whatever size tablet you have.
**All measurements are given in inches. I used a satin stitch for my edges and this takes a bit of thread. It helps to have 3 or so bobbins already wound before you start so you don't have to lose your groove to fill them up. :)
Here we go!
The actual measurement of my Kindle was 9 1/2 x 6 1/4, so I decided I was going to round up and make my piece 8x24. It could've been a little smaller, but worked out with the print of the fabric and will now fit if I get a small cover to fit around it eventually.
MistyFuse the back of all your fabric, except the fleece. (I experimented with this and it melts before it really gets a good fuse.) Let it cure for 10-20 minutes. It will stick to itself if it's not finished curing. You'll know it's done when it doesn't feel tacky to the touch.
Cut one 8 x 24 piece of MPC (white-- shown below), then I did 10x26 for the flannel (green) and fleece (purple) or interfacing. This is because the fabric will pull in a little when you quilt it and you can always cut off the extra. I chose to piece together my outside, each piece is 8 1/2 x 10 1/2, then 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 for the flap.
(This step is a lot easier if a curious baby doesn't wake up early from her nap.) :)
Quilt it! I was so intimidated of quilting, I'm not sure why. Have fun here!! I tried free motion quilting for the first time on this project. It was fun to play, learn and overcome another fear.
Trim up the edges using your scissors or rotary cutter. Use a plate or a bowl and place it on the inside of your flap to mark your curves. Trim.
Place and sew your Velcro or closure. Satin stitch what will be the top of your opening (right above your Velcro).
Fold up your piece, insides together, leaving a 4 inch flap at the top. For my measurements, it was 10 inches to the front and 14 to the back. With the raw edges facing out, sew a basting stitch along your "envelope". This is a great time to see if your tablet fits.
Satin stitch over your basting stitches, catching the raw edges in your stitch. I usually start at one bottom corner, then you can just go up the side, around the top of the flap and down the other side.
And you're done!! Now you have your very own custom tablet case!
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