Worky Week

It's been a really busy week. In fact I'm still working. AND I'm feeling poorly :(

What is this photo supposed to be of?

But here is this week's photo. As I said on flickr, I'm not totally pleased with it. I think the composition could be much better. But it was my favourite of the ones I've taken this week, mainly because of how cool the sky looks. I love a picture of a good sky.

As for sewing... apart from making half of a hood on Monday I haven't managed any at all! January somehow seems to be a lot busier than November and December were. Anyone else having that problem?

Here's one more contender for PP#4. I didn't choose it because the star was too blurry.

Venus?

Fun goals, skipped stitches and painting with light

Pleasing Photograph #3

I've never been one for New Year's Resolutions - I dislike the stigma of not eating chocolate for the first two weeks of January, going running once, and then forgetting all about them. But when my dad went to Argentina for New Year a few years ago he brought back a tradition I preferred. There, people choose twelve goals - not so much resolutions as things they would like to achieve. I find this much more fun and exciting because you can choose things you're really interested in, rather than 'worthy' things like working harder or trying to lose weight. Two of the goals I chose for this year are relevant to two of my favourite hobbies, so I thought I'd mention them here.

The first is my project to create at least one pleasing photograph every week. Note my cunning use of the term "create" - it's a bit of a get-out-clause in case I REALLY don't have time to take my camera out one week, and it means I could get away with editing an old shot to create something new. But my intention is to be taking at least one pleasing photograph each week. I'll be posting them here every Sunday (and also on flickr). Above is this week's Pleasing Photo; see below for some close contenders.

My other hobby-related goal is that I'd like to create at least one pleasing sewn item each month. I know there are crazy people out there who aim to sew a garment every week, or refashion something every day - but I don't have that kind of time! I do think, however, that I should be able to manage one a month.

Having said that, I'm running out of time for January... and if my sewing machine continues to behave like it did yesterday I might be in trouble! In the three hours (approximately) I spent sewing, I managed to complete one, yes one, finished seam. Initially it was because the machine kept skipping stitches, a problem which I only partially solved. But I do have my own mental capacity to thank as well, because in trying to follow these simple and admirable instructions for adding pockets I managed to over-think things (I always do...) and sewed all four of the pocket pieces on backwards. Grr. Unpick, unpick, unpick.

At this point the ever-charming Noah decided that the only thing that could possibly cheer me up would be a good blaze. He took some scrap newspaper and a bit of the fence that had blown down a few weeks ago, and set to work in the firepit. I did a little more unpicking but soon determined that my time would be better spent outside, where the fire was now going. So I grabbed my tripod, changed into jeans and headed outside to snap about a million photos. We had a really good blaze going and then, as the flames died down, we decided (as we always do) to try a bit of cooking in the embers. This time we had a good idea of what to make: "hobo bags", a la Danielle's wedding. Noah parcelled up some chopped potato, onion and garlic in tinfoil, with some seasoning of course, and the result twenty minutes later was delicious.

Here are a few more firey photos that didn't quite make it as PP#3. What do you think - did I choose the right one?

Stargazing and home-made bread

This week has made me think about how I spend my time.

Tuesday night is 'Date Night' for me and Noah. We watched a film, which is a fairly common date night activity. That's fine - it's something we both enjoy and I think we often feel kind of tired and don't want to expend much energy. After the film I was playing around with Star Walk (the app which made me really interested in iPads in the first place) and suggested going into the back garden. But Noah had grander plans and ten minutes later we were walking over to the Wick - the local dog-walking hotspot just across the road from where we live - with an old blanket and a flask of hot chocolate. It was absolutely lovely (if very cold and muddy!) looking up at the stars, remembering all the constellations my dad taught me to recognise - and remembering also how it used to be when Noah and I were first getting to know each other. We used to go out for night (and sometimes daytime) walks, looking at the stars, climbing trees, talking and talking. Noah lived in a house with a proper fireplace and we'd spend ages lying and staring into the flames.

I felt as though, recently, I'd become too embroiled in agonising over the details of a busy life. But more than that - as though having this teaching job is a bit of an excuse to not do anything deep or complex or interesting, because I'm always too tired. We have takeaways, watch TV, go out to the pub - all very pleasant things to do, but you can have too much of them. 

In the summer I heard a very interesting talk by John-Paul Flintoff, at Greenbelt. He was talking about making your own clothes, and one thing he said was that people often make the excuse that they don't have time to do that. That's all very well, he said, but really when people say they don't have time, it means they don't want to. I think at first I was a indignant, because there are *lots* of things I "don't have time" to do. I work full time as a primary school teacher; I have a 45-minute journey to and from work; and I spend a lot of my evenings and weekends doing youth work or other church stuff with Noah.

But. As time went by, I realised that J-P F was talking about choices. We may not have time to do everything, but we can choose how to spend the time we have - and most people have time to do *something*. I tend to find that if I don't plan an activity I can spend a lot of hours wandering aimlessly around the internet. Whilst spending some time online brings me enjoyment, useful information, laughter, ideas and fun, it's really not satisfying to look back on an evening and realise that's all you've done. So this week I've been trying to do something with those little bits of time I have. On Thursday Noah and I played Scrabble before he went out to his PCC meeting. On Saturday my parents came to visit; we went to a new cafe (discovered, yes, with the help of Google!). This evening I've been baking bread and finally reorganising the kitchen cupboard.

I feel much more satisfied and also calmer after spending my time in a more useful, reflective, tranquil or interesting way. Because I seem to tend towards being rather lazy it does take some mental effort to choose an activity that demands a bit more exertion, whether mental or physical. But the benefit is definitely great. I hope I can get into the habit of spending my time wisely. I don't mean that I mustn't watch TV or follow link-trails around the internet - I just want to make sure that I choose an activity worthy of the amount of time I spend on it.

Playtime!

After another day spent in bed feeling poorly, I decided at about half past three that I was going to BE BETTER, darn it! I phoned school and told them to expect me in tomorrow. And of course, if I'm going to work tomorrow, that means I'm allowed to get up and play this evening!

What playing looks like these days

I had an idea for (yet another!) garment I wanted to make, this time out of some purple fabric I got from St Albans market last weekend. I bought it despite the fact that Noah doesn't like it at all (shock!) and I see it as a challenge to turn it into a garment he admires. (Well, at least, a garment he approves of). I also want to make something I know I'll wear a lot. About my favourite kind of garment ever is a hoodie, so without further ado I shall attempt to create one of my very own design.

Here's the fabric:

I think what Noah doesn't like is the flowery print. I kind of like it, but mainly bought the fabric because it's such a good purple colour (slightly darker than in this photo, in fact). I've decided to try using the fabric back to front for the most part, just highlighting certain parts of the hoodie with the flowers facing out. I'll have to choose where I cut carefully!

To be honest it's more a hooded t-shirt than a hoodie, but I'm hoping it will be big enough to wear with a layer underneath. This evening I've been re-drafting my basic t-shirt pattern (from Cal Patch's most edifying book Design-It-Yourself Clothes, which guides the reader through simple steps to create well-fitting versions of several basic garments). I made it a bit bigger (so I can wear a layer underneath) and have also added a yoke (which will be flowers-out) and separate cuffs. And, of course, a hood! I used Suzanne's tutorial over at Beau Baby, tracing around a couple of hoods I already own to get the shape right. I'm thinking of lining my hood with the same fabric (but again, flowers-out).

I just need to make a decision on the question of pockets (yes? no? two small or one big? patch or side seam? what shape? topstitched or not? flowers-out or flowers-in?) and I can start cutting!

Today's question: Are there any other grown-ups out there who love to wear tops with hoods? Have you ever sewn a hooded garment for yourself?

My First Sew (and a question)

I'm not feeling very well today. Or yesterday for that matter, when Noah and I ventured into Hemel Hempstead in the hope of finding suitable Christmas presents for various relatives. Because we've had Thanksgiving now, and Noah says that's when we're allowed to start thinking about Christmas. Good thing too, as we'll be leaving for Florida in less than three weeks!!

But today all I feel like doing is sleeping. No sewing all weekend!

So here are some old photos of my yellow skirt. (Notice the crumbs...? Noah took this when he was messing around with my camera after a picnic lunch in the garden one Sunday!)

It's the first garment I ever made, back in September before we got the sewing machine, so it's all done by hand. I also invented the pattern myself by copying from a skirt I liked. I didn't really know what seam allowance was so I added way more than I needed to, then couldn't work out where I should sew my seams. In short it's a miracle that I can wear it at all! But I do, even though the waistband is way too wide at the top and some of the stitching is starting to look a bit old already. I wear it because it's such a lovely bright yellow colour. I wear it because it's a skirt with pockets (yay!) - and mainly I wear it because I made it myself, darn it, and I'm proud of that :)

Me and Noah just after his Christmas-present-trial-aeroplane-flight... just as proof that my entirely hand-sewn skirt is game for all kinds of adventure!

And one of those classy 'proof it has pockets' pictures that you always see on pattern envelopes. (I made the green stripy t-shirt too. Definitely got the sewing bug!)

So here's the question: do you wear stuff even if it didn't turn out very well? Does creating something for yourself make you oh-so-proud even if it's not perfect? Or does it have to be just right before it gets taken out into public?

Funny Old Weekend

Noah's been away in Eastbourne at a youth work conference this weekend. In fact he's not even back yet (silly old M25 traffic) but I'm expecting him any minute (yay!)

It's been a strange weekend without him. On Saturday I tried going round our local charity shops - something we often do together - but it wasn't much fun without him. Which is odd, because when he's there I usually feel like I'm being far too slow and must hurry up. Maybe having a limited amount of time makes it more fun?

I messed around, wasting away the whole day, feeling kind of poorly and not at all like doing anything (not even sewing). Until about 7:30pm, when I suddenly decided that actually I did want to make something. A few pattern pieces later, and... I have a half-finished jersey dress. I didn't get time to finish the neckline or put the pockets in (new rule: I must stop sewing when I start shouting at the machine!) but if I get some time tomorrow evening I reckon it'll be done. The thing is, I don't even know whether I like it or not... it's a very bold stripe, which I've placed right down the middle of the dress, but it looks much better at the sides where the stripes kind of chevron together.

Oh... and a question (just in case any sewists chance to read this blog post): how do awewome sewing people attach side seam pockets? I cut them separately and at the moment I've stitched along the seams leaving a hole to sew the pocket in. But I'm sure there must be a better way!

On a completely different note, this morning was pretty interesting. Our church* does this 'Seminar Sunday' thing once a term, where instead of everybody sitting in for the same sermon you have to think about which one you'd prefer to go to. I went to a talk by a lovely lady called Janice about her project, The Living Room, an addiction treatment centre in Stevenage. They're thinking of setting one up in St Albans. I was pretty interested - I'm always interested in in-the-community stuff like this - but I didn't really see how I could possibly be involved, since I don't have any experience at all with addiction or counselling. Then... Janice mentioned that as part of their service they run an OFSTED registered creche... of course it's all very new at the moment and I don't know whether or not I'll end up being involved. But I've always hoped that this teaching thing would lead to a different kind of service with young children... Exciting!

*Apologies for the cheesy website...

Pyjama Party

So last week my class voted to have a pyjama party as their marble treat (you know... they get a marble in the jar each time they do something good... when it's full they choose a treat). I promise that I did not influence them in this. Not at all. Even though the next thing I knew I wanted to sew was a pair of pyjamas. I've been planning them for ages - I even made a practise pair out of an old sheet - but it took the inducement of being permitted to wear the pyjamas not only outside the house, but at work, for me to finally get started on them.

Here they are. It's surprisingly difficult to take good photos of one's own pyjamas, particularly when you're inside and it's dark, and your husband has gone to the seaside without you and so cannot hold the camera for you. I tried to go for some fun jumping-off-the-bed shots, but as you can see it didn't work out perfectly...

Things I learned
- Measure carefully before you make buttonholes. Like, really carefully. (I managed to put them in the wrong place not once but twice, by which time I was so fed up that I left them where they were).
- Bias tape is AMAZING!*
- Sewing to a deadline when you feel kind of poorly on a Monday evening isn't nearly as fun as messing about making interesting looking pockets on a Saturday afternoon.

I got extremely cross with the sewing machine whilst I was making these. Particularly those buttonholes... so much frustration... and the pyjamas don't even have any buttons! Noah was in the room at the time and witnessed my grumpiness. I don't think he'd realised before what the actual process of making stuff looks like... he was kind of surprised. And understandably so: regardless of creation frustrations, I'm always insufferably delighted as soon as I finish a garment!

*Seriously amazing. Just put that stuff anywhere near an iron and suddenly you can transform it into whatever shape you like!