Friday, April 12, 2013

Naptime Stitches



In September of 2009 my husband accepted a full time Pastoring position in a church that was about an hour from where we were living at the time. Taking this step into full-time ministry meant a move for us and it was the perfect time for me to transition into the stay-at-home-mom role.  At first I embraced the fact that everyday resembled the one before it.  I loved getting up, playing with Ella, and getting to housework whenever I felt like it.  It was nice to cook every day, and my husband loved it too!  To be honest I’m not really sure what I did with all my time, after adding two more little girls I’m thinking I wasn't very efficient!   



About 4 months passed and we found out we were expecting our second baby.  Morning sickness and the pregnancy hormones took hold and I started to become less than content with the day to day.  At this point I hadn't made too many friends and was feeling quite lonely.  I was only an hour away from my family, but still felt distant. There was always plenty to do, but it was the same thing I did yesterday, and tomorrow it would need to be done again.  (You know the things… making the bed, sweeping the floor, dishes ect.)  It was in those days that I began to search for a hobby, something that stayed finished once I completed the task.

December rolled around and my Mom began asking what I would like for Christmas.  After a little thinking I told her a sewing machine.  I had been looking at craft and sewing blogs and it seemed as if sewing could be the perfect hobby for me.  Creating things had always been something that I loved!  After Christmas I couldn't wait to begin my sewing adventures.  After reading endless sewing blogs and finding a mountain of projects I wanted to try I was a little overwhelmed.  My sewing machine set untouched for a few weeks.  Finally a friend and I got together, and she helped me to complete a simple log cabin quilt. It was just the push I needed!  After that I just took off, if I was unsure of how to do something I just googled it.  There are so many helpful blogs and resources out there.  I'll share some of my favorites in another post.  
          
           After our second daughter Emma was born my sewing time diminished greatly.  As we got into a routine I realized that if there was going to be sewing time both girls had to be on the same nap schedule.  Once that was achieved my daily sewing session took place at about 2:00.  It felt so good to put down all the house work and do something creative even if it was for only a short time.



            My love for sewing started with quilting.  It is so fun to see how the quilt is transformed after it’s all finished.  My little girls love clothes and dresses, so naturally I started sewing things for them.   I am not a fan of using store bought patterns, so I usually draw out my own and just start sewing.  It is always an adventure.  When I made their Easter dresses the first one was intended for my oldest daughter, however when finished the dress was too small, but fit our middle girl Emma perfectly!  She loved it and I learned a thing or two about pattern sizing along the way. The girls love to wear the things that I make for them and that brings me 
such joy!

 Sewing for other people is also something that I enjoy.  Recently I have been making items and putting them on my Naptime Stitches Boutique Facebook page.  A few of my latest orders have been little girl’s dresses, baby quilts, purses ect.  There is great satisfaction in seeing someone else love what I make!



The pictures scattered throughout this post are some of my completed projects.  Just yesterday I put together a couple of new pillows that I thought all of the Chicken Scratch followers would enjoy.  You can find and order them over at Naptime Stitches Boutique.   (there is a button at the top of the blog page)  If you comment with your name, email and tell us about your hobby you will be in for a drawing.  The lucky winner will get to choose between the Rooster or Egg pillow.

Well it is naptime so that means that I better get stitching!

God Bless!
Melissa

**Don’t forget to comment to be put in the drawing!  

17 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you found a great hobby! Love what you are doing! Right now my hobby is chickens as we recently moved and all of my sewing stuff is packed up in storage. One day though, I'll have a sewing room again! watuwando@gmail.com

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  3. I bought a nice sewing machine one time when my daughter had turned one. I found some cute x back dress patterns with fabric and everything to go with them! I was standing in our local fabric store for what seemed like hours trying to round up the last items when an older lady that worked there came over to see if she could help me find anything. Quite frustrated, I told her what I was making and that I had found most everything but that I had been staring at the wall of stuff and couldn't find anything that said notions...after she picked herself off the floor from laughing she sweetly told me that those were the buttons, threads, needles etc! Needless to say - the sewing machine was donated to Goodwill that same day! I love that folks like you have been blessed with such talent for those of us more challenged to enjoy! Beautiful quilts and I love the pillows as well! Keep up the blog - I enjoy all your posts! gparkeraps@gmail.com

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  4. I used to love quilting when the kids were down for naptime, I truly miss those quiet hours! As my own kids get older, it has been difficult to extricate time for things that have nothing to do with cooking, raising children, homeschooling, or our small farm. I truly enjoy all of those things (most of the time, and yet I have begun to yearn for a creative outlet outside of that. I have started dreaming of fabric again, and your blog post is inspiring. Thank you! ak5homegrown@gmail.com

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  5. The pillows are adorable! I have always had a love for sewing and now that my nest is empty and I am retired it is a pleasant time filler. I have also made the log cabin quilt, one of my favorites. Keep stitching and enjoy your projects!

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  6. The pillows are so cute.. I just painted and redecorated my kitchen.. my living room is next!! Happy to be following your blog now.
    jamesnbrandi@gmail.com
    p.s. Everyone loves the beautiful maran eggs that my girls are laying. We got the 4 hens from you in November and they are doing great!
    Brandi

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  7. the pillows are adorable! great job! i don't have any chickens yet, i keep pouring through catalogs trying to decide which kind i want to have...and looking at a home to put them in. i did find a chicken ring tone for my phone though! LOL Happy weekend! Thanks so much for your inspiration! Lana moondancer74@hotmail.com

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  8. Adorable pillows, would love to win one! Sue gmasue45@yahoo.com

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  9. Love your blog, always enjoy your posts! Thanks for everything! Jacqueline fausterlady@hotmail.com

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  10. I'm really excited to come pick up my chickens this spring. I'm loving your blog, it would be nice to see more chicken pictures! :)

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  11. mengreg5@gmail.com Beautiful stitching!

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  12. Love your blog and facebook page. Keep up the good work!

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  13. hey Angie, am loving all the goodies your putting up. So glad I found you on FaceBook when I did. The chicks are really growing will share pics soon.PS I think I only got 1 ROO :)yea

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  14. i just started raising chickens and find everyones posts, blogs, websites etc very helpful! i would love to win one of your pillows to add to my vintage camper that i am currently restoring!

    have a great day!!

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  15. How pretty and what a talent. I cannot sew so these are just so precious!! I would love to be entered in your drawing and thank you so much for sharing your wonderful treasures :)I would love either one but I especially love the chicken one.... queenb@epix.net

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  16. How cute.... love the rooster design! cjmouse19@gmail.com

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