Birthday Parties

I have to say that birthday parties are one of my favorite parts of You're Maker.  The kids don't know what is coming when they arrive at the party....not really.  Then they get to leave with something THEY MADE.  Man, I would have loved to go to a birthday party like that.

Usually there is one kid who isn't into it.  That's fine.  I get it.  Not everyone likes making things. The party I instructed today, though, didn't have a single non-maker.  In fact, they were all so in to it that they finished MUCH faster than I anticipated.

Don't tell anyone but I also love to overhear what they talk about when they are making.  Young girls are so awesome....And smart...And thoughtful...Kinder than I remember.  Every girl I have worked with has exceeded my expectations in talent and coolness.  Who run the world?

Small Update

Well, I haven't sewn anything for myself recently....I have some books that I am working my way through so I can understand how to fit a lady body before I waste any fabric...any more fabric, that is.

I did make some amazing dresses for W.  They aren't amazing because of anything I did...the pattern is a-frickin-mazing.  I made the first for Valentine's day.  But I loved it so much that I had to immediately make a second.  The pattern is by veryshannon.

This is W's Valentine's dress:

For those friends in the North still reading....Hi!  I am sorry to hear about all the snow.  It looks beautiful but I know you all must be desperate for warm summer days!  Everything is good here.  Great actually.  I have been busy teaching sewing classes and making stuff.  Also, I started writing for a small local paper here called the Thomasville Townie.  I never ever thought I would write for a newspaper but......  You can check it out at www.yourtownie.com.

For everyone everywhere, I have added some items to my Etsy shop.  Check it out here. 

This one goes out to all of those beginners that have hit road bumps and think sewing maybe isn't for them or isn't worth the frustration.  

I have been sewing for quite some time now.  I am no pro but, I am no longer a beginner.  Let me tell you there is ALWAYS something to learn!  It doesn't matter how many sewing wins you have it only takes one sewing fail to really bring you down.  Well, I have had TWO sewing fails in two weeks.  

It is my New Year's resolution to learn to sew for me.  That might sound like..whatever...but....I have a butt...and thighs....and...well...it is a scary resolution.  It's a lot of work.  It's not sewing for a 3 year old or 5 year old.  Ok.  Breathe.  I have to buy books to make sure I don't waste a ton of money and fabric only to have clothes that don't fit because....I have done that. Maybe my mistake was trying to sew a shirt...?  But I have sewn two shirts.  One I can't wear and one I wear and am never happy with how it looks.  I am sure the patterns are GREAT but I didn't now I have to make a muslin version first and adjust to fit my body.  I did a LITTLE research and i turns out....even though I already knew and hoped there was a short cut....that you need to make a muslin version to adjust to perfection before you cut into fabric.  RAH!  I made a shirt this summer and the neck was gap-y and it drives me nuts.  Then, last week I went against the fabric recommendation and tried to make a shirt out of....no...it's too embarrassing....it was just BAD.   Yesterday, I decided to try it again in the right fabric.  Well, I discovered that I am a smaller size than I made.  DANGIT.  I tried it on and my husband's reaction was, "That looks huge on you."  So that's a no.  A big no.  RAH!  I think the universe is just telling me not to make this shirt.  Not for me anyway. DANGIT again.  I am so frustrated!  BUT.  It is my only new year's resolution and being that it is only Jan 3, I figure that I can't give up just yet.  Instead of spending more money on fabric to screw up, I am going to do some more research and take my time and learn something new.  Check back.  I will make something worth taking a picture of.  

Whitney, is the lucky girl.  She is easy to sew for.  So she got a jacket AND a dress in the last two weeks.

 

You can make this dress with me this month!

The is the Anywhere Dress from Go To Patterns.

In action.

I guess I have made one thing for myself successfully.  I keep forgetting bout it because it hasn't been cold enough to wear since I made it.  It is a Cali Faye Design pattern and I can't wait to wear it.

So far...So good.

You're Maker is up and running.  I had a slow start but things are picking up.  I held my first class on Oct 21.  Since then I have had a second class and a party.  I also have my first FULL class coming up!  I have to say that I FREAKING LOVE THIS.  I have had so much fun working with the girls and women that have attended classes/parties.  I have listened to and been a part of some fantastic conversations.  Tween girls are hilarious.....also...smart.

My class sporting their made bracelets!

One of the party attendees asked me if I was doing what God called me to do.  For the first time in a while I could answer, without hesitation...Yes.  I do.  I have felt called to do something creative for some time.  Selling my creations was the obvious route...but the PRESSURE.  I don't like it.  I don't like HAVING to be creative and having to be more creative than the next person selling something similar on Etsy...or better at marketing or...whatever.  It just...it makes me anxious and then making becomes stressful and not fun.  Stress relief and fun are two of the big reasons I make things...so selling my stuff is out...for now....b/c I know as soon as I say something as definitive as "selling my stuff is out" I will suddenly want to.

Teaching and making things WITH people....now that is fun.

Upcoming classes.

In one of my classes the girls were talking about what they "want to be when they grow up"...that is too juvenile of a way of putting it considering their lofty goals.   I mean...these girls have not just general dreams..."I want to be a Dr."...but specific and detailed career paths mapped out.  As I was listening I had a million thoughts.  I was thinking about how different life is from what you thought it would be when you get to when your dreams are supposed to be happening.  I was impressed with how much they had thought about their futures.  I was thinking about how much my dreams have changed since I was 11 or 12.  Then one of the girls asked me about my dreams.  I answered automatically that one of my dreams was teaching them.  Again, it was something I answered without hesitation.  I didn't realize it was true and until I heard myself saying it.  For the first time in a long time I have wanted something and done it and it feels good.

You're Maker - Class #1 Complete. Boom.

Last Night was You're Maker's first class!  I recruited some good friends to come and make some necklaces with me.

I have to give them PROPS...this was not the easiest project for a beginner.  It involved wire, tools, beads, chain, findings, and concentration!  They learned how to make a beaded chain (!!) and how to turn a large bead into a pendant.

In two hours I saw each of them go from fairly intimidated and doubtful of their abilities to being bosses of wire work.  Seriously.

They attacked it head on and they each left with a cool necklace.

Phew.  First class...done!  I had so much fun and I can't wait for the next one!  Bring it on, Saturday.  If you are in the Thomasville, GA area and want to take a class visit www.youremaker.com to register for a class!

Meet You're Maker

So,  I turned 30, reflected, made some space in my mind for it to work itself out, and re-opened my Etsy store.  If you haven't read that post yet, click here.

Next, I am pleased to introduce you to You're Maker.  (Muah-hah-hah-hah...it's my evil laugh....no?.....)  Come take a class with me in jewelry making, sewing, & the occasional miscellaneous craft!  I am starting You're Maker because...ahh!  How do I pick the most important reason?  I can't.  I have met so many people in Thomasville that say, "I want to learn how to sew." or "I wish I could make that." or "I have a sewing machine that I have never taken out of the box."  Well, to those I say....Let's do it!.....Now you can!......Get it out of the box and come play!

You can read about this more on the about me page of the website but learning in a group isn't just more fun but bouncing ideas off of one another makes better...stuff!

I have classes for October set and am working on November!  The class fee includes instruction and materials.  You don't have to bring anything except a sewing machine (for sewing classes) if you have one.

For more information go to www.youremaker.com and like You're Maker on Facebook.

emitate. on Etsy

About a month ago I reached a tipping point of sorts in my life.  How many times have you heard people say something like, "You don't live forever so you better start your dream today."?  OR "Live everyday like it is your last."?  Those sayings always ping my heart because I know they are true but they aren't ever enough to jump start anything in my life.   

Ahh.  Stop making feel guilty!

Well, I turned 30.  I didn't freak out about it (I am actually pretty excited about it) but there is a certain amount of reflection that seemed to happen naturally.   

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I am 30 which is like...a for real grown up.  I have two kids that are no longer babies in any way.  They notice everything and they are affected by everything.  I want to give them something of value to absorb and affect them.  What had the biggest impact on my first 30 years?  Living abroad.  I started to worry about not being able to give my kids that experience.  There is value in being a tourist but that won't be the opportunity to have an impact on my kids that way living in the culture did on me.  Both of my parents' lived abroad as dependents and agreed when they started a family that they wanted living abroad for their kids...a.k.a. Walter and Emily.  (What up, Walt?!)

In addition to diverse cultural experiences I want to give my kids the feeling that they can find a way to accomplish things.  I can't give them passion but I can give them an example to look at.  I have wanted to start a craft business for a long time.  It's been a dream or idea or desire and taken different forms for years.  If you have read my blog before you have probably heard me mention (go on about) that and also that I have fears.  Well, I am really tired of dreaming and I have been tired of being afraid for a long time.  I want to act.  I want to try something...success or failure.....

Last on my list of things leading me here...a few important people in my life have had life altering illnesses, health scares, and worse recently which has been a shocking wake up call.  It has affected me in ways that I am still realizing and didn't see coming.  

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Over the past few months I have been making a conscious effort to have quiet time, pray, and be present.  Through that I realize that while I have been doing my thing over here all of these thoughts, concerns, issues, worries, and desires have been working themselves out.  I just haven't stopped to listen.  

If I want to get my kids abroad and to have an experience beyond a week of seeing the sites I have to do something drastic..right?  Right.  Sean works from home doing a job that can be done anywhere with an internet connection.  I stay at home.  We are pretty flexible.  We could go somewhere for...more than a week or two.  So how do I make that happen because I have to make it happen....it's not just going to come to us.

About a month ago I got inspired to sit down and work on my list of jewelry ideas.  This past month I have been making and then going through the trauma of photographing them and today I re-opened my Etsy store:

It would make me so happy if you would check it out by clicking here:  emitate. on Etsy  

Also, if you want to hear what else I have been inspired to do then please click here and meet:  You're Maker.