Sewing with a plan?

I already have two current sewing projects underway - a set of simple, reversible placemats as well as the above Oliver + S Ice Cream dress pattern for my daughter.  And I have a few unfinished objects ... including a pair of pants that I fear my daughter is already outgrowing (ahem)...they can be capris in the spring, right?;-)
I really haven't done well with joining sew-alongs before...I seem to take on too much at a time. But I'm really, really eager right now to take part in the Spring Palette Challenge being hosted by Collette Patterns.  I have never done a storyboard or planned a tiny coordinating mini-wardrobe. Just the planning part sounds like so much fun. So....I'm not actually going to make a commitment to this, but I am putting up that button on my sidebar as I continue to consider getting involved. Maybe it's just the right amount of structure that I need to help me meet my gentle intention of sewing more for myself this year. Maybe.
Of course, I really shouldn't neglect my son, right? I'm thinking of perhaps joining Peter's shirt sew-along but instead of making a man's shirt, making the above Oliver + S Sketchbook shirt pattern for my son.  I'll just slide that button on the sidebar, too.  You know, because I'm just considering it. Yes, yes, I know...I'm starting to be a little ambitious...but I haven't actually committed to anything ...just considering it all. It is fun to make sewing plans!

a fabric fast

Last year, I know I spent far more time reading about sewing than actually sewing.  And in my enthusiasm at seeing all of your fabulous sewing projects, I bought fabric...and notions...and fabric....and patterns...and fabric...and sewing books...and well, more fabric.  (Yes, the photo above is a picture of part of my current stash of fabrics). Visions of many wonderful completed projects danced around in my head: chic clothes for me, boutique-style dresses for my daughter, gorgeous patchwork pillows, unique one-of-a-kind handbags, and on and on. Well, we all know how unrealistic those dancing visions are, right?
So, now I have a fabric stash. Granted, probably at least half of it is fabric from the thrift store, either in the form of regular fabric yardage or linens (so that means I didn't pay very much for those and I'm being environmentally-friendly in buying them!).
It has come to the point, though, where I must set strict guidelines on acquiring more fabric (unlike setting goals for my sewing).  I hereby declare that until then end of April, 2011, I will not buy any fabric online or in-store for no specific reason. The following exceptions (of course!) apply:

• I am allowed to accept fabric as gifts.
• I am allowed to buy fabric for a specific and current project if nothing in my current stash is appropriate.
• I am allowed to buy fabric on vacation.
• I am allowed to buy fabric at a thrift store only if I absolutely love it and it is of good quality.

Hopefully, I can continue this fabric fast for longer than four months. But I wanted to have a deadline that was in the "not-too-distant" future so that this fast would seem more doable. Must. Avoid. Fabric. Websites.

namaste,
sony

mindful sewing

I have been doing some sewing. Not as much as I would like but still...a little bit...here and there. What I haven't done is blogged about my sewing. And that's all right. I may blog about some of the stuff I've made or I may not. We'll see.

Although we are already 2 weeks into 2011, I wanted to take the opportunity to set some gentle sewing intentions for myself for this year. And I do mean gentle ... in the sense that sewing for me is a creative outlet and for fun and I do not want to put pressure on myself and ruin the enjoyment of the process by imposing strict deadlines or very specific goals.

With that in mind, here are my sewing intentions for this year:
- Sewing for myself with a focus on skirts, cardigans, tank tops, simple tops and some refashioned clothing.
- Sewing for my children with a focus on working through my stash of Oliver + S patterns in particular.
- Sewing for my home - I've moved over 30 times in my life. This has led to a strong desire to set roots where I am now (and thus the name of my blog) and I want to manifest this by ensuring my home is a warm and cozy nest that reflects me and my family with lots of "handmade with love" goodness.

Hmmm. This list actually seems like a lot of intentions. Anyway, I will keep a summary of these intentions on my sidebar as a reminder to myself. And sew gently into the year.

namaste,
sony

being present, letting go, and doing what I love

Well, hello there. I'm tickled that this is my first blog post and that you are reading it! I wish for this blog to be an inspiring and uplifting place to chronicle my journey with all of my creative pursuits while nurturing harmony in my home, in my family and in myself.

I yearn to live life fluidly. I've set goals for myself for years and I've accomplished many of them. But the constant striving means that I never feel as if I've "arrived" at my destination; however, I've actually grown in countless ways as a human "becoming" over the past ten to fifteen years. So, as suggested here, I'm going to try to break free from goals.

Now, as a mother of two young children, letting go of goals and expectations is something that I struggle with on a daily basis. But after five years of mothering, I've come to realize that being present and letting go of expectations are essential to achieving a more harmonious life with children.

Doing what I love replenishes me so that I have the ability to remain mindful with my family. Over the course of my life, I haven't given my creative interests much time or attention. Now, after the birth of my second child, I feel a compulsion to create and be creative and to connect with others. I can no longer deny it. Creating, whether it's via sewing or photography or cooking, fulfills me and sustains me. Come, join me, let's be present, let go and do what we love.